Tag Archives: Graubünden

Switzerland, Graubünden: From Davos To Valposchiavo

On My Way To Davos

First Stop In Chur

After a short flight from Brussels to Zurich, I’m on the train to Davos, via Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland (over 5000 years old) and capital of Graubünden. My second trip to this awesome Swiss canton: the first time, I was in Lenzerheide and Arosa

I only stop a few hours in Chur to discover the old town. It is snowing a lot! I won’t complain, cause I also came for the snow! My basic city tour is promising. I guess in spring and summer, it should be very nice to visit the old town with its small medieval streets and monuments.   

Hello Davos!

A Sport Walk In The Schatzalp Strela Ski Resort

Hello Davos! What a light and spectacular view this morning! I arrived the previous evening in Davos, where I took a small (shuttle) train to go up to the Hotel Schatzalp. This old sanatorium was made famous by Thomas Mann (the author of “Death in Venice” novel adapted to the screen by Visconti). 

Hotel departure around 9:45 am for a quite physical walk of 2 hours on the Wässerfall Rundgang route. We walk in fresh powder snow, because the narrow path has not yet been groomed. Last night a lot of snow fell!

I am euphoric. Lunch at the Restaurant Strela Alp, enjoying the terrace overlooking ski slopes and for dessert a pie selection. 

A Spa Afternoon

Long spa session at the really cool Hard Rock Hotel Davos (photo on the left below): the rooms, trendy young clientele and general atmosphere suit me more than the Hotel Schatzalp. The hotel is located in the center of Davos, so we stayed in town the evening too. We had a Thai fusion dinner at the very good Monta Grill Restaurant of the Grischa hotel (photo on the right below).  

The Old Sanatorium

If you consider that a hotel is an experience that allows above all to test different universes, then welcome to the Hotel Schatzalp. Ideally located in the middle of majestic mountains covered with fir trees. The panorama is superb. The view, THE VIEW! But I found the facilities and furnitures dated. The hotel was originally a luxurious sanatorium, built between 1898 and 1900, in Art Deco style. A past greatness. 

From Davos To Alp Grüm

On The Panoramic Bernina Express Train

After two nights in Davos, I take a first Rhaetian Railway train from Davos Platz to Filisur, then the famous Bernina Express with panoramic windows from Filisur to Alp Grüm. Breathtaking landscapes! Glaciers, frozen lake, an ocean of snow covers the summits, under an azure sky and a blazing sun. I am amazed and stop at the terminus: the Albergo Ristorante Alp Grüm

My “Must” Stay

L’Albergo Ristorante Alp Grüm

Suffice to say that I liked everything of this old train station nestled at 2091m and transformed into a restaurant, terrace and hotel, with a very comfortable modern simple interior design. Far from any village and with a 360 degree view of Val Poschiavo, the Alps and the Vadret da Palü glacier.

This place is just magical! Getting lost in contemplation … Below, photos from my bedroom window, at different times of the noght and day. I recommend you to make the reservation of your room well in advance, because there are few rooms.  

Intense Snowshoeing

Arrived at the Albergo Ristorante Alp Grüm in the middle of the day, we took an aperitif on the terrace, then had lunch. In the afternoon, supervised by our guide Romeo Lardi, we go snowshoeing near the Lago Bianco.

I have snowshoeed several times, but this outing is really intense. Our guide is indestructible! It goes up, it goes down, the fast constant pace. I focus on my breathing and the white ocean of snow. I feel good, happiness …

On My Way Back

Albula

This morning, I take the train to Zurich airport. Leaving Alp Grüm, I stop at the picturesque village of Albula. While walking, I look at the pretty facades and an old palace very well renovated. Beautiful village! 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

www.MySwitzerland.com, www.graubuenden.ch, www.churtourismus.ch, www.davos.ch, www.klosters.chwww.valposchiavo.ch, www.swiss.com, www.rhb.ch

Related articles : Destinations & Hotel Review

Many thnaks to My Switzerland, the different tourism boards, the Raethian Railway and Swiss for this beautiful invitation. As always these are my opinions.

Switzerland, Graubünden: Skiing & Scenery (Days 3 & 4)

Skiing From Lenzerheide To Arosa

 

A Very Changing Weather

After an evening skiing until 11 pm, this morning the alarm clock is a beat too “harsh”! Back with my instructor on Lenzerheide‘s slopes in the direction of Arosa … if the weather allows us! I really like in Switzerland the bus stops at ski lifts scattered in nature! Everything is thought for skiing, the mountain is a real lifestyle!

I begin the crossing by the discovery of the T-bar tow! It is for two persons and you have to place a T-shaped bar under the buttocks. You don’t sit, but legs are slightly bent and skis must remain parallel. Pretty impressive, but very nice too! And you really can enjoy the beautiful scenery!

On arrival, we are in front of with this small structure (photo 1 below), where a friendly man checks our ski pass. Then we take this track surrounded by giant pines (2) which leads us to more difficult tracks. Later, we are supposed to take a cable car to cross the pass that allows to reach Arosa.

Too much wind, the cable car is temporarily closed: we have to wait in a restaurant of altitude (3) … in vain. The weather gets worse and we have to go down back to the foot of the slopes. We will have lunch with the rest of our small group! The issue, we are at the top of the slopes for experienced skiers (when I am a beginner!). Imagine the incline and worse, I’m tired! Finally (!) we arrive at the restaurant and I order a salad (4).

