Long the start-of-year destination of choice of the jet set, who head there for the skiing, glamour and après, the magnificent Swiss Alps are the ideal destination for anyone looking to extend that Christmas vibe well into the New Year, and also enjoy some world-class winter sports.
With peak winter season in the Alps running from December to March - and you can expect the temperature during this time to drop below freezing - visitors to the region can expect some truly dazzling sights that can't be attributed to snow blindness.
And during this time, the super-glamorous towns of St Moritz, Gstaad, Zermatt, Verbier and Klosters are packed to the gills with the European jeunesse dorée, and you just may bump into Prince Charles and William and Kate at the latter, which boasts the Prince of Wales Gotschnagrat Cable Car, with a local source spilling, "The presence of Charles turned the place from an obscure alpine backwater into one of the most exclusive resorts in Switzerland."
Boasting lakes, valleys, glaciers and abundant natural beauty that will take your breath away, when you're not hitting the slopes, there's hot chocolate to be sipped at a number of chic chalet bars, scenic railways to take you high up into the mountains, and bubbles or hot toddies to be enjoyed at the numerous ski lodges.
St Moritz Glitz
Start your winter vacation in St Moritz, in the shadow of the mighty Piz Bernina - the highest summit in the Eastern Alps. Most scenically arrived at via the world famous Bernina Express, which you can catch from its embarkation point at Tirano in Italy, and beautifully arranged around Lake St Moritz, the alpine resort simply crackles with crisp Euro bills, as visitors splash the cash on the designer high street.
Having hosted numerous Winter Olympics and Alpine Skiing Championships, St Moritz is also home to the Cresta Run toboggan course, with cross-country skiing popular in the hills. But for sheer excitement, plan your trip around the White Turf Horse Race on February 5, 12 and 19, when spectators flock in their thousands to catch the action as jockeys flat race, trot race and skijor - whereby skiers are pulled along by their four-legged friends across the powdery snow - to the delight of the crowds.
For old-school luxury and glam, where ski boots are kicked off and woollen hats removed to be replaced by strappy heels and Middleton-esque blow dries, try the Altitude Bar at the Kulm Hotel where the cocktails are chilled, the men must wear jackets, and the ivories are tinkled on a nightly basis. Or for another classic, the Piano Bar at the Hotel Schweizerhof is one of the oldest in town, with the Muli Bar & Stübli, a more relaxed pub-style option.
Gorgeous Gstaad
One of world's most elite ski resorts, Gstaad's tiny population of 2,500 adds to its air of exclusivity, with the high-end stores on Main Street attesting to the serious cash that gets splashed here. Counting the likes of Roger Moore, Bernie Ecclestone, Julie Andrews, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor among its famous residents past and present, Gstaad also boasts a plethora of cultural and culinary events to suit all tourist tastes.
A stroll around Lake Lauenen is a must, followed by a jaunt on a section of the 220km of piste or winter walking trails for non-skiers. With glacier and heli-skiing also available for the truly adventurous, a trip on a horse-drawn sleigh, followed by dinner at one of the world renowned eateries, which includes the celebrated Olden, world-class French cuisine at both The Restaurant and Chesery, and traditional Swiss fare at Hostellerie Alpenrose. And Gstaad also boasts a packed-out year-round calendar of events, which keeps the likes of Kareena Kapoor and the British royals returning year after year. Enjoy the awesome sights of the International Balloon Festival in Châteaux-d'Oex in January, along with the symphonic extravaganza of the Sommet Musicaux de Gstaad, an intimate festival of spring music held in February and March. Or, if you're feeling flush (or are looking for someone who is!), be sure to check out the exclusive Ferrari and Maserati auction hosted by Bonhams at the Gstaad Palace Hotel, which takes place every December and attracts some of the world's wealthiest individuals, hoping to pick up a toy or two.
Skis and cheese in Zermatt
With a landscape dominated by the towering 14,690ft Matterhorn - the last of the great Alpine peaks to be conquered - Zermatt attracts hikers from across the world, who come to take the Haute Route into Chamonix, France, as well as the Patrouille des Glaciers. A cable car up the Klein Matterhorn is a must, as from there you'll enjoy stunning views across the bijou municipality and surrounding peaks and valleys.
Enhance your skiing trip with a moonlit ski run, with three on offer at Matterhorn Glacier, Rothorn and Gornergrat, with the trips including train rides to the top and onboard fondue for the full alpine experience. And speaking of fondue, a side trip to the Alpsennerei (Alpine Dairy) or the Horu cheese-makers in the village is an interesting way to spend an hour or two - where you'll discover just how the 20 cows belonging to five farmers produce some of the region's finest fromages.
Finally, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience that's perfect for couples and families alike, a stay at the incredible igloo village at the foot of the Matterhorn is a must. And an evening spent enjoying fondue accompanied by a glass of traditional glühwein to keep the cold at bay is just the thing to set you up for a following morning of carving up all that fresh white powder on skis or snowboards.
Filmed there
Goldfinger, The Man Who Knew Too Much, For Your Eyes Only, The Eiger Sanction
Fly there
Emirates fly direct to Zurich from Dubai. Visit www.emirates.com for flight details.
TRAVEL NOTES
Bernina Express
With its large scenic windows (and open air cars in the summer), the Bernina Express takes its place among the greatest scenic rail routes in the world, trundling past glaciers, waterfalls and mountains for amazing photo ops, between Italy and Switzerland.
www.rhb.ch
Aletsch Glacier
This UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Jungfrau region features plenty of hiking trails and cable car journeys which lead you to incredible views across the Alps.
The Walserhof
The Michelin-starred restaurant at the Walserhof hotel - an intimate 11-room, three-suite hideaway - is a jet set favourite, with chef, Armin Amrein creating some artworks on a plate when it comes to the cuisine, which boasts hearty fare such as game terrine, river trout and ravioli - perfect after a hard day on the slopes.
www.walserhof.ch
STAY HERE
Luxury: Gstaad Palace
Nestled in the mountainside, and with a well-earned place as a Swiss institution, the five-star Gstaad Palace with its eight bars and restaurants - and celebrated nightclub, GreenGo - is the ultimate in cosy luxe during winter. With a hammam, private spa suite and indoor and outdoor pool (that's heated in the winter for the ultimate mountain-view swim), if you really want to splash out, check into the private Walig Hut, where you can enjoy stunning views across Gstaad. It's no wonder Robbie Williams and Paris Hilton keep coming back.
www.palace.ch
Mid-Range: Hotel Nolda
Overlooking the Lake St Moritz, the Nolda is just minutes from the train station, and a short hop or longer stroll into the centre of town. With a breakfast buffet on offer, the in-house restaurant serves up traditional Swiss dishes, and guests can use the spa facilities at a nearby hotel. And with free WiFi and free private parking - it's road trip-friendly too.
www.nolda.ch
Budget: Hotel Tannenhof
This family-run hotel in Zermatt is just a few minutes walk from the Matterhorn cable cars and retains a cosy, peaceful ambience, thanks to having just 23 rooms. What the Tannenhof lacks in frills, it more than makes up for in friendly service, with breakfast in the lounge included in the room rate. Be warned, some doubles don't have en-suites, which works out cheaper per night, but make sure you check before you book.
www.rhone.ch/tannenhof
