Gstaad
Gstaad is part of the Bernese Oberland and is one of the Switzerland’s most famous destinations. The Gstaad-Saanenland vacation region is popular with a charming mix of options for visitors, while the chalet village of Gstaad attracts countless stars and starlets the smaller neighboring villages offer attractive options for families with children. In the past years the center of Gstaad has developed into the most popular and shortest shopping street in Switzerland. With its top hotels, gourmet restaurants, luxury chalets and nearby Saanen airport, the car-free resort of Gstaad is also a popular destination for international celebrities. With the neighbouring resorts of Saanen, Schönried, Saanenmöser, Zweisimmen, Gsteig, Lauenen, Feutersoey, Turbach and Abländschen, the Saanenland as a whole however offers a considerably broader spectrum: the nature preserve by idyllic Lake Lauenen with its waterfalls and high moors, the narrow streets in the historic village center of Saanen, the advantageous situation of Schönried and Saanenmöser for winter sports enthusiasts and the peacefulness of the idyllic mountain village of Abländschen are examples of an extremely diverse holiday region.

Discover Gstaad-Saanenland
The Saanenland ski and hiking arena with 53 transport facilities has been given the name «Gstaad Mountain Rides». It is accessible from several villages by link transport facilities. The Montreux-Oberland-Railways (MOB) and buses connect Gstaad with base stations in Saanenmöser, Schönried, Zweisimmen, Gsteig, Reusch, Lauenen, Rougemont, Col-du-Pillon and Château-d'Oex in the French-speaking neighboring region of Pays d'Enhaut. Rushing mountain streams, sparkling mountain lakes, forests and gently rolling green hills with a spectacular Alpine backdrop lend the landscape its idyllic charm. Those who are fond of Alpine authenticity will find plenty of options for accommodation in traditional Alpine operations.
Tourist Office Gstaad-Saanenland Tourismus
3780 Gstaad, Tel. 033 748 8181, info@gstaad.ch

Highlights
You will find Gourmet restaurants – the gourmet’s paradise of Gstaad has not fewer than 18 renowned restaurants, including the Restaurant Chesery which has been awarded 18 Gault Millau points. Lake Lauenen – an idyllic mountain lake you simply have to take a dip in and excursion destination with a restaurant for mountain bikers and walkers.  Scooter fun – Wispile-Gstaad or Sparenmoos-Zweisimmen offer fast descents on special scooters. The Golden Pass panorama railway – journey from Montreux on Lake Geneva via Gstaad to Lake Thun and from there on to Lucerne in Central Switzerland. Suufsunntig - traditional Alpine festivals in July and August on various regional mountains. Focal point is the crowning of a champion cow.

Excursions
Berne – Capital of Switzerland
Berne, Switzerland's captivating Capital is only a 2 hour rail trip from Zurich. This is a city of medieval magic, listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. Attractions include the famous clock tower, the newly recreated bear park - home to Berne's heraldic animals - and excellent shopping arcades.

Lausanne
Lausanne is a truly elegant city and less than an hour by train from Geneva, on Lake Geneva. Its hillside setting on the lake facing the Alps is truly spectacular. Lausanne is a university city with a vibrant student population. The Swiss Hotel School is located here, as well as the International Olympic Committee headquarters, which has a fascinating Museum on the Olympics with all kinds of exhibits and a library of Olympic videos (www.olympic.org/museum)

Lavaux Wine Region UNESCO Heritage Site (www.lavaux-unesco.ch)
This lovely area is just one hour away from Geneva was dedicated in 2007. For millenniums, the hills facing Lake Geneva and the Alps were uncultivated until man transformed them into vineyards. This region which is bursting with sunshine is eye-catching and captures the imagination. In order to grow terraced vines on these steep slopes for centuries, man had to show great patience and willpower.

Cruise on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz
From April – October (and included with some Swiss Rail Passes!) Boats are operated on both of these beautiful lakes. Enjoy a leisurely cruise on a modern ship or one of the renovated stately steamers. Cruises depart in Thun (to Interlaken West) or in Interlaken Ost (to Brienz).

Gruyeres
The small village of Gruyeres is probably one of the most charming ones on the Old Continent. It is easily reachable from Berne and you can walk the cobblestone road to the old castle and visit a Cheese Factory. The traditional lunch in all the restaurants around the castle is Raclette, a must for all cheese lovers!

Winter
In winter, Gstaad and the surrounding area offers 220km of slopes at altitudes of up to 3000 meters above sea level which await skiers and snowboard riders alike. Several snow parks and numerous toboggan runs as well as 165km of trails for classic- and skating-style cross-country skiing are at the disposal of visitors. For walkers there are about 200km of winter walking trails. Among the rather more unusual activities on offer is Bavarian curling in the center of Gstaad and Glacier- and Heli-skiing.

Winter in the smaller resorts in the region, such as Lauenen, means peace and pleasure on long winter walks, while cross-country skiing or taking a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh.

Snow Report: http://www.gstaad.ch/en/mountains/winter/current-reports/lifts-runs.html

Summer
The wide-open countryside of the Saanenland offers a versatile and and diverse sports program: hiking (trail network of over 300 km), mountain biking, paragliding and golf. On the River Saane there are opportunities for mountain torrent and canoe adventures. Summer cross-country skiing is possible in the «Glacier 3000» ski region. The summer toboggan run in Schönried, a via ferrata and the Lake Lauenen nature paradise are ideal excursion destinations for families.

Wellness
True to its slogan, «come up, slow down», Gstaad provides a deliberate counterpoint to our increasingly hectic daily lives. The wellness destination of Gstaad guarantees a perfect wellbeing experience thanks to its intact nature, unsurpassed variety of leisure activities, healthy mountain agriculture and international top events. The right pampering program is provided by seven hotels with a publicly accessible and complete wellness infrastructure, ten hotels with a partial wellness offering and a sports center with indoor swimming pool.

Shopping
There are some very nice shops in Gstaad and they are all fairly close from each other in the center of the village

Restaurants
Chesery – 18 Gault Millau points (Alte Lauenenstrasse 6 – 033 744 2451)
Saagistübli – Swiss specialties incl. cheese fondue (Lauenenstrasse 19 – 033 748 6363)
Charly’s Tea Room – Swiss Specialties / Chocolates – (Promenade 76 – 033 744 1544)