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hotel noted for its traditional
comfort, fare, and hospitality. [BB,D]
The spectacular grounds
and gardens go back many generations as witnessed by the huge exotic trees
-- Sequoias, Cedrus, Robinias, and many others.
The entire island is landscaped, and exotic plants, such as bananas
and palms, are interlaced through the beds and borders in charming
fashion. The rose garden with
more than 25,000 rose bushes is especially famous, but there are other
treasures, such as the special fragrant strain of Mainau heliotrope, very
old fuchsias, and lake-shore display beds.
The "Magic of
Switzerland" is next. You'll
fall in love with this little country in the heart of Europe.
It has character and integrity, most certainly, but it also has
more wonderful scenery per square mile than you ever dreamed could be
possible.
We soon pass Zurich,
one of the world's financial centers, where the so-called
"gnomes" pull the strings in the global monetary system.
These mystical little figures don't dwell in caves, but in the many
high-rise office buildings you'll see towering over the city.
NOTE:
The Swiss have not been involved in a war for 187 years. It was
then that Switzerland acquired its present borders and Europe's ruling
powers proclaimed the perpetual neutrality of the Swiss Confederation. The Swiss are devoted to neutrality and are ever ready to
defend it. Most members of
the militia-type army keep their uniform and automatic rifle in their home
in readiness.
From here it's just a
short drive to Lucerne, most Swiss of all Swiss towns, where we
stay for two nights. [BB,D]
ABOUT THE LANGUAGE:
There are four official languages in Switzerland -- French (in the west),
German (from the center eastward), Italian (in the southern part of
Switzerland), and Romansh (an old language of Latin origin spoken by only
1% of the population). We will spend most of our time in the German-speaking portion
of this beautiful country. However,
the Swiss are multi-lingual and everyone in the hotels, restaurants, and
shops speaks English.
In the afternoon,
you'll have the opportunity to take a most interesting side trip by boat
across Lake Lucerne followed by a mountain excursion.
On the summit, you'll be able to get a breathtaking view of
majestic Alpine glaciers and the dark blue lake.
It's an exhilarating sight that makes it clear why our everyday
expression "feeling on top of the world" is apt.
Tonight you might like
to enjoy an optional Swiss fondue lunch and Swiss folklore show.
The Swiss are sometimes said to be formal and stiff, but they also
know how to "let their hair down"; and when they do, you can be
sure of merriment and good fellowship.
There'll be dancing, ballad singing, and yodeling by Swiss
champions in their national dress (which varies, by the way, depending
upon which part of the country they come from), and a demonstration of a
Swiss national sport which many foreigners don't even know
exists....flag-throwing. [BB]
Mid-morning, another of
the highlights of your tour! We
will stop and visit with a Swiss family who live in a charming
chalet-style home typical of those in this area.
Now, instead of driving by these homes as you would on any other
tour, wondering how their anonymous owners live, we have been invited to
actually go inside one and see for ourselves.
At Berne, the
Swiss capital, we'll see the famous bears in their bear pit, something
every visitor is invited to do. Legend
has it that the city will flourish as long as the bears do.
The Swiss have covered themselves, in case the legend should turn
out to be true, by building luxury accommodations for several furry
friends. You'll just love to see their clowning.
The name of the city
comes from the same animal (German "Bär"
with two dots over the "a" means "bear" in English). It was founded in the 12th century by a prince who
decided to name the town after the first animal caught during a hunt. It
so happened that this was a bear.
Soon after we leave
Berne we cross the border from Switzerland scenery of
the Jura Mountains, along fertile, broad, green valleys bordered by craggy
limestone peaks ... see rural France as not many people get to see it.
Then we leave the Jura
and enter into one of the major wine-producing areas of France ... the
province of Burgundy. The
area has given its name to the rich, red wine produced here.
There are many towns and villages in Burgundy whose names are
famous throughout the world - names which appear on millions of bottles of
high-priced wine.
We'll stay the night in
Dijon, reputed worldwide for its
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