BY RAIL
VENICE THROUGH THE ALPS ON THE BERNINA EXPRESS
7 nights / 8 days From £ 2,290 per person
Venice
ZURICH • ST MORITZ • VENICE
This rail holiday to Venice takes a slow route to Italy with overnight stops in Zurich and St Moritz as well as a journey on the iconic, scenic Bernina Express where you enjoy an alpine vista of snow-capped mountains, pine forests and mountain lakes. You then descend into Italy and spend 3 nights in the magic canal-city of Venice.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY ONE London to Zurich by train Your rail holiday to Venice and the Bernina Express starts with a journey by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Nord station, leaving at about 7.00 am. On arrival in Paris you change stations to Gare de Lyon where you may be able to have lunch at the famous Train Bleu restaurant. From Paris Lyon, the high-speed TGV service takes you across France and into Switzerland arriving into Zurich at about 4.30pm. Spend one night in Zurich at a suggested hotel not far from the lake and the old town.
DAY TWO Zurich to St Moritz by train Spend this morning sightseeing in this historic and enchanting city, perhaps stopping at the Grossmunster church and climbing the Karlsturm tower. Leave Zurich at lunchtime to travel to St Moritz, where you arrive at about 4pm. The first leg of the journey by train takes you along the edges of Lakes Zurich and Walensee to Chur. In Chur you change trains and continue along the first part of the Bernina Railway higher into the mountains of the Grisons to the resort town of St Moritz. Spend two nights in St Moritz.
DAY THREE In St Moritz You have a full day at leisure to enjoy St Moritz. At 1856m above sea level, visitors are welcomed by stunning views across the lakes of the Upper Engadine Valley, and the refreshing Alpine climate. There are several excellent walking trails in the area, or for an easier option there are cable cars which can take you up the mountain to enjoy the spectacular Alpine views. Navigate the local peaks by the railway, reaching the Piz Corvatsch, Chantarella, and Corviglia, where a cable car takes you up to Suvretta’ s most famous viewing point. In the summer you might like to enjoy the water sports Lake Sils and Lake St Moritz, or the windy Lake Silvaplana.
DAY FOUR St Moritz to Venice with Bernina Express Journey You board the famous Bernina Express in St Moritz at about10.30 hrs and take this stunning scenic route all the way to Tirano in Italy. The journey takes you along the highest railway across the Alps, reaching an impressive 2,253m above sea level, before dropping down through a varied terrain of orchards, chestnut trees and vineyards on the way to Tirano. The track crosses numerous viaducts and tunnels and is a truly beautiful trip during the whole four hours. On arrival in Tirano in Italy, there is time for a brief stroll before, at about 15.00 hrs, you continue by local Italian train to Milan. Following a simple change in Milan, a high- speed train will whisk you the remainder of the way to Venice where you arrive at about 20.30 hrs. At Venice Santa Lucia station you are met by private water taxi an taken to your hotel. You spend three nights in Venice.
DAYS FIVE AND SIX In Venice You have two full days in Venice. More than a city, Venice“ La Serenissima” is an enchantress. Take the time to discover her winding streets, canals, quiet squares and lively waterfronts. To make the most of your time in Venice, it’ s worth dividing the city into areas or themes. The obvious place to start is at St Mark’ s Square, best appreciated whilst sipping a Venetian coffee at Florian’ s. St Mark’ s Basilica, the Doge’ s Palace and the Campanile can all be visited. The magnificent churches of Venice are worth seeking out: Santa Maria della Salute, Ss Giovanni e Paolo, and Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari( with works by Titian), Santa Maria dei Miracoli and the Gesuiti. The Jewish quarter can be found just off the Strada Nova to the north of the city and gives you a rare insight into the history of the Jewish community in Venice. There is a clutch of art galleries to be enjoyed including the Ca’ Pesaro, the Ca’ d’ Oro, the Galleria dell’ Accademia, the Scuola di San Rocco and for modern art, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The streets of Venice also contain a treasure trove of tiny artisan shops selling glassware, masks, lace
44 To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk