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Bernia Express

I will be in Italy in June. Which adventure would you recommend for scenic views...The Dolomites OR the Bernia Express!?!?

Posted by
16028 posts

If you would like to see icy peaks and glaciers from the train window, take the Bernina Express. If you wuold like to ride cablecars, get out and walk, and/or spend a few days amid the stunning scenery, then go to the Dolomites.

Posted by
32173 posts

Barbara, Lola provided a great summary! The Bernina Express has some incredible scenery, and not surprising that it's a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's a wonderful trip! The Dolomites also have incredible scenery, but the activities there are far different. Some of the most visited areas are around Castelrotto (Kastelruth) and Alpi di Siusi. There are many small Cable Cars and an EXTENSIVE network of good hiking trails designed for various hiking abilities. It's easy to take a Cable Car in one direction and hike the other. That area has a greater resemblance to Germany than to Italy (it used to be part of Austria, so German is the predominant language in many parts). If you decide to take the Bernina Express, you'll have to decide which direction you want to travel. I went from Tirano to Chur, however if you travel in the opposite direction you could perhaps stop in Varenna (Lago di Como) for a day or two afterwards (it's only a short trip from Tirano to Varenna). Happy travels!

Posted by
1010 posts

Three years ago my husband and I did the William Tel Express and the Bernina Express. We started on the William Tel on Lake Lucerne. It was a beautiful boat ride. Then we continued on the train to Lugano. We spent five nights in Lugano. We did day trips to Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Milan. We then boarded the bus part of the Bernina, in Lugano. We had a spectacular ride around Lake Magiorre. We eventually got on the train through the Alps. We had to change trains, but that took just a few minutes. We ended the day in Zurich, where we spent four nights. Both the Wiliam Tel and the Bernina were wonderful. We would love to do both again.