10 days in Switzerland: What to see and what to do in the Alpine paradise

Skiing Holidays in France

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Get enthralled and adventurous at wonderful locations

Author: mariemallu
When one mentioned the term luxury, the picture that always comes to mind are great things that will definitely make one happy and feel totally relaxed. One of the luxuries that people always want is going on luxury holidays in France. Even if this may cost a lot of money, lots of individuals still go for it to unwind or to experience the lifestyle of rich and famous.

Romantic Date Ideas in Beautiful Italian Cities

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Author: Pero Milos

Spend a day at Carnivale in Venice is for couples who enjoy a city full of canals, gondolas, and expansive parties, going to Italy's number one destination for the Carnivale festival is a great way to celebrate love, life, and great memories together. Venice also is famous for its gondola ride tours, and its incredible cafes and restaurants. Few hearts won't melt while watching the moonlit waters while floating down one of the many canals of Venice. The best part about going to Venice for a honeymoon or a romantic getaway is that romantic Italian canzones are almost always being played by street performers.
Wander the beautiful village of Bellagio of LakeComo famed for being one of the most romantic travel destinations in Italy, Bellagio is a village that has charmed couples for centuries. Renting a villa, or renting a spot on a resort, is a great way to relax and enjoy life with your beloved. With a beautiful view of the Alps, sandy lakeside beaches, and lots of restaurants to choose from, Lake Como will be one of the best choices that you can make for a romantic getaway.
Visit Juliet's house in Verona of Shakespearean fame, lived in Verona. Literary couples looking for romantic inspiration from one of the most famous love stories of all time will find a date in Verona to be one of the best choices around. Locals believe that if you rub the right breast of Juliet's statue (also in Verona) you will be blessed with luck. Other options for a romantic date night in Verona include attending the opera in a real Roman arena, and taking a carriage ride through the city as you soak in the picturesque scenery.
Enjoy the intimate scenery of the Gulf of Poets, beening the inspiration of poets for centuries because of the romantic atmosphere that the Gulf of Poets offers. Stop by a café and enjoy a coffee, or stop by one of the many top rated restaurants for a dinner to remember. If you're tired of the over touristy Cinque Terre, why not explore the Gulf of Poets? The best part about choosing a romantic getaway in the Gulf of Poets is that even during the peak tourist season, it still won't have the masses of tourists that often take away from the romantic atmosphere of many Italian tourist attractions.
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The best way to book a honeymoon or a romantic date in Italy is to talk to a reliable expert for advice on what places to visit, and where to book your trips. The sooner you start asking advice, the better the results you will get. Book your trip today!

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The Real Reasons Why Brits Appreciate Property In Brittany

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To many people, Brittany is practically a nation on its very own. While France by itself is extremely different and distinctive, starting from the allure as well as charm of the city of Paris to the actual splendour of the Alps, this specific region does have its special fascination. You will find an assortment of conventional and also modern daily life and a lot of attraction to those dynamic retirees among you.

Brittany is actually dominated by the ocean, which borders the region on three sides. Its own specific topography is just as varied as its people and the lifestyles, with rocky granite mountains and also cliffs perhaps the most distinctive element. The particular well-known cities of Nantes and Rennes, the capital of the region tend to be exceptional tourist destinations.

Honeymoon In Austria

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Author: Abel Smith

For numerous people an exciting holiday in the Austrian Tyrol symbolizes the finest of the Alps: spectacular landscape with uneven snow-covered mountains, flower filled fields, and pleasing villages where geraniums spill out vibrantly from the balcony of rural wood villas.

The deep rooted network of Tyrolean mountain huts allows you to stay on the hills without ever thinking to return to self-styled civilization. This is probably the chief reasons why walking vacations in Austria are so well-liked and admired. The local residents preserve numerous of the old traditions - the high meadows are farmed till day, well known Austrian cheeses are made in the mountains, and conventional Austrian outfit is frequently worn. Though, in the winter season the same mountains are snow-covered making cross country skiing in Austria an exceptional place to spend a week in winter.

Embark on Train Holidays in Switzerland to Discover the Stunning Alps and Beautiful Lakes

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By Dipika Patel

Those looking for lakes and mountains holidays should consider a rail journey to Switzerland. With the majestic Alps, beautiful lakes and countless other astounding scenes besides, train holidays in Switzerland provide the perfect relaxing break. And by taking trains such as the Bernina Express, passengers will be able to see the very best the country has to offer while sitting in comfort.
On the Bernina Express, passengers will be able to see incredible views, such as an alpine garden, mountains and waterfalls while travelling across some of the country's most ancient landscapes. Spanning 76 miles, the line is a popular and excellent way to see some of Switzerland's most magical scenes.

