Swiss Miss for a Week: Saint Moritz

Swiss Miss in Saint Moritz Video

Swiss Miss: Skiing in Saint Moritz Video

Saint Moritz. Glitz. Glamor. Snow. Furry boots. There’s a reason “ritz” is in the name. The city is just as popular among the jetset today as it was 50 years ago. St Moritz feels like a really upscale fairytale. Softly falling snow, gourmet chocolates, bustling pastry shops which may have taken advantage of equipment from shop supplies, chic shops in whimsical buildings and grandiose 5 star hotels. No wonder the likes of Grace Kelly and George Clooney have called St Moritz their winter retreat.

Just getting off the train, I had this overwhelming sense that Saint Moritz was THE place to be “wintering.” It didn’t hurt that I was there just days before the “White Turf,” a series of equine competitions all held on top of the city’s now frozen glacial lake.

I was experiencing the city in style, staying at the oldest and one of the most famous 5 Stars, the Kulm Hotel and skiing incredible ski area. Now this is what it’s like to live luxe.

id=”attachment_220″ align=”alignright” width=”224″ caption=”The peak of Corviglia in St Moritz”

I only had two nights in the city and was quite busy filming, eating sumptuous breakfasts, checking out the spa & gym and exploring the town. To be honest, I almost didn’t really feel like going skiing–trekking up to the hill in all my gear, freezing my buns off for a few runs just to say I did it.

Wow was I wrong. My few hours skiing ended up being the best skiing of my life and probably the biggest highlight of the trip (which is saying A LOT). Not only did the Engadin Tourism board make the rental process and transport to the peak extremely easy (the funicular literally takes you from street to peak in around 10 minutes), but the mountain itself was just stunning. I still lose myself in the mental images of the incredible peaks, the perfectly groomed trails, the open spaces and lack of lift lines. When Angela forced me to stop for lunch, I had the most delicious ski resort lunch of rosti with ham. I think she thought it was pretty funny how much I raved and I’m pretty sure my actual skiing wasn’t so pretty as I was so distracted. I told her that she was so so lucky to have this in her backyard and to be able to take a few runs on her lunch break (what!?).

I indulged, as the Saint Moritz-ers do, in an apres ski gluwein at the Hauser’s lively outdoor bar before returning for a swanky evening of cocktail parties, night ice skating, a delicious dinner and a jazz concert at the Kulm. My adrenaline was still racing all evening from the amazing trails and I truly understood why St Moritz was the birthplace of the winter ski holiday.

To see more photos from the trip, take a look here: [slideshow]


Stay tuned for more St Moritz fun at the historic, and opulent, Kulm Hotel St Moritz.

Switzerland’s Prettiest Train: The Glacier Express

If you want to get up close and personal with one of Switzerland’s most famous assets (and without freezing), take the Glacier Express. This panormaic train not only takes you through picture perfect villages but you literally scale blindingly white, epic glaciers. A major plus is the oversize windows that let’s you feel you could reach out and touch the snow, but you are warm & cozy in your immaculate cars with waiter service and excellent food.

Gstaad Palace Hotel

Have you ever called a Palace home? Well I was lucky enough to call the Gstaad Palace, one of the best hotels in the world, my home for two glorious days. I’ll never forget the unbelievable food (yes champagne truffle fondue exists), the charming staff, opulent spa and every inch of this ridiculously beautiful hotel–inside and out. Yes heaven exist on earth and I believe it’s at the Gstaad Palace

Swiss Miss for a Week: What to do in Zurich

I had no idea what to expect when the train rolled into Zurich. I knew it was the capital, one of Switzerland’s biggest cities, and from I had heard, very pretty. But I wasn’t expecting what I found.

I only had about 24 hours, but from the amazing macarons at Sprungli, to the hot bars out in Zurich West, to the culinary playhouse that is MarktHalle, I had a blast. And it didn’t hurt that my hotel, the Hotel Widder, was not only modern and stylish, but it was the PLACE TO BE in the evening at the Widder Bar. The food at this jazz bar was superb but the main draw was the “library of spirits” and the expert bartenders that made swanky, sexy named drinks.

I spent a lovely evening with Corina Sohner from the hotel, and she and I had fun tasting Markus Blattner’s concoctions. And Alexsander Kroll’s dinner was a dining experience that I’ll never forget. Dish upon dish was served and each were as beautiful as they were tasty. I insisted on going behind the scenes into the kitchen to see where the magic happened. The kitchen was just as pristine as the dining room and it’s no wonder that every dish is a marvel considering the time that is spent perfecting each detail.

I was sad to fly out from Zurich and wanted more time to explore the winding streets of the Alstadt–which looked like a page out of medival fairytales. However, I know my week as a Swiss Miss only confirmed that I’ll be returning and spending much more than a week in this vibrant, innovative and just plain breath-taking country. At least for now, I’ll have my videos so I can relive all those moments (and delicious meals!).

 

Get Lost in Austria: Leopold Museum (Vienna)

Klimt, Schiele dominate this archtecturally interested museum within the Vienna’s historically rich MuseumQuartier. No trip to Vienna should miss this stop but if you want to get to the best first, go straight to the Leopold Museum and find the Klimt’s The Kiss

Kelley travels Austria to find the best places to see, things to do, foods to try and places to sleep. She roadtrips from Vienna to the Burgenland, then Graz, on to Salzburg and ends her trip in Innsbruck. Sponsored by the Austrian Tourism Board

Top Things to Do in Zurich

There’s so much to do in Zurich, but if you are short on time, here’s what you must do. Take it from me, the Swiss Miss!