Pamper yourself at the spa, ski down pristine trails, have dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant and finish the day off with a mug of mulled wine in the frosty atmosphere of Lake Geneva… Switzerland offers all the joys of a winter journey to each of its guests. So what awaits tourists in the land of the snowy Alps this winter? Use the Swiss Travel System (STS) and Swiss Pass ticket, and plan your perfect break now!
The upcoming winter season reaches its peak during the Skiing World Championship in St. Moritz, December 6th- 19th, 2017. The city is ready to welcome athletes and fans from all over the world. Especially for this event, STS is carrying out a complete renovation of certain stations and connection hubs, as well as debuting new special offers for travelers.
After arriving at the newly renovated and expanded station in St. Moritz, you will immediately be struck by the breathtaking view of the lake. The natural stone used in the station’s new design seamlessly integrates industrial constructions with the mountainous landscape, while the easy access and the five completely covered platforms allow the terminal to cope effectively with a constantly increasing flow of passengers.
Regardless of weather, it takes just three hours on a comfortable train to get from Zurich to St. Moritz. During the Skiing World Championships, there will also be an additional free bus operating from the station.
The best photos are from train windows
Swiss railways are more than just part of a functional and comfortable transport system. In fact, a Grand Tour around Switzerland on the railways can be in itself the purpose of your journey. This route will take you through the most picturesque and panoramic parts of the country: from Bodensee to Lake Geneva, from St. Moritz to Zermatt through fairytale winter Alpine landscapes. Once inside an ultra-modern and comfortable car, you can travel across the whole country, transferring from one world-famous train to another.
On the Rhaetian Railway, there are six trains running on the old Albula Line (a UNESCO world heritage site) between the cities of Chur and St. Moritz. The first trains will start operating by the end of 2016, and by the end of 2017 all six will be traveling through the valley of the Alvra River.
Are you a passionate fan of video and photo shoots? STS has you covered! Дш last car of every train is at your special disposal. The panoramic windows of these cars reach almost from the floor to the ceiling and invite passengers to enjoy stunning views like the Landwasser Viaduct.
Another legendary train – the Glacier Express – which runs between the world- famous St. Moritz and Zermatt resorts, will take visitors into a real live winter fairy tale. Starting this year, «the world’s slowest express train» (the trip is eight hours long) offers a new attraction for passengers: limited edition postcards that can be sent directly from a train car with a boarding stamp on them.
The first-class cars will surpass the expectations of even the most sophisticated travelers. Want to enjoy a relaxing chat with friends over a glass of wine? A restaurant car is also at your disposal. Want to enjoy reading a novel or Coco Chanel’s memoirs? STS will provide you with a peaceful and quiet place no matter what your needs. Work will not leave you be, and you need to settle an issue immediately? Use our Internet connection and electrical sockets for all your devices. Traveling with children? The playroom means they will not be bored for long.
The 007 route
His name is Bond, James Bond, and he made the Schilthorn peak of the Bern Alps famous. In the late 1960s, it was the location for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, which also featured the legendary revolving Piz Gloria restaurant, situated at an altitude of 2,970 meters above sea level.
In 2017 the Schilthorn railway and its restaurant will celebrate their 50th anniversary. This event simply cannot be missed! Take the secret agent’s route and visit a theme park called Bond World. Visitors with a Swiss Pass ticket will receive a 50% discount.
In tune with the times
Digital technologies have become deeply ingrained in all aspects of modern life, and transport and travel are no exceptions. The Centralbahn railway, the trains of which travel between Lucerne and Interlaken, recently launched a digital companion – the LiveGuide app.
This route is one of the most interesting parts of the Railway Grand Tour, as it runs between Lucerne, Sarnen and Lungern Lakes, crosses the Brunigpass, and dips down to the picturesque shores of Brientz and Thun Lakes.
Thanks to the new app, you will be able to easily identify all the sights. It contains audio files, texts and photos, and information is provided in three languages: English, German and Chinese. In addition, you can find out where you are at any given moment and watch a three-minute movie about the route that was shot from the driver’s cabin.
LiveGuide is free to download in the Android and iOS app stores. While traveling, it can be used without a mobile network connection.
RU
