USModernist Global
Modernist
Architecture in Germany and Switzerland:
Berlin, Zurich, Vals, Lucerne, and Basel
May
13-23, 2025
Proceeds benefit USModernist's ongoing nonprofit research, documentation, preservation, and promotion projects.
Did you miss our amazing voyage to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden in 2023? How about our exciting trip to London, Brussels, and Amsterdam in May 2024? Then you won't want to miss this voyage - ten days and nights of heart-pounding Modernist architecture in Berlin, Zurich, Lucerne, and the great 7132 Thermal Spa high in Vals in the Swiss Alps, designed by Peter Zumthor. You just won't believe where we're going and what you're going to see - and experience. Seriously, you won't.
You will discover incredible architecture in two countries, truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see some of the world's best architecture - with virtually everything (except air) included!
Our own private touring buses, with professional licensed guides leading customized architecture and design tours in English
A three-day central Berlin subway pass
Modern, double-occupancy hotels, with breakfast and wi-fi provided
Super cool overnight sleeper train from Berlin to Zurich, including breakfast
Welcome reception in Berlin, a few lunches, and and a special farewell dinner in Zurich
Plus, you'll have free time! Tours are typically from 8am to 130pm. There will be two evening dinner/reception events. Most afternoons (and about half the evenings) you'll be able to visit other sites and museums, try out local restaurants, meet up with friends (old and new!), or explore independently. Your guide is USModernist's Angela Roehl, who has been running our international tour program since 2016.
Wow, that’s incredible! We think so, too.
Day 0 Tuesday May 13 Departure!
Day 1 Wednesday May 14 Arrival!
Those flying with Angela will transfer in from the airport.
Others, please meet at the IBIS Berlin
Haputbahnhof for check-in starting at 2pm. You'll get
a 3-day Berlin subway pass. Lunch is on your own. In the
afternoon, nap in your cozy room or blast off to start exploring the charming
city. We suggest going to the Bauhaus Archive / Museum of Design.
About 630pm, a lovely dinner at Neni.
Fly to Berlin
overnight on your own. Or, fly with USModernist's Angela Roehl from RDU.
For her itinerary, email
angela@usmodernist.org,
Day 2 Thursday May 15 Berlin!
Questions? Contact USModernist Executive Director George
Smart at 919.740.8407 or
george@usmodernist.org. The Fine Print
Schedule. The itinerary and order of
trip events are subject to change without notice or refund. Size: Minimum 16
people, maximum 25 people. Release. Participants must sign a liability
release prior to departure, as is standard with all USModernist trips. Delay. There is a very small but possible risk of
additional overnight stay from causes beyond USModernist's control, in which
case participants are responsible for any additional costs of meals, lodging,
transportation, and incidental expenses.
Passport. You need a valid US
passport expiring no earlier than November 30, 2025. There are no travel visas
necessary at this time. Luggage. As we will be on the move,
absolutely no checked baggage allowed.
Yes, you will survive with one carry-on rollerboard/suitcase (maximum dimensions
9" x 14" x 22") and one personal bag / purse / laptop. However, if you buy a lot of stuff while
we are travelling, not to worry. Carry a collapsible bag in your rollerboard.
Continuing Education. Architects can get self-reported CEU hours if arranged in
advance with the AIA. Clothes. Europe's
climate is unpredictable and weather can be cool even during summers.
Bring a water-resistant jacket, umbrella, and warm clothes. May there is
not like May here. Be prepared for both sunny and cold. Most
tours are walking, so make sure to bring convenient walking shoes.
After breakfast, we
kick off the tour with Modernist
architecture around the City on foot and by metro, including the Kaiser Wilhelm
Church, Sony Center by Helmut Jahn, the House of the World's Cultures by Hugh Stubbins, the Reichstag, Brandenburg
Gate, and Corbusier's Unite d'Habitation. When the tour ends at 130pm,
take the metro back to the hotel.That night, dinner on your own.
Day 3 Friday May 16 Berlin!
After breakfast, we travel
by foot and metro around Berlin to see the Sauerbruch Hutton building, the Nhow building designed by Sergei
Tchoban, the Holocaust Memorial designed by Peter Eisenman, the Jewish Museum designed by Daniel Libeskind, and the
New National Gallery, designed by Mies Van der Rohe. The last stop is the Sauna Tempodrom and Liquidrom. If you want to stay and
take part, you'll get back to the hotel on your own. Tour ends approximately 130pm. Lunch is on your own, and
the afternoon and evening are free to explore.
