Andermatt – Gotthard
“Of all the places I know, this is the dearest and most interesting to me”, declared Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, when he travelled through the Ursern valley three times in 1779. The Ursern valley (canton Uri) at the foot of the Gotthard Pass is one of the most impressive upland valleys in Switzerland. Andermatt (1436 m), the largest of the three villages in the valley, is at the crossroads of the mountain passes from north to south and from east to west.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 132 km/ 2h30
Ascona – Latin Charm and Revolutionary Thinking
Ascona is Switzerland’s lowest lying town. It is located at 196 meters above sea level on the northern shore of Lago Maggiore, also called Lake Langen. Ascona is famous for its mild climate, its Old Town and a lake promenade which is dotted with street cafés and boasts a Latin ambience.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 169 km/ 2h47
Bettmeralp
The car-free village of Bettmeralp which is only accessible by a large-car cable way is located in the immediate vicinity of the impressive Aletsch Glacier, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Alps. The family-friendly summer and winter holiday resort boasts almost 300 sunny days a year.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 75,5 km/1h14
Crans-Montana
The two neighbouring towns of Crans and Montana, situated at an altitude of 1500 m on the sun-drenched plateau high above the Rhone Valley, form one of the biggest holiday destinations in the Valais. Attractions include the impressive view of the range of mountain peaks from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc and a wide selection of shops, accommodation and activities.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 28 km / 42 m
Geneva
Embedded between nearby Alpine peaks and the hilly terrain of the Jura, the French-speaking city of Geneva lies in the bay where the Rhone leaves Lake Geneva. With its humanitarian tradition and cosmopolitan flair, the European seat of the UNO and headquarters of the Red Cross is known as the “capital of peace”.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 176 km/ 2h00
Gstaad
The Gstaad-Saanenland holiday region in the Bernese Oberland, from the chalet village of Gstaad with its many famous visitors through to the authentic villages in the vicinity, offers a charming mixture of options and visitors. The extensive “Mountain Rides” ski and hiking arena stretches across the whole Saanenland to which the Montreux-Oberland-Railways (MOB) offer easy access.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 117km/ 1h39
Interlaken
Interlaken lies in the Bernese Oberland on an alluvial plain, between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The vacation destination, which is presided over by the three mighty mountains, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, is the starting point for numerous activities.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 228km/2h26
Lausanne
Lausanne, the second-largest city on Lake Geneva, combines a dynamic commercial town with the locality of a holiday resort. The capital of the canton of Vaud is also a lively university and convention town. Sports and culture are given a high profile in the Olympic capital.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 111 km/1h20
Lago Maggiore
In a part of Switzerland which has always been a magnet for visitors on account of its warmth and Mediterranean light, Lake Maggiore has been attracting visitors for over 100 years. The lake, which was a particular passion for Stendhal and other writers, seems to exert an irresistible fascination.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 220km/3h15
Lucerne
Lucerne, the gateway to central Switzerland, sited on Lake Lucerne, is embedded within an impressive mountainous panorama. Thanks to its attractions, its souvenir and watch shops, the beautiful lakeside setting and the nearby excursion mountains of the Rigi, Pilatus and Stanserhorn, the town is a destination for many travel groups and individuals on their journey through central Switzerland.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 277km/2h55
Lugano
Lugano – the largest town in the holiday region of Ticino is not only Switzerland’s third most important financial centre and a conference, banking and business centre, but also a town of parks and flowers, villas and sacred buildings. With Mediterranean flair, Lugano offers all the advantages of a world-class city, combined with the cachet of a small town. Thanks to its mild climate, Lugano is a popular tourist destination in the spring when the camellias are in bloom.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 220km/3h15
Leukerbad
The thermal spa resort of Leukerbad, with its 65 hot springs, lies well protected in a Valais side valley and is now a popular destination for wellness and sports enthusiasts. The resort offers an attractive and extensive range of indoor wellness and sports’ facilities.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 42km/54m
Montreux
The town of Montreux nestles in a sheltered Lake Geneva bay, surrounded by vineyards and against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps. The Montreux Jazz Festival, which takes place in June/July and features concerts on a variety of stages and parks is very famous.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 87km/ 1h00
Ovronnaz
The small holiday and health resort of Ovronnaz is located in the French-speaking part of the Valais on a south-facing sun terrace. The three 32 to 35 degree Celsius thermal pools – two of which are open air – are well-known. Summer holidaymakers and winter sports enthusiasts alike enjoy the panorama view of the Rhone Valley.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 40km/ 44m
Saas-Fee
Up until the 14th century there was only one community in the Saas Valley: Saas. Four villages arose out of Saas – of those four Saas Fee, also known as “The Pearl of the Alps”, is the most renowned; 13 four thousand meter peaks surround the glacier village, which is located at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 81 km/1h30
Simplon Pass
The Simplon Pass (2005 meters) links the Canton of Valais from the town of Brig with the Divedro Valley and Domodossola in Northern Italy. The pass, which is usually open in winter, is praised as one of the most beautiful crossings in the Alps.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 93km/ 1h30
Thyon
The sunny holiday region of Thyon is located on the western side of the Val d’Hérémence in the Lower Valais, close to the canton capital of Sion (Sitten) at an altitude of 1500 m to 2100 m. Thyon is particularly geared up to meet the needs of skiers, and forms the eastern gateway to the “Four Valleys” skiing area, one of the largest continuous skiing areas in the Alps.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 32km/ 47m
Val d’Hérens
Val d’Hérens (Eringer Valley) stretches from the Rhone Valley near Sion to the foot of Dent Blanche, Dent d’Hérens, Mont Collons and Mont Blanc de Cheilon. Centuries-old villages with their typical dwellings lean against steep slopes. The concrete dam of Grande Dixence, which has a height of 285 meters and is the world’s highest dam wall, is located in the side valley of Val d’Hérémence
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 0
Verbier
Verbier lies ten kilometres to the east of Martigny and is part of the skiing region “4 Vallées”. Situated at an elevation of 1500 meters above sea level, Verbier is a vacation destination with a sunny and attractive landscape. The town’s houses are built in the typical Swiss chalet style.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 68km/ 1h00
Zermatt
Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn. The town’s touristic development is closely linked to what is most probably the world’s most famous mountain. The vacation destination is a car-free zone, has preserved its original character and offers nearly unlimited possibilities as far as excursions are concerned.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 85km/ 1h30
Zinal
The Valais holiday resort of Zinal lies at 1670 m at the end of the Val d’Anniviers (Eifischtal) where it becomes the Zinal Valley. It nestles amidst a majestic mountain landscape crowned by the 4000 m peaks of the Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn and Dent Blanche. Zinal has been awarded the ‘Families Welcome’ seal of quality and offers an excellent infrastructure for families and sports enthusiasts in summer and winter alike.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 35km/ 50m
Zurich
As a “metropolis of experiences” by the water, with a magnificent view of the snowcapped Alps on the horizon, Zürich Down town Switzerland offers a unique mixture of attractions – over 50 museums and more than 100 art galleries, international fashion labels and Zürich designs, and the most flamboyant and lively night life in Switzerland.
Distance from the Maya Guesthouse: 288km/ 3h00
Source: www.myswitzerland.com
