VERBIER & ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND

Switzerland is home to some of Europe’s largest and most picturesque resorts. The charming car-free town of Zermatt, which sits at the foot of the iconic 4,478 metre high Matterhorn, is about as Swiss as Toblerone chocolate. Low-rise Verbier, also in the canton of Valais, is nestled between the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc and offers fun après ski and a nightlife scene.

WHERE TO STAY

BACKSTAGE HOTEL

Boutique spa hotel featuring the signature workmanship of owner, architect Heinz Julen. The After Seven restaurant offers creative, market-fresh cuisine. Hofmattstrasse 4, 3920 Zermatt +41 27 966 69 70, backstagehotel.ch

MONT CERVIN PALACE

Historic hotel with charming, alpine-inspired furnishings. The house offers a diverse range of gourmet restaurants including Le Restaurant, Grill Le Cervin and Ristorante Capri. Bahnhofstrasse 31, 3920 Zermatt +41 27 966 88 88, montcervinpalace.ch

LA CORDÉE DES ALPES

Intimate and relaxing refuge, furnished with hand-knotted carpets from Nepal and a combination

The bar in the Hotel Alex in Zermatt has the ambiance of a mountain chalet. of classic ski and modern Swiss design elements. Spa and chic brasserie restaurant. Route du Centre Sportif 24, 1936 Verbier +41 27 775 45 45 kvhotels.com/en/hotels/hotel-cordee-des-alpes. html

LE CHALET D’ADRIEN

Relaxed five-star hotel with beautiful views over Verbier. Sensational gourmet cuisine. In the Michelin-starred La Table d’Adrien you will be surprised with specialties beyond the Alps. Chemin des Creux, 1936 Verbier +41 027 771 62 00, chalet-adrien.com

LE CHALET DE FLORE

Four-star hotel in the centre of Verbier, just 100 metres from the Médran cable car. The spacious rooms all have a balcony with a view of the Alps. Rue de Médran 20, 1936 Verbier +41 027 775 33 44, chalet-flore.ch

RESORT HOTEL ALEX

Elegant hotel in Zermatt reminiscent of a luxurious mountain chalet. Beautiful wellness centre as well as comprehensive sports and fitness facilities, plus a cosy bar and lounge for cigar smokers. Bodmenstrasse 12, 3920 Zermatt +41 27 966 70 70, hotelalexzermatt.com

WHERE TO EAT

ALPINE GOURMET PRATO BORNI

Heinz Rufibach presents outstanding Valais products with flavours and ingredients from the Mediterranean. Two menus, Heimat and Fernweh, offer a choice of up to seven courses. Bahnhofstrasse 55, 3920 Zermatt, +41 279 666 600 zermatterhof.ch

CHEZ VRONY

Pause at over 2,000 metres to enjoy rustic cuisine from organic ingredients. The restaurant has been known for its warmth, hospitality and breathtaking views of the Matterhorn for over 100 years. Findeln, 3920 Zermatt +41 27 967 25 52, chezvrony.ch

LA GRANGE

Popular gourmet restaurant with a nice terrace. Menus feature local and seasonal cuisine. Or try their sister restaurant La Pinte, which serves traditional specialties such as raclette and fondue.

Rte de Verbier Station 70, 1936 Verbier, +41 27 771 64 31

LE GRENIER

The rustic alpine restaurant of Le Chalet d’Adrien. Pasta, risotto and Swiss specialities are on the menu, which you can enjoy on the terrace at lunchtime or in front of the roaring fire at night. Chemin des creux, 1936 Verbier

+41 27 771 62 00, chalet-adrien.com/en/

RESTAURANT VERANDA

With a view of the Matterhorn, executive chef

Axel Wennekers and his team take the guests on a journey of discovery through local alpine cuisine. Try the weekly raclette and dried meat buffet. Untere Mattenstrasse 12-14, 920 Zermatt

+41 27 966 26 60, hotel-mirabeau.ch

W KITCHEN

Contemporary restaurant with modern and traditional cuisine at the highest level. The dishes surprise with a skillful twist courtesy of executive chef Emiliano Vignoni.

Rue De Médran 70, 1936, Verbier.

+41 274728888, wverbier-restaurants.com

Chez Vrony is perched at 2,100 metres with sensational views of the Matterhorn. Left: Bonnie is one of 25 staff there. Below: The W Kitchen at Verbier.