Bernina Express
 

Our family of 5 will be travelling by train from the Interlaken area (possibly Lauterbrunnen) to Menaggio on Lake Como in mid July. We are looking at taking the Bernina Express route (standard train), and stopping overnight somewhere in Switzerland between these 2 locations. Any recommendations on where to spend our afternoon/ evening and night would be appreciated- can be slightly off the direct route, but only 1 change preferably.

If you're heading west from the Interlaken area and then south on the BE to Italy (not sure if you're taking the train to Varenna and then the short boat trip to Menaggio, or otherwise), you could (1) stay overnight in Zurich and then head south to Chur the next morning to pick up the BE; (2) go to Chur and stay there, or (3) head for the Pontresina/St. Moritz area halfway on the Bernina Express. We have done 1 and 3 and prefer 3, but you may think your family would prefer being in a city type environment. It's two hours by train from Interlaken to Zurich, 1 1/4 hours from Zurich to Chur, and another 1 1/4 hours from Chur to Pontresina by train. If you leave early in the moning, you'll have most of the afternoon to explore the Pontresina/St. Moritz area. If you prefer Zurich, a good walking tour leaves from the TI in the train staion there. Just decide what your family can handle and would like best. In each case, there are a number of hotels not far from the train stations.

Hi JoMark,

I recommend either Pontresina or Poschiavo. Pontresina sits on top of a hill over a densely forrested valley while Poschiavo is a little Italian-type town on a tiny river. It's a toss-up, really, as both are exquisite towns; both are directly on the route.

s

Thanks taxatty and Swandav2000. I think we'll probably go for a stop along the BE route eg. Pontresina (this was on my maybe list, but I know nothing of Poschiavo- will look this up) We're not really keen on a city experience, but when I posed the question I wanted to keep the options open in case someone volunteered a 'don't miss this' experience.

I have have taken the Bernina, but we stayed in Chur. I think that you want to be further into your train trip than Chur.

St Moritz and Poschiavo both have lakes, Pontresina is a winter ski resort. We at one point considered staying in Zuoz which is down the Engadine Valley a few minutes (by train).

I think Pontresina would offer the chance to take cable cars upto mountain tops (and maybe the glacier) (but you may have done that by then).

Hi Again,

Uh oh, you won't find much about Poschiavo in print. It doesn't appear in ANY of the dozens of guidebooks I have on Switzerland!! I think the best website will be www.valposchiavo.ch to get an idea and to find some photos.

Just a note -- the lake is about 20 minutes (??) farther by train or bus. No lake actually AT the town.

Have fun!

s

Rick Steves' Switzerland guidebook has about 1 page on Poschiavo, but just as a Bernina Express quick stop--not much information.