MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ALLOW ME, AND AN UPDATE ON COVID TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FROM THE UK

2020 has been a year for many of us to forget but I sincerely hope that everyone can find time to celebrate Christmas wherever they are, with friends or family, and in a safe way.

The news in recent days has all been about the new COVID strain, and people from the UK coming to Switzerland. I can really appreciate the shock for any holiday makers on suddenly having to isolate for up to 10 days but it’s for a very important reason and we hope everyone is following the swiss federal government guidelines. For further information please click on this link.

As an expert in arranging travel for UK clients, both within Switzerland and beyond, please let me know if I can help you at all with travel, accommodation or any other related enquires related to your Christmas or New Year plans. At the minute the top priority for everyone should be slowing down and stopping the spread of Coronavirus to make sure that life in general returns to normal next year and so we can enjoy time with our family and friends, explore new places and live life how we would like to without putting other people at risk.

As I am currently based in Klosters I have been fortunate to be able to spend more time with my family in the mountains and fresh air. It is also great to see the mountain ski resorts open earlier than usual (since October!) and it has been a great start to the season. Here, Davos Klosters mountain has put in place a detailed “safety concept” and I have been not only very impressed by their response but also the respect that everyone is showing these rules on the mountain and in the village. Enjoying the mountains is all about respecting the rules and other people to keep everyone safe. If we can help or advise you in any way on a ski trip this winter then please let me know as my number one priority is keeping clients safe.

Running a concierge company I am often asked, what is a concierge service? What services do you provide? Is it just for the wealthy? Do I need to be a member to use your services? Today’s concierge companies offer a wide range of services to suit the client’s needs, ranging from personal concierge for travel right the way though to corporate concierge for business – but each company, like it’s clients, is individual. With the way the world is balanced at the minute, we want to help all our clients in their own individual way. If you would like Allow Me to help then please get in touch.

On behalf of Allow Me, I’d like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a healthy and peaceful start to the New Year.

Help with Christmas and New Year and ski trips this winter

Help With Christmas and New Year and Ski Weekend Breaks

As we count down to the holidays, Allow Me Lifestyle Management Services would like to take this moment to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a very joyful and prosperous New Year.

Whether you are excited or stressed out about Christmas approaching – why not consider asking Allow Me Lifestyle Management Services to make your life easier for any last minute errands or planning? Help with your Christmas/New Years Eve party, planning ski trips and anything else – all at a very reasonable price and without the drama. More time for you to party and enjoy the season!?! What’s not to love… If we can help then please get in touch

If you are looking for a weekend break or to take a ski holiday Allow Me can help with all your bookings during the season and with over twelve years of being professionally involved in the winter sports industry we can make sure you have a weekend that you wont forget.

One event that Allow Me organized last winter was the “mini-moon” for Chalie and Dave in Verbier. They got married in Gstaad in March and then invited 25 friends to Verbier for a week. They were so lucky with the snow and we had powder almost every day. Allow Me planned every detail of a fun filled week. We organized everything from night sledging, lunch time meals, ski guides, private parties, massages, 5 * chalet for everyone to stay in and so much more. It was a very successful week and the last day finished with everyone dressed up in animal suits and skiing the Verbier 4 Valleys.

Here is a lovely quote from Charlie and Dave about the work Allow Me did. “Thank you Chris for making our “mini-moon” one of the best weeks of our life. From when we first met to discuss our plans to the very last moment of our trip you made every wish happen. Allow Me made what could have been a chaotic experience with our 25 friends into a week of laughter, relaxation and huge amounts of fun. Thank you for helping us create amazing memories. Thanks again Chris”

Help for Christmas

Whether you are excited or stressed out about Christmas approaching – why not consider asking Allow Me Lifestyle Management Services to make your life easier? planning your Christmas/New Years Eve party, present or food shopping, gift wrapping, catering, picking up relatives from the airport, planning ski trips and anything else – all at a very reasonable price and without the drama. More time for you to party and enjoy the season!?! What’s not to love…

Winter Events and The Start of The Ski Season in Laax

Winter is finally here! With the snow falling on the hills around Zurich and Zug we can all start to enjoy the mountains and the excitement for Christmas has started.

