The Alphorn Championships take place in the Valais region of Switzerland
I am working my way through Western Switzerland, taking the train down a valley in the Valais region of Switzerland. Visiting hotels and restaurants that are covered in the guidebook and on the Web is part of my job. I also add summer activities for a future website for the Valais region of Switzerland.
Enjoy these photos that show the surprising Valais region of Switzerland
This first photo (above) is from an Alphorn convention that was taking place in Nendaz, a valley south of Sion. This valley has lifts that link to the Verbier ski and snowboard area. Wikipedia notes — Alpenhorn blowers from the entire world descend on Nendaz in the Valais for the International Alpenhorn Festival. The program features an official alpenhorn blowing competition, a trachten parade (featuring folk costumes), concerts, folklore events, village balls, and an alpenhorn concert (a band with over 150 alpenhorn players). In short, this is a true folk festival devoted to tradition.
Here is one of the tunnels at the upper end of the long Valais Valley. He is traveling with a Swiss Railpass, courtesy of Rail Europe. Half of the Valais region of Switzerland speaks French and the other half speaks German.
Valais is the perfect region to find the undiscovered hiking trails
Many of us have felt bored with their home neighborhoods during the pandemic. The best thing is to “change the wallpaper” and go somewhere new as the Swiss say. The Valais region of Switzerland is one of the best hiking areas of the country.
The Swiss have a cure for it—Tapetenwechsel (literally, “let’s change the wallpaper”). It means you’re bored with where you are and you’re ready to go somewhere else. Should you ever tire of visiting the same old places, and get a craving for a hiking vacation that takes you off the tourist trail, the Swiss canton of Valais has some hidden secrets waiting for you.
Enjoy the beauty of Valais
When you come to the Valais region of Switzerland, you will be surprised at the beauty. This is home of some of the country’s top resorts and sights. The Ice Grotto in Zermatt — highest in Europe. Alpine goats march through the Swiss village. A summer scene featuring lots of green while ascending a cablecar.
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Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
