One of Switzerland's most spectacular rail journeys from Chur to St Moritz with heart-stopping mountain scenery and fascinating towns and villages en route.
Our mapped journey on the MOB (Montreux Oberland Bernois Railway) begins in the Victorian town of Montreux and concludes with the celebrity area of Gstaad before the whistle blows in Zweissimmen. On the trip we will also see a working steam preservation museum the new tunnel at Vanel and cheese making.
Today - travelling through the scenic Malans vineyards and Landwasser river valleys before heading into ski country to visit the famous Klosters and the highest Alpine town of Davos.
Feel the cool mountain breezes on this high altitude journey from Chur to Arosa the resort town which named this railway line. Over the years twenty-two tunnels and galleries have been built in the remarkable first section which intersects a narrow gorge. The train passes unusual rock formations referred to as "earthmen" and distinctive river passageways.
Central Switzerland's lovely lakes are highlighted in this unforgettable train trip on the Brunig Line. Visit Brienz's traditional woodcarving community. Taste the splendours of Swiss Lake Steamers and finish the journey at Meiringen scene of Sherlock Holmes' fight to the death with arch rival Moriarty.
Leave Meiringen behind and climb by cogwheel up the Brunig Pass. The train descends to the lush lakelands of central Switzerland to look at baroque churches and the ancient open-air parliament. Journey's end at Lucerne explores the old town and Transport Museum as well as the heartbreaking monument to the Swiss Guards slaughtered during the French Revolution.
The lush Emmental region in central Switzerland is famous throughout the world for its delicious Swiss cheese. Our journey leads us to the mountains of the Jura region of Western Switzerland. The track climbs gently as we reach the slopes of the Emmental and we pass picturesque farms and woodland before reaching the medieval town of Thun.
The railway company of Canton Appenzell Switzerland's smallest runs its lines through some of the most beautiful countryside in the land. The Appenzell is a farming region and the railway is extensively used by the local community. The journey ends at the old Abbey city of St Gallen where we visit the magnificent cathedral and its library which is home to many priceless treasures.
This spectacular railway runs through north-eastern Switzerland's lush countryside from the soaring mountains of the Toggenburg region to the sparkling blue waters of the Bodensee. We start at Lake Zurich and interesting diversions en-route include an exploration of the historic town of Rapperswil and a visit to the depot to see the railway's behind the scenes workings. The journeys ends at the port of Romanshorn situated on the shores of the Bodensee.
Stopping first in Canton Ticino visitors can admire the Italian influence in the architecture. Next into the wooded valleys and the high Alps in the heart of Switzerland. Marvel at a miniature village representing every Swiss canton visit medieval castles and pass historic horse-drawn post coaches on a leisurely tour through the spectacular mountain chain.
Until the advent of railway engineering in the 1880's it was impossible for travellers to cross the Alpine backbone from Northern Europe to Italy during winter. Now we can see the route in its entirety and the dramatic scenery from the heart of the Confederation to the Mediterranean in the south. We also learn the origins of the Swiss Army Knife.
Today we travel from the Italian border through the Lotschberg mountain range and along the shores of Lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland enjoying the impressive views afforded by the BLS line. We visit the 17th century Stockpaler palace and enjoy a race between a paddle steamer and a motor boat.
We begin this journey at Zermatt popular with mountaineers since the middle of the 19th century and take the Gornergrat railway for a spectacular view over the Alps including the famous Matterhorn. We pause to look at the picturesque old villages of the Goms region and take the cablecar up to the majestic Aletsch glacier the longest ice sheet in Europe.
After travelling along the Rhaetian Railway's tracks through the impressive Rhine valley to Chur we pause at Ilanz to join a thrilling river rafting expedition down the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'. Then we ride along the breathtaking Albula Line with its lofty viaducts spiral tunnels and deep gorges. The journey ends at the famous resort St. Moritz where we view some of the many exciting sports which attract visitors all year round.