Christmas Parties and Events

With Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s parties just around the corner why not ask Allow Me to take away the stress of the event by letting us organize and run your event. We offer bespoke event planning to individuals and corporate clients for events of all sizes – from a small and elegant gathering to a large office party.

We can help you with every aspect of planning and organising your event, from idea generation to execution. If you have already planned your event but would like to enjoy it rather than worrying about it on the day, Allow Me can also provide on-site assistance, hosting, managing service providers and ensuring attention to detail.

Allow Me specialises in designing bespoke, sophisticated and memorable events from dinner parties to baby showers, anniversary/engagement parties, weddings, birthday parties, BBQs, wine tasting and corporate events. We love this time of year and have some great ideas for events that will round of 2016 for you and your friends and colleagues in style.

Don’t forget that we are also available for any Thanksgiving and Christmas-related services prior to the holiday season. We can help with present or food shopping, gift wrapping, catering, picking up relatives from the airport, planning ski trips and pet/house sitting – at a very reasonable price, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy your time off.

For more details, please contact us.

Start your Ski Season in LAAX

Allow Me can help with all your weekend (or longer) ski break bookings during the winter season and with over twelve years of involvement in the winter sports industry we can make sure you have an unforgettable and stress free ski break.

Films-Laax-Falera – Located just a short (circa 90 minutes) drive from Zurich, LAAX is the marketing name for the linked ski circuit above the villages of Flims, Laax and Falera, which is regarded – glorified, even – as Europe’s leading freestyle resort. With 224 kilometres of slopes and five downhill runs with artificial snow, multiple snow parks and the world’s largest superpipe, Laax is unquestionably one of the best winter resorts in Europe. The original village of Laax is a short bus ride away from the lifts but Laax Murschetg, a more ski-friendly purpose built satellite, has recently been built around the base-station with the rocksresort at its heart. This resort has become a serious magnet for snowboarders, who congregate at the trendy Riders Palace hotel, but the accessibility to the lifts, and on-site food and shopping make it ideal for skiers and families too. With a number of cool eateries and an apres-ski scene that explodes at the weekend when young people pour in from Zurich, the rocksresort is the perfect mix of great skiing and après-ski for a weekend break.

With over a metre of fresh snow last weekend, LAAX will be opening the ski resort and some of the slopes around Crap Sogn Gion this weekend, starting on Saturday 12^th November.

ALLOW ME is very happy to be able to offer you PREMIUM access to the LAAX INSIDE APP free of charge, worth 69 CHF. The LAAX INSIDE APP gives access to background information, lift ticket webcams & queue alerts and free Wi-Fi in the ski resort. For more information, please email Robert Brommer for the free access code: Robert.brommer@laax.com

LAAX INSIDE APP:

The LAAX INSIDE app is your ideal companion for you winter adventure in Flims Laax Falera. Book tickets at the best available rate within seconds, reserve your parking spot next to the gondola, check the snow conditions on the top of the mountain, track your on-mountain activities and get rewarded for the days you spend in LAAX skiing, snowboarding, sledging or simply having a good time.

Discounted lift tickets from 49 CHF (instead of 77 CHF) available in the LAAX INSIDE APP and on the designated ticket website:

SAVE NOW, SKI LATER

Benefit from the early bird rates and book your lift tickets for the coming winter season now. The amount of lift tickets is limited and the prices can change at any time. Be the quick, it pays off!

For information on all the up and coming events happening at Laax this winter please click here.

Accommodation deals at Rocksresort

Short break with Family

Laax family deal 4 Nights offer is ideal for a spontaneous short break in the richly varied ski resort in LAAX. Enjoy spending time with your family in the spacious apartments at the rocksresort and take advantage of the lift tickets included in the offer to explore the ski resort with your nearest and dearest. Please click here for more details.

Short break with Friends

Enjoy four nights with your friends in a rocksresort apartment and discover the richly varied ski resort in LAAX.

Thanks to our 4 Nights for Friends offer, all this awaits you and your companions. Make the most of the rocksresort’s ideal location by the base station and enjoy perfect days on the slopes. Please click here for more details.

New Services, Membership Info and Prices

At Allow Me we are pleased to offer a new events service. We are offering bespoke event planning to individuals and corporate clients.

At Allow Me we understand the importance of personal attention and seamless execution to make any event, large or small, a success for our clients. For more details, please contact us.

