Hello everyone
We are now in Thun in the holiday apartment.
Our week in St. Moritz was great and we can thoroughly recommend the hotel we stayed in – Waldhaus am See which as its name suggests is right by the lake – our room had a fabulous view across the lake, the staff were very friendly and helpful throughout.
The first day was spent exploring, by walking right round the lake, stopping to look inside the catholic church and later to have lunch in the sailing club’s restaurant, then we went up to Dorf and visited the tourist office there. The weather had been showery but by teatime turned to heavy rain, then in the evening to snow!
We woke next morning to find a layer of snow. We decided to take the train to Tirano – we hadn’t reserved seats so were going to use the regional train but the station personnel told us there were coaches at the front of the BEX with unreserved places and to use them. This meant we were treated to a commentary over the train’s tannoy and stopped for a photo opportunity at Alp Grum. The first part of the journey was like a winter trip with the snow everywhere but when we reached Tirano it was warm and sunny! A strange but very enjoyable day. After exploring Tirano, having lunch and visiting a couple of churches we returned on a regional train to St. Moritz.
The next day was a bit cloudy and windy so we took a bus to Maloja and walked through the forest to the Belvedere Tower from which there were good views and which has an interesting display on each floor as you climb to the top of the tower. After lunch we took a bus to Sils where we were lucky enough to have chosen the day of a large craft market so we spent quite a long time there before returning to St. Moritz.
Blue skies and sunshine greeted us next morning so we went to Diavolezza – there was quite a lot of fresh snow up there so we didn’t try any of the trails but simply enjoyed the views. After a while we went by bus to Pontresina and from there to Muottas Muragl by bus then funicular. Again some spectacular views. We had an excellent lunch in the restaurant then Mike went exploring on a short trail while I sat and stared! And took photographs of course. On returning to the hotel, Mike walked round the lake again! Another very enjoyable day.
I was a little tired next day so stayed by the hotel, enjoying view across the lake from the terrace, while Mike went by train to Scuol-Tarasp where he took a bus to Tarasp and walked up to visit the castle which he found fascinating (I probably would have found the 25min walk uphill a bit much!).
For our final day again the sun shone – we went by funicular to Chantarella and walked Heidi’s Blumenweg (flower trail) a nice easy walk – flowers and views, beautiful, then back to the funicular via Heidi’s hut. The second funicular took us up to Corviglia where we had lunch before taking gondola up to Piz Nair. Yet more great views and photo opportunities! After a while up there (yet another ice-cream enjoyed) we returned to St. M. Dorf and as it was a bit early to return to hotel, we took bus to St. M. Bad and the gondola up to Signal for a short visit. After all, it didn’t matter how many buses and mountain transports we used as they were all covered by the Engadine pass given to us by the hotel.
We settled our bill that evening and were given 2 bottles of wine because we paid cash! We made arrangements for the hotel shuttle bus to take us to the station early next morning to send our luggage ahead by express transit to pick up in Thun that same evening. Back to hotel for breakfast then back to station to catch Glacier Express to Brig. The journey was lovely and there was an interesting commentary available using earphones. We ordered a snack at lunchtime, served at our seat. We had to rush like mad to catch our connecting train in Brig only for it to be delayed for 20 minutes so we needn’t have dashed! On arrival in Thun, we bought a few essentials in the Co-op across the road from the station, before collecting our suitcases from the luggage counter. Our host kindly came to pick us up from the station and help carry everything up to the apartment which was very welcome after a long day.
Splitting our time between St. Moritz and Thun makes it feel like 2 separate holidays!
I will try to attach a few photos from our time in St. Moritz.
All the best
Maggie and Mike
Yes Annika, we like the Engadine very much - we may just have to come back next year!!
By the way, I answered one of my own questions from earlier - it is fine to order food and drink on the Glacier Express if you haven't reserved lunch!
We sent 2 big cases ahead to Thun by same day express delivery - 12chf per case plus 30 chf express - total 54chf - very efficient and worth it as our transfer in Brig had it left on time would have been a problem.
Maggie
