O! AMEX

I'm convinced that American Express, the credit card firm, saved my life at a much earlier date. Gawd I was young and foolish and broke. Now I'm old and foolish and broke, vive la difference. Anyway, let me tell you the story. I was at the ITB, that's the International Tourism Bourse held in Berlin each year. It was 1987 if I recollect but I cannot be sure. Anyhoo it was a long time ago, in the relatively early years of of Euro Ski Magazine and offshoot publications. I had spent the day trying to sell advertising i.... More details

Activelifestyle Travel Network. What can U do?

At no time has the Activelifestyle Travel Network (ATN) that consists of about 210 domains, realized its real earnings potential. At the very best it is an 80/20 theory, firm. But according to Bill Fogarty the aged CEO of ATN the company has not even reached that potential. “It’s a joke” says Fogarty. “It earns about 200,000 Euro a year”. “Almost all comes from just a few domains” he continued. This is not surprising when one realizes that there are no real social networking prospects; no mobile media plans; little new content; a sales for.... More details

Don’t forget Amanda Knox.

It began with the tragedy of the brutal murder of her roommate Merideth Kercher.  Knox shared the house in which Miss Kercher’s body was found with her throat slit. It was November 2, 2007.  The two were studying in Perugia, Italy. Miss Kercher came from the U.K. Miss Knox from the USA. Almost since that time, and, if the Italian justice system has its way, for the next 26 years (making 28 in all) Miss Knox will spend the time in an Italian prison yet to be named. The Italian ex-boyfriend of Miss Knox, Raffaele Sollecito, was found gu.... More details

The saga of Tiger Woods

I’m gonna blog about Tiger Woods. No I don’t know him. No I don’t play golf. No I don’t even follow the sport. That should make me perfect to comment on Tiger should it not? I mean what do the rest of the pundits and writers know? What they are told? What they read or get fed by the few people that do know; truly? So as I stated when I started this blog, it is going to feature Tiger Woods; so there. OK here’s what is for certain. Tiger Woods is the number one golfer in the world. He is also the number one earning-athlete in the world. This mone.... More details

What's up with Activelifestyle anyway

With 50,000 page views a month, www.bloggerup.com is one of the 10 most popular domains on the Activelifestyle Travel Network (ATN) list of more than 200 travel domains. As far as being a money earner, bloggerup is still, sadly, mostly non-productive. It does not make money in any considerable sum. That is the picture of many of the Activelifestyle domains; almost everything outside the top 25, and sometimes within, to be exact.  ATN attracts more than 500,000 page views a month; go figure. Our invoicing is mostly the result of other firms.... More details

Horu equals curling in Zermatt

Did you know that the big tourney in Zermatt in January is called the Horu? I wonder where they came up with that name. Anyway, did you know that it is curling? Yes, yes the Canadian sport. Whoops wait a minnit, didn't the Swiss beat the Canadians at some big tourney recently? Yep, they did. Was it the olympics? Anybody know?  Anyway the Horu which will attract upwards of 64 teams will be held from the 14th to the 17th of January in 2010. at the natural ice rink..... More details

Heavy Snowfalls in the Alps

Ski Club snow reports go dailyThe ski season is most definitely here as a large snowstorm has blanketed European ski resorts with up to a metre of fresh snow – and more snow is on its way this week. The Ski Club of Great Britain snow reports are now published every weekday and are reporting that heavy snow has fallen across Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria and Andorra as resorts begin to open their slopes for the winter season. Some of the highlights include Andermatt, Switzerland (100cm new snow), Cervinia, Italy (60cm) and Livigno, Italy.... More details

Courmayeur Mont Blanc Italian Style

Courmayeur is warm. No we don’t mean in winter silly, we mean in personality. The people and places are nice, and well, warm. Oh the skiing is great too, trust me I know. There’s something for everyone; yes everyone. I mean you would have to be quite the expert to ski some of Courmayeur’s sttp and deep. And I am here to tell you that the area offers great starting points for those that have never skied before, both higher up and down below in Dolonne. Oh and while we are on that subject there is a ski lift leaving from Dolonne too. In fact the .... More details

