Middle East visitors taking summer breaks in the idyllic village of Zermatt can add another dimension to their Alpine adventure by getting a glimpse of the culture and tradition of mountain life when the town celebrates it’s 37th Folklore Parade.
Seiler Hotels and Riffelalp Resort 2222m, the leading hotel consortium in Zermatt, boasts a choice of five properties, offering travellers the highest standards of comfort and easy access to enjoy the festivities which unfold on the 15 August.
More than 1,200 singers and dancers from 40 folklore groups from the Valais canton and other parts of the country gather for the one-day event, including alphorn players, the old fire brigade of Zermatt and famous yodel-groups.
During the parade, traditional Swiss refreshments are served, including raclette – a meal whose origins date back hundreds of years ago when shepherds would move their herds high into the mountains for grazing during the summer months. The shepherds were limited as to what they could carry and they chose basic provisions like potatoes, onions, pickles and wheels of cheese.
While Zermatt offers gourmet cuisine lovers a variety of gastronomical delights, there are ample opportunities for visitors to burn calories.
Folklore Parade 2
Visitors can take to the pistes and enjoy high altitude skiing throughout August. The area around Zermatt offers 21 kilometres of well-marked and safe summer pistes and ski lessons are also available for those that need some guidance.
Guests can choose from The Hotel Monte Rosa, with all its historical interiors and old world charm; The Mont Cervin Palace, complete with new spa, Hotel Schweizerhof, ideal for food lovers and night-owls alike and The Hotel Nicoletta, which has excellent facilities for families including special mealtimes and menus for children.
The consortium also includes the Riffelalp Resort 2222m, the highest altitude five star hotel and Spa in Europe. The Riffelalp allows guests to be as close to nature as possible, away from the village and offers unadulterated views of the Matterhorn.
Middle East travellers wishing to find out more about Zermatt can visit www.zermatt.ch and to find out more about Seiler Hotels visit www.seilerhotels.com and www.riffelalp.com
