4 Nights in st moritz
Although the names of its biggest resorts, such as St. Moritz and Davos, register almost automatic recognition, the Graubünden region wrapped around them remains surprisingly unsung, untouched by the fur-clad celebs who make stage sets out of its sports centers, aloof to the glamour trends. But Graubünden is wild in another way. If many country villages still get by on small-scale farming, others have been propelled to wealth by the dazzling winter-sports industry. Indeed, half the population is involved in tourism. The Swiss Alps’ most glamorous playground is where the wealthy come to enjoy their riches. With its smugly perfect lake and aloof mountains, the town also looks a million dollars. St. Moritz is one of the world’s most famous holiday resorts. Chic, elegant and exclusive with a cosmopolitan ambiance, it is located at 1,856 metres above sea level in the middle of the Upper Engadin lake landscape. The dry, sparkling “champagne climate” is legendary and the celebrated St. Moritz sun shines for an average of 322 days a year. Since the mid-19th century, this winter playground has drawn an international flotsam of aristocrats, financiers and socialites. Those still waiting to make their first billion usually stay around the lake in St Moritz Bad. Visitors can enjoy a huge variety of winter and summer sports. There is diverse downhill, plus cross-country skiing. Health treatments are also part of the package. After all, those wealthy boys and girls want to be around as long as possible to keep spending all that lovely lolly. The fashionable resort in Switzerland's Engadine Valley, has attracted the world's rich, titled and famous for more than a century. But the English get credit for starting the fashion. A group of intrepid English travelers were the first to winter in St. Moritz in 1864, when a local hotelier promised them plenty of sun and snow. Ever since then, winter travelers, and especially affluent ones, have been going to this town 6,089 feet above sea level to relax and ski in the snow that normally comes in December and stays through April. The town, home to about 6,000 people, has not been spared the overdevelopment of many Alpine ski resorts. Growing up the side of the Piz Nair mountain from the Lake of St. Moritz, its busy streets have little of the charm or beauty associated with the Alps. The lure lies instead in the snowy peaks that surround the lake and within the walls of the luxurious four- and five-star hotels that provide 60 percent of the hotel beds in St. Moritz. Even in the grand hotels the atmosphere is casual enough to allow visitors to put up ski-weary feet on the lobby chair. Night life at St. Moritz can be circumscribed by one's hotel, especially if it is one of the large and expensive hotels, which put on an array of evening activities for their guests. For those who like to get out, the evening starts at Bobby's Pub, whose clientele includes local high school girls and amorous French thirty-somethings. Another evening activity is sharing a Swiss fondue at a Hutte, or chalet.
Within City Walls
City Tour
Leaning tower, Heidi hut, Chesa Futura, Bronze bust of Johannes Badrutt, Chesa Futura, Design Gallery, Chesa Veglia, Big 5 Hotels (Badrutt’s Palace, Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains, Carlton, Kulm and Suvretta House), Cresta Run, Segantini or Engadine Museum, Chesa Veglia, Via Serlas, The St. Moritz “Trambänkli”, Piz Nair. Click me for a virtual tour by AirPano. |
For the kids
The Eden Project (Rainforest Biome, just like going to a jungle), Crealy Adventure Park (water rides & rollercoaster), Screech Owl Sanctuary, Lappa Valley Steam Railway, Dairyland Farm World (kids will love feeding the cows to goats to ferrets, enjoy the Adventure Zone, full of incredible slides, climbing nets and ball pools), Camel Trail. |
Leaning tower
The leaning tower is a landmark from the 12th century and part of the St. Mauritius Church that was demolished in 1890. To this day it has remained one of the most spectacular sightseeing attractions in St. Moritz. It is the symbol of St. Moritz. It dates back to the 12th century. It is opposite the Kulm Hotel. |
Chesa Futura
Built by Lord Norman Foster and combines futuristic forms of construction with traditional building materials. 250,000 larch clapboards were used on the facades of the building, which houses 10 exclusive private apartments. Fusing state-of-the-art computer design tools with centuries-old construction techniques. |
Cresta Run
The Cresta is an ice run, three quarters of a mile long, that winds its way from above the 'Leaning Tower' in St Moritz down a steep gully through ten testing corners, past the tiny hamlet of Cresta, to the village of Celerina. The total drop is 514 ft and the gradient varies from 1 in 2.8 to 1 in 8.7. |
Via Serlas
Via Serlas is to St. Moritz as the Bahnhofstrasse is to Zurich. Or Rodeo Drive to Los Angeles. Merely on a smaller, more intimate scale. From Chanel and Gucci to Louis Vuitton and Zegna. All the prestigious names on the international fashion scene are lined up together. |
Pontresina
Noted as a ski center, it is also the place to board the Muottas Muragl funicular that takes you from the valley floor to an altitude of 2414 m/8048 ft) for spectacular views. Surrounded by Sweet-smelling pine and larch forests. The long drawn-out village is a popular centre for sports and culture. |
Silvaplana
An unspoiled Swiss mountain village on the shores of Lake Silvaplana, in the middle of the wide Engadine lake plateau and surrounded by a striking mountain landscape. The location offers a wide range of activities for anyone who likes to breathe the fresh, dry air and enjoy panorama. |
Geneva is pretty well connected to the rest of Switzerland and, as such, there are plenty of options for day trips and excursions around the country.
Klosters
Klosters offers a unique combination of a renowned mountain resort – the British heir to the throne Prince Charles is a regular guest – and the idyll of an unspoilt Graubünden village. The diverse range of activities on offer in summer and winter is well suited to families with children. |
Bellinzona
Bellinzona is probably Switzerland's most Italianate town. The skyline of the capital of Ticino is defined by the powerful fortifications, comprising three of the best-preserved medieval castles in Switzerland, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. |
Locarno
Latin charm, the famous Piazza Grande, 2,300 hours of sunshine per year and a church established ater an appearance of the Virgin Mary - this is Locarno, the town with the warmest climate in Switzerland. It is located on the northern shore of Lago Maggiore. |
Parc Suisse
Everything is nature-oriented in the Swiss National Park in the Engadine. All this can be enjoyed in an area of over 170 square kilometers. 80 kilometers of hiking paths, nature trails and excursion destinations for children and families, have a good time in this extraordinary park. |
Vico Morcote
Its pleasant position among woods and vineyards make this village a small architectural jewel and an attraction for tourists from all over the region. The old town centre of is very well preserved, with narrow streets and porticoes, houses dating to the 17th century and a baroque church in a panoramic position. |
Zermatt
Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn. The town's touristic development is closely linked to what is most probably the world's most famous mountain. The vacation destination is a car-free zone, has preserved its original character and offers nearly unlimited possibilities as far as excursions are concerned. |
Lugano
Lugano, the largest town in the holiday region of Ticino, is not only Switzerland's third most important financial centre and a conference, banking and business centre, but also a town of parks and flowers, villas and sacred buildings. With Mediterranean flair, Lugano offers all the advantages of a world-class city, with small town cachet. |
Diavolezza
Diavolezza, Italian for she-devil, is a popular Engadine mountain. Perhaps the most dramatic views in the region from a 2978-m/9770-ft alpine peak reachable by road or cablecar. Enjoy the magnificent experience of a sunrise or sunset 3000 m up against the breathtaking backdrop of a glacier! Unbelievably beautiful. |