High on my bucket list for about 20 years has been taking the Glacier Express through the Swiss Alps. Ticking it off today was extraordinary - one of those experiences that was as good as ever hoped for.
Rather than beginning at St Moritz, we joined the train at Chur and took it to the tiny village of Zermatt: from start to finish it was exhilarating and inspiring. I’d never seen a glacier before and to see the heights of the Matterhorn and her sister 4,000 metre mountains break through the clouds was simply amazing.
The train ride itself was comfortable, with good seats and excellent staff. We didn’t buy a meal, but those that did seemed pleased with the food and it was served to their tables very efficiently. We had brought sandwiches with us (as had many other passengers) and there was no sense of shame as we all ate at the same time: all very sociable.
Whoever designed the relatively new trains for the Glacier Express company deserves a medal. The comfort, huge windows and partly-glazed roof give panoramic views as the line wends its way up through the Alps, reaching just over 2,000 metres at its highest. Wherever you sit onboard, the views are simply stunning - not just a couple of glaciers near the end, but waterfalls, rushing rivers, ravines and bridges that you simply could not see any other way.
Arriving in Zermatt, I remembered the joy of ski seasons and little villages that are buzzing with tourists - this time most were either hiking or mountain biking through the surrounding mountains. Our hotel was just a few minutes’ walk from the station and had an amazing view of the Matterhorn.
My bucket list remains quite a challenge, but if some of the other experiences are ticked off so successfully, I will be very happy.
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