Switzerland

Wengen, Switzerland

The first leg of our journey heading up to the Swiss Alps began with a very late and crowded Italian train. It was only when the train went by this very pretty lake and everyone got off that we realized it was a beautiful Saturday and everyone was headed to Lake Como. 

 

From there we said goodbye to beautiful Italy (and their not so timely trains) and got on the scenic Bernina Express which for us started in Tirano, Italy and ended in Chur, Switzerland.

The train had panoramic carriages with large windows, allowing us to soak in the sweeping views.

Its 89 mile route crosses the Bernina Range and offers panoramic views of mountains, lakes, and small villages.

One of the highlights of the journey is that it crosses the Bernina Pass, reaching a height of 7,391 feet above sea level, making it the highest railway crossing in the Alps.

It travels over 196 bridges and through 55 tunnels. Notable engineering feats include the Landwasser Viaduct and the Brusio Spiral Viaduct, where the track loops over itself in a circular ramp.

AI says it's one of the most scenic train journeys in the world and a must-do experience for travelers seeking the perfect blend of tranquility and adventure. I couldn't agree more.

For those seeking a little more adventure, paragliding is another great way to soak in the Swiss views.

We were pleasantly surprised to find great vegetarian food options, even in the Switzerland train stations. Prices were much more expensive, but everything was very good quality, fresh and tasty. 

After the Bernina Express we took a few more trains to get to our final destination of Wengen where we stayed for a couple of nights. Above is the last little 12 minute train ride of the journey where Wengen overlooked this valley.

We took the Wengen cable car to the top of the mountain to walk around and enjoy the 360-degree views.

But honestly we were perfectly happy just enjoying at the view from our hotel.

I've wanted to see the Swiss Alps ever since I first saw a picture of them when I was young. They were even more beautiful than the photos with lush green valleys everywhere. It sounds like it rains a lot in the summer, so I guess that's the trade off. 

We loved riding the Swiss trains. They were clean and ran on time and frequently. And we loved how easy it was to find healthy and delicious vegetarian food. The steep prices on the other hand took a bit getting used to, but it's probably what things should cost if you want to create a society that has nice things. 

If you ever have the opportunity, we highly recommend both the Bernina Express and the village of Wengen. We only got to see a little of Zurich and Geneva, mostly the areas by the train stations so probably not the best representations. We liked what we saw of Zurich, but we got strange vibes from Geneva. Maybe it was just an off night.