Matterhorn Region (en)

L A K E G E N E VA & M AT T E R H O R N REGION SWITZERLAND

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2012 Offers

Where the Lake meets the Alps!

Geneva | Lausanne | Montreux Riviera | Crans‑Montana Leukerbad | Saas-Fee | Verbier | Zermatt

welcome

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Geneva Geneva, world’s smallest metropolis, hosts 200 international organizations and is the gastronomic capital of Switzerland.

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Lausanne

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Lausanne is the Olympic Capital and Home of the International Olympic Committee. One of the prime incentive & meetings destinations.

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Montreux Riviera Montreux Riviera, between palm trees and glacier, is the best possible hub on the shore of Lake Geneva to explore Western Switzerland.

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& a v e n e G Lake n o i g e R n r o h r e t t a M

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Verbier Located on an exceptionally sunny high plateau.

The resort is built in the traditional chalet-style architecture and surrounded by a great mountain scenery.

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Crans-Montana Crans-Montana, is the panoramic balcony of the Alps, where your views stretch from the Simplon to Mont-Blanc! Snow awaits skiers from the glacier (3,000 m) down to the resort on 140 km of slopes.

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Leukerbad

Welcome The Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region is one of Europe’s most varied touring and holiday destinations. A host of possibilities are in store for you and your customers.

We shall help you find your way through this varied range so that you can quickly and easily find the best offers to suit you.

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Our aim: to offer a unique and thrilling travel experience. From the multi-faceted mosaic of the Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region, we will select the most radiant and colorful gemstones. We shall show you the most attractive sights created by Mother Nature or by human hands.

Whatever you select from this exciting mix of traditional and modern, we guarantee that your customers will enjoy an unforgettable stay in the Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region.

Surrounded by high mountain peaks and offers the widest range of alpine thermal baths in Europe, summer and winter alike.

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Saas-Fee Saas-Fee lies in an idyllic valley surrounded by the highest mountains in the Swiss Alps at the foot of the glaciers like a shell and give it its distinctive name “the Pearl of the Alps”.

Contents Best of Mountains & Lakes Wine & Gastronomy Culture & Tradition Art & Architecture Luxury & Lifestyle Nature & Mobility Fun & Festivals

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Zermatt “Zermatt-Matterhorn: where the symbol of Switzerland is!” This picturesque mountain village at the foot of the majestic and world famous Matterhorn.

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The best of the Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region

Geneva a n a t n o M Crans

Day by Day

Lausanne

Day 1 Geneva - Lake Geneva Region

Zermatt

Montreux Riviera Leukerbad

Verbier Saas -Fee

Day 2 A full day at leisure to take advantage of numerous excursions. Transfer by rail to Montreux Riviera or Lausanne. Spend the day along the Swiss Riviera.

Take a leisurely cruise on the lake, visit Gruyères and its cheese factory, the mountain resort of Gstaad, or take the cable car to Glacier 3000 (Les Diablerets) and its panoramic restaurant designed by the famous Swiss architect Mario Botta. Visit Lausanne, the Olympic Capital and its unique Olympic Museum, Montreux Riviera and its famous Chillon Castle and “Alimentarium” Nestlé’s food museum.

Overnight in Montreux Riviera or Lausanne.

The best of the Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region Geneva Part of Geneva’s great appeal is that it manages to combine a laid back atmosphere with the buzz of an exciting city. It has two names that show its versatility - Capital of Peace, referring to the UN European headquarters, the International Committee of the Red Cross headquarters and The World’s Smallest Metropolis. Likewise, its geography is doubly-attractive.

The location is simply stunning. The city is situated on the banks of Lake Geneva, Europe’s largest lake, at the foothills of the Jura mountains with the Alps on the close horizon. Meanwhile, the city is full of swish shops, lively streets and lakeside promenades.

Lake Geneva Region The Lake Geneva Region owes its reputation as the “Cocktail of Europe” 4

Arrival either by plane in Geneva or by train from Zurich via Lausanne. Spend one day in Geneva.

Discover the city of Geneva and its 2,000 years of history and culture. Stroll along the lake and parks, through the lovely Old-Town on the well-stocked shopping district. Visit Geneva’s international scene, including the European Headquarters of the United Nations, and admire the monumental “Broken Chair” symbol of the opposition to landmines situated on the majestic Place des Nations or join a sightseeing tour to the Genevan countryside or neighbouring France.

Overnight in Geneva.

to the diversity of its delightful landscape. Palmlined shores, gently wooded hills, lush green pastures and snowcappedsummits - these are the scenic splendours which make up this remarkable region.

