Switzerland/France
Bern to Lake Geneva: A Swiss & French Walking Adventure for Women
Program No. 24916RJ
Exercise your mind and your body on this active adventure exclusively for women through the history and landscapes of Switzerland and France.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
12 days
11 nights
What's Included
21 meals (
10B, 6L, 5D
)
3 expert-led lectures
17 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
10 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Zurich, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Bern
Meals:
D
Stay:
Swisshotel Kursaal
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Getting on/off a train; riding approximately 1.5 hours; luggage will be transferred by van separately at 11:30 a.m. Anyone arriving after this time will be required to handle their own luggage on the train. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
We will transfer as a group by train to Bern. Upon arrival, we will walk from the train station to the hotel. If time permits, the Group Leader will take us on an introductory stroll through the city. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via public transportation unless noted otherwise. Meals will feature local cuisine in a variety of settings. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Via Berna, Aarberg
Location:
Bern
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Swisshotel Kursaal
Activity Note
Getting on/off a train; riding up to 1.5 hours. Hiking up to 2 miles, approximately 1 hour, over nature trails including tree roots, rocks, and gravel. Walking up to 3 miles, about 2 hours on city streets/sidewalks with occasional cobblestones.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will walk from the hotel and go to the train station. Here, we will meet our local expert and take the train to Kallnach for the start of today’s hike. Our hike will follow the Via Berna, a 186-mile-long hiking route through the canton of Bern, along the river Aare.
Lunch:
We will have sack lunches on the trail.
Afternoon:
We will continue our hike until we reach Aarberg, where we will enjoy some free time in his charming town that became home to some of the Huguenots that fled religious prosecution in France during the Reformation.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Bern, Women's Rights
Location:
Bern
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Swisshotel Kursaal
Activity Note
Getting on/off a funicular and train, tram, or public bus. Walking up to 3 miles, about 2.5 hours; terrain includes gravel roads and city sidewalks/streets including cobblestones.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out from the hotel on foot for an expert-led walk through the city of Bern. The de facto capital of Switzerland, referred to as the “federal city” by the Swiss, is also the center of Swiss politics. We will learn about the path to women gaining the right to vote, what other issues are still current, and how women impacted and still impact the shaping of Switzerland’s society.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will take public transportation to Gurten, Bern’s own “house mountain.” At the top, we will take a short walk and enjoy views of the city. Afterwards, we will return to the city center where the rest of the afternoon is free to explore on your own.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Traditions in the Emmen Valley
Location:
Bern
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Swisshotel Kursaal
Activity Note
Getting on/off a train, riding up to 2 hours. Hiking up to 3 miles, approximately 2.5 hours, on nature trails including tree roots and rocks; Walking up to 1 mile, about 1 hour, over city streets/sidewalks including cobblestones.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out from the hotel on foot and walk to the train station where we will board the train to Emmental. This region is known for keeping traditions alive. We will learn about some of these traditions from our local expert as we hike through this picturesque region and pass by the famous farm building and their pretty flowerpots.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will stop at one of the local trade houses and learn from a worker about the traditions of how they craft their products today.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
6
The Science of Electricity
Location:
Montreux
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Masson
Activity Note
Getting on/off a train and public bus; riding 3.5 hours/minutes. Hiking up to 2.5 miles, approximately 2 hours on nature trails including tree roots and rocks. Walking up to 1 mile, approximately 1/2 hour on city streets including cobblestones.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After our luggage is collected, we will check out of the hotel and walk to the train station where we will board the train to Broc. Upon arrival, we will meet our local guide and hike along the trail from the dam to the power station. As we make our way through the Gorges de la Jonge, we will learn about electricity and sustainability.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. There will be an opportunity to purchase lunch prior to boarding the train in the morning. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
At the conclusion of our hike, we will visit the power station and learn from a local expert about the different types of electricity and how it is created.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Alp Summit, Rochers-de-Naye
Location:
Montreux
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Masson
Activity Note
Getting on/off a train, riding approximately 1/2 hour. Getting on/off a cogwheel train, riding under 1.5 hours. Hiking up to 3 miles, approximately 2.5 hours over natural trails including tree roots and rocks.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will walk from the hotel to the train station and take the train up towards the mountains. Upon arrival, we will be joined by our local expert and begin our hike through calming forests and over mountain meadows.
Lunch:
We will have sack lunches along the trail.
Afternoon:
At the conclusion of our hike, we will board the cog-railway and travel to the summit of Rochers-de-Naye. Here, we will take in the breathtaking panorama of the surrounding Alps and visit an alpine garden. We will then board the cog-railway and return to Montreux. We will enjoy a stroll through town with our Group Leader. The remainder of the afternoon is free to do as we like.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
8
Vineyards & Wines of Lavaux
Location:
Montreux
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Masson
Activity Note
Getting on/off a train, riding approximately 1/2 hour. Hiking up to 3.5 miles, approximately 2 hours on nature trails and city streets/sidewalks including cobblestones.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out on foot from the hotel and walk to the train station where we will take the train to the nearby town of Rivaz. Upon our arrival, we will begin our hike with the Group Leader and our local hiking guide through the heart of the Lavaux region. With its numerous vineyards, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has some of the most stunning landscapes in the Lake Geneva region.
Lunch:
Sack lunches along the trail.
Afternoon:
At the conclusion of our hike, we will visit a local winemaker. We will enjoy a tasting of some of the wines produced from grapes harvested from the vineyards we hiked through. We will then return to Montreux by train.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
9
Evien-les-Bains, Annecy
Location:
Annecy
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hôtel Le Pélican
Activity Note
Getting on/off a train, riding about 3 hours. Getting on/off a boat; riding approximately 1/2 hour. Extent/duration of walking and other activities during independent exploration in Evien-les-Bains according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Once our luggage is loaded, we will check out of the hotel and make our way to the train station and take the train to the ferry terminal. Here we will get on the ferry and make our way to Évian-les-Bains. This town is best known for its namesake brand of water. Originally, the water from Évian was known for its healing attributes and transformed the town into a wellness destination. Upon arrival, we’ll spend the morning exploring Évian-les-Bains independently.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We will meet at a predetermined time and location to board the train and continue our transfer to Annecy. Upon arrival, we will take a stroll through the town with the Group Leader before checking into our hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
10
Semnoz, Animal Park
Location:
Annecy
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hôtel Le Pélican
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 15 miles, approximately 1 hour total riding time. Walking up to 4.5 miles, approximately 2.5 hours on nature trails including tree roots and rocks, and city streets including cobblestones.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach and ride to the starting point of today’s hike. Upon arrival, we will join our local guide and start hiking upwards to the top of Semnoz. During the hike, we will gain a stunning view of Lake Annecy and the surrounding mountain scenery.
Lunch:
We will have sack lunches along the trail.
Afternoon:
At the summit, we will loop back and return to our starting location. We’ll board our motorcoach and start our return to Annecy. On the way, we will stop at a small animal park. This park is home to local animals, such as deer and hinds. Once we reach the hotel, the remainder of the day is free.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
11
Les Femmes D’Annecy, Free Time
Location:
Annecy
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hôtel Le Pélican
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 hours on gravel roads and city streets/sidewalks including cobblestones. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out on foot for an expert-led walk of Annecy. During this walk we will learn about the women of this city.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
12
Program Concludes, In Transit from Program
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar Program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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