Picture yourself sitting on the balcony of a chalet hotel
in the middle of the Swiss Alps, overlooking the majestic Matterhorn. No, it’s not a scene from a make-believe
movie filmed in Hollywood or a delightful vision you once had in a dream. This will be your reality when you visit the
charming village of Zermatt, Switzerland.
From the towering Alps to the sweeping valleys and the glacial streams to
the Swiss architecture, Zermatt is a one-of-a-kind alpine paradise.
Located in the district of Visp in the canton of Valais
in Switzerland, Zermatt has a population of approximately 5,800 people. Its smaller size in comparison to larger
European destinations makes it the perfect place to get away from it all. Take a train from a larger city through the
breathtaking mountain vistas as you make your way to this awe-inspiring
locale. You’ll want to have your camera
on hand to capture the stunning scenery along the way, from the rolling green valleys
dotted with ornate chalets and lush gardens to the massive glaciers capping
many of the towering peaks along the way.
I can assure you that a scenic ride on the rails alone is enough to make
you want to return! As you walk down the
Bahnhofstrasse, the main thoroughfare
in Zermatt, toward your hotel, you will be awestruck by the beauty that surrounds
you. Pinch yourself and you’ll find that
this idyllic setting is not a dream, but your absolute reality for the length
of your stay.
Be sure to plan your trip ahead of time, so you can
reserve a room at one of the beautiful hotels in Zermatt. While the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof offers some
of the most luxurious accommodations, I prefer the smaller Swiss-style chalet
hotels like Hotel Antika. It’s more
affordable and offers a more intimate stay than a large hotel. This particular hotel also serves up a
delicious breakfast each morning featuring thinly sliced meats and cheeses,
fruits, homemade bread, jams, yogurt, and some of the fluffiest, most buttery
croissants I’ve ever tasted in my entire life.
Request a balcony room facing the Matterhorn. The only problem? Prying yourself away from the captivating
view! Of course, you may choose to walk
down the Coop, which is one of the two local markets in Zermatt, and purchase
some fresh baked bread, sliced lunchmeat, Swiss cheese (of course!), and an
apple strudel for dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth. Then, bring your purchases back to the hotel
and enjoy a delightful picnic on your own private balcony with the Matterhorn as
the backdrop.
If you’re looking for something more adventurous, take the
highest open-air cogwheel railway in Europe up to Gornergrat, one of the most popular tourist destinations
in Switzerland at a height of 3,089 meters.
Or you can take a cable car directly from Zermatt to one of many locations
including the highest altitude mountain railway station in all of Europe, the
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. This is the
place to have a bite to eat, relax, or embark an even grander adventure. Besides being a scenic wonderland at a height
of 3,883 meters with views of the Italian, French, and Swiss Alps, this is also
the starting point for a climb to the top of Breithorn, a 4,000 meter mountain
that will delight any mountain climber brave enough to take on the two and a
half hour hike.
Feeling a need for
speed? Don your skis and get ready to
hit the slopes! Zermatt is home to Klein
Matterhorn, the highest ski lift in Europe.
This small Alpine village also proudly offers the largest summer skiing
area in the Alps with 9 ski lifts and 25 kilometer runs open all year. Want to travel over the snow in a cooler part
of the year? They also have the longest
winter skiing season in Europe, running late November to early May. Zermatt is known as one of the best ski
resorts in the world. And rightly so,
since it is used as a training facility for Olympic athletes and champions from
around the world! From the green Bunny Hill
to the black advanced slope, you’ll find a run
made just for you, giving you a million reasons to smile as you cruise through
the powder underneath the shadow of the Matterhorn!
If all of this activity has given you an
appetite, head back down to the village of Zermatt for dinner at one of the
charming restaurants serving up delicious Swiss cuisine. We chose Whymperstube, a restaurant known for
their cheese fondue, beef bourguignon, and other culinary delights. While you may have experienced fondue at a
restaurant near you, Swiss fondue is unlike any other. The cheese used in this savory dish is
especially Swiss, rich and creamy and sure to please cheese lovers from every part
of the globe. They also offer lighter fare
such as a salad featuring buffalo mozzarella and tomatoes drizzled with olive
oil. The ambience is pure Swiss with the
small ornate windows and classic Swiss style wood furniture. Whichever you choose, a visit to a restaurant
in Zermatt will enable you to mingle with the locals, enjoy the Swiss
delicacies, and leisurely reflect on the day’s events or look ahead to new
memories to be made during your stay in Switzerland.
When you plan your itinerary, be sure to
leave a little wiggle room. You never
know when you might walk down a side road and hear a group of musicians gathered
together to share their love of folk music.
Take a stroll outside of town and leave the village behind. Explore the nature trails, visit the Glacier
Palace, or take flight on a helicopter sightseeing tour. Visit the Matterhorn Museum to learn more about
the history of this majestic mountain landscape, including the first group of
individuals to ever attempt to summit the Matterhorn itself.
