It is possible that your next summer vacation will be spent closer to home than you previously thought! We've decided to take a virtual trip around Switzerland to help you get some ideas before you book your next hotel or Airbnb. The second in our series is the Valais region.
We tend to think that Valais is only about skiing, but think again! Valais has a lot more to offer:
Valais Thermal Baths
What better way to ease the mind and body than a soak in bubbling hot water naturally sourced from the beautiful Valais mountains? And what a view as these pools are outdoors! The Valais thermal baths offer rest and relaxation (R&R) for many tourists and Swiss residents alike. The thermal water relaxes muscles, stimulates the circulation, and its mineral content alleviates chronic joint pain.
Monte San Salvatore-1 © Milo Zanecchia 2017
It is possible that your next summer vacation will be spent closer to home than you previously thought! We've decided to take a virtual trip around Switzerland to help you get some ideas before you book your next hotel or Airbnb. The first in our series is the Lugano region.
Alessandra De Stefano, Media Relations Manager from Ente Turistico del Luganese, sent us an enthusiastic letter detailing many tempting activities and ideas for your next trip.
Tourist Office
01220 Divonne-les-Bains
France
0033/450 20 01 22
www.divonnelesbains.com
www.divonnelesbains.fr 
Fantastic park in center of town with lots of climbing frames and swings. Shady. Note: Pick-up some freshly baked crusty bread, a chunk of local cheese, some sun-ripened tomatoes, and some fresh or dried fruit at the Sunday morning farmer’s market and stroll over the the park for a picnic. Some of the shops that line the streets where the market is are open on Sunday morning until about 13h, so you might even be able to buy a picnic blanket and some sunblock too!
There is an active program of events throughout the Summer, many of which are free. Download this flyer to see the full list of exhibitions, concerts, performances and other events being organized this year.
— Casino de Divonne
Av. des Thermes
01220 Divonne-les-Bains
France
0033/450 40 34 00
Casino with roulette, blackjack, slot machines 10h-04h. Open year-round. Non-smoking Casino with a ventilated smoking room.
Note: Once a month there is a themed evening buffet. You must be age 18 with ID and dressed appropriately. Menu and à-la-carte too. Check the hotel (page 152) for the Sunday brunch en famille.
If you haven’t purchased our great Know-it-all passport guide yet and have been wondering what wonderful things we have included, then wonder no more! Here is a sample of what you will find in the 2011/2012 edition:
ANNECY
Directions: If you take the autoroute A41 (toll) it will take about 25 minutes to the exit Annecy Centre Ville. Or take the D1201 through Cruseilles and on to Annecy which will take about 45 minutes from the center of Geneva.
Canals run through the old town of Annecy and restaurants line every street. The lake is well-known for its beauty and paddle or row boats, may be hired. There is a large old-fashioned carousel near the lake that runs most of the year.
All Swiss chocolate is not the same, as we’re sure you have already discovered!
Commercial chocolate is good, but the hand-crafted stuff is better! Tempt your taste-buds with these small family-run businesses. You will usually be surprised at how different they are and how they will make chocolate-eating a whole new experience! Some of these places are also tea-rooms and serve their own specialty of homemade hot chocolate; you literally need a spoon to eat it!
It is fun to peer through the windows of these shops as the holiday themes make their appearance. Apart from the obvious: Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, there are cute themes such as the Car Show in March, Poisson d’Avril (see page 210), chestnuts in September, and the Marmite de l’Escalade (see page 203). As demands are high in the chocolate-giving seasons, make sure to order in advance.
