As indelible as the bilberry stains that dye your tongue and fingers the colour of ink to the amusement of passers-by. Don't be alarmed if you suddenly encounter a group of sturdy locals armed with aggressive scythes and pitchforks, they bear the scent of freshly cut hay. Their outward appearance may be deceptive, hiding all the mischief and charm of these gentle labourers. On the surface they may seem as hard as the rind of the cheeses they make on the alpine pastures but their hearts are as soft as the fine inner slices that curl under the visitors' hungry gaze. These should be tasted with a glass of one of the excellent little local white wines for a moment ofpure enchantment to delight both nose and palate. Our exclusive speciality!

How can we conceal our pride when faced with the Matterhorn, our pyramid; the Aletsch Glacier, the longest in Europe; the cosy comfort of our thermal springs; our 47 summits over 4,000 metres high, our railways that climb mountains, our ice caverns, our delicious speciality wines, our top class resorts; the charm of our towns awaiting discovery and tempting you to linger; our gastronomy and our modest but delicious traditional dishes from days gone by; our landscapes, our meadows; our shepherds who have no time for mobile phones but live their life as they please? This is what a Valaisan summer has to offer you. A breathtaking backdrop with the pleasures of hiking, cycling, climbing, excursions, mule trekking and river rafting waiting in the wings. In other words, activities that will make you appreciate the relaxation that follows even more. And to enhance the whole experience, fresh air and a deep blue sky. Be modest, of course! But not to the extent of keeping quiet about another exclusivity: the sun that lights our daily life and our guests' holidays.