Day 4 Saturday May 17 East
Berlin!
After breakfast, you'll walk the famous Berlin Wall, where you'll learn the story of
WWII and the Cold
War. We'll also see the Berlin Wall Memorial and
explore and visit the Modern part of the German Historical Museum, Hakerscher
Markt, and a stroll along the Unter de Linden. Lunch on your own,
tour ends approximately 130 pm. The afternoon is free to explore.
Have an early dinner on your own (5pm), because at 7pm,
you're on a sleeper train to Zurich.
Day 5 Sunday May 18 Zurich/Vals!
After breakfast on the train,
it's up by coach to the tiny town of Vals in the Swiss Alps to one of the world's most incredible spas, the 7132 Thermal
Resort, designed by Peter Zumthor, with additions by other world-famous
architects. Spa admission is included, however, treatments like massage
are additional and must be scheduled online in advance. You'll stay at
the world class 7132 Hotel, with one of the
great
Michelin-rated restaurants in
Switzerland. Foodies delight! There
are also less expensive dining options a short walk into town. Be sure to
experience the spa a second time, at night.
Day 6 Monday May 19 Chur/Zurich!
After breakfast at
the 7132 hotel (included), you'll depart by coach for
Chur, the oldest Swiss village, featuring Walter Foderer's Holy Cross Church. Then we'll drive to Zurich, arriving
back at the hotel about 1pm. Check into to the IBIS Styles Zurich City
Center Hotel. Dinner on your own that night.
Day 7 Tuesday May 20 Zurich!
After breakfast begin touring the city by
coach,
including Zurich West, Toni-Arial, Lowenbrau-Areal, Flex Haus, Cocoon
Office Building. Lunch on your own, tour ends at 130pm, when
you'll be back at the hotel.
Day 8 Wednesday May 21 Basel!
After breakfast, you
will take the train to Basel, arriving about 10am. There you will visit the Basel Signal
Box by Herzog and de Meuron, Actelion Business Centre by Herzog and de
Meuron, Museum Der Kulturen, Beyeler Foundation Museum by Renzo Piano and
Peter Zumthor, Roche Tower, Messe Building, General Trade School, Roche Tower and the Dreispitz area. Then it's a private coach to
VITRA Design Museum, the world-famous arts and architecture center,
where you'll have two hours to explore and have lunch. Train back
to Zurich, arriving about 4pm. Dinner on your own.
Day 9 Thursday May 22 Lucerne and the Golden
Circle!
After breakfast, we'll go multimodal,
heading for the snow-capped town of Lucerne by train, then cruise across
Lake Lucerne by boat to Alpnachstad, where we catch a
cogwheel train to the top of Mount Pilatus, 7000 feet in
elevation. Lunch on your own in one of the five restaurants on Mount Pilatus. From there, we take a cable car down the
mountain to another train which returns to Zurich around 3pm. That night,
a beautiful farewell group dinner at Restaurant Lasalle in Zurich.
Day 10 Friday May 23 Journey Home! You will leave with fabulous memories, lots of photos, and a heart full of
exciting
architecture, beautiful scenery, wonderful people, and the amazing organization of European
cities and infrastructure! Check out of the hotel to meet your flight or
journey onwards on your own,
last checkout 11am.
Tickets and Details
General Public:
$7299 $6299 per person, double occupancy;
$8999 $7999
per person, single occupancy
Mod Squad Members:
$7099 $6099
per person, double occupancy; $8799 $7799 per person, single occupancy
Includes: all guides, tours, hotels,
transportation, overnight train, two group dinners, and breakfasts.
Once payment is made, there are no refunds for any reason except for overall
trip cancellation. However, you can transfer your place to another person with
at least three weeks written notice to USModernist.
You are highly encouraged to buy trip insurance.
www.insuremytrip.com
is a portal to
several large travel insurance companies. Most policies that include pre-existing conditions
require purchase within 14-20 days of trip payment, so once you buy the
trip, buy the insurance. USModernist is receives no
compensation from this site. Past participants have used it successfully, including claims.
Proceeds from this tour benefit USModernist's ongoing research, documentation, preservation,
and promotion projects.