LEUKERBAD: ski and spa in Switzerland
We wanted to spend a weekend in the mountains, not far from home, in a nice place where even those who do not ski (like myself) can spend pleasant moments.
The answer is Leukerbad, Swiss town famous for its thermal springs.
Leukerbad reach through the Simplon Pass. From Milan we spend about 3 hours. Not even the cartoons used for the highway as the road trip in Switzerland is so short that, near Brig, you can easily deviate.
We chose the hotel via the internet and having received an offer at affordable prices, book a luxurious 4 star hotel in the center of the city.
Grichting The hotel also contains a spa pool with nice warm water and termario.
The restaurant is very elegant, the service impeccable, but, alas, the kitchen is not Switzerland reconciles with tastes very Italian.
However, no way to remain empty stomach and between the many courses on the menu included in half board, we can always find something we like.
Hotel Grighting
After completing the formalities at the hotel we head to the ski slopes and here, unfortunately, still a little 'disappointed.
The plants are strictly separate facilities for children and beginners at one end of the city and cable car to reach the slopes for expert skiers elsewhere.
We decide then to stay facilities for beginners, close to Sports Center Sportarena, to enable the child to ski without difficulty.
Unfortunately we can not immediately hire skis, as the sole point of hiring is far from the slopes and has strange opening hours.
Moreover, we discover that the private ski lessons are priced by dizzy (more than 60 Euro for a lesson by 85 minutes) and then decide, on this first day, to give up skiing.
We head to the rink, where my daughter is consoled with a skating on ice.
In the afternoon, however, the pool and relax in the spa and dinner at the restaurant of the same
The second day we get up a good time and, after a hearty breakfast buffet, we head to the ski rental shop and rent equipment rather expensive price.
Spend all day with easy slopes of Sportarena, where day passes are quite economical and children have different facilities available to them.
We finish the day with the usual and refreshing bath in the pool.
The next day we decide to go in one of two major spas in the city.
A Leukerbad has two large baths: The Burgerbad and Alpentherme, both with different pools of hot water, both internal and external, whirlpools, saunas and so on. The peculiarity is that in these places you can swim outdoors even in winter, surrounded by snow and plunged to the neck in hot water. It 'a wonderful feeling that allows you to breathe deeply the fresh air of the mountains, still steaming in the warmth. If it happens then a beautiful sunny day, the feeling is even more enjoyable.
After long meditation choose the Alpentherme Lindner: A lot more calm, although some 'smaller Burgerbad, but certainly more aesthetic impact.
Buy a ticket for a period of 3 hours at a cost of about 18 Swiss francs equal to about 12 Euro.
You must know that in Switzerland all shops accept either Euros or Francs but give change exclusively in Swiss Francs.
At the spa, spend the last few francs in chocolate bars from stuffed strangest (in Italy they are not) and, with a beautiful sun that illuminates the surrounding landscape, they return home.
Dani and Max
you can find links and pictures of the places listed on the site
http://digilander.iol.it/danidisa
texts by Daniela
Photos of Max