Swiss Railway Journeys

Stopping first in Canton Ticino visitors can admire the Italian influence in the architecture. Next into the wooded valleys and the high Alps in the heart of Switzerland. Marvel at a miniature village representing every Swiss canton visit medieval castles and pass historic horse-drawn post coaches on a leisurely tour through the spectacular mountain chain.

Until the advent of railway engineering in the 1880's it was impossible for travellers to cross the Alpine backbone from Northern Europe to Italy during winter. Now we can see the route in its entirety and the dramatic scenery from the heart of the Confederation to the Mediterranean in the south. We also learn the origins of the Swiss Army Knife.

Today we travel from the Italian border through the Lotschberg mountain range and along the shores of Lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland enjoying the impressive views afforded by the BLS line. We visit the 17th century Stockpaler palace and enjoy a race between a paddle steamer and a motor boat.

We begin this journey at Zermatt popular with mountaineers since the middle of the 19th century and take the Gornergrat railway for a spectacular view over the Alps including the famous Matterhorn. We pause to look at the picturesque old villages of the Goms region and take the cablecar up to the majestic Aletsch glacier the longest ice sheet in Europe.

After travelling along the Rhaetian Railway's tracks through the impressive Rhine valley to Chur we pause at Ilanz to join a thrilling river rafting expedition down the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'. Then we ride along the breathtaking Albula Line with its lofty viaducts spiral tunnels and deep gorges. The journey ends at the famous resort St. Moritz where we view some of the many exciting sports which attract visitors all year round.

We travel through the beautiful Entelbuch valley which is famous for its traditional farming methods and horses are still widely used to pull carts. After visiting the rural museum in Langnau we stop at a cheese centre in Affoltern where we are able to observe old and new cheesemaking methods.