Optional Exclusive President’s Council Pre-Cruise Package

Lucerne & Interlaken by Scenic Train

May 31 – June 4, 2017 

Join us for the exclusive Purdue President’s Council Pre-Cruise Program! Journey through Switzerland via Golden Pass Panoramic and Cogwheel Mountain trains while touring the best sights in Lucerne, Interlaken, and the Eiger and Jungfrau Alps region of Switzerland.

Surrounded by dramatic jagged mountains, Lucerne is a romantic city of style, culture, and history that has a privileged location at the head of beautiful Lake Lucerne.  With a private guide, we will explore the Chapel Bridge with Water Tower, Jesuit Church, Town Hall, Lion Monument, and also have free time for your own discoveries.

In the heart of Bernese Oberland, the resort town of Interlaken is nestled deep in the Alps between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and is the ideal base for all the activities of the Jungfrau Region such as a visit to the powerful and stunning Trummelbach Falls. Admire alpine panorama and the eternal snows of the Aletsch Glacier while traveling via cogwheel train to the highest railway station in Europe. This unforgettable Alpine excursion is sure to be a highlight for many!

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Package Price:

$2,870 per person, double occupancy                                     $3,740 per person, single occupancy

 Package Includes:

  • Two nights at the Palace Hotel Luzern (Lake View Rooms) ~ 5-star hotel located on the lakeshore promenade with sensational views of Lake Lucerne and some of Switzerland’s best mountain scenery
  • Two nights at the Victoria Jungfrau Hotel Interlaken (Jungfrau View Rooms) ~ Luxury 5-star hotel featuring exceptional service, and breathtaking views of the snow-capped Jungfrau Mountain
  • Welcome Cocktail Reception at the Palace Hotel Luzern
  • Lucerne Walking Tour to discover Lucerne’s many highlights including lunch at a local restaurant
  • Visit to Trummelbach Waterfalls – a mighty glacier falls inside a mountain accessible via a tunnel lift
  • Jungfraujoch–“Top of Europe”-Full day excursion to this UNESCO site including lunch and visits to the Ice Palace and Sphinx Terraces
  • Panoramic Swiss Railway Journeys: Lucerne to Interlaken / Interlaken to Jungfraujoch / Interlaken to Basel
  • Luggage service for all train transportation
  • Sightseeing with English speaking guides throughout the program
  • Upgraded accommodations including breakfast, service charges, taxes, porter service; gratuities for guides

Itinerary:

Wednesday, May 31, 2017 ~ Arrive Switzerland / Overnight Lucerne     

Arrive in Switzerland’s most charming lakeside town, Lucerne, which for over a century continues to be one of Europe’s must-see destinations on the “Grand Tour”. Check-in to your upgraded room at the 5-star Palace Hotel Luzern offering magnificent lake views during your two night stay.  Enjoy some to relax or explore on your own.  

This evening we will gather at the hotel for a private Purdue President’s Council Welcome Reception and program orientation.  Meet your fellow travelers over light appetizers and a glass of wine.

Note: Individual international flights and ground transportation to Lucerne is not included and is at each guests own expense.  Global Tracks can assist with flights, additional hotel night, and provide transfer options from Zurich via train or private car service.

 

Palace Hotel Luzern (Lake View Rooms): May 31 – June 2, 2017                      http://www.palace-luzern.ch/en/meta/home

The Palace Luzern is located on the lakeshore promenade and offers sensational views of Lake Lucerne and some of Switzerland’s best mountain scenery.

A grand hotel dating from 1906, the 5-star property is in a peaceful setting, framed by an idyllic alpine landscape and only five minutes away from old town.  A century of hotel tradition and luxurious ambience are the keywords of this leading hotel of the world.  Its 168 rooms have undergone regular renovations offering guests old world elegance and the most up-to-date amenities. The Palace Luzern’s two exclusive restaurants offer superb Mediterranean cuisine or an elegant English style bar with discreet live music.

Overnight at the Palace Hotel Luzern (Reception)

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Thursday, June 1, 2017 ~ Lucerne 

Full breakfast buffet at the Palace Hotel Luzern

This morning explore the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Enjoy an Old Town walking tour that follows the ancient pathways of the city. Over 800 years of history lives on with such treasures as the covered Chapel Bridge (1333); the famous Water Tower that once served as a prison; the watchtower and treasury; the Renaissance-style Town Hall; the Baroque Jesuit Church; and the Lion Monument, carved from sandstone to commemorate the heroic soldiers who were protecting King Louis XVI in 1792.   Our tour concludes with lunch at a local restaurant.