Matterhorn Region The “Matterhorn Region” is the Holiday Kingdom located in south-western Switzerland and home of the majestic Matterhorn and the surrounding luxury resorts, such as Crans-Montana, Leukerbad, Saas-Fee, Verbier and Zermatt. A fascinating land of contrasts, centered around the Alps, this region enjoys an exceptionally mild climate and above-average exposure to the sun. Apart from the natural beauty, the region provides a wide range of leisure and pleasure activities.

Day 3 Lake Geneva Region - Matterhorn Region Transfer by rail from Lausanne or Montreux Riviera to either Crans-Montana, Leukerbad, Saas-Fee, Verbier or Zermatt. Overnight in one of the above destinations.

Price per person Winter supplement can be applied on holidays weeks.

Children from 6 to 16 years old: • Free travel on the entire itinerary if accompanied by a parent; • Reduced hotel rates when sharing room with 2 full paying persons.

For information and reservations please contact

Café de Tour Ch. Ballataz 12 T/F : +41 (0)21 963 17 55 1820 Montreux info@cafedetour.ch Switzerland www.cafedetour.ch

Price includes: • 4 nights accommodation including breakfast in 3-star or 4-star hotels: 1 overnight in Geneva, 1 overnight in either Lausanne or Montreux Riviera; 2 overnights in either Crans-Montana, Leukerbad, Verbier, Zermatt or Saas-Fee; • Pass entitling holder to unlimited transfers in 2nd class during the period of stay; • Any additional tickets for excursions to travel by rail, boat, postal buses and cable-cars can be purchased at 50 % of the regular fares.

3-star hotel

4-star hotel

Double room

From USD 870

From USD 1,125

Additional night

From USD 1,178

From USD 1,640

Guiding rates only, valid at time of printing

Day 4 Discover the Swiss Alps, take a cable car to eternal snow or visit the world’s biggest ice pavilion (SaasFee). Hike through unspoilt nature, play golf, ski or relax in one of the spas. Overnight in the chosen destination.

Day 5 Departure to either Zurich or Geneva International Airport or to the Italian border for a continuation of your trip.

Options The tour can be made the other way around.

Additional overnights are possible in any location.

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Mountains & Lakes

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Cruises on the Rhône Sure, the river Rhône is not the Amazon, but its length of 812 km makes it one of the longest and most beautiful rivers in Europe! Board one of our ships sailing from Geneva to the dam at Verbois and see for yourself! You’ll be astonished by the picturesque beauty this stretch has to offer. www.swissboat.ch

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Excursion to Mont-Blanc

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Geneva is the gateway to Mont-Blanc.

A 90-minute coach trip across the charming Arve valley will get you to Chamonix, one of the most famous mountain villages nestling at the foot of the majestic Mont-Blanc massif (4,810 m), the highest in Europe. www.keytours.ch

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Chillon Castle, Montreux Riviera This 11th century fortress is located on a small rocky island not far from Montreux. Its unique construction consists of a collection of 25 building units. This romantic site per excellence inspired Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Lord Byron to write. www.chillon.ch

Kuklos & Glacier 3000, Alps of Lake Geneva Region The Kuklos is a revolving restaurant offering an extraordinary panoramic view over Lake Geneva, the Matterhorn and Mont-Blanc. A few miles away, Glacier 3000 is a resort on a glacier with a view of the highest peaks in the Alps. Skiing and hiking, not to mention the Alpine Coaster, the highest sleds on rails in the world: these are just some suggestions to explore.

Mountains & Lakes Water is multifaceted like a diamond in these climes: pristine in the mountains on the longest glacier of the Alps, translucent under the soil below St-Léonard, sparkling on the shores of Lake Geneva and full of panache in Geneva.

Exploring it guarantees unforgettable moments.

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To climb the most reputed mountain chains in the Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region, means of transport of the most ingenious technical wizardry have been devised. Spend unforgettable moments at high altitudes: tread upon eternal snow, fill your lungs with pure air, while contemplating the breathtaking panorama from the most beautiful summits in Switzerland.

Feel like something special? Walk on the majestic glacier of Aletsch – the largest in the Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and then explore the ice pavilion, the largest of its kind, in Saas-Fee. In the heart of a vineyard, still in the Matterhorn Region, a natural wonder awaits you in St-Léonard: the mysterious and still world of the largest underground lake in Europe.

