Where is Davos? Davos: tourist attractions

In the light of the recently held World Economic Forum, many Russians again raised the question of where Davos is located? Why did the heads of state, financial tycoons and leading politicians around the world choose this small town for their meetings? What are they discussing there? And what is more interesting about Davos than politics and the global economy? What prevents us at least virtually visit Davos and get acquainted with its sights? Let's make this small virtual trip to the snow-covered alpine resort.

Where is Davos

The resort is located in Switzerland, in the east of the country. Administratively it belongs to the canton of Graubünden. World maps denote Davos in different ways. In the local dialect, it is called Tafaas. In Russian we copy the French pronunciation: Davos. And in the Italian-speaking cantons of Switzerland, the city is called Tavate or (less often) Tavau. Davos is located in the intermountain valley, at an altitude of 1560 meters above sea level. Through the town there is a river called Landwasser. The resort is part of the well-known and prestigious group The Best of the Alps. The permanent population of Davos is twelve thousand people. This figure gives him the right to claim the title of the highest city in Europe. The valley is divided into two parts. The eastern one is called Davos-Dorf, and the western one is Davos-Platz. To get from one part to another, you need to take a bus. In the neighborhood with Davos is Klosters - another resort, which, along with Courmayeur and Chamonix is included in the nomination The Best of the Alps.

City `s history

A powerful impetus to the development of the former village was given to the ideas of Zh-Zh. Rousseau. The philosopher sang life in the bosom of nature, assuring that both health and morale away from corrupting civilization only grow stronger. At the end of the XVIII century and the doctors recognized the air of the Alps as healing for lung diseases. Davos (Switzerland) overgrew with sanatoriums, where rich tuberculosis clients were treated. Among them was RL Stevenson. It was in Davos in 1882 that the famous "Treasure Island" was written. And Thomas Mann in 1912 local beauties inspired to create the "Magic Mountain". There was a well-known author of detectives about Sherlock Holmes, Conan Doyle. True, not as a consumptive patient, but as an athlete. It is he who owns the honor of opening the first trail in Davos. In 1913, there was held the only European championship in hockey. The second breath of the resort was found in the middle of the twentieth century, when the skiing became fashionable. Hospitals and sanatoriums were added tourist hotels, equipment rental, schools and other infrastructure for clients who prefer active recreation.

The World Economic Forum (WEF)

For most of the public, the question of where Davos is located is interesting for one reason: what are the financial movers in the small alpine village? And why almost every year this resort is stormed with pickets by thousands of anti-globalists? "Davos Forum" meets every year from 1971, in late January - early February. State officials, political leaders, leading businessmen are invited to this "summit meeting". The name of the Forum itself implies discussion of macroeconomic problems. But in fact, the topics that are discussed at the meetings relate to the situation in the hot spots of the world, the settlement of political crises, health issues and environmental protection. The forum is one of the main events of the year, despite the fact that this symposium does not work out any official resolutions. However, informal conditions and "no ties" conversations do not exclude the adoption of measures that are quite palpable for world politics.

How to get to the resort

In the mountain valley, where Davos is, only two express trains follow directly: Bernina and Ledianoy (runs in winter). All other railway routes will be with transfers. If you flew to Zurich airport, you need to get to Kura by train, then to Landkvart station, and then by regional train to Davos. You can take a direct bus to the Kura. The approximate cost of a second-class train ticket is fifty Swiss francs. The resort has two train stations: Platz and Dorf. Between them lies a 4-kilometer Promenade, where most of the hotels and shops are located. Drivers need to take into account that the traffic along this main highway of the resort is one-way. In the opposite direction it is allowed to go along the Talstrasse, a quieter street.

Trails

Davos is surrounded by mountains, which barely reached three thousand meters in height. This is Weisflux (2844), Strelagrat, Schwarzhorn (Black Horn) and Jacobshorn. All these slopes are covered with excellent ski trails. By the way, their total length is 320 kilometers, almost half of the routes of the Three Valleys, the famous French skiing zone. The only drawback of Davos is the disjointedness of the routes, so it's not possible to travel all over without removing the skis. Reviews are strongly advised to purchase a ski pass (in some hotels it is included in the room rate). With it you can ride not only on the ski lifts and funicular, but also on the bus. The skiing area extends in the range of 2844-1560 meters. The greater part of the trails for people who are confident in skiing. A third of the routes are for beginners. The remaining tracks are "black", for the Asses. Two snow parks are equipped for freestyle lovers.

Apre-ski

There, where Davos, there is a holiday - skiers of the whole world are sure. Because with the sunset, the fun does not end. Even those who never stood on skis and do not burn with this desire, have something to do in Davos. For desperate shopaholics, the great temptation is Promenade Street. Numerous thermal baths, an indoor pool, spa treatments will improve your health. And sleigh rides, skating rink, trekking through the mountains on snowshoes and even paragliding will be a good appendage to skis. Those who do not seem to have enough physical activity for daytime driving can work out in a state-of-the-art sports center. Nightlife is more developed in Davos-Platz. There are casinos, night clubs, discos. Night Davos - the photo demonstrates this with all evidence - this enchanting spectacle.

Summer resort

The peak of the season is in the winter. But when the snow melts, and with it the prices, a different audience arrives in Davos (Switzerland). Tourists, who adore mountain biking and hiking, will find in the vicinity of the resort many well-equipped routes. In Davos, there is a program to encourage summer holidays - "Davos Inclusive". If you stay in a resort hotel for at least one night, you will be given a Guest Card. With it, you have the right of free travel on all lifts and trains, not only in Davos, but also in nearby Kloster, and also can join a guided tour of the mountains organized by a local travel agency.