St Moritz and the Bernina Express

Posted on August 25, 2017 in Italy Lakes & Mountains Summer Destinations Switzerland by Jessica Copland in Menaggio Tags: , , , , , , ,

When guests arrive in Lake Como the last thing on their mind is to leave the lake and visit Switzerland. However, with Lake Como at the northern-most edge of Italy’s Lombardy region, we are perfectly placed for an unforgettable journey through the Italian mountains into Switzerland. Here, you can enjoy one of the highest railway journeys in the world before stopping in St Moritz for a spot of lunch.

We begin our journey in Menaggio, on the coach, heading to the north of the lake. As we travel through the beautiful Lake Como region, we pass through the Italian mountains to our first destination close to the Swiss border: Tirano.

Tirano is a beautiful town where you are able to relax and enjoy a quiet coffee. Because of the city walls built to protect it, Tirano is considered a city. However, its population is less than 10,000 people and you can easily see this city in a short time. You can take a nice stroll around the main square, admiring the beautiful historic buildings and churches.

From Tirano, we hop back on the coach to make our way over the Swiss border. We head for Poschiavo, the start of our railway journey on the Bernina Express. The world famous panoramic train journey leaves Poschiavo for Diavolezza – the most dramatic part of the Bernina Express Railway.

Almost as soon as you take your seats on the train, the magnificent scenery will amaze you. The train has huge windows providing stunning, full-on views of the mountains, valleys and ancient glaciers. Of course, taking photographs along the way is necessary for all passengers. It’s a breath-taking journey,

The guide will take you on a journey up to St Moritz, one of the most famous holiday destinations in the world. Not only was it the first ever ski resort but it has also hosted the Winter Olympics – twice! The town has a fascinating history. The name St Moritz is trademarked by the town. It is also part of a World Heritage Site, and it’s where James Bond dashed down the ski slopes in the film ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’.

After a leisurely walk around the town, where you will learn much about its unique past, you can enjoy lunch or relax by the spectacular lake. It’s hard to imagine in the summer, but when the lake is frozen in the winter it hosts cricket, polo, and horse racing on the ice.

After enjoying St Moritz we begin an impressive journey through the Maloja Pass. With an elevation of 1,815m, the pass weaves and winds its way through the Swiss Alps and back to the Italian mountains. Here, we make our final stop at the charming and historic town of Chiavenna.

The history of Chiavenna dates back to before 1194. The town is crowned by castle ruins and is a member of the Cittaslow movement, an international network of cities where a relaxed pace of life is encouraged.

We recommend enjoying a gentle (slow) stroll through the town. Make sure you try the gelato from one of the ice cream shops, especially if it is a warm day. Alternatively you can soak up the views while also enjoying an Aperol Spritz.

Sadly all good things must come to an end. From Chiavenna, we make our way down the Italian mountains and back to resort just in time to freshen up for dinner.

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