Mandeville, LA February 2026

A Local Kind of Love

Our February issue is devoted to the many ways love shows up across the Northshore.

We begin with “Meet Kristen Pannell,” a woman redefining luxury by returning something priceless: time. As the founder of The Laundry Atelier, Kristen understands that love often looks practical. Her 24-hour luxury laundry service isn’t just about indulgence, but also about presence.

From there, we turn to romance in  “Love Is In the Air,” spotlighting Beau Chêne Country Club. Beneath live oaks and beside serene water, Beau Chêne offers couples a setting that feels both timeless and effortless. With flexible indoor and outdoor spaces and thoughtful amenities for every stage of the day, the venue—which is available to members and non-members alike—adapts to each couple’s vision. Its all-inclusive approach lets celebrations unfold with ease, shifting the focus from logistics to memory.

At the heart of this issue is “Loving Your Healthcare Again,” the remarkable story of Covington Trace ER & Hospital and its founder, Dr. Matthew Bernard. Rooted in the belief that medicine is an act of compassion, this modern hospital is changing how care feels on the Northshore. From thoughtfully prepared meals and calming rooms to follow-up calls and a deeply supported staff, every detail reflects a philosophy that places humanity first. In an industry defined by speed and scale, Covington Trace offers something rare: healthcare that feels personal, calm, and deeply respectful.

We then introduce  Erin Rowan, a CPA whose work balances intuition and precision. Raised in Mandeville, Erin brings clarity, warmth, and long-range thinking to a profession often seen as rigid. She is guided, first and foremost, by a genuine love of community.

February also invites reflection inward. In  “Mirror Mirror,” we explore mirror work as a practice of self-love, encouraging kindness in how we speak to ourselves.

We close with “Permission to Be Cheesy,” a Valentine’s Day cheesecake recipe that leans delightfully into indulgence… because love, after all, should also be delicious.

Our hope is that this issue reminds you that love lives close to home. It shows up in folded laundry, wedding vows, hospital hallways, careful accounting, quiet self-reflection, and a slice of cheesecake shared at the table.

Warmly,

February 2026

PUBLISHER

Rebecca George | rebecca.george@citylifestyle.com

CO-PUBLISHER

Christian George | christian.george@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Akifa Ashraf

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Christian George, Rebecca George, Ashlee Richardson, Cassie Suppes, Lea Grimaldi, Gabi De la Rosa

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Abby Sands, Ken Schallenberg, Kali Norton, Tiffany Chabert, Corine Tran, Rip Stoltz, Cassie Suppes

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

REBECCA GEORGE & CHRISTIAN GEORGE , PUBLISHER & CO-PUBLISHER

M A L I K M I N G O

Meet Kristen Pannell

Say Hello to the Woman

Transforming the Northshore with 24-Hour Luxury Laundry Delivery

In a season devoted to love, few gifts feel more meaningful than time returned.

For Kristen Pannell, founder of The Laundry Atelier, love looks practical, tender, and folded with care. A mother of three homeschooled children, Kristen knows how quickly laundry can become a burden.

“I want to take laundry off your plate,” she says, “so you can be present with your family instead of staying up late washing clothes.”

The Laundry Atelier offers luxury wash, dry, and fold service with a guaranteed 24-hour turnaround. Every tag is read, every fabric respected, and every load handled with care.

“We don’t just do laundry,” Kristen says. “We care for it like it’s our own.”

Orders are never mixed. Machines are sanitized between every family. Premium detergents come standard, with fragrance-free and hypoallergenic options for babies and sensitive skin. Stains are treated individually, delicates handled with fabric-specific care, and laundry is

delivered to your door beautifully folded and ready to wear.

“We can even separate clothes by size for the kids,” she adds. “You literally just take it and put it in their drawers.”

The Laundry Atelier supports busy families, students, professionals, and businesses alike. From school uniforms to spa linens and work clothes, Kristen’s team frees up time for lives already full.

Pricing is $2.75 per pound for non-members and just $2.25 per pound for members, with membership available for only $9.99 per month. The first 100 members will receive their first 20 pounds free.

If you’re struggling to find the best Valentine’s Day gift for your spouse (or for yourself), consider calling The Laundry Atelier.