Membership

We have also changed our membership package. With our new membership structure, we make sure our members receive a highly tailored service that is proactive and pre-empts their lifestyle needs. We will do our best to get you what you want wherever and whenever you want it and provide you with a complete dedicated lifestyle management service.

Members will be charged an annual fee of 375CHF. The fee will include:

Central point of contact for members
1-hour free concierge service for administrative assistant per month (worth 480CHF a year)
Membership discounts with our partners
Discounted rate for all additional services (40CHF instead of 60CHF per hour)
Customized service to the individual depending on their needs and requirements
Given priority over non-members at busy times
No extra charge for public holidays and late services

We tailor corporate membership to the needs and scale of your organization, to ensure that corporate membership can be highly-cost effective. For more information then please click here.

Pricing

As well as changing our membership plan we have also updated our prices. The hourly rate for non-members is 60CHF and for members it is 40CHF. As each service is personal to the individual and varies depending on duration, complexity and timing, the fee we charge will be worked out individually. We offer competitive corporate rates for business. As each corporate member’s needs are specific the fee will be worked out on an individual basis.

Ski Holidays

Even though we are still enjoying summer, winter will soon be here!!! Allow Me can help with all your weekend ski break bookings during the season and with over twelve years of being professionally involved in the winter sports industry we can make sure you have a weekend that you won’t forget. Please get in touch so that we can help you have the best ski break. Allowme Ski with Chemmy Alcott

We hope you all have a great week and that the sun comes back soon…..

Zurich voted 2nd best city in the world

Zurich has recently been voted the 2^nd best city in the world to live in and Allow Me was asked by thelocal.ch to give our view on why, please click here to see what we had to say.

Allow Me press trips

Jenny capturing Klosters

Allow Me has also been busy in Klosters. We where asked by Conde Nast Traveler to help them on a photoshoot in Klosters and show them the best spots and also to be the model in some actions shoots. We had the most amazing day with fresh snow and sun and the photographer was blown away by the shots we managed to find her. All in all a great day and another service that Allow Me can provide for clients. On Friday we are again in Klosters looking after another journalist for In The Snow magazine. Lets hope we have another great day.

Easter

With Easter fast approaching, please get in touch as Allow Me can organize any event for you (Easter egg hunt, bbq, drinks parts etc etc), look after guests, plan your perfect mini-break and much more, so please get in touch.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and next week I will be writing about finding the perfect place to get your car serviced at a great price…

Looking down on Klosters

Laax, Easter and Golf4Fun

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The mountains in Laax on Sunday

Laax/Flims, located about 1 hour 45 from Zurich is the perfect place to go for a weekend break or even to take your clients. Laax is the marketing name for the linked ski circuit above the villages of Flims base stations, Laax and Falera, which is regarded – glorified, even – as Europe’s leading freestyle resort. It was one of the world’s first ski areas to embrace the freestyle skiing and snowboarding movement and is today considered the Granddaddy of the sport.

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Allow Me can plan any special event you want!!!

Located in the Graubunden region, Flims has been a spa resort since the 1880s, and a ski reser newort since 1962 when the glacier above was first developed for skiing. It is made up of the two quite separate hamlets of Flims Dorf, which is the most convenient, and Waldhaus Flims Mountain Resort & Spa, which is more isolated from the ski area but has the better choice of hotels. Laax is also a bus ride away from the lifts but has Laax Murschetg, a more ski-friendly satellite, built around the base-station with rocksresort at its heart. This has become a serious destination for snowboarders, who congregate at the Riders Palace hotel. With this comes all the cool eateries and an apres-ski scene that explodes at the weekend when teens and twentysomethings pour in from Zurich.

Falera is a smaller and more rural community, but with a direct lift link into the ski area. A shuttle bus connects all the accommodation and

Allow Me can collect you from home, show you around any resort, find the perfect place for lunch and then drop you at home. If you had wee little ones, we can also look after them in the resort while you have a great day on the mountain. With 12 years as a professional winter sports athlete, we would make sure that you have the most unforgettable day on the hill…

Allow Me can organize even your most wildest fantasy in Laax for corporate groups, whether that be a champagne BBQ grill in a remote off-piste location, a evening meal for your group in a mountain restaurant and sledging down
afterwards or even a private corporate retreat… Get in touch to see how we can help you……

Golf4Fun

Allow Me is also proud to be sponsoring Golf4Fun again this year. Golf4Fun offers a platform for both golf enthusiasts and those who are interested in either improving their game or would like to start to play the game. Aimed at every type of golfer – the absolute beginner all the way through to the low HCP’ers – our major aim is the make golf more enjoyable and accessible for everyone.

