We are back from SWITZERLAND
M&T July 2006
We had a great time in Verbier, thankyou!
The car was no problem to collect or return from Geneva. Found our way to Verbier fine, although the roads were quite hairy in places.
Hotel Ermitage
The hotel was very good in a lot of respects. The staff were incredibly helpful and friendly. The breakfast was very good and varied and generous. The hotel is perfectly situated in the centre of the town, equidistant from the two main concert venues (5-10 mins walk) but if you were tired or lazy you could take the free bus which shuttles round the town. It's a typical 3star hotel, there's no tea or coffee making facilities in the room, but they happily made us tea when asked.
Our room was hot and stuffy but what do you expect with the temperatures we've been having! At least at 2500m up a mountain it's a bit cooler than down below. An amazing storm on the last night delayed the concert (the sound of the rain on the roof of the building they use for concerts completely drowned out a SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA!) So, we waited for the storm to pass and then the concert continued, though was sadly curtailed. The rain was so torrential that the mountain road was closed overnight, because of all the debris that had fallen. At least it reopened in time for us the next day - unlike the railway. Parts of it were washed away and apparently won't be fixed until the winter season.....just as well we hired the car!!!
Verbier is a great place in the summer if you're there for the festival, or you like hiking/cycling/extreme sports like hang-gliding. Some excellent restaurants. The best hotel is higher up and fantastic. We ate there next to Nicola Benedetti! It's called Chalet D'Adrien. Pricey but probably worth it. Lots of very well-heeled of all nationalities in Verbier.
So, all-in-all, a great break. Thanks for all your fantastic help