“This is not a luxury,” Kristen says. “This is a necessity, especially for busy moms who have to do it all.”

To learn more or schedule service, visit thelaundryatelier.com, email info@the laundryatelier.com, or call (985) 400-9837.

Love Is In the Air

Tips for Brides Seeking the Perfect Wedding Venue … and the Perfect Day … on the

Northshore

ARTICLE BY REBECCA GEORGE PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIFFANY CHABERT AND CORINE TRAN

Ashlee Richardson, Membership and Sales Director at Beau Chêne Country Club, shares expert insight into the premier wedding destination for couples on the Northshore.

Rebecca George: For brides dreaming of a wedding that feels romantic, effortless, and unforgettable, what makes Beau Chêne Country Club stand out as the perfect setting for their big day?

Ashlee Richardson: At Beau Chêne Country Club, couples are surrounded by elegant live oaks, sweeping green space, and serene lakes that create a naturally romantic backdrop. From there, we take care of the details, allowing the wedding day to feel seamless, elevated, and truly personal.

Rebecca George: What types of wedding events can couples host at Beau Chêne Country Club?

Ashlee Richardson: We specialize in weddings and rehearsal dinners, but many couples choose our venue for the moments surrounding the big day as well, including bridal showers, engagement parties, bridesmaid luncheons, and anniversary celebrations. We love being part of the entire wedding experience, not just the ceremony itself.

Photo by Corine Tran

Rebecca George: Many couples worry about guest count. How flexible is the space?

Ashlee Richardson: Very flexible. Whether you’re planning an intimate celebration or a grand reception, our two adjoining reception rooms can accommodate over 300 guests for receptions and 200 for seated events. This gives couples the freedom to design a layout and flow that reflects their vision.

Rebecca George: Tell us about the atmosphere inside the Clubhouse.

Ashlee Richardson: Our newly remodeled Clubhouse is spacious, light-filled, and welcoming, with large windows overlooking landscaped gardens and the golf course. The adjoining Lobby and Morgan’s Bar flow naturally for guest greetings. We also have a bridal suite, groom’s lounge, and a spacious upstairs event room for getting ready on the wedding day. Our gorgeous “first look” location overlooks the Tchefuncte River—it’s a photographer’s dream!

Rebecca George: For brides weighing indoor versus outdoor ceremonies and receptions, what options does Beau Chêne Country Club offer?

Ashlee Richardson: Couples may choose an indoor or outdoor ceremony. The outdoor ceremonies take place in front of our pavilion overlooking a pond with our resident swans. Our reception space offers

an indoor/outdoor feel with open-air access to our beautiful patio with additional seating under the open sky and twinkle string lighting.

Rebecca George: Weddings can feel overwhelming behind the scenes. What makes hosting a wedding at Beau Chêne Country Club feel so seamless from start to finish?

Ashlee Richardson: Beau Chêne Country Club is designed to simplify the wedding experience from start to finish. All-inclusive packages, extensive on-site parking for up to 400 cars, handicap accessibility, a gorgeous marble-inspired dance floor, customized floor plans, a personalized timeline, and attentive service allow couples to enjoy the process without unnecessary stress. With customized menus crafted by award-winning Chef Hosie Bourgeois and his culinary team, celebrations unfold seamlessly in one beautiful setting.

Rebecca George: For couples who may not be members, can Beau Chêne Country Club still be their wedding venue?

Ashlee Richardson: Yes, absolutely! Couples don’t need to be members to host their wedding and other special events at Beau Chêne Country Club. We invite everyone to come see the space, imagine your day here, and let us help bring it to life.

To learn more about hosting your wedding at Beau Chêne Country Club, visit beauchenecc.com/weddings, or reach out directly by email at ashlee@beauchenecc.com or by phone at (985) 635-0201

MIRROR WORK FOR SELF-LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE

Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? Everyone knows this line from Snow White. The Queen wanted to be the fairest. When she wasn’t, she poisoned beautiful Snow White. Most of us do not believe ourselves to be the fairest, but quite the opposite.

As February is widely known as the month of love, let’s focus on self-love. Often people, especially parents, tend to give a lot to their partners and their children and less to themselves. Sometimes it is challenging for us to silence the inner critic that speaks harshly to ourselves in a way we would never speak to a loved friend or family member. This is where mirror work can help.

