Andermatt - 3
Nik, who’s responsible for marketing Orascom’s entire Andermatt complex, took Girlahead to see a model, above, of what it will eventually look like. When it's finished by 2040, when its licence to construct runs out, it will have at least five hotels, a mammoth indoor sports stadium, and hundreds, if not more, privately owned residences.
Andermatt may be off the general radar, but it's got a superb history. Girlahead wants to thank Yuri Horovvy for filling her in on the story of Devil's Bridge, Teufelsbrücke, two kms from Andermatt. In September 1799, Russian Field Marshal Alexander Suvorov was leading about 20,000 troops through the Alps to join other Allied forces fighting Revolutionary France. After crossing the St. Gotthard Pass, the convoy reached the Devil's Bridge, where French troops had blown up part of the bridge to stop the advance. Under enemy fire, Suvorov's soldiers improvised repairs with wooden beams and crossed the raging gorge, forcing the French to retreat. Today, it's remembered through an 1899 painting by Russian artist Vasily Surikov, ‘ Suvorov Crossing the Alps’.
Andermatt is the center of Europe, geographically. It's becoming a center of hospitality at luxury level, and wellness will definitely be a major part of this. The Chedi has a gorgeous spa designed by Jean-Michel Gathy - see its golden approach steps below. Some of the therapists are Greek and they understand the need for rejuvenation. Girlahead had a two-hour session. She can't remember a thing. She slept throughout, like a baby. Actually, she slept jolly well throughout her entire two-short stay at The Chedi Andermatt and when she left, she felt much, much better than when she'd arrived.
