Land Tour
11 days
$AUD 808 per day
Departure: Zurich, Switzerland
Arrival: Luzern, Switzerland
Imagine celebrating Christmas in a first-class spa hotel in the stunning Swiss Alpine village of Grindelwald. Shop at Christmas Markets, explore the gorgeous Swiss Riviera town of Montreux, visit Château de Chillon, the amazing hilltop town of Gruyères and enjoy an exhilarating Alpine ride on the Golden Pass Panoramic train.
Your tour commences this evening in Zürich. Tonight a welcome drink and dinner are included. This is an ideal opportunity to meet your fellow travellers.
This morning we enjoy a guided panoramic tour which will bring alive the city.
Your afternoon is free to explore and visit Zürich’s Christmas market in the main train station. Featuring 150 stalls it is one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe. The absolute highlight of the Christkindlmarkt is a 50-ft-tall Christmas tree decorated with thousands of sparkling Swarovski crystals. The rest of your day is at leisure in this picturesque lake side city.
On our way to Montreux today we explore the medieval cobblestoned streets of Bern with a local guide. A UNESCO World Heritage landmark, this capital city is set on a spectacular bend above the River Aare. In addition to kilometres of sheltered arcaded shopping ways, an intriguing clock tower and the famous ‘Bärengraben’ bear pits, there are several sets of excellent Christmas markets scattered around the old town. Continuing on, our afternoon stop is in the unique village of Gruyères. Rising out of the flat valley floor, Gruyères village and castle are perched on top of a steep rocky hill. The broad cobblestoned main street, flanked by centuries old houses, is an astounding time capsule and one of the great sights of Europe. Arriving in Montreux, we are now on the exclusive Swiss Riviera, where we will stay two nights.
This morning we have included entrance and a guided tour through the beautifully preserved Château de Chillon. Made famous in Byron’s pm ‘The Prisoner of Chillon’, this 13th century fortress juts out imposingly into Lake Geneva. Later we visit Charlie Chaplin’s hometown of Vevey. Make sure you walk along the lake foreshore to see the statue of the ‘little man with baggy pants’. We also visit Chaplin World, a museum dedicated to Charlie Chaplin, the legendary artist and man, that retraces the extraordinary life of this cinematographic genius. Returning to Montreux the rest of the day is at leisure. Make sure you explore the excellent Christmas markets that stretch along the grand lakeside promenade and foreshore.
An adventure today as we board the Golden Pass panoramic train which will take us across the Alps, past the chic ski resort of Gstaad and Château-d’x, to Interlaken. Our seats are pre-booked in the special panoramic carriages and the views throughout the journey are spectacular. (Your luggage will travel separately, making this an easy and relaxing day). We change trains in Interlaken and then continue deep into the heart of the Bernese Oberland to Grindelwald where we stay the next five nights.
Grindelwald is known over the world for its dramatic setting surrounded by massive snow covered peaks and meadows and the views directly onto the north face of the Eiger are exceptional. Justifiably famous for its skiing, the village is full of restaurants, cafés and shops. Throughout your stay we have included buffet breakfasts and four course dinners. Highlight of your stay will be a Christmas Eve celebration dinner and a Christmas Day dinner
Boarding a local train we climb high into the mountains to Kleine Scheidegg. Changing on to the Jungfrau Railway we travel into a tunnel which takes us through the inside of the north face of the Eiger, and up to the Jungfraujoch – the highest rail station in Europe. At 3,454 metres (11,332 ft) the views down onto the Aletsch Glacier are magnificent. You will find several restaurants, an Ice Palace and the Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven display. You can also take a lift another 100 metres higher to the dramatic Sphinx lookout point. This afternoon enjoy ‘My Time’ to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery which surrounds you. Use your Swiss Travel card to take advantage of reductions on trains and cable cars around the Grindelwald area. Perhaps try your hand at a winter sport or take a trip up one of the mountains?
Following an enjoyable train ride along the lakeside of Thunersee, we spend time exploring the old town of historic Thun. Later we board a boat for a relaxing cruise down the length of Lake Thunersee to Interlaken. Nestled between two lakes, and surrounded by soaring peaks, Interlaken makes a great place for some last minute Christmas shopping. Early evening we will enjoy a glass of red wine punch in the hotel lobby. Afterwards, your evening is at leisure.