In the Lake Geneva Region, you’ll be charmed by the terraced vineyards in Lavaux between Lausanne and Montreux – a UNESCO World Heritage site –, from where you can admire Rochers-de-Naye, La Berneuse topped by Kuklos, 6

the only revolving restaurant in Western Switzerland, as well as Glacier 3000, where you can sled at your heart’s content on the Alpine Coaster, the highest sled track in the world. Continue to Geneva on a memorable cruise on Lake Geneva, from where you’ll behold magnificent landscapes with countless castles steeped in history, such as Prangins Castle, which houses the National Museum and an 18th century vegetable garden and of course the majestic Chillon Castle in Montreux. The journey finishes at the end of the lake. In Geneva, to be precise, where the 459 ft high water fountain bids you welcome. The lakefront at its feet brims with lively streets decorated with flowers and verdant parks inhabited by rare tree species and ancient manors.

To admire Mont-Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain, climb up to the Salève – effortlessly by cable car. The panorama and the unique view of Mont Blanc are worthy of a picture postcard.

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For information and reservations please contact Matterhorn Region / Valais Tourism Rue Pré Fleuri 6 1950 Sion www.matterhornregion.ch

The Lindner Alpentherme in Leukerbad is Europe’s largest high-altitude medical & Alpine wellness, beauty and thermal spa. Medical studies have proved that simply spending time at an altitude above 1,400 metres has a positive effect on one’s physical health. The Alps are a fountain of youth for the body, mind and soul. Feel their energy. www.leukerbad.ch 6

Matterhorn glacier paradise The highest altitude mountain railway station in Europe with a new restaurant in the Minergie-P standard sets standards for sustainability.

The panorama: a breathtaking view of Italian, French and Swiss Alpine giants at altitudes above 3,880 metres. www.zbag.ch

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wine & gastronomy

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Gamaret Discover Gamaret, an exceptional grape variety obtained in 1970 by crossbreeding Gamay and Reichensteiner. The thick grape skins ensure a pronounced tannic structure. The wines are of a deep red colour and have a fruity, yet full-bodied nose. They are delicious with grilled meats. Others numerous grapes varieties are cultivated in Geneva. www.opage.ch 2

Le Chat Botté Dominique Gauthier, who was elected “chef of the year 2009” by GaultMillau Switzerland, proposes creative and refined gastronomic dishes which bring out the best of our terroir produce.

Wine fans will be overjoyed by the many and rare references proposed by the Beau-Rivage cellar, one of the best stocked cellars in Switzerland. www.beau-rivage.ch

Lavaux vineyard, UNESCO World Heritage Site

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The Lavaux vineyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, illustrate a thousand years of labour. To make the most of the long hours of sunshine, man reduced the slopes by forming terraces in order to produce a highly appreciated wine: Chasselas. The site is easily accessible on foot or with the Lavaux Express or the Lavaux Panoramic, two charming little tourist trains. www.lavaux.ch

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Heavenly table arts As a hotspot of gastronomy and wine, gourmets from the four corners of the globe appreciate the Lake Geneva Region for its abundance of prestigious restaurants, the diversity of its cuisine and its local products. Did you know that this part of Switzerland was among the world’s most reputed gastronomic regions? www.lake-geneva-region.ch

Wine & Gastronomy Eating and drinking in a setting of diversity, authenticity, creativity and conviviality is a style of life in the Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region, a true heaven for all wine and gastronomy connoisseurs. A feast for all your senses in this region brimming with vineyards and good restaurants. So cheers and enjoy your meal!

The gourmet adventure starts out in international Geneva. The City of Calvin, as it’s sometimes called, offers small bistros, typical restaurants and first-rate establishments for the most demanding of gourmets, where talented chefs concoct extremely tempting meals. The star-studded restaurants with their fine dishes and the inns in the Geneva countryside and their divine terroir products are just as enticing, proposing “longeole” (pork sausage made with fennel seed) and cardoons. Geneva wines are the ideal accompaniment for all these dishes. These high-quality wines with a rounded-off nose and a smooth finish come from carefully tended vineyards. The Lake Geneva Region is known for its highest number of Gault Millau and Michelin rated restaurants in Switzerland. The locals, who all appreciate good food, will let you discover 8

terroir produce or fish from the lake: charcuterie, perch and féra fillets, as well as home-made cakes. The wine list of the Lake Geneva Region comprises six controlled designation of origin, including Lavaux, the terraced vineyards forming part of the UNESCO World Heritage Programme. Then you’re off to the Matterhorn Region, unique for its diversity and potential of local and traditional wines. At Espace Provins, you’ll taste wines with poetic names, such as Petite Arvine, Cornalin, Amigne, Malvoisie… And to take sustenance, why not taste Mund saffron rice, “cholera pie” (potato and cheese pie) from Conches valley or “brisolée” (roasted chestnuts with local meats)? A digestive walk on a didactic vineyard trail will not only let you discover memorable panoramas but will put you in shape for more gastronomic pleasures to come.