Many people have a complicated relationship with the mirror. We don’t always like to look at our reflections. We may find it confronting. Taylor Swift even sings about it in her song Anti-hero: “I’ll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror.” Why is it so difficult for some of us to gaze with love–or affection–into the mirror?

ARTICLE BY LEA GRIMALDI

Mirror work, a term coined by transformational teacher and selflove expert Louise Hay, founder of Hay House Publishing, and the author of You Can Heal Your Life and Mirror Work: 21 Days to Heal Your Life, is the practice of looking at yourself in the mirror and saying nice things to yourself. You can start with something simple. “I like myself. I am doing the best I can today.” Or even, “Hey sweetie! You look great!” One of my favorites is, “I love, accept, and forgive myself fully and completely.” Mirror work combines well with affirmations, which are positive phrases said in the present tense as if they are already true. The practice of saying affirmations combined with mirror work can increase the benefits of both practices.

I AM STRONG. I AM CAPABLE. I CAN DO THIS. I BELIEVE IN MYSELF. I KNOW MY WORTH. I CAN DO HARD THINGS. MY LIFE IS ABUNDANT. I AM HAPPY AND HEALTHY IN MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT. I BELIEVE IN MYSELF. I AM KIND AND COMPASSIONATE. I DESERVE LOVE AND ABUNDANCE. I AM DOING MY BEST. I AM SMART. I AM BRAVE. I AM POWERFUL. I AM STRONG.

The objective of mirror work is to help people silence their inner critic and believe the positive words they are telling themselves while looking at themselves in the mirror.

Mirror work can help with self-esteem issues and can achieve results such as changing a negative body image to a more positive one. Hay developed the practice to increase self-compassion and self-love as part of the daily activities detailed in her 1984 book You Can Heal Your Life

Although it can be confronting and challenging, it is important to practice mirror work regularly to reap the benefits. Set a daily goal of saying affirmations while looking at your reflection in the mirror and seeing how it makes you feel. Start with two minutes a day and work up to five.

As a yoga teacher, I have included mirror work in my classes with clients. Often the first experience with the exercise is somewhat uncomfortable, but with practice, it becomes more natural. When resistance comes up, ask yourself what you are feeling, allow the emotion to be present, and then release it. It may be rooted in a past experience and just needs to be acknowledged and felt before you can let it go.

HERE ARE SOME SIMPLE GUIDELINES FOR HOW TO CREATE A MIRROR WORK PRACTICE:

• Make sure you will be alone and uninterrupted so you can let your guard down and allow emotions to surface

• Try to do it for a set amount of time, such as five minutes every day

• Allow yourself to feel and process whatever emotions show up

• Keep a journal to record your feelings, reactions, and experiences

• Start with less confronting or difficult phrases, and as you become comfortable increase the intensity

Mirror work can be used in tandem with inner-child work because many of the negative limiting beliefs that play in our minds are the result of something we were told as a child that is not true about us or our life. If something negative comes up during mirror work, we can challenge it and write about the feelings in the journal, thus freeing us from that limiting belief.

Inner child work is an approach to recognizing and healing childhood trauma. We all experience traumas as children which affect the way we experience the world. As adults, we can reconnect with the child we once were, in order to heal. Mirror work is one way to help facilitate that process, in addition to talk therapy, meditation exercises, and setting healthy boundaries.

MIRROR WORK COMBINES WELL WITH AFFIRMATIONS, WHICH ARE POSITIVE PHRASES SAID IN THE PRESENT TENSE AS IF THEY ARE ALREADY TRUE.

Here are some ideas for affirmations to use with your mirror work. I am strong. I am capable. I can do this. I believe in myself. I know my worth. I can do hard things. My life is abundant. I am happy and healthy in mind, body, and spirit. I believe in myself. I am kind and compassionate. I deserve love and abundance. I am doing my best. I am smart. I am brave. I am powerful.

In the words of Hay, “Doing mirror work is one of the most loving gifts you can give yourself.”

Introducing Erin Rowan

Erin Rowan is not your typical CPA.

Raised in a family with deep roots in Mandeville, Erin remembers when Hwy 190 was still lined with trees.

