February: The latest news from Switzerland

Check out the latest news from Switzerland

1. Theme routes
2. **SPECIAL OFFER** – Geneva Motor Show 7-17 March 2002
3. Original Black Race – Les Mosses
4. Turner’s view of Europe
5. An update on Switzerland’s Expo 02
6. SkiFree – A free pass on uncrowded slopes

If you like to know more about these subjects, please scroll down.

1. Theme routes

Switzerland is a holiday and travel destination packed with variety. Theres always something new to discover and explore. And now Switzerland Tourism is preparing a number of special experience theme tours through the spectacular Swiss countryside. In summer we will be presenting a “Luxury and Design” tour on these pages, to be followed in 2003 by dedicated “Art and Architecture” and “Wine and Dine” tours. Broken down into stages, our tours will take you to impressive buildings, hotels, restaurants, production facilities, events, trails and introduce
you to people associated with the relevant theme. We will also provide tips for days out to various Swiss scenic attractions. Your mode of transport is up to you. Whether you go by train, coach or in your own car, you will find all the information you need clearly set out and illustrated with a map. Whichever route you select from the choice of themes and scenic attractions, we would like to wish you an unforgettable time in Switzerland.
http://uk.myswitzerland.com/en/navpage.cfm?category=Routes

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2. **SPECIAL OFFER** – Geneva Motor Show 7-17 March 2002

Once again the Switzerland Travel Centre have an exceptional range of special offers for the Geneva Motor Show. Prices start at 193!! These offers include: Return flights – LHR-GVA incl taxes, accommodation based on double room B&B, 2 hours guided city tour, voucher booklet offering privileges and reductions, and 1 days entrance to the motor show. For bookings please contact:
Switzerland Travel Centre Ltd.
Freephone (00800 100 200 30), Freefax (00800 100 200 31) Email:
[email protected]
Internet: Switzerland Travel Centre Ltd. is a fully bonded organisation:
ATOL 4013, IATA, ABTA

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3. Original Black Race – Les Mosses

This unusual event combines a snowshoe ascent to the summit of the Pic Chaussy and a snowboard descent to the village of Les Mosses. Organized by Les Mosses Ski Club, the Original Black Ski Race is being held for the fourth time and is open to the public. The dates are 09. and 10. March 2002.
www.lesmosses.ch

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4. Turner’s view of Europe

>From February 1 until May 26, the Kunsthaus in Zurich, in cooperation with the Tate Gallery in London, is presenting a collection of over 150 paintings by William Turner (1775-1851). The exhibition focuses on scenes of Switzerland, Germany and England, and includes some of his most famous art works. Further info from: www.kunsthaus.ch

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5. An update on Switzerland’s Expo 02

A unique reason for visiting Switzerland in 2002 is the Expo.02 (www.expo.02.ch) that will take place from May 15 till October 20, 2002 in the Three Lakes Region. The Expo.02 will build various locations dubbed “Arteplages”, each of which is dedicated to a theme. “Power and Freedom” will be placed in Biel, “Instants and Eternity” in Murten, and “Nature and Artifice” in Neuchatel. “I and the Universe” will be in Yverdon-les-Bains, and the mobile Arteplage “Sense and Movement” will be in the Jura. Each Arteplage will be unique architecturally and be home to a myriad of performances by local and international artists. Whether you like dance, music or theater, you will be presented with a feast. The Three Lakes Region is easily accessible from Basel, Bern, Lausanne, Montreux and Geneva. There is enough to see for three days and, indeed, there is a 3-day pass. Connecting the dots will be a series of catamaran boats and other means of public transportation.

The exhibition area straddles two language/cultural regions (German and French), reflecting Switzerland’s diversity. The commitment made to the environment and its protection has been extraordinary. The exhibit is entirely temporary and all of the natural areas will be restored back to their original condition after the Expo.02. They are expecting nearly 5 million people, including foreign visitors who may be curious as to how multilingual, federalistic Switzerland ticks.

Historically, there have been five previous country expositions: the first in 1883 in Zurich, then in 1896 in Geneva, 1914 in Berne, 1939 in Zurich, and 1964 in Lausanne. Each of these exposition served to take stock of what the country was all about and where it was going. Often, the emphasis was on industrial innovation and technological advances. The expo slated to be held in 2002 will have more of a focus on the country’s society and how life is lived and will be lived in Switzerland. Rather than offering static exhibits, most of them are interactive and encourage participation.

People visiting may live in a variety of housing, ranging from 5-star hotels to tent villages. Apart from visiting the Expo.02, there are also plenty of other things to do in this area, from visiting Murten’s medieval ramparts to swimming in one of the lakes or relaxing in the hot thermal waters of Yverdon-les-Bains. Gastronomy will also be a big focus encompassing everything from traditional Swiss meals to more exotic foods and drinks.

The Swiss Travel System offers a special deal where, if you hold an STS ticket (http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=29846&tid=29846&url=www.rail.ch), you will receive a 10% discount on the 1- or the 3-day pass.

Click here for more information on the Expo.02!
http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=29846&tid=29846&url=uk.myswitzerland.com/en/navpage.cfm?category=Expo02

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6. SkiFree – A free pass on uncrowded slopes

Following last year’s success, Switzerland Tourism will once again head for the slopes with its attractive Internet Special SkiFree deal. It offers a 6-day ski pass free of charge to anyone booking a hotel out of peak season or, new this year, a free 3-day pass for guests who stay at a resort during the week. The very end of the season is tailor-made for anyone wanting to savor the spring snow and the longer days.

With the SkiFree pass, winter sports fans can make the most of empty slopes, bargain hotel packages, using all of the local transport infrastructure of whichever region they choose absolutely free of charge for a 3 or 6-day period. Skiers can book either a 1-week or 3-day package (arriving on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday) in a 3 or 4-star hotel, and they will receive their free ski pass as a welcome present on arrival. These packages can only be booked online at www.MySwitzerland.com.

Log on to MySwitzerland.com and select your preferred destination from the range of 14 top winter sports resorts available. They are in: Arosa, Lenzerheide-Valbella, Scuol; in Elm and Toggenburg Wildhaus; in Engelberg-Titlis and Stoos; in Chateau-d’Oex, Les Diablerets, Leysin and Villars-sur-Ollon; in Crans-Montana, Saas Fee and Chablais-Portes du Soleil. Internet surfers bound for the ski slopes can take their time to browse through the list of SkiFree destinations on offer, make their choice, fix the date, book online and then sit back and look forward to their post-season ski-ing adventure

In addition to the SkiFree pass, the very latest skis and boards will be available for testing at local Rent-a-Sport shops at half price. This SkiFree Winter Experience package becomes a reality by clicking on:
http://uk.myswitzerland.com/en/navpage?category=Winter&subcat=SkiFree

Don’t forget to visit www.MySwitzerland.com