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Wine tasting in a castle

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For information and reservations please contact

Café de Tour Ch. Ballataz 12 T/F : +41 (0)21 963 17 55 1820 Montreux info@cafedetour.ch Switzerland www.cafedetour.ch

Discover more than 500 different wines from the Valais in the “L’Oenothèque du Château Villa”.

The “L’Oenothèque du Château Villa” combines modernity with tradition and is a place where amateurs and experts in the world of wine and gastronomy can exchange their passion and knowledge. Come and explore these great wines. www.chateaudevilla.ch 6

Wine Trail Take the Wine Trail to experience and understand the world of vines. 80 explanatory boards along the path connect the two parts of the Valais Wine and Vineyard Museum, which are in Salgesch and in Sierre. www.cheminduvignoble.ch

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culture & tradition

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Protestant Geneva In 2009, Geneva celebrated the 500th anniversary of the birth of Jean Calvin, who brought about the Protestant reform. Follow in his footsteps and discover Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Calvin Auditory, Collège de Genève and the famous Reformation Wall, a monument built in 1909 to the memory of great figures in Protestantism. www.geneva-tourism.ch

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CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is located in Geneva. CERN is one of the major and most prestigious scientific labs in the world and has invented, amongst other things, the World Wide Web. Don’t miss the new permanent exhibition “Universe of Particles” that confronts the great questions of contemporary physics, being explored by the CERN via the LHC and other accelerators. www.cern.ch 3

Historic Highlights Among the most interesting sites are the 13th Lausanne Cathedral, the largest Gothic monument in Switzerland, and the Monastery of Romainmôtier, which is one of the oldest church buildings in Switzerland. But in the Lake Geneva Region every stone has a story to tell. www.lake-geneva-region.ch

e n n a s u a L , ame D e r t o N of Cathedral

Cultural Highlights The Lake Geneva Region boasts nearly a hundred castles, fourteen of which are open to the public.

Moreover, it offers countless museums and a long tradition of cultural attractions and events. Who has never heard of the Montreux Jazz Festival? A must: the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, which is more than just a sports temple, and the Swiss National Museum in Prangins. www.lake-geneva-region.ch

Culture & Tradition The Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region preserves precious traces of historic and religious events that have sometimes changed the face of the Earth. This discovery tour starts in the past and ends in the present. It will lead you from Geneva to Zermatt via the Lake Geneva Region.

In the old town of Geneva – the first part of this journey, literally every street is imbued with history. Go back 2,000 years in time by following the cobble-stoned alleys leading from Ancien Arsenal to Collège Calvin, which was built in 1559 and which bears the name of its founder. Explore the alleys leading from Saint Peter’s Cathedral down to the Reformers’ Wall symbolizing 450 years of Protestantism, and do not miss the Hôtel-de-Ville, where countless treaties were signed by illustrious guests. After being a stronghold of the Reform, Geneva has turned into a city of peace providing a home to the headquarters of the United Nations, ICRC and UNHCR. The Lake Geneva Region is steeped in history evidenced by its plethora of castles, medieval old towns and abbey churches. As an example, the Romanesque Abbey Church in Romainmôtier was built by Cluny monks between 990 and 1028, before the population was converted to Protestantism. Lausanne offers sights 10

such as the Gothic cathedral, which was a place of pilgrimage for centuries before the Protestants took over. There are also countless museums, namely the Olympic museum located in an exceptional setting. Lavaux exemplifies the ingenuousness and hard labour of farmers who, over a thousand years, turned this area into terraced vineyards – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In Sierre in the Matterhorn Region, you will take a break at the Valais Vine and Wine Museum, a new premise dedicated to wine, before watching Hérens cows fight on green pastures. Countless classical music festivals featuring reputed conductors are organised in the Alps, for example in Verbier.

The Zermatt Festival successfully combines music and arts in an idyllic setting, while two similar events provide the highlights of the summer season in Saas-Fee. Last but not least, be sure to visit the history museum of Saas, as well as the museum dedicated to the Matterhorn in Zermatt.

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For information and reservations please contact

Café de Tour Ch. Ballataz 12 T/F : +41 (0)21 963 17 55 1820 Montreux info@cafedetour.ch Switzerland www.cafedetour.ch

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Powerful folks and rulers have left their mark on Valais during the course of its exciting history.

Today the Valais is a real treasure trove for art and culture lovers. Get to know its historic heritage and small jewel-like towns, visit the castles, immerse yourself in history at the museums and make a detour to the Gianadda Foundation, whose famous art exhibitions attract visitors from all over the world. www.matterhornregion.ch

Cow Fighting

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Meet the queens of the Eringer race at the local cow fights. Valais is proud to possess a bovine breed that is unique in the world: the Héréns breed.

