INTERLAKEN, SWITZRLAND WILL BE THE SITE OF THE 2024 TSC WINTER EXPEDITION TRIP!

To Ski or Not to Ski? – Interlaken is the place to be. 

“Interlaken” in German means “between lakes.” Our resort is situated in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps between the glacial formed Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Interlaken is an ideal hub for countless ski pistes in the Jungfrau Ski Region.  There are 45+ mountain railways, cable cars, chair lifts and ski lifts which lead to 200 kilometers of pistes.  Everyday, skiers can pick their favorite among the ski regions of the Jungfrau Top Ski Region. There is a daily ski bus transfer connecting Interlaken with these ski-areas.

 

 

Grindelwald-Wengen – stunning panorama and wide diversity

This richly diverse ski area lies right at the foot of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. You could hardly be any closer to the world-famous rock formation. Glide on your skis or snowboard down the undulating slopes of the Männlichen, challenge yourself to the legendary Lauberhorn race track or take a spectacular steep drop above Kleine Scheidegg. Perfectly groomed slopes and modern ski lifts ensure ideal winter sports conditions.

Schilthorn – the highest ski area in the Bernese Oberland

Schilthorn is the highest ski area in the Bernese Oberland with stunning views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and the surrounding Alps. Here, snow sports lovers will find everything they could wish for. Snowboard or ski down the steepest slopes, carve across wide spacious pistes or have fun in the snowpark.

Grindelwald-First – an Eldorado for freestylers

Look forward to fun at the snowpark with kickers, straightboxes and a halfpipe, attractive downhill runs, perfectly groomed pistes and other exciting experiences in the snow in the Grindelwald-First ski area. Descend the beautifully snow-covered slopes on your snowboard or skis and admire the breathtaking mountain panorama. Sunny terraces lining the route provide plenty of chances to take a break and relax. Enjoy an adventurous day in the snow and discover the hippest après-ski hotspots in the Jungfrau ski region.

Non SKI Activities

Interlaken offers many non ski activities:

• Shopping, Churches and Museums
• Harder Kulm – Climb this 1332m mountain in only10 minutes via the 100-year-old funicular.Harder Kulm offers spectacular views of Interlaken and the peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Venture onto the overhanging Zwei-Seen-Steg (‘Two Lakes Bridge’) for even more panoramic views.

• Visit Jungfraujoch, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Europe’s highest railway station. Ride a gondola to the Eiger Glacier and a cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch to view the breathtaking Aletsch Glacier from the Sphinx Observation Terrace. Check out the Alpine Sensation (Railway Museum), and the Ice Palace tunnels.
• Chocolatier tour in Interlaken.
• For thrill seeking individuals, consider paragliding over the Interlaken lakes, night sledding in the Swiss Alps, winter kayaking on Lake Brienz.Or for more serene events, take a hot-air balloon ride over Interlaken, horse drawn carriage rides, snowshoeing, boat day pass for the lakes, romantic mountain adventures by moonlight or ice skating.

• Unforgettable photo opportunities Grab your phone or digital camera to snap dramatic pix. On clear, sunny days, the snow-covered mountain peaks are reflected in the waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and provide the perfect backdrop for stunning winter photos in the heart of Switzerland. Interlaken generally enjoys clear, sunny winter days. On the few fog-shrouded days, the best thing to do is head for the higher mountains where the view will be well above the fog.

  Jungfrau ski region (interlaken.ch)

    

Optional Day Excursions (each subject to minimum 20 participants)

 

Lucerne		Round trip (RT) transfer and escort on the bus, Local tour guide in Lucerne. Free time for sightseeing and lunch on your own. Beautiful small city on the lake. Great views of the Swiss alps
Zermatt		RT Bus from Interlaken to Täsch, RT Train from Täsch to Zermatt. Most likely leave at 7AM and return by 7PM. Transfer time is 2h30m each way.
		Walking Tour for non-skiers in Zermatt. For sweeping views of Matterhorn, take the cogwheel train from Zermatt to Gornergrat.
Bern		RT Transfer, Escort on the bus, Local tour guide in Bern. Free time for sightseeing and lunch on own.
Montreux & Chillon Castle		RT bus, escort, walking tour and guided tour of Chillon Castle.

 

 

Lodging Information:

 

We will be staying at the beautiful four-star Hotel Metropole which is in the middle of Interlaken with everything within walking distance including the train station.

https://www.metropole-interlaken.ch  

 

   

 

 

Great View & Great Location

All Hotel Metropole rooms have a wonderful view and 86% have an exclusive view of the Jungfrau! Check out the 18^th floor restaurant for a whole view of Interlaken, the Jungfrau and the two lakes.

