GRINDELWALD, SWITZERLAND
Grindelwald is one of my favorite places on the planet with the rest of the Swiss Alps running a close second place. Good skiing, ice climbing combined with food and Swiss hosptality make this my personal pick for anyone. If Clint Eastwood mesmerized you in the Eiger Sanction then this is your town. There's a good bit of ice climbing in this region that's not prone to avalanche danger. The locals ski at First and the tourists ski the Eiger Glacier. I have skied both and each have their own personality that must be experienced. If winter sports are not your forte there is still much to do even if just sit on your balcony and relax in peace.
If money is not an option then stay with our friends at the Hotel Belvedere, if money is an option maybe take out a loan to at least spend three days as you will never forget the food and amenities. You will not be disappointed. For the intermediate budget try the Hotel Steinbock. Salvi makes some of the fine vegetarian/italian and his fondue is outstanding. There are some inexpensive hostels available but I have no personal experience with any of them due to gracious hosts. Don't let the reputation of Zermatt being whee the rich play as the guest list at the Belvedere bottomed out with us and unkowingly spent my first trip and half of second in the company of royal families plus captians of industry from all of Europe who were all as nice of folk as anyone would ever met.
A FEW VIEWS AROUND TOWN
GRINDELWALD IS BEAUTIFUL AT NIGHT
THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN FROM OUR BALCONY AT THE BELVEDERE
The far left photo is at first light of the day from our balcony and the center photo is a rare view of an almost perfect "alpine glow" which is a phenomenum which happens just after the sun has set over the horizon but due to height of summit, sun and curvature of the earth it lights up the very tip of a summit in a stunning display of beauty. The third photo was taken after dark as the lights of town came pn with darkness settling in and the stars beginning to shine. All of this was shot using a film camera before I was able to get the type images I liked from digital.
SWITZERLAND HAS BEST OF FRENCH, ITALIAN & LOCAL PASTRIES
No m atter where we are in Europe We go into a pastry shop (watch the locals early morning) and as soon as we get out the door we aquat o the sidewalk or sit on closevy bench and tear into them. Have to exercise some cntrol or will run out before the next days resupply but while we love French, German and Italian pastries it seems the top bakers from all around Europe find their way to Switzerland to open shops so based on region of Switzerland your in our shop owner you have your choice of the finest pastries from all countries though this does not cast any shadow on each countries on shops and specialties as we can eat our weight in French pastries in a month while travelling in France.
THE BELVEDERE HOTEL
MORE OF THE BELVEDERE, A MUST SEE
A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE I WROTE ABOUT THIS TRIP TO GRINDELWALD
MORE TO COME!
SITE NAVIGATION
