We came to Chur because this is where the Bernina Express starts from. A four-hour journey through the Bernina pass, taking us to Italy in style
The train climbs from 600m in Chur, to 2253m at the highest point, travelling through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges over the 144km journey. It’s a world heritage site, and it’s absolutely stunning.
We found it almost by chance, when the circular viaducts and cross-crossing valley switchbacks stood out on the railway map, and I’m so glad we did.
We went in the normal Allegra coaches, not the panoramic ones, so we didn’t need a reservation and with our first-class rail passes, we could sit at the front of the train and see out of the driver’s window a little at what was ahead.
I’m just going to let the pictures do the talking.
The boys’ first Italian pizzas, in Tirano, did not disappoint, and we made all our connections through on our longest travel day save the way home.
Engineering work meant about a two hour wait in Tirano, which would normally be 10-15 minutes, so this journey would normally be easier.
The Intercity from Milano-Monterosso was a low point of our trains so far. It was absolutely roasting, and the air con was barely there. This time it was Gideon’s turn to be sick: too much reading curled up in the heat. The Lego shop bags were at hand so I had a much better time dealing with this than Jennie did with Angus yesterday!
Arriving in Corniglia for sunset made up for it though, and really all the Riviera views up until then were wonderful too.
All the steps, and moaning, with backpacks, were conquered… and my quick check on the train proved right about the Gelateria’s opening hours. (Locally grown) Basile é Lemone for Jennie and I, Nutella for the boys.
Our flat was beautiful, the A/C worked brilliantly, and some Prosecco (which Jennie foraged for) on the roof capped off a long, hard, amazing travel day. This is what it’s all about.
Ciao, Italia!
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