Swiss and Austrian Vacation

About Geneva

Geneva is the second most populous city in Switzerland. Situated where the Rhone exits Lake Geneva, it is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva. The opera house has the largest stage in Switzerland. It features opera and dance performances, recitals, concerts and, occasionally, theatre. The Victoria Hall is used for classical music concerts. Every summer, the Geneva Festival is organised. Hundreds of thousands of people come to Geneva to see the annual one-hour long grand firework display. Museums and art galleries are everywhere in the city. The Palace of Nations, home of the United Nations headquarters, can also be visited.

Geneva is the second most populous city in Switzerland. Situated where the Rhone exits Lake Geneva, it is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva. The opera house has the largest stage in Switzerland. It features opera and dance performances, recitals, concerts and, occasionally, theatre. The Victoria Hall is used for classical music concerts. Every summer, the Geneva Festival is organised. Hundreds of thousands of people come to Geneva to see the annual one-hour long grand firework display. Museums and art galleries are everywhere in the city. The Palace of Nations, home of the United Nations headquarters, can also be visited.

About Chamonix-Mont Blanc

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or, more commonly, Chamonix is a commune in the Rhone-Alpes region in south-eastern France. Situated near the massive peaks of the Aiguilles Rouges and most notably the Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix is one of the oldest ski resorts in France and is known as the "gateway to the European Cascades".

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or, more commonly, Chamonix is a commune in the Rhone-Alpes region in south-eastern France. Situated near the massive peaks of the Aiguilles Rouges and most notably the Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix is one of the oldest ski resorts in France and is known as the "gateway to the European Cascades".

About Zermatt

Zermatt is famed as a mountaineering and ski resort of the Swiss Alps. Until the mid-19th century, it was predominantly an agricultural community; the first and tragic ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 was followed by a rush on the mountains surrounding the village, leading to the construction of many tourist facilities. Much of the local economy is based on tourism, with about half of the jobs in town in hotels or restaurants and just under half of all apartments are vacation apartments. The petroglyphs and prehistoric grinding stone at Hubelwang is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance..

Zermatt is famed as a mountaineering and ski resort of the Swiss Alps. Until the mid-19th century, it was predominantly an agricultural community; the first and tragic ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 was followed by a rush on the mountains surrounding the village, leading to the construction of many tourist facilities. Much of the local economy is based on tourism, with about half of the jobs in town in hotels or restaurants and just under half of all apartments are vacation apartments. The petroglyphs and prehistoric grinding stone at Hubelwang is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance..

About Lugano

Lugano is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland. The city is home to a number of historic buildings and museums, whilst the surrounding area has many natural sights. Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains provide a wide variety of outdoor activities. The area surrounding Lugano is home to mountain biking trails. The city of Lugano, the villages of Barbengo, Bre, Gandria and Biogno, and the sites of Cantine di Gandria and Castagnola are all part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites. The heritage sites of national significance includes libraries, churches, museums, a cemetery complex, and notable houses throughout the city.

Lugano is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland. The city is home to a number of historic buildings and museums, whilst the surrounding area has many natural sights. Lake Lugano and the surrounding mountains provide a wide variety of outdoor activities. The area surrounding Lugano is home to mountain biking trails. The city of Lugano, the villages of Barbengo, Bre, Gandria and Biogno, and the sites of Cantine di Gandria and Castagnola are all part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites. The heritage sites of national significance includes libraries, churches, museums, a cemetery complex, and notable houses throughout the city.

About Sankt Moritz

St. Moritz is a resort town in the Engadine valley in Switzerland and it is the highest summit in the Eastern Alps. It is a popular destination and thanks to its favorable location, St. Moritz enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year. Every winter it hosts the "White Turf" horse race on the frozen Lake St. Moritz. Popular pastimes include skiing, snowboarding, and hiking, and nearby there is also the world famous Cresta Run toboggan course. St. Moritz is also well known as a destination for sailing. The main sights include the Plazza da Scoula, St. Moritz library, The Segantini Museum, the bobsled run, viewing the glacier landscape, and the 3300 metres high Piz Corvatsch.

St. Moritz is a resort town in the Engadine valley in Switzerland and it is the highest summit in the Eastern Alps. It is a popular destination and thanks to its favorable location, St. Moritz enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year. Every winter it hosts the "White Turf" horse race on the frozen Lake St. Moritz. Popular pastimes include skiing, snowboarding, and hiking, and nearby there is also the world famous Cresta Run toboggan course. St. Moritz is also well known as a destination for sailing. The main sights include the Plazza da Scoula, St. Moritz library, The Segantini Museum, the bobsled run, viewing the glacier landscape, and the 3300 metres high Piz Corvatsch.

About Innsbruck

The city of Innsbruck, the capital of the Tyrolean region, is nestled in the valley of the INN river surrounded by mountains that rise around it to an altitude between 2000-3000 meters. The height gap between the city and the peaks creates a dramatic and breathtaking view that can be seen from all corners of the city. The SILL River merges with the INN River in the center of the city and then meets up with the Danube.