This “living tradition” is staged for the breeders and the admirers of a particularly combative race of cows. Enjoy the festive atmosphere in a unique setting marked by the Romans’ passage in Switzerland. www.raceherens.ch

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art & architecture

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Forces Motrices Building (BFM) This huge and solid fine art style building, which is firmly rooted in the middle of river Rhône, was built in 1886 as a hydroelectric plant. This Geneva industry showpiece provided thousands of households with drinking water and electricity before being converted into an outstanding cultural and artistic venue. www.bfm.ch 2

Mario Botta and the Bodmer Foundation The famous architect Mario Botta from the Tessin designed and built the Bodmer Foundation Museum which contains one of the largest private collections of manuscripts and of ancient and contemporary original documents of great importance in terms of cultural heritage. www.fondationbodmer.ch 3

Flon area, Lausanne Set in the heart of Lausanne, Flon is the perfect place for a city stroll. The pedestrian precinct and its contemporary public area surround shops, workshops, cinemas and administrative buildings.

This area reflects recent urban reshaping measures and is also well-known for its clubs and effervescent nightlife. www.lausanne-tourisme.ch

Museum of Modern and Contempora

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Art Gems Here are a few suggestions to enjoy fine art and architecture in the Lake Geneva Region: the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts or the unique Collection of Art Brut, which exhibits amazing works by asylum inmates, prisoners or outsiders, who have never learnt to paint or draw. Last but not least, Le Corbusier’s villa “Le Lac”: this is the first example of Le Corbusier’s modern architecture in Switzerland. www.lake-geneva-region.ch

Art & Architecture The generous and open-minded Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region attaches great importance to culture. Not only galleries and museums abound here, but also architectural treasures embellishing both our cities and our remote areas. This emotionally rich and diverse journey will guide you towards beauty in all its forms.

You will be astonished by the subtle and esthetic blend of listed and avant-garde buildings featured in the cities of the Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region. Go for a stroll in the heart of Montreux or in the Ouchy neighbourhood of Lausanne to admire palaces and de luxe hotels evoking Belle Epoque splendors. In Ouchy you will also find the reputed Olympic Museum, all aglitter. Feel like breaking a record? Visit all thematic exhibitions! Then get a breath of air and admire the master sculptures adorning the adjoining park located in a heavenly setting. A moment comparable to those spent in Geneva. This city’s abundance of museums and art galleries will replenish your soul. Set up in a converted factory of the Fifties, the Mamco Museum is the largest contemporary art museum 12

in Switzerland. Feast your eyes on an exhibition of 3,000 works! Or discover Le Corbusier, an innovative Swiss architect, and his brilliant glass and steel combinations. And then a cable car will take you to heaven… or almost: to the Matterhorn glacier at an altitude of nearly 4,000 m. Its restaurant runs on renewable energies and offers a breathtaking panorama of the Italian, French and Swiss Alps. Not quite as high but just as impressive is Grande Dixence, the highest gravity dam in the world. Its weight corresponds to the Keops pyramid and the height of its wall (285 metres) is unequalled to this day. The episcopal castle in Leuk is a symbol of yesterday’s and today’s architecture. Built around 1250 A.D., it has accepted the expert hand of Swiss architect Mario Botta for its very promising renovation.

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Foundation Pierre Gianadda This foundation is a famous museum cooperating with various art museums and private collections around the world. The museum is located in Martigny, city of arts. www.gianadda.ch

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For information and reservations please contact

Café de Tour Ch. Ballataz 12 T/F : +41 (0)21 963 17 55 1820 Montreux info@cafedetour.ch Switzerland www.cafedetour.ch

New Monte Rosa hut

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The new SAC hut on the Gornergletscher has been awarded the Holcim Award Bronze 2008 Europe.

Projects and visions of sustainable construction are eligible for the prize. This qualifies the project for the next round. The building, which is able to accommodate up to 120 people, will produce 90 % of its own energy. A milestone in high Alpine construction! www.zermatt.ch

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luxury & lifestyle

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Gilbert Albert

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Gilbert Albert is a jeweller with outstanding talent.

His highly original works are inlaid with unusual raw materials: meteorites, scarabs, dinosaur bones, etc. The artist has been collecting the Diamonds International Awards since the sixties. He is the only jewellery designer who has received this distinction ten times! www.gilbertalbert.com

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Rue du Rhône Rue du Rhône is certainly the most “chic” street in Geneva. You will find countless watch & jewellery shops selling the most reputed brands, as well as boutiques of the most prestigious fashion designers.