Making a rail journey to Switzerland is a wonderfully simple way to travel - and to see several areas of the country in one trip. Simply departing on the Eurostar from London, holidaymakers can then change for Luxembourg and travel to Brig in Switzerland.
This is the perfect starting point for those keen to get their first glimpse of the staggering scenery on offer in the country. Travelling to nearby Zermatt, visitors will be able to see the Matterhorn, one of the country's most famous mountains, well-known for the tragic story of the first attempt to ascend it. Meanwhile, taking the railway up to Gornergrat will provide outstanding panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Those looking to enjoy the country's fine lakes will find the Bernese Oberland an irresistible place to explore. Interlaken - so named due to its location between two lakes - is the perfect destination to start with. Travellers will be able to see the Brienz and the Thun, which are ideal places to photograph, as well as take boat trips on them if desired.
Meanwhile, travelling to the Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest rail station - is a must. Situated at 11,000 ft, it offers unparalleled views of the area.
To explore the Western Alps, there are two railways which traverse their beautiful scenery. The Centovalli Railway takes passengers through some of Switzerland's most attractive valleys, while the GoldenPass Line travels through mountain peaks to the luxury resort of Gstaad - a favourite location with celebrities.
After exploring the Western Alps, holidaymakers can board the Glacier Express, which - despite its name - is a relatively slow train. Ascending the Rhone Valley, this train affords beautiful views as it crosses the Oberlap Pass, which rests at 6,670 ft.
Arriving in Chur, passengers can then climb aboard the Bernina Express - a line so prized for its excellent engineering and beautiful route that it has been awarded Unesco World Heritage status.
Additionally, it is viewed with much social importance as it provides a vital connection to the Italian-speaking south of the country.
Spanning some 76 miles, this famous four-hour journey heads south from Chur and across the Italian border into the village of Tirano. During the trip, passengers will be able to see incredible views, such as frozen waterfalls, deep ravines and snow-capped mountain peaks.
Crossing the Bernina Pass, which is situated at 11,000 ft, is a breathtaking experience. Connecting the town of St Moritz to San Poschiavo, it is an extremely popular area for tourists to cross. Meanwhile, passengers will also find themselves passing through some 55 tunnels and 196 bridges, making the journey even more exciting. Additionally, stopping off in the Italian-speaking town of Poschiavo is well worth the trip.
Before returning home, holidaymakers should take some time to explore Chur, which is one of the oldest town in the country. Home to medieval alleyways and architecture, it can be as beautiful as the surrounding scenery. Fans of history will find it an absolute delight and may be particularly intrigued by the 12th century cathedral.
People keen to experience the imposing and majestic landscape of Switzerland will find rail holidays the perfect way to do so. Offering an easy and comfortable way to explore the country, passengers will be able to see an incredible amount of beautiful scenery from their seats.
Meanwhile, there will be many opportunities to explore some of the country's towns, as well as see its mountains and lakes up close. For a relaxing and picturesque holiday, there can be no better choice than Swiss rail holidays.
If you're keen to go on lakes and mountains holidays, why not consider train holidays in Switzerland? Home of the famous Bernina Express, here you can explore the stunning Alps and beautiful, tranquil lakes all during the comfort of your rail journey.

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Italy, Dolomites – When Advent Knocks on the Door

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By: Lena Seifert

In the authentic Sarntal Valley in Italy's South Tyrol traditions are kept alive passionately.  For example, "Kloeckeln" is a tradition during the Advents time (the four weeks before Christmas) that exists here since the 16th Century and has survived until today in its special original form. 
Anyone who visits the Sarntal valley finds authentic, evolved tradition, which is kept alive naturally by the Sarners. Customs are no routine rituals here; they are authentically observed and celebrated. A special tradition is Kloeckeln, a custom at the time of Advent with pagan elements. The term "Kloekeln" is derived from "klocken", which in Sarner dialect means as much as "to knock". In former times Kloeckeln existed in the entire Alps, nowadays it is kept alive only in a few valleys – and rarely as authentically as in the Sarntal valley. The evenings for Kloeckeln are the three Thursday evenings in Advent before the winter solstice. On December 3, 10, and 17, 2009 Sarner men, parade as masked figures, noisily blowing their buck-horns in the still winter nights, knocking at the doors, and asking for gifts in the form of food and drink. In this custom these men wear hand-made masks and Sarner working-costumes, and present traditionally two songs: The Kloeckel Song, and the Thank-You Song. In these three nights of December visitors can witness this old tradition in the wintry streets of the Sarntal. 


