24 May 11 Geneva Tourism: Holidays and Things to do in Geneva
Switzerland’s second most populated city and the most popular city of the French-speaking part of Switzerland; Geneva is situated where the Rhine exits Lake Geneva. A picturesque and romantic city, Geneva holidays are extremely popular with travellers around the world.
A global financial hub, Geneva is the worldwide centre for diplomacy due to the presence of numerous international organisations, including the headquarters of many of the agencies of the United Nations and the Red Cross. It is also the place where the Geneva Conventions, which define the treatment of wartime non-combatants and prisoners of war, were signed.
Geneva is also an important part of the offshore banking industry and is the city where the who’s who of the world’s rich list prefers to keep their money.
Things to do in Geneva
When in Geneva, there is always something exciting to do, day or night. From the guided walking tours organised by the Swiss tourist Office, to several walking routes that travellers can take at their leisure, to Geneva boat tours with on board dining facilities, Geneva has plenty to offer for tourists on land and water.
Some of the most popular tourist hotspots and those which tend to appear in every list of things to do when in Geneva are visits to Lake Geneva, the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, the Le Jet d’Eau and the l’Horloge Fleurie, the Flower Clock, a symbol of the renowned Swiss clock and watch industry, telling time since 1955.
For the history and politics buff, Geneva tourism offers the UNOG, Reformation Wall (Mur de la Reformation), Museum of Natural History (Museum d’Histoire naturelle), International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum (Musee International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge), Palais des Nations and the Museum of Art and History (Musee d’Art et d’Histoire) amongst various others.
Theatre and Culture on Geneva Holidays
Geneva is also renowned as a city of culture and theatre and no trip to Geneva would be considered complete without a visit to the Grand Theatre de Geneve and the Batiment des Forces Motrices. With a wide variety of shows from classics to drama and light comedy, theatre goers can take advantage of over 38 different stages offering a diverse mix of acts and performances.
The Théâtre de l’Orangerie takes centre stage in the summer as the host of various shows at the very heart of the Parc La Grange and is extremely popular indeed.
Geneva by Night
Geneva by night is certainly as interesting, if not more, than Geneva by day. With a wide variety of bars and nightclubs offering a social scene to match any of Europe’s leading tourist attractions. The Java Club, La Suite, the Platinum Club and the VIP prestige club are definitely worth a visit or two on a trip to Geneva.
There is also entertainment of the lighter kind with a number of cinemas showing the latest Hollywood releases along with art cinemas showing films from around Europe.
Geneva Events
Geneva gets it fair share of event centred tourism as well with various international events of pedigree being hosted in the city. Some of the events to add to your diary when holidaying in Geneva include the International Fair for Books held in May, the artbygenève International modern and contemporary art fair held in May and the Hope Festival (Fête de l’Espoir), a free festival where all artists perform free on a voluntary basis.
What is certain is that if you choose to spend your holidays in Geneva, there are definitely deals and packages available that will cater for everyone.
DERTOUR is a UK based travel agency with 50 years of experience specialising in city breaks including popular Geneva holidays, taking travellers to the heart of Europe.
Tags: City Breaks, geneva holidays
06 Apr 11 Vienna Tourism – City Breaks and Holidays
City breaks in the beautiful capital of Austria are hugely popular. Vienna offers a wide range of variety for eager visitors from fun-filled annual events and vibrant nightlife through to five-star accommodation and stunning architecture.
Top Tourist Attractions
Tourism in Vienna offers visitors the opportunity to explore some of the most popular cultural sights and attractions that include the Burgtheater (theatre), the Wiener Staatsoper (opera house), the famous imperial palaces called Schonbrunn and Hofburg and the world’s oldest zoo.
When holidaying in Vienna, many visitors take a few days of their trip to explore the local art museums and with more than 100 to choose from; you will be spoilt for choice! Some of the top art museums include the Leopold Museum in the Museumsquartier, the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Naturhistorisches Museum. Other top Vienna attractions that visitors are recommended to see are the Riesenrad ferris wheel & the Lipizzaner horses.
Anyone looking to soak up some history and enjoy the grandeur of architecture could visit the local churches and cathedrals such as the impressive St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Deutschordenskirche and the Jesuitenkirche.
