Summer press kit 2020

Research ideas and press trips

Val Maighels in Disentis Sedrun

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Swiss cosiness in the Hotel Crusch Alba in the Val Müstair

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Swiss cosiness in the Hotel Crusch Alba in the Val Müstair

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A warm welcome to you

Whether you want to research a specific topic in Graubünden or are still looking for the right story – we are happy to be at your service: Cornelia Keller +41 81 254 24 57 cornelia.keller@graubuenden.ch

Thalia Wünsche +41 81 254 24 32 thalia.wuensche@graubuenden.ch

Please refer to our guidelines for supporting press trips at www.graubuenden.ch/en/media.

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New Experiences & Offers

Berninapass: ‘Camera Obscura’ in Salt and Gravel Silo

The ‘camera obscura’ is the archetypal camera. A pinprick of light is allowed into a box, with an upside down image projected on the opposite side. The new attraction in the Bernina Pass salt and gravel silo is based on this principle. The difference? You can walk around this ‘camera obscura’ and the projection is bigger than a person.

www.camera-obscura.ch (in German)

Chur: Cathedral Treasury Museum with Relics and ‘Dance of Death’

An important part of Graubünden’s heritage will be on display for the first time from August: The new cathedral treasury museum displays relics and liturgical objects, belonging to the cathedral and the cloister church of St Luzi from the Middle Ages, and the Chur’s ‘Dance of Death’, a picture cycle from 1543 showing the encounters between humans and the reaper.

www.graubuenden.ch/en/domschatz-museum

Davos Klosters and Prättigau: Trailrunning Tour of several days

More and more runners look for their thrill in the mountains. The new trail running tour from Davos to Fanas can be done in three days. The 63 km long trail is characterised by contrasts: the alpine metropolis of Davos connected with small mountain villages in Prättigau. It leads through lovely alpine meadows and rugged alpine terrain.

www.davos.ch/en/summer/activities/trail-running

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Heidiland: Gourmet Festival in the ‘Swiss Gourmet Region 2020’

This year, Heidiland bears the title ‘Swiss Gourmet Region 2020’ and there will be a gourmet festival with graubündenVIVA in the wine region Bündner Herrschaft. Heidiland always offers something special for the palate, such as letting guests try 20 regional wines from a vending machine at Stall 247 in Maienfeld.

www.heidiland.com/culinary

Maienfeld: School Like in Heidi’s Day

Blackboards instead of iPads: Over winter, the historic town hall in Heididorf above Maienfeld was refurbished and fitted out like an old village school. From this summer, a teacher will be there on selected days to show visitors what lessons were like in the 19th century, at the time when Heidi's story is set.

www.heididorf.ch/en

Safiental: Land Art in the Mountain Landscape

The third edition of ‘Art Safiental’ will be on the theme of ‘Analogue and Digital’ and the interplay of nature and technology. For example, one of the installations transfers digital pixelation to analog decaying stables. This and other land artworks from international artists are free to walk through and view.

www.artsafiental.ch/en

Scuol: Three Circular Walks around Mineral Water

There are over 20 mineral springs around Scuol, which laid the foundation for spa tourism in Lower Engadine. On three new circular walks, guests can learn everything about the spa town’s history and the contents of the mineral water. It is recommended to bring a beaker or flask, to see how the water tastes differently at each spring.

www.graubuenden.ch/mineralwasser-wege (in German)

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Val Bregaglia: Art Festival in Giacomettis’ Valley

Val Bregaglia is home to the artistic Giacometti family, whose most well-known member, Alberto, became world-renowned in the mid-20th century. However, the southern valley of Graubünden does not rely on this legacy, but continues to write its artistic history. As part of the Biennale Bregaglia 2020, artists will exhibit among the rock ledges of ‘Nossa Dona’ (Our Lady) and the valley barrier of ‘Lan Müraia’.

www.biennale-bregaglia.ch (in German)

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New Accommodation and Restaurants

Arvigo: B&B Ai Cav

In the Calancatal, one of Graubünden’s most remote valleys, a new bed and breakfast offers three double rooms and an attic room for six people. The B&B is in a building from 1864, but offers all mod cons. The pastel-coloured rooms are modern and a small wellness area completes the offer.

www.bnbcalanca.ch (in Italian)