When the Kloeckel-group, the so-called "Kutt", parades with noise from house to house, certain characters may not be absent: The "Zussler" - two men dressed as a married couple, the accordion player,  the "Lottrsackträger" as well as further "Kloecklers" using bells, buck-horns and other loud instruments. The Zussler are meant to represent in this play the dark demons of winter fighting with the bright spirits of spring. The "Zusslmandl" wears in this pageant the old Sarner costume with the red, split sword, which is beaten continuously on the hand to the beat of the Thank-You Song and the constant pursuits by the "Zussweibele". The "Weibele" wears the "Niederfeiertag"-dress of Summer and around her hips a belt with bells, that is heard already from a distance when running. While the "Kutt" presents the Kloeckel song, the couple often enters the homes and accepts served food. During the Thank-You Song the "Zussler" finally come into the village center, and dance out of respect. At the end of such a Kloeckel night, the "Kutt" take off their masks, and all Kloecklers celebrate wildly with song and dance at a farmer's place. Hearty food like dumplings, meat, and sauerkraut are not supposed to be missing. Since fasting was done previously during the time of Advent, the Kloeckler could not eat their earned gifts immediately, but had to be patient until Stephen's day (December 26th) But then the so-called "Kloeckel-Sausage-Brewing" was celebrated happily with dance and music. This tradition is alive up to today in the small mountain village Durnholz in the Northern Italian Sarntal Valley.

About the Author
Lena Seifert writes for TouchingNature.co.uk, a travel destination website with many useful tools to help you plan (or at least dream…) about your next walking holiday or hiking vacation in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Italian Dolomites and South Tyrol. Visit them online at http://www.touchingnature.co.uk/italy-walking-south-tyrol.htm

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Go on Captivating Swiss Rail Holidays on the Bernina Express

Image via WikipediaBy Dipika Patel
If you are seeking truly iconic Swiss rail holidays, you may find that there is no need to look any further than the Bernina Express.
Hopping onboard this continental route for holidays by rail will provide you with the opportunity to take in a wide variety of stunning alpine scenery.
And as you get to see it all from the comfort of your train seat, you will find heading off on such a Grand Tour Europe excursion provides you with plenty of chances to take some fantastic photographs. These can serve as a memento of the captivating sights you saw and the fun you had on holiday and are sure to make all your friends and family members jealous upon returning home!
The Bernina Express travels from the Swiss town of Chur, making its way south. And as you travel you will be able to track the ever-changing natural landscape, which ranges from majestic valleys and some of the highest mountains in the Alps to enchanting lakes and woodland.

And if you choose to take the train route during the winter, you will see how Switzerland turns into a winter wonderland, blanketed by snow.
However, if you opt to travel outside of the colder months then you will still discover that there are plenty of things for you to see and do.
While the iconic Bernina Express offers a significant opportunity for you to capture captivating natural scenery on film, there are lots of other attractions that you will simply find mesmerising.
And this will certainly prove to be the case when you arrive in Chur. The starting point of the Bernina Express, Chur is the oldest town in the country so if you're something of a history buff then you are certain to find plenty of things to keep you entertained.
Why not visit the cathedral? Built in the 12th century, the stunning religious building contains a mixture of gothic and Romanesque styles of architecture.
Meanwhile, the Bundner Naturmuseum - or Natural History Museum in English - and Camana Safier Local Museum provide you with the chance to get a closer insight into the region's past.
You may also want to spend time walking around the streets of the old town, savouring the atmosphere and getting a sense of what life was like here hundreds of years ago.
After you've taken in all that Chur has to offer, you hop onboard the train, departing southward. The destinations you can take in will vary depending on what route and what time of year you travel, so you may well find yourself ascending the Albula Pass.
In travelling along this section of rail, you will go through a range of tunnels and bridges, as well as viaducts. Perhaps the most famous of these overpasses is the Landwasser Viaduct, which sees your train disappear into the sheer rock face as you climb the Engadine Valley.
The Bernina Express was awarded Unesco World Heritage status in 2008, so as you go along the captivating rail route, you can be confident of taking in stunning sights while travelling on what is a feat of modern engineering.
And this can certainly prove to be the case as your train makes its way to the peak of the Oberalp Pass. Upon reaching the top, you will be some 6,670 ft above sea level - the highest point of your trip. By travelling on the Bernina Express you can truly feel like you are on top of the world.
You may also get such a sensation upon arriving in Zermatt. This pretty little village is nestled in the heart of the Alps and as it is overlooked by the Matterhorn, so you will be able to see one of the largest peaks in the mountain range - it stands some 14,700 feet tall.
Other destinations you will be able to stop off at while on the Bernina Express include Lucerne - the most populated city in central Switzerland - which has a stunning 13th century Franciscan church to take in, as well as the nearby lake.
However, the rail journey is not merely limited to Switzerland, as you will pass over the border into Italy. Your trip terminates in the northern village of Tirano but it does not mean that your holiday is over once you have arrived at the station. You might want to stop by the fascinating Madonna di Tirano Catholic shrine.
The Bernina Express offers so many captivating sights that you could well want to travel on Swiss rail holidays for several years to come.
Taking holidays by rail can be a great way to get away from it all. And those who are keen to go on a Grand Tour Europe may want to look into taking the Bernina Express.
Such Swiss rail holidays give the opportunity to take in some breathtaking natural scenery and stunning towns.

