A weekend in Valposchiavo
Experience
At the end of the last Ice Age, meltwater from the Palü Glacier in Cavaglia carved circular holes, some several metres deep, into the rock. These «giants» pots" can be admired in the Cavaglia Glacier Garden, just a ten-minute walk from Cavaglia railway station. The friendly giant Grummo also lives in the Glacier Garden. Anyone who solves the riddle of his giant strength will receive a little surprise.
May to October, free admission. Guided tours: adults 10 CHF, children 5 CHF, free with a guest card.
www.ggc.swiss
‘Please, please, help find the treasure» reads the message in a bottle that washed ashore at Le Prese. The adventure for Captain Lardi and his sea pirates can begin! With pirate shouts, pirate wine and plenty of stories on board, the Sassalbo – the largest ship in the canton of Graubünden – chugs proudly and faithfully across Lake Poschiavo every Saturday. A tasty morning snack is available to satisfy your hunger.
July to August, Saturdays, 9.30–10.30 am. Sea pirates: CHF 10, free with a guest card. No reservations; please check whether the trip is taking place.
www.sassalbo.ch
For two centuries , the judicial authorities in Poschiavo also hunted ‘witches». It was a desperate search for explanations for crop failures, illness or sudden death. The alleged witches were scapegoats, victims of a particular way of thinking. The exhibition at the Museo Poschiavino offers an insight into this history, in which good and evil, faith and superstition stand in opposition to one another.
Mid-June to October. Guided tours on Saturdays. Adults CHF 10, free for children and with a guest card.
www.museoposchiavino.ch
Little smuggler Dino has twelve secret hideouts throughout the valley. They are located near bus and train stations. Anyone who finds ten hideouts will be accepted into Dino's gang and receive a share of his treasure. The treasure map with the necessary clues is available free of charge from Valposchiavo Turismo at Poschiavo railway station.
www.valposchiavo.ch
On the Bernina Pass road, right at the top of the salt and gravel silo at the new maintenance base of the Graubünden Civil Engineering Office, there is a camera obscura. This is a windowless room into which light enters through a tiny 20-millimetre hole in the outer wall, projecting a seven-metre-wide image of the surrounding landscape onto the inner wall. But in an unusual way: here, the mountain world is upside down. A unique way of viewing the landscape and an exciting experience for those who have not yet tried it.
The Camera Obscura can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Daily in July and August and from 1–18 October; in June and September, only on Saturdays and Sundays. Adults CHF 5, children under 16 free.
www.camera-obscura.ch
Please check the latest information regarding opening times and the availability of these activities.
Enjoy
When the wind blows through Valposchiavo, Nicolò Paganini and his berry fields rejoice. The warm summer breeze creates a favourable climate and blows away any diseases that might harm the plants. The Berry Tour reveals just how much passion and hard work goes into the berries , after which the «frutti di bosco» taste even sweeter. The tour ends at Agriturismo Coltiviamo Sogni, where berries, fruit, fruit juices and jams are waiting to be tasted.
May to October. By appointment. Adults CHF 15, children aged 6–16 CHF 7.50, children under 6 free. The tour is free with a purchase of CHF 40 or more.
www.coltiviamo-sogni.ch
Accommodation
The choice is yours! In San Romerio, you can spend the night on a secluded mountain pasture, 800 metres above Lake Poschiavo. You can sleep on straw at the Pedretti family's farm. Water lovers will be right at home at Lake Poschiavo in Le Prese. Here there are not only numerous family-friendly hotels and a campsite, but also a mini-golf course and a pump track, where young cyclists can prepare for bigger trails.
San Romerio: 1 night for a family with 2 children from 260 CHF, sanromerio.ch
Sleeping in the straw: 1 night for a family with 2 children from 60 CHF, aziendapedretti.ch
Camping Cavresc: 1 night fora family with 2 children from 34 CHF, campingcavresc.ch
For hotels in Le Prese and all accommodation options in Valposchiavo: valposchiavo.ch
For very large families, Casa Zurcà in Poschiavo is ideal. This historic house, situated in a quiet spot near the river and just a few steps from the village centre, features several beautiful bedrooms and a large dormitory. The lounge and dining room, a well-equipped kitchen, a large room in the basement and access to the terrace complete the offering.
Casa Zurcà: 2 nights for a family with 2 children from CHF 380.
For more information: zurca@gmx.ch
Good to know
If you stay for at least two nights in one of our partner hotels, you will receive the Valposchiavo All Inclusive Guest Card. With this guest card, you can use public transport throughout the valley, visit all museums and enjoy a wide range of sporting activities free of charge.
www.valposchiavo.ch/gästekarte