There are also many parks and green spaces to enjoy the summer in Vienna that include Stadtpark, the Volksgarten, the Burggarten, the Schloßpark and the famous Vienna Botanical gardens.
Vienna by Night
As with many big cities in Europe, much of Vienna comes to life after sunset and no holiday here would be complete without a night in the town! Whether you want to dance the night away or chill out in a plush wine bar, there is a little something for everyone to enjoy. There are many pleasant coffee houses found throughout the city and these often stay open until the early hours, while traditional Viennese restaurants offer keen diners a chance to sample the local cuisines such as the wiener schnitzel and the erdapfel salat.
Bars are often referred to as bierkellers and the area known as Innere Stadt is home to the majority of late night party venues. The Augustiner Keller offers an insight into the local way of life as many locals have been drinking here for generations, while backpackers looking for a bargain or two should head to the Copa Cagrana located on the river where cheap food and tasty cocktails flow throughout the night. Volksgarten, Flex and Passage are perfect for hardcore clubbers and the strip just past the Ringstrasse is popular for its endless late night dining options.
Fun Events
Tourism in Vienna is often centered on its love for art and visitors can engage with the sights and sounds of the city by attending one of the many classical concerts or operatic performances held throughout the year. The Vienna jazz festival welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors who enjoy listening to the smooth sounds of live jazz bands from all over the world whilst the Vienna Blues Spring Festival is considered one of the world’s longest & best blues festivals.
If you choose to spend your holidays in Vienna, you can be sure that everything from the beautiful parks and interesting art museums through to the bustling clubs and vibrant coffee shops will offer a little taste of Austria that will entice many to go back year after year.
DERTOUR is a UK based travel agency with nearly 50 years of experience specialising in city breaks including popular Vienna holidays, taking travellers through the cultural heart of Europe.
Tags: City Breaks, vienna holidays
07 Mar 11 Head to Düsseldorf, Home of this Year’s Eurovision Song Contest
The German city of Düsseldorf will have the eyes of Europe upon it on 14 May, as it will be hosting this year’s Eurovision Song Contest following the triumph of Germany’s Lena, who won last year with her song ‘Satellite’.
Whilst there is limited availability over the Eurovision weekend, specialist tour operator to Germany, DERTOUR, offers some great city breaks to Düsseldorf for anyone inspired by the Eurovision coverage.
Dusseldorf Tourism: Set on the banks of the Rhine, Düsseldorf offers a mix of contemporary and historic splendour. Discover a city that cherishes tradition yet relishes innovation. Attractions include a famous old town which boasts everything from museums to elegant boutiques, modern harbour, Rhine promenade and of course Königsallee, the city’s luxury shopping boulevard which has helped Düsseldorf gain a reputation as one of the most elegant shopping destinations in the world.
Weekend City Break £165pp – For example, the weekend after the competition (20 – 22 May) the price for a city break is from £165 per person, based on return flights from Gatwick and two nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the four star Holiday Inn Düsseldorf Neuss.
For more information, please visit:
For bookings, call DERTOUR on 0207 290 1111 or visit www.dertour.co.uk for further information
DERTOUR is a UK based travel agency that specialises in city breaks, lakes and mountain holidays, rail holidays, activity holidays, authentic Christmas markets and the popular Beer festivals. DERTOUR is recognised as the UK’s leading specialist in travel packages and tours to the heart of Europe since 1961.
17 Feb 11 Wanderlust – Follow in the Footsteps of Julia Bradbury on a Walking Tour of Germany
‘Julia Bradbury’s German Wanderlust’, the BBC 2 series in which the intrepid presenter dons her walking boots and explores the landscape of Germany on a series of walks has proved very popular, with travel specialist DERTOUR reporting many enquiries on the back of it. In the series, Julia treks areas including the Upper Middle Rhine, Saxony and Bavaria regions and discovers why the Germans enjoy a relationship with walking that has lasted over 200 years.
Tim Locke, head of marketing at DERTOUR, comments, “We have seen a real boost in interest for Germany since the BBC has been running its Germany season on BBC FOUR and its recent repeats on BBC 2. Visually, the country offers some of the most stunning scenery which really comes across very well on TV, as does the presenters behind the programmes – Julia Bradbury and comedian Al Murray – both of whom have really understood the richness and variety of Germany’s culture, history and landscape. We hope that anyone wishing to experience similar walking tours to Julia will enjoy those that we have on offer.”