Christmas Eve! What a magnificent location to relax over Christmas! Your next two days are free to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery which surrounds you, and do as much,or as little, as you want! Again, you are able to use your Swiss Travel Card to take advantage of reductions on trains and cable cars around the Grindelwald area. Whether you are a ‘super active snow sports’ person or a ‘take it easy and relax’ person there are numerous activities you can enjoy, and your Tour Manager will be at hand to assist and advise you. You will be in the heart of the Bernese Oberland – home to the mighty peaks of the Jungfrau, Mönch, Eiger (of ‘The Eiger Sanction’ fame), the Breithorn, Männlichen and the Schilthorn, as well as internationally known winter resorts like Wengen and Mürren. The skiing is of course fantastic! Non skiers can easily access all the main peaks by funicular trains, cable cars and chair lifts. At all ‘drop off’ points there are restaurants, cafés and restroom facilities – usually with extraordinary panoramic views spanning the jagged Alps. All around Grindelwald there are hundreds of kilometres of winter footpaths which often double as Nordic or Cross Country ski paths, as well as numerous toboggan runs – one of which is the longest in the Alps. Snowshs can also be hired and you can take one of the well signed snowsh trails. An evening snowshing tour is a very different experience! Paragliding is also available for the adventurous. For those wanting to just relax, you will have free use of the pool and spa facilities in your Grindelwald hotel.
The highlight of today will be a ride on a horse drawn carriage through the picturesque local countryside.
This evening will be special as we enjoy a four course themed Christmas Eve dinner.
Christmas Day at leisure in a stunning location. There is so much to see and do. A Christmas Turkey lunch will be enjoyed and later in the evening there is a themed Christmas Day dinner. Apparently, at some point Santa Claus will make an appearance!
This morning we take the train along the shores of picturesque Lake Brienz and on to Luzern, with its covered wooden bridges (again, no hassles with your luggage as it will travel separately and be delivered to your hotel). On this two hour train ride you experience some of the most spectacular views the Swiss Alps have to offer, through large panoramic windows. The journey will take you along the shores of crystal-clear lakes (no less than five!), past romantic waterfalls and over the magnificent Brünig mountain pass. Arriving around midday, the afternoon is at leisure to explore this charming lakeside town. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner.
Your Christmas tour comes to a close and it is time to say farewell.
These Booking & Advisory Services Terms and Conditions are designed to protect your rights under Australian Consumer law by ensuring that you are fully aware of all Travel Providers' terms and conditions, including payment schedules, before you commit to purchasing travel. These Booking & Advisory Services Terms and Conditions (below) are owned by our "Travel Affiliate" Darebin Travel. If there is any doubt as to your rights or obligations, our Travel Affiliate will answer your questions.
When you accept these terms and conditions, you agree that DeluxeLife Pty Ltd (ACN: 647 484 115) and its associates and suppliers (except our Travel Affiliate, as prescribed in the Booking & Advisory Services Terms and Conditions, below) shall not be liable for any loss and/or damage (including without limitation incidental or consequential damages and/or lost profits) resulting from your access to and/or inability to use the travel services provided by our Travel Affiliate Darebin Travel.
Summary
1. References to "us", "we" and/or "our" in these Booking & Advisory Services Terms and Conditions means Darebin Travel Pty Ltd (ABN: 70 005 763 208) trading as Darebin Travel.
2. We are a travel agent. We arrange travel services and sell a Travel Product on behalf of Third Party Travel Providers (Providers) including airlines, tour and cruise operators, car hirers and accommodation providers. We may charge a service fee for providing this service (outlined in the Schedule of Professional Service Fees).
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a. the delivery or non-delivery of the Travel Product; or
b. any act or omission of Providers or other third parties.
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Booking Terms
20. The Travel Products offered are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice by the Provider. Travel Products may also change at any time in accordance with any Provider's terms and conditions.
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23. It is your responsibility to contact the Provider prior to departure to ensure there is no change to the scheduled departure time.
24. Most airlines offer only electronic confirmation of your reservation, or 'e-ticketing'. We cannot be held responsible if your e-ticket does not arrive due to an incorrect email address or your junk email settings. You must notify us immediately if you change your email address or contact telephone number after making a booking. It is your responsibility to advise us if you have not received your e-ticket confirmation.
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Payment Terms
27. All pricing is reflected in Australian Dollars unless otherwise specified.
28. All pricing is inclusive of goods and services tax (GST), or other such value added taxes where applicable.
29. Payments processed in foreign currency (currency other than the original card holders country of issue), may incur a currency conversion fee. Please refer to your financial institution for applicable fees.
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a. as merchant, where we take payment directly from you at the time of booking confirmation; or
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33. A credit card or debit card fee may also be charged by certain Providers and low cost carriers. You will be notified of such charges prior to your purchase.
34. All charges, including the credit card fees, may be in another currency (e.g. EUR), which we will provide an estimate for in Australian dollars.
Refunds and Credits
35. If you cancel your Travel Product, your right to a refund or credit is subject to the terms and conditions of the Provider.
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No Show
39. If you have a booking for a Travel Product (including flights and accommodation) but you do not show up to check-in or otherwise do not avail yourself of such Travel Product, you will not be entitled to any refund from us.
