A SWISS IDYLL

The appeal of Switzerland is not only in its larger towns like Geneva and Zurich, but in visiting less-known and smaller towns and villages. Many of these have an old-world Alpine charm and feel like a time warp. Our pick of six to explore, now that Switzerland has re-opened to Indian travellers. All you need is your Covid Vaccination certificate

- Kalpana Sunder

LIVING THE HIGH LIFE IN PONTRESINA

ALPINE HIGHS IN APPENZELL

LA DOLCE VITA IN MORCOTE

SMELLING THE ROSES IN RAPPERSWIL

SLOW TIME IN LAUTERBRUNNEN

LIVING THE HIGH LIFE IN PONTRESINA

PONTRESINA, perched at 1805 metres above sea level, in a sheltered valley near the Italian border in Switzerland, is the less glitzy sibling of St Moritz which is just six km away. Translated, the name Pontresina is derived from ‘Bridge of the Saracens’ referring to robbers who raided the village in the 10th century. Pontresina has hosted celebrities from writer Hans Christian Anderson, to music composer Richard Strauss.

It is part of the second largest cross country skiing race in the world held in March, that runs through 42 km. The slope behind the small village is home to a colony of rare ibex (mountain goats) that are protected. They usually remain on high slopes, but sometimes come into the valley to graze on fresh grass.

The picture postcard town is lined with Belle Epoque hotels, bakers and Engadine style homes built in the 17th century, with massive walls and gables, with their wide, arched doors that were originally meant to accommodate farm carts, distinctive funnelshaped windows which let in a lot of light and conserve heat, and sgraffito (derived from Italian word sgraffiare, to scratch) decorated façades with geometric motifs as well as motifs of fish, stars and beasts scratched into the plaster, an ancient art brought from Italy in the 16th century.