Bernina Pass & Venice - Where to base?

Posted by Vicki (Dover, NH, USA) on 08/05/10 11:00 AM

My husband and I are considering spending a couple of days in the North of Italy as part of a rail trip in Europe. The two things on our list for the Italian portion of our trip are a day in Venice and then taking the Bernina Pass on our way up to Bern (where we will be ending our trip).

Milan looks like a logical place to base ourselves for a couple of nights but I was wondering if any of you folks have other suggestions. We're looking at mid-range accommodations when possible. Does it make sense to pay Milan prices when we're not really looking at spending any time actually in Milan?

Posted by Vicki OP

Dover, NH, USA

08/05/10 12:58 AM

4 posts

Oh! That sounds wonderful! Thank you, Steve.

Posted by Larry

Elk Grove, CA, USA

08/05/10 02:05 PM

6898 posts

Varenna at Lake Como will work fine. IMHO, its far better than Milan. It's a 90 minute train ride on a Regionale to Tirano. Fare is 5.55E 2nd class. It's a 4.5hrs journey to Venice, however. This includes to 1hr. to get back to Milan where you would transfer to a high-speed. Fare is 36.50E 2nd class.

Posted by Marcus

Kansas City

08/05/10 02:40 PM

454 posts

I agree with the others - stay on one of the lakes. Theyre all gorgeous. I used to live in Switzerland, and the Bernina Bahn is easily one of the most spectacular in Switzerland. If you can, ride in one of the open cars at the back of the train. The name "express" is simply a name. It probably doesnt go any faster than 30-40 mph. If you have the time, go to Bern via Samedan, Chur, Furka/Oberalp pass, Brig (basically the route of the Glacier express). You can catch it in either St. Moritz or Samedan. Its a day full or riding trains but you literally ride the spine of the alps and you'll see some of the most amazing scenery you'll ever see in your life. BTW: if the connections dont work out for the Bernina Express and glacier express, you can ride the early local out of Tirano. It'll follow the exact same route and there will be no tourists on it.

Posted by Vicki OP

Dover, NH, USA

08/05/10 06:24 PM

4 posts

Thank you, everybody, for the great input. I'm much more excited about this idea than about staying in Milan.

A day of riding trains sounds lovely. We'll be doing quite a bit of that on this trip in general and I can't wait!