If you’d like to follow in the footsteps of Julia, DERTOUR has the following walking holidays which are inspired by her trip along the Rhine and also through Bavaria.
RHEINSTEIG - The 320km long Rheinsteig trail is a real nature experience beginning at Wiesbaden and ending in Bonn, and meandering through villages along the Rhine such as Linz and Leutesdorf along the way. Many of the stages can be shortened by taking a riverboat. The trail is exceptionally well signposted and allows either ambitious long-distance walking or a variety of more leisurely short tours. Between Rüdesheim and Koblenz, you walk through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape boasting a variety of romantic castles. Worth seeing among other castles is the Pfalzgrafenstein Castle in Kaub, which stands on an island in the river North of Koblenz, and also the Marksburg Castle in Braubach. Next are the Taunus hills and the lofty peaks of the Westerwald forests, followed by the outstanding conservation area for the Siebengebirge hills with the famous Mount Drachenfels that towers over the Rhine.
DERTOUR offers the tour in three sections (each taking a week). The middle section (St Goarshausen – Leutesdorf) which takes you via Braubach, Koblenz and Rengsdorf is priced from £699 per person to include flights from Heathrow to Frankfurt and rail transfer, seven nights bed and breakfast accommodation, luggage transfers between hotels, and a walking map. Prices are based on two people sharing a twin room and departing between 1 April and 31 October 2011.
BAVARIAN ALPINE LAKES – The Chiemgau Alps are nestled on the border between Salzburg, Tyrol and Bavaria. These gentle mountains and their large alpine pastures hide some of Germany’s most idyllic holiday resorts, ideal for someone looking to plan mountain holidays. Scenic views of rugged, snow-capped summits are a vivid contrast to the lush green meadows in the foothills. This eight day walking tour includes walking between four and six hours a day. Highlights of the itinerary includes Berchtesgaden National Park; Amprechteshole, Europe’s longest water-course cave and on to the Vorderkaserklamm, a natural swimming pool; the Steinplate Mountain; day of leisure in the resort of Reit im Winkl; Lake Taubensee ‘The Eye of Chiemgau’ and a hike through the mountain forests to the alpine pastures of Hochplatte and Kampenwand in the Chiemgau Alps.
This walking tour is priced from £889 per person for a self guided tour (£1,079 per person for a guided tour), to include 77km of walking, seven nights three star country hotel accommodation on half board basis, return flights from London to Munich and rail transfer onto Berchtesgaden, plus rail transfers from Lake Chiemsee to Munich; welcome tour and information, luggage transfer from hotel to hotel, cable car in Lofer and Kampenwand and route book and walking rucksack per room. Prices are based on two people sharing, departing each Saturday from 28th May to 17 September 2011.
DERTOUR has nearly 50 years of experience specialising in travel packages and tours to Europe including lakes and mountains holidays. DERTOUR provides travellers the opportunity to explore picture perfect valleys and peaks as well as peaceful lake holidays. DERTOUR caters for a large range of budgets and types of holidays that include city breaks, Christmas markets, Rail holidays & Beer festivals ensuring that anyone can experience the true culture of Germany and other popular destinations within Europe.
For bookings call DERTOUR on 0207 290 1111 or visit http://www.dertour.co.uk/ for further information.
Tags: City Breaks, family holidays, Lakes and Mountains holidays, mountain holidays
09 Feb 11 Holidays and City Breaks in Germany
Germany is home to thriving cities with endless beautiful natural landscapes to explore. Holidays in Germany are extremely popular especially with visitors from neighbouring European countries throughout the year. The country is home to the towering Alps as well as the Bavarian Plain famous for its gothic churches, medieval houses and bustling modern cities; it is easy to see why so many people enjoy holidays in Germany. Berlin and Munich are two of the more popular places to enjoy city breaks due to the abundance of tourist attractions including numerous World Heritage Sites, museums, international airports and world class football stadiums.
