e-Travelers Club travel update
A Trend Setting e-Travel Update to Benefit your Business and Ensemble Travel Agenda
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 63 - 2014
Fairytale Realm – Valais
By Maria
Main picture: Champex Lac/ Inset: Alpine Botanical Garden
Switzerland has a sheer magic appeal to nature lovers and adrenaline seekers.
Think of mountains, trains, watches, chocolates and cheese; Switzerland comes to
mind’s eyes. When traveling in one of the smallest land-locked nations in Europe,
one can indulge into a Cultural fiesta (German-French and Italian) within a few
days while commuting on picture postcard Swiss Railway, otherwise you will need
to travel the whole of continent Europe and spend three times more of your holiday
time and money.
Flying on the Swiss International Air Lines, I am excited taking my first trip to continent Europe.
In the air, I am enjoying every minute of the immaculate service on board the broad body Airbus
A330-300, till the plane landed in Zurich - the international point of entry in Switzerland. First
thing first, I plan my travel with a 4-Day Swiss Flexi Pass – an ultimate freedom to travel on
trains, ships and buses.
From Zurich, I catch the train bound for French part of the canton of Valais, which lies in the
Southwest of Switzerland. A short journey takes me to Sion - the capital of Valais. I continue my
journey to Verbier via Martigny on St. Bernard Express and a short drive from Le Chable.
Its mid-summer: the valleys offer spectacular views of vineyards rolling down the lush slopes
and the fields are lined with groves of more than 30 varieties of apricots. Apple, raspberry, pears,
prunes, strawberries and cherries also grow in abundance.
The St. Bernard express
Tourbillon Castle – Sion
The beauty of nature lifted up my spirits and I felt as if I am reborn. After a delectable supper at
restaurant L’ecurie, I slept on what’s coming up next. Early morning, after a hearty breakfast, I
am fully energized for an adventure trip to Mont Fort (3,328 metres), the highest mountain in the
4-Vallees. Mont Matterhorn and Mont Blanc alongwith a cluster of high peaks seen from the
viewing platform on Mount Fort is absolutely inspiring. Tracing our footsteps back to the cable
car terminal, we walk past the Sculptor Park and whiz back to Verbier and drive by road to the
Col du Grand Saint Bernard in Martigny. The vantage point by the Hospice atop the Pass at
2,469 metres affords an incredible view of the bowl like valley with a lake by the border post
between Switzerland and Italy.
The landmark is an interesting chapter in the history of this fascinating 9th century monastery that
was converted into a hospice in around 1050 AD by Saint Bernard of Menthon. Native to the
region, the Dogs of St. Bernard renowned the world over as mountain rescue dogs. The Barry
foundation was established to ensure the survival of this breed, which was originally raised to
guard the hospice.
Main Picture: The Dogs of St. Bernard/
Inset : Hospice and Hostel
I returned to Verbier and got a transfer to Champex Lac, a picturesque lake village fringed by
pine forest. Within the vicinity of the lake, I visited the Swiss heritage Alpine Botanical Garden
(1,500 metres). The gardens exhibit an impressive collection of native flowers and plants and
also from other continents. With more than three thousand species of plants, to name a very few
that I can remember: Edelweiss - the national flower of Switzerland, alpine columbine, aster,
gentianes, glacier warmwood, Hallers pasqueflower, lilies, Primroses, rhododendrons, roses,
umbel pennycress. Here, the air smells sweet and divine, colorful butterflies prance from flower
to flower, buzzing sound of friendly bees and dragonflies resonate howling wilderness in the
atmosphere, as if a giant stage for Alice in Wonderland designed by nature.
The next morning, I reached Haute Nendaz. Nestled above the Rhone valley, the Country of
Beisses – and a winter wonderland, the 4Vallees, which includes Verbier and Nendaz forms the
largest ski area in Switzerland.
Nendaz makes it a picture perfect getaway for visitors to wander lush trails and go cycling along
well marked routes. But before exploring nature on foot, I avail the opportunity of a one on one
alphorn lesson with a professional teacher.
Nendaz has an exceptional system of irrigation. The path alongside the bisses takes you right into
a fairytale land. You can wander off along various detours that will take you through the valleys
and villages abound lofty mountains with a bonus that you are at all times going along with the
flow of water in the rivulets and channels. Before retiring the day, I experience fine dining at the
Mont Rouge - an elegant restaurant offering regional and continental delicacy.
Main picture: Country of Bisses - Nendaz/ Inset: Mont Rouge Restaurant
The next morning it is drizzling, the temperature has cooled down and the fog that had covered
the vale finally lifted off by noon. I meet my local host at Tsablo Water Mill near the town center
and we begin a Walking Tour of the Old Village. At the junction, we visit Saint Michel Chapel,
which was constructed in 1499 and later, renovated into Baroque style in the 18th century. This
historical monument of the Canton of Valais bears witness to Nendaz through the thick and thin
of time.
A cable car ride to the highs of Nendaz at Tracouet inspired me with an insight into lifestyle of
the people having found a way to co-exist with nature in perfect harmony. On the top, I hike
towards the tranquil Lake Tracouet with snow capped mountains in the distance – as if looking at
a huge postcard. Cyclists zoom by well marked tracks and I see happy people smiling from ear to
ear, engaged into fine moments of their lives.
Main Picture: Lake Tracouet/ Inset: Saint Michel Chapel
Moving on, I arrive in Zermatt on the MG Bahn (Zermatt Train). Located in the German
speaking part of central Valais, the mountain Resort is world famous for its picturesque
Matterhorn peak (4,478 m/ 14,690 ft) – the symbol of Switzerland. Zermatt is car-free Resort,
except for green energy buggy to facilitate guests pick and drop service by hotels. Soon after
Check In at Hotel Walliserhoff - I am out for a walk, up the main strip that is queued up with
hotels, restaurants and shopping stores like Tie Break, Alpine Photoshop and Wega Souvenirs –
all well stocked with regional souvenirs, camera accessories and mountain travel gear.
Next morning, I follow thousands of tourists flocking towards the Gornergrat Bahn station to
attend the annual Gornergrat Alphorn Festival. Onboard the unique cog-wheel mountain train:
Gornergrat Bahn (GGB), we depart for Gornergrat (3,089 metres).
It’s a spectacular sight: towering peaks play hide and seek with patches of clouds in the blue sky
and the air is filled with the deep sound of alphorns. This unique stage on a rocky ridge, designed
by nature, surrounds more than twenty 4000 meters Pennine peaks, including the highest Monte
Rossa range and the symbolic Matterhorn peak.
Over 550 Alphorn players and more than 5000 visitors bear witness to the world’s longest
playable alphorn measuring a whopping 47 metres – an entry in the Guinness Book of World
Records. After the festival, I had lunch at the Kulm Hotel 3100 – the highest hotel in
Switzerland, while enjoying breathtaking landscape around me.
Main Picture:Gornergrat Alphorn Festival/ Inset: Gornergrat Bahn
Back to Zermatt I treat myself at the Alex Hotel restaurant - a classic dining venue in Zermatt
and in good time, I found my comfort zone to spend the night at Hotel La Ginabelle, a beautiful
place by the river. My spacious, comfortable room with a balcony overlooking the fantastic sight
of the Matterhorn peak.
Alex Hotel Restaurant – Zermatt
Main Picture: Hotel La Ginabelle - Zermatt/ Inset right: Room /
Inset left: Matterhorn
Finally, I move on to Leukerbad, the largest wellness resort in the Alps pitched at an altitude of
1,402 metres. With an imposing flow of 3.9 million liters a day, Leukerbad has, by far the most
voluminous reserves of thermal water in continent Europe. While the thermal water can heal
arthritis and stiffness of the joints; the minerals in the spring can help relax tense muscle and
even counteract constipation.
Main picture: Walliserhof Alpine Therme - Leukerbad/ Inset: Alpaca
Here, I settle down for a few days at one of the oldest and lovely wellness Hotel Regina Terme.
Self catered accommodation included spacious room, a kitchenette and a large balcony to enjoy
the view of the valley and the massive wall like mountain in the distance. Given with a choice of
30 thermal pools, I planned a comprehensive wellness package at the Regina Terme spa,
Leukerbad Therme and Walliser Alpentherme & Spa - the latter is Europe’s largest and most
luxurious high altitude alpine wellness, beauty and thermal spa.
Hotel Regina Terme
Back at my hotel, friendly owners invited me over coffee, and before retiring into the night, I
reminisce this far-fetched journey in the Valais region - the cherishing moments that I have spent
here among wonderful people will linger till eternity.
And so, I depart this wonderland on yet another exciting journey on board one of the world's
unique Glacier bahn - the slowest Express train on Earth, meandering from Zermatt, through the
three cantons: Valais, Uri and Graubenden; to my next destination, St. Moritz.
Glacier Express
Travel Wise

