Majestic Switzerland: Painting Trip
Nestled in the heart of Europe, this small country of soaring mountains and sparkling
lakes is a gem. Swiss traditions and art de vivre have enchanted us, and we are eager to
share our secret findings with you!
Every day during your Swiss Escapade, not only will you be able
to paint breathtaking sceneries on location but you'll also experience authentic Swiss traditions,
such as chocolate- and cheese-making and the ancient art of
paper cutting.
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Painting by Sonja Hamilton, SWA
Watercolor painting workshop
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Day 1: Arrival in Switzerland
We’ll pick you up at the train station in Vevey, capital
of the Swiss Riviera at Lake Geneva, and drive you to our hotel.
Upon arrival, you’ll be able to unpack and get settled for
the week, rest and relax or explore this charming village with
its hilltop chalets and lakeside parks.
Before our dinner together,
you’ll meet your fellow travelers at a welcome reception
and a short orientation meeting.
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Painting by Sonja Hamilton, SWA
Watercolor painting demonstration |
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Day 2: From wooden chalets to flowery balconies
After our first Swiss breakfast, we'll tour Rossinière,
a picturesque alpine village with private chalets
scattered on the mountainside. You'll have no trouble selecting
a spot in the village to start your painting session.
We'll visit the Grand Chalet, the biggest chalet in
Switzerland and one of the largest wooden dwellings
in Europe. Known for its immense size and 113 windows,
the chalet was once home to modern artist Henri Balthus, whose
work we'll also see in the village museum.
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Day 3: Welcome to Heidi's country in Gruyères
We'll spend the day in the medieval town of
Gruyères, famous both for its cheese and impressive
hilltop castle. You'll be enchanted by this fortified
town, which has retained its character and charmed visitors
for hundreds of years.
After
your painting session, indulge in shopping in boutiques that
sell what Switzerland is known for: clocks, watches, knives,
bells, cheese and more.
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Watercolor journal workshop
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Hilltop Gruyere Castle |
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Painting
by Sonja Hamilton, SWA
Watercolor journal workshop |
We'll wrap up this wonderful day in style at the top of Moleson Peak
with a lovely cheese fondue dinner and a breathtaking panoramic view
of the Alps.
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Day 4: : Rougemont: More chalets and the art of papercutting
Rougemont, the last stop before entering the German-speaking cantons
of western Switzerland, is an attractive historic village with
a 11th century Romanesque church and dozens of wooden chalets.
With picture postcard views from every vantage point, you can
select from a wide range of vignettes to paint, from wooden
doors and flowery balconies to grazing cows and majestic mountain
peaks.
At the end of the day, we'll meet a local artist
specializing in scherenschnitte, the art of Swiss paper
cutting and a specialty of the area.
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Day 5: Swiss for a day
Morning: Jaun, an unique view on the Alps
Today, we will go to Jaun, the only German-speaking village in the Gruyère
district. With its romantic flower-bedecked wooden houses, its castle
ruins, and the rushing waterfall, Jaun is an inspiration for painters.
A unique and unusual attraction is the cemetery with its individually
carved wooden crosses illustrating the life of each person buried there.
End of day: Visit to a chocolate factory
Your trip to Switzerland wouldn’t be complete without famous Swiss
chocolate, so we’ll tour a chocolate factory, where you’ll
taste famous candy bars and be able to buy at factory prices.
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Day 6: Back to
Gruyères: Select your shade of yellow
The French have their champagne and the Swiss have their Gruyère,
one of the world's finest cheeses often used
as an ingredient in quiche, French onion soup, chicken cordon
bleu, salads and pastas. You’ll have a chance to see how
this specialty cheese is still made like in the 18th century.
The rest of the day will be spent painting a still life or
landscape in this perfectly preserved old castle-village.
Tonight we’ll have dinner in a Swiss chalet restaurant
in the heart of the village.
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Day 7: Breathtaking
Lake Geneva
After a week of exploring alpine villages, now it's time to
see a more bustling side of Switzerland. We'll spend our last
day in Vevey, an exclusive Mediterranean-style resort
along the shores of Lake Geneva.
Home of the rich and famous (Charlie Chaplin,
Barbara Hendrix, Igor Stravinksy and Queen singer Freddie Mercury
lived here), Vevey sits in a sheltered bay and is surrounded
by vineyards and snow-covered Alps.
You'll be able to paint, visit art galleries and shops, enjoy
the farmers' market or just stroll along the lake while soaking
up one of the most beautiful views in Europe.
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Day 8: Departure
After our last breakfast, we’ll say good-bye and drive you
to the Vevey train station, your heart-warming memories of a glorious
week in the summer Alps still fresh for your journey home or wherever
your travels may take you. |
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Transportation
You will be well taken care of from your pick up at Barcelona
airport to your drop off at the end of your stay.
Every day, we have our comfortable A/C mini van at your disposal
to drive you to different painting locations.
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Dates & Rates:
Aug 30-Sept
6, 2013 Painting with teacher Sandy
Delehanty
$200 off if you sign up before Aug 30, 2012
After Aug 30, 2012: US $3,190 (+$550 for single room)
Includes
- Vevey train station pick up at 2pm and drop off at 11am
- A welcome reception
- Accommodations every night
- All breakfasts and 4 dinners (incl. drinks and wine)
- Transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned van
- All painting sessions for the painting trip
- A personal bilingual tour leader throughout the week
- Entrance fees to all sites described in the itinerary
Excludes
- Flights to and from Switzerland (Geneva)
- Train to Vevey
- Lunches and 3 dinners (however, we’ll go with you for
these meals)
- Personal expenses and tipping
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