The afternoon and evening are free to explore additional sites on your own.

Overnight at the Palace Hotel Luzern (L)

Friday, June 2, 2017 ~ Lucerne / Interlaken

Full breakfast buffet at the Palace Hotel Luzern

Board the Lucerne to Interlaken Golden Pass Panoramic Train for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Switzerland. This two-hour ride will take us along the shores of crystal-clear lakes, past romantic waterfalls and over the magnificent Brünig mountain pass.   The trains offer large panoramic windows, air conditioning, onboard restrooms and the highest level of comfort.Trummelbach Falls

We continue to Lauterbrunnen valley to visit Trummelbach Waterfalls. Trümmelbach Falls are the world’s only glacier waterfalls that are accessible  underground by lift, galleries, tunnels, paths and platforms. They alone carry the meltwater of the glaciers from the Jungfrau down to the valley.  Loud thundering and roaring in the interior of the mountain, gurgling, foaming and churning water: these are the impressive falls!

Return to Interlaken and check-in to the Victoria Jungfrau Hotel Interlaken.  Interlaken is one of the best known and most popular summer holiday resorts in Switzerland, and is a comfortable, inviting, elegant town. The Höhematte, is a pedestrian paradise of shops, hotels and sidewalk cafes, interrupted only by inviting gardens.

 

Victoria Jungfrau Hotel Interlaken (Jungfrau View Rooms): June 2 – 4, 2017              http://www.victoria-jungfrau.ch/en/home-en

The Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa features a picturesque location in Interlaken, between two beautiful lakes at the foot of the eternally snow-capped Jungfrau.   This luxuxy 5-star hotel is without doubt Interlaken’s premier hotel and its central location offers convenience in town and also unobstructed view of the famous Jungfrau mountain range.

Opened in 1865, the hotel combines the style and sophistication of yesteryear with the most modern comforts and conveniences in all 224 guest rooms.  Your room will be bright and spacious, with exquisite period furniture and have a breathtaking view. The hotel features one of the leading Spas in the world, two award-winning fine dining restaurants, plus additonal bars and lounges.

Overnight Victoria Jungfrau Hotel Interlaken (B)

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Saturday, June 3, 2017 ~ Interlaken

Full breakfast buffet at the Victoria Jungfrau Hotel Interlaken

Today we embark on a full day excursion to the heart of the Bernese Alps with a spectacular train journey (2 ½ hours each way) to Top of EuropeJungfraujoch–“Top of Europe”.

Begin on a cogwheel train for a ride up the Alps via the Kleine Scheidegg mountain pass. Climb up, up, savoring views of the towering mountains around, until we reach Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe, at an elevation of 11,333 feet!  At the Top of Europe, experience a breathtaking panorama of the Swiss Alps enveloped in eternal snow and ice. Walk through the heart of a glacier in the Ice Palace, overlook the Aletsch Glacier (Europe’s longest glacier) from the sweeping Sphinx Observatory and spot the snow-capped peaks of neighboring France and Italy beyond.

Enjoy lunch on Mount Jungfraujoch at a panoramic restaurant within the Station at the Top of Europe.

After our exhilarating tour, we ride the cogwheel train back down to Interlaken following a different route to experience new scenery.  The remainder of the evening is at leisure.

Overnight at the Victoria Jungfrau Hotel Interlaken (B, L)

Sunday, June 4, 2017 ~ Interlaken / Basel / Embark the S.S. Antoinette

Full breakfast buffet at the Victoria Jungfrau Hotel Interlaken

Grindelwald Village seen from Jungfrau Bahn, SwitzerlandThis morning, enjoy a leisurely start with time for optional activities in Interlaken or just soak in the ambience.

 We embark on our final panoramic train journey from Interlaken to Basel, once again passing pristine lakes, charming mountain villages and rugged mountains.  Upon arrival at the Basel train station, transfer to the Uniworld S.S. Antoinette for embarkation for a late lunch onboard.  Staterooms will be available at 3:00 pm.

Basel, the city on the bend of the Rhine offers a big variety of sights and places of interest. Whether you are interested in museums, modern architecture, historical churches or art in public places, the best way to discover Basel is on foot. This particularly applies to the Old Town, where the various places of interest are close together.

 Join fellow travelers this evening for a welcome aboard orientation and reception followed by dinner.  Enjoy your Castles along the Rhine River Cruise! 

 

Overnight at the S.S. Antoinette (B, L, D)

 

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