| Check out our free interactive Valais holiday guide and discover Valais's biggest attractions, best restaurants and much more. If you've visited Valais before tell us your holiday tips and help other travellers enjoy great holidays in Valais, Switzerland. |
| Free Valais Holiday Guide |
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Switzerland used to only be invaded by tourists in summer. Then in 1864 a local hotel owner in St Moritz, Johannes Badrutt, decided to offer for English guests’ free accommodation in summer if they promised to return in winter again. The English guests are reported as being skeptical but they agreed to the terms as they couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a free holiday.
Obliviously they returned in winter and enjoy themselves so much that when they returned to England the word spread as now the busiest time in Switzerland is the winter.
Due to this the Valais area has been able to survive as it mainly covers Alpine terrain and therefore has many great ski resorts and ancient seldom visited towns. Valais is one of the two chief sources of wine in Switzerland, this provided income to the area before skiing become popular. |
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Col du Grand St-Bernard – The Grand St. Bernard Pass is the most famous and the oldest pass out of all the Alpine crossings. In fact records show that it was used long before the birth of Christ by knights, emperors and simple travelers. Take the well maintained winding road up to the summit and you’ll be greeted with some truly breath-taking views. (Champex)
Iserables – East of the Martigny you’ll drive slowly up the mountain road to the ancient town of Iserables. This town is built on an insanely steep slope that drops 1,000 meters into the lowlands below. Here you can see typical architecture of the area like the old stone-shingled mazots, barns balanced on stone discs and columns to keep mice out. (Iserables)
Eglise Notre Dame de Valere – Unlike the other monuments in Switzerland, which are restored to perfection, the Church of Our Lady of Valere looks like it could be totally untouched since it was constructed. Inside you’ll find carvings, 16th century fresco fragments, and 17th century with scenes of the Passion. A 14th century can also be found which holds the title of the world’s oldest playable organ. (Sion)
Matterhorn – No trip to Switzerland can be complete without a trip to see the 4,477 meter high Matterhorn Mountain. It looms over the village of Zermatt with a truly larger than life feeling. More pictures are taken from this spot than from anywhere else in all of Switzerland. (Zermatt) |
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Zum See – Zum See is not your typical tourist invaded restaurant due to the fact that it is located 1,766 meters up a mountain in the one horse town of Findeln. In the summer season it serves up local specialties such as Rosti and wild mushrooms in pastry shells to the hikers who mainly stop here. Then in the winter enjoy sitting in the log cabin near the fire place and sipping on its many brandies. (Findeln)
North Wall Bar – Near the hostels in the town of Zermatt you’ll find this bar which is claimed by many to be the cheapest and best one in the entire village. While you sit around listening to music or watching the ski videos you can enjoy some great pizza and beer for 15 SF. (Zermatt)
Elsie’s Bar – Elsie’s Bar is another great bar in the area, but this time it mainly carters for the folk with an American style food craving. Light lunches and dinners, such as snails and cheese dishes, are served in this small log cabin to an international crowd. (Zermatt) (Tel: 028 -672431)
Walliserhof – in the center of the town of Grachen your eyes will be drawn to this dark wood Valais style chalet which acts as a hotel and restaurant. It serves mainly French style food in a formal candle light environment so a jacket and reservations are recommended. (CH-3925) (Tel: 028-561122) |
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| Shopping in Valais can be a very rewarding experience, as it’s off the beaten shopping path. Its cities still stock all the items you can find all over Switzerland such as watches, Swiss Army knives, and clocks but you can find more traditional folk crafts. Items such as large, carved wooden grotesque masks and lidded wine pitchers in pewter or tin can be bought anywhere. The town of Evolene is known for its woven wool products. |
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