Vals
Nick traveled to Vals for school years ago (while I was studying for boards) and had been trying to get me to come back for years but we just haven’t made it. He tried explaining it to me but now that I’ve been there words can even begin to describe this place and pictures don’t do it justice. We drove through the Swiss Alps to get there which was an experience in itself. Crazy curvy road climbing higher and higher and driving through small picturesque villages all with multiple churches and flowers on the windows. You could hear the cow bells and see sheep wandering around.
Favorites:
1. Thermal baths. These were designed by famous architect Peter Zumthor who actually resides in Switzerland. These are kinda hard to describe. There are multiple pools with different features: one has flower petals in it with an incredible smell, one is really hot (42 degrees), one was really cold, one goes outdoors, one is made for sure echos. I know it sounds weird but it might be the most relaxing place ever. You enter with your bathrobes and the ask that you don’t use electronics. You go from bath to bath just relaxing. People use quiet voices and read on chairs facing the Alps. They have a steam room and a meditation room (music with weird sounds but oddly relaxing). Seriously this is one of my favorite places I’ve ever been. I can’t describe what it’s like to go between all of these places, forget about the outside world and take in the incredible scenery. I even took a few well deserved naps. Well worth the splurge. You get free entrance if staying at the hotel and certain hours where no one is there but hotel guests (we went first thing in the morning once and we were the only ones there for at least an hour, unreal) but you could purchase tickets as well.
2. 7123 Hotel. This is where we stayed although there seemed to be other great hotels in town. When we drove up I felt like we were in a James Bond movie. It was incredible. I am married to an architect so this was a dream for him. Everything is incredibly designed and they have dozens of fresh flowers everywhere. The House of Architects are where most of the rooms are and they have different rooms designed by different famous architects. We actually asked for a tour and they let us see the cool, high tech, space ship like rooms designed by Thomas Mayme, clean, sleek room by Tadao Ando, cool wood room by Kengo Kumma. They also have huge suites by we didn’t get to see these. We ate at the hotel outside with amazing views. Definitely at least worth visiting the hotel if you don’t stay there. 
3. Hiking the Alps. In the city of Vals you can just hike up the mountain or you can drive somewhere and hike. There are waterfalls and many beautiful areas. The city is nestled in the mountains so there are a lot of options. I actually wish we would have had even more time to do this but the baths were just too awesome to leave too much. Oh and there is the cutest little restaurant at the top of the mountain that we didn’t get to eat at but had awesome views! We will for sure eat there next time with reservations!
4. Saint Benedict Chapel. This is not actually in the town of Vals but about 45 minutes away by car but well worth the stop. We went to this on our way to Vals. It is a small chapel high in the mountains also designed but Peter Zumpthor. The simplicity and beauty of this chapel really help you appreciate the amazing tranquility of the mountains and you feel pretty close to heaven! They also have some small ruins nearby.
5. La Cocina. This was hands down one of the best restaurants we ate at. The service was wonderful and the food was incredible. The building was really need too. They brought out a hot stone for Nicks steak and then brought his steak, pork and vegetables out of a steaming wood box, incredible presentation.
6. Architect museum. You may not appreciate this like we do but this was a small bookstore like place. It had architecture renderings and future plans for the town. It had a room of awesome architecture books and many of the hotel items for purchase. 
7. Hotel Alpina. We ate a delightful lunch here and the salad was so good I have to mention it. I honestly don’t know what the rest of the food is like, although it looked delicious but I’m already craving that salad! It looks like it would be a fun place to stay. I just love eating outside and really enjoying the scenery. 
8. Bernina Express. Again this isn’t in Vals but I have to mention it. We left Vals and drove to St. Moritz where we board a train with a glass roof that literally drove us through the Swiss Alps!! It was incredible and worth the drive (which we enjoyed also).