Gliding gently into 2009, Alpine Style....

This time around, the budget for the ski trip had been upped to allow for something more indulgent, and a ski trip to Grindelwald in Switzerland  was settled upon - after all, how can any self-respecting skier ski the world and not include Switzerland on that itinerary? Well, a flight to Geneva airport, and transfer to Grindelwald pretty much landed me in the thick of the action, and the charming Alpine village of Grindelwald seemed to ooze central European charm from every living pore of its existance. The legendary Swiss service was very much in evidence at the hotel Spinne, and its comprehensive spa facilities, coupled with a well-fitted hotel room, and the delightful ski terrain surrounding the resort left me once again on a week-long buzz, where all the right elements for a downright fulfilling ski trip were already in place. I can't say on this occasion that I had much energy left on evenings to sample the nightlife, but as the mountain train ferried skiers up to its terminus at Kleine Scheidegg, the thrill of rolling down the mountains to the backdrop of the north face of the Eiger is just yet another of those 'glad-to-be-alive' sensations which come around periodically, if you attempt to diversify your lifestyle in ways like this. The main excursion option in the area is a half-day trip to the top of the Jungfrau, namely the 'top of Europe', and upon reaching those dizzying heights, on the observation deck, it really did feel as though I was brushing past mountain peaks, which, as travel experiences go, is best described as 'transcendental'. Full marks to the hotel for their gourmet-style food too, and all credit goes to the Swiss for their efficiency, which always makes your stay in Switzerland seem so smooth-running and effortless. The overall cost of living put paid to the idea of shopping for anything other than basic souvenirs and provisions, but I arrived in the country realizing my budget would need to be tight anyway. One single ski run alone was enough to capture my attention and provide an endless source of thrills for the entire week, and for a traveller who normally tends to thrive on diversity of experience and scenery, that, my friends, is a perfect reflection on the resort's overall appeal.