Grand Tour of Switzerland

In Prättigau, directly before the world-famous holiday destination of Davos Klosters, lies the village of Saas (1000 m above sea level) - where the sun shines longer - and has been spared from the heavy traffic flow towards Davos/Klosters since 2011 thanks to a bypass with tunnels and bridges. A bypass of Küblis is also under construction and is scheduled to open in 2016. This will mean that both villages will offer more peace and relaxation for guests and a better quality of life for residents. A visit to both villages is definitely worthwhile during the Grand Tour. The old village centers are still home to many original Walser houses.

Klosters is often not mentioned in the international press. The place is known worldwide as a classic holiday destination, but it is not one of those with the greatest media presence. And this is despite the fact that some Klosters guests have the potential to fill newspapers and television programs with their mere presence. In the past, only the royal family from Great Britain had an official photo opportunity during their visits to Klosters. The deal: After that, Prince Charles, Lady Diana and their sons would be left in peace.

After the picturesque monastery, the Grand Tour leads over the Wolfgang Pass to Davos, the highest city in Europe, famous for its variety of sports, leisure and cultural activities, its healing climate, the HC Davos, the Spengler Cup, the Kirchner Museum, the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the partying freestyle scene on the Jakobshorn. Past Lake Davos, the road leads left over the railway crossing towards the Flüela Pass. Past the impressive building of the Intercontinental Hotel Davos, the attractive pass road meanders leisurely through the untouched Flüela Valley to the Flüela Hospice at 2383 m above sea level. In addition to the post bus, the Flüela post coach from the past also runs here.

Past picturesque Walser villages such as Küblis, Saas and Klosters to Davos, the pioneer of winter sports and home of the World Economic Forum.

Davos owes its importance to its healing climate, which has been known for around 150 years. The first Davos guesthouse to accommodate spa guests opened in 1860. The immigrant German doctor Alexander Spengler created a treatment for lung patients, which mainly involved plenty of sleep on the Davos sun terraces and Veltliner wine. This method made Davos world famous and was immortalized in the 1924 novel "The Magic Mountain" by Thomas Mann. In addition to Mann, numerous other writers, artists and philosophers traveled to Davos. They brought their own culture with them, made the spa town famous in their works or initiated the sports, events and cultural offerings that are now taken for granted. Davos was at the forefront of the development of modern winter sports. The history of the world-famous Davos sleigh began in the 19th century. The sleigh got its name from the first, historic sleigh race in Davos in 1883. In 1921, the Davos Hockey Club was founded in Davos, and today it is both a myth and a living legend. The Spengler Cup, which was first held in 1923, is the oldest and most prestigious international ice hockey tournament in the world. The Parsenn Derby is the most traditional ski race in Switzerland and was held for the first time in 1924. Ten years later, the first ever T-bar ski lift was put into operation on the Bolgen.

Tips

• Schatzalp with Alpinum
• Kirchner Museum
• Adventure Park Färich with bike park
• Side valleys Sertig and Dischma
• Beer brewery in Monstein
• Winter sports museum
• Lake Davos
• Gwunderwald
• Parsenn, Jakobshorn, Rinerhorn (hiking areas)
• Outdoor ice skating in summer
• Cinema
• Casino
• Best nightlife in the Alps

Klosters became known as a winter and summer holiday resort over 100 years ago. A decisive impulse for its development into a stylish holiday classic for connoisseurs occurred in the 1950s. At that time, many famous names from the primarily American and British film, music and theater scene discovered the ski resort, which earned it the name "Hollywood on the Rocks". In the wake of this period, many British and American guests were drawn to Klosters, who found their second home here. They shaped the style and atmosphere of the holiday resort for decades, and their children still do today. Klosters has been present in the media worldwide in recent decades thanks to its illustrious guests from the British royal family. Nevertheless, the elegant village, which has retained its original character and chalet style, has never become aloof.

Tips

• Silvretta glacier nature trail
• Alp Garfiun
• Alpenrösli restaurant
• Gotschnabahn
• Madrisa-Land on Saaseralp with treehouse hotel
• Klosters lido
• Nuttli Hüschi
• Schlappin
• Tennis courts
• Golf course
• Gotschna freeride slope

Many houses in the village center still reflect the original architectural style: Walser houses with white sub-walls and browned wooden walls. These houses, together with the Campanile church tower, form a backdrop that is well worth seeing. The lush floral decorations in front of numerous windows are also typical of Saas. The "Aquasana Monument" on the main street commemorates a battle between the Saasers and the Austrians in 1622. The Madrisa leisure mountain is easily accessible via the Madrisa cable car from Klosters. At the mountain station there is also "Madrisa Land", a large-scale play paradise for children and families.

Tips

• Madrisa-Land on the Saaser Alp
• Beautiful Walser houses in the old part of the village
• Campanile Church
• Aquasana Monument

One card, many advantages - Davos Klosters the Premium Card Anyone who books at least one overnight stay in a commercially rented establishment such as a hotel, holiday apartment or group accommodation in Davos Klosters receives the Davos Klosters Premium Card. This guest card offers numerous advantages and price reductions during your stay. Davos Klosters Summer Guest Program What would you like to do? A golf taster course? Or a guided tour of the Kirchner Museum? With our summer guest program, overnight guests have the opportunity to take part in over 60 activities. In total, that's over 700 experiences throughout the summer. The program usually takes place from May to October. And the best thing: there is no minimum number of participants.

Fancy some local delicacies? With the Grand Tour Snack Box you can enjoy your trip through Switzerland twice as much. You can buy the snack box at any official sales point and fill it with regional specialties for two people. This way you can experience the culinary diversity of Switzerland. And: The snack box also makes a nice souvenir. The snack box with fine Graubünden specialties is available at Milk & more at Talstrasse 33 in Davos Platz.

• Snack box (without contents) CHF 25.–
• Filling for 2 people CHF 20.–