Previously, popular travel industry figure Chris Robinson told us where he plans to travel once Covid 19 is a thing of the past. He chose Madagascar – a destination he was on his way to when the pandemic intervened. This week his wife, Dara Beard, chooses Switzerland, the destination they had planned to visit in June and which they have just had to cancel.
“I was so excited to visit Switzerland in June. Firstly, because we were going to visit our son who lives in Zurich. Never before in my lifetime, have I been banned from travelling where I want. My son being separated from us by closed borders feels unreal – a flash back to immigrants in past centuries who knew they were saying goodbye forever when they got on a boat. For sure Switzerland will be top of my list post-Covid!
Secondly, I was very excited by our plan to travel around Switzerland on a Swiss Rail Pass. The Swiss public transport system is world class and trains are integral to the Swiss way of life. They also somehow embody the Swiss culture. Every single railway station has exactly the same clock. Every clock works and is showing exactly the correct time. The clocks have a second hand, and if it shows 30 seconds until your train is due to depart – they mean it!
The efficiency of the Swiss mindset allows for maximum flexibility on public transport – seamlessly flowing between trams, buses, trains, even ferries and cable cars. The system also integrates cash, ticket booths, automatic ticket machines and virtual tickets on your phone. The Swiss Travel Pass is an easy way for tourists to have access to “public transport heaven”, with a range of passes covering from 3 to 15 consecutive days.
We had planned to make special reservations for the Glacier Express – the jewel in the crown of the Swiss rail network. The 7.5 hour journey between St Moritz and Zermatt passes through some of Switzerland’s most stunning Alpine scenery. Of course, the Swiss love an engineering challenge – and your journey encompasses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. The lowest point is 914 m and the Oberalp Pass is the high point at 2044 m, and we were looking forward to spectacular and varied landscapes.
The journey promises views of the Matterhorn and the highest peaks of the Swiss Alps. The dramatic “Swiss Grand Canyon” is where the Rhine river has carved a deep gorge into the surrounding white rock. Some sections of the journey are known for snow and bare cliffs – others are known for romantic ruins and castles. All this plus, with Excellence Class tickets, a refined regional 5-course menu with accompanying wines.
I am so looking forward to when tourism opens up once more and we can take our trip to Switzerland. It will encapsulate everything I love in travel – family and friends, exploring dramatic scenery, discovering a different culture and cuisine – and an elegant mode of transport to top it all off!”