No matter what you do, if your stay in
Zermatt falls between the start of July and mid-August, you must make plans to be
on the Bahnhofstrasse, at 9:00 a.m. in the morning and/or 5:00 p.m.
each evening. And don’t forget to have
your camera in hand! The head goat
herder and young people from around the area will don traditional Swiss
costumes and parade through town with a herd of Blackneck
goats. These goats are considered by
many to be the most beautiful Swiss breed of goat. While it is for the enjoyment of locals and
tourists alike, this tradition has its roots in the history of the village. As late as the 1960’s, Blackneck goats have
been driven to the meadows in Zermatt and back to their stalls for milking in
the evenings. In the 1990’s, the
tradition of the Blackneck goats parading through town was reintroduced as a
way to entertain visitors and promote the breed through this one-of-a-kind
street performance. It is an experience
you will always remember, so get ready to hear the bells on the goat’s collars
ring! Take a lot of photographs and don’t
be afraid to reach out and touch one of these friendly residents of Zermatt!
Whether you keep it cool as you glide
across the pristine alpine snow on a pair of skis or heat things up as you
mingle over a pot of fondue, you’ll quickly realize that a trip to Zermatt is much
more than a vacation; it is an experience.
And if you’re like me, you’ll sit on your balcony, gazing at the
moonlight over the Matterhorn on your last evening there, with only one
question in your mind. The question? When can I return? Zermatt may look like it was ripped from the
pages of a storybook, but I can tell you firsthand that it is not a
fairytale. Zermatt, Switzerland is the
ultimate alpine paradise!
May you always have joyful journeys!
Jennifer Campbell
Stroll along the same streets where Thomas Edison, Harry
Truman, Tennessee Williams, and Jimmy Buffet once walked. Take a ride on the famous Conch Train. Taste the creamiest, tangiest, and sweetest
key lime pie you’ll ever put in your mouth.
From the southernmost point in the continental United States to the six-
and seven-toed polydactyl cats at the Hemingway House, Key West is overflowing
with sun-drenched adventures for young and old alike. One visit to this laidback island getaway
will make you second-guess your landlubber life and consider a residence on the
sparkling waters surrounding this island paradise!
If classic literature is your cup of tea, be sure to tour
Ernest Hemingway’s house. Marvel at the
beautiful gardens. Stroke the back of
one of the ancestors to Hemingway’s infamous polydactyl felines. Visit the house where many of his beloved
literary works were written. Looking for
more historic sights? Key West has
several top-notch museums documenting everything from treasure hunters to the
artwork of James Audubon. The Mel Fisher
Maritime Museum, the only fully accredited museum in the Keys, is a must-see,
filled to the brim with gold bars and countless artifacts from their 1622 Fleet
exhibit of Spanish galleons. Pick up a
few replica coins as a souvenir; perfect for tricking your coworkers into
thinking you discovered sunken treasure!
While a visit to the Key West Key Lime Pie Co. is the
ultimate choice for dessert, there are other culinary delights on this island
as well. Swing by Sloppy Joe’s Bar &
Grill for one of the best Sloppy Joes you will ever sink your teeth into. Imagine a soft sesame seed bun topped with an
overflowing amount of spicy Sloppy Joe filling that has a kick to it, paired
with well-seasoned fries and a slice of pickle.
It’s enough to make your mouth water just thinking about it! Of course, Key West is the perfect place to
get your conch fritter fix, one of their most popular culinary offerings. Let’s face it, with all of the fresh seafood
found in the waters of the Keys, there will nary be a seafood dish that is not
succulently prepared on this island oasis.
Once you’ve satisfied your taste buds, you’ll likely want
to take a stroll on the beach or just lie in a hammock, enjoying the cool
breeze coming off of the water. Once
you’re ready for some more island action, strap on some diving gear and head to
the open waters for some diving, deep sea fishing, or snorkeling. Rent a yacht, ride a banana boat, paddle a
kayak, or just sunbathe on the deck of a catamaran. No matter what you choose to do, it is certain
that the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico will
take your breath away!
As the sun goes down, head down to the Sunset Party, held
every night in this island getaway. It
is the perfect way to reflect on your stay in Key West. Filled with street performers, food vendors,
and other unexpected surprises, this nightcap will solidify the fact that you
need to return. Whatever you choose to
do in Key West, it is certain that your stay will leave you wanting to stay
forever or at least wanting to come back for more. From the bottom of the sea to the sunshine in
the sky, Key West provides a picturesque setting that seems like it was built
by Hollywood. But every palm tree and
every grain of sand is real, which makes Key West the ultimate island
paradise. Close to home for Americans,
yet a location that seems so far, far away.
What are you waiting for? Pack
your bags and head to Key West. The Keys
are calling!