Chamonix Mont Blanc in Winter

Chamonix in winter has everything going for it. Everything. First the skiing. Chamonix has just about all skiing potential for almost all skiers regardless of their level of skill. Deep powder, baby slopes, the Vallee Blanche, you name the skiing you want and Chamonix has it. Then of course it would not be a French ski resort without great French food now would it? Anyway Chamonix has it and at all prices, except free of course. There is also a gambling casino and as well there is a well-staffed and informed  Tourism Office .... More details

Solo skiers on the increase

Research published in The Independent last week showed that ‘solidays’, holidays for solo travellers, are more popular than ever*. This trend is being reflected in the snowsports market with specialist tour operator Ski Freshtracks reporting a rise in the number of bookings made by solo skiers. 70% of Ski Freshtracks holidays are booked by skiers travelling on their own due to their unique social concept. This concept is perfect for solo skiers as all trips are organised by skiing standard and the focus is on skiing in groups of like-minded ski.... More details

WIT and exceptions

I take this opportunity to address Michael Peschardt as a result of what he said at the latest Web in Travel (WIT) presentation.  Michael is a TV presenter and host and is frequently seen on the BBC’s television program, Peschardt’s People.I listened, attentively, to him while he was being interviewed by Yeoh Siew Hoon, editor and producer of WIT, and enjoyed them both.  However I took one great exception.  As close as I can relate, Peschardt was stating that viewers under the age of 35 or so were being driven away from televisio.... More details

Lowdown on UK Travel from Travel Mole

This article is on the UK edition of Travel Mole. It provides a picture of the UK travel scene last yea and may be of interest to you. The TM title is.... this was found by Bill Fogarty Outbound travel slumps by almost 10m http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1139543.php?mpnlog=1  .... More details

John and Tracy in Cape Breton

This is an email sent to me from John and Tracy Symonds. I wanted to pass it along to you.   Hi Bill. Well we have been here in your homeland for 5 days now. We flew to New York where it didn;t stop raining. The NY to Halifax. Greeat when we arrived but it then rained all the way up from Antigonish to Cheticamp. Since then the temperature hs been around 20 degrees, shirt sleeve weather even on he boat we went out on to watch whales in the Gulf of St Lawrence.We love the miles and miles of open space and empty roads compared to the l.... More details

The start of Euro Ski Magazine

Even today I remember oh so clearly when and where the idea for Euro Ski Magazine came to me. It was springtime, just after the ski season of 1978 and the snow was melting quickly. I was standing on the platform of the main train station in Kitzbuhel, Austria, waiting to go back via St. Johann to Kirchdorf. This is the Austrian village where I had spent the last six winters teaching skiing. What great winters they were; what memories and what a way to enter one’s forties. Six years of teaching skiing and yours truly was waiting for a train. Any.... More details

School days, Ski school that is

There were all kinds of events before I turned up at the ski school in Kirchdorf in Tirol. There were places I had seen and people that I had met. You know, the usual things tourists see and impressions they take. London, Frankfurt and St. Moritz should be names that almost anybody would like to bandy about. Heck I was no different. However, for the time being, this story will start in the small Austrian village of Kirchdorf in Tirol. Kirchdorf lies about 4km as the crow flies from its larger sister-village of St. Johann in Tirol. In fact it is.... More details

From Toronto to Europe

I had started and folded The Sunday Scene. The distinction? It had been Canada’s first Sunday-only newspaper. The folding was foreseen, deserved and ultimately helped along by competitors. There was a mountain of funds owing. These included as a high point one of the creditors that you really should pay, the taxman. Real problems loomed and I had a great way of confronting them. Run baby run! Europe’s shores, cities and mountains were beckoning.Prior to my running I paid a visit to the tax office in Toronto, with all my books and accounts recei.... More details

Swiss Tourism;