“I just love this city,” she says. “I loved Mandeville before it was cool to love it.”

She grew up watching her father, an architect, shape many of the structures that define the community, including Lake Harbor Middle School, the Mandeville branch of the post office, and the St. Tammany Parish Hospital. By twelve, Erin was already volunteering at the hospital’s gift shop, which her mother managed.

That alchemy of ambition and expertise, grounded in discipline, curiosity, and long-range thinking, now defines Erin’s approach to accounting. After nearly a decade working across public accounting firms, she founded her own practice in Covington.

“At its core,” she explains, “accounting is a relationship business. You deserve a CPA who understands the story behind the numbers. Someone who believes in the future you’re working hard to build.”

Today, her work spans tax preparation and planning, small business accounting, and financial reporting. Her acceptance into leadership programs at the national and local levels reflects not only technical mastery, but also a clear ability to anticipate change.

What truly sets Erin apart?

Some point to her genius-level affinity for numbers, or her prescience. Others cite the calm confidence with which she guides clients.

But outside the office, her uniqueness shines brightest through her love of poetry (Sylvia Plath and Edna St. Vincent Millay), her dedication to distance running, and her affection for all things canine. With her husband, Chris, and their daughter, Marais Eve, Erin shares her home with three rescued German shepherd mixes (Pink, Floof, and Mama).

In a profession defined by rigid lines and hard edges, Erin transcends the stereotype, fusing head and heart, analysis and emotion.

If you’re seeking a CPA to help you or your business navigate the financial landscape of 2026, you’ll discover that Erin Rowan offers more than expertise.

She offers direction.

“It’s more than accounting,” she says. “It’s really about community. It’s about helping people build something that lasts.”

You can reach Erin at err-cpa.com, by email at erin@err-cpa.com, or by phone at (985) 951-0137

ARTICLE BY CHRISTIAN GEORGE, PHD PHOTOGRAPHY

BY

KALI NORTON

Exterior

LOVING YOUR HEALTHCARE AGAIN

How Covington Trace ER & Hospital Revolutionizes Emergency and Hospital Care Across the Northshore

For most of us, Valentine’s Day conjures roses, Hallmark cards, chocolate, and romance.

ARTICLE BY CHRISTIAN GEORGE, PHD PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEN SCHALLENBERG

But Saint Valentine, or Valentinus, a pastor living in third-century Rome, wasn’t remembered for inventing love. He was remembered for practicing it, tending to the sick through acts of compassion.

Standing in the vein of that tradition are Dr. Matthew Bernard and his team at Covington Trace ER & Hospital, a modern institution founded on the belief that medical care, when practiced locally, compassionately, and empathetically, is a more meaningful form of love.

THE BIRTH OF SOMETHING NEW

Dr. Bernard remembers the exact moment he knew he wanted to become a physician. It was January 16, 1998, during the birth of his first child.

As his newborn son was whisked away, he remained by his wife’s side, watching the surgical aftermath of a C-section unfold just beyond the drape.

“That was the moment,” he recalls. “The very day I decided to become a doctor.”

At the time, he was no stranger to fixing things. He had flunked out of college at sixteen, joined the Air Force at seventeen, and spent eight years as a mechanic, repairing aircraft and learning the discipline of making complex systems work flawlessly under extreme pressure.

Emergency medicine, with its urgency and breadth, proved a natural extension of that instinct.

After medical school and residency at LSU, he entered a healthcare system still reeling from Hurricane Katrina. He became known for stepping into emergency departments that were struggling and making them work again. Over two decades, Dr. Bernard helped stabilize ERs across Louisiana, training partners to take over, then moving on to the next challenge.

Eventually, a different question began to surface: What if he didn’t have to fix a broken ER system? What if he could build one from scratch?

“I went home and talked to my wife,” recounts Dr. Bernard. “I told her that I wanted to start a hospital from scratch in Mandeville.”

RELATIONSHIP-CENTERED HEALTHCARE

Six years and countless planning meetings later, Covington Trace ER & Hospital opened its doors in Mandeville. From the earliest architectural decisions to the smallest operational details, the goal was singular: to create a hospital where patients feel safe, seen, and genuinely cared for.

