🚂✨ "A Weekend of Alpine Magic from Chur to Tirano

#springitinerary *Glaciers, palm trees, and UNESCO-listed railway thrills across the Swiss-Italian Alps* --- ### **🌞 DAY 1: Chur to St. Moritz (Swiss Precision & Glaciers)** **☕ 8:00 AM - Breakfast in Chur** • **Bündner Stube** for *capuns* (Swiss chard dumplings) + Alpine hot chocolate • Explore **Old Town Chur** (Switzerland’s oldest city) **🚂 10:32 AM - Board Bernina Express** • Grab **window seats on the right** (best views descending to Bergün) • Camera ready for: - **Landwasser Viaduct** (dramatic curved bridge) - **Morteratsch Glacier** (walking trail accessible from station) **🏔️ 1:00 PM - Lunch in Pontresina** • **Hotel Saratz’s sun terrace** for *engadiner nusstorte* (caramel walnut pie) **❄️ 3:00 PM - Diavolezza Cable Car** • Ride up to **3,000m** for views of Piz Bernina’s icy peaks • Brave the **glacier zip line** (summer) or snowshoe (winter) **🍷 7:00 PM - St. Moritz Aperitivo** • **Badrutt’s Palace** for champagne with Olympians --- ### **🍝 DAY 2: St. Moritz to Tirano (Palm Trees & Pasta)** **🚂 8:32 AM - Morning Train Magic** • Sunrise over **Lago Bianco** (the "White Lake") • Watch the climate shift as you descend to Italy **🇮🇹 11:00 AM - Arrive in Tirano** • **Quick Trips:** - Visit the **Madonna di Tirano basilica** - Shop for **Bresaola air-dried beef** **🍽️ 12:30 PM - Lunch at La Fiorida** • Farm-to-table *pizzoccheri* (buckwheat pasta) + Valtellina wines **🚌 2:30 PM - Postbus to Lugano** (Optional Extension) • The **Palm Express** route winds through **Lake Como views** **🛍️ 5:00 PM - Swiss Chocolate Stop** • **Alprose Chocolate Factory** near Lugano (free samples!) --- ### **🎫 BOOKING TIPS:** ✔ **Seat Hack:** Right side Chur→Tirano / Left side return ✔ **Pass Savings:** Eurail/Interrail valid (but reserve separately) ### **🌦️ SEASONAL PERKS:** - **Winter:** Snow-blanketed Alps & frozen waterfalls - **Summer:** Hike the **Bernina Trail** between stations ### **🎒 PACK SMART:** - Layers (train has AC but stations are freezing) - Portable charger (you’ll take 1,000+ photos) - Swiss francs + euros (Tirano uses both)