Surselva (Summer)

West of Chur, the Surselva region is a broad valley watched over by towering peaks. Many locals speak Romansch, a Romance language spoken only in a few small pockets here in Graubunden. The main resort area is the Alpenarena, which consists of the adjacent towns of Laax, Flims and Falera. Unlike nearby Davos and Arosa, the Alpenarena is little known to American tourists, but it offers slightly lower prices and a family atmosphere. Most guests rent a holiday apartment or chalet for a week at a time, but there are also several very fine hotels. The surrounding Alps are a wonderland for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, as well as ...

West of Chur, the Surselva region is a broad valley watched over by towering peaks. Many locals speak Romansch, a Romance language spoken only in a few small pockets here in Graubunden. The main resort area is the Alpenarena, which consists of the adjacent towns of Laax, Flims and Falera. Unlike nearby Davos and Arosa, the Alpenarena is little known to American tourists, but it offers slightly lower prices and a family atmosphere. Most guests rent a holiday apartment or chalet for a week at a time, but there are also several very fine hotels. The surrounding Alps are a wonderland for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, as well as hang gliding and other extreme sports. The Vorab Glacier, the impressive Rhine River gorge and several high Alpine lakes are possible destinations. The resorts in Surselva are modern and tend to be quiet and family-oriented, so there's little in the way of quaint Alpine architecture, shopping or nightlife. For a day out, take the charming Rhaetian Railway farther up the valley to the picturesque towns of Disentis or Ilanz.

About the Expert

Charlie Morris is the author of the Open Road guidebooks Best of Honduras, Best of Costa Rica, Best of Belize, and Switzerland Guide.