After your shopping, why not relax at “After the Rain”, a spa with a fairy-tale atmosphere. www.aftertherain.ch

Nightlife in the Lake Geneva Region

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Lausanne is a true nightlife mecca, where partying to every rhythm is possible until the wee hours of the morning. From the lakeside to the city centre, not to mention the Flon area in Lausanne, there are plenty of places offering extraordinary settings and contrasted ambience. The Casino Barrière in Montreux rolls out its red carpet to poker players and other game enthusiasts. www.lake-geneva-region.ch

An oasis of well-being There are two thermal centres in the Lake Geneva Region: one in Yverdon-les-Bains in the foothills of the Alps of the Lake Geneva Region and the other in Laveyles-Bains, where visitors can enjoy the hottest sulphur baths in Switzerland. These centres have several pools, massage water jets, relaxation beds, jacuzzis, saunas, hammams and solariums. Moreover, all five-star hotels have been fitted out with wellness centres. www.lavey-les-bains.ch / www.cty.ch

Luxury & Lifestyle Pleasure in all its forms, from Geneva to Zermatt via the Lake Geneva Region: shop just for yourself or for your family and friends, leave your body and soul in the expert hands of wellness specialists, or enjoy a dinner up in the mountains beneath a starry sky.

In Crans-Montana, Zermatt, Geneva, Montreux or Lausanne, shopping is child’s play! For everything is close at hand in these towns with a human face. Boutiques, terroir produce markets, delicatessen shops, antique dealers and shopping centres offer fine opportunities to find that one special gift or souvenir for you or your friends. The jeweler and watchmaker shop windows in Rue du Rhône in Geneva are irresistible! What time is it?

Lift up your eyes and behold a multitude of clocks reminding you that you are in the world capital of de luxe watchmaking. A detour to local chocolate confectioners will want you come back for more! Be sure to acquire one of those famous multi-blade Swiss Army knives. And what about the arts, young fashion designers’ clothes and handcrafted jewelry? Take a look in the old town! After that, treat yourself to a couple of hours in a delightful spa and come out refreshed and ready to pursue your trip. Lausanne 14

and Montreux offers window shopping in a historic context. In Rue de Bourg in Lausanne, delicatessen experts, jewelers and chocolate confectioners will bend over backwards to serve you. A little relaxation needed? Choose a wellness session in one of the 5* hotels, unless you prefer thermal water at a temperature of 30° in one of the spa towns with reputed private clinics. In the evening, go to one or the other of the many festivals held in the summer season in the Lake Geneva Region, for example the extremely famous Montreux Jazz Festival. After an excursion or two in Crans-Montana, visit its trendy boutiques, where you will discover the collections of Paris and Milan fashion designers. Then be made welcome in Leukerbad for a wellness day in Lindner Alpentherme. Your batteries will be fully recharged and you’ll be ready for the ascent to Zermatt, where you’ll dine at Gornergrat beneath the stars..

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For information and reservations please contact

Café de Tour Ch. Ballataz 12 T/F : +41 (0)21 963 17 55 1820 Montreux info@cafedetour.ch Switzerland www.cafedetour.ch

Shopping in Crans-Montana Crans-Montana has all the advantages of a small town in the mountains. You’ll find shops and boutiques selling the major brand names found in Paris or Milan. In the resort, sports enthusiasts can get advice about the latest technologies and new activities. www.crans-montana.ch

Thermal Water

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Wellness, beauty and fitness cures are nothing new in Valais. The ancient Romans were well acquainted with the beneficial effects of “healing Valais water”.

Thermal baths in Leukerbad (the largest thermal spa centre in the Alps), Ovronnaz, Saillon-les-Bains, Brigerbad and Val d’Illiez, as well as the Solebad in Breiten-bei-Morel, have state of the art facilities and a wide spectrum of wellness offers. vwww.leukerbad.ch

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nature & mobility

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Geneva Transport Card Travel at no charge in Geneva for the duration of your stay! All hotel, youth hostel and campsite guests in the Canton of Geneva can take advantage of the Geneva Transport Card giving them unlimited access to the entire Geneva public transport system (including the Mouettes to cross the lake within the city area). www.geneva-tourism.ch 2

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With the Geneva Pass, discover Geneva and its diversity. This city card that offers more than 40 free offers, preferential rates and gifts. For 1, 2 or 3 days, it is your “open Sesame” to museums, cruises, visits, tours and many other surprises... www.geneva-pass.com

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Dream Lines

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In the Lake Geneva Region visitors are spoilt for choice: an excursion in a Belle-Epoque train or a panoramic train to Gstaad, the ultra-chic resort, a trip by cog railway to Rochers-de-Naye with its Marmot Paradise, or a ride through the Lavaux vineyards. Why not go on a steamer cruise or catch the Chocolate Train to Gruyères? When getting around is the aim… www.lake-geneva-region.ch

Discovery on foot Hundreds of miles of clearly marked trails across colourful pastures and through cool forests let visitors discover the Alps at their own pace, be it on foot, on a bike or on a mountain bike.

