Today was travel day. The group left Switzerland and headed for Lake Como and Italy via the Bernina Express. Cultural Moment: The Bernina is a UNESCO World site. It is the the highest railway tracks in Europe and the steepest in the world, the Bernina Express takes its passengers on a journey through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges. From Switzerland’s oldest town, Charl, through gorges, up to the ice of the glaciers and back down to the palm trees in the Italian town of Tirano.
The group was relieved to get the luggage on the train without the clown car vibe. They saw some spectacular views and got free tea and candy to boot.
Here’s a fun fact. One of the most sought after sewing machines is a Bernina machine. Bernina’s are Swiss, made sewing machines and named after the Bernina mountain, which is the tallest mountain in the eastern alps and has the same name as the Bernina express.
Everyone felt lucky that Debbie didn’t figure this out until after they left or they would be dragging a sewing machine across Europe.
The train ride has some fantastic views. The ride ended in Tirano, Italy. There was only a few minutes, to find lunch and eat it. The next leg of our trip was a bus ride. The group was almost giddy when the driver put their suitcases underneath the bus. They took the bus to the next train station, and then on to Bellano comune (municipality) and small town on the eastern shore of Lake Como.
Educational Moment: Lake Como, in Northern Italy’s Lombardy region, is an upscale resort area known for scenery set against the foothills of the Alps. The lake is shaped like an upside-down Y, with three slender branches that meet at the resort town of Bellagio. George Clooney also has a home on Lake Como so the four expect a shout out from George.
Included are pictures of the rental. It is a 2 bedroom 1.5 bath. One bathroom is in the utility room. (Not unusual in old houses that have been remodeled.) One just has to be careful when the windows are open as the toilet has a scenic view of the courtyard and vice versa.
Everyone was happy to make it to the rental which is only a block from the lake. Once again, Joyce, did a great job finding out the details.
I’m so jealous. This is bringing back memories of my family’s Switzerland trip, and my one venture into Italy from the French Alps. It is all so beautiful. We are now down into the 90s in Houston, so we’re feeling cool weather as well – sort of.
The weather is in the 80s now that we have moved to Italy. Time for another vacation for you.