Swiss Festivals, Mountains and More ...

"Lingua Musica tours are always a great experience ... a diversity of music festivals and performances in interesting venues, many featuring world-class artists. We have attended concerts in castles, chateaux, modern concert halls, baroque chapels and very old and ornate theatres. Accommodation is always excellent, travelling comfortable. We have free time at all destinations to "do our own thing". I would go on all the tours if I could!"
Beverley Pether, Witchcliffe, WA, Australia.

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PRICING DETAILS:
Per person, twin-share AUD$8,690
Single Supplement AUD$950

DEPOSIT: AUD$500 1st May 2011
Your deposit is used to secure performance tickets.

BALANCE DUE: AUD$8,190 30th June 2011

DOWNLOAD TOUR BROCHURE:

Swiss Tour
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DOWNLOAD BOOKING FORM:

Swiss Festivals Booking Form
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TOUR INCLUSIONS:
- 14 nights' accommodation in centrally located 4* hotels
- 10 Festival Performances
- In-depth lectures, plus a comprehensive Tour Handbook containing information on orchestras, soloists and conductors, and detailed programme notes for all major performances.
- Comprehensive sight-seeing and full day excursions, with local English-speaking guides
- All breakfasts, plus meals as indicated in the Itinerary
- All admissions' tickets when on guided tours
- Services of the Tour Director or Manager
- Travel by fast rail and private, air-conditioned coach
- Hotel Porterage - one bag per person, where available
- All tips and taxes

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS:
International flights and airport transfers to and from your hotel at the commencement and conclusion of the Tour are NOT included in this tour. Please contact us if you would like assistance with your International Flights.

YOUR HOTELS:
Hotel Angleterre, Geneva
Hotel Bernerhof, Gstaad
Hotel Eden Palace au Lac, Montreux
Hotel des Vignes, Sion
Hotel Hermitage, Lucerne

GETTING THERE:
Geneva is easily accessible by TGV from Paris.

Your Tour Price includes transfer to Lucerne Rail Station plus a train ticket to ZURICH, from where there are many flights and trains to most major European cities.

Swiss Festivals, Mountains & More ...
Geneva, Gstaad, Montreux, Sion, Lucerne
Commencing Geneva 31st August 2011
15 Days

Join us on our journey which incorporates the most  prestigeous Music Festivals of LUCERNE,   GSTAAD, MONTREUX-VEVEY and SION, in the magic of Switzerland's mountainous terrain.

This tour commences in Geneva, where our stay in a luxurious hotel will delight. Our enthusiastic guide, who well loves her city, will introduce you to as much of Geneva as possible before we commence our journey of prestigious classical music festivals and spectacular mountain train journeys.

The first of our journeys brings us to picturesque GSTAAD in Saanenland, for part of the famous YEHUDI MENUHIN FESTIVAL, which the renowned maestro started and which has grown in prestige year by year, attracting the cream of the world's artists.

The MONTREUX-VEVEY SEPTEMBRE MUSICALE also features world-renowned artists during its annual music weeks and you will enjoy greatly additional Swiss Riviera experiences here. SION, the Capital of the Department of the Valais, spectacularly located below rugged peaks, is both a skiing and walking paradise. Its annual Classical Music Festival has become very popular within the music world.

And of course, LUCERNE, that sophisticated small city on the Lake of the same name is, like France's Aix-en-Provence, the venue for another of Europe's most popular classical Music Festivals. Every year one is confident of encountering world-class distinguished orchestras, conductors and soloists. We will enjoy part of this Festival as well as Lucerne's other attractions.

Itinerary follows but if you require any additional information please don't hesitate to telephone Roma Randles on 03 9589 0942 or 0407 942 296  OR  Deborah Tresise on 02 9327 5733.
Emails : [email protected] and [email protected]

DETAILED ITINERARY
Wednesday 31st August
GENEVA
Our tour commences in Geneva, where we will be staying in the  HOTEL d' ANGLETERRE on the enchanting Geneva Harbour, with its famous dazzling white fountain, richly flowered parterres, aquatic fauna, swans, gulls, ducks, and myriad of colorful Regatta sails. 