A vast network of hiking trails along the lake criss-cross the impressive slopes of the Lavaux terraced vineyard located between Lausanne and Chillon Castle. www.lake-geneva-region.ch

Nature & Mobility There’s nothing like catching a breath of air in the Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region, where Nature has first place, even in the heart of the cities. The paths, fields and forests in the nearby countryside will tempt you to an outing.

The preserved and authentic Alpine world will enchant you. Lushness, silence and voluptuousness guaranteed!

In the superbly preserved Matterhorn Region you’ll visit the Pfyn-Finges regional nature park and the Finges forest – one of the largest pine forests in the Alps. It is inhabited by countless birds and a very diverse flora. In the Upper Valais, you’ll visit the Binntal landscaped park featuring exceptional fauna and flora in an unspoilt Alpine setting. No other region in the Alps is so rich in minerals. The equally intact Val d’Hérens will enchant you too. To top this 100% nature adventure, an excursion to one of the highest Arolla pine forests in Europe will let you catch a glimpse of the Aletsch glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Life is sweet in the Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region, even in the cities with their lavish green parks and gardens – a delight for all your senses. See for yourself in Geneva: stroll along the right-hand lakeshore leading to the Perle-du-Lac park and then on to the conservatory and the 16

botanical garden, where trees and plants from all around the world prosper.

Then catch one of those little boats called “Mouettes” (sea gulls) to cross the lake and to explore the Eaux-Vives and La Grange Park. Why not continue down the left-hand lakeshore to Jardin Anglais and Ile Rousseau after that?

The nearby countryside with its vineyards, woods and opulent-looking villages has its charm too. In the Lake Geneva Region you’ll go up hill and down dale on foot or by bike. You’ll reach the countryside in just a few minutes to discover fields, woods and charming villages. And in less than an hour you’ll reach the mountains. Take a deep breath! One of the paths above Montreux leads to the “May snow”: fields covered with blooming narcissi, an unforgettable sight. The Alps of the Lake Geneva Region invite you to explore the kingdom of hiking, biking and mountain biking.

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Glacier Express – The Alpine Classic

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For information and reservations please contact

Café de Tour Ch. Ballataz 12 T/F : +41 (0)21 963 17 55 1820 Montreux info@cafedetour.ch Switzerland www.cafedetour.ch

A ride on the Glacier Express is a spectacle in its own right. It offers a panoramic journey through the Alps, including 291 bridges, 91 tunnels and the crossing of the Oberalp Pass, at over 2,000 metres above sea level. This is why a journey to Zermatt on the Glacier Express never really comes to an end. It remains in your memory forever. www.glacierexpress.ch

Unesco World Heritage Aletsch

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The view of the Aletsch glacier is unique!

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch is a unique witness of an Alpine landscape formation with global significance.

The largest uninterrupted glacier massif in Eurasia has created a place of stunning beauty and diversity.

The natural and human habitat features impressive ecological and cultural values. www.aletsch.ch

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Lake Geneva Region

Fun & Festivals

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International Hot-Air Ballooning Week January 21 to 29, 2012 For one week every January, the resort of Château-d’Oex in the Alps of the Lakes Geneva Region rises to the occasion with a festival featuring a colourful array of huge hot-air balloons of all shapes. Château-d’Oex is famous around the world for its temperatures and wind currents particularly favourable for hot-air ballooning www.festivaldeballons.ch

Montreux Jazz Festival June 29 to July 14, 2012 Once again, Montreux is preparing for its annual transformation into a music Mecca with a varied offering of jazz, blues, rock, soul, pop, world, funk, reggae, R&B, electronic music and much more. www.montreuxjazz.com

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Paléo Festival, Nyon July 11 to 22, 2012 Paléo has been one of the largest music events in Europe for over 25 years. The program includes nearly 100 performances on 5 stages, with music ranging from rap, rock, funk and blues to jazz, world music, classical music and comedy. www.paleo.ch

Fun & Festivals

Montreux & Lausanne Christmas Markets November 24 to December 24, 2012 Discover the enchantment of these two Christmas markets with their many attractions and decorated stands that resemble small chalets overflowing with gifts. www.montreuxnoel.com / www.noel-lausanne.ch

Matterhorn Region

Geneva

When it comes to special events and attractions, the Lake Geneva & Matterhorn region can claim a long and varied tradition. The traditions exclusive to our region with an international appeal, give a certain pride and place to culture embracing entertainments and highlights fun, festivals and events.

