Bernina Express, Switzerland

A delightful Swiss rail experience with snow covered peaks, mountain lakes and pine forests. Erika Affolter believes this is a perfect place to experience a white Christmas!

One of our advisors, Erika, a native of Switzerland, recalls what it is about her homeland that remains one of her favourite travel experience even today.

“Being Swiss born, my psyche is imbued with images of all the mountains and beautiful scenery. One especially cherished memory is the amazing scenic train ride on the Bernina Express. I relived this experience just a few years ago and, whilst revisiting childhood haunts is often a disappointing undertaking, this just brought my childhood back to me and more. The most recent trip began on a rather cold July summer day in St Moritz. In the early hours of the morning light snow had fallen and cleared the way for a brilliant blue sky day.

We boarded the Bernina Express train at 9AM that pulled us slowly through Pontresina and up to the Bernina Pass, 2,230metres above sea level. The pass was covered in a thick blanket of fresh snow and in the full summer sun the snow resembled a vast field of brilliant diamonds. We then sat comfortably back to watch the set changes: small villages; mountain lakes; thick pine tree forests.

Across old stone bridges and viaducts the train then negotiated the downward run towards Tirano. The snow covered mountain peaks on each side of the train elicited astonished gasps of delight from the passengers for the entire descent. Once in Tirano, a bus conveyed us on the 2 hour journey back into Switzerland to our final destination, Lugano. This city on the shores of Lake Como, full of twisting, narrow roads and lanes is another appealing travel story in itself.

The Bernina Express journey is one I will never tire of. It is not only a trip to remember but one to look forward to again and again.”

Recommended package:

A day on the Bernina Express can be arranged by one of our specialist Advisors. You can depart from Chur, Davos or St Moritz. Please note that a passport or identity card required for border crossings and prior reservations are essential. There is a commentary provided during the trip and you can only do this train trip in the European summer months.

Contact Erika for more information on (02) 8270 4800 or email her at eaffolter@conciergetraveller.com.au

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