Excursion Programme

ACCOMPANYING PERSONS EXCURSIONS

City tour of Geneva
3 hours
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
09:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 17:00
(no lunch is included)
CHF 53.-- or free for registered accompanying persons
Nobody should leave Geneva without seeing its monuments and historical sites.
We will take you to the most important ones in three hours, including the symbol of the city, the famous "water jet"; this impressive 460ft (140m) high water fountain, the first of its kind was completed in 1891.
The flower clock in the English garden is another symbol of Geneva, known all over the world. The monument of Duke of Brunswick, who left his entire fortune to the City of Geneva, is located on the right bank of Lake Geneva.

The historical Old Town will be visited on foot to discover its carefully preserved charm. The Cathedral Saint-Pierre constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries dominates the Old Town. Right next to it is the Auditorium, where Jean Calvin taught. Calvin arrived in 1536 in Geneva.
Leading figure of the protestant Reformation, he deeply influenced religion, ethics and social life in the western world. The oldest privately constructed building is the Maison Tavel, now transformed into a museum of old Geneva.
With its parks and gardens, its monuments and museums, Geneva is today truly international and cosmopolitan, not only in population but also in its whole atmosphere.

The Geneva lake cruise
2 hours
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
10:00 - 12:00 (no lunch is included, meeting point will be given in town close to the quay)
CHF 65.-- or free for registered accompanying persons
Relax and enjoy all the scenic beauty of Lake Geneva during your 2-hour tour. You will be able to see many of the unique private estates of famous people like Phil Collins or Michael Schumacher, the United Nations Headquarters, Embassies and small villages which seem to roll down to the historic waters. You will also probably appreciate the bucolic calm of the clear water, which has attracted visitors for many generations. A unique way to discover the architectural diversity and richness of the lakeside. A full commentary will be provided and a soft drink will be served on board.

"Bon vent" as the captain would say!

EXCURSIONS AVAILABLE ON PAYMENT

Wine Tasting
3 hours
Thursday, September 24, 2009
14:00 - 17:00
CHF 98.-- per person
Your coach will drive through the beautiful Geneva countryside. Geneva and Vaud Cantons are famous for their winegrowers and the variety of wines they produce. You will visit a vineyard and have the opportunity to taste some of the wines.

The wine that Switzerland has to offer is one of the bestkept secrets of this country. All along the shores of Lake Geneva you will find vineyards. Even some very steep areas right by the lake are covered with vines. You will then stop at a wine cellar, where you will have the opportunity to sample some of the local wines together with some cheese. In the later afternoon, return by coach to Geneva.

Chocolate Factory
1 hour
Thursday, September 24, 2009
09:00 - 10:00 and 11:00 - 12:00
CHF 50.-- per person
Meeting point will be given in town close to the Factory. In 1875, Monsieur Pertuiset inaugurated his Chocolaterie at 2, rue du Rhône. A man of taste, he quickly made a reputation for his establishment and soon the upper echelons of the belle époque were flocking to his door. This was the age of horse-drawn transport, and gourmand horses were known to block the Rue du Rhône until they were given their praline.
Today, the chocolate master Monsieur Jean-Pascal Sérignat and his team bring to bear a blend of passion, excellence, skill and creativity to surprise the palate. Their chocolates are hand made in the traditional way to ensure that each one gives its own special moment of pleasure. Always seeking out new flavors, the chocolate master meticulously selects the very best ingredients to obtain chocolates of the highest quality.
The ingredients are selected meticulously, as shown by their refusal to incorporate chemical additives and preservatives at the heart of such a smooth creamy paste.

Chocolats du Rhône stresses its authenticity by offering connoisseurs a range essentially made up of dark "amer noir" chocolates, supplemented by a selection of light varieties or "claires". Among their most famous specialties of world renown are the carré amer, marc de Dôle and of course mocca glacé.
The chocolaterie has also become a prized destination for famous people from all over the world. You too are sure to experience the same sensation as the jet-set.

POST CONGRESS EXCURSIONS

Gstaad and Gruyères
8 hours
Saturday, 26 September 2009
08:30 - 17:00
CHF 210.--
including assistance, coach, train ride from Montreux to
Gstaad and three course lunch in Gruyères (including
beverages - 2 dl of house wine,1 mineral water and 1 coffee).
Your coach will first drive you to Montreux, where you will board the MOB Panoramic Express train for a 95 minutes voyage through this most pleasant alpine region to Gstaad. In Gstaad there is some time to feel the jet-set atmosphere made famous by resident celebrities like Julie Andrews, Liz Taylor and Roger Moore. Gstaad was one of the first Swiss Mountain resorts discovered by the international rich and famous who invariably get together for Christmas and other holidays at the world-renowned Palace Hotel.

Continuing by coach all the way to Gruyères, a fortified medieval hill top town and its castle, famous for the fine cheese that bears its name. A single street of late Gothic houses with overhanging roofs, Gruyères is dominated by its prestigious castle: 19 Counts reigned here from the 11th to the 16th century. Only the 13th century dungeon remains of the feudal castle. In 1593, the living quarters, destroyed by fire, were reconstructed in a comfortable style. The beautiful Chapel of St-John is also sheltered within the castle's walls, with stained-glass windows of the 15th century. The castle belongs to and has been maintained by the State since 1938.
Lunch will be served at a typical Swiss restaurant well known for its Swiss specialities. After lunch, you will have some free time for souvenir shopping, a promenade through the village. Return by coach to Geneva through charming resorts and lovely countryside.

Geneva - Fribourg - Lucerne - Berne - Geneva
2 days
Saturday, 26 and Sunday, 27 September 2009
Minimum of 10 persons in order to organize the tour
Beverages are not included for lunches and dinners
Hotel: CHF 997.-- per person,based on accommodation double occupancy
CHF 1075.-- per person based on accommodation single occupancy
Meeting with your official guide. You will leave in your deluxe coach via the scenic highway to Fribourg. Arrival in Fribourg founded in 1157 where German and French speaking Swiss live together. This perfectly bilingual-orientated town with its beautiful old centre and its cathedral will welcome you for a short visit. Departure to Lucerne. Lunch in Lucerne in a typical restaurant. Orientation tour in Lucerne with a visit to the famous Kapellerbrücke and then time for shopping and browsing. Check in at your hotel (4 star first class) and free time until dinner. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast buffet at the hotel. Departure of the hotel for Berne. You will arrive after a leisurely 1h15 drive to the capital of Switzerland. You will visit the famous bear pit and the watch tower. Lunch in a restaurant in town. Departure by deluxe coach to Morat, a medieval village full of history situated on the lake of Morat. Your tour guide will tell you tales of former times.