{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/618a5cebc3ba9d001235f1aa/6864121dcc507bdab6332d56?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"\"The mountains are very close and very large!\" - life in Saas-Fee with Pat Gracey","description":"<p>English ski instructor Pat Gracey has lived in Saas-Fee, in the <a href=\"https://www.valais.ch/en\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Valais region of southern Switzerland</a>, for six years. A keen mountaineer, he fell in love with the destination and even bought a flat here.&nbsp;He spends his days in the high alpine terrain participating in activities such as hiking, ice climbing, skiing and snowshoeing.</p><p><br></p><p>He tells host Si Willmore what life is like in the Saas Valley with its breathtaking glacier landscape and 18 peaks over 4000m high, and shares the numerous activities on offer in summer and winter, such as hiking, biking, climbing, skiing and snowshoeing. They also discuss what's available to visitors beyond outdoorsy activities, including foodie experiences and family-friendly days out such as the <a href=\"https://www.saas-fee.ch/en/world-of-adventures/mittelallalin-in-summer\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Mittelallalin</a> with revolving restaurant and underground railway.</p><p><br></p><p>Pat compares life in Saas-Fee to life elsewhere in the world: Saas-Fee is completely car-free which adds to the intuitive concept of a remote, clean, alpine environment. And he recommends destinations and restaurants for tourists, particularly people visiting for the first time.</p><p><br></p><p>In the JRNY Podcast, Si Willmore talks with pioneers, trailblazers and thought leaders, who are pushing the envelope in the travel industry.</p>","author_name":"JRNY Travel Magazine"}