New Year Festive Fun, Alpine Adventure & Fondue
Join us on this tour to the Stunning Winter Swiss Alps. Located in the Bernese Oberland our well-appointed campsite is in the pretty village of Lauterbrunnen, situated between gigantic rock faces and mountain peaks in one of the most impressive valleys in the Alps. The very name ‘Lauter Brunnen’ (‘many fountains’) suggests the magnificence of this landscape with its 72 waterfalls the most famous being the Staubbach Falls, plunging almost 300 metres from an overhanging rock face, and located directly behind our campsite. The winter resorts of Wengen-Kleine Scheidegg and Mürren-Schilthorn can be quickly reached by mountain railway and cable car from our base, where there are 213 km of piste, fun parks, 100 km of winter hiking trails and 50 km of toboggan runs.
Upon our arrival in Lauterbrunnen we celebrate New Year’s Eve – Swiss Style with dinner and wine. We then have a relaxed program of events over the next 10 days with something to suit everyone. We will have excursions, group meals and of course participate in the Après Ski Events. In order to gain maximum benefit from your time and to see as many of the stunning locations as possible you will be issued with a 7 Day Travel Pass enabling you to use the many nearby cable-car, train, boat and post-bus travel options free of charge. You will be able to enjoy stunning views of the famous Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains. You will have the opportunity to visit the “Schilthorn” famous for its James Bond connection and perhaps enjoy a “Martini 007” cocktail in the revolving restaurant. You will also be able to visit the Highest Railway Station in Europe (3454m) at the Jungfraujoch. After ten days of events our time in Lauterbrunnen comes to an end with a Farewell Dinner on the 9th January.
‘Wow, what a way to start the New Year, This tour exceeded our expectation, a tour hard to beat. Thank you Chris and Alan, excellent Tour Directors.’ Susanna and Ted Brooking – Switzerland for New Year – Dec 2018/Jan 2019
‘Overall a really unforgettable tour, one of the best we have been on. Well planned with excellent meals, the New Year festivities were amazing.’ Maggie and Peter Lillywhite – Switzerland for New Year – Dec 2018/Jan 2019
‘We had a superb trip with great guides, Alan and Chris. Lots of lovely meals and après-ski evenings. The cable car ride to the Schilthorn with fantastic views in perfect weather was the highlight. Many thanks.’ Pete and Barbara Ball – Switzerland for New Year – Dec 2018/Jan 2019
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Day One – Thursday 31st December 2020 (New Year’s Eve)
We arrive at Lauterbrunnen in the Swiss Alps, our campsite is well appointed with excellent heated sanitary facilities making our stay here a pleasant experience. This evening we will have an early dinner in the restaurant before joining in the New Year Celebrations with the other guests. Don’t expect an early night as celebrations can continue into the early hours of the morning.
Day Two – Friday 1st January 2021 (New Year’s Day)
New Year’s Day and a late start has been scheduled to allow us to recover a little from the festivities at last night’s celebrations, then for those who would like to join with the Tour Directors they will make their way into Interlaken by local train (payable locally) for the traditional Festive Parade, Fireworks and Concert.
Day Three – Saturday 2nd January
Today we will take the cable car to Grütschalp (using your travel pass which starts today) and continue our journey on foot to Winteregg (1.9km) where some of the most stunning views towards the famous “Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau” mountains are enjoyed. Later we can continue towards Murren (3km) where you will have free time before making the return journey by train, foot and cable car to Lauterbrunnen. For those who do not need the exercise, all or part of the journey between Grütschalp, Winteregg and Murren can be taken by train!
Day Four – Sunday 3rd January
Join the Tour Directors on a trip to Grindelwald by train (using your travel pass) or for any Skiers in the group the option to go skiing. In the evening, we will meet at the campsite bar and enjoy the “Apres Ski”.
Day Five – Monday 4th January
Today we can walk from the campsite to Stechelberg (4.5km) where there will be time to have a coffee (payable locally) before taking the Cable Car up to Murren where we will have lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch you can make your way back to the campsite in your own time by a combination of walking, train, cable car or postbus, along the way the opportunities for a warming afternoon drink are endless!!
