June: Latest news from Switzerland.

1. Switzerland Travel Centre Launches online sales!
2. New Flight Geneva – Birmingham with Maersk Air
3. ST Goodie Bag! & 1000 free passes to EXPO.02
4. Montreux Jazz Festival 5th-20th July 2002
5. Allianz Suisse Open July 6th – 14th 2002
6. Zurich open-air Cinemas: Enjoy that special atmosphere
7. Interesting days out with a Swiss Pass (4)

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

1. Switzerland Travel Centre Launches online sales!

As from 1st July 2002 all Swiss Travel System products and all the usual items that you normally purchase from STC i.e. Swiss Pass/Swiss Flexi Pass (individual and saver programme), Swiss Cards, Transfer Tickets, Youth Pass are now available online. You can also purchase your ‘Fly Luggage’ labels, Motorway Tax Stickers (Vignette) and the Swiss Half Fare card. So, save time, make your day a little easier and order today! From:
http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=i&tid=tid&url=www.MySwitzerland.com
For help and advice on travelling within Switzerland call STC on: 00800 100 200 30

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2. New Flight Geneva – Birmingham with Maersk Air

There is now a new flight taking place between Geneva and Birmingham Regional Airport with Maersk Air. Flights operate on Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri and Sundays in both directions. For information, reservations:
Switzerland Travel Centre: 00800 100 200 30 or [email protected]

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3. ST Goodie Bag! & 1000 free passes to EXPO.02

Many thanks for all those who entered our ‘Goodie bag’ competition. The response was overwhelming. The answer of course was five ‘Arteplages’ and could be found on the http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=i&tid=tid&url=www.expo02.ch site. As mentioned the prize went to the first correct entry, which was Ravi from London. We will be having another little give-away soon.
Your online SWISS ticket could be your free pass to EXPO.02. SWISS is giving away 1000 EXPO.02 passes to customers who buy their tickets via swiss.com. Now every time you book online you have a chance to win a free pass to Switzerland’s National Exhibition. The passes are valid for the duration of the exhibition, i.e. until October 20, 2002. The sooner you book the greater chance you have of winning one of the 1000 free EXPO.02 passes. Book today! http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=i&tid=tid&url=www.swiss.com/index/tg-to-so-expo-02.htm#expo-02-wer

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4. Montreux Jazz Festival 5th-20th July 2002

One of Switzerlands most popular vacation destinations, Montreux is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva in the middle of vineyards. Every summer, for 16 days, Montreux stands on its head and immerses itself into the exotic sounds of jazz, blues, rock reggae and soul. Artists such as George Benson Eric Clapton, BB King, Carlos Santana and Sting fill the days and nights with music. Enjoy the numerous free performances on the lakeshore promenade, at the Montreux Jazz Cafe and at the Montreux-Palace. The lake plays its part as well, being host to musical cruises. Those who prefer the mountainsmay take a ride on the New Orleans steam train and enjoy the mild climate and the enchanting scenery of Montreux and its surroundings. http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=i&tid=tid&url=uk.myswitzerland.com/en/navpage.cfm?category=Events&subcat=Top_Events&id=9011202%7C1820

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5. Allianz Suisse Open July 6th – 14th 2002

If you are usually disappointed at the end of Wimbledon never mind, as the battle of the generations continues! Claims the motto of the 2002 Allianz Suisse Open. With the mountains and meadows of the Bernese Oberland as a splendid backdrop, for one week Gstaad becomes the centre of the tennis world every year.
Technique, fitness and talent are the key factors for success in the breathtaking mountain setting. Who will the key players be? Will the traditionally strong Spanish Armada try to conquer Gstaad again, or will french sensation Sebastien Grosjean take the title back home? Be there and experience the magic of the Allianz Suisse Open Gstaad. Info available at:
http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=i&tid=tid&url=uk.myswitzerland.com/en/navpage.cfm?category=Events&subcat=Top_Events&id=9011203%7C3780

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6. Zurich open-air Cinemas: Enjoy that special atmosphere

Orange Cinema Zurich in the Zuerichhorn park: A giant 350m2 screen and 1,700 seats. Every year, 30 fabulous films can be enjoyed on the giant 350m2 screen at the legendary open-air Cinema by Lake Zurich. The tasty food and wide choice of drinks also available add to the fun of this popular attraction under the Zurich night skies. For further info: *http//www.orangecinema.ch
Dates:19 July – 18 August 2002
Filmfluss Cinema at the Unterer Letten lido: with the kind of views you only see in films. In July every year, the lido at Unterer Letten is transformed into a very special open-air cinema. For three weeks, the Filmfluss cinema shows selected studio films and pearls of the big screen from Thursdays through to Sundays. A short support film precedes each main event film. The scenery in Zurich’s oldest river lido is both romantic and urbane. The river Limmat murmurs and gurgles past the screen whilst on the other side, the old industrial district is silhouetted against the evening sky. For further info: *http//www.filmfluss.ch Dates: 11 – 28 July 2002 (on 10 evenings)

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7. Interesting days out with a Swiss Pass (4)

Take the Postbus to watch chamois roaming.
Ten minutes walk from the Rhaetische Bahn station at Zernez in the Graubuenden is the Swiss National Park visitor’s centre. The centre is open from June to October and contains information about the 169 square km park through which deer, ibex, chamois and marmots roam and bearded vultures soar above. The park is the largest protected area in Switzerland and is the country’s only National Park. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has designated the park as a category 1-nature reserve providing the highest possible protection level. Since its establishment in 1914 the area of the Park has continually been increased to its present area. Walking is only permitted on the footpaths and there are laws to prohibit the picking of flowers. The Park is accessible by public
transport using the Zernez to Mustair Postbus (timetable 960.20) over the Ofenpass that climbs to 2149 metres. Alight at Il Fuorn there are well signposted footpaths in 5 languages including English.
Further information: http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=i&tid=tid&url=www.rhb.ch or http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=i&tid=tid&url=www.nationalpark.ch http://cdb.stnet.ch/link.cfm?uuid=i&tid=tid&url=www.poste.ch
by Peter Marriott – Railway Journalist