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Published: March 20th 2016
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The Matterhorn
Zermatt, Switzerland We both agree that train travel is incredibly romantic. We’ve probably watched too many movies….but we’re Americans. We live in a country where railroads are something that blocks traffic at exactly the wrong time while you sit and watch tanker cars, spray painted by exuberant artists roll by while you just sit….but we know that in other countries, it is a way people actually travel…and we find this wonderful.
As the train pulls out of the station we are grateful to be on such a wonderful trip. We’d heard about a famous train called “The Glacier Express” that went through the Swiss Alps and we wanted to go. This train offers grand windows and so the world seems only a touch away. This is one of those rare occasions you have a moment where you find yourself some place so incredibly stunning that words will not describe. You never thought you would be in a place where you could see so much beauty and yet there you are surrounded by such natural greatness that words simply fail you….
On our gloriously sunny day from Chur to Zermatt, we’re on a six-hour train ride on the Glacier Express and we
wish it had been longer. It has a reputation for being the slowest express train in the world –who knows whether that is true? We rode through some incredibly brilliant and dazzling mountainous countrysides, a few valleys and villages. We can say the snow and the mountains were remarkable, smashing, sensational, striking, impressive, ravishing, and gorgeous. This train ride introduced us to some heavenly landscapes, along with 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. Our train snaked across the mountain’s rivers, over architecturally grand bridges and at times, right by the motorways of Switzerland. We took nearly 400 photos during the six-hour train ride. We will save you from looking at all of them.
We sipped on Swiss beer and wine as we enjoyed a traditional Swiss meal. All our needs were met. We enjoyed the peacefulness of the ride. We don’t want to end up sounding like a commercial for this train so we’ll just tell you that it was great. Hopefully the photos will do our talking.
We are staying in Zermatt. It is a touristy ski town in the valley beneath the famous Matterhorn. This is most likely the height of the ski season, so the town
A stunning view
Crisp blue sky was up early hitting the slopes. Quaint mountain chalets fill the streets and the sounds of church bells fill the valley. This town bears some similarities to Aspen, Colorado, although here, every fourth store is selling high-end Swiss watches.
On a sunny morning, we took “The Matterhorn Express” to the Gornergrat, where we had panoramic view of the Matterhorn and all the surrounding mountains. These two days have been special. We are not sure we have ever seen this much snow, which is saying something, as we’ve lived in some snowy locations. The world was seemingly flocked in the white stuff, and we were happy just to sit and take it all in.
Certainly this trip is the ying and the yang of it all. We’ve gone from isolation and beauty in the White desert of Egypt and now to the snowy whiteness of the Swiss Alps topped off by a visit to “The Matterhorn” all within one month. We’re still trying to processes it all. So much beauty in this world……
We love train travel.
We’ve been on nice trains and low end trains and have loved most of our adventures
on them. (except maybe the flood in Vietnam)
We were fortunate enough to ride The Indian Pacific Railway in Australia for three days. The two trips cannot be compared because the type of trip and the locations are so varied. Let’s just say we loved both.
Here are two blogs that you might enjoy:
Our train in Australia
Indian Pacific Railway - Sidney to Perth Our train in Vietnam
It has been known to rain in Vietnam Where we stayed:
Le Petite Hotel now the Charme Inn - Zermatt- small rooms but comfortable, great location with a roof top overlook
Restaurant recommendation:
Time Out Sports Bar – great food and the owner is fun to talk with
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David
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Yosemite Sam
When I read Matterhorn, the Looney tunes cartoon immediately came to mind. Great pictures and description as always.