Brigels: Casa Fausta Capaul Sparkles in Renewed Splendour

Casa Fausta Capaul is the oldest accommodation in Brigels. The Queen of the Netherlands, poet Conrad Ferdinand Meyer and the former President of Germany, Theodor Heuss are among its former guests. From this summer, the hotel rooms will be beautifully refurbished. The restaurant will remain as it is and preserve its historic charm.

www.casafaustacapaul.ch (in German)

Stampa: Historic Casa Palü becomes a Holiday Home

The foundation ‘Ferien im Baudenkmal’ (holidays in a historical monument) takes over decaying buildings threatened with demolition and gently restores these and gives them a new future as holiday accommodation. The newest is Casa Palü in Stampa. The house was previously used as a tannery and later as a living space and guesthouse by the painter Varlin.

www.ferienimbaudenkmal.ch/casa-palue (in German)

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Anniversaries

20 Years: viaSpluga

The paths along which the viaSpluga runs from Thusis to Chiavenna were already used by the Romans 2000 years ago. However, it’s only been bookable as a long distance hike with luggage transport for 20 years. Highlights include imposing bridges (Traversinersteg), natural sites (the Viamala Gorge) and cultural attractions (the Church of St Martin in Zillis).

www.graubuenden.ch/en/via-spluga

10 Years: Walserweg Graubünden

The 23-stage Graubünden Walserweg leads from San Bernardino in Misox to St Antönien in Prättigau and over the Austrian border towards Brand. Over the 300 km walk, you follow in the footsteps of the Walser, who, coming from Valais, settled in Graubünden during the 13th and 14th centuries More information on page 16.

www.graubuenden.ch/en/walserweg-10-years

15 Years: Prättigau Alp Spectacle

The Prättigau Alp Spectacle, which takes place from 2nd to 4th October, combines Swiss alpine culture, modern alpine farming and living traditions. The highlight is when the farmers drive over 100 decorated cows, many sheep and goats down from the alpine meadows to the village. Additionally, there is an alpine speciality market and an alpine cheese tasting.

www.graubuenden.ch/en/prattigau-alp-spectacle

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View from the Jägglischhorn on the multi-day hike ‘Prättigauer Höhenweg’.

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The 10 Most Beautiful Mountain Villages From A for Andeer to Z for Zuoz – in our region, there are countless charming villages. To pick the most beautiful villages in Graubünden, we asked 15,000 people for their votes. Here are the winners:

1st: Tschiertschen

Even though Tschiertschen is just a stone's throw from Chur, you can imagine yourself being in a different world. Everyone in the mountain village with 200 inhabitants knows everyone and the alleys are lined with sunkissed wooden houses decorated with sayings. For the eyes, there is a view of the Schanfigg, for the nose, there is fresh mountain air and for the palate, there are the dried meat specialties of the Alpenhirt.

www.graubuenden.ch/en/tschiertschen

2nd: Brigels

The mountain village of Brigels lies on a sun-drenched high plateau at 1289 m a.s.l. Its gentle, open slopes, the straightforwardness of the old village centre and the modern Pradas Resort, suitable for small guests, make it an ideal holiday resort for families. In summer, there are hiking trails – for example, to the Frisal mountain valley or to the modern Biferten Mountain Hut – the bathing lake and the golf course.

www.graubuenden.ch/en/10-most-beautiful-mountain-villages

3rd: Soglio

‘The threshold of paradise’ is how painter Giovanni Segantini described the village, which towers high above the southern valley of Bergell. Stroll through its winding alleys, and you feel as though you have been transported back in time. A breath of the past also blows through the Hotel Palazzo Salis. It is located in a patrician house, which was built in 1630 and was converted into hotel at the end of the 19th century.

www.bregaglia.ch/en/soglio-pure-poetry

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4th: Bergün

Bergün is the gateway to the Albula and Bernina line of the Rhaetian Railway, a masterpiece of railway technology and for good reason, a UNESCO World Heritage. However, if you only pass the mountain village on the train, you are missing out on the best: for example, the massive highly decorated Engadine houses, the enchanting art nouveau hotel Kurhaus Bergün or the nearby deep blue lake ‘Lai da Palpuogna’.

www.berguen-filisur.graubuenden.ch/en

5th: Vals

Nested deep in the Valsertal, a side valley of the Surselva, the mountain village of Vals is surrounded by high peaks. The location is characterised by houses with stone roofing shingles, with the landscape all around sketched by the forces of water. You come into contact with both stone and water in the 7132 Therme (thermal baths) by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, a construction of timeless quality and elegance.

