For those of you who don't know what or where Valais is, Valais is one of the cantons of Switzerland. Switzerland is divided into 26 cantons or in other words it is made up of 26 cantons. These cantons are either Swiss-German, Swiss-Italian or Romand (Swiss-French). And Valais is one of these 26 cantons on the french side of Switzerland. If you are Micheal Schumacher it is a 30mins drive from Geneva, otherwise for the rest of us it will take a good 2 hours max. Let me throw in one more fact that way we all die less stupid, Geneva is not the capital city of Switzerland. Admit it once in your life you thought it was the capital city. Berne is the capital city of Switzerland and it is located in the Swiss-German region.
In Valais French is the daily spoken language and the culture is pretty much french influenced.
After 2 and a half months in Valais, I can say that Ive been to and seen almost everything there is to see and do. This is my list of things to do and see in no particular order. Of course some of them are restricted to a particular season; eg. Skiing.
CRANS MONTANA & AMINONA.
Crans Montana is a rapidly growing ski resort in Valais, overlooking the city of Sierre (My husbands hometown). This ski resort house and attracts the rich and the famous. Roger Moore, the former James Bond own a chalet (Holiday Vila) in Crans Montana. This is no ordinary ski resort, the little town is strewn with brand shops, from Claires to Gorgio Armani, Tissot, Dior, Chanel and even a McDonald's (WOW!)
I went skiing up in Aminona, another ski resort next to Crans Montana. They have slopes for all levels but as usual I decided to just do the biggest slope. The first downhill was great then I made a dangerous mistake of taking the wrong turn. Went down the steepest slope Ive ever done in my life nearly broke both legs and my back. Recovered from the adrenaline and do it all over again. However I personally find skiing in Aminona boring. And I'm not a good skier but if I can say that maybe its true.
GRIMENTZ
Grimentz is my favourite ski resort, its less touristic and more local. No James Bond hiding up in these chalets. The slopes are great, some difficult areas that Ive skied after tearing up, taking off my skis, sat down pissed off at my husband for being a great skier. Then when all the emotions left, I put on my skis and do sudden death down the steep slope. The drive up to Grimentz is scary but breathtakingly scenic.
PYRAMIDS OF EUSEIGNE
My first reaction was, But! who put that stone up there? you have to see it to believe that nature did this. When the family suggested that my husband should take me to the Pyramids of Euseigne I thought its a man-built pyramids like those of Egypt. No these elegant structures were created by nature over a period of hundreds of years.
My first reaction was, But! who put that stone up there? you have to see it to believe that nature did this. When the family suggested that my husband should take me to the Pyramids of Euseigne I thought its a man-built pyramids like those of Egypt. No these elegant structures were created by nature over a period of hundreds of years.
THERMAL BATHS
Thermal baths are everywhere, with different historical concepts. The Japanese have their Onsen and here they have what I like to say "heated swimming pools". Its nothing like the Onsens of Japan. These are no hotter than 40 degrees Celsius. The two favourites are the Thermal baths on Saillon and Luekerbad.
TORRENT-NEUF ( Bisse de Saviése)
A Bisse is roughly explained as an irrigation system that the Suisse are known for. Basically they bring water from the mountains by either digging ditches along the side of the mountain or by building drains out of wood and attach it to the side of the mountains. These ditches catches the melting snow in summer and brings down the water to the farms in the valley. That's quite vague but that should give a brief idea of what a Bisse is. And along these bisse there's always a path. These paths are no more that a meter wide and can be quite dangerous. If you are suffering from acrophobia be warned that there are 3 swinging bridges, for those who are adventurous this is awesome!
LAC SOUTTERAIN (St Leornard)
Claimed to be the largest natural underground lake in Europe. When I was told of this place I was expecting something huge and unbelievable. Well the boat ride and the hilarious tour guide switching from French to German then to English ( if you weren't paying close attention you'd think he was speaking french all along) make up for it.
There are lots more to see and do in Valais and I will keep posting about it..........later.
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