Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Great Rail Journeys
Graubünden's rugged, high-alpine terrain is harnessed by some of Switzerland's greatest railways. The panoramic
Rhätische Bahn
(Rhaetian Railway;
www.rhb.ch
)
is a staggering feat of early 20th-century engineering, travers-
ing viaducts and tunnels and commanding wide-screen views of forested slopes, jewel-coloured lakes and snow-
capped peaks. See the website for advance bookings, seat reservations and special deals. The Half Fare, Swiss Card
and Swiss Pass give substantial discounts.
The Rhaetian Railway's two flagship routes are the Glacier Express (
Click here
) and the Bernina Express (
Click
here
)
. The Glacier Express from St Moritz to Zermatt is a once-in-a-lifetime journey, scaling the Furka, Oberalp
and Bernina passes, and taking in highlights such as the canyon-like Rhine Gorge and the six-arched, 65m-high
Landwasser Viaduct. The Bernina Express from Chur to Lugano climbs high into the glaciated realms of the Alps
and skirts Ticino's palm-fringed lakes. The stretch from Thusis to Tirano is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Sleeping
Charming digs are few and far between. Many functional hotels are strung out along Viale
della Stazione.
HOTEL INTERNAZIONALE $$
( 091 825 43 33;
www.hotel-internazionale.ch
;
Viale della Stazione 35; s Sfr135-150, d Sfr200-260, tr
Sfr285-315; )
Sitting opposite the train station, this candyfloss-pink hotel seamlessly
blends turn-of-the-20th-century features like wrought iron and stained glass with stream-
lined 21st- century design. Many of the light, contemporary rooms have castle views.
| Hotel
OSTELLO DELLA GIOVENTÙ $
( 091 825 15 22;
www.youthhostel.ch/bellinzona
; Via Nocca 4; dm Sfr38-41, s Sfr63-73, d Sfr94-100;
)
Housed in Villa Montebello, at the foot of the eponymous castle, the youth hostel oc-
cupies what for 100 years was a high-class girls' school.
| Hostel
Eating
RISTORANTE CASTEL GRANDE $$
( 091 814 87 87;
www.ristorantecastelgrande.ch
;
Castelgrande; mains Sfr35-60; lunch & dinner
Tue-Sun)
It's not often you get the chance to eat inside a Unesco World Heritage Site. The
medieval castle setting alone is enough to bewitch. Seasonal Ticino specialities like
guinea fowl in a chestnut-beer sauce with white polenta are married with top-notch wines.
| Italian
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