DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY CONTINUED
Lake Lucerne - Bernese Oberland - GoldenPass Line - Saanenland - Lake Geneva - Zermatt - Glacier Express - Lake Lugano - Bernina Express - St Moritz
Lavaux Terraced Vineyards between Vevey and Puixdoux-Chexbres , the train through the meadows to Rochers-de-Naye ( on which you can sometimes see the Jet d ’ Eau in Geneva ), or the Chocolate Train to the Maison Cailler chocolate factory and museum . The highlight of your visit to Montreux , however , may well be Chillon Castle , perched on a rocky outcrop and seemingly emerging out of the water . This is Switzerland ’ s most popular historical landmark , and , with its fairy-tale beauty , it is easy to see why .
Day eight : Montreux to Zermatt
Today you travel by train from Montreux to Zermatt . This train journey takes around two and a half hours , passing Chillon Castle , Martigny , and pausing at Visp while you change trains . As you enter Zermatt , the area ’ s crowning glory will make itself apparent : the Matterhorn . Around it , over 400km of walking and hiking paths vein the landscape , allowing you to capture stunning panoramas of both Zermatt and the Matterhorn while uncovering more of the Alpine flora and fauna .
Day nine : Zermatt
Small railways from Zermatt take you high up into the mountains , reaching 3000m above sea level , and the Glacier Paradise cable car transports you up to Europe ’ s highest viewing platform . To extend both your experience of the railways of Valais and the mountains , take the Gornergratbahn up to the summit of the Gornergrat , from where you can bask in views of 38 mountain peaks . Consider visiting the Hornlihutte , where for decades climbers have famously stayed as they prepare to climb the Matterhorn , via the Hornli Ridge , the Zmutt Ridge , or the north wall . For something wholly unique , spend an hour or two at the Zermatlantis Matterhorn Museum , a faithfully recreated archaeological site . After a thrilling and busy day exploring this dynamic area , dine in one of Zermatt ’ s abundant gourmet restaurants or back at your chosen hotel .
Day ten : Zermatt to Lugano via the Glacier Express
Today you board one of the distinctive carriages of the Glacier Express to Andermatt , where you change trains on your way to Lugano . This short stretch of the Glacier Express takes you first through the enchanting village of St Niklaus , defined by its rustic chalet houses with peaked roofs , and then onto Brig , where the 17th century Stockalper Castle stands proudly at the centre of the Old Town , crowned by unusual onion domes . The Glacier Express then takes you through the Furka Tunnel of the Furka Steam Railway , past the ice caves of the Rhone Glacier , and over the
In the Bernese Oberland
bridge in Oberwald . At Andermatt , you cease journeying east and turn immediately south into the province of Ticino . Follow a single main valley as the environment becomes gradually more Mediterranean and the climate becomes warmer . Trickling waterfalls spill out of the mountainsides , and sparsely populated villages spread across flat valley floors . This train passes through Bellinzona , the most Italianate town in Switzerland . Here , three castles stand opposite each other on green bluffs , forming a single well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site . Lake Maggiore is visible in the distance as you continue further south past Monte Tamaro towards Lake Lugano and your destination . Arrive in the afternoon and if possible take the funicular railway up to the summit of Monte Bre from Casserate , or simply sit back and enjoy the Mediterranean feel of the waterside in this colourful city .
Day eleven : Lugano to St Moritz on the Bernina Express coach and train
You depart Lugano by yet another mode of transport : the Bernina Express coach . The Bernina Express bus from Lugano to Tirano in Italy leaves at around 10am , arriving three hours later and passing Lake Como and the picturesque villages of northern Italy on its way . In Tirano , you have an hour to enjoy the charming combination of Italian architecture and Alpine backdrop . Perhaps stop off at the Santuario della Madonna di Tirano on the quiet central square , or seek out the historic
monuments and paintings dotted around the town . Then , embark on the final part of your Bernina Express journey , ready to arrive into St Moritz two hours later . This stretch takes you past thriving orchards and vineyards , over the unique Brusio viaduct as it spirals back on itself to compensate for the changing altitudes , and into Le Prese over the Swiss border . Continue on through the Bergamo Alps , through grand and regal Poschiavo and the Val Poschiavo , passing Alp Grum , the only restaurant to be exclusively accessible by rail . The Bernina Express now begins its ascent to the highest point on the Rhaetian Railway in Ospizio Bernina . Before arriving into St Moritz , you will pass two of the most famous sights on this railway : the Montebello Curve and the Morteratsch Glacier . The Curve itself allows you plentiful time to appreciate the views of the glacier . Arrive into St Moritz in Switzerland , perhaps using your time here to reach the best viewing point of the Suvretta Mountain by cable car , or to visit Lake Sils , Lake St Moritz , or the windy Lake Silvaplana . The neighbouring mountains , including the Piz Corvatsch , Chantarella , and Corviglia , can all be explored by rail .
Day twelve : St Moritz to Zurich via Chur
You depart Lugano by yet another mode of transport : the Bernina Express coach . The Bernina Express bus from Lugano to Tirano in Italy leaves at around 10am , arriving three hours later and passing Lake Como and the picturesque villages of northern Italy on its
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