Glacier Express . . . the
Slowest Fast Train in the World!
The Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz in Switzerland is one of the
great train journeys in the world.
Travel on the famous Swiss mountain railways from St.Moritz to Zermatt and
vice versa or from Piz Bernina to the Matterhorn. A 7 1/2 hour railway
journey across 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and across the Oberalp.
Pass at 2'033 metres in altitude. A panoramic trip through the Alps in the
heart of Switzerland. The Glacier Express travels a beautiful route between
the sights of the Graubünden holiday region, central Switzerland,
including Lake Lucerne and Lucerne itself, the sunny Valais region with its
glacier landscape, and the beautiful regions of the South. Travel in comfort
through the unspoilt natural beauty of a landscape rich in ancient, fragrant
mountain forests, peaceful Alpine meadows, rushing mountain streams and
mountain valleys, soaked in tradition and centuries-old culture.
The Wilhelm Tell Express :
The Wilhelm Tell Express links two of Switzerland's most attractive regions:
Central Switzerland and Ticino. New: Two daily connections from Central
Switzerland to Ticino and in the opposite direction. The trip starts in
Lucerne as you board a nostalgic paddle steamer or motor vessel and cruise
to Flüelen on Lake Lucerne in about 3 1/2 hours.
While you enjoy a hot or cold dish in the first-class restaurant, you can
watch sleepy bays, picturesque villages and historic landmarks such as the Rütli
and the Tellsplatte glide silently by on the starboard and port side. In Flüelen,
only a few steps away from the pier, our guests board air-conditioned,
first-class panorama cars of the Swiss Federal Railways. The trip continues
through the awesome Reuss Valley with its deep ravines and precipitous
cliffs. The world-famous Gotthard line swiftly climbs from 470 to about 1100
metres above sea level to finally enter the 15-kilometer long Gotthard
tunnel in Göschenen, Europe's most important north/south gateway.
Countless spiral and horseshoe tunnels, galleries and bridges testify to
the remarkable achievements of the men who built this masterpiece of civil
engineering. Then, after the 10-minute tunnel passage, you'll arrive in
Ticino.
In the Leventina Valley, the Wilhelm Tell Express crosses breathtaking
cantilevered bridges and passes charming villages on its way to Bellinzona.
From here, the next leg is to Locarno or Lugano: It will be up to you to
decide.
The Mont-Blanc Express :
A connection that has existed for almost a century offers the amateurs of
strong sensations may possibilities.
Crossing sometimes vertiginous but always sumptuous pieces of scenery, the
Mont-Blanc Express line climbs the slope defiantly and after 2480 meters at
200 ‰, it reaches Salvan, the village where Marconi's tests on wireless
telegraph were crowned with success.
Some minutes later, the train arrives in Les Marécottes, more
particularly known for its alpine zoo where bears, wolves, greyhounds and
other wild species live together in a 35000-m2 space. In the wintertime,
skiers and snowboarders head to La Creusaz and practice their favorite
sport.
Before saluting the Trétien as we go along, we can also admire the
beautiful gorges du Triège.Finhaut turns up behind a bend in the way.
Ancient houses remind us the fact that the resort knew some glorious hours
at the beginning of the century. Nowadays, it gladly welcomes families, and
hikers have a magnificent network of walks at their disposal.
In
Le Châtelard VS, the steepest funicular in the world (over 87%) is
awaiting the most intrepid travellers. In less than 12 minutes, it leads
them from 1357 to1821 meters of altitude. Then a little panoramic train
takes them to the foot of the dam of Emosson, hugging breathtaking chasms.
Finally, a mini-funicular allows them to reach the col de la Cueulaz from
where they can enjoy of a view that cannot be obstructed of the Mont-Blanc.
Once on the other side or the frontier line, the composition heads to
Chamonix, a high place for worldwide mountaineering. The hiking
possibilities are numerous. Were it the ice sea, or the Montenvers or the
Aiguille du Midi railway lines, the tourist is sure to spend privileged
moments in the valleys of the Trient and of the Arve.
Pre - Alpine Express (Voralpen Express) :
The pre - alpine express is the most pleasant way of connecting Lake
Constance and Lake Lucerne. This scenic train runs hourly from Romanshorn to
Lucerne and back. The train features Air-conditioned cars, panorama windows
in the first class and a bistro car.
Most trains offer a rail bar service, with its large choice of beverages,
sandwiches and sweets. Most cars offer special areas for bike transport for
those wishing to explore the lovely area by bike and then using the train
for the longer distances. Enjoy he trip through the charming pre-alpine
landscape with its rolling hills and storybook villages nestled in the
valleys.