The city of Innsbruck, the capital of the Tyrolean region, is nestled in the valley of the INN river surrounded by mountains that rise around it to an altitude between 2000-3000 meters. The height gap between the city and the peaks creates a dramatic and breathtaking view that can be seen from all corners of the city. The SILL River merges with the INN River in the center of the city and then meets up with the Danube.

The Innsbruck City Tower (Stadtturm) built in the Middle Ages, where guards kept vigil over the town, is in the center of the town. To get your “Kodak Moment” climb up about 130 steps to the 31-metre-high observation deck overlooking the city and snap away!Near the tower is The Old Town Hall and the landmark of Innsbruck, the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) which is 16 meters wide, and the roof is almost 4 meters high and tiled with more than 2,600 gilded copper shingles. It was built around 1500 by Emperor Maximilian I with high quality 12 impressive reliefs, from the Renaissance, of Maori dancers and Moors.Secret: The reliefs that we see are “copies” – the originals are on display in the museum.  In 1724 The St. James Cathedral was inaugurated. The highlight of this Baroque style cathedral is a rare photo from 1530 of Maria and Child Maria Hilfbild/Maria and Child.Continue down the alley of the Old City onto one of the busiest main streets Maria-Theresien-Straße (Maria Theresien Street). Commemorating the retreat of the Bavarian army in 1703, is the column of St. Anne's Annasaule with the statue of St. George, the patron Saint of Tyrol and other saints at the base of the monument.  In the center of the street is the Old Landhaus (Altes Landhaus) which was erected somewhere between 1725-1734. It was the regional council meeting place until the new Landhaus was erected around 1939.  The old Landhaus, built in the style of Late Austrian Baroque, is a three-story building heavily decorated with pilasters, reliefs and stucco trimmings. The interior is unique and also has a small chapel in honor of St. George in the building. At the southern end of the avenue is the Triumphpforte (Triumphal Arch) a major landmark built in stone in the year 1765. Note: The Triumphal Arch was originally being built in honor of the wedding of Archduke Leopold. He was the  son of Empress Maria Theresa and Francis Stephen of Lorraine – who passed away just after the wedding. Thus it was decided that the Triumphal Arch would be a commemorative for both occasions - one side of the monument represents the wedding and the other side is a memorial to the Emperor. It is not a surprise that most of the city's economy is based on winter sports and tourism mostly in the summer.  In winter, the city is a hub for skiing, snowshoeing and excursions in the Alps.  One can easily get to the various sports complexes by cable car and carriages that leave from the suburbs of the city directly to the Alps. There is a variety of sites and entertainment spots throughout the city: For skiing fans please note that on the south side of town is the famous Bergisel Ski Jump (Bergiselschanze), which hosts many international competitions throughout the year (hosting the first one back in the early 1920’s). Needless to say there are many “Kodak Moments” from the summit of the mountain. And one of the most amazing parks is the Karwendel Nature Park which you can get to from the city. Take a break and hop on the cable car from the city center to the Hungerburg station, grab the next Nordkette funicular and be ready for a breathtaking “Kodak Moment”, a view of Innsbruck and a panoramic view of the mountains. You can also stop at the stations on the way up and get to the zoo or another stop at the suspension bridge.  Less than 17 km east is the nearby town of Wattens, known internationally for the “Swarovski Brand” and you can see it all in their museum called the “Crystal World” (Kristallwelten). As you would expect, the museum exhibits jewelry, fashion accessories, home decorations and a huge variety of pieces, all made of crystal.

About Konstanz

Konstanz is a city located at the western end of Lake Constance in the south-west corner of Germany. Main sights include the Konstanz Cathedral, Petershausen Abbey and Konzil edifice, dating to the 15th century.

Konstanz is a city located at the western end of Lake Constance in the south-west corner of Germany. Main sights include the Konstanz Cathedral, Petershausen Abbey and Konzil edifice, dating to the 15th century.

About Zurich

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland. It is located at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. Zurich is home to many churches and houses of the old town, the most expensive shops along the famous Bahnhofstrasse, as well as world-class museums, operas, and theater. The Lindenhof in the old town is the historical site of the Roman castle, and the later Carolingian Imperial Palace. Zurich offers a great deal of variety when it comes to night-time leisure. It is the host city of the world-famous Street Parade, which takes place in August every year. Zurich is known for its nightlife, offering a huge variety of restaurants, bars, and night clubs.

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland. It is located at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. Zurich is home to many churches and houses of the old town, the most expensive shops along the famous Bahnhofstrasse, as well as world-class museums, operas, and theater. The Lindenhof in the old town is the historical site of the Roman castle, and the later Carolingian Imperial Palace. Zurich offers a great deal of variety when it comes to night-time leisure. It is the host city of the world-famous Street Parade, which takes place in August every year. Zurich is known for its nightlife, offering a huge variety of restaurants, bars, and night clubs.