Our favorite activity while in Zermatt. We arrived via the loop trail (Blatten via Gorner Gorge)…read morewhich put us entering from the far end. This direction of travel through made our trip all down stairs. If you enter the other way (from the entrance where you pay (5.50 each), you'll be going up a bit of short, steep stairs. Either way you choose to go the gorge is amazing. We started the trail in the morning and never met anyone until we entered the gorge, still only meeting 2 people while down in it. Highly recommend! And if you fancy a bit more of a hike we found that loop trail to be great beginning to end.

To get a good perspective of just how large Torino is, go to the top of the Mole Antonelliana…read more With 360 degree views, you can get a great perspective of the expanse of Torino . A must do for fans of the city.

Beautiful building housing the Museo del Cinema. A must see…read morewhile in Torino.

Learn from our mistakes! Check the weather in advance before committing. Also avoid the first train…read moreat 7am unless you are okay with waiting or walking around for an hour until places start opening around 9. It took us only about 30-45 minutes to walk around the viewpoints outside. The days leading up to our visit, it showed partially sunny weather, but the morning of, the weather showed rain. However we'd already gotten the tickets, so we went but couldn't see any of the mountain peaks due to the clouds. It was cold, windy, and there was some hail, and nothing was open. Unfortunate, but I'm sure it would have been an amazing experience another time. The train ride was smooth, and the staff were gruff but helpful.

This was one of the highlights of our trip. You get to Gornergrat via a train that is located…read moredirectly across from the main train station (you can also buy your tickets here). It takes about 30-45 minutes to get there. Once in Gongergrat, there's a viewing platform and skiing. For non skiers, you can go one stop down to Rotenboden and you can rent a sledge (sleigh) for the day for 15 CHF. It has a trail that takes you to Riffelberg where there's a restaurant and bar.

Want to step back into medieval times? Then definitely check out the Château de La Bâtiaz. This…read moreis a 13th Century medieval castle built as a fortress, not a residence, in order to protect the neighboring area. No fancy royal balls were thrown here, the only thing thrown here most likely were large objects from a catapult. From Martigny, you need to walk across the river, out of town, and up into the cliffs. It's a short trek, but worth it. Check out the website for information on visiting times. We went during the off season, but were lucky to catch a demonstration of one of the many catapults they have on display in the courtyard as you enter the castle. There is supposed to be a display of torture devices, and while there were a few, I think that either it was shut down for the season, as we went through the turn style without having to pay, or, it was under renovation. We climbed up the tower (which it appears you typically have to pay for, but for some reason there was no ability to pay - you just walked up at the time), and from the top of the tower is a great view of the region. Also, one of the special surprises was that there is a medieval tavern on site. The food was really good! They also appear to put on shows at the castle during the open season. I would definitely go back.

Very original and good medieval food and service :)read more

This is one of the best things we did during our visit. The cable car needs reservation, and in…read moreJune last week, we were able to book on the same day but heard in peak seasons it runs out by weeks, so plan ahead. The cable car will be crowded and very tight spots. The ride experience is one of the best we had overall. This is a must-see experience on the French alps. Plan ahead, and you will spend at least 3 to 4 hours. In late June, we saw beautiful snow mountains over the clouds and walked inside an ice cave . Now words to describe this beauty !!!

Aiguille du Midi is the highest cable car in the French Alps. The ride up or down isn't the most…read morecomfortable. Standing room only, and you're packed in like sardines. If you're thinking of taking scenic photos, wait until you reach the top. Wear warm clothes. It's cold at the top, but you will encounter some hardy climbers wearing shorts and vests. Yes, climbers! They end their ride by walking down.

As far as local history museums go, this is one of the best anywhere. It helps that the subject…read morematter is so iconic. The museum focuses on the scaling of the Matterhorn, and how the town culture developed around Alpine climbing. You'll find all sorts of artifacts like the original ropes and ice axes used to climb the matterhorn. The museum has three levels. The first is the main entrance, ticket booth, and gift shop. There are lockers to leave bags and hangars for jackets. The second level is below the street and is a metal grate walkway with historical items. The deepest and final level has the largest selection of artifacts and information. An audio guide is available in many languages but you'll need to download an app. Staff is minimal but does speak English.

Located in the center of Zermatt, Switzerland under it's namesake the glass dome Matterhorn…read moremuseum. Entry fee CHF 10, but was part of our 10 day Collette tour of Alpine Trains and Scenic Lakes. Severe space restrictions, with most of the museum underground. Three stories, with only the top story above ground. The bottom two floors have a constructed replica of a 19th century Swiss village, with stuffed farm animals, and furnishings from the period. You walk down the main street of Zermatt, only from 200 years ago. Film depicts life back in the older days, and the equipment used to climb the Matterhorn. Model of the mountain, where you may press a button next to the first successful hike to the top by that particular pathway, and see the lighted guided path alongside the mountain. The earliest hikes from the 1860s were on the more gradual inclines, whereas the latest hikes were on the very steep cliff faces. Today about 3000 people successfully climb the mountain annually, as it is described as a moderate climb, but exposed to the elements. About 150 people try to climb the mountain daily, which takes 9-12 hours. The last third is through snow and ice, requiring crampons. Only a handful of those 150 will make it to the top and back. About a handful die each year, with some 500 people killed in attempting the climb throughout the ages. There is even a cemetery for those killed on the mountain. A much more formidable mountain to climb is France's Mt Blanc, tallest mountain in Europe, with some 8,000 climbers killed! There are guides who for about 1300 Euros will take you to the top of Matterhorn, to have your selfie picture taken!