www.vals.ch (in German)

6th: Guarda

Guarda is a picture book mountain village – and for once this is meant literally. Its typical Engadine houses inspired Selina Chönz and Alois Carigiet, the author and illustrator of the well-known Swiss children's book Schellen-Ursli. An important role in this story is played by the Engadin tradition of driving away winter, Chalandamarz. Guarda is to this day one of the most beautiful places to experience this.

www.scuol-zernez.engadin.com/en/lower-engadin/guarda

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New Life for Old Walls We present you with six historical buildings, which today are used as cultural institutions.

Chur: From Living Space to Museum

Villa Planta was built as a private dwelling for Jacques Ambrosius von Planta. The sphinxes at the entrance and the golden dome with a crescent moon hint at the builder’s mercantile activities in Alexandria. The villa has housed the Bündner Kunstmuseum’s (Museum of Modern Art) collection since 1900. Amongst others, there are sculptures from Alberto Giacometti and works by Not Vital.

www.buendner-kunstmuseum.ch/en

Madulain: The Shed Housing Art instead of Cattle

Madulain is the smallest community in Upper Engadine, and simultaneously the home of one of its most renowned cultural institutions: Stalla Madulain. In 2014, a 500 year-old cattle shed was renovated and became a gallery. Since then, it has offered three stories for the works of artists making art related to the Engadine or who find their inspiration there.

www.stallamadulain.ch

Riom: Dance, Theatre and Music in the Castle

In summer 2006, Riom Castle, an almost 800 year old fortress on the route to the Julier Pass, was opened as the first professional theatre of Rhaeto-Romanic culture. Since then, dance and music theatre and concerts have been staged in the old walls as part of the Origen Festival Cultural, which is based in Riom. In charge of the building’s expansion was none other than famous architect Peter Zumthor.

www.origen.ch (in German)

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St. Antönien: Heinzenkapelle in the Hayshed

In Garstett, on the ‘Prättigauer Höhenweg’, stands an old hayshed, without hay or an altar: the Heinzenkapelle (Heinzen Chapel). This year it opens its doors for the eleventh time and is free to visit in summer. According to founder Urs A. Furrer, the artistic space must be experienced. Therefore, not only can visitors view the art, but also sleep in the ‘Zeitbett’, a four-poster bed under hay sheets on the stable ramp.

www.graubuenden.ch/heinzenkapelle (in German)

Susch: Yesterday a Cloister, Today a Museum

Last year, Polish art collector Grażyna Kulczyk opened Susch Muzeum in the Engadine village of the same name. The museum ensemble consists of the old rectory, and a cloister’s reception and farm buildings, which were built in 1157, with a brewery added in the 1800s. The museum display works related to the countryside of the Engadine.

www.muzeumsusch.ch

Tarasp: A Castle becomes a Cultural Attraction

An emblem of the Upper Engadine, Tarasp Castle, built in 1040, majestically overlooks the region. The famous Engadine artist Not Vital has owned the castle since 2016. Vital’s vision is to develop the castle into an internationally renowned cultural attraction contemporary art and a sculpture park. Guests can visit the castle by taking a guided tour. As of this summer, there is also a new café in the gatehouse of the castle.

www.graubuenden.ch/en/tarasp-castle

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Research Idea

Val Calanca Wants to become a Nature Park After the Parc Adula National Park project failed three years ago, the three communities in the Val Calanca started again. Their goal: establish a nature park by 2023 and preserve the landscape and cultural heritage of the remote valley. The new ‘Parco Val Calanca’ (Calanca Valley Park), whose perimeter includes part of the community of Mescocco, would at 120 km2 be the smallest nature park in the country, and the first in Italian-speaking Switzerland.

Aside from the mountains – whose highest peak, Puntone dei Fraciòn, lies at 3202 m a.s.l. – the most striking feature of the landscape is the water. The Calancasca flows north-south through the valley, before it meets the Moesa. Numerous waterfalls and idyllic mountain lakes are popular with hikers. First and foremost is the heart-shaped lake ‘Lagh de Calvaresc’, included in the new nature park’s logo.

Of cultural importance are the well preserved mule tracks. In the steep Val Calanca mules were relied on even when roads for cars were built at the beginning of the 19th century in the rest of Graubünden. Both of the villages of Landarenca and Braggio, which sit high above the valley floor on terraces, have no tarmacked roads to this day. They must be reached on foot, or since the 1960s, by cable car.

