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Switzerland - Alpine Tour

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Alpine Tour - Switzerland
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Zermatt, Switzerland
Matterhorn - Riffelalp Resort Friday, September 22, 2006

< Back Next >
Madison Wisconsin Zurich Zermatt Zermatt Zermatt Chamonix Chamonix Chamonix Geneva Geneva Bernese Oberland

First Full Day in Zermatt
Map of Zermatt

Zermatt has many great trails and alpine peaks to visit. First thing I did was to change the time zone in my digital camera.

(click to enlarge)

COOP food store receipt.
Breakfast menu for in-room service.
Trekking pole cover.
Trekking pole instructions for use.

Sunrise
Matterhorn Sunrise

We awoke at 7:00 a.m. to be greeted by the Sun slowing illuminating the peak of the Matterhorn. It's majestic. You just stand there looking at it speechless. Sleeping with jetlag and altitude can take some getting used to. You'll wake up a few times short of breath during the night. Luckily, we awoke to a beautiful clear morning.

(click to enlarge)

The Riffelalp breakfast buffet is the best in Switzerland (possibly the best in Europe).
You have a huge variety of juices (freshly squeezed), cheeses, cereal and can have omelets made to order.
Fresh cheese and meats are also offered.
A huge assortment of freshly baked bread awaits you each morning.

After breakfast, we took the Gornergrat train down to Zermatt and walked to the base of the Rothorn.
The first leg of the journey is a steep tunnel ride in a funicular tram to the Sunnegga Paradise.
The next stage is a cable car to the Rothorn Paradise.
Finally, you board a huge cable car to the Rothorn.

Rothorn Cable Car
Rothorn Cable Car
Rothorn Cable Car
Rothorn Cable Car

View of Matterhorn from Rothorn
Matterhorn

This is the classic view of the Matterhorn. Only venture up on a clear day, or you won't even see the distant peaks. The ride to the top from Zermatt is about 45 minutes (without any lines). Use your peak pass and add up the savings.

(click to enlarge)

Matterhorn
View of Matterhorn

This is one of those clear days, you rarely get on vacation. We were lucky and had several of them. Use your sunny days to visit the peaks. Use your cloudy days to hike, shop or relax at the resort.

(click to enlarge)

Pepe in front of Matterhorn
Pepe

Pepe in his alpine gear in front of Matterhorn.

(click to enlarge)

Rothorn to Rothorn Paradise
Cable Car

Cable cars are pretty cool. If you've ever tried hiking up to a peak, you'll certainly never take for granted the wonders of alpine transportation.

(click to enlarge)

Rothorn
Rothorn Paradise

There are many trails that terminate and go through the Rothorn. Several trails can get you back to the Riffelalp - but they take several hours. To the left of the photo you can see the slopes of the Gornergrat, and the trails that lead to Riffelalp. After going down to Zermatt, we went back up to the Riffelalpl and had a nice lunch outdoors. After a short hike, we sampled the indoor swimming pool and the outdoor Jacuzzi, which has a spectacular view of the Matterhorn. There is no better way to watch a sunset !

(click to enlarge)

Dinner
Preparing for Fondue

We started dinner at 8:30 p.m. downstairs, in our favorite restaurant. Tonight Jane was having the meat fondue, and I was having the wood fired grilled steak.

(click to enlarge)

Fondue
Fondue Dips

The fondue and steak were both wonderful. Have a glass of wine or beer with dinner to make it a fantastic alpine meal. The Swiss actually have a very good beer.

(click to enlarge)

Steak
Wood Grilled Steak

I love steak. Instead of the large potato steak fries, substitute rice. Then have another steak. They're delicious.

(click to enlarge)

Rates
Riffelalp Rates in .pdf Format

The rates for the Riffelalp vary according to season. Keep in mind that they do close for a few months starting October 1st in the fall. Always book in advance.

(click to enlarge)

Cruising Related Information

	General Cruise Info	SwissTour Ship Data	Alpine Tour - Switzerland
Other Pages on this website	Panama Canal Books \| Ultimate Travel Gear \| Digital Photo Tips \| Luggage Info \| List Info \| Ultimate Packing Info \| Caribbean Books \| NCL Norway Review \| Cruise Ship Secrets \| Radisson Diamond Review \| 2003 Radisson Paul Gauguin Review \| Travel Bath Kit \| NCL Norwegian Sun Review \| NCL Norwegian Dawn Review \| Radisson Seven Seas Voyager Review \| 2004 Radisson Paul Gauguin Review \| 2004 Radisson Navigator Review \| 2005 Bora Bora Cruises - Tia Moana - Ship Review \| 2005 Seadream Yacht Club - Seadream I - Ship Review		Madison-01 \| Madison-02 \| Madison-08 \| Zurich-01 \| Zurich-02 \| Zurich-03 \| Zurich-08 \| Zermatt-01 \| Zermatt-02 \| Zermatt-03 \| Zermatt-08 \| Zermatt-01 \| Zermatt-02 \| Zermatt-03 \| Zermatt-08 \| Zermatt-01 \| Zermatt-02 \| Zermatt-03 \| Zermatt-08 \| Chamonix-01 \| Chamonix-02 \| Chamonix-08 \| Chamonix-01 \| Chamonix-02 \| Chamonix-03 \| Chamonix-04 \| Chamonix-08 \| Chamonix-01 \| Chamonix-02 \| Chamonix-03 \| Chamonix-04 \| Chamonix-05 \| Chamonix-08 \| Geneva-01 \| Geneva-02 \| Geneva-08 \| Geneva-01 \| Geneva-02 \| Geneva-03 \| Geneva-04 \| Geneva-08 \| Bernese-01 \| Bernese-02 \| Bernese-03 \| Bernese-04 \| Bernese-05 \| Bernese-08 \| Wengen-01 \| Bernese-02 \| Bernese-03 \| Bernese-04 \| Bernese-05 \| Bernese-08 \| Zurich-01 \| Zurich-08 \| Zermatt-01
Publications are in PDF format: PDF Adobe Acrobat Reader is available for free	\| 2006 Tour de Swiss Alps - Riffelalp Resort Review - PDF	\| 2006 Tour de Swiss Alps - Riffelalp Resort Review - PDF	\| 2006 Tour de Swiss Alps - Riffelalp Resort Review - PDF

