The signs are good for a summer of family fun in Gstaad. With its Alpine Family Park, new children's restaurant in Zweisimmen, treasure hunts in the footsteps of explorer Mike Horn, beginner climbing sessions and rafting, Gstaad is now even more attractive as a family holiday destination. A particular hit with visitors is the "Gstaad easyaccess card" that allows unlimited travel at minimum expense throughout the Saanenland area. And for those who need to recharge their batteries, the increased range of spa facilities is an additional bonus.
Saanenland is even more focused on the family for summer 2003. With the kids playing happily in the new Family Park (open 1st July � 17th August and 30th September to 19th October), parents will have plenty of time to relax. The organisers, Absolut-Activ (www.absolut-activ.ch), will offer a special programme each day with midday supervision and organised games for children from 5 to 14 years (plus younger children if accompanied by older brothers or sisters). At the heart of the park is an alpine hut with open fire, stream, woods, meadows for playing, rocks for climbing and a tepee. As well as the professional supervisors there will also be alpine shepherds, gamekeepers and foresters on hand to give friendly advice and assistance.
For an adventure for the whole family, how about an exciting treasure hunt? Follow in the footsteps of Mike Horn, the Saanenland explorer who also successfully negotiated the wilds of Amazonia.
Great times for young and old
A one-day taster course in climbing is tailor-made for families. Parents and kids can clamber up and down suitable rock formations in the Berne Oberland under the expert supervision of the Gstaad Alpine Centre (www.alpinzentrum.ch). Group spirit is a must on a river rafting tour on the Saane � families with children from 6 to 10 years old can even take charge of the oars. In the Sparenmoos ob Zweisimmen nature reserve, little ones can romp about and enjoy a host of fabulous treats in the new children's restaurant - after which both young and old can whiz down the valley to the train station together on scooters. Waiting at the station they'll find the Golden Panoramic Express, the jewel of the Montreux-Berne Oberland railway, ready to take them home � also completely free of charge for holders of the "Gstaad easyaccess card".
Boundless fun for three days or more With this year's all-inclusive "Gstaad easyaccess card" visitors can enjoy unlimited free travel for just CHF 28.50 / � 19.00 per adult and CHF 15.00 / � 10.00 per child. In addition to riding on any one of five cable cars, the Postauto bus or the Montreux-Berne Oberland Railway (MOB), the 2003 "Gstaad easyaccess card" also offers free pool fun for children and parents in local open-air and indoor swimming pools. Or for quieter days, a trip to the Saanen or Zweisimmen museums brings the fascinating history of this region to life.
Spa and wellness facilities improved
Summer 2003 will see the official opening of the new 2500m2 Wellness Oasis at the Grand Hotel Bellevue in Gstaad, offering an array of saunas, steam rooms and whirlpools to dissolve away those tensions. And for more energetic visitors, personal trainers are available to help design individual tailored exercise programmes.
The Grand Hotel Park in Gstaad, the Wellness & Spa Hotel Ermitage in Sch�nried and the Golfhotel Les Hauts de Gstaad in Saanenm�ser have also extended their wellness facilities, offering a range of pampering delights with dream showers, infra-red cabins, rasul, hamam lounger and massages, plus an array of other baths.
Hotels focus on the family
Many of the hotels in the Gstaad region are displaying their family-friendly colours with a range of special offers. For instance, the stylish 3-star Alpine Lodge in Saanen includes a daily "Soft Adventure" programme in the room price. Plus, children up to 16 years old can stay in their parents' room at a 50% discount. The Steigenberger Hotel in Gstaad-Saanen is again offering its successful "Kids All-Inclusive" deal and now also provides a free daily programme of activities called "Summer Super-Plus". Family holidays with thousands of ideas for walking routes, complimentary iced and soft drinks and the services of young sports trainers can be booked at the Hotel Ermitage-Golf in Sch�nried. These packages also include spa treatments and the "Gstaad easyaccess card".
Wide range of wellness facilities at:
Grand Hotel Bellevuewww.bellevue-gstaad.ch Wellness & Spa Hotel Ermitagewww.ermitagegolf.ch
Grand Hotel Parkwww.grandhotelpark.ch Golfhotel Les Hauts de Gstaadwww.golfhotel.ch
Outdoor activities:
Absolut-Activ, Gstaadwww.absolut-activ.ch Experience Gstaadwww.experience.ch
Alpinzentrum Gstaadwww.alpinzentrum.ch Beat�s Adventure079/418 59 53
Gstaad: Summer highlights 2003
FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour (Women/Men) 17 � 22 June 2003
Allianz Suisse Tennis Open, Gstaad 5 � 13 July 2003
Saveurs Gourmet Festival 13 � 20 July 2003
Menuhin Festival Gstaad 18 July � 6 Sept. 2003
Polo Silver Cup GstaadCartier Trophy 14 � 17 Aug. 2003
Country Night Gstaad 12 � 14 Sept. 2003
For more information contact:
Adriena Daunt, Account Manager
Tel: 020 8875 2850
Email:
[email protected]