Swissness

Where else in the world is speed unimportant on a one-day train journey? On a relaxing trip aboard the world famous Glacier Express between St. Moritz and Zermatt it is the visual spectacle of the panoramic landscapes which takes the traveller’s breath away. All year round!

In summer ...

The natural beauties of Switzerland include majestic four-thousand meter peaks, glaciers, enchanting lakes, mountain pastures and, in summer, picturesque green mountain meadows. It is hardly surprising that golf has a long tradition in this alpine land ever since its introduction by English holidaymakers in 1893. Switzerland boasts about 100 golf courses. Golf with distant views! Many of the scenic golf courses are among the highest in Europe, including the Arosa course at 1,800 meters above sea level. Even golfers who normally prefer Mediterranean climes will get their money's worth in Swiss Ticino or on Lake Geneva.

... and in winter.

Skiers seeking excitement with a hint of glamour and exclusivity will find just what they are looking for in the 42 Swiss ski resorts. Fast downhill slopes are framed by unforgettable panoramic views. Thanks to their proximity to glaciers, many resorts can even offer all-year winter sports. The VIP factor of the world renowned ski resorts around Gstaad, Davos, St. Moritz and Verbier guarantee that you will see and be seen both on and off-piste. Swiss horse-racing also remains the focus of international interest during winter. Spectacular images of the "White Turf" are shown all over the world in February. This exciting three-day horse race on the frozen lake at St. Moritz attracts 30,000 spectators to St. Moritz every year. At the end of January, another event takes place on the frozen lake: the "St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow" draws the jet set and polo fans as if by magic. It is the most prestigious winter polo tournament on snow in the world.

For those who love an exclusive holiday experience, Switzerland offers year-round attractions − a journey aboard the Glacier Express is definitely among them.

Switzerland as a travel destination is automatically associated with the unique mountain landscape of the Swiss Alps, with Matterhorn, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks. Nature at its most breath-taking, the clean air and cultural traditions have long attracted visitors from all over the world to the Swiss alpine region. The first visitors to appreciate isolated mountain villages like Zermatt and St. Moritz were mainly mountaineers but, in the Golden Twenties, high society also discovered the matchless charms of the region. These mountain villages developed into chic health resorts. Many of the numerous 5-star hotels belong among the most famous in the world.

St. Moritz in the canton of Grisons is today probably the most famous winter sports Eldorado for the rich and beautiful. The "tingling champagne climate", produced by a combination of dry mountain and 322 annual days of sunshine, is legendary. Visitors provide the cosmopolitan atmosphere as 70 percent of them come from abroad. St. Moritz is a brand name symbolizing chic, elegance and class. To avoid misuse, St. Moritz was the first town ever to copyright its name in 1937. The slogan "St. Moritz - Top of the World" was patented in 1986.

Zermatt (canton of Valais) at the foot of the Matterhorn is also first choice among VIPs as a luxurious holiday paradise. Celebrities appreciate the high-class range of ski and mountain experiences on offer, the top class restaurants and shopping opportunities of this authentic mountain world with its traffic-free, relaxing atmosphere. Above all, they value the guarantee of discretion and "privacy" in Zermatt.

Gstaad in the Bernese Oberland also has everything an exclusive holiday resort for the international jet set should have. As well as luxury shops, restaurants and hotels, it has a broad range of attractive cultural and sporting opportunities. Chalet-style hotels give the resort a special charm; the impressive panoramic backdrop of the mountains and fabulous ski and hiking terrains offer a relaxing, active holiday. A diversity of tourist attractions, international events and the "alpine authenticity" of traditional life in the Alps with cows and small farms produce the perfect mix.