Day 1 (17.10) Flight to Switzerland, train to Chur
Direct flight to Zurich 07.55 – 9.45. Transfer by train to Zurich Central Station, estimated time 11.15 – 11.25, where we drop our luggage to spend a few hours in the beautiful city. We will walk around Zurich’s medieval old town, seeing charming old buildings, including Zurich’s Old Police House, where a unique work of art by the artist Augusto Giacometti adorns the lobby of the building. We will have a welcome lunch together and in the afternoon travel by train from Zurich to the small town of Chur, nestled in the lap of the Alps. Chur, pronounced “ko:r” in the local dialect, lies on the right bank of the Rhine. It is said to be one of the oldest towns in Switzerland. The old town centre has retained much of its older buildings with winding alleys, pleasant squares and pretty houses, and is largely car-free. It also has a wide range of restaurants and bars, shops, museums and galleries. Once we’re settled in at the hotel, we have time to walk around the city. (L)
Day 2 (18.10) Albula-Bernina – Tirano
After breakfast we check in. In Chur, our train journey south begins on the magnificent Albula-Bernina railway, through Switzerland and over the Alps. Not only is it the highest railway line in Europe, but what makes it special is that the trains do not use ropes or scaffolding to negotiate the differences in altitude. Instead, they go round bends and the leisurely pace allows you to enjoy the breathtaking views for a long time. Since 2008, the line has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique technical and architectural features.
We travel through breathtakingly beautiful scenery, along mountain slopes and over bridges, while admiring the stunning views from the windows as the train winds its way upwards. The highest point of the line is at Ospizio Bernina, 2 253 metres above sea level, next to the shimmering blue Lago Bianco. At 11.01 we arrive at Alp Grüm, 2100 metres above sea level, where we disembark and enjoy a lovely lunch. The restaurant is conveniently located in the station building, with a stunning view of the mountains, the valley below and the sparkling Lago Palüs.
After lunch, we have time to walk around before boarding the train again for our onward journey to Italy. The leisurely pace gives us time to savour the northern Italian atmosphere. In the afternoon we arrive at Tirano station.
We check into our hotel, free time. Take the opportunity to walk around and enjoy the small town at the foot of the mountain. There are many good restaurants in the town and remember you are in Italy so ice cream is a must! (tried this place and it’s very good: Gelateria Lollipop – Viale Italia, 11 Tirano) (B,L)
Day 3 (19.10) Tirano – Milan – La Spezia
After breakfast we check in. On our way south to Milan we travel by commuter train. We buy our tickets directly at the station. No reservations are needed and we just have to board the coach. Today’s first journey takes just over two hours and takes us to Milan past stunning scenery, including Lago Como. In Milan we will do a short walking tour and a Metro trip with a tour guide, there is no guided tour. Unlike many other Italian cities, which are dominated by a particular architectural style, Milan is eclectic and here you will find every era from Renaissance to Neoclassicism. Piazza del Duomo is home to the Duomo di Milano, the second largest Gothic cathedral in the world (the largest is in Seville). There is an entrance fee to the cathedral and it takes longer to visit, so we enjoyed it from the outside. The piazza also has an entrance to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the oldest gallery still in operation in Italy, whose architecture is charming. And don’t forget the luxury shops! Here in the centre of Milan you will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch with your guide at a lunch spot near the Cathedral (self-catering) before returning to the main train station. This time we travel by Intercity train and in about 3 hours we arrive in La Spezia. La Spezia is a popular seaside destination, but also an important railway station and a very pleasant town known for its museums, architecture, fine marina and train and boat connections to the Cinque Terre National Park. We check in at the hotel which is a stone’s throw from the train station. Dinner together in a cosy Osteria. (B, D)
Day 4 (20.10) Cinque Terre, train from La Spezia to Rome
After breakfast, we make a full day excursion to the Cinque Terre National Park. The twelve-kilometre-long coastal area includes five small medieval villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. These villages are linked by one of the most beautiful railway lines in Italy.
Before the railway was built, villages could only be reached from the sea or via donkey tracks over the cliffs. These are now popular hiking trails.
We leave our suitcases at the hotel and travel together by train to Vernazza, the second village in the order if you are coming from the north. It is perhaps the most beautiful of the five villages of the Cinque Terre, characterised by medieval houses, staircases and cosy alleys. The village is dominated by the church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia, built in Gothic style in the 13th century on a magnificent site, on a cliff next to the harbour, and the Dorian castle and its watchtower with a magnificent view, built in the 16th century to protect the village. Lunch on your own at Vernazza.