The Via Calanca is the best way to experience Val Calanca. This three-stage hike follows traditional packhorse trails from Rossa, the village deepest into the valley, to its exit at Grono. For a more alpine adventure, you could take three or four days to hike the Sentiero Alpino Calanca from the San Bernadino Pass to Sta. Maria in Val Calanca. This tour is challenging and involves overnight stays in unmanned shelters. The reward? Beautiful mountain lakes – amongst others, the aforementioned Lagh de Calvaresc – impressive views, including into the valley and sublime crossings reserved for hikers.

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Research Idea

A Kingdom and a New App for Bikers Lenzerheide has already been a bikers’ Mecca for a few years. This summer, the destination will go further and become the biking kingdom of the Alps. After all, mountain bikes are the carbon and aluminium steeds of modern knights, with protectors and helmets their armour. And if you look closely, the area around Rothorn in Lenzerheide is somewhat reminiscent of ‘Game of Thrones’ or ‘Braveheart’.

The heart of the ‘Bike Kingdom Lenzerheide’ will be a new app. It makes the mountain into a virtual playing field, showing completed trails, distance covered and altitude ascended and descended. With different challenges, bikers are pushed to achieve new top performances. An example: climb 1500 m in a day and receive an achievement with a reward. ‘Battle of the Clans’ on the app lets bikers go head-to-head in group competitions.

Simultaneously, the trail network has been expanded in Lenzerheide: From this summer, an almost continuous path from the Rothorn side at Urdenfürggli to Scharmoin, will be waiting to be tackled by the legions of bikers. On the western side, bikers can now glide down from Piz Scalottas to the June Mountain Hut over an entertaining trail suitable for beginners. A somewhat more demanding path then leads to Alp Fops.

The official opening of the ‘Bike Kingdom Lenzerheide’ will be from 19th to 21st June 2020. Planned are parties, food stands and a showing of the film ‘The Legend of Bike Kingdom’, starring Belgian biker Thomas Genon aka Tommy G. ‘Dirt Royale’, a fun tournament with a range of disciplines will run concurrently. A winner will not be crowned, but rather a king and queen.

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Research Idea

For 10 Years: Hiking with the Walsers With 23 stages, the Walserweg Graubünden is the longest continuously marked long-distance hike of the region. The 300 km long tour begins south of the San Bernardino Pass in Italian-speaking Misox. You then hike along route 35, via Thusis, Filisur, Davos, Arosa, Klosters to St Antönien and onward over the Austrian border to Brand.

Scenic highlights of the hike are the stages through remote side valleys and over passes only traversable on foot, such as the Fallerfurgga from Avers to Oberhalbstein, the Tomülpass from Safiental to Valsertal or the Tällifurgga from Sertig to Dischma.

The hike is interesting from a cultural perspective as – as the name might suggests – you will follow the footsteps of the Walsers and in many places, see their cultural heritage. Coming from the Valais, the Walser settled the remote mountain regions of the Alps in the 13th and 14th centuries. To this day, many valleys in Graubünden are characterised by their culture and language.

On this long-distance hike you often spend the nights in scattered settlements typical of Walsers. One prime example is Obermutten. This village in the region Viamala is also special for another reason: it is home to the highest church in Switzerland, which is made entirely of timber. That is also typical of Walsers: most of their houses are erected from this material.

For a carefree experience, the Graubünden Walser Association has offered hiking packages of 4 to 7 days on the Walserweg for 10 years, include luggage transport.

Description of the hike: www.graubuenden.ch/en/walserweg-10-years

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Research Idea

Travel CO2-neutral in the National Park Region The Swiss National Park, a highly important natural site in Switzerland, lies in the region of Engadin Samnaun Val Müstair. The local tourism organization is committed to protecting it and, in return, reducing all emissions.

For example, the project ‘Domicil da Vacanzas’ makes public transport more attractive. Swiss guests can check their baggage in at the train station where they live at a normal rate, and their luggage will be delivered to their holiday accommodation or hotel.

The National Park Bike Marathon, the most important event in the Lower Engadine, runs around the Swiss National Park. This mountain bike race is completely climate neutral. Where possible, emissions are reduced, for example by not printing programmes or by not using disposable cutlery. Emissions that cannot be avoided are compensated by Swiss climate foundation myclimate.

