16 Days Alpine Splendor & Central European Odyssey

Informazioni sulla destinazione: Zurigo lavora con l'idea sbagliata che non sia altro che una sterile città bancaria - non credeteci a una parola. È vero, Zurigo ospita una delle più grandi borse del mondo ed è il motore finanziario della Svizzera stessa, ma allontanati dai mercati e dai prezzi delle azioni e troverai una città artistica, attenta alle tendenze e vivace. Resta a Zurigo ovest per un po '. I suoi ex magazzini, viadotti e caverne per la costruzione di navi sono stati convertiti in centri d'arte, bar originali e boutique stravaganti. Lungo la Langstrasse, il famigerato quartiere a luci rosse della città, ora è probabile che porti a casa una borsa chic realizzata da un designer emergente quanto un pezzo di gonna. Il carattere di Zurigo risuona dagli altoparlanti dell'annuale Street Parade, un gigantesco festival techno che si snoda per la città con DJ e ballerini in abiti minimali sui carri allegorici. Non c'è un pareggio da banchiere in vista. Se c'è nel grazioso quartiere della riva orientale di Villabassa, è allentato. Queste strade medievali pullulano di caffè agli angoli, bar alla moda e ristoranti di prima classe. È facile trascorrere un pomeriggio assorbendo la sua atmosfera rilassata, soprattutto in estate, quando la riva del fiume assume un'atmosfera da spiaggia. Anche l'inverno è speciale. Sotto l'incantesimo della neve, i vicoli acciottolati, le fontane, le passeggiate in riva al lago e la splendida architettura del centro storico sono stati realizzati per il tocco di un artista. Questo è il momento in cui uno dei migliori mercatini di Natale d'Europa arriva in città e gli agrumi e i cannellini caldi delle bancarelle di glühwein (vin brulè) riempiono l'aria. Gli acquirenti saranno nel loro elemento qui in qualsiasi periodo dell'anno. Il lato vistoso di Zurigo è evidente nelle esclusive boutique di stilisti di Bahnhofstrasse, la principale via dello shopping della città. Ma questa non è più una città per soli smart set; ci sono molti negozi insoliti da scoprire nelle strade nascoste. Seduta a cavalcioni sul fiume Limmat e sulla punta settentrionale del Lago di Zurigo, Madre Natura sorride sicuramente alla città più grande della Svizzera. Gli architetti sono stati cortesi anche nelle loro aggiunte: basta dare un'occhiata alle chiese Fraumünster e Grossmünster, che si fronteggiano dall'altra parte del fiume. Poi, quando ne hai abbastanza della vasta gamma di ristoranti, musei di prim'ordine e vivace vita notturna della città, c'è sempre il vicino monte Uetliberg o una gita in barca sul lago di Zurigo da goderti, se non altro per riprendere fiato prima di tuffarti di nuovo in di nuovo le delizie della città.

About the destination: With the Alps and the Lake Lucerne as its backdrop, charming and prosperous Lucerne is a spectacular city. Brightly coloured wall painting, an art form that flourished in the late 16th century, decorate its narrow streets and colourful squares. The city is ideal for boat trips and excursions to Mt. Rigi and Mt. Pilatus. A walk along the river affords a great view of the old city. Two ancient bridges cross the river. The Chapel Bridge is decorated with scenes from Swiss history, and runs by the Water Tower, symbol of the city. The shorter Spreuerbrücke is adorned with Kaspar Megliner’s eerie Dance of Death paintings. Walk by the Altes Rathaus, City Hall, and through the charming squares of Weinmarkt and Hirschenplatz for a taste of authentic Swiss wall painting. For a bird’s-eye view of Lucerne’s dozen or so churches and three mountains, Pilatus, Rigi and Titlus, climb the medieval fortifications with their numerous towers. Don’t miss Das Löwendenkmal, a huge sculpture of a lion carved into the face of a rock dedicated to the Swiss mercenaries of Versailles. Mark Twain dubbed it “the saddest and most compassionate piece of rock on earth”. In the Am Rhyn Haus, next to the Altes Rathaus, you can see an interesting collection of late Picasso works. The combination of tranquil lake and breathtaking snow-capped mountains give Lucerne a special charm which is furthered even more by the medieval old town, famous wooden bridges and beautiful skyline.

