Just a stone’s throw from Zurich, over an hour to be exact is the canton of Graübunden. One of Switzerland’s 26 cantons, or states, lies quintessential Swiss countryside. It’s a go to destination place for GCC nationals. In 2018, 81 people visited from the GCC and so far, this year, 255 people have visited various Graubünden villages. It’s all a part of Graübunden’s effort to bring more people from the GCC to the Swiss Alps.

St. Moritz and Davos may be more well-known as the luxury destination spots in Graübunden, where those with some cash to spare spend their Swiss holidays, but you may want to add Graübunden to your next holiday list. The summer and autumn seasons have more to boast than winter. Skiing, horse sleigh rides, health and wellness, and gastronomic indulgences are pretty much your only winter options. But summer allows for hiking, strolling through Alpine meadows, horse riding, water sports, golfing, biking, and fishing, along with gastronomic indulgences allow for so much more. And, one may not think it, but aquatic rejuvenation is what makes Graübunden one of the most sought-after places for thermal healing.

Lenzerheide

Perfect for family and romantic getaways, Lenzerheide is a village not to be missed. A nature escape, get lost on the Panoramaweg Trail, or take a horse carriage ride with the Freizeit-Pferdehof company. Crystal clear Heidsee surrounded by mountains allows for the best water sporting activities from swimming, surfing, sailing, or wakeboarding with the Lenzerheide Watersport Center.

Freizeit-Pferdehof horse company

Lake Heidsee

And let’s not leave out shopping. Pesko Sports Fashion and Art Bar, owned by entrepreneur and designer, Nico Pesko, you’ll find skiing, leisure, and hiking designs. A fifth-generation family owned company, includes a gallery with high quality exhibits, which links the clothing shop, and the espresso bar. The current exhibit on now are paintings by Robert Indermaur. “It’s quite interesting to have people shop here during all four seasons,” says Nico. “Sure, the malls in Dubai are bigger, but what we are doing is more curated. We curate international brands and put them together.”

 Pesko gallery, espresso bar

Store shot

 The four-star Valbella Inn has you covered for all outdoor activities. Nestled in the Grison Mountains, surrounded by biking trails on all sides, the hotel will coordinate all sporting activities you would like in the area. Rooms are stretched out over three houses, from small and cosy, to spacious maisonette rooms, to luxurious suites. The spa tower, Tor da Lenn, spread out over five floors offers various saunas, a steam bath, ice peeling, salt peeling, massages and cosmetic treatments. Massages range from 280 to 450Dhs, depending on the length of the treatment. For gastronomic indulgences, the restaurant Capricorn serves regional specialties. And, the restaurant Fastatsch offers fine crafted 100% natural foods from the season of your stay.

Valbella Inn

 The Guarda Val Hotel goes to extra lengths to give visitors a quintessential Swiss experience. The hotel will arrange for you and your family, or group of friends to rent a typical Swiss cabin in the Alps. With no wifi or running electricity, the idea is to take you back to the days of old, with a wood burning stove and gas burning lamps. The hotel chef will prepare fondue from Swiss cheese, and barley soup that is indicative to the region for your cabin. They also have a hotel in the village that dates back 300 years, giving a cozy nature-filled experience.

Swiss Cabin

Fondue Photo

 Heidiland

Getting its name from the children’s story of Heidi, Heidiland has the authentic feel of the story by Johanna Spyri, set in a 19th century reincarnated village in Heididorf. Filled with families from the GCC region, the village takes you back in time where you can visit Heidi’s room, see how she and Peter played, and get a feel for Alpine village life.

 Heidiland

 Bad Ragaz

The Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, a hotel with timeless elegance offers the typical opulent Dubai hotel feel, with its five-star service. Not many think of aquatic rejuvenation when thinking of Switzerland, but Bad Ragaz is a town connected to a natural thermal bath dating back to the 13th century. The hotel harnesses this natural water source and people from all over the world visit. With a cancer clinic on site, other medical facilities, and thermal baths, the hotel is truly a place for health and wellness. The Thermal Spa offers massages from 655Dhs, body treatments from 690Dhs, facials from 1,273Dhs, holistic treatments from 318 Dhs, naturopathy from 730 Dhs, dermatology treatments from 450 Dhs, and physiotherapy sessions from 280 Dhs. And a water sommelier offers tastings of twenty types of water.

Grand Resort Bad Ragaz

And for your starving palate, you can’t miss out on one of the resorts seven restaurants, one being by Swiss Chef, Andreas Caminada called Igniv, a Michelin 1- Star restaurant, where meals are served on small dishes.

Igniv

 For all that Graübunden has to offer, it’s a Swiss canton and holiday destination that can’t be missed.