Switzerland Tourism has just signed a strategic partnership with Interhome, Switzerland’s largest real estate agency with over 2,800 holiday apartments and residences on its books. The partnership will mount strategic campaigns to attract a broader range of visitors to Switzerland, starting with a campaign to highlight summer season mountain activities..... More details

Thailand Is Habit Forming

If you read my previous blog, First Trip To Thailand, you know how I first got from Courmayeur, Italy to Thailand’s capital, Bangkok. You might also remember that I bought an all white outfit consisting of shorts, socks, T-shirt and sneakers to try to beat the heat on arrival. But, do you know, as they say on CNN,” the rest of the story”?  No? Ok here goes. In my spanking new outfit and nothing short of awe struck, I took a taxi to a recommended (decent and fairly priced) hotel on Suriwongse Rd. in beautiful downtown Bangkok. My arrival d.... More details

First trip to Bangkok

I told this story sitting in Chesa restaurant in Bangkok recently. It is about how I first came to Bangkok. The folks listening thought it interesting; later they insisted I was crazy. For me it is just another entry in my life; another day. Please tell me what you think.I almost made it, the drive from Zermatt to Courmayeur. However a couple or three hours later I arrived at the Mont Blanc tunnel to find that it was completely and effectively blocked. This was achieved by less than twenty huge trucks; there was, literally, no entry to the Mont.... More details

Babysitting/Nannies in Innsbruck, Austria!

Innsbruck Babysitting Services offers safe, nurturing babysitters and nannies in your home or other location including; your office, hotel/ski resort, special events and more both in Innsbruck & surrounding Tirol. Part-time, after-school care, live-in/live-out, vacation nannies and on-call babysitters are available. We also offer corporate, group, wedding & special event discounts. Please use the contact page to discuss your child care needs further. We offer pre-screened, qualified babysitters and nannies that are CPR and First Aid certi.... More details

Hidden air charges

I got this story in a recent email from Travel Mole. It is amusing and accurate, have a look. Hidden airline charges are number one frustration Hidden charges by airlines have been voted the most annoying aspect of air travel by users of Skyscanner. Charges for checking-in hold baggage, fuel surcharges and booking with a credit card received 24% of the vote. Close behind, with 23% of the vote, was queuing for security and boarding, followed by lack of seat space (15%), fellow passengers (11%), having to check in so early (8%), bad staff attitud.... More details

Golf Course Information

If you have a golf course in the European Alps, why not tell us about it? Here, in this space. Naturally this does not mean a hole-by-hole description but a summary of what you have on offer. Sort of like the courses we have here or a bit longer. We want to provide the golfer thinking about traveling to the European Alps with basic information and, possibly, a link to your course. Tell us about the difficulty, the view, the nearby mountain range. Well you get the picture. Our readers are keen to know about all Alpine golf courses. In fact the.... More details

Zermatt Matterhorn Golf

In the village of Randa, a short train or Car ride from Zermatt, the Matterhorn resort, lies a new, John Chilver Stainer designed golf course. Golfing in Zermatt is a relatively new opportunity and, although the course features just 9-holes, it is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. The Zermatt golf club is located on the right side of the road (going down from Zermatt?) between Visp and Tasch, and not too far from the village of Randa. Open from April to October (weather permitting) the Matterhorn golf club is a great reason to visit Zermatt.... More details

InnsbruckAustria Golf

Did you know that there are actually two golf courses in Innsbruck? Yep there are, one is a 9-hole course and the other is a full 18-holes. We’re referring to the Innsbruck-Igls golf club whaich has two entries. There is an 18-hole championship course in Rinn while the village of Lans sports a 9-hole entry. At 920 meters above sea level the 18-hole course is situated in the Glungezer Mountain and we are told, offers quite a challenge. Besides offering a stunning view, the altitude of the course and its layout over hill and dale offer plenty of.... More details

