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Zermatt

Zermatt, at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn, is a world without cars. Electric-cars and horse-drawn sleighs and carriages are the only transport allowed. From the moment you step off your Swiss-red train, and catch sight of the cobbled streets and horses with sleighs patiently waiting for their rides, you know you are in a special place. What's strikimg most often is the silence. The air is fresh and alpine because there are no vehicles plying the streets. Thus the main street bustles happily with pedestrians. Everyone is here because they love mountains and hence when they catch their first glimpse of the Matterhorn they know they have come to the right place.

How to get to Zermatt - Access for private transport is only allowed as far as Täsch (5km from Zermatt). The road from Täsch to Zermatt is not open to public transport.

From Täsch - The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway is the only transport service to provide direct access to the village center. Your luggage can be easily transported to the train with luggage trolleys and then travel with you in the train to Zermatt. At 20-minute intervals, the highly modern shuttle trains leave the village of Täsch and travel to Zermatt and vice versa. Horse-drawn carriages and electric taxis will take you from the station to your holiday residence.

Must See and Must Dos

Scenic train - The world-famous scenic train "Glacier Express" begins or ends its journey in Zermatt.

Alpine Museum - Exhibits draw the visitor's attention to the fact that few places in the Alps have such a rich variety of different rock types in such a small area as Zermatt. This section, devoted to natural history, also has a wonderful collection of butterflies found in the local area, and representations and exhibits of alpine flora and fauna. Particularly interesting exhibits are of the Matterhorn and its surroundings, around Zermatt. Numerous artifacts and utensils provide insights into everything from the simple life of alpine farmers to the equipment of the first skiers. The main attraction is a fully equipped kitchen, as it would have appeared around 1770 the beginning of alpine tourism

Rothorn paradise - The bottom station of Rothorn paradise is about five minutes' walk from the railway station. From here you travel to Sunnegga Paradise and then to Blauherd. From here, the panoramic cable car takes you up to Rothorn Paradise, where the cosy Rothorn Restaurant is situated, with its beautiful terrace and magnificent view. At Rothorn paradise you'll discover the Matterhorn's most photogenic side giving an unforgettable view of 38 mountain peaks surrounding Zermatt. "The Peak Collection", the highest art exhibition in the world, at the Rothorn restaurant, helps guests to appreciate Zermatt's mountain landscape. Alpine enthusiasts can learn all about the mountains around Zermatt and their unmistakable history.

Facts and Figures - Zermatt – or the "Mountain Mecca" has
29 mountains soaring over 4000m (13,100ft) of which nine are of the ten highest mountains in Europe. It has the highest (ski) lift in Europe - Klein Matterhorn (Gobba di Rollin) 3899m (12,830ft) the largest summer skiing area in the Alps (all year 9 ski lifts / 25 km runs) with the longest winter skiing season in Europe (late November to early May) and the longest consistently open ski run in Europe (Klein Matterhorn to Zermatt 13 Km - open late November to mid April).

The Zermatt Zing

Restaurant Ried, is at Ried near Zermatt dishing out specialities like Alts Gsottus, Bruna Chabus, Dish of the Valais, Spätzli, different Röstis and Cheese Fondues, and tasty wafer. Restaurant Ried is located in the Sunnegga area of Zermatt. In summer it can be reached after 20 minutes' walk from the village. In winter we recommend taking the underground train up to Sunnegga and then have a great downhill to Ried.

Berg- und Skihütte Fluhalp - One of the best mountain restaurants in the Alps serving specicialities like Carpaccio, Pot au feu, Salads, Rösti (Hash-browns), Pasta dishes (Testa Rossa), Chocolate cake.

Berggasthaus Edelweiss, von Siebenthal Johannes, Edelweiss, johannes@siebenthal.com. Specialities include mouthwatering varieties churning out authentic flavours from the Valais region.

Accomodation

Aristella - The Aristella is a three-star, family-run hotel with a taste for the exquisite. The hotel has traditional Valaisian architecture and the hotel's lobby and Bar Rustica reflect in particular the typical local style. A majority of the rooms have a balcony with a wonderful view of the majestic Matterhorn. One of the best restaurants in the village for decades, the Spycher offers both an excellent cuisine with an outstanding choice of well-known international specialities and a "prestige" wine-cellar with a carefully selected wine list. Let the "Scotch Corner" bar tempt you with its vast variety of cocktails

Chalet Huwi - is an original Swiss chalet situated in the lovely area of Winkelmatten in Zermatt. Its ancient chapel, stunning views of the Matterhorn and local amenities make Chalet Huwi the perfect place for a holiday with family. It is a short walk to the Matterhorn Express departure station and a 10-15 minute walk to the centre of Zermatt. The chalet is catered with breakfast in winter self-catering in summer.