Guide holidays and girlguiding tours to Adleboden, Switzerland - Venture Abroad

Saturday 16^th - Sunday 24^th February 2013

This is a brand new event designed specifically for members of Girlguiding UK and The Scout Association - an action packed activity break to Switzerland in February 2013!

The Bernese Oberland, set in the heart of Switzerland, is the principal location of the countries scenic wonders. Marked to the north by the crescent-shaped Lakes of Thun and Brienz, to the east by the Graubunden, to the south by the Upper Valais and to the west by the Vaud and Freiburg Alps, this region of such natural beauty is abundant in sights both natural and man-made.

The area is home to one of the WAGGGS World Centres, Our Chalet, and Kandersteg International Scout Centre, making it the perfect base for this new and exhilarating winter event designed specifically for Guides and Scouts!

We have put together an activity programme packed full of the most exciting activities! The activity programme will be based on a rotational 5 day programme, so each group will do the same or similar activity from Monday to Friday. Activities may include the following:

Day at WAGGGS World Centre, Our Chalet
Our Chalet is the oldest WAGGGS World Centre. It opened in 1932 as a place where girls and adults from all over the world could come together and share the Girl Guide/Girl Scout Spirit while having adventures in the Swiss Alps. During the day, groups will participate in a special day of activities coordinated by Our Chalet. Activities will include an interactive Chalet Tour, snow games, WAGGGS wide game, camp_ re songs and a special pinning ceremony.

Snowshoeing
Experience the tranquillity of a nature walk with snowshoes through a powdered winter wonderland, away from the busy slopes. Discover the isolated parts of the region with a local mountain guide.

Igloo Building
Groups will be equipped with a shovel; avalanche probe and snow saw, and will start building an igloo. The mountain guide will support you with tips and assistance so that 2-3 hours later you can enjoy an afternoon tea inside the igloo.

Chocolate and Cheese Day
Become immersed in and uncover the secrets behind two of Switzerland’s most famous exports; chocolate and cheese! All of your senses will revel in the discovery of the history, making and of course sampling of the two products. An unforgettable educational day with a fun twist!

Visit to Grindelwald
Visit the picturesque ski resort of Grindelwald and take the opportunity to buy your souvenirs or take part in a wide array of fun winter activities.

Please note that the above activities are subject to change and will be confirmed 14 weeks prior to departure.

Depart UK	Accommodation	Days/Nights	Under 16's price pp	16 & over price pp
Sat 16th February 2013	Youth Hotel, Youth Hostel or Chalet - allocated 14 weeks prior to departure	9 days and 6 nights	£719	£769

What's Included

• Return transport to Switzerland on a 49-seater executive coach equipped with reclining seats, video or DVD player, drinks machine and toilet (plus 2 drivers per coach) The regional coach pick up points will be agreed by 1st June. For groups located more than approximately 350 miles from Dover a feeder driver may be required at an additional cost
• All road tolls and drivers’ expenses
• A hot meal on the outbound journey and return journey
• 6 nights’ in Youth Accommodation with multi bedded rooms (mainly bunk beds and shared facilities)
• Full board accommodation to include continental breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal daily. The first meal will be an evening meal on the 17th February and the last meal will be a packed lunch on the 23rd February
• A full programme of activities from Monday to Friday
• Swiss tourist taxess
• Services of a friendly Venture Abroad Representative
• 24 hour emergency contact from Venture Abroad
• Luggage labels for the group plus party leader’s information pack

All groups will be accommodated in a similar standard accommodation throughout the region which will be a youth hotel, youth hostel or chalet. Groups will be accommodated in multi-bedded rooms and adults in smaller rooms or where available, in twin rooms. Venture Abroad will be responsible for allocating the accommodation to the groups and you will advised of which accommodation you are staying in approximately 14 weeks before departure.

Adelboden and Frutigen Resort Information

Adelboden is situated at the upper end of the Engstligen Valley. The village centre is one long and narrow street, which is located along the side of the valley. Its fashionable hotels, shops and restaurants, which compete for space on the steep hillside, have helped make Adelboden the popular Alpine resort that it is today.

Dominating the whole valley is the flat topped, snow covered, Wildstrubel. In addition to being well known to all members of the Guide movement as the home of Our Chalet, Adelboden has long been accepted as one of the most attractive of the Oberland resorts, both in summer and winter.

Wilderswil Resort Information

Wilderswil is situated only 4 kilometres south of Interlaken at the entrance to the two River Lütschine valleys of Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. Wilderswil offers rural charm, unspoilt nature and a range of excursion, hiking and sporting attractions.

Lenk Resort Information

The holiday resort of Lenk lies at the very rear of the Simmen valley in a wide opening. Here, the Wildstrubel massif forms one of the most beautiful valley closures in the Alps, and the perfect setting for the varied Bernese Oberland walking and winter sports paradise with its many natural attractions. Lenk is referred to as the skier’s paradise due to the excellent snow fall that it receives through the winter. Lenk has also established a reputation for itself with festivals and courses in the fields of culture and music.

Kandersteg Resort Information

Kandersteg lies at the head of the eastern side of the Simme valley, which reaches south from Spiez on Lake Thun, with Adelboden at the head of the other side. The beautiful mountain scenery in and around Kandersteg is particularly rugged. The name Kandersteg originated from the early term ‘steg’, which is otherwise known as a ‘footbridge’ and this subsequently crossed the river Kander at the point where Kandersteg lies. The village is renowned for its location on the northern end of the nine-mile Lotschberg railway tunnel, the only route through the eighty-mile long stretch of the Bernese Alps.

Being at the head of a valley, like many other Oberland resorts, Kandersteg ensures a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, and the roads through the village lead to the surrounding districts at the head of the valley.

Interlaken Resort

Regarded as the unofficial capital of Switzerland’s beautiful Bernese Oberland, Interlaken provides an ideal base to explore the surrounding scenic splendours. The town of Interlaken is a delightful destination, which is located on the banks of the River Aare between the sparkling waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, at the foot of the towering trio of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.

The main town of Interlaken is situated between the two train station of Interlaken East and Interlaken West with the main shopping street, ‘Höheweg’ running between the two stations.