Cancellation and Amendments
40. If you amend or cancel your Travel Product, we reserve the right to charge the cancellation and amendment fees as per the Schedule of Professional Service Fees.
41. The Provider may charge cancellation and amendment fees in accordance with the terms and conditions agreed between you and the Provider. These will be in addition to the fees charged by us. We are not liable for any cancellation fees or refusals to refund made by the Provider.
42. Many Providers treat name changes and route and/or itinerary alterations as a full cancellation and these can incur full cancellation charges.
43. We will not charge a cancellation or amendment fee if you cancel or amend your booking due to a breach by us of our obligations to you or due to our fault.
Cancellations and Amendments for Online Low Cost Carrier Bookings Only
44. If your flight booking is with a low cost carrier, you can only cancel or change your booking by contacting the Provider directly.
Cancellations and amendments for hotel bookings only
Cancellations and Amendments for Hotel Bookings Only
45. Please review the cancellation policy for your hotel booking for any penalties that may apply.
Force Majeure
46. We will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations in booking the Travel Product that is due to events beyond our control.
47. If a force majeure event occurs that affects your booking, your entitlement to a refund, a credit or re-scheduled travel booking will depend on the Provider's terms and conditions.
48. If your booking is impacted by a force majeure event and you are entitled to a refund or credit from the Provider, we will facilitate this refund or credit.
49. The Booking & Service Advisory fee, credit card fees or any commissions received are non-refundable in the circumstance that a force majeure event occurs.
Low Cost Flights
50. If you book a low cost flight with us, we will make the booking on your behalf and your contract for your low cost flight will also be subject to the airline's booking terms and conditions.
51. It is your responsibility to ensure that all details of the booking are correct before proceeding. For any changes or cancellations, please contact the airline directly, quoting your reference.
Additional Airline Charges
52. Some Providers may also charge additional fees. Please check with the Provider for their full terms and conditions.
Hotel/Accommodation Bookings
53. Some Providers will require an additional charge to be paid locally (e.g. a resort fee) at the time of check in or check out. This amount is in addition to the amount shown during the booking process under the 'total booking cost' amount.
54. There may be taxes levied abroad but not paid at the point of purchase that are payable in relation to your hotel booking (e.g. local taxes, sales tax etc.). Any local taxes will be payable by you directly to the Provider at the time of check in/check out.
Changes in Price and Itineraries
55. We reserve the right to cancel your booking in the event we have reasonable grounds to believe it is fraudulent.
56. If a Provider changes any part of your booking for reasons beyond its control, we will use our reasonable endeavours to notify you. If any such changes result in your Travel Product costing more or otherwise being materially different, then you may cancel the Travel Product. Any refund would be subject to the Travel Provider terms and conditions.
57. These terms and conditions are subject to variation at any time. Any variation will be displayed here, and you will be deemed to have accepted a variation if you have made a booking after it has been displayed.
Your Obligations and Warranties
58. You warrant to us that:
a. you are at least 18 years old and have the power, capacity and authority to enter into a binding contract with us and with the Providers of the Travel Products that you acquire;
b. you have read and understood these terms and conditions and if booking on behalf of third parties, you have conveyed these terms and conditions to them;
c. the information you provide us about yourself is true, accurate, current and complete (apart from any optional items) as required by any registration process;
d. you have considered acquiring comprehensive travel insurance and we are not responsible for any failure by you to acquire adequate insurance cover; and
e. you will use the Booking & Advisory Services in accordance with these terms and conditions and you will not use the Booking & Advisory Services in any way to breach any laws or defame anyone.
Jurisdiction and Law
59. All matters arising out of or in connection with the Booking & Advisory Services and these terms and conditions are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. By acquiring the Booking & Advisory Services, you consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the laws of Victoria, Australia.
Definitions
" We" and "us" means Darebin Travel.
" You" or "your" means any user of our Website or any person who acquires the Booking & Advisory Services, including any person who acquires a Travel Product (whether or not the Booking & Advisory Services were acquired by another person).
" Booking & Advisory Services" means services provided by us to you in assisting you to acquire a Travel Product from a Provider and includes advisory and consulting services.
"Force Majeure” means, but not limited to: acts of God, accident, riot, war, terrorist act, epidemic, pandemic, quarantine, outbreaks of infectious disease or any other public health crisis, civil commotion, breakdown of communication facilities, natural catastrophes, adverse weather conditions, governmental acts or omissions, changes in laws or regulations, national strikes, fire, explosion and generalised lack of availability of raw materials or energy.
“ Travel Provider” or "Provider" or "Providers" means the company or person who provides you with the Travel Product on terms and conditions agreed with you.
" Travel Product" means the service or product provided by a Provider, for example, an airline or a hotel.
