Zermatt Swiss Alps
Zermatt is one of the world's most famous ski
resorts at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn mountain in the Swiss
Alps, near Italy's north west border.
The majestic Swiss Alps are alluring and dramatic
in both summer with lush greenery and winter with a multitude of
snow capped peaks around you.
Photo of Zermatt train station near accommodation
Zermatt is right in the middle of an enormous
hiking and ski region which makes it popular all year round. There
are more than 300 kilometres of ski pistes in Europe's highest ski
region. ski region encompasses 63 mountain railways and more than
300 kilometers of pistes.
You can hike all the way from Zermatt to Mont
Blanc if you want to along the Haute Route, a challenging path that
takes days to complete along the route of the old mule traders
dating back to the 13th century.
Zermatt village is an attractive base that's
pedestrian-friendly because cars aren't allowed in the village. You
can take a fast train from just aobut anywhere in Europe to
Zermatt's train station at the end of the line, where you'll find
horse drawn carts with drivers dressed in the traditional
leiderhosen.
The train trip to Zurich is 3 1/2 hours from
Zurich and 4 hours from Geneva, changing at Visp. If you're coming
from Italy, the train takes 4 hours from Milan.
WHERE TO GO NEAR ZERMATT
There are 63 mountain railways around Zermatt
taking you up to some of the world's most spectacular views.
Photo of one of Europe's highest train stations near Zermatt
Make sure you take the Gornergrat cog railway
heading up the mountain from the middle of town to the 3089 metre
high Gornergrat peak. Here you'll see spectacular views of the
Matterhorn at 4478 metres high and the alpine glaciers in this
pretty part of the world.
This is where you'll find Europe’s highest
vantage point reached by cable car. Here you can see across to the
summits of the Swiss, Italian and French Alps.
Here you'll see paragliders and even heli-skiing,
and in summer, you'll marvel at the alpine cyclists taking off down
hair-raisingly steep slopes.
Not far from Zermatt is the village of Findeln
which is well worth a visit.
It's an original Valais settlement with a
beautiful little chapel and has Switzerland’s highest rye grain
harvest at an altitude of 2100 metres.
Photo from mountain train of Matterhorn Mountain near Zermatt
Some of the events to be enjoyed in Zermatt
include the Swiss Food Festival in August where you literally feast
at the highest level and the Grand Folklore Pageant in the village,
also in August.
The Zermatt Festival is a month later in
September, a classical music and arts festival with soloists and
ensembles of the Berlin Philharmonics.
ACCOMMODATION NEAR
ZERMATT
Without a doubt the best hotel in this Swiss
alpine village is the new 5 star Cervo Hotel and Restaurant which is
very reasonable in price by Swiss standards.
Photo of Hotel Cervo Zermatt
Cervo is Italian for deer and you'll see antlers
in different parts of this fine establishment that has stunning
views over the Swiss Alps.
Owner Daniel Lauber has lovingly built this
beautiful hotel with his partner Seraina on family land run by
'Daniel's father for many years.
Daniel is the perfect hotelier who makes sure
every-one is happy and even makes sure the Cervo's outstanding
restaurant here has fresh produce including deer he and his father
have hunted for many years. The restaurant serves fine food
complemented by the beautiful views over the Swiss Alps.
The Cervo Hotel and Restaurant has 20 deluxe
rooms with that alpine feel and smell, as well as suites and five
divine chalets that can accommodate up to 10 people for that special
break with family or friends.
Photo of Hotel Cervo room with alpine views
Cervo is 100 metres above
Zermatt village where you'll find plenty of other accommodation, but
in our view, none has the same classy atmosphere.
When you look up from the village, Cervo
resembles an eagles nest. 20 metres from the hotel entry is a lift
down to the village and to the Sunnegga express funicular railway,
the first Swiss railway built entirely in a tunnel.
BOOK ACCOMMODATION AT CERVO HOTEL ONLINE
The Cervo restaurant is called "Huttenzauber
which translates as "hut magic". The venison we had here was
literally out of this world, while the fish was also locally sourced
and superb.
Beautiful food at Hotel Cervo restaurant
You can also relax by the roaring open fire as
local musicians entertain you. The Swiss black Angus beef is also
superb here, and the wine list of locally sourced and very good
Swiss wines is impressive.
Photo of Hotel Cervo genial host "Daniel Lauber"
SUMMARY
Zermatt is a delightful Swiss alpine village
that's car-free, enhancing its quaint alpine atmosphere. The
village is dominated by the mighty Matterhorn mountain, which is one
of Europe's most spectacular sights.
Its proximity to the Swiss border make it a
fascinating cultural mix, including the new Hotel Cervo, itself a
destination within a destination.
Zermatt is an outstanding destination all year
round, with powdery snow skiing slopes in winter and a beautiful
grassy landscape in summer perfect for walking in the pure alpine
air.
Zermatt and the towering Matterhorn rightfully
belong near the top of our World's Best Holidays.
Photo of Zermatt and Matterhorn mountain from Hotel Cervo room.