For accompanying partners, we are offering a choice of 2 full-day tours on the Monday and 2 more on the Thursday to show off some of the highlights of the area: Note however that these tours will only take place if a minimum number of participants register. Check at the Registration Desk when you register for the conference.

Monday:

• Jungfraujoch
• Bern

Thursday:

• Ballenberg
• Lucerne

(For people holding Swiss Railways half-price passes, prices will be somewhat less)

Jungfraujoch – (11,333 ft above sea level)

By coach from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen from where a modern cog-wheel train meanders its way through the Lauterbrunnen valley first up to Wengen and then to Kleine Scheidegg. Seeming to head directly toward the formidable North Wall of the Eiger, the train ascends after the Kleine Scheidegg to the Jungfraujoch, stopping briefly for a spectacular view out of panoramic windows blasted through the rocky limestone walls of the Eiger. Once atop the snow-capped summit of the Jungfraujoch, participants will visit several attractions, including the Ice-Palace and the Sphinx Observatory, along with having an opportunity to step outside on the glacier plateau. Luncheon can be served in the window-lined restaurant overlooking the Aletsch Glacier (with 22 kilometres and a thickness of 700 meters the longest in the Alps), and then guests will re-board the train for the return journey to Grindelwald Grund and from there back to Interlaken by bus.

Bern

Coach journey along the Lake of Thun, via Spiez and Thun to Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Guided bus or walking tour through the old town with all its attractions such as the clock-tower, the bear pits, the cathedral and the parliament house.-Afterwards you will have enough free time to do some shopping. The romantic streets with their 6 km of medieval style arcades form the largest all-weather shopping promenade in Europe. Return journey to Interlaken by coach.

Ballenberg Open Air Museum

Boat cruise on the Lake of Brienz to the town of Brienz, famous for its woodcarvings. Continue by bus to the Ballenberg Open Air Museum. Experience Switzerland the way it used to be. The museum, which was opened in 1978, provides an insight into the history of Switzerland and with its unique and unmistakable character has become one of the best-loved excursion destinations in the country., Approximately 90 traditional buildings are exhibited in 66 hectares of varied terrain. Visitors will see how the rural population of Switzerland used to live and work. Demonstrations of around 25 traditional handicrafts and trades, as well as the 250 farmyard animals bring the museum to life and make it a real experience. The return journey to Interlaken is by bus along the shores of Lake Brienz.     

Lucerne

Departure from Interlaken, along the Lake of Brienz and over the Brünig Pass to Lucerne. A stop can be made at the oldest glass factory in Switzerland "Glasi Hergiswil". After a city tour, taking in all of the most famous sights such as the chapel bridge, the Lion Monument and the church, lunch can be taken at a comfortable restaurant. The afternoon is free and there will be enough time for a shopping trip. Return journey is by coach to Interlaken.