Adventure Mode: Davos, Switzerland
If the place called “Davos” seems to have a familiar ring to it, that’s probably because of the recently concluded World Economic Forum. They never really talk about the town itself when the Forum is going on, so I didn’t really know what to expect when I went last December.
All that World Economic Forum stuff goes on at the Kongresszentrum, or the Convention Center, which is located at the center of the city between Davos Dorf and Davos Platz… and of course I wouldn’t be saying this if I didn’t get to go inside.
Ohh… fancy ceiling. Teehee.
Davos is a municipality located in a valley in the Swiss Alps and is Europe’s highest city located at 1,560 m (5,120 ft) above sea level.
Not only do the Alps offer breathtaking views, it’s is also a famous skiing and snowboarding destination during the winter. It’s surrounded by six different skiing which are easily accessible through different lifts and funiculars.
I also learnt to snowboarding while I was there. I got an instructor from the Top Secret Ski and Snowboard Company (which cost me a small fortune… but in all fairness to the price, it was a private 1-on-1 session), and I’m still very much a n00b but I’d like to think I was a good student and I learnt quickly enough.
Surprisingly, it was a lot more tiring than I ever thought it would be. My instructor, Sirena, was a great teacher and was really patient with me when I wanted nothing more than to lie down on the snow. She also gave me this red juice-tea thing to drink (she didn’t know what it was called in English and was having trouble explaining it to me) which was really good, lol, just saying. Top Secret is located at Talstation Jakobshorn and has gear for sale and for rent, and has skiing and snowboarding courses everyday during the ski season.
Apart from the sports, there’s also the food. Switzerland is a land locked county and is bordered by France, Germany, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein. Davos, in particular, is in the western part of the country, so as a result there’s a lot of German and Italian influences.
Sausage with curry sauce and fries
Apple strudel with vanilla sauce
Pesto Gnocchi
Cheese Fondue
Davos was a fun trip for me, and given the chance I’d definitely go back. It’s incredibly easy to get around the city since it has just two main roads, Promenade and Talstrasse, and if you have a guest card, the buses are free! Or you could walk. Do it. It’s good for you.
It’s not that difficult to go to, from Zurich you just need to take a train to Landquart, and then switch to another train headed for Davos. It’s a couple hours ride, but the trains are really comfortable and the views, to die for.
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