Saint Bernard Monastery, Swiss Alps
6. Saint Bernard Monastery
Location: Swiss Alps
What's Cool: Vacationing on the roof of Europe in an ancient Augustine monastery
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This ancient crossing place 12,000 feet up in the Swiss Alps has hosted Charlemagne, Napoleon, Hemingway, and many a lost wanderer rescued by the famous Saint Bernard dogs. The Saint Bernard tunnel now diverts traffic across the Alps and the Saint Bernard dogs no longer carry barrels of booze under their collars (to provide relief from the cold, promise!), but the hospice is still manned year-round by gracious Augustine monks. Although one can drive there during the summer months, the road is closed because of snow in September and only the hardy can trudge up to its splendid isolation and excellent skiing (most of the monks are expert skiers). Simply park or get a ride to the parking lot at the Great Saint Bernard tunnel and snowshoe or ski up to the hospice. Guides and gear are available in the nearby Swiss village of Martigny.
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