Discovering Munich
A huge part of Munch’s tourist magnetism lies within its unique culture where visitors will find historic buildings dotted between contemporary skyscrapers offering an eclectic mix of old meets new. The arts scene is vibrant with world-renowned operas through to theatrical performances that can be seen here regularly. City breaks in Munich offer visitors the opportunity to taste local specialties such as weiβwurst that are served with sweet mustard and pretzels but be warned that these should be consumed before 12:00 if you want to keep up to date with the local traditions.
The largest festival in Germany, Oktoberfest, is held in Munich and attracts millions of beer guzzling visitors from around the world who come to taste various beers that are served in tents. The markets in Munich are another major tourist draw and the Viktualienmarkt is the oldest and most popular market that sells fresh foods every week. The local market women dress in traditional costumes and dance during the Fasching Carnival held in the square where the Viktualienmarkt is located.
Christmas markets are another popular attraction in Munich. Over the festive period, thousands of visitors spend their holidays in Germany searching for the ideal Christmas gift. The nightlife in Munich is lively to say the very least and there are more than 6,000 establishments to enjoy in the bustling city where everyone from students to office workers can be found. On the outskirts of the city there are many natural landscapes to explore and these include the famous English Garden where a Japanese teahouse, a Chinese pagoda and a Greek temple can be seen.
Exploring Berlin
City breaks in Berlin attract millions of people every year and it lays claim to being the third most visited city in Europe. Its tourism sector is thriving and there are more than 700 hotels to choose from, boasting over 100,000 rooms to cater to the tastes and budgets of every visitor lucky enough to stay in Berlin. There are many waterways in Berlin that can be traversed by one of the 979 bridges in the city.
Berlin is famous for many of its noteworthy attractions. Here is a list of the top landmarks and must-see places:
- There are an impressive 420 art galleries in Berlin.
- Many travel guides refer to Berlin as being the premier nightlife destination in Europe.
- With almost 200 museums to explore, the city is famous for showcasing art.
- Three of Berlin’s most notorious museums can be seen in an area known as Museum Island
- 12 restaurants boast Michelin status – more than any other German city.
- Celebrity polar bear Knut can be seen at the Zoologischer Garten Berlin.
- The River Spree is home to numerous beach bars and cafés.
With such varied tourist offerings, it is no wonder that millions of visitors flock to explore Germany’s cities every year. The transport systems in both Munich and Berlin are of high quality allowing visitors to get around with ease. From parks and gardens through to museums and top restaurants, why not enjoy your next city break in one of these interesting cities in Germany.
DERTOUR is a UK based travel agency with nearly 50 years of experience specialising in city breaks including popular holidays in Germany, taking travellers through the cultural heart of Europe.
11 Jun 10 Head to Europe’s top cities: Vienna tops survey followed by Zurich and Genva
If you are looking to choose a European city break, then how about Vienna, the Austrian capital renowned for its music and architecture, which has the best quality of life of any city in the world, according to the results of a recent survey.
The Viennese city ranked number one among 221 cities surveyed by Mercer, a London-based investment services company owned by Marsh and McLennan Cos. (MMC, Fortune 500) Vienna was followed closely by two Swiss cities: Zurich and Geneva popular for European rail holidays including the scenic attractions of lakes and mountains holidays.
The survey considered such matters as political stability, crime, economy, personal freedom, health services, sewage, air pollution, schools, public utilities, transportation, housing and climate. It also took into account the cities’ restaurants, theaters, sports, availability of consumer goods and record of natural disasters.
Specialist tour operator, DERTOUR specialises in European city breaks and features all three cities, with prices starting from £329 per person.
VIENNA £339pp - Prices start from £339 per person for a two night stay in Vienna on bed and breakfast basis, staying at the three star City-Hotel Tabor, which is in a central location and is in walking distance of Vienna’s old town. Price includes return flights from Heathrow. Based on two people sharing.
ZURICH £369pp - Prices start from £369 per person for a two night stay in Zurich on bed and breakfast basis, staying at the three star Hotel Scheuble, which is a privately owned hotel in the heart of the city. Price includes return flights from Heathrow. Based on two people sharing.
GENEVA £329pp - Prices start from £329 per person for a two night stay in Geneva on bed and breakfast basis, staying at the three star Hotel Longchamp which is located only a short walk away from Lake Geneva . Price includes return flights from Heathrow. Based on two people sharing.