" Website" means our website https://deluxelife.com.au/
Schedule of Professional Service Fees
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Planning Fee |
$125 per itinerary. Creating unique travel itineraries is our specialty. For detailed quotations providing tailored recommendations for custom designed tours, a non-refundable planning fee applies. Should you proceed with booking, this fee is credited towards your trip.
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Service Fees |
$40 Domestic/Trans-Tasman airfare per person or as discounted
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$150.00 International airfare per person or as discounted
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$50.00 Domestic/Trans-Tasman business class airfare per person or as discounted
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$200.00 International business class airfare per person or as discounted |
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NIL Domestic/Trans-Tasman package, tour, or cruise per booking
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NIL International package, tour, or cruise per booking |
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$ Other Services dependent on service explained to you |
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$200 to $500 Itinerary planning per booking (credited towards reservation once booked) |
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Deposit & Balance |
For all bookings, the initial deposit is 20% and the balance of payment is due 60 days before departure. If Travel Provider terms and conditions vary, we may request an additional deposit from you, after the initial deposit is paid, plus the balance payment date may also vary. After you have paid your initial deposit, you will have five days cooling off period to accept these Booking & Advisory Terms and Conditions, during which time your deposit is refundable. After 5 days has passed, or you have accepted the Terms and Conditions, the deposit will automatically become non-refundable. Note, some Travel Products must be paid in full at time of booking. Service Fees must also be paid at time of booking and are non-refundable. After you pay the balance of payment this will become fully non-refundable 60 days before travel, or earlier, if specified by the supplier. |
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Amendment Fees |
Changes to Domestic/Trans-Tasman bookings will incur a fee of $50 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
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Changes to International bookings (excluding Trans-Tasman bookings) will incur a fee of $50 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
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Cancellation Fees |
Cancellations to Domestic/Trans-Tasman bookings will incur a fee of $75 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
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Cancellations to International bookings (excluding Trans-Tasman bookings) will incur a fee of $150 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
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Credit Card Fees |
Visa - an additional 2.0% applies
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Mastercard - an additional 2.0% applies
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American Express - an additional 2.0% applies
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(All fees exclude GST, where applicable).
Privacy Notice
Darebin Travel collects your personal information to enable us to respond to your queries and provide you with the Booking & Advisory Services, including assisting in arrangements with Providers (such as hotels and flights).
We will also use your personal information to personalise the service we provide you, including your experience on our, and other, websites, and to provide you with information about our, and our partners’, business, products and services. Your personal information may be shared between entities within Darebin Travel and with DeluxeLife Pty Ltd (ACN: 647 484 115), disclosed to suppliers, Providers, our cloud infrastructure, our contractors and to others where authorised or required by law. Some of these entities may be located overseas.
ANNEXURE – TRAVEL TIPS FOR TRAVEL PRODUCTS
These tips set out below are NOT legally binding terms and conditions.
Passports, Visas and Health Requirements
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the required documents, including visas and passports, before travelling to a destination. For more information please log on to www.dfat.gov.au and www.smarttraveller.gov.au. Please check with the respective Embassy or Consulate of each country that you are travelling to, as many destinations require visas for both Australians and non-Australian passport holders. For more information, log on to www.visalink.com.au. You need to ensure that you have at least 6 months validity on your passport from the date of your departure return.
For International travellers booked on flights to the USA, including Hawaii, it is now mandatory, under the Visa Waiver Program to receive an electronic authorisation known as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) no less than 72 hours before travel to the USA. This can be obtained from the following website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ .
For international travellers booked on flights to Canada, you either need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport. An eTA can be obtained from the following website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of any health requirements for your travel destinations. Vaccinations are strongly recommended for certain destinations. You need to contact your local doctor who will advise you of these requirements. Please note that vaccinations may be recommended before your travel departure date.
Travel Advice
We recommend that you contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or visit their website at www.dfat.gov.au for general travel advice, as well as specific advice (including safety alert levels) relating to the destination you wish to visit.
Ticketing
For international and domestic departure, e-tickets will be issued upon payment and completion of the booking process. All other travel documentation, such as hotel booking confirmations, will be emailed to the email address you provided as an e-document. Should the Provider issue paper vouchers, these will be posted to the address you provided.
Baggage Allowance
Baggage allowance varies from airline to airline and in many cases the airfare you have paid may not include the cost to cover checked baggage. Please check with your Travel Advisor and/or the airline providing your flights for the allowances.
Frequent Flyers & Special Requests
For more information on whether your airfare is eligible for Frequent Flyer rewards, please contact the airline directly. When booking online, please ensure that you have entered your correct number. For bookings made by telephone via our Customer Service Team, please advise of your Frequent Flyer details and these will be added to your reservation. We do not take any responsibility should an airline not register your trip. You should retain copies of your air ticket and boarding pass.
Special requests will be passed on to the Providers but cannot be guaranteed.