With the initiative ‘Cause We Care’, marathon participants and all other guests can make a small contribution to myclimate to compensate for all other CO2 emissions from their services booked through the tourism region and other partners. Because of ‘Cause We Care’, companies are investing the same amount into dedicated local sustainability programmes.

The destination also strives to improve disabled access and employs Stephan Gmür, himself a wheelchair user, as a product manager for the task. The aim is to offer a completely accessible stay – from arriving with public transport, to accommodation, to the experience itself. For example, wheelchair users can borrow electric wheelchairs at the valley station of the mountain railway in Scuol in order to enjoy nature.

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Cheese maker Martin Bienerth from the Sennerei Andeer

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Our Travel Partners

Swiss International Air Lines Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is The Airline of Switzerland, serving over 100 destinations in 40 countries worldwide from Zurich and Geneva and carrying almost 19 million passengers a year with its fleet of around 90 aircraft.

As a Swiss airline, SWISS offers both leisure and business travellers comfortable travel and first-class service. The warmth and Swiss quality can be felt in every detail of a SWISS flight. Swiss hospitality combined with little extras and a special cabin interior make SWISS a unique product in the air, as well as on the ground. Short distances at the Zurich hub also ensure relaxed travel. SWISS is part of the Lufthansa Group and a member of the Star Alliance, the world's largest airline network.

SWISS and Graubünden Ferien are working together closely to make Graubünden better known as a tourist destination and to promote its positive image further. As a top quality airline, SWISS connects Graubünden and Switzerland with Europe and the world, making it an important ambassador of the alpine country. Media contact media@swiss.com www.swiss.com

Swiss Travel System AG

Switzerland comprises the densest public transport network in the world. It extends over 29,000 captivating kilometres, linking city centres, tiny tucked away villages, mountain resorts and lakes. Especially for travellers from abroad, the Swiss Travel System offers visitors the opportunity to discover the many diverse delights by road, rail and waterway. And with just a single all-in-one ticket – the Swiss Travel Pass.

The world-famous panoramic routes through Graubünden, such as the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express, are also included (excl. seat reservation fee) and are a part of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland (www.mystsnet.com/grandtraintour). Furthermore, the Swiss Travel Pass offers free admission to more than 500 museums nationwide (of which 29 are in Graubünden) and 50 percent Pfare discount off most mountain railways. Media contact +41 44 225 80 40 media@swisstravelsystem.com www.mystsnet.com

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Our Travel Partners

Swiss International Air Lines Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is The Airline of Switzerland, serving over 100 destinations in 40 countries worldwide from Zurich and Geneva and carrying almost 19 million passengers a year with its fleet of around 90 aircraft.

As a Swiss airline, SWISS offers both leisure and business travellers comfortable travel and first-class service. The warmth and Swiss quality can be felt in every detail of a SWISS flight. Swiss hospitality combined with little extras and a special cabin interior make SWISS a unique product in the air, as well as on the ground. Short distances at the Zurich hub also ensure relaxed travel. SWISS is part of the Lufthansa Group and a member of the Star Alliance, the world's largest airline network.

SWISS and Graubünden Ferien are working together closely to make Graubünden better known as a tourist destination and to promote its positive image further. As a top quality airline, SWISS connects Graubünden and Switzerland with Europe and the world, making it an important ambassador of the alpine country. Media contact media@swiss.com www.swiss.com

Swiss Travel System AG

Switzerland comprises the densest public transport network in the world. It extends over 29,000 captivating kilometres, linking city centres, tiny tucked away villages, mountain resorts and lakes. Especially for travellers from abroad, the Swiss Travel System offers visitors the opportunity to discover the many diverse delights by road, rail and waterway. And with just a single all-in-one ticket – the Swiss Travel Pass.

The world-famous panoramic routes through Graubünden, such as the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express, are also included (excl. seat reservation fee) and are a part of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland (www.mystsnet.com/grandtraintour). Furthermore, the Swiss Travel Pass offers free admission to more than 500 museums nationwide (of which 29 are in Graubünden) and 50 percent Pfare discount off most mountain railways. Media contact +41 44 225 80 40 media@swisstravelsystem.com www.mystsnet.com

Graubünden Ferien Alexanderstrasse 24 7001 Chur www.graubuenden.ch/en

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