Does anyone out there live in Valais? Sion, Martigny, even Sierre? We have lived here for a few years now and it occurs to me that I ought to do something about making a few more local friends! Would love to hear from you.
I am Valaisan/Walliser, still got my family there and return frequently via Visp. (just this weekend again for example). I live and work in Zurich though. But thought I'd say hi anyway, just in case you have any questions.
Hope some lovely autumn weather will await me back in Wallis for the weekend!
Isn't everybody busy with harvesting grapes and turning them into vine now? And for everyone else to eat lovely Brisolée around October/November? Mmmmmm...
Thank you for replying, swisscub. Yes - this region is at its most beautiful in Autumn, I think. We did a couple of sensational hikes last weekend - La Tzeuzier and Le Glacier du Trient. Wonderful autumn colour and lovely sunshine. We will be going to some wine-tastings at the end of November to buy our wine for the coming year. I do think this area is close to paradise!
Hope you get to the Val d'Hérens and Evolène/Ferpèclearea soon. The larch trees are on fire at the moment. A great, friendly but simple B&B is Patrick's and Madeleine's 'La GRande Peur dans la Montagne, situated between Evolène and Les Haudères.
At the other end, one of the most beautiful walks in the autumn is at Fafleralp- wonderful. Hope you'll soon sample the local spas too, Lavey, Ovronnaz, Saillon, Loèche-les-Bains (Leukerbad).
Thanks for that, Odile. I already know Evolène and Les Haudières very well (I ran out of petrol there last year and was rescued by a very kind local man!), as well as the spas at Saillon and Ovronnaz - I prefer Saillon because of the Olympic-sized heated outdoor swimming pool, but thanks very much for the tips for Fafleralp, Lavey and Leukerbad. I have a wonderful "Swiss Map" app on my phone and have downloaded all the walking trails in Valais - that should keep me going for a while, I think! But any more recommendations you have would be gratefully accepted.
I'm not, but my husband is. That is part of the reason that we retired to this area - the skiing for him, the sensational scenery for me and the walking for both of us. The thermal baths are just a bonus!
I'm not sure if this thread is still 'alive', but I live in Saillon and have been in Valais for 13 years. I would be available to meet up if you're still interested.
I can see you wrote quite a while ago, but I'll try anyway. We are living close to Sierre. I am having two children and I am for the moment a staying home with the smallest one (2 year's old). I am looking for some English speaking mother's in the area. So if you are still looking for some new friends, and want to meet up just contact me.