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This is St Gervais Mont Blanc

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One of the most beautiful ski resorts in the world, located only 45 minutes from Geneva airport, and with immediate access to 450km of linked pistes... but you've never heard of it! Welcome to St Gervais Mont Blanc.

Some of you well-travelled skiers will have heard of St Gervais before, yet few have ever skied there or even know much about it, the British just don't tend to go there, with the massive drawing power of Chamonix and Megeve only 15 minutes either way down the road from St Gervais, it just literally gets passed by.

I'm going to tell you why it shouldn't (and why it's great that it does!).

Founded in the Roman era - the town flourished during the middle ages as one of the largest market towns in the Alps - and bringing in tourists since 1806, St Gervais is that very rare thing, a ski resort with real character and real history. The first ski lift, the famous rack and pinion railway, situated just 200m from our chalet, was installed in 1904 and still runs today as the highest rack and pinion railway in Europe!


St Gervais feels like a genuine French town, Why? because it is. Here is a town with a weekly market, a museum, a baroque church, two professional local artists, three local potters, a train station, an Olympic sized ice rink, a public library, an all year-round riding school, a husky sled company, proper primary school, and one of the finest spa's in the whole of France. Then theres the pretty town square with its stone fountain, park and permanent fairground carousel. This half of town is where you'll find the majority of the restaurants and bars, with the ski lifts just the other side of the bridge over the dramatic gorge that runs through the centre of the town. A casual 10 minute walk or a two minute ride on the excellent free buses gets you right to the lifts.

If you're after a crazy apres-ski and wild nightlife, then I highly recommend Val D'Isere or St Anton, they're great resorts, but its not really what we do here. Though not famouts for its night-life, St Gervais offers over 50 bars, cafes and restaurants. From classy cocktail and wine bars, to dingy little locals spots. But this is not a party town, we dont have drunken gordes stumbling home from the pub at 2am, and thats fine by us. For families there is a super little creche and ski school, quiet and well groomed pistes, and some great mountains restaurants.

Then there's the location. If you've skied in the Alps before, then I'm sure you know the pain of the transfer: your plane arrives on time only for you to sit on your bus for two hours because the other flight was delayed, then you drive for three hours along winding mountain lanes, There is none of that here; with numerous great value transfer companies, you can get from your seat on the plane to the cake in the chalet in an hour!

As for the important stuff, the skiing: St Gervais, and its area, the Evasion Mont Blanc, has 450km of runs. The area is predominantly suited to improving beginners and intermediates who enjoy being able to ski or board the whole mountain-range on empty runs without horrible blacks or icy blind corners.

So, St Gervais Mont Blanc, a beautiful, peaceful resort; easy to get to, great skiing and empty pistes. Just don't tell too many people...

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Jamie Forrest is a passionate skiier and chef, who has been running private Catered Chalet Holidays for 8 years. He now runs three in St Gervais sleeping from 4 -10 guests, and offering freindly service and great food. see why 'The Guardian' called him "the sweetest and most devoted chalet host in the Alps" http://www.ski-bliss.com

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Restaurant Dining | Trattorias and Restaurants in Vernazza | Cinque Terre | Italy Travel

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Restaurant Dining | Trattorias and Restaurants in Vernazza | Cinque Terre | Italy Travel

If you’re staying in this town during your Cinque Terre holidays, there are enough restaurants and trattorias here to keep you nicely fed.

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