There are many places worth a visit, such as monastery and old town of
St.Gallen (UNESCO world cultural heritage site), Mount Santis,
Appenzellerland, Toggenburg, Children's zooRapperswill, Alpamare Pfaffikon
SZ, Cloister Einsiedeln, animal Park Goldau, Mt.Rigi, the Swiss transport
museum in Lucerne or boat trips on five different lakes (Lake Constance,
Lake Zurich, Lake Aegeri,
Lake Zug and Lake Lucerne)
St.Bernard Express :
Just like the Mont Blanc Express, the St.Bernard Express also starts at
Martigny.Pass through Val d' Entremont to Orsieres, from where a bus will
take you to Champex - Lac, La Fouly or if it is summer (June to end of
September) to the hospice on the Grand St.Bernard Pass. There visit the
legendary Kennels where the dogs of the same name are bred, as well as the
small local museum to view the Roman artifacts found here.
Leaving the plain of the Rhone, after a last admirative look at the
Gianadda Fund Museum, at the roman Ampitheatre and at the Tour de la Bâtiaz,
the convoy heads to Sembrancher.
It's where the composition divides in two. A train can lead to Orsières,
which is the terminal station. Comfortable busses take over and take their
passengers to various destinations. Champex-Lac, holiday resort open all
year round; Val Ferret, the mountaineers' rendez-vous, or the hospice on the
Grand-Saint-Bernard, standing half in Switzerland and half in Italy.
The second composition heads to another terminal station, Le Châble,
in the valley of Bagnes, known for being the most widely spread commune in
Switzerland! About 600 meters higher, at an altitude of 1500 meters, is the
prestigious resort of Verbier.
Golden Pass Line :
Connect Central Switzerland and Lake Geneva with this attractive train
ride. Depart from historic Lucerne and across Brunig Pass by Golden Pass
Panoramic train, past flowerbeds and age - old chalets, and on to
Interlaken. The Golden pass line continues towards Gstaad, favourite
playground for the rich and the famous. Then the train makes an electrifying
decent towards Montreux.Passing through vineyards and country estates to
finally arrive at shimmering Lake Geneva.
Golden Pass Line Routes:
Brunig Panoramic Express -Lucerne-Interlaken
Salon Bleu: Interlaken - Spiez-Zweisimmen
Crystal Panoramic Express -Zweisimmen-Montreux.
Palm Express :
A trip on the Palm Express offers wonderful contrasts: after leaving St.
Moritz, you will see the snowy peaks, larch forests and mountain lakes of
the Upper Engadine, the jagged peaks of Bregaglia, the subtropical
atmosphere of Lake Como in Italy, the pleasant little towns of Chiavenna and
Menaggio, and finally Lugano - Ticino's busy "metropolis". The
trip is just as good in the opposite direction, of course.
St.Moritz - Chiavenna
From St. Moritz, your air-conditioned Palm Express Postbus will first take
you along the delightful lakes of the Upper Engadine, surrounded by sparse
larch forests and towering peaks. After crossing the Maloja Pass, the road
descends into the Bregaglia valley through numerous hairpin bends. Set among
chestnut forests, the villages of this valley have a distinctive
Mediterranean character.At Castasegna you cross into Italy. Shortly
afterwards, on entering Chiavenna, you will have completed a 1500-metre
descent. At the railway station in this pleasant North Italian market town
(at the junction of the Maloja and Splügen pass roads), you can enjoy a
real Italian espresso before continuing your journey.
Chiavenna - Lugano
Driving on into Italy, you will pass the Lago di Mezzola on your right.
Soon after, you will get your first glimpses of the Y-shaped Lake Como (also
known as Lario). Hugging the lake's shores are the resorts of Gera Lario,
Domaso - home to a well-known surfboarding school - and Gravedona. This
would be a wonderful place to relax for one or several days before
continuing on your way.
Soon after climbing out of Menaggio - with superb views of Lake Como - we
arrive at Porlezza on Lake Lugano, also called Ceresio. Further along the
lake at Gandria we cross back into Switzerland. Gandria is famous for its
grotti (rustic taverns) and its museum devoted to smuggling. A few
kilometres further on we reach Lugano, the liveliest town in Ticino..
Napoleon Route Express :
Take the Centovalli Railway to Domodossola and its bustling market, and
continue by Postbus over the Simplon to Saas Fee and the world's largest ice
grotto. On the way, you'll pass a hotel where Napoleon stayed in 1806.
Discover
an unforgettable trip by Post bus from Italian Domodossola to the Allain
Glacier in he Valais.Ride through the Dreamy Centovilla Valley and continue
the trip through wildly romantic valleys. Especially impressive are the high
cliffs along the curvy route from Gondo all the way to the top of the
mountain. Along the way you will see the Gabi Hotel (Simplon Pass) the
charmingly restored hotel where Napoleon slept. Continue to Brig, where you
will see the sun drenched terraces of the Belalp, Riederalp and Bettmeralp
on the other side of the valley. In Brig, begin the ascent towards the
Glacier village of Saas Fee; Saas Fee - the "pearl of the Alps" -
is a car-free resort nestling at the foot of glaciers and a ring of
4000-metre peaks. It is also the home of Switzerland's ski champion Pirmin
Zurbriggen. We highly recommend visiting the world's largest ice grottoes,
situated 3500 metres above sea level. riding through gorges and
calendar-perfect Valais villages. Once there, admire the many mountains that
are 12000 ft high. You must however have valid documents to enter Italy.