Membership is 100% free and provides access to training and courses with a Swiss & British PGA Pro as well as some great value Partner Offers exclusive to Golf4Fun.

Spring in Zurich

With spring setting in Zurich and the warm weather fast approaching, why not ask Allow Me to help you out with all the tasks that you don’t have time to do? Have not planned anything for Easter? Allow Me can help….. For more details about our services then please get in touch. Have a lovely week.

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Zurich lake this morning

Klosters

KLOSTERS

With all the new snow falling over the past weeks I thought it was time to write about my favorite ski resort in Switzerland, Klosters.

On top of Parsenn

Klosters is only 1 ¾ hours from Zurich so it’s a perfect escape for weekends or even day trips. With all the fresh snow falling its defiantly worth a visit before the seasons end.

Winter paradise

Klosters, a renowned winter resort nestling in the beautiful Prättigau valley 1200 metres above sea level,

still retains the characteristics and charm of a typical Swiss village with its chocolate box Chalets and traditional farmhouses.

Klosters links with the Parsenn ski area of Davos and the Destination Davos Klosters boasts 6 mountains and 300 km of pistes spread over about 85 descents. There is fantastic skiing for all levels on well prepared pistes, some of the best off-piste and touring to be found anywhere in Europe, excellent free riding and

Perfect family day out

snowboarding mountains, extensive cross-country trails and for the non-skiers there are plenty of winter walking paths, snow-shoe trekking, toboggan runs and horse-drawn sleigh rides and naturally wonderful facilities for skating, curling and ice hockey too! The relaxed and friendly atmosphere of Klosters is a great option for families and Davos Klosters bears the “Families welcome” quality label.

Click here for further information about Klosters

Allow Me Lifestyle Management Services can help with all your weekend ski break bookings during the season and with over twelve years of being professionally involved in the winter sports industry we can make sure you have a weekend that you wont forget. Please get in touch so that we can help you have the best ski break.

My wife enjoying the fresh snow

Valentine’s Day

As if you could fail to notice that it’s Valentine’s Day next weekend! While many of us want to show our loved one how much we care, it’s sometimes hard to find original and thoughtful ways to spoil that special someone while avoiding traditional clichés. Why not let Allow Me organise a unique Valentine’s day that you and your partner will never forget? Whether that be a weekend skiing in the mountains, a romantic boat trip on the lake, an unforgettable dinner at home or a night out in the city – Allow Me can organise a tailored day to suit all your needs.

Fancy a weekend away in the mountains?

Klosters on the 1st of February

With snow expected all next week, why not escape for a lovely day trip to nearby resorts such as Klosters/Davos, Andermatt, Lenzerheide or Flims/Laax? Allow Me can recommend romantic hotels, incredible restaurants, top rated ski guides and much more. With some great powder forecasted almost everywhere it’s a weekend you don’t really want to miss out on (although with the snow pack being not as stable as it normally is we highly recommend that if you are skiing off piste you take a guide). In certain resorts we offer a bespoke picnic in the snow which would be an unforgettable way of spending Valentine’s Day. If the evenings are more your scene how about drinking champagne in a horse-drawn sledge being driven around the village or even en route to a tranquil restaurant with a burning log fire? Allow Me can make almost anything happen so please get in contact with us so that we can tailor your mountain break to your specific needs.

Valentine’s Day with Allow Me Lifestyle Management Services in Zurich

Zurich is such a beautiful old city and has a wealth of hidden gems beyond the usual tourist traps. The old town is awash with romantic restaurants and amazing bars that sometimes you only find through personal recommendations. If you really want to treat your loved one why not head to The Dolder Grand where on Valentine’s Day they are offering a number of special deals including a Valentine’s Day brunch, wonderful

The Dolder in the snow

meals in their Michelin starred restaurant or even a pampering day in their incredible spa. If you are more of a morning person you could go for a romantic brunch, check out Quai61, Café des Amis, Volkshaus or for a more healthy option, Hiltl. You could also indulge in the British tradition of afternoon tea at one of Switzerland’s most iconic, luxury hotels, the Baur au Lac. For more ideas on our favorite places to go in Zurich feel free to contact Allow Me.

