Swiss Valais-Matterhorn Region and Avanti Partner on E-Brochure to Educate Advisors on Year-Round Independent Vacation Options

The Valais-Matterhorn region of Switzerland and wholesale FIT tour operator Avanti Destinations have partnered on a campaign to educate advisors on independent travel options in this southwestern Swiss canton, featuring dramatic mountain landscapes, glaciers, lakes, castles, charming villages, outdoor sports, and wine-tasting in ten off-the-beaten-path Valais locations.

A new 18-page downloadable e-brochure, “Switzerland: An Alpine Wonderland” available on Avanti’s travel advisor portal is the centerpiece of the campaign. The brochure describes Avanti’s two new itineraries, one featuring a vintage railway and one done on foot for hiking and wine enthusiasts, as well as three classic Swiss rail journeys. Information on Switzerland’s efficient and interconnected public transportation system and a map are included.

Avanti sells custom-crafted independent travel vacations exclusively through travel advisors, not direct to consumers. “We always encourage advisors to suggest destinations beyond the obvious to their FIT clients”, said Paul Barry, CEO of Avanti Destinations. “The Valais-Matterhorn region is an excellent ‘new’ place in Switzerland to recommend, especially for those who enjoy the outdoors in winter or summer. The towns, villages and rural areas are all connected in a variety of ways through walking paths, buses, trains, gondolas, and funiculars to name the most popular. Using these modes allows you to experience the spectacular countryside in a novel way. We are pleased to introduce the region to our advisor partners.”

“With these new itineraries, Avanti Destination has created new opportunities for independent American travelers to explore the Valais in a completely authentic way and experience local culture, history, surprising gastronomy, majestic mountains, and top hospitality all year round,” said Oliver Guggisberg, Switzerland Tourism District Manager of Western USA.

Ten Valais destinations

The ten featured destinations within the Valais Matterhorn region include: the Aletsch Arena, named after the Alps’ largest glacier and home to a quiet mountain resort that is family-friendly and uncrowded with both winter and summer outdoor activities, including 65 miles of ski trails; the town of Brig at the foot of the Simplon Pass to Italy, filled with artisanal breweries, wine-tasting, and a 17th century castle; Leukerbad, a wellness haven renowned for its soothing natural thermal waters, visited by celebrities through the centuries, like Mark Twain and Goethe; Saas-Fee, a car-free resort village (Switzerland has 11) near Italy, surrounded by a total of 13 peaks above 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), where clients can visit the Allalin Ice Pavilion, a frozen grotto filled with ice sculptures; Nendaz-Veysonnaz, actually two separate towns, filled with abundant resorts, in the area of 4 Vallées, known as a mecca for trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts; Thyon, another mountain resort in 4 Vallées, where clients can try their hand at dogsledding, axe-throwing, horseback riding, ice hockey, or sample the area’s outstanding cheeses and milks from Hérens cows; Les Dents du Midi, the three kilometer long mountain range of seven, two mile high peaks close to the French border, offer an abundance of trails for running, hiking and biking, as well as wildlife refuges and “slow food” culture; Martigny, a city surrounded by orchards and vineyards, and home to the St. Bernard breed of dogs; Crans-Montana, a high-elevation ski area in one of the snowiest parts of Switzerland, overlooking the Rhone River Valley, and featuring French-style resort villages and over 100 miles of hiking trails; Sion, home to award-winning vineyards and wine makers.

Two new independent vacations – one by train, one by foot

The two new Valais itineraries may be combined with stays in other Swiss, French, or Italian destinations. Avanti offers a total of more than 10 recommended itineraries in Switzerland, including the 11-day Grand Train Tour, eight-day Winter Grand Train Tour, and three-day Glacier Express, which are described in the new e-brochure.

• Furka Steam Railway Discovery (available June to September)– four days/three nights in Brig, at the crossroads of the Valais Matterhorn region. Includes: self-guided excursion to the town of Oberwald, where the Furka Steam Railway embarks; 2^nd class rail tickets and seat reservations for the Furka Steam Railway that travels through the nearly 8,000 foot-high Furka Pass; self-guided excursion to the Aletsch Arena, home of the largest glacier in Europe; complimentary additional rail journeys and 50% discount on some mountaintop excursions; choice of accommodation and daily breakfast.
• Valais Wine Hiking Trail (available March-October) – five days/four nights, one night each in Martigny, Saillon, Sion and Sierre, designed for hiking and wine enthusiasts. Includes: self-guided hikes from Martigny to Saillon, from Saillon to Sion, from Sion to Sierre, from Sierre to Leuk; shared Sion Tour with wine-tasting; meal of Raclette (a distinctive cheese/potato dish that originates from Valais) at Chateau de Villa (Sierre); rail transfers from airport/Swiss border to Martigny and return from Leuk; luggage transfers between hotels; admission to wine museums in Sierre and Salgesch; SwitzerlandMobilityPlus subscription for planning/printing/accessing helpful information on non-motorized travel in Switzerland, such as hiking, biking; choice of accommodations; daily breakfast.

For more information on independent travel in Switzerland and Europe generally, or to book custom-crafted, multi-destination FIT travel 365 days a year in Europe, Asia, North Africa, the Middle East, or Central and South America, log onto the recently revamped advisor portal https://book.avantidestinations.com or call 1-800-422-5053 to speak with an expert travel consultant.