Day Six – Tuesday 5th January
For the more adventurous and energetic members of the group we suggest a combined train, cable car and walking excursion today. We will take the train from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen followed by the cable car to Manlichen and from here it is possible to walk to Kleine Scheidegg (5km mostly downhill) or combine walking with a cable car. From Kleine Scheidegg you can take the train back to Wengen and onwards to Lauterbrunnen. The less adventurous/energetic group members could visit Europe’s highest station (additional cost applies) at the Jungfgraujoch where the most amazing views abound, before making the return journey via Kleine Scheidegg and Wengen. This evening we will all enjoy the “Apres Ski” in the campsite bar whilst recounting the events of the day followed by a traditional “Cheese Fondue”
Day Seven – Wednesday 6th January
In order to recover from the events of the past few days we’ve arranged an easier day. We will take the train from Lauterbrunnen to Thun where we will have some free time before boarding our boat for a cruise to Interlaken whilst enjoying a light lunch. After the cruise there will be free time in Interlaken before returning to Lauterbrunnen by train in your own time.
Day Eight – Thursday 7th January
A free day or weather conditions permitting we can organise a “Snow Shoe Walking” session for those who are interested, hire cost paid locally. This evening we walk into town for a Group Dinner in a local Hotel/Restaurant.
Day Nine – Friday 8th January
If you have not already done so why not visit the famous Schilthorn, making use of your travel pass to get to the final cable car station from where you are taken (additional cost applies) to the wonderful revolving restaurant and the opportunity of enjoying a “Martini 007” cocktail (shaken not stirred) whilst watching the world go around. This evening we meet in the Apres Ski Bar.
Day Ten – Saturday 9th January
A free day today and the last day of our stay here in Lauterbrunnen, giving you time for that final bit of sightseeing and walking. Tonight, we will have a special farewell dinner accompanied by music.
Day Eleven – Sunday 10th January
The Tour ends this morning. You may return to Calais with the Tour Directors (at your own cost) or remain on the continent to extend your stay.
PRICE TOUR DEPOSIT £300
Motorhome with 2 people = £1479 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £1849
INCLUDED IN PRICE
- 10 Campsite nights in Lauterbrunnen with full facilities including hook up
- Excursions/Events as per the itinerary
- Comprehensive 7 Day Travel Pass for Trains, Cable Cars, Busses & Boats
- Meals as per the itinerary
- Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
- Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome
Excursions, Events & Meals
- New Year’s Eve Celebrations, including Dinner and Wine
- Optional New Year’s Day visit to Interlaken for the Parade, Concert and Fireworks
- 3 X Apres Ski events
- Fondue Meal in the campsite restaurant
- Combined Cable Car, Walking and Train trip to Grütschalp, Winteregg & Murren
- Boat Cruise on Lake Thun with Lunch
- Trip to Grindelwald with the Tour Directors
- Combined Walking/Bus Excursion to Stechelberg & Murren including Lunch
- Combined Walking, Cable Car and Train excursion to Wengen, Manlichen and Kleine Scheidegg
- Dinner in Lauterbrunnen Hotel/Restaurant
- Optional “Snow Shoe” Walking excursion (equipment hire payable locally)
- Farewell Group Dinner accompanied by music.
This tour starts in Lauterbrunnen Switzerland, but if you would like to travel at the same time as the Tour Directors, please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf
OPTIONAL PACKAGE
Pre-Tour Itinerary
Monday 28th December 2020
We meet at Dover for our mid-morning crossing to Calais. From Calais we will continue our journey to Bruges and our first campsite on our outward journey. 75 miles
Tuesday 29th December
From Bruges, we continue our journey south to our next overnight stop some 15 miles north of the city of Luxembourg. Tonight, we will have a get-together with food in the campsite restaurant. 180 miles
Wednesday 30th December
Today we continue south to our final en-route campsite near Mulhouse. 210 miles
Thursday 31st December
Today we have a short drive to Lauterbrunnen where we should arrive in the morning for the start of the main tour. 110 miles
Included in the OPTIONAL PACKAGE
- Return Dover/Calais Ferry with a 60-day Flexible Ticket + Club Class lounge
- Three campsite nights with full facilities including hook up, in Belgium, Luxembourg & Germany
- Meal in Luxembourg Campsite
- Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
- Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome
OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE
Motorhome with 2 people @ £239 per person
Motorhome with 1 person @ £395