Geneva Festival (Fêtes de Genève) July 19 to August 12 – Pre-festival: July 15 to 28, 2012 During the Geneva Festival, the entire lakeshore comes alive with the rhythm of music, the fun fair as well as many shows and entertainments. The world’s most magnificient pyromelodious firework is in store for you. There are also food and crafts stands from around the world.

In 2012, the Geneva Festival will celebrate the water with many incredible attractions. www.fetesdegeneve.ch

The Geneva Escalade Celebration December 7 to 9, 2012 The traditional Escalade commemorates the city’s victory over invading troops from Savoy on December 12, 1602.

On Sunday, a torchlight procession through the streets in the Old Town, with over 1,000 people dressed in period costumes, leads to a bonfire on the Cathedral Square.

The confectioners of Geneva celebrate the Escalade in their own way by making delicious chocolate cauldrons. www.compagniede1602.ch / www.geneva-tourism.ch

April 13 to 14, 2012 The longest downhill glacier race in the world takes place on 13th and 14th April. Around 1,000 participants are going to test their skills in four different categories. www.saas-fee.ch

Verbier Festival, Verbier July 20 to August 5, 2012 For 2 weeks the world’s greatest classical music artists will be at the 19th Verbier Festival! The program features a variety of musical shows, from splendorous symphonic masterpieces to more intimate recitals. Although the focus is on classical music, the event also features some jazz and world music to entertain music lovers from all over the world. www.verbierfestival.com

2012 Rousseau pour tous

Omega European Golf Masters, Crans-Montana

In 2012, Geneva celebrates the 300 anniversary of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s birth, the Enlightenment’s philosopher and writer born in Geneva on June 28, 1712 where he spent the first sixteen years of his life here.

“2012 Rousseau pour tous” underlines the importance of his Genevan background in his life and work.

Special events organised all year long. www.espace-rousseau.ch / www.rousseau2012.ch

August 30 to September 2, 2012 In recent years, the OMEGA EUROPEAN MASTERS in Crans-Montana has impressively consolidated its position on the PGA European Tour and its international reputation as one of the most famous sporting events in Switzerland.

Not only because of its unique atmosphere, professional organisation, hospitality, or the solid support of its sponsors, but also the beauty of its grounds.

CHI-Geneva International Horse show jumping competition December 6 to 9, 2012 With the participation of the best riders and horses currently, this is the only Swiss stage of the World Cup Circuit being held in the biggest indoor arena in the world.

An exceptional show. www.chi-geneve.ch

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Allalin Races 2012, Saas-Fee

For information and reservations please contact

Café de Tour Ch. Ballataz 12 T/F : +41 (0)21 963 17 55 1820 Montreux info@cafedetour.ch Switzerland www.cafedetour.ch

Folkloric Summer, Zermatt June 23 to September 1, 2012 During the “Summer of Folklore Music” many different folklore groups will perform completely informally and spontaneously at various places in the village Zermatt. www.zermatt.ch

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L A K E G E N E VA & M AT T E R H O R N REGION SWITZERLAND

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G n e k a L erhor att Region M &

Geneva Tourism & Conventions

Lake Geneva Region Tourist Office

Matterhorn Region / Valais Tourism

P.O. Box 1602 1211 Geneva 1 Switzerland Phone: +41 22 909 70 70 Fax: +41 22 909 70 75 www.geneva-tourism.ch sales@geneva-tourism.ch

P.O. Box 164 1000 Lausanne 6 Switzerland Phone: +41 21 613 26 26 Fax: +41 21 613 26 10 www.lake-geneva-region.ch marketing@lake-geneva-region.ch

P.O. Box 1469 1951 Sion Switzerland Phone: +41 27 327 35 70 Fax: +41 27 327 35 71 www.matterhornregion.ch info@valais.ch

PUBLISHER’S DETAILS Design: Pulp.Alibi Photos: Geneva Tourism & Conventions, Olivier Miche, Arnaud Childéric, Gilbert Albert, After the rain, www.scoopdyga.com, C. Sonderegger, B. H. Bissat, R. Colombo www.diapo.ch, Glacier 3000, A. Jarne, Swisstrails / C. Sonderegger, S. Engler, R. Boesch, OTV / L. Ryser, Golden Pass Services, Montreux-Vevey Tourisme, M. Gaudard, C. Schuerpf, Suisse Tourisme, Lausanne Tourisme, Fabrice Wagner, Auberge de la Veveyse