Jazz Festivals in Switzerland  April 24–May 2nd, 2004

Hosted by Eric Jackson of 89.7’s Jazz with Eric in the Evening

WGBH LearningTours welcomes you to Switzlerland!

Join WGBH 89.7 host Eric Jackson on a journey to Basel and Bern to experience two of Europe’s finest jazz festivals. Revel in beautiful Swiss landscapes and jazz-filled nights, with exclusive access to featured artists and Eric’s signature expertise and enthusiasm.
Now entering its 14th year, Basel’s Offbeat Jazz Festival offers mainstream acts in intimate concert settings. In addition to the music of such internationally acclaimed musicians as Arturo Sandoval, Dave Weckl and Richard Galliano, you’ll enjoy backstage receptions with the artists, entertaining and private lectures with Eric, and the unique access afforded by staying in the host hotel for all of the festival’s visiting musicians.
In the daylight hours, we’ll take advantage of Basel’s close proximity to both Germany and France, with daytrips to Germany’s Black Forest and to a vineyard in Alsace, France. We’ll also explore some of Basel’s more than 30 museums, including the only museum in Switzerland dedicated to Jewish history.
Next on our itinerary is the International Jazz Festival Bern, considered by musicians and music-lovers alike to be Switzerland’s preeminent jazz festival. This year’s festival is a tribute to the 25th anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival and will feature several of the finest musicians in the business. We’ll hear a number of these jazz artists at the famed Marian’s Jazz Club, which has gained a reputation as being one of the best jazz clubs in the world since opening 10 years ago. Marian’s is housed inside Hotel Inner Enge, which doubles as a jazz museum. Among the highlights of our trip will be a private tour of the hotel suites commemorating famous jazz musicians from the past.
When not listening to jazz, or enjoying your room at the fashionable Allegro Hotel overlooking the city, you’ll have plenty of chances to explore Bern and surrounding towns, as led by our expert guides. The optional three-day extension to Zurich offers even more music and sites; see the day-by-day
itinerary for specifics.
Our group will be small and spaces will fill up quickly, so please send in your reservation form (enclosed) right away. Don’t miss this exlusive opportunity to experience great jazz music while taking in the inspiring beauty and scenic splendor of Switzerland with WGBH 89.7’s own Eric Jackson!

Basel is uniquely located on the Rhine River bordering both Germany and France. In addition to being the site of the construction of the first bridge to cross the Rhine River during the 13th century, Basel is famous for establishing the country’s first university in 1460. It is also well known for its pharmaceutical industry and silk ribbon manufacturing.

Bern is the capital of Switzerland and home to the country’s seat of government and House of Parliament. Situated on the Aare River, Bern is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Landmark because of its virtually unchanged medieval architecture, making it a pedestrian’s paradise.

Now entering its 14th year, Basel’s Offbeat Jazz Festival is one of two major jazz festivals in the city and the only one to offer a straight-ahead jazz program that works directly with jazz educational institutions in Switzerland. The festival is recorded annually by Swiss radio station DRS.

Celebrating its 29th year, International Jazz Festival Bern has long been considered among musicians to be Switzerland’s foremost traditional jazz festival. Founder Hans Zurbrugg is respected throughout the international jazz community for his devotion to the art form. In 2003, Zurbrugg transformed his one-week festival into a three-month, concert-filled extravaganza, running from March through May. However, most of the concerts continue to take place at Marian’s Jazz Club—a fantastic and intimate space for enjoying live jazz that’s famous the world over.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

April 24 Departure
Depart from Boston on Swiss International Airlines.

April 25 Zurich to Basel
Arrive in Zurich in the morning. Group will be met by a hostess for transport to the Hilton Hotel in Basel. Travelers spend the day relaxing from their trans-Atlantic flight. Group dinner and official introduction to our trip’s host, Eric Jackson. Optional afternoon concert by Anouar Brahem for those who don’t want to sleep. Group evening concert featuring Arturo Sandoval.














April 26 Basel
Swiss buffet breakfast. Guided walking tour of Basel. Afternoon on one’s own to get acquainted with Basel and its many unique shops. Group dinner. Evening concert featuring Dave Weckl & Band. Backstage
reception with artists and festival director.

April 27 Daytrip: Germany and France
Swiss buffet breakfast. Three-country tour consisting of a visit to the Black Forest in Germany and crossing the Rhine River to Alsace, France for a wine tasting at a local vineyard. Enjoy Roman picnic lunch. Back in Switzerland for dinner at a traditional Swiss restaurant. Return to Basel in evening. Optional concert at jazz club.

April 28 Basel
Swiss buffet breakfast. Guided museum tour of Basel with Baselcard Museum Pass and of the city’s famous paper factory. The afternoon is independent; dinner is on one’s own. Evening concert featuring the Richard Galliano Septet in a tribute to Astor Piazzolla.

April 29 Bern
Swiss buffet breakfast and hotel checkout. Transport via motor coach to Bern. Arrive at Allegro Hotel in Bern. Afternoon independent to discover Bern. Outdoor dinner and concert in the festival tent.


April 30 Bern
Swiss buffet breakfast. Morning walking tour of Bern. Lunch on one’s own. Afternoon to explore Bern. Jazz lecture by Eric. Dinner at Hotel Inner Enge, the world’s only jazz hotel and museum combined in one, and home to Marian’s Jazz Club. Evening concert at Marian’s, following by a private tour of the hotel’s suites commemorating jazz musicians from the past.

May 1 Bern
Swiss buffet breakfast. Full-day guided excursion to the Bernese Oberland and Kleine Scheidegg. Depart Lauterbrunnen by cogwheel rail up to the top of Kleine Scheidegg, where we’ll enjoy a three-course lunch. Option to continue to top of Jungfrau. Continue to the glacier village of Grindelwald, stopping en route in Interlaken for shopping. Return to hotel. Special farewell dinner, after which Eric will address the group. Optional evening concert at Marian’s or another festival concert in the city.

May 2 Departure
Breakfast and checkout. Transfer to Zurich Airport. Return flight home on Swiss International Airlines.

Optional Extension: May 2–5, Zurich
Optional three-day extension for those who wish to experience Zurich, one of Switzerland’s most vibrant cities.

May 2 Zurich
Settle into the Hotel Central located in Centrale, the heart of Zurich near the main Bahnhof (railway station). Dinner at one of Zurich’s famous restaurants, Jacky’s Stapferftube.

May 3 Zurich
Morning walking tour to explore the old city. Balance of day for shopping and sightseeing. Group dinner. Visit Moods Jazz Club.

May 4 Lausanne, Montreux
Visit the city of Lausanne on Lake Geneva and the Official Olympic Museum. Steamer cruise on Lake Geneva to Chateau Chillon, with a visit to the city of Montreux, the pearl of the Swiss Riviera.

May 5 Departure
Take Swiss Rail to Zurich airport for the return flight home.

Trip Cost and Facts
Your tour price of $3,900 (single supplement $175) includes:
• Round-trip airfare on Swiss International Airlines from Boston Loga