In the afternoon it’s time to go where all roads lead to the eternal city of Rome! Along the way we will see the Carrara Mountains, and if we really look carefully as we pass through the city of Pisa, we can see the Leaning Tower of Pisa! We arrive at Rome Termini train station, close to our hotel. After getting our rooms, we will have dinner together in a restaurant near the hotel (B, D)
Day 5 (21.10) Rome
Today we embark on a city tour of ancient Rome, including a stop at the Pantheon, a Roman shrine that later became a monument to the great men of Italy. We continue our cultural journey through Renaissance and Baroque Rome, stopping at Piazza Navona to soak up the irresistible energy of the eternal city.
The rest of the day is free.
Rome never ceases to fascinate. Our hotel is within walking distance (15 minutes) of both the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, and if you want to immerse yourself in history, you can head to the iconic sights. On a walking tour of Rome, you’ll encounter fascinating churches, stunning palaces and interesting personalities. Head to Rome’s old quarters or head to Trastevere, the area across the river that many consider the ‘real Rome’. Self-catering in a world of thousands of restaurants in Rome! (B)
Day 6 (22.10) Rome – day train south to Taormina
We meet at the hotel well before departure to the train station.At around 09.00 we board the departing train. The train journey to Taormina takes about 9 hours (please be prepared to take food + drinks with you). Often these trains do not have a restaurant car but vending machines which do not always work) We travel south, past Naples and Salerno and down towards Calabria. Later the train takes a ferry across the Strait of Messina, now one of the few remaining rail links after the closure of the Swedish and Danish lines to Germany. We continue along the southern coast of Sicily and disembark at Taormina. The station building is down below, on the shores of the Bay of Naxos, while Taormina itself is above Mont Tauro. A cable car runs between the beaches and the town, but we take the bus with our luggage to our hotel. Dinner together. (B, D)
Day 7 (23.10) Taormina, guided walking tour
After breakfast, a guided walking tour and lunch. Today Taormina is best known as a wonderful resort town for those seeking sun and salty baths, but the town has a long and fascinating history. The Carthaginians conquered the indigenous Sicilian colony in 396 BC and were later followed by both Greek and Roman colonisers. Streets wind through the old city, lined with tall, pastel-coloured houses. The Corso Umberto pedestrian street is full of shops, bars and antique stores. The most famous attraction is the amphitheatre, probably built in Roman times on ancient Greek foundations. The view from the centre to the sea is of course spectacular, and to the west you can see the volcano Mount Etna. The rest of the day is free to explore the city on your own or take a dip in the Mediterranean. (at this time of year, the sea may well be over 20c) (B, L)
Day 8 (24.10) Circumetne to the village of Randazzo, continue to Catania, transfer to hotel in Catania
We check out of the hotel early. We will send our luggage to our final destination for the day in Catania, while we take the train along the Etna. The Ferrovia Circumetnea narrow-gauge railway runs in an almost complete orbit around the volcano, and was built in the 1870s to connect the villages at the foot of the mountain to Catania and the coast. The railway is still an important part of the local infrastructure, transporting both people and goods in both directions. Wagons are constantly being modernised, with both old and new ones in service. The slightly less comfortable old carriages are compensated by their charm! We travel just under 100 km by train and the whole train journey takes just under three hours, which we split into two stages.
Much of the scenery consists of lava fields. There is a scarcity of greenery, which in places is reminiscent of a lunar landscape. An important crop in the area is the pistachio, so much of the greenery is in pistachios. As Circumetnea is also an important freight route, a traveller may have to share a wagon with pistachios on the way. The views are spectacular. Etna on the left and the mountains behind on the other side.
We disembarked at Randazzo, the closest to the summit of Etna. It is a small town with a great history dating back to antiquity and in the 1200s even equipped with its own army. During the Second World War the town played an important role when the Allies occupied Sicily from the German occupying forces. Randazzo has been called the ‘black city’ because of the black lava stone, which has been used for centuries both as a building material and as details in houses. The Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta is one of the most striking buildings, with its black walls and bright details. Wine tasting is part of the programme here and local wines, as well as sausages and breads, are available for purchase after the tasting. After a stop of about two hours we continue our journey to Catania where the bus picks us up and takes us to our hotel. In Catania there is time to explore the old town whose roots and history are everywhere and restaurants can be found around every corner. (B)
Day 9 (25.10) Taormina, home
After an early breakfast, the bus takes us to the airport. (B)
Note! We reserve the right to change the schedule/programme.
https://www.apu.fi/artikkelit/euroopan-upein-junamatka-vie-alppimaisemien-halki
