Art and culture for night owls
Art and culture await visitors during Lucerne Switzerland's Museum Night on Friday, August 22, with a plethora of presentations, special exhibitions and surprises in 11 museums, the University Library and at the power plant at Mühlenplatz (Mill Square). A free shuttle service to take people from museum to museum by bus or boat will be provided. The evening festivities begin at 6 pm and end at 1 am.
Tickets can be purchased at the participating museums, the LZ Ticket Corner (Pilatusstrasse 12) and Lucerne's Tourist Information Office (Zentralstrasse 5).
Anywhere Anytime France
Rail Europe has launched a new way to travel with Anywhere Anytime France. Available exclusively through Rail Europe, this innovation is the first pre-paid electronic ticketing system for European train travel. Travelers create an account online on at www.raileurope.com to purchase prepaid train trips for $199 for the first trip, with all subsequent train trips costing $50. When travelers are ready to begin their train trip, they log onto their account to let Rail Europe know their travel dates and receive seat confirmations for their pre-purchased train trips. Travelers can then retrieve and print their ticket(s) at any ticket office or self-service kiosk located in the train stations in France.
Rail Europe offers travelers access to more than 4,000 destinations in France and ensures that seats will be available for them on virtually any TGV train in France. Tickets can be purchased up to three months in advance or one hour before train departure, offering spontaneous travel planning for groups of up to nine or for individuals.
“Anywhere Anytime France is a totally unique ticketing system that allows travelers to create their own itinerary and plan their train journeys within France in an innovative, easy way, while respecting their budget and time frames”” said Frédéric Langlois, President & CEO of Rail Europe.
Rail Europe, the largest distributor of European rail products in North America, encourages travelers to make train travel a part of their European travel experience. The company celebrates over 75 years as a leader in European travel and believes that the spirit of train travel is about enjoying the simple pleasures, respecting the environment and connecting with people, places and cultures.
For more information log on to Rail Europe’s web site, www.raileurope.com or call Rail Europe at 1-888-382-7245 (U.S.) or 1-800-361-7245 (Canada).
Viking To Launch Legend
Viking River Cruises will offer passengers a new cruise boat in 2009 called the Viking Legend.
The 443-foot-long three-deck ship will hold 189 guests and 50 crew members. The ship, with ecologically friendly hybrid engines, features 89 staterooms, all with outside river views with many of the rooms having French balconies. The beds all are hotel-style.
The ship contains a 360-degree sundeck, restaurant with panoramic views, observation lounge and bar, and a library. The ship will travel from Amsterdam to Budapest.
For more information, log onto www.vikingrivercruises.com or call 877-668-4546.
German Attractions
Going to Germany this summer/fall?
Here is a list of special events you may want to attend. Click on the links to obtain more information.
Potsdam Palaces by Night, Aug 16
Hanse Sail, Rostock, Warnemuende, Aug 7 - Aug 10
Moritzburg Festival, Moritzburg, Aug 9 - Aug 24
Luther Festival, Eisenach, Aug 22- Aug 24
Museum Bank Festival, Frankfurt/Main , Aug 29 - Aug 31
Oktoberfest, Munich, Sep 20 - Oct 5
Cannstatter Wasen Festival, Stuttgart, Sep 27 - Oct 1
COG RAILWAY OPENING DELAYED
The wet and wintery weather in April meant that huge amounts of snow fell on Mount Pilatus, Switzerland, and thus it took longer than usual to open the railway line to the top. But the line--with a gradient of 48%--opens May 15.
Because of low temperatures, the snow remained for a long time--in complete contrast to April 2007 with its summery weather and temperatures. Hence this year's preparations for the new season have taken considerably longer than planned, explains Collete Richter, the railway line's spokesperson. Before the world's steepest cogwheel railway can begin operations in spring, railway employees must first clear the railway line and tracks of snow and ice, a job carried out in sometimes extremely demanding working conditions
"Golden Round Trip" and "Silver Round Trip" around and over Mount Pilatus
With the start of the season, Mount Pilatus guests can enjoy Lucerne's landmark mountain from its most exciting and eventful side with the "Golden Round Trip" by boat from Lucerne and the "Silver Round Trip" with the Zentralbahn and RailAway by rail from any station in Switzerland.
Appealing leisure program with many events and attractions
Mt. Pilatus has these highlights lined up for visitors: the 2nd Pilatus Mountain Triathlon on August 30 from Alpnachstad to Pilatus Kulm; the Mount Pilatus Open-Air on July 5, at 7,000 feet above sea level with Gotthard unplugged (the famous Swiss band) and Pegasus, the Sunset Dinner on Pilatus Kulm; hiking trails; local alphorn and folklore groups on good weather summer weekends, Central Switzerland's biggest rope park, Switzerland's longest summer roller-sledge run; the Dragon Moor nature experience and PILU®-Land (large adventure playground) on Krienseregg; and overnight stays at the top in the historic and romantic mountain hotel or the newly-renovated Hotel Bellevue.
