Swiss architecture through Peter Zumthor

The main objective of this trip is to visit the work of the swiss architecture through Peter Zumthor, one of the masters of 20th century architecture, and, without a doubt, the most important architect in Switzerland.

His extensive work is scattered throughout the county, although the majority is in the small town of Canton in Graubunden. Zumthor is an artist able to give his work an incomparable formal charge.

The vast spectrum of his designs covers from the premeditated rusticity of saint Benedict to the solidarity of the great block of rock and cement that formalizes his proposal for the thermal baths of Graubünden in Vals, Switzerland.

We will also see other interesting buildings: in Basilea, the capital of swiss architecture we will find works by Zaha hadid and Frank Gehry; in Lucerne, spectacular buildings by Jean Nouvel or Santiago Calatrava… etc.

INCLUDED IN THE TRIP THROUGH THE SWISS ARCHITECTURE

– Preparation of itineraries and guided tours throughout the trip.
– International round-trip plane ticket UK – Basilea -UK. (Fees included). Consult airports.
– Transport by private bus upon arrival.
– Swiss train pass for 3 days and urban public transport.
– Breakfast at the hotels.
– Lodging in 3 & 4* hotels in double rooms.
– Lodging at the Vals Spa with breakfast included.
– Private bus available to group (3 days).
– Entrance to the installations at Vals Spa.
– Basic travel insurance.

DAY 1 – BASILEA (flight)​

Flight UK – Basilea. Arrive at Basilea airport in the morning.

Transfer to hotel, check in. Meet at the hotel for explanation of tour. Lunch on your own.

In the afternoon, interior visit: Renzo Piano, Beyeler Foundation and museum and exterior visit J. Tinguely Museum by Mario Botta. External and panoramic visit of Train yard and “Railway Control Tower”. St Jacobs Stadium Park Herzog & de Meuron.

Return to Hotel. Dinner and free evening. Night in Basilea.

 DAY 2 – WEIL AM RHEIM – ZURICH

Breakfast. Transfer to train station to leave luggage. Exterior visits: Pfaffenholz Gymnasium and “Rehab Center” by Herzog & De Meuron.

Guided tour of Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany: Conference Center by Tadao Ando, thel “Vitra Design Museum” by Frank O. Gehry, Firemen’s Park by Zaha Hadid, the production laboratory by Nicolas Grimshaw, Alvaro Siza, the Events Pavilion by Buckmister Fuller, the pavilion by Jean Prouvè and the Production Center by SANAA. Visit the exterior pavilion by Zaha Hadid.

In the afternoon, arrive at the city center. Meet participants at the train station to go to Zurich.

Leave by train for Zurich HB. Arrive to Zurich – Transfer by Bus to Hotel. Dinner and free evening. Night in Zurich.

 DAY 3 – ZURICH-BREGENZ-HALDESTEIN-COIRA-VALS​

Breakfast and carry luggage to private bus. Panoramic tour of Zurich from the bus, head to Bregenz (1 hour journey). Tour reserved for “Kunsthaus Bregenz” by Peter Zumthor.

In the afternoon, leave for Haldestein: Visit: Peter Zumthor, “Home for Senior Citizens“, “Rath Twin House“, and “House- Studio”. Reserved tour of Peter Zumthor’s, “Archeological Center” in Coira. Head to Vals, check into Hotel Terme. Dinner at in Chessi Restaurant –Thermal Complex.

Free thermal baths in the evening. Peter Zumthor, “Vals Spa”. Night in Vals.

DAY 4 – VALS – SUMVIGT – LUCERNE​

Breakfast at the hotel and spa. Turn in room keys, take luggage to bus and travel to Sumvigt.

Reserved tour of the St. Benedict Chapel by Zumthor in Sumvigt. Leave for Lucerne.
Visits in the afternoon in Lucerne: Jean Nouvel, “The Hotel” and “Conference Center in Lucerne“.

Santiago Calatrava, “Covered Hall Station in Lucerne” and the “Post Office Roof. Diener & Diener, “Migros Mall”. Visit historic city center on your own. We recommend: Lucerne Museum of Transportation by Gigon y Guyer.

Check into hotel, dinner and free evening. Night in Lucerne.

DAY 5 – LUCERNE – BERNA​

Breakfast at hotel, turn in room keys, take luggage and travel to train station for trip to Berna.

Arrive in Berna and check into hotel. Lunch on your own in the historic city center. In the afternoon, visit a The Halen Colony, by Atelier 5, noted disciples of Le Corbusier.

Visit the Zentrum Paul Klee, by Renzo Piano. Check into hotel, dinner and free evening. Night in Berna.

DAY 6 – BERNA– BASILEA – RETURN​

Breakfast at the hotel, pick up luggage and travel to train station.
Transport from Berna to Basilea airport for return flight.

Arrive at Basilea airport for check in and flight home.