This year tops of our third year in Switzerland for the nice winter holidays. From the minute you touch down in Zurich, you know you are set up for an adventure. Between long, peaceful mountainous drives and the stunning, breath taking views, Switzerland makes the top of everyones list.
Beside having family in Switzerland, it's also a beautiful places to hit the slopes with friends. Along with two other families, we ripped through the lightly snowed caps. When we get to Switzerland we take the long drive to Zermatt ( a small footside village in front of the ever famous Matterhorn) This small town instantly feels like home, always bustling with life and energy. Zermatt is a ski town, but also offers nice lunch locations and hiking slopes where people are allowed to trek and look around. Zermatt's slopes reach over to Italy, also providing beautiful scenery, nice snow and amazing lunches. When in Switzerland - you can organise ski guides via STOKED, and rent your skis and galore from Dorsaz Sports Depot and Rental. I recommend , when your there to live the full swiss life and live in a condo. You feel truly part of the daily buzz when you have to shop in the super market and go to local bakeries first thing in the morning. The small town is a loop around the ice cold river and sooner or later you will know the town from the back of your hands. I advise, if you readers have kids to put them in STOKED well built ski school and hit the slopes as just parents.
Food is a definite art in Switzerland. Everything from Cheese to Chocolate is perfected finely. When in Zermatt - Make sure to check out all the restaurants - for everything serves the same specialty but different. The must have is Raclette. From personal recommendation I share with you the amazing secret of STOCKHORN GRILL (The raclette here is served fresh off the cheese and right into your stomach) This is the place to experience a truly mouth watering first raclette. Just across the road is PIZZA ROMA (for those non-raclette lovers) This is the Italian side of Switzerland served right from the stove. For a special Christmas Eve - hit up CERVO BOUTIQUE MOUNTAIN RESORT. This beautiful lodge nestled high above the town, looks out to the rest of Zermatt. It's food is complete gorgeousness along side it's decor. Besides these three, there are dozens of tiny restaurants located everywhere.
Next on is Gstaad. We have family that live here so we lodged with them. Gstaad is another stunning hill side town with a life that is larger then the land. The locals party on the center ice rink and hike up the frosted hills to the frozen lake to ice skate. For restaurants I highly recommend asking any local for the BARN RESTAURANT (not sure of actual name). This place, being an actual farm where you sit close to the cows and be served by the family that own the farm. Fondue and Raclette are their heavenly specials that make your mouth water. It's truly an experience to eat there.
Gstaad has the same beautiful ski hills as Zermatt has, but in a lower valley region.
We drive on to Zurich. The first time around we stayed in the Radisson Blu upon arrival (connected to the airport). This time we stayed in the SONNE. This place was small and located right next to the river but was truly amazing. If anywhere I recommend coming here. With beautiful hotel rooms, this place ranks as one of my top favourites.
We ice skated under the fairy light lit trees in the hotels' own ice skating rink. This beautiful memory will definitely keep a space in my heart.
Along the way we also stopped in the river side town of Lusanne- stopping to look at the lake where Evian water was bottled, eat lunch and then wander around the Olympic Museum.
We stopped in Gruyeré the town where CHEESE was basically born. There we went inside the cheese museum and stuffed our mouths full of fresh(ish) cheese. We also looked at the castle in Gruyeré and learned the interesting history behind Swiss Castles.
I highly recommend you readers take a slice of Switzerland. The chocolate and cheese is to die for and these moments and memories you will always cherish. Make time to visit this beautiful place.
Cheers till next time- Happy Holidays!