Located in the high mountains, with tasty food and small cozy chalets - Zermatt is the ideal getaway for christmas vacations. Staying in a cozy chalet walking distance from town and the ski hills was perfect. Even though it sounds just like Connecticut or Whistler, Switzerland has it's special feeling. Everybody gives off that swiss community vibe. Us Singers, are skiers. The kids are in ski school from 9 am- 3pm and then the parents get the slopes to themselves. Ski school might sound like a death sentence to those who already know how to ski. But it's not. We went to Switzerland with family friends whose kids were put in the same class as us. It's nice to have friends. Then again, it's nice to meet new people. Stoked ski school was completely international. Kids and instructors from all over the globe. You met new friends and had a lot of fun. With different age levels and classes separated into ability it worked smoothly.
Skiing isn't the only thing you can do. It's also fun to explore the small town underneath the famous Matterhorn. With tiny mountain shops covering every hillside and also 100 year old houses it's really a sight too see. You feel part of the everyday life. You can learn the history just be asking around. Get yourself a souvenir! Or do fashionable shopping at some of their super chic boutiques for men and for women.
But of course - Zermatt wouldn't be Zermatt with it's famous swiss food. This tiny village has mouthwatering restaurants close by leaving every tastebud tingling in your mouth. Some hits when we took our friends their was the Stockholm Bar and Grill. Serving the best raclette (melted cheese with warm potatoes) for miles and including some amazing Gamester salad (it's the sauce :) ) this restaurant has ate it's way to the top 5 for sure. Looking for Italian? Right across the street is an amazing pizza place. Old Zermatt ( a restaurant ) is a classy swiss place turned modern. Up the street from that is a nice place that serves real swiss food. All this amazing stuff was a 5 minute walk from our condo.
Christmas time is usually the best to go- Christmas means cold and cold means snow! Summertime is also GORGEOUS but let's save that for another time. Every year my family does a secret santa. This year we had the pleasure of having our friends join us. We shop at a local grocery store MIGROS that isn't really your typical grocery store. It's more like a food/toys/home supplies/christmas candles/ drugstore/ wine store. If you know what I mean. Most importantly, presents, right?!?
Switzerland, or Zermatt to be exact - is a beautiful place. Great to spend with family and friends. Definitely a five star no matter cold or warm, rain or shine!