Best and Worst

Tour 1

Best Hostel

Chalet Martin – Gryon, Switzerland

Those who have been lucky enough to visit this wonderful place fondly refer to it as Hotel California (you check in, but you never leave) or the Chalet Martin Vortex (from which there is no escape).  Almost everyone stays longer than they planned.

And why would you want to leave, with views like this right outside the window...


Or this one from the deck...


And there are activities aplenty:  like hiking through the beautiful Swiss Alps...  or, better yet, skiing...


...followed by a trip to the thermal pools to relax the aching muscles...


with Paul, friend and fellow-juggler from Austin – but that's another story.

Or you can just relax at the chalet itself and while away the hours working jigsaw puzzles, playing various games or musical instruments, reading, or just napping on the couch...


Best of all, it's a great place to just hang out and meet other travelers.  As I said before, it has a reputation as a vortex from which escape is, at the very least, difficult.  I originally intended to stay two days and ended up staying eight.  Then I came back a week later and stayed another ten.  And the down-home, family atmosphere is very conducive to making lasting freiendships.  Three of the four people shown in this photo remain friends to this day...


Sean (Australia), Dawna (USA), Marianne (?), Nicole (Mexico)

For more information visit their website at:
www.gryon.com