TV dinners, computer games and hours spent social networking are killing the family unit, according to Eduardo Ramos, one of three Belgian businessmen behind `Montagne Alternative’, a TV-free zone in the Swiss mountains, offering an alternative way for families to holiday this summer without TV’s, wi-fi and electronic gadgets.
(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - June 4th, 2013 - Montagne Alternative’s ecologically restored former hamlet of Comeire in the Swiss mountains encourages families, couples and corporate groups to return to a natural idyll, a slower life, where values revolve around immersion in nature, peace, tranquillity and the opportunity to spend quality time together, without electronic distractions.
Far from being a period of deprivation, the sixteen rentable rooms in the five restored wooden farm buildings that make up Montagne Alternative are akin to a 5* boutique hotel and come with an optional chef service to produce local, organic and wholesome meals. But the luxurious bedrooms and living areas, with their far reaching and stunning mountain views, come without TVs and the owners are inclined to turn off the wi-fi unless clients specifically request it.
Eduardo Ramos said “My colleagues and I found a place here in the mountains where our guests can experience what we consider are the real values in life, such as long walks in the fresh air, abundant forests, flower filled meadows, crystal clear lakes and where bees, honey, locally made marmalade, fresh fruit juice and the company of uncomplicated neighbouring locals, which are all part of the daily experience. We want to share it with our guests so that they can find what we found, a slow and more satisfying way to enjoy life.
During their holiday at Montagne Alterantive families can collect milk from a farm, see how cheese is made, swim in a mountain lake, watch the sun go down across the valley, spend sunny days in natural surroundings and re-discover a serene and peaceful life. We tend to turn off the wi-fi to encourage our guests not to spend their time centred around a mobile phone or tablet and, without a TV in the corner of the room, they will spend considerably more time with fellow family members than they would do at home”.
Montagne Alternative’s alternative family holidays are centred in the village of Comiere, on a sunny pleateau close to Verbier in the Swiss Valais. The hamlet is one of many small mountain villages in Switzerland partially or completely abandoned as younger former residents headed for the cities. The Belgian investors sensitively renovated five farm buildings to create a boutique hotel that sleeps up to 32 guests, either on a self-catered or chef catered basis.
Rooms can be booked individually, from one night upwards, or guests can rent one of the properties in entirety, or even hire all sixteen rooms in the village.
During the summer, the Swiss Valais has extensive hiking and mountain biking tracks, and also offers climbing, paragliding and climbing, while during the winter, when snow is guaranteed, visitors can enjoy cross country skiing, snow-shoeing or skiing in the nearby ski area of Verbier.
Fact file:-
A night’s stay at Montagne Alternative costs from 200 euros per room, including breakfast, and a week’s stay from 500 euros per person, based on two sharing a room.
The resort is easily accessible from Geneva airport, which is approximately a 1.5 hour drive. Transfers and travel packages are available on request.
For more information call 0041 27 783 21 34 or visit www.montagne-alternative.com
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UK Press contact:-
Mary Stuart-Miller, 01403 738844,
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