We meet fellow travellers in the later afternoon at our first tour meeting, followed by a welcome dinner with Roma Randles and your Tour Manager. (D)


Thursday 1st September
GENEVA
This morning we commence our time in Geneva with a guided walking tour through the heart of Geneva's historic and picturesque Old Town, the Cathedral and City Hall, its secret alleyways and squares with flowers. We will visit some of the more important landmarks, including the Catherdral of Saint-Pierre with its austere Calvinist interior. Place Neuve, site of Geneva's Grand-Théâtre, the prestigious Conservatory of Music and the Rath Museum are also focal points of Geneva interest. We will also visit the the Place du Bourg-de-Four, around the beautiful eighteenth century flowered fountain. Here you will discover magnificent examples of sixteenth and eighteenth century architecture.

Your afternoon is free for further leisurely exploration of this beautiful city.

OPTIONAL EVENING PERFORMANCE
Program details to be provided.


Friday 2nd September
GSTAAD
Transfer to Gare de Geneve for commencement of our spectacular train journey to the world-famous village of  GSTAAD in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Gstaad boasts a wealth of very beautiful old houses in the chalet style typical of the region. Our Gstaad hotel is the alpine-styled HOTEL BERNERHOF, with its warm welcome and comfortable rooms. There will be time for you to explore the village during the afternoon.

The first courses of dinner will be served in our hotel restaurant, before our transfer to our first Menuhin Festival concert. Dessert and coffee will be served afterwards. (D)

MENUHIN FESTIVAL PROGRAM
PAHUD SPIELT BACH
Orchesterkonzert

Emmanuel Pahud: Flute
Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra (Budapest)
PROGRAM:
Johann Sebastian Bach
Brandenburgische Konzerte Nr. 3, 6 & 2
Joseph Haydn
Flötenkonzert D‐Dur (bearb. von L. Hoffmann)
Felix Mendelssohn
Oktett op. 20 (Fassung für Streichorchester)


Saturday 3rd September
GSTAAD
This morning we will enjoy our second Menuhin Festival concert in a typical village church after which you will have time to explore further, before a repeat of the Bernerhof's split dinner and transfer arrangements. (D)

Our third Menuhin concert in its unique and impressive venue, is in fact the finale of the entire Menuhin Festival 2011.

MENUHIN FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Morning Program
MATINÉE DES JEUNES ÉTOILES VIII
Violin and Piano Recital

Graf Mourja: Violin – Winner Violin Masters de Monte Carlo 2010

MENUHIN FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Program Finale
ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Zubin Mehta: Conductor
Sol Gabetta: Violoncello
PROGRAM:
Claude Debussy
Iberia Suite
Camille Saint‐Saëns
Cellokonzert Nr. 1 A Minor
Peter Tchaikowsky
Sinfonie Nr. 4 F Minor


Sunday 4th September
GSTAAD
Today will be free for independent discovery. Perhaps you may be interested in joining a Mountain Excursion. The Bernerhof Hotel has a daily schedule and will be pleased to arrange for your inclusion. The evening is also free for you to sample the extensive village cuisine at your leisure.


Monday 5th September
GSTAAD
Today we will enjoy an excursion in our private coach to INTERLAKEN in the mighty Jungfrau. Our route will take us along sparkling streams of that special aqua-marine hue. We will ascend by funicular, to a point from where you will be able to gaze out over the region's crystal-clear lakes and fantastic falls. You will will also enjoy other points of interest in this charming town. Lunch will be included. (L)

Tuesday 6th September
MONTREUX
This morning we descend to Montreux, situated on the shores of Lake Geneva and surrounded by the majestic Swiss and French Aps. Here we stay at the superbly sited HOTEL EDEN PALACE, with its marvellous Belle Epoque reception areas overlooking the lake. The 15kms or more of the Montreux-Vevey lakeside, lined with vineyards, has come to be known as the Swiss Riviera. The beautiful and famous Quai des Fleurs is perfect for pleasant strolling whilst watching the swans drift by and the steamers criss-crossing the lake. There are also many attractions in the town itself, including the nearby Chateau de Chillon, which owes its notoriety to Lord Byron's stirring poem about its fabled prisoner.

