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Experiencing Klosters | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Experiencing Klosters


Experiencing Klosters

Experiencing Klosters

Klosters, Asharq Al-Awsat- Clean, charming, tranquil, safe and pure. These are the words that come to mind when I think about the Swiss town of Klosters surrounded by snow-covered mountains and frequently visited by celebrities, politicians and winter sport lovers. Upon arrival, one immediately feels acquainted with the town. Its vivid beauty and charm leads many to describe Klosters as a celestial place on earth as Switzerland in general has never been damaged by war.

The Swiss town is located in the German part of Switzerland near to Davos, the city that hosts many prominent economic and political international forums. As part of the Pratiggau region, towards the north lies the Austrian border. It is home to four thousand inhabitants, most of whom earn their income providing skiing lessons. In the summer, they tend to their farms and livestock. The finest of meat and dairy products are also manufactured in the region, and sold on the international market particularly in France, Italy and of course, at home in Switzerland.

The railway track that cuts through the icy mountains connects to the closest main city of Davos, the journey lasting approximately twenty minutes. The trip by car however is shorter and the scenery more beautiful, providing that one’s tires are well equipped for the ice.

Klosters is home to over six thousand residential chalets that are managed by international tourist companies such as Descent International, which mediates between the owners of the chalets and guests and provides an excellent service to cater for one’s holiday requests.

A selection of top chefs who have worked in five-star hotels prepare meals for the chalets guests. The team of each chalet consists of the manager and his or her assistant, a cook, a driver, guest manager and a cleaner. The Eugenia chalet that belongs to the Bentinck family is the oldest chalet in Klosters. Built in 1958 by Baron Bentinck, the chalet is now owned by the founder’s son, Steven Bentick who recently restored the chalet maintaining however its distinguished features such as the fireplace. The Eugenia chalet has eight bedrooms. The master bedroom is located at the top of the chalet and usually has the best view. Moreover, it has its own fireplace.

With its reasonable prices, Klosters is an ideal location for group holidays. Families and friends would enjoy the range of activities that this town offers, not only its winter sports, but also relaxing activities. Furthermore, for a break from the children, there are a number of babysitters available. The Eugenia chalet’s facilities include sauna and steam room as well as providing relaxing massages. This chalet also caters for children, as, for example, it is located opposite an ice rink where beginners can practice, allowing parents to sit and watch their children skate from the veranda. There is also a chauffeur available to take you to your desired destination.

As an alternative to using a chauffeur driven car, one should allow himself or herself to be transported by the horse and carriage service that costs around seventy pounds sterling. I had a wonderful time as the horses traveled through the piles of snow under a striking full moon. We arrived at our destination where we sat on seats carved of snow that were covered with fur to protect from the cold. We sat around a log fire, ate, and drank at this scenic location.

We then headed to Rustico restaurant that is famous for its delicious ‘Fondu a la fromage.’ On average, dinner per person here would cost approximately thirty-five pounds sterling. Following this, we visited the Vereina hotel to enjoy listening to the piano for the remainder of the evening.

Klosters has a number of fine hot spots including Casa Antica with its stunning Moroccan furnishings, a favorite for the two young British Princes William and Harry. Prince Charles likes to stay at the prestigious Walserhof Hotel which was given two Michelin stars.

Also in Klosters, the Telefric offers a wonderful view of the town from 2700 meters. One can enjoy a range of local dishes and relax on the terraces of the restaurants. Otherwise one could hire a skiing teacher to master the winter sport, however, it is advisable not to ski for than two hours a day due to the risk of exhaustion. There are specialized schools for teaching the winter sport such as Gotschna.

Near to Eugenia chalet, there is a range of skiing courses where one can practice. Nearby are quaint small restaurants that serve Swiss cuisine. The Alpine Rosli has a fine selection of Swiss organic dishes and attracts visitors from all over the world. The restaurants overlook breathtaking views of the mountain and are open until late. For even more comfort, one can visit the Spa of Vereina hotel, which is free for guests of Eugenia hotel.

Klosters is a real joy and one the most serene places that I have ever visited. I believe that it will become the second favorite Swiss destination for Arabs after Zermatt, which is also very popular. The combination of winter sports and relaxing activities is enough to attract all kinds of tourists who like me, will only have one difficulty that is leaving such a peaceful and picturesque part of the world.

Experiencing Klosters

Experiencing Klosters

Experiencing Klosters

Experiencing Klosters