The hope: the weather improves and this time we go up with different cable cars to be sure to be able to cross the pass for Arosa. At the top, the weather changes again between blue skies, clouds and violent wind (photos above and below).

 

 

Arosa, Here We Are!

Awesome Views In Late Afternoon

I took the cable car with two British friends, to get down to the Arosa station. While the other three decided to arrive in ski and snowboard. Once all together, we head to the hotel, where our luggage (transported by taxi) await us. Great organization and  panoramic view from my room (the last two photos below).

On the picture montage: 1, selfie in the kitsch corridors of the Sunstar Alpine Hotel, before a very lively dinner where we laughed a lot! 2, the next morning, fantastic view of the Alps from Mount Weisshorn. 3, Mural painting of the Weisshorngipfelrestaurant. And 4. On the train to Zurich airport.

Buure Z’Morga At Mount Weisshorn

Woke Up At Dawn

We take the first cable car at 8:20 am for a delicious Buure Z’Morga (huge “farmer breakfast”) in the panoramic restaurant Weisshorngipfelrestaurant at 2653 meters above sea level! We are the first customers in the nice minimalist interior design. The brunch is excellent with local specialties (including cheeses and breads). The view of the Alps at dawn is breathtaking (photos above and below)! 

  

 

Back To Zurich By Train

 

It snows

Yes it is, as every time I leave a ski resort (like a magical ritual, lol)! After a quick stop at the hotel to change us and retrieve our luggage, we take the famous red train from Arosa to Chur. Then another kind of trains from Chur to Zurich airport. The mood is contemplative, gorgeous landscapes! Bye bye intimate Graubünden, I will be back!

 

 

 

 

Photos & Vidéos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

Graubünden FerienFerienregion Lenzerheide, Arosa TourismSWISSSwiss Travel System (STS)Switzerland TourismBiathlon Arena Lenzerheide, SnowNights

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to the Graubünden Ferien, Lenzerhaide, Arosa, Switzerland Tourism, SWISS and Swiss Travel System (STS) for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.

Fashion & Beauty For Skiing in Switzerland

My Beauty Kit

Efficiency & Simplicity

What to pack for a ski weekend in Switzerland? Essentials in mini doses: everything has to be weight light, useful and compact. Multi function products with two goals: to moisturize and nourish in depth (picture above). 

An organic olive (or Jojoba) oil which can be used to remove make-up (face & eyes) and as a day and night care for face. I mix it with a moisturizer, the Facial emulsion of Bee Nature. And I also apply my organic olive oil after the shower as a body (and hand) oil and as a hair care! Two sample size masks for face (detox) and for eyes (decongestant and super moisturizing). An ideal sun protection: Ideal Soleil 3-en-1 taches teintes anti-taches noires SPF50 + of Vichy.

My shopping selection: to access the product, click on the image.

For hygiene: a Dove Compressed deodorant, disposables toothbrush with mini toothpastes. And as I was going to the hotel, I didn’t have to carry a face and body cleanser. I was wrong! If you have a very sensitive skin, put in a smaller container, your cleanser. I missed so much my super gentle Huile de douche Atoderm of Bioderma and a moisturizing mist to boost hydration.

The Make-up Kit

A MAC iridescent-matt blush, blush and mascara. And a mini black pencil and two brushes. My almost finished fragrance of Moderne Muse Le Rouge of Estée Lauder.

My shopping selection: to access the product, click on the image.

In My Travel Bags

By Hand

Gone are the days when I charged myself as a donkey for a short or long journey! On the picture above: here is what my unique handbag contains to get to the airport, board the plane and the arrival at the hotel. 1. I prefer a large super lightweight canvas bag, washable and easily foldable. In which I add a leather clutch (2) to tidy up the plane tickets and to go out at night.

3, While travelling, I wear my ski gloves, under ski jacket and after ski boots to lighten my carry-on. 4, Pen and notebook, like for the book : to give me good conscience, LOL! 5. Inseparable (but I managed to loose it on another trip): the charger of my smartphone! 6. A (Spa water-based) hand cream by Bee Nature with a disinfectant, lip moisturizing and of course, my addictive Estée Lauder red lipstick.

My shopping selection: to access the product, click on the image.

7, Un peigne king size, vu ma tignasse, avec élastique intégrés (LOL!). Un rouleau adhésif anti peluche, poil, duvet et autres : essentiel lorsque l’on porte des vêtements noirs! Tout doit être évident à trouver, donc moins il y en a, mieux c’est!  7, A huge comb for my huge hair (LOL!). A lint roller: a must-have when wearing black clothes! Everything has to be obvious to find, so the less is always better!

My Hold Luggage

My bag on wheels is so small, weight light and compact I could keep it in the cabin! The Osprey Ozone Convertible is my big favorite! The best luggage I’ve ever had! Simply awesome, discreet and stylish!

1, My ski jacket. Easy tip: Roll all of clothes for optimum space saving. And put a big ski sock (9) in each shoe. 2, My ski pants. 3, My fleece sweater. 4 & 5, T-shirt and tank tops. 6. A pair of dressed boots for dinners.

My shopping selection: to access the product, click on the image.

7. A ski cap. 8 & 11. Ski underwears: long sleeve top and underpants. 10. City socks. 12, Canvas bag and sunglasses. 13, Arena Bodylift Swimsuit. And 14, a pouch (which I sewed by hand!) with underwears. And I traveled with the black pants I wore every night.

Related  posts :  FASHION, BEAUTY & DESTINATIONS