We travel through the beautiful Entelbuch valley which is famous for its traditional farming methods and horses are still widely used to pull carts. After visiting the rural museum in Langnau we stop at a cheese centre in Affoltern where we are able to observe old and new cheesemaking methods.
More journeys along the picturesque railway lines of Switzerland. On this journey we take the Rhaetian Railway along the beautiful Engadine Valley from the world famous resort of St Moritz to the spa town of Scuol. We visit the old town of Zuoz the former capital of the Upper Engadine and delight in the picturesque little village of Guarda. Journey's end is at Scuol with its curative springs which have attracted bathers for well over a century.
Today the journey begins at the fashionable resort of St Moritz where winter equestrian events take place on a frozen lake. After passing the small town of San Antonio the track makes a dramatic drop in height over the unique open spiral viaduct at Brusio before slipping across the border to the Italian pilgrimage town of Tirano.
Another journey along one of Switzerland's stunning railway lines today we take the Gruyere Railway to Broc where we view some of Switzerland's most mouth watering chocolate creations in production. The line now runs through the Gruyere region of Switzerland famous throughout the world for its cheese. Mountain peaks dominate the line as it winds along the Sarine Valley to journey's end at Montbovon.
In the first of a two-part visit to the glorious Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland we join the BOB train at Interlaken Ost for the scenic journey to Lauterbrunnen. There we take the funicular to Grutschalp before making a winter journey to the car-free resort of Murren. A visit to Grindelwald and its impressive glaciers is also on the itinerary.
In this second journey on the Jungfrau Railways we return to Lauterbrunnen to make the ascent from the opposite direction pausing to look at the 300 year old tradition of lacemaking. The summit station at Jungfraujoch is the highest in Europe. Visitors here can experience the ice palace huskies and the breathtaking panorama visible from the Sphinx's viewing terrace.
This latest railway route in Switzerland was opened in November 1999, taking its passengers through the beautiful Engadine valley near the Austrian and Italian borders, through the scenic Prattigau and then the broad and densely forested Rhine valley. The route of this line is not just a thing of natural beauty but also in part a huge feat of engineering - with the longest metre-gauge tunnel in the world. The journey continues with tours through the old village of Scoul and offers a chance to take a closer look at the traditional Engadine architecture. Travelling onward to Davos for some wintertime sporting fun, we then head for the ski resort of Klosters, a favourite with the British royals and the penultimate stop on our trip. Journey's end is Lanquart, where the vineyards and easy-going lifestyle form a tranquil final destination to an exhilarating ride.
The scenic Jura region of Western Switzerland is where you'll find wooded mountainsides, lush valleys and mile after mile of unspoilt country. We start our trip in the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds, a centre for the intricate art of watch making, forever associated with Switzerland. Next, we ascend into the Jura mountains where the views stretch for mile after mile across the Doubs valley that separates Switzerland from France. In Saignelegier we pay a visit to the annual horse fair, a colourful and exciting spectacle with - strangely enough - Roman chariot racing as one of its attractions! There's a slice of wild west fun too as we get on board La Traction steam loco and are ambushed by Switzerland's answer to Butch Cassidy and the Hole in the Wall Gang - just for the tourists though! We finish our Jura Line journey, with a look at the historic town of Porrentruy with its magnificent castles and old quarter - a tranquil ending to a wonderful ride.
The steep slopes on either side of Switzerland's Rhone valley are a paradise for visitors in both winter and summer, and the area is fortunate in having a variety of small colourful trains which enable us to make voyages of discovery around the region. The first of our two part look at the Transports Publics du Chablais concentrates on the BVB line which runs from the important village of Bex to the year-round resort of Villars, and then up to the Col de Bretaye.
More journeys along the picturesque railway lines of Switzerland. The scenic Chablais region is fortunate in having its own private railway company, the Transports Publics du Chablais, with four subsidiaries operating from Bex and Aigle to a variety of scenic mountain resorts. In this second visit to the TPC, we explore the three lines which run out of Aigle.
Railways in the Chablais are of Switzerland