Getting There/ Getting Around
-Award winning Swiss International Airline has daily flights from Dubai with convenient
connection (from Pakistan) on Emirates Air. www.swiss.com
-Swiss Flexi Pass www.swisstravel system. www.swisstravelsystem.com
-Matterhorn-Gothard Train: Visp-Zermatt-Visp www.mgbahn.ch

Recommended Hotels
-Hotel du Rhone, Sion www.durhonesion.ch
-W Verbier Hotel (Opening in December 2013) www.wverbier.com
-Comfort Inn, Nendaz www.alpine-comfort.com
-Walliserhof Hotel, Zermatt www.walliserhof.ch
-La Ginabelle Hotel, Zermatt www.la.ginabelle.ch
-Regina Terme Hotel & Spa www.reginaterme.ch

Recommended Eating
-Mont Rouge Restaurant, Nendaz www.mont-rouge.ch
-Les bisses Restaurant. www.bisses.com
-Montana Lounge Restaurant, Alex Hotel, Zermatt www.hotelalexzermatt.com
-Fuchs Zermatt bakery www.fuchs-zermatt.ch
*
Information
-www.valais.ch, www.verbier.ch, www.nendaz.ch, www.leukerbad.ch
-www.swisstravelsystem.com, www.gornergratbahn.ch, www.glacierexpress.ch