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Scott Dunn · Rail & Sail cruise extension

Alpine Express: Italy to Switzerland on the Bernina Express

Rome to St Moritz via Frecciarossa and Bernina Express trains

Illustration of Alpine Express: Italy to Switzerland on the Bernina Express

Scott Dunn's Alpine Express is a six-day rail extension designed for travellers who prize the journey as much as the destination. Starting in Rome, you travel Business Class on Italy's Frecciarossa high-speed train to Milan, then board the legendary Bernina Express in First Class for a passage through the Alpine spine into St Moritz. The itinerary balances guided experiences with free time: Day 1 opens with an expert-led aperitivo evening sampling Italian cocktails in the cobbled streets of Trastevere; Day 2 is left entirely to you to explore Rome at your own pace; Day 3 includes a private guided tour of Milan's Duomo and Teatro alla Scala before the northbound train; Day 4 is the Bernina Express itself, a scenic climax through glaciers and milky blue lakes; and Day 5 adds a funicular ride and a ridge walk at Muottas Muragl. Accommodation throughout is five-star: Casa Monti in Rome, Portrait Milano, and Badrutt's Palace in St Moritz. This package suits seasoned rail travellers, couples seeking alpine romance, and luxury seekers who want high-end rail travel woven into a carefully paced itinerary.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 2 in Rome is entirely unguided; you arrange your own activities.
  • The trip ends with a three-hour private transfer by road to Milan Malpensa for a return flight; confirm this fits your travel plans.
  • Badrutt's Palace and the other hotels are luxury properties; final accommodation options may vary by booking tier.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Casa Monti, Rome

    An Evening Aperitivo in Trastevere

    Rome has a way of drawing you in before you have quite found your bearings, and there is no more fitting introduction than an evening in Trastevere. In the company of a local expert, the enduring Italian ritual of aperitivo comes to life through a curated selection of classic drinks, among them the iconic Martini and the ever-popular Spritz, each paired with Roman finger foods that speak of neighbourhood tradition and easy conviviality.

  2. Day 2overnight: Casa Monti, Rome

    A Day at Your Own Pace

    Rome rewards those who wander without agenda. Today is entirely your own, to revisit a favourite corner, discover a neighbourhood that caught your eye, linger over a long lunch, or simply allow the city to reveal itself at its own unhurried pace.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Portrait Milano, Milan

    Private Tour of Italy's Most Dynamic City

    Bid farewell to Rome as you board your Business Class high-speed train and travel north towards Milan. A guided afternoon brings its many layers into focus, through vibrant