Cruising and Booking Information Resources

Travel Agent:

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PO BOX 5617, Madison, WI 53705

Contact Info:

Greg Giese

TEL: (608) 238-6001

FAX: (240) 525-2445

EMAIL: greg@cruisingreview.com

Website: www.CruisingReview.com

For Megayacht Charter, please visit our website at JetSetCruise.com Cruising Review also offers luxury cruising on Bora Bora Cruises.

Cruise Line Info:

Global Energy Travel Services

Contact Info:

Greg Giese

TEL: (608) 238-6001

EMAIL: greg@cruisingreview.com

Website: http://www.cruisingreview.com

For Megayacht Charter, please visit our website at http://www.jetsetcruise.com - Cruising Review also offers luxury cruising on Bora Bora Cruises.

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		< Back Next >
Madison Wisconsin	Zurich	Zermatt	Zermatt	Zermatt	Chamonix	Chamonix	Chamonix	Geneva	Geneva	Bernese Oberland

First Full Day in Zermatt	Map of Zermatt
Zermatt has many great trails and alpine peaks to visit. First thing I did was to change the time zone in my digital camera.
	(click to enlarge)



COOP food store receipt.	Breakfast menu for in-room service.	Trekking pole cover.	Trekking pole instructions for use.

Sunrise	Matterhorn Sunrise
We awoke at 7:00 a.m. to be greeted by the Sun slowing illuminating the peak of the Matterhorn. It's majestic. You just stand there looking at it speechless. Sleeping with jetlag and altitude can take some getting used to. You'll wake up a few times short of breath during the night. Luckily, we awoke to a beautiful clear morning.
	(click to enlarge)



The Riffelalp breakfast buffet is the best in Switzerland (possibly the best in Europe).	You have a huge variety of juices (freshly squeezed), cheeses, cereal and can have omelets made to order.	Fresh cheese and meats are also offered.	A huge assortment of freshly baked bread awaits you each morning.



After breakfast, we took the Gornergrat train down to Zermatt and walked to the base of the Rothorn.	The first leg of the journey is a steep tunnel ride in a funicular tram to the Sunnegga Paradise.	The next stage is a cable car to the Rothorn Paradise.	Finally, you board a huge cable car to the Rothorn.



Rothorn Cable Car	Rothorn Cable Car	Rothorn Cable Car	Rothorn Cable Car

View of Matterhorn from Rothorn	Matterhorn
This is the classic view of the Matterhorn. Only venture up on a clear day, or you won't even see the distant peaks. The ride to the top from Zermatt is about 45 minutes (without any lines). Use your peak pass and add up the savings.
	(click to enlarge)

Matterhorn	View of Matterhorn
This is one of those clear days, you rarely get on vacation. We were lucky and had several of them. Use your sunny days to visit the peaks. Use your cloudy days to hike, shop or relax at the resort.
	(click to enlarge)

Pepe in front of Matterhorn	Pepe
Pepe in his alpine gear in front of Matterhorn.
	(click to enlarge)

Rothorn to Rothorn Paradise	Cable Car
Cable cars are pretty cool. If you've ever tried hiking up to a peak, you'll certainly never take for granted the wonders of alpine transportation.
	(click to enlarge)

Rothorn	Rothorn Paradise
There are many trails that terminate and go through the Rothorn. Several trails can get you back to the Riffelalp - but they take several hours. To the left of the photo you can see the slopes of the Gornergrat, and the trails that lead to Riffelalp. After going down to Zermatt, we went back up to the Riffelalpl and had a nice lunch outdoors. After a short hike, we sampled the indoor swimming pool and the outdoor Jacuzzi, which has a spectacular view of the Matterhorn. There is no better way to watch a sunset !
	(click to enlarge)

Dinner	Preparing for Fondue
We started dinner at 8:30 p.m. downstairs, in our favorite restaurant. Tonight Jane was having the meat fondue, and I was having the wood fired grilled steak.
	(click to enlarge)

Fondue	Fondue Dips
The fondue and steak were both wonderful. Have a glass of wine or beer with dinner to make it a fantastic alpine meal. The Swiss actually have a very good beer.
	(click to enlarge)

Steak	Wood Grilled Steak
I love steak. Instead of the large potato steak fries, substitute rice. Then have another steak. They're delicious.
	(click to enlarge)

Rates	Riffelalp Rates in .pdf Format
The rates for the Riffelalp vary according to season. Keep in mind that they do close for a few months starting October 1st in the fall. Always book in advance.
	(click to enlarge)