Alpine Splendor
Alpine Splendor
Poschiavo near Pontresina
Near Poschiavo
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The Weisshorn
Tea-time in the Alps
Tea-time in the Alps
High above Zermatt
High above Zermatt
Mountain Inn
Mountain Inn
Monte Rosa from Monte Moro
Monte Rosa from Monte Moro Pass
In the heart of the Dolomites
In the heart of the Dolomites
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Alpine Hamlet
Lake of Sils in Autumn
Lake of Sils in Autumn
Matterhorn -- Zermatt
Matterhorn — Zermatt
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Monte Moro Pass
Alpine Trails
-- SINCE 1973 --

- Destination Profiles -

About  ·   2008  ·   Before You Decide  ·   Contact Us


 
About Alpine Trails

Welcome to our website!

We'd like to tell you a little about ourselves. Organized in 1973, we've managed to stay successfully small and highly personalized. Since that time, Alpine Trails has specialized in hiking and trekking in the Swiss and Italian Alps. Our repeat ratio averages 80-90%.

The number of repeaters — some with more than twenty trips — tells us that we have found a comfortable niche — active outdoor people who also appreciate a high level of creature comforts and "hands on" care while in the mountains. We limit our hiking trips to 12 guests. Our carefully chosen hiking destinations — virtually unknown to Americans — are beloved of experienced European vacationers. We have never aimed at bigness but rather at offering highly personalized trips to a small, appreciative audience.

Probably the most important reason for our unprecedented customer loyalty is Fred Jacobson. Fred personally leads all our trips and has had a forty-five year love affair with the Alps, going back to his school days. He was the first American to climb all 4,000-meter peaks of the Swiss Valais and the first American to be awarded a gold medal for lifetime achievement by the Swiss guides. He has hiked more than 30,000 miles throughout Italy and Switzerland, knowing many of the areas better than most of the locals. He has skied in the Engadine Cross-Country Ski Marathon and has crossed the Alps on skis. Author of numerous articles on the Alps, his book "The Meek Mountaineer", won critical acclaim for its refreshing modesty. The Alps have been a way of life for Fred, and his guests benefit from his in-depth knowledge of local customs, food and wine and the people themselves, as well as his familiarity with the mountains and valleys.

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Hiking Program 2008

Sils Maria (S)   Jan 30–Feb 9   $3,500
Soglio (S)   Apr 2–Apr 12   $2,900
Matschertal/Welschnofen (I)   Jun 21–Jul 6   $3,900
Sulden/Karthaus (I)   Jul 5–Jul 20   $3,500
Appenzell/Vent (S & A)   Aug 9–Aug 24   $4,000
Grindelwald/Zermatt (S)   Sep 6–Sep 21   $3,900
Meran (I)   Oct 4–Oct 20   $4,500
(A) = Austria   (I) = Italy   (S) = Switzerland


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Before You Decide

1. We were the first to offer hiking trips to the Alps and now have 35 years of highly specialized experience. Unlike many larger competitors, the world is not our oyster. What we do, we do consistently and expertly.

2. Many of our trips are to destinations virtually unknown to American hikers, although beloved of experienced European vacationers. Some travel companies employ local guides whose English is far from idiomatic. Being conversant in German, Italian and French, Fred is able to bridge the "culture gap" with an American perspective.

3. Daily itineraries cannot be given ahead of time. Aside from group feedback, weather and trail conditions affect each day's selection. However, we do have profiles on each of our trip destinations, including some of the favorite hikes, which Sheila Duigan will send you upon request, or select a destination from our Hiking Program 2008.

4. We are highly reliable, having cancelled only one trip in our 35 years of operation. Nor do we penalize hikers with two-tier pricing if trips are not fully booked.

5. Our literature is understated. We believe in consistent quality – more product and less hype! Our guests are always surprised by the high level of our accommodations. We spend very little on brochures, catalogs, web sites, postage and advertising – marketing in general – which explains the competitive pricing and high relative value of our trips.

6. Our repeat ratio – a sure sign of customer satisfaction – varies between 80 and 90 percent on virtually all of our trips. Many of our guests have been on 5, 10 and more trips. Because of the breadth of our Alpine offerings, it often happens that few of the guests have hiked with each other. So, newcomers needn't fear being excluded.


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Contact and Information

Given our priority of quality over quantity, openings are limited — so book early!

For more information or to sign on for one of our trips, please contact our trip coordinator Sheila Duigan. She will gladly answer your questions and forward you our literature and destination profiles. Upon request, we can provide references from customers who will share their insights and experiences. Sheila will be happy to pass along your questions to Fred when he is away. When in the States, Fred enjoys speaking with guests — old and new.

If you are intrigued by our "small is beautiful" philosophy and would like to learn more about our trips, please contact:

Sheila Duigan
Alpine Travel, Inc.
P.O. Box 159
White Plains, NY 10605
tel 800-291-8126
fax 203-961-1920
email alpine.travel@verizon.net



About  ·   2008  ·   Before You Decide  ·   Contact Us

Alpine Trails


Sheila Duigan  ·   Alpine Travel, Inc.  ·   tel 800-291-8126

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