About the destination: "Interlaken is a town and municipality in the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district in the Swiss canton of Bern. It is an important and well-known tourist destination in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps, and the main transport gateway to the mountains and lakes of that region. The town is located on the Bödeli, between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and alongside the Aare river that flows between the two lakes. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • The Höheweg is Interlaken's main street which runs between Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost Railway Stations. Have a look at the ""Japanese Garden"", the 150-year old Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel, and don't miss the beautiful view of the famous snow-covered Jungfrau mountain from ""Höhematte"". • Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn is a glaciated UNESCO World Heritage Site above Interlaken in the Bernese Alps. • Unterseen. Unterseen is a small old town near the Interlaken West train station."

About the destination: The city of Geneva has a population of 200,000 inhabitants and is one of largest in Switzerland, is the capital of the canton and is situated on the Lac Leman, also named Lake of Geneva, it is divided by Rhône River, which emerges from the lake. It is a nice and charming city with numerous bridges. The Gothic Cathédrale de St-Pierre towers over the vieille ville, Geneva’s old section of narrow, winding streets and flower-bedecked homes. Climb the north tower for a spectacular view of the old town. Most of the city’s museums are in the vieille ville. The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire prides itself on its eclecticisms. Exhibits range from ancient Greek vases to Dadaism art. The Petit Palais houses a wonderful collection of modern art in an intimate 19th century palace. Geneva’s lakefront is beautiful. The audacious Jet d’Eau is one of the world’s tallest fountain. Don’t miss the manicured Jardin Anglais with its famous Horloge Fleurie, a large clock adorned with flowers, erected in homage to Geneva’s clock industry. Geneva remains the international city it has been for centuries, epitomizing the Swiss neutrality which has welcomed such diverse visitors as Lenin and Borges. Today, diplomats and the executives of innumerable corporations fill Geneva’s offices, though seldom its spotless streets. Sedate and picturesque, Geneva is the most pleasant city in Switzerland.

About the destination: Historically renowned for its silk exchange and medieval fairs, Lyon is France’s second largest city and one of Europe’s finest gastronomic capitals. The heart of Lyon lies on a spit of land between the Rivers Rhône and Saône, and is split by the city’s artery, rue Victor Hugo. Part-Dieu, on the east bank of the Rhône, is the city’s financial district. The vieille ville, on the west bank, is a neighbourhood of 17th and 18th century houses and cobblestone lanes. Best seen from across the Saône, the Cathedrale St-Jean rises amid red tiles and grey stone, oblivious to the passing barges. It’s noted for its strongly articulated nave and flamboyant rose windows. From the Fourvière esplanade you can gaze down onto the urban sprawl. There is a large selection of museums with spectacular collections in Lyon, exhibiting everything from fabrics and banking to Gallo Roman life and local history. In Lyon, people don’t eat, they dine. You cannot leave without indulging yourself with the great cuisine lyonnaise. Of course whatever you eat, wash it down with a local Beaujolais or a white burgundy from the neighbouring Mâcon villages.

About the destination: With something almost Northern European in the air, yet exuding Italian style, Milan is Italy's most cosmopolitan city. The capital of Lombardy is both hardworking and glamorous - powerful in businesses from finance to fashion and, of course, football. But what gives Milan its certain something is its status as the epicentre of Italian fashion and interior design. International fashionistas, designers, supermodels and paparazzi descend upon the city twice a year for its spring and autumn fairs: Milan, which has carefully guarded its reputation for flair, drama and creativity, is Italy's natural stage. This is certainly one of the best places in Italy to shop, or windowshop. Milan is the main industrial, commercial and financial centre of Italy and as such, is unsurprisingly business-like in appearance. At first glance, it lacks the wow factor, but if you take time and are determined to explore Milan’s streets, you’ll access its aesthetically appealing gems – and they do exist. Cut through the modern metropolitan bustle, and you will stumble across impressive churches and palaces, the pretty Navigli area, the chic Brera district and lively university quarter, and no need to mention a landmark such as the Duomo, or that the city is impressively home to Leonardo da Vinci's 15th century masterpiece The Last Supper. Milan cannot be faulted when it comes to having a good time. The Milanese know how to party – and they don’t waste time getting started. Nightlife tends to kick off at 6pm; enjoying an aperitivo in which locals unwind with post-work drinks and nibbles before heading home is the rule rather than exception. So whether you’re looking for cut-price fashion, an alternative city break or a chance to paint the town red, Milan has undoubtedly got it covered.