Valais Region, Switzerland
Airing Date: Jul 7th, 2007
The Valais region of
Switzerland is truly the heart of the Alps - home to the country's highest peaks, extreme mountain terrain and renowned ski resorts, such as
Zermatt and
Verbier. But, a visit to the region does not have to mean skiing, skiing and more skiing as, even in winter, there are plenty of hidden gems for non-snow bunnies to explore.
Sion is the main town of
Valais and the oldest town in
Switzerland. Often referred to as the "Capital of the Holiday Kingdom" it is the perfect place to base yourself for exploration of it's castles, museums and surrounding vineyards and to experience some of the region's traditional festivals and events, such as Cow Fighting or 'Combats de reines'.
Utterly unlike Spanish bullfighting (an altogether gorier spectacle), Valaisian cowfighting stems from village get-togethers to see whose cow was best suited to lead the herds up to the summer Alpine pastures.
The cows that take part in these combats are from the Herens breed, renowned for their fighting instincts. The cows charge, lock horns and then try to push each other back.
Breeding is big business! The winner, acclaimed to be the 'Queen' of the herd can be worth Swiss Franc 20,000 and much more in terms of prestige - and for visitors, the events are a thoroughly memorable spectacle!
You can also discovers the underground subterranean lake of
Saint-Leonard, the largest underground navigable lake in Europe, as well as
Leukerbad - the largest Alpine thermal spa centre in Europe. Set amidst the fascinating Valais mountains at approx. 1,400 metres above sea level,
Leukerbad is home to 22 thermal pools offering the perfect location for Alpine relaxation.
These are just some of the many secrets of the
Valais Alpine region, waiting to be discovered!
FURTHER INFORMATION
Thai Airways- Thai Airways International, offers return flights from Australia to Zurich from $1774 ex. West Coast and $1880 ex. East Coast. For more information, visit:
www.thaiairways.com.au Prices Correct at 18/06/07. Prices include taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
Swiss International- Swiss International Air Lines offer a range of domestic flights within Switzerland. For more information, visit:
www.swiss.comHotel Europa Sion- Offers accomodation in Sion from $134 per single room per night, OR $192 per double room per night. Including taxes, service and buffet breakfast. For more information visit:
www.hoteleuropasion.ch Lac Souterrain, St Leonard- The Subterranean lake of Saint- Leonard. For information visit;
www.lac-souterrain.comLinder Hotels and Alpentherme, Leukerbad- The Lindner Hotels is a wellness resort with 135 fully equipped accommodation rooms and a range of restaurants and bars. The resort also has an underground connection to the Alpentherme Spa, offering guests a variety of health treatments, including thermal indoor and outdoor pools, steam baths, saunas and a choice of beauty and well-being treatments. For more information visit;
www.linder.de/enSwiss Tourism-
www.myswitzerland.comValais Tourism-
www.valaistourism.chSion Tourism-
www.siontourism.chLeukerbad Tourism-
www.leukerbad.ch
