SWITZERLAND – WE NEED TO SPRING INTO FUN

Content Compiled with Pictures: Saifuddin Ismailji/ Founder: e-Travelers Club travel & lifestyle update

Switzerland Tourism (South-East Asia) conducted a webinar (21 March 2023) inviting participants in a briefing “We need to sprig into fun, we need Switzerland” to inspire audience on family trips and activities in Switzerland.

Although Switzerland is an all-year-round destination for holiday, spring and summer is the peak season for visitor’s arrival.

During online briefing, Batiste Pilet, Director of South-East Asia for Switzerland Tourism announced Impressive Recovery of Tourism from Southeast Asia in 2022, reaching 96. % of 2019 pre pandemic level, recording 623,646 overnight stays from S.E.Asia visitors in 2022.

According to ST’s and Oxford Economics’ forecast, overnights from Southeast Asia will continue their strong growth in 2023, with a 19% increase compared to 2022.

“We are confident that Switzerland will continue to be a preferred travel destination for Southeast Asian travellers,” said Batiste Pilet.

Switzerland remains a safe and sustainable destination. “We are thrilled to see that our efforts are paying off. In spring this year, we concentrate on tapping into the family travel segment and promoting extended stays in Switzerland,” said Mr. Pilet.

Jungfraujoch Railway to Top of Europe

Top Family Activities along the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland With direct flights from Bangkok and Singapore, Switzerland is an ideal destination for family travel. Grand Train Tour of Switzerland is the ultimate train journey to discover Switzerland. Available all year round, this route spans 1,280 kilometres. It combines all the famous panoramic lines into one breath-taking route over eight stages with recommended 52 Family-Friendly hotels. Avail a Family Trips App, which offers holiday ideas

Participants are taken on a Grand Train Tour highlighting the many attractions of some of Europe’s most vibrant cities and Swiss villages in the shadow of the mountainous wonderland. Hooked on the luxury of using the state of the art public transportation with Swiss Flexi Pass combined with Family Card, the journey around Switzerland begins from the international arrival point at Zurich and winds through some of Switzerland’s mind-blowing sights and landmarks to experience Europe’s main three cultures within the blessed land-locked country: German in Zurich and most of the western Switzerland; French in Lake Geneva region and some parts of Central/ South- central Switzerland and Italian in Ticino region the tip of the eastern part of the country.  

Top family-friendly activities to combine along the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: • Zurich: Enjoy the magnificent cherry blossoms while picnicking in the park, or learn about the secrets of chocolate Easter bunnies at Lindt Home of Chocolate.

• Jungfrau Region: Ride the train to the Top of Europe or the cable car in Grindelwald First to find an idyllic playground with swings, climbing structures, sand, and a water play area. Not to miss the World Wonder: the Trummelbach Waterfall at Lauterbrunnen.

• Schilthorn: The vantage point to view the magnificent mountains: Eiger, Monch and Jungrau. Visit Spy World at Piz Gloria, and become a special agent, or challenge your courage on the Thrill Walk in Birg.

• Matterhorn Region: Spend some time with some of Switzerland’s mascot Saint Bernard dogs at Barryland in Martigny or venture into Switzerland’s largest underground lake in St. Leonard. Join in the fun of Wollis Treasure Hunt with Black-nose sheep.

• Zermatt – Matterhorn: Glide down the mountain with FunVenture carts or bikes. Take a family photo in front of the iconic Matterhorn and celebrate 125 years of Gornergrat Railway. From Zermatt board the world’s slowest panoramic Glacier Express to St. Moritz.

St. Moritz

• Graubünden: Train for winter at the Freestyle Academy in Laax or try the Madrisa Land toboggans in Davos Klosters

• RhB – Bernina Express: Try the historical train from Chur to Tirano and cross the famous Landwasser bridge or admire the bridge from below, taking the Landwasser Express “Choo Choo Train.”

• Lake Lucerne Region: Enjoy a cruise aboard the panoramic yacht Saphir on Lake Lucerne and climb Mount Pilatus to play in the Fräkmüntegg rope park. Board the Gothard Panorama Express from Luzern to Fluelen and hop on a boat to arrive Lugano.

• Titlis: This certified family destination offers a free vacation program for children; there are countless activities, family-friendly hikes, spectacular playgrounds, and plenty of action on the mountain or in the valley.

• Voralpen Express: Newest train from Luzern to St. Gallen and change the train back to Zurich to catch your Swiss International Air Lines flight.

Details: www.myswitzerland.com/en-ae/experiences/easter/  

www.MySwitzerland.com/famiy

DESTINATION NENDAZ, VALAIS

Drink Pure Valais Alphorn Festival 21 – 23 July, 2023:

The festivities begin on Friday 21 July with the opening ceremony at 16:30. Groups of master Alp horn players gather for a brilliant one of its kind of a Concert from 20:00 hours.

At the center of the tranquil town of Nendaz, festivities begins at 0945 with the official Alphorn competition. After the competition, day long festivities participated by folk groups will entertain the audience and international guests until the day concludes with a mass at the church of Haute Nendaz.

On the final day: Saturday 23 July, Alphorn players, traditional Valaisan musicians and the audience will gather on high ground of Nendaz at Tracouet for the Grand Finale of Alphorn competition beginning at 1130AM. The daylong festivities include Prize giving ceremony, BBQ and flag hurling ceremony. http://www.nendaz.ch/en