Anybody that knows me is aware that my husband and I love trains! I write about them a lot (maybe too much!), read about them I talk about them as well! For the last year or so, we have casually discussed a rail trip beginning in Switzerland and ending in Italy. Here are the few specifics we currently have.
Additional Time – Trains are fabulous -the very definition of slow travel. You see a lot -they usually have large windows and frequent stops. They provide a great opportunity to glimpse locations you may want to see more of.. We take full advantage of that and plan on arranging additional time at some of them!
Trip Length – We are not always realistic about this. We are currently looking for a train trip somewhere between 9 and 12 days. This will allow sight seeing in both Switzerland and Italy while keeping the total trip at a maximum of three weeks.
Glacier Express – This is the premier train in Switzerland and there are some solid reasons for that. They have a fantastic 8 hour jaunt from Zermatt to St Moritz that passes though two Unesco World Heritage areas. There are numerous bridges, green meadows and dramatic valleys. One of the best views is said to be the Rhine Gorge with its white rock cliffs. We plan on having this particular ride as part of our trip.
Escorted Trip – While slightly more expensive than independent packages, we think it is worth it. A Knowledgeable guide makes all the difference. They know the best sites to visit and they can explain the history. We consider them a necessity.
Ok-there you have it-the ONLY decisions we have yet made. That will change but at this point I am not sure when!
I like this idea, Barbara. I would have never thought of Italy and Switzerland together. It sounds like fun!