Saxon, Switzerland + Add a trip

Automobiles

From Geneva take the motorway via Lausanne and Monteux to Martigny. Don't be tempted to choose the cheaper hire cars on the French side of Geneva Airport as these don't have the permits for the Swiss motorways. From Martigny take the E27 and follow directions to Verbier.

Planes

Geneva airport is a little under two hours away by car (www.gva.ch). Swiss Airlines from City airport is our favourite option. If you have your own plane - or know someone that does - you can land at Sion about 30 minutes away.

Trains

Getting to Verbier by train is perfectly possible. The journey to the resort takes three hours from Geneva airport and the nearest station is in Le Châble down in the valley. You can make the transfer to the resort by cable car which takes you up to the main ski lift station.

Dialing

Country code for Switzerland: +41. Verbier: (0)27.

Reads

Do go / Don't Go

Verbier is a year-round resort so it's a good option of summer holidays, too. It also claims to be Switzerland's sunniest resort and in all the time we've spent there the sun has shone.

Cuisine

Fondues are delicious, often made from a combination of local Bagnes and Orsières cheese. There are meat, vegetable and simple bread varieties but we love the wild Alpine mushroom fondues the best. The local smoked pork and cured ham shouldn't be missed and the region's Cervelat sausages are fabulous. Rösti are local Swiss potato cakes that are often combined with bacon, onion or herbs and topped off with an egg.

Taxis

Call May Taxi (+41 (0)27 771 7771) or Taxi Rosset (+41 (0)27 771 1266).

Tipping

A service charge is included in menu prices but it's customary to round up the bill or to tip five or ten per cent; whichever is greater.

Currency

Swiss Franc.

Packing

Arts

In nearby Martigny you'll find the Fondation Pierre Gianadda which has fantastic mosaics by Chagall and sculptures by Rodin and Moore among its permanent collection. There are regular concerts as well as temporary exhibitions, too (www.gianadda.ch).

And...

During the summer Verbier is popular with hikers and walkers. La Fantastique offers mountaineering, mountain biking and canyoning (www.lafantastique.com). You can also head for the hills on a quad bike with Quad Adventure (www.quadaventure.ch). There are over 250 miles of waymarked hiking paths across the Val de Bagnes; the route via La Chaux, Col Termin and Fionnay is fantastic - you may even spot an ibex. Trail maps are available from the Tourist Office in the main town square.

Shopping

Viewpoint

At 3330 metres the summit of Mont Fort is the highest point of the ski area with views over the entire Swiss Valais region. From the cable car the last 40 metres is a narrow path of snow and rock which many venture along for the panorama.

Something

The Train des Combins is a miniature train that trundles daily through Verbier in the summer, offering a free transport service through the resort. Kids will love it and although you might feel a bit silly it certainly beats walking uphill.

Late January Verbier Ride brings some of the world's best freeriders to La Chaux snow park. Early April The Verbier High Five competition combines giant slalom, moguls, parallel slalom, triathlon and boarder cross. Early July Verbier hosts a major beach volleyball competition - despite being landlocked and on top of a mountain. Late July The Verbier Festival stages an extensive programme of classical music concerts.