USAirways is running a super sale to Zurich, Switzerland for the 2011/2012 winter season.
A base round-trip rate of $200 ($739.10 inclusive of all taxes, fees and surcharges) is valid on Oct. 29-Dec. 14; Dec. 24-Jan. 1 or Jan. 9-March 26 departures.
For travel on weekend days, add $25 each way. There are no blackout dates on this fine offer. Stay one weekend to 30 days.
USAirways serves Zurich via Philadelphia.
This sale has a ticket-by date of Sept. 15, but I would recommend buying tickets as soon as possible.
Sale airfares are always subject to change. Every seat on every flight is not offered at the lowest rate. Since only a limited supply of seats is available, act quickly to make your purchase. I recommend starting the search for available seats at Kayak.com vs. calling an airline directly. You can also search for the sale at travel Web sites such as Expedia or Travelocity, etc. Airlines can discontinue or pull a sale price without notice when the offer does not have a "ticket-by" date or when the offer is deemed "sold out."
Zurich, once having a reputation as a sterile banking city, is today vibrant and cosmopolitan. But the draw in winter is its close proximity to excellent Alpine skiing. As many as 40 million visitors come each winter for the top facilites both on and off the slopes.
Here are a couple of trip ideas near to Zurich:
Engelberg-Titlis, 1.5 hours from Zurich, forms the biggest ski- and snowboard (four star rated for boarding) area in Central Switzerland with over 50 miles of slopes, 5 cross-country ski-tracks, an over two mile long sled run as well as wonderful snow shoeing and winter hiking opportunities. Thanks to the 9,200 feet high Titlis glacier, it is possible to ski from October through May. The longest run (from Titlis to Engelberg) covers over 7.5 miles with over 6,500 feet of altitude difference. Seventy percent of the slopes are guaranteed snow throughout the winter. Even if you're not a skier (although this resort offers slopes for all levels of ability) -- visit for the spectacular scenery. Visit www.engelberg.ch/en/topnavigation for more on this stunning year-round destination.
The romantic city of Lucerne (voted the fifth most popular tourism destination in the world in 2010 by Tripadvisor) is the place to be toward the end of winter when Carnival (Fasnacht) is celebrated nonstop in squares and streets of the Old Town. This not-to-miss party begins at 5:00 a.m. on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday with costumed carnival bands (Guggenmusigen) marching and gathering around the town. Everyone from babies in wooden carriages to the town elders wear rich and elaborate costumes that are passed down from generation to generation.
You can't miss the giant street parades on Dirty Thursday, Fat Monday -- and to the last of the festivities with lanterns and more music ending at midnight on Fat Tuesday (Feb. 16-21, 2012). If you go, don't forget to bring some type of headdress or earplugs to sleep through the night (really, the music doesn't stop during this happening!). If nonstop partying isn't your thing, head back to Zurich for more peaceful lodging. From Zurich, the scenic train trip to Lucerne takes about one hour. Service is offered nearly every hour. For more, visit www.luzern.com/en/festivals-events/top-events .
Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant.
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