Closing Golf Courses

The popular golfing destinations of Scotland and Ireland are starting to feel theeffects of the global recession, according to KPMG’s recent Golf Benchmark Report. Companies are spending less on entertaining their clients to a day, or weekend, onthe golf course, and there is a slump in bookings for corporate days – even at coursesl ike Gleneagles in Perthshire, which is set to host the 2014 Ryder Cup. Golf-club membership is one of the items that come under close scrutiny in an economic downturn, and some clubs will be forced to close – includ.... More details

Alpine Golf

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Austria admires neighbours

Austria to focus on cross-border tourism Austria’s promotional funds will mainly be allocated to neighbouring countries this year, says Petra Stolba, head of the Austrian National Tourist Board (ANTB). Outlining Austria’s promotional campaign themes for 2009 at ITB, Stolba said she expects international markets from further afield to decline. ‘‘Our budget is €51 million and we have just received an additional fund of €4 million that will go into promotions in our domestic market and in neighbouring countries,’’ said Stolba. But ANTB will not cu.... More details

Luxury Golf Destination

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Lakes Mountains Europe

Lakes Mountains Europe.... More details

Best Price Airline Tickets

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Austrian Tourism Trends

According to a recent story in the Austrian Times more Austrians than ever will be taking holidays at home this year. The report released by the Institute for Leisure Time and Tourism (ITF). The report states that a full 34% of Austrians are planning fewer and less expensive holidays at home this year. The report also staes that just 40% of Austrians are determined to take a vacation at all. This compares with 45% last year. The ITF boss, Peter Zellman reckons that the Austrian tourism sector will hold up fine as a result of the increase in Aus.... More details

Swiss Financial Woes

Katie Reid stated in an article released by Reuters news agency that the “Swiss ski smiles may fade with melting snow”. Yes but they would anyway, wouldn’t they? I mean winter, the good times, are over. No more big spenders and all that. But there I go, nitpicking again. I think that Katie Reid is generally right, the good times are slip slidin’ away. The season that started with such a financial bang, with such an abundance of great winter sports conditions, is showing signs of, well, a meltdown. The country, Switzerland, has had less negativ.... More details

Ski Star in Ischgl

How do traditions start? Who knows? However the end of season concert at the Austrian Ski resort of Ischgl in Tirol sure thinks it has one. We refer here to the Kylie Minogue concert, which is to bring the ski season to an end in early May. And here’s the best news. The concert is absolutely FREE, all you need to attend is a lift pass to get you to the top of the Silvrettabahn. The concert takes place at lunchtime on Saturday May 2nd and about 20,000 people are expected to attend. The singing star Kylie Minogue will follow some of the biggest n.... More details

Lech Austria

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Stubai Austria

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Jungfrau Region

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Aosta Italy

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Verbier Switzerland

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St Anton Austria

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Pattaya Thailand

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Phuket Thailand

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Bangkok Thailand

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Ski Switzerland

Skiing in Switzerland gives one a great chance to name drop that's for sure. I mean if you ever go to Zermatt, Davos or St. Moritz you can earn countless drinks just telling your friends about it. Imagine skiing the gentle slopes of Gstaad in the day and rubbing shoulders with the many celebrities that live there at night. Switzerland for the purposes of skiing can best be described as a small country full of mountains.... More details

Ski France

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Ski Italy

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Tirol Austria

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Ski Austria Resort

Austria is renowned for its ski mountains possibly more so than any other skiing country in Europe. With names such as St. Anton in Tirol.... More details

Zermatt area

Zermatt is a resort where skiing visitors are really spoiled for choice. There is skiing everywhere, and literally for everyone. Zermatt skiing is divided into a number of primarily unconnected areas, each with its own selection and personality.... More details

Child care in Verbier

Petit Verbier is a new, very exciting nanny and babysitting service in Verbier, Switzerland. We understand that children in Verbier (especially the little ones) need to have good quality and fun childcare that you can trust while on vacation. Our nanny's and babysitters are all insured, reference checked, experienced child carers, most with first aid training and police checks. Please check out our website www.petitverbier.com or email us on info@petitverbier.com for more details. We look forward to hearing from you soon!.... More details

