The Bernina Express (LFasteson) 4th December 2011

The Bernina Express takes you from palm trees to glaciers--or the reverse--all in a day. It's the highest mountain railway in the Alps.

You'll see the effects of elevation as you sit back and enjoy the scenery, going from lush green valleys to rocky mountaintops above the treeline and in the clouds.

The train goes through 55 tunnels--some that spiral through mountains--96 bridges, deep Alpine valleys, viaducts that span gorges, hairpin turns, charming alpine villages, stone farmhouses, castles, cows and cowbells, snow-capped mountains,waterfalls babbling brooks, forests, and glaciers.

In 2008 the line between Thusis and Tirano was declared a World Heritage Site. For the most complete experience, add the Bernina Express bus between Lugano, Switzerland and Tirano, Italy.