“It's medicine like it used to look eighty-five years ago, but with the technology of today.”

That vision is stewarded daily by what the team calls the “Core Four”: Dr. Bernard, Chief Operating Officer Sarah Shipman, Chief Nursing Officer Dan Flynn, and Director of Business Development Katie Palazzo.

Their connection runs deeper than résumés. Flynn first met Dr. Bernard more than twenty years ago as a New Orleans paramedic. Shipman, Flynn, and Palazzo all graduated from Fontainebleau High School the same year. The result is a leadership team bound by trust, shared history, and an unusual cohesion that shows up in every corner of the hospital.

“We’re able to operate with a lot of integrity and efficiency because of our relationships,” says Dr. Bernard. “It’s a unique opportunity to be able to do that.”

THE LUXURY OF BEING TREATED EMPATHETICALLY

Inside its walls, Covington Trace ER & Hospital operates with three fully integrated arms, which include emergency services, inpatient admissions, and outpatient diagnostics, all available 24/7.

“Physicians can order outpatient CT scans or labs at 2 a.m. on a Saturday,” Dr. Bernard says. “And we can do it without even blinking.”

Each month, the hospital admits about one hundred patients and serves over six hundred meals.

“I think we’ve got better food than some of the restaurants around us,” he says. “We really try to maintain a very high standard of care. And good food is good medicine.”

In addition to their famously freshly squeezed orange juice, Dr. Bernard himself bakes homemade focaccia for his team, topping it with rosemary harvested from the hospital’s own herb garden.

“He really spoils us,” says Katie Palazzo.

“A really significant feature that separates us from other hospitals is our intense focus on keeping our staff happy and supported,” Dr. Bernard adds. “Whether it’s me literally breaking bread with our staff or making bread with them, we want to show them that we care for them. Through bonuses or genuine appreciation, caring for our staff is something we devote a great deal of time and attention to.”

This attention to staff is no mere afterthought.

“If our people are supported,” he explains, “the patient experience takes care of itself.”

In just over two years, Dr. Bernard’s philosophy has translated into 1,300 five-star Google reviews and a reputation that is spreading quickly across the Northshore.

LOVE BEYOND THE WALLS

Patients often describe Covington Trace ER & Hospital as “a hotel that can also save your life.”

The phrase makes Dr. Bernard smile, and for good reason. Here, experience matters. Pediatric patients receive numbing medication well before a needle ever appears. Rooms are outfitted with dimmer switches to ease headaches and nausea. Follow-up appointments with specialists are scheduled before discharge, sometimes for the very next day. Physicians routinely call patients after they return home, simply to check in.

“It’s like concierge medicine without the price tag,” he says.

The hospital’s commitment to the community extends well beyond medicine.

Dr. Bernard and his team actively support organizations such as Heroes Who Cook, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Humane Society, raising funds and awareness for some of the region’s most vulnerable populations.

CONTINUED >

“We’re trying to be the community hospital as much as we can be,” he says. “It’s medicine like it used to look eighty-five years ago, but with the technology of today.”

LOVE, LOCAL AND LASTING

Covington Trace ER & Hospital accepts all commercial insurance plans. At this time, the facility does not accept Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE, though efforts are ongoing to serve more members of the community. As with all emergency departments nationwide, federal law ensures patients are never responsible for more than their copay and deductible for commercial and VA insurance. There are no billing surprises.

Advanced imaging, board-certified emergency physicians on site at all times, and more than two hundred collective years of clinical experience among ten physician partners reinforce the hospital’s commitment to excellence.

In a healthcare landscape increasingly defined by scale and speed, Covington Trace ER & Hospital offers something that feels both new and profoundly ancient: a way of showing love to the community that puts the needs of others first.

And on this Valentine’s Day, that may be the greatest luxury of all.

Covington Trace ER & Hospital is located at 4107 LA-59 in Mandeville and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, or to reach the hospital directly, call (985) 951-3650 or visit covingtonhospital.com.

Patients often describe

Covington Trace as “a hotel that can also save your life.”