Aosta Italy

    If you are looking for a good place to ski this winter then you really need to look no farther than the Italian province of Aosta and/or the city that bears it's name. Well known Italian resorts that are located in Italy's Aosta Valley include, but are not limited to, Plia, Courmayeur, La Thuile,Cervinia, all of the resorts included in the      Monterosa Ski area and many others. And here's the good news.      In very high seasons in most European Ski countries and Italy .... More details

holiday house rent Bangkok vacation home rental accommodation Thailand property to let

read the testimony on the guests own website http://littlewhiteswan.com/Accom/az08/0826.html Found this doozie of a house on the internet, advertised on various vacation rental web sites. Yes - that is a month not a week. Came out to have a look and took it straight away. Good thing was that it is close to the Southern Bus Terminal where I was meeting Peter the following morning at 5.30am. The house itself is clean with basic but comfortable furnishings, big screen TV's in lounge and main bedroom as well as air conditioning in both of these .... More details

Early Snow, some resorts open

Winter Comes Early to Ski Resorts Even though it is only the middle of November, ski resorts across the world have been blanketed with snow after a series of snowfalls over the past month. This week has seen heavy snowfalls across Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland and Scandinavia, with some resorts opening early including Bormio in Italy and Geilo in Norway. This weekend Obergurgl (Austria), Flims/Laax (Switzerland), Lenzerheide (Switzerland) and Hemsedal (Norway) are all set to open. There are some exceptional snow depths for this time .... More details

Is bartering the world's oldest profession

What is the world's oldest profession?Well here's a surprise. I don't know,.Can you please enlighten me? Yes, yes of course I have heard aboutthe youngladies plying their trade  since time began. But, can you actually prove that this action started before, or really didn't include some form of barter? I'm referring here to the legal exchange of goods for services with no cash changing hands. Question two; How do you solve the world's financial ills? You don't have a quick answer for that one either? Well if its any consolation, neit.... More details

God grant me time

The simple life I threw away without a thoughtin my simple mind. I'll leave them all behind I said, there were better things for me ahead The city called with it's bright lights. This is where I belong I said, of this I know I'm right. I left behind the rosary, the rules and the people who I thoughtconfined to make my way to the city. I knew I belonged, A different life, a different world. Of life's regrets some were small and somewere grave. As years went by and I matured I was thanking God for the beginning that I once scorned. A mission.... More details

Info on European Lakes and Mountains

If you have xperience on visiting the Lakes and Mountain regions of Europe why not pass it along to our readers? Good news or bad is welcome; we are looking for information on all areas, with special interest in Austria, France, Switzerland and Italy. We are lespecially ooking for traveler information around the lakes regions in those countries. If you can help, please let us know either by adding a comment to this story or indeed writing about your experiences in a new blog. We will be most happy to hear any comments about exper.... More details

Niche Travel on the web

  Niche is the buzzword in online travel. An Activelifestyle Travel Network essay by .... More details

Wanna save on travel? Try an auction.

Want to save big on your next business trip or holiday? Get your ideal accommodation or travel service at your own price; on auction! The Activelifestyle Travel Network (ATN) has opened a new travel auction on its www.travelthailand.com website. The auction is featured not only on the Travel Thailand domain but through the entire Thai network. It allows viewers to place a bid on just about any accommodation standard and outlines the minimum acceptable sum to be bid for the category selected. Bidders are not required to enter credit card detail.... More details

Alexa: useful or best yet to come?

Alexa! A useful Internet measuring stick or just another unfinished symphony?  Yes I take remonstrance at a less than favorable Alexa listing, doesn’t everyone? However I have a question; does anyone know on what they base some of their statements? Case in point. We have a domain called www.travelthailand.com that is listed on the Alexa site. Here’s what it says about our visitors; “this site gets very little to no traffic”. Can someone please tell me from whence that statement came?  It has absolutely no basis in fact. It is false.... More details

wing-wing wing-wing

          Wing-wing wing-wing. It was incessant, four straight days. This is how it began.       Bob and I went to Pembroke Ontario in November for our Grandsons' "early Christmas" and to babysit a few days while our son and his wife Penny vacationed. For Christmas I had bought Keenan (9yrs) a pair of walkie-talkies. They were 3 year old Spencers  proudest possesion immediately.       The first wing-wing was so precious. I answered the walkie.... More details

