New England may be famous for the brilliance of its autumn foliage, but it’s not essential to cross the Atlantic to enjoy this annual phenomenon. Head instead to the Grand Hotel Kronenhof (www.kronenhof.com) in Pontresina, which is located in the heavily wooded Upper Engadine Valley in south-east Switzerland.
The Engadine, protected by high Alpine mountains on all sides, is famous for its sunny climate and beautiful landscapes (Engadine in local Romantsch dialect means The Garden of the Inn River, as the valley is a veritable treasure trove of greenery), making it the perfect European destination to witness autumn colours set against clear blue skies.
Visits to the Engadine at this time of year are particularly popular among hikers and artists; the light in the valley is so magical it led the 19th century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche to believe that he had found “the cradle of all silver tones”.
Grand Hotel Kronenhof’s autumn foliage package, offered between 3 and 17 October, includes dinner, bed and breakfast, complimentary use of the hotel’s stunning spa facilities, a 10% discount on spa treatments and unlimited use of all the mountain railways in the Engadine/St Moritz area. Prices start from CHF 390 (approx £230) per night for two people sharing a beautiful double room; guests must stay a minimum of two nights.
Grand Hotel Kronenhof has fantastic facilities for children (an extensive play room, a dedicated indoor swimming pool and a children’s dining room) and special rates are available for the younger members of the family during this period.
