Ski & See Europe 2025

ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND & TURKEY

 

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ZERMATT - THE WORLD'S BEST SKI RESORT!

January 31 - February 7

We are heading to the #1 ski resort in the world, Zermatt, Switzerland!  When people dream of skiing in Europe...the place they are dreaming about is Zermatt!  Zermatt is the jewel in Switzerland's crown and simply is the most beautiful ski village in the world. It looks like it was created for a medieval movie set. But it is real and just happens to have some of the best skiing in the Alps.  

 

 

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The beautiful village of Zermatt!                                        Lunch with an amazing view!

 

If you can visit just one European ski village in your lifetime then Zermatt is the place you must  choose! When most people think of Zermatt, they think of one thing: The Matterhorn Mountain. This ultimate Swiss icon looms over Zermatt and has been drawing visitors since the early 1800's. To say the scenery in Zermatt is incredible is understating it! The village of Zermatt is the quintessential Swiss village, with old-world weather beaten chalets, cobble stoned winding streets in the village and old farmhouses dating back to the 1600's dotting the village and the slopes. The village has 150 restaurants, 50 bars and 75 shops to keep us happy during our stay.  If all this isn't enough we can ski to lift connected Cervinia, Italy for a grand day of skiing and a delicious pasta lunch

 

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Skiing beside the Matterhorn mountain!

 

You can walk from one end of the town to the other in about fifteen minutes, which is handy because no cars are allowed on the local streets. The town does however have one of the best networks of alpine cable cars, gondolas, and cog railways in Europe which take you up to amazing 250km of skiing for all levels.  Skiable elevations soar to over 13,000 feet and more snow falls in Zermatt than on most other winter resorts in Europe. Great ski conditions are all but guaranteed. In fact the glaciers fields in Zermatt allow for skiing 365 days per year!  

 

TURKEY EXTENSION

February 7

3 or 6 Day option

We will be making three amazing stops on our Turkey highlight tour.  Our first stop is Istanbul then to the ancient hill homes of Cappadocia, then on to our final stop to see ancient Greek and Roman ruins of Ephesus.

 

ISTANBUL

Day 1, 2 & 3

 

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Straddling two continents, Istanbul has been a sprawling cosmopolitan city since the days it was called Byzantium. Ruled by the Greeks, Romans, Venetians and then Ottomans, the city blends the ancient, historical and modern as effortlessly as it does different cultures and religions.  Note: Travelers choosing the three day option will stay three nights in Istanbul. 

 

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You will find monumental houses of worship, including the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, as well as a contemporary fashion scene that sets the tone for most of the Middle East and North Africa. You can also while away your days wandering through the maze-like streets and sipping Turkish coffee, watching the world bustle by. Travelers staying three nights will stay their last night in Istanbul and head home the next day. 

 

CAPPADOCIA

Day 4

 

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Inside ancient homes of Cappadocia

 

Cappadocia is a geological oddity of honeycombed hills and towering boulders of otherworldly beauty. Since the 8th century people began living underground here and leaving the countryside scattered with fascinating cavern architecture. The rocky wonderland is honeycombed with a network of human-created caves; living quarters, places of worship, stables, and storehouses that were all dug into the soft stone. In fact, tunnel complexes formed entire towns with as many as eight different stories hidden underground. You will have the option to take a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia!

 

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Our hotel in Cappadocia!                                                 Our hotel in Cappadocia!
 

EPHESUS

Day 5

 

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Founded in 10th century B.C. by the ancient Greeks, Ephesus is the most important archeological site in Turkey and it’s easy to understand why. There are so many beautiful, monumental, awe-inspiring things to see in Ephesus that it will literally take your breath away.  The showpiece of Aegean archaeology, it's probably the most evocative ancient city in the eastern Mediterranean, and one of the grandest ancient sites in the world. The remarkably preserved ruins and the site is a treasure trove to explore: marble-paved streets with grooves made by chariot wheels lead past ancient buildings and monuments. Ephesus is very large and will take many hours to see all that it has to offer. 

 

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Option #1 - Ski Zermatt  

6 nights in Austria

Cost: Before 9/1 - $2076  After - 9/1 $2276

Single Room Supplement: $385

Includes:  6 night hotel room, 6 breakfasts, 5 dinners, round trip airport transfers, 
Not Included:  Flight between U.S and Zurich & possible new Euro entry tax
Note: There are no reductions offered for not using any bus transfer 

SKI TRIP SIGN UP FORM

Option #2 - Ski Zermatt, Switzerland & See Istanbul 
6 nights in Austria, 3 nights in Istanbul
Cost: Before 9/1 - $2521  After 9/1 - $2721
Single Room Supplement: $595Includes: Switzerland: 6 night hotel room, 6 breakfasts, 5 dinners, airport transfers Turkey extension includes : 2 intercontinental flights, guides, bus transfers, 5 nights hotel, 5 breakfasts,   
Not included: Round trip flight between U.S and Zurich, Flights between Zurich and Istanbul, hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia ($315), 

Note: There are no reductions offered for not using any bus transfer 


SKI TRIP SIGN UP FORM

Option #3  Ski Zermatt & See Istanbul, Cappadocia & Ephesus

6 nights in Austria, 5 nights (6 days) in Turkey

Cost: Before 9/1 - $3275   After 9/1 - $3475
Single Room Supplement: $740

Includes:  Zermatt includes: 6 night hotel room, 6 breakfasts, 5 dinners, airport transfers 
Turkey extension includes: 2 intercontinental flights, guides, bus transfers, 5 nights hotel, 5 breakfasts, 
Not included: Hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia ($315),  flight between U.S and Zurich, flight between Zurich and Istanbul & possible new Euro entry tax. 

Note:  There are no reductions offered for not using any bus transfer 


SKI TRIP SIGN UP FORM

 

Option #4   Turkey Extension  (Sightsee only)

Includes: 2 intercontinental flights, guides, bus transfers, 5 nights hotel, 5 breakfasts, 

Cost:  Before 9/1: $1477   After 9/1: $1677

Single room: $395 

Turkey extension: 2 intercontinental flights, guides, bus transfers, 5 nights hotel, 5 breakfasts,  

Not included: Flights between U.S and Istanbul, hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia ($315)


If you can do the full extension, I highly recommend it.  As always, please forward this email on to anyone that you feel may be interested in joining the trip. Call me with any question 312-375-3562.  

 

 

Gary Hazan

Trip Leader

 

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Your Trip Leader at 13,000 feet above Zermatt with the Matterhorn in background!

 

 
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