As well as eating out, Zurich has many attractions. One of my favorite weekend activities is wandering through the old town, taking in the churches of Fraumünster (don’t miss the windows designed by Marc Chagall) and Grossmünster (the largest church in Zurich, where you can visit the crypt – maybe not so romantic – and climb up the tower), then checking out the Bahnhofstrasse for window shopping (and people watching). If it’s rainy you can take shelter in one of the many museums (Kunsthaus for art and Landesmuseum for history are the most famous), or even visit the zoo including its unique covered rainforest hall and elephant viewing area. In good weather, nothing beats a romantic boat trip on the lake to take in the breathtaking views of the snowcapped alps and maybe stop at one of the towns for lunch – top tip, nip into a supermarket on your way, and you can sneak a small

Winter night in Zurich

bottle of champagne or prosecco and some paper cups to enjoy some bubbles on the upper deck. If you are looking for a more energetic way to spend your day in Zurich then why not take a walk up to Uetilberg and hike along the Albis ridge towards Adliswil, which takes between one and two hours. Forested trails weave between panoramic countryside, views of the lake of Zurich and the alps ahead and there are some lovely restaurants for a spot of lunch during your hike or even better, have a romantic picnic in the woods. At Adliswil, the Felsenegg cablecar will take you down, or there is a steep trail you can walk down. Five minutes beyond the cablecar station, there is a lovely restaurant with a terrace overlooking the view for some well-deserved coffee and homemade apple strudel after the walk.

In Zurich the possibilities are endless and with a little bit of imagination, you will be able to have an unforgettable valentines day.

And finally…

Instead of buying flowers for your loved one, why not order some unique cupcakes with a personal message from Oh Sweetest Things? I often find in love it’s the smallest personal gestures that provide the most happiness.

If you have any questions or you would like Allow Me Lifestyle Management Service to help you organise your Valentine’s Day please get in contact. I hope you all have a great Valentine’s Day, I will be making sure that I spoil my wife rotten…….

Zürich – Christmas magic & some personal news!

As we count down to the holidays, Allow Me Lifestyle Management Services would like to take this moment to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a very joyful and prosperous New Year.

Zurich is a beautiful city during the Christmas period with Christmas markets lining the streets, special Sunday shopping hours as well as less traditional events like night swimming and the Santa run. Having said that it can be hectic trying to plan everything before guests arrive and shops close for the holidays, and if you are feeling the stress at this busy time we would be delighted to help with any last minute shopping, catering or personal assistant services (don’t forget to pick up your dry cleaning for your office party!) and have already helped a number of clients with pet sitting for the holiday period. We also specialize in corporate events, including ski days and private themed dinners, and would be happy to discuss how we can help out with your event, large or small.

NNZ Just Married segment.

On a personal note, we are delighted to announce that Allow Me founder Chris Southwell was married on the 5^th of December in the mountains of Klosters, as documented in the NZZ ‘Just Married’ section last weekend. It was a truly memorable day with the most spectacular weather one could hope for at this time of year. The wedding location was the Madrisa mountain in Klosters, and the wedding was expertly hosted by the Madrisahof mountain restaurant team.

Chris and Kates wedding at Madrisahof. Photo: Melody Sky

The Madrisahof is an incredible and unique mountain venue for everything from corporate events and family lunches to weddings. If you would like more information then please contact Allow Me for a personal introduction. As a result of the wedding, Allow Me also has a new champagne partner with the award winning Mont d’Hor Champagne. They not only make the most delicious range of champagnes but also have an incredible chateau which is available for wine tours and short breaks, just 3km from Reims. If you are interested in serving Mont d’Hor Champagne at your next event, or would like to learn more about this family run Champagne house, please contact us.

Finally, while the snow seems to be a bit late in arriving this year, don’t forget that Allow Me can also help with all your weekend ski break bookings during the season and with over twelve years of professional involvement in the winter sports industry we can make sure you have an unforgettable and stress free ski break leaving you more time on the slopes.

Allow Me very much looks forward to hearing from you and we would like to wish you all, once again, a wonderful Christmas.