For more information or to book please contact DERTOUR on 0207 290 1111 or go to www.dertour.co.uk
About DERTOUR:
DERTOUR has nearly 50 years of experience specialising in holidays to Europe including popular holidays in Germany, taking travellers through the cultural heart of Germany and the highest mountain railway in the Alps.
DERTOUR is backed by its German Parent company DERTOUR GmbH & Co.KG which has been arranging holidays for over 85 years.
Tags: City Breaks, European Rail Holidays, Holidays in Germany, Lakes and Mountains holidays
12 May 10 DERTOUR Reports Rail Inclusive Holidays Up 13%
DERTOUR, the UK’s leading tour operator to Germany, has seen a 13% year-on-year increase in its rail-based holiday bookings and is predicting rail travel as a growing trend amongst its customers.
The company, which alongside city breaks, lakes and mountains holidays and river cruise products, specialises in European rail tours. Because of demand, it has introduced a new rail tour to Germany for 2010. The Cultural Heart of Germany tour takes visitors to some of the centrepieces of German history and culture with cities such as Leipzig, Dresden and Weimar. Prices start from £799 per person to include all rail travel from London to Eisnach, Leipzig, Dresden, Weimar, Cologne and back to London and seven nights hotel accommodation on bed and breakfast basis.
Julie Craig, managing director of DERTOUR comments, “We are experiencing increasing demand from customers wishing to travel to Germany and its neighbouring countries by rail, and are putting this down to a combination of factors: the wish to travel in a more environmentally friendly way, and also the desire to travel with the flexibility and efficiency offered by the German rail network.”
The operator currently uses Eurostar services, but has also welcomed reports that Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national train company, has lodged a formal application to use the Channel Tunnel and high-speed rail line into St Pancras International.
Ms Craig continues, “We therefore welcome any move by Deutsche Bahn to open up rail links from the UK to Germany as we see a huge growth potential and benefit to customers.”
About DERTOUR:
DERTOUR is a UK based travel agency specialising in holidays to popular European destinations. DERTOUR has a wealth of experience catering for a wide range of budgets including European rail holidays through the cultural heart of Germany in comfort.
Tags: City Breaks, European Rail Holidays, Rail Tours, Travel Agency
16 Apr 10 New Flights to Dresden and Hanover this spring – Great City Break packages from DERTOUR
There are some great new flight services starting from the UK to Germany this Spring. Lufthansa is launching new direct flights from London Heathrow to Dresden on May 12th April and GermanWings has a new flight from Stansted to Hanover starting on 29th April.
German specialist tour operator, DERTOUR, offers a selection of holiday packages using these new flights. Dresden is already one of the operator’s top city breaks, and Hanover is a very popular choice as well. DERTOUR has hand-picked good quality four star hotels in each city, each chosen for their location and first class accommodation, so that you can be assured you get the best opportunity to explore these vibrant destinations on your weekend break:
Dresden City Break £319pp – Steeped in tradition and historic character, this city offers a variety of attractions and architecture including the domed Frauenkirche church. A city break is priced from £319 per person, to include return flights from Heathrow to Dresden with Lufthansa and two nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the four star Elbflorenz Hotel. Valid for travel throughout April, May and June.
Hanover City Break £289pp – The state-capital of Lower-Saxony, this city offers lots of cultural experiences including museums, theatres and art galleries, as well as many public parks and the beautiful Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen and the River Leine. A weekend city break is priced from £289 per person, to include return flights from Stansted to Hanover with GermanWings and two nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the four star Maritime Grand hotel. Valid for travel throughout April, May and June.
About DERTOUR:
DERTOUR is a UK based travel agency, with over 40 years of experience in arranging holidays to popular European destinations. Whether you are looking for a ‘ready made’ package or a tailor-made itinerary, DERTOUR has a wealth of experience in catering for a wide range of preferences and budgets. DERTOUR selects each hotel based on strict criteria of value, service and style, rating each with a unique ‘DER’ rating, to help holiday makers identify the most suitable accommodation.
DERTOUR is backed by its German Parent company DERTOUR GmbH & Co.KG which has been arranging holidays for over 85 years.
For bookings call DERTOUR on 0207 290 1111 or visit www.dertour.co.uk for further information
Tags: City Breaks, DERTOUR, Tour Operator, Travel Agency
