However, for those of you who are adventurous, you can experience the dizzying drive independently in your own car. It takes approximately eight hours to reach St. Moritz from Tasch, the valley below Zermatt.
St. Moritz is ritzy; exotic cars, posh boutiques and glamorous women dripping in diamonds are commonplace in this jet setting, international enclave. St. Moritz is in the extreme southeastern part of Switzerland and very close to the Italian border. It’s not the easiest place to get to, which might account for it exclusivity, but the drive is worth it. You will be thrilled if you take pleasure in bombing around white knuckle hairpin turns.
Upon reaching the story book old town of Brig, continue northeast through the beautiful Rhone Valley. The most dramatic segment of the drive to St. Moritz is undoubtedly, the Furkapass. You will literally drive up a mountain, reach the peak (the Furkapass) and then drive down the other side where you will see the inception of the Rhine River.
The Rhine flows north to Rotterdam and into the North Sea. At the Furkapass, stop at the Hotel Tiefenbach to ogle the arresting views. Park, get out of your car, turn around, look back and you will see the Rhone River and the Rhone Valley open up before your eyes. The Rhone River flows southwest eventually ending up in Marseilles. What is so unique about this spot is seeing the inception of these two great European waterways. While the Glacier Express makes for a relaxing trip, passengers on the train travel through a tunnel, coming out on the other side, completely bypassing the remarkable Furkapass.
After the Furkapass, you will pass through the town of Andermatt and the 2033 metre-high Oberalppass. This region of Switzerland receives a consistent dumping of snow during winter months making the drive impossible; summer is the opportune time to take advantage of driving through the Furkapass -- one of the most scenic vistas in the world. During snow driven months, a train carries cars over the Oberalppass in a matter of sixty minutes.
At a town called Reichenau Tamins, turn southeast to Thusis. Finally, you will approach Julierpass. At this point, you will be rolling down a steep grade and entering Silvaplana, a lake known for international windsurfing. The next stop is St. Moritz.
Stay at the Hotel Eden and request a room with a balcony. It might just look down on the famous and socially superior Badrutt’s Palace Hotel frequented in the past by famous movie stars of the silver screen. The Hotel Eden is centrally located and a stone’s throw from the swanky boutiques and outdoor cafes.
 |
 |
 |
