Lonely Planet, the web portal for advanced travellers, placed Zermatt on its exclusive list - Top10cities unmissable in 2015. The reason is simple: next year will be full of events to celebrate the ascent of the Matterhorn peak.
Zermatt has won the 4th place on the Lonely Planet's list, next to Washington, El Chaltén and Milan. The so-called “Swiss Quinn” or “Swiss Diva” of mountain destinations will be celebrating 150 years since the first alpinists made the ascent of the Matterhorn. In 1865 English mountaineer Edward Whymper successfully led a group of seven to the summit (4478 m). Only four persons survived when the rope broke while going down.
Celebration will go on all year round. Starting with the July opening of the newly renovated Hörnlihütte – Hörnli Hut at the foot of the Matterhorn at 3260 m, where alpinists can rest before the final ascent. Among others celebrations you can find an open-air theatre in the village presenting “The Matterhorn Story”, the historical event of the 1865.
It is a great occasion to visit Zermatt and experience other attractions like the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe’s highest cable car that enables you to admire 14 glaciers and 38 mountain peaks over 4000 m! Or take a romantic, old-fashioned ride with 19th-century cogwheel railway to Gornergrat. There are always a lot to do both in summer- and wintertime in Zermatt.