 

A special TSC Gala party at the Casino Kursaal of Interlaken

We will head to the TSC farewell party after dinner where we will imbibe desserts, 4 drink tickets, music and dancing.   TSC Farwell parties are always fun and provide time to socialize with members from other clubs.

 

What’s included in the trip:

• Round trip airfare transportation between Austin, Dallas, Houston & San Antonio and Zurich via Delta
• Round trip transfers between Zurich Airport and Interlaken in private motor coach with English speaking assistant and a luggage trailer.
• 7 nights accommodations in Interlaken at the 4 star Hotel Metropole
• Full hot and cold breakfast daily
• 5 night dinners at the Hotel (2 nights on your own.)
• Welcome drink and resort orientation including:

                2 drinks per person followed by cash bar.

                Light snacks

                Tourist office representative

Ski area representative/guide.

• Gala TSC party night at the Casino Kursaal (subject to min 90 participants on the trip.) 4 drink tickets, desserts, music & dancing.
• Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at all hotels
• Free Wi-Fi at the hotel
• Use of swimming pools and spa facilities
• Special Holidaze/TSC Pin

 

Trip Itinerary:

 

• Friday: Jan 26th: Fly from USA to Zurich, Germany
• Saturday: Jan 27th: Arrive in Zurich and travel by bus (2 hours) to Interlaken, Switzerland. Check in at the Hotel Metropole Interlaken.Welcome reception and orientation.
• Sunday: Jan 28th: Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel:

  Skiing and sightseeing day 1

• Monday: Jan 29th: Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel:

  Skiing and sightseeing day 2 + optional Lucerne Tour

• Tuesday: Jan 30th: Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel:

  Skiing and sightseeing day 3 + optional Zermatt tour for skiers and non-skiers

• Wednesday: Jan 31st: Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel:

  Skiing and sightseeing day 4

• Thursday: Feb 1st: Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel:

  Skiing and sightseeing day 5 + optional Bern tour  

  TSC Farewell  Gala at the Casino Kursaal

• Friday: Feb 2nd: Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel: Skiing and sightseeing day 6 + optional Montreux & Chillon Castle tour.

• Saturday: Feb 3rd: Breakfast at the hotel: Depart home to the USA or continue a Post Trip.

(Current Itinerary is subject to change.)

 

Post Trip Options

1. MILAN ITALY

THE POST TRIP PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• All transfers with deluxe 50 seat coach from day 1 to day 4
• 3 nights accommodations at the Hilton Milan City Center
• Breakfast daily
• Tour guide from day 1 to day 4
• 2 Half Day guided tour (Milan and Bergamo)
• Last supper entrance fee
• 1 typical dinner (3 courses)
• 1 lunch in Milan (3 courses)
• Alfa Romeo museum stop is dependant on travel times.

Milan Itinerary

        Saturday: Feb 3^rd - Departure from Interlaken to Milan, with a stop on Lake Como. Free time to discover the beauty of the Lake. Lake Como or “Lario” is an harmonious mix of water and land and presents itself with its Ipsilon shape created by the branches that compose it with the basin of Colico, the Como branch and the Lecco branch. Continue to Milan hotel, check in and dinner on your own.

Sunday Feb 4^th Hotel breakfast, short bus transfer to meet with your guide for a walking guided tour of the city center. You’ll be in awe with this amazing international city combining art, fashion, style and finance. See the Duomo, the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery (called Milan’s lounge), the Scala Opera House and the amazing Castello Sforzesco, once home of the Sforza family.

Lunch then visit to Leonardo da Vinci’s last supper. Free time for shopping.
Dinner in a typical Milan restaurant with typical regional dishes.

 

Monday Feb 5^th Hotel breakfast and departure to Bergamo by bus. Guided visit of Bergamo, a real masterpiece of history, culture, music and landscape, with a medieval heart on top of a hill surrounded by the majestic Venetian Walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch on your own at leisure and free time in the afternoon. Return transfer to Milan with a stop at Alfa Romeo Museum. Dinner at your own leisure and overnight.

Tuesday Feb 6^th Hotel breakfast and departure to the airport.

Or

 

2. ZURICH SWITZERLAND

The Post Trip (Feb 3rd-6^th) Package Includes:

Travel with group departing Interlaken to Zurich Airport.

• Walk to the 4-Star Radisson Blu Hotel at Zurich Airport. (Located in the mall above the train station – directly across the street from the airport via sky bridge)
• 3 nights accommodations at the 4 Star Radisson Blu Zurich Airport Hotel
• Full rich hot and cold breakfast buffet daily
• Half day city tour of Zurich with local guides, including 24-hour Rail pass.
• All local taxes
• Walk to Zurich airport check-in at the end of the stay (No transfer or guide needed.)
• Note, A proposal for an alternative hotel in the City Center hotel is being developed.