PERMISSION to be

cheesy

VALENTINE’S DAY CHEESECAKE

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASSIE SUPPES

Valentine’s Day is all about showing your loved one just how much you care. Rather than opting for the predictable chocolates and flowers, why not showcase your culinary prowess and create a one-of-a-kind cheesecake? Not only will this delectable treat demonstrate your affection, but it will also add a personal and luxurious touch to the holiday celebration. Make this Valentine’s Day truly memorable by going above and beyond with a heartfelt, homemade gift. Cheesecake is the perfect dessert for two because it’s both rich and indulgent, but not too heavy. Plus, it can be easily customized to fit your own personal taste and it’s much easier than you think!

TO MAKE THE PERFECT CHEESECAKE, YOU’LL NEED:

• 1 pound cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup sugar

• 3 eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1 prepared graham cracker crust

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Next, add in the sour cream and heavy cream and mix until everything is well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared graham cracker crust and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the cheesecake is set. Let cool completely before serving.   For this recipe, we decided to add berries and honey to the top of our cheesecake. Take the time to make yours special to your relationship. With toppings such as chocolate, jelly, whipped cream, berries, fruit, or whatever your partner’s favorite is, you’re sure to make them smile. Make things colorful by adding food coloring to the mix, it can even be made in their favorite color. You can also change things up by making your own crust with Oreos or cinnamon crackers.

To elevate this recipe to the next level, consider using high-quality ingredients such as grass-fed cream cheese and locally sourced honey. For added luxury, try using a blend of different types of berries, or even substituting the graham cracker crust with a crust made of crushed pistachios or hazelnuts.

In addition to adding a variety of toppings, you can also get creative with the presentation. For example, try using a springform pan to create a heart-shaped cheesecake, or using cookie cutters to create fun shapes out of the cheesecake slices. You can also garnish the cheesecake with edible flowers or a sprinkle of edible gold dust for a truly indulgent experience.

Take in sweeping alpine views

DIS COVER THE VALAIS REGION OF SWITZERLAND, WHERE ALPINE TRAILS, THERMAL SPRINGS, AND LOCAL TRADITIONS CREATE RESTORATIVE TRAVEL.

AN ALPINE ESCAPE

AN ALPINE ADVENTURE IN ALETSCH ARENA

An easy train ride from Zurich lands visitors in the Aletsch Arena, a high-alpine region on the south side of the Bernese Alps, home to three villages: Riederalp, Bettmeralp, and Fiescheralp. Known for its ski slopes in winter and hiking in summer, the area is entirely car-free, making walking and local buses the main modes of transportation through its quaint chalet-lined streets.

One of the main attractions of the ski-in/ski-out area is the Aletsch Glacier, the longest glacier in the Alps. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 12-mile glacier is visible from several vantage points, shaping every experience in the area.

ARTICLE BY GABI DE LA ROSA

In Switzerland’s Valais region, wellness and adventure are always part of the same itinerary. Morning could bring a high-alpine hike, afternoon a soak in mineral-rich springs, and evening a table set with traditional cuisine, always including delicious wine and cheese. For travelers, the best part will be finding the perfect balance between exploring the outdoors and relaxing with wellness-infused activities in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

WHERE TO STAY

Located in the heart of Bettmeralp, Hotel Panorama provides no-fuss accommodations steps away from the picturesque Chapel Maria Zum Schnee. The hotel’s restaurant offers delicious regional cuisine, including raclette paired with Swiss wine. A good bottle of Pinot Noir or Gamay is also easy to come by because the Valais region of Switzerland is one of the largest wine-producing areas in the country, with vineyards dotting the steep slopes of the Rhône Valley. In addition to wine and cheese, eating cholera, a covered vegetable pie invented in the region during the cholera epidemic, is a must.

WHAT TO DO

Begin at Viewpoint Moosfluh, the closest and lowest vantage point of the Aletsch Glacier. From there, trailheads lead to Villa Cassel, once the home of a British financier and now a museum focused on history and conservation. The hike passes through a thousand-year-old forest with views of both the glacier and the Matterhorn.

Walk over Goms Bridge, a nearly 1,000-foot-long suspension bridge that connects two hiking areas over the Rhône River. For a final look at the majestic glacier, take the cable car to Viewpoint Eggishorn. At nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, it offers panoramic views of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, Jungfraujoch, or the “Top of Europe,” and the most comprehensive view of the Aletsch Glacier.