Dinner will be served in one of the hotel restaurants this evening. (D)

MONTREUX-VEVEY FESTIVAL PROGRAM
We will attend two performances of this prestigious festival during our time in Montreux. Program details TBA.


Wednesday 7th September
MONTREUX
This morning we take the short bus ride to nearby VEVEY, where we will meet our guide for a tour of this charming town and discussion on those who made it their home, noteably Igor Stravinsky, Ernest Hemingway, Charlie and Oona Chaplin, to name a few. Lunch will be served in the delightful Market Square, before we board a Lake Steamer for a ride to the famous and chilling Chateau de Chillon. (L)

MONTREUX-VEVEY FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Program details TBA. 
 

Thursday 8th September
SION
After a free morning, we meet in the early afternoon for another interesting train journey to SION, situated beneath towering mountain peaks, with glimses of Mediaeval castles. Here we stay in the rustique environment in the delightful Hotel des Vignes.

Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant prior to transfer to our first Sion Festival concert. (D)

SION FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Eglise des Jesuites, Sion:
Clarinet and Strings:   FINE ARTS QUARTET  ( USA ) with Michel Lethiac, Clarinet
PROGRAM
Mozart, Brahms


Friday 9th September
SION
Today will be a leisurely day exploring the environs.

Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant prior to transfer to our second Sion Festival concert. (D)

SION FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Program details TBA.   


Saturday 10th September
LUCERNE
We will be collected by our driver for a pleasant journey by private coach through Swiss hills and farming vistas to our beautiful lake-side HOTEL HERMITAGE, where your rooms look out over sloping green lawns across the water to the spectacular peaks in the distance.

You will have time to relax before dinner in our hotel. (D)


Sunday 11th September
LUCERNE
This morning we will enjoy a guided walking tour focusing on the many sights of this delightful Swiss city. You will be introduced to tiny squares, wooden bridges over rushing water and fascinating glimpses of life as it was in a different era ... such a contrast to the glamour and bustle of this modern city. We will come to the very symbol of Lucerne ... Kapellbrucke, a covered wooden footbridge over the River Reuss, which was built in 1333. There are other lovely little squares featuring restored houses with painted facades, including "Panorama", one of the largest canvases in Europe, contained in an historic round building. The famous Lion Monument, carved deep into a sandstone cliff above the town is another great symbol of Lucerne. 

Our day will also include a visit to the lovely "Tribschen", home of Richard and Cossima Wagner for several years, now a museum. It is also where he worked on Die Meistersinger and Parzival.

This evening we will dine early at our hotel, before our first festival concert, at the magnificent Lucerne Festival Centre. (D)

LUCERNE FESTIVAL PROGRAM
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski: Conductor
Julia Fischer: Soloist
PROGRAM
Beethoven, Liszt, Scriabin and Pintscher.

 
Sunday 12th September
LUCERNE
Today is your own for independent exploration in Lucerne.

You may wish to join an optional spectacular journey by river steamer and funicular railway to beautiful Bergenstock with its many walking tracks, for lunch. (Not included in Tour Cost.)

Evening festival performance.

LUCERNE FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
PROGRAM
Schubert and Dvorak


Monday 13th September
LUCERNE
There will be free morning before our lunchtime festival performance, in the glamorous Lucerne Casino.

LUCERNE FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Ensemble Raro
PROGRAM
Schubert, Mahler, Schumann

This evening we will review our experiences during our Farewell Dinner. (D)


Tuesday 14th September
LUCERNE
Our wonderful tour concludes after breakfast with your transfer to Lucerne Rail Station for the short journey  to ZURICH. From Zurich there is the choice of many flights and trains to most major European cities.

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Lake Geneva, Switzerland

Gstaad, Switzerland

Gstaad Festival

Montreux, Switzerland

Chateaux de Chillon, Montreux, Switzerland

Sion, Switzerland

Lucerne, Switzerland