L'Atilier in Zermatt

My recent visit to Zermatt was pleasant as always, this time possibly more so.  Main reason? One was invited to at least a couple of worthy, social cum business events. This particular blog has to do with the grand opening of a small, unique, artsy/craftsy shop in the church square, L’Atelier. If grand opening is not quite the word for a new shop that sells old stuff, let’s go with an opening occasion. Located just next to two restaurants at the far end of the square, L’Atelier is worthy of a look and a browse. Back to the opening occa.... More details

Life's ups and downs

I suppose surviving to just about 70 years requires more than a bit of luck. This especially if one has tempted fate with a lifestyle of on-the-edge behavior. So is it about to run out? Many have witnessed and can attest to this lifestyle, but none relishes regaling all and sundry with at least one example of this mode d’ operandi more than valued friend David B. It was he who played a major role in the organization of a cruise in Pattaya Bay in the final day of the year 2000. This is to say the last day of the 20th century and the eve of t.... More details

HOTEL MIRABEAU alpine residence wellness & spa ZERMATT

NOW OPEN: JOSEF'S WINE LOUNGE  http://www.hotel-mirabeau.ch/winlounge.asp Your evening's meeting point! Great wine by glass. This new bar with its open hearth has been furnished with attention to detail. See you soon in beautiful ZERMATT - SWITERLAND.   Zermatt ski travel hotel and apartment information  .... More details

Bangkok Thailand, Thai city vibrant and exciting

On American thanksgiving I went to a great party. I was going to call it a dinner party, but as I got there at about 1:30 in the afternoon and the joint was already - if not jumping - at least buzzing, I guess the term garden party would be more accurate.. Unsurprisingly the majority of the guests were Americans and North Americans but there was too a good smattering of Brits with other nationalities on hand to add an international flavor. Plenty of Thais represented the home country and an abundance of lively but non-invasive kids of most nati.... More details

Chesa, Bangkok Swiss Rstaurant

Here’s the scenario.  You have been invited to lunch or dinner at Chesa, the Swiss restaurant on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Soi 20. What do you expect? Will it be full of quaint, Swiss mountain folk communicating in some unrecognizable dialect?  I mean is Chesa mostly for the Swiss community of Bangkok? Sorry to disappoint you but Chesa’s Swiss diners make up only about 10 to 15% of the place at any specific sitting. In fact a truly International crowd, peppered by Thais with a generous seasoning of foreigners from all over the globe is the.... More details

Hotel Dolonne, Courmayeur

 I clearly recall the first time I had dinner at the restaurant in the Hotel Dolonne in the medieval village of Dolonne in Courmayeur. It was with my French friend Allain and his friend Jacqui (Swiss) to celebrate his appointment to as a pilot with Air France. This came after much training and years as a helicopter pilot. I remember the dinner fondly; almost as much for the location as for the success and happiness as my friends. Although many years have passed, Alain still flies for Air France and the Hotel Dolonne keeps making clients f.... More details

A tale of two cities

Coup or not,Bangkok is still a place to be.Of late, Bangkok, my adopted home has been the subject of intense and unflattering media coverage. There was a “bloodless” coup. Wow I got phone calls and emails from literally all around the globe. Was I all right? Are there many dead? Injured? Well the answers are, yes, no and no. Things are normal here except that we have a military government for the moment. They promise though to appoint a civilian PM immediately. Sooner than that if possible, but that’s to wait and see. There is a personal upside.... More details

Fascinating mountain is it not?

    If there is one word that writers seem to use when describing the Matterhorn, the beauty that towers over Zermatt  in Switzerland and Cervinia in Italy, it is "fascinating." Case in point; there is a new book out by the Zermatt Bergbahn Company, These are he folks who developed and operate the trains, cable cars and various other forms of mountain transport in Zermatt.  They have a new book out called "The story of a fascination" that tells of the history of Zermatt going back-wait for it- 250 million years. The boo.... More details

Rockin and rollin

There is no time, literally, to come to Zermatt, this Matterhorn resprt, when the joint is closed. Its now Sept 3rd or so and today the hotel I am staying in is full as are the streets. Restaurants, shops, all are doing business. Are there skiers? I really don't know but there are certainly posers. One can see them walking down the street in climbing gear with ski poles and five oclock shadows. Sheeeet. By the way Nellies, one of the world's favorote pus is closed for repairs. Seems they suffered flood damage. Ever heard the old joke? Howdya st.... More details

Zermatt Yacht Club

The home of the Zermatt Yacht club has been relocated to Nelly’s pub, next to the Simi Hotel in Zermatt. Wait a minute, what’s that you say? The Zermatt Yacht Club? Well, yes, actually and it’s not new either. It was started some years ago by the amazingly foresighted Karl Ivarsson in conjunction with his group’s ownership of the wonderful but ill-fated (in that it is now the subject of a fierce legal battle) sailing schooner, Zamoura of Zermatt. Out of the ship’s plans came the Grande Largue, a charity that aims to provide mainly handicapped c.... More details

Mountain Refuge near Courmayeur just reopened for summer

Recently I had the opportunity to visit one of my favorite places, Courmayeur, Mont Blanc, Italy. I stay often at the Hotel Berthod and with my mixture of work and play it is indeed a pleasurable time. This time, Alessio, who with his family owns the Berthod told me about a refugio (mountain refuge hut) that his wife opened very recently. The location is in the Grand St Bernard mountain range, above the village of Gignod in the Aosta Valley. The name of the refuge is Rifugio Chaligne. Alesio suggested a dinner visit. Great idea I thought so.... More details

The times they are a changin'

Look around this Matterhorn dominated resort (Zermatt for the uniniated) and you will see and feel the winds of change if not actually howling through the many 4,000 meter plus peaks then certainally whistling loudly. Lest ye forget this resort was once the domain of a handful of families almost exclusively Swiss and predominately local. Wow, take a look now. The place has an almost new personna both in the rapid pace of modernization and growth as well as in the explosion of nationalities in workers and entrapeneurs. Hoteliers too are busy upg.... More details

WI Not??????

A recent trip to Zermatt illustrated the strength and diversity of change that is overtaking this most popular of European mountain destinations. None the least is the propensity of WI FI (hot spot) Internet possibilities. A place to open your notebook and start emailing, messaging or calling is, literally, just around the corner. Any corner. Go to many pubs and restaurants and access is totally free if you are eating or drinking. In some cases one does not even need a computer, just borrow the house's. This is the case at Potter's Bar anyway. .... More details

Ski Switzerland

Ski Switzerland, Europe's spotless land of lakes and mountains. If skiing in Europe is your dream or if you do it frequently, skiing in Switzerland is a wise destination choice. World class ski resorts are all over Switzerland. World class ski lifts and mountain transportation will safely and comfortably get you into ski country, and some of the best hotels and restaurants in Europe will see to your comfort in Switzerland. Wining and dining in Switzerland are excellent activities and the Swiss kitchen, although underrated is certainly one of th.... More details

Hotels to be biggest web advertisers? Huh!!!

I read an article from "The online Minute" a newsletter to which I suscribe. It said that the Internet would be surpassing magazines in ad revenue by 2008 and radio by 2007. WOW. That's almost next year. The article said that the Internet's revenue would increase by 25% next year while overall ad revenue would increase only by 4%. Well I guess that's telling it where it's at eh? Now here's what I found most interesting. The fastest growing segment here will be beverages, hotels and packaged goods. Excuse me Hotels? I'll say it again, hotels? Pe.... More details

Zermatt Vacations

Great autumn deals on vacation apartments in Zermatt. Please see our apartments on www.zermattvacations.com. Up to 50% off regular rates.                                                                     &n.... More details