2017 day 20 (21st September- Bologna to Chur)

Very different day today. It was the "day of three trains" which took us from Bologna to Chur in Switzerland. Terrific time in Bologna - recommended to all travellers.

Fast train from Bologna to Milan was the first. Left spot on time from the station at Bologna which goes underground for 5 levels. Soon speeding at up to 300kph through fairly flat farming land. Smooth and quiet - I think the Italian trains and their whole system of booking etc are the best in Europe.

Arrived in the magnificently grand Mussolini era Milan Central Station spot on time again and found a seat on the crowded Regional Trenord train to Tirano. This is a beautiful trip - soon running beside the magnificent and famous Lake Como all the way south to North and then starts climbing into the mountains finally reaching Tirano right on the Swiss border. Sat down for lunch at a little cafe right next to the first group of Aussies we've encountered on the whole trip so had a nice chat with them.

Then it was on the Bernina Express. This is one of those "everyone should do" travel icons and it certainly is a very special journey. It was a bit mucked up today as part of the line is closed for maintenance so we started with a  normal Regional Swiss train then changed into buses first the trip up the Bernina Pass which was actually probably more spectacular from the bus than the train. We finally met the Bernina Express at Pos hiano and the trip went as normal from there. Mind-blowing engineering with things like the circular viaduct at Brusia where the train almost doubles

on itself as it circles up a viaduct to increase the altitude 400metres but only  a 5% incline. The Weiner Viaduct crosses a ravine at 430 metres and there are numerous huge tunnels as well. Add spectacular mountain scenery and the picture-postcard image of Switzerland is there in reality.

Got to Chur - quite a pretty little town all very neat and tidy as you'd expect. Not holidaying much in Switzerland as a dinner of cider, glass of red wine, roast potatoes and salad cost $96 Australian!