Plein air painting in Switzerland
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 breath-taking sceneries on location - from lofty mountains
and glacier lakes to exquisite wooden chalets and vibrant summer
wildflowers - 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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 Photo
Credit: Charlotte Wharton
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Painting
by Sonja Hamilton, SWA
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Day 1: Arrival in Switzerland
We’ll pick you up at the train station in Montreux, 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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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 with tour
artist Sonja Hamilton.
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 Gruyeres
We'll spend the day in medieval 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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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: Visit to a farm
We believe a truly authentic travel experience includes meeting the
locals. Switzerland is known for its thousands of small family-run organic
farms, so today we'll meet a Swiss family who've opened their home and
hearts to us. You'll learn what it is like to be a farmer in Switzerland
and enjoy a typical Swiss lunch with fresh ingredients and dishes prepared
especially for you by our hostess.
Morning: 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 made.
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 Montreux, 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),
Montreux 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 Montreux 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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Dates:
June 4-11, 2011 with teacher Sonja
Hamilton
June 12-19, 2011 with teacher Charlotte
Wharton
Rates:
US $3,190 (+$550 for single room).
Includes
- Montreux train station pick up and drop off
- A welcome reception
- Accommodations every night
- All breakfasts and 5 dinners
- Transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned van
- All painting sessions
- A personal bilingual tour leader throughout the week
- Entrance fees to all sites described in the itinerary
Excludes
- Flights to and from Switzerland
- Train to Montreux
- Lunches and 2 dinners (however, we’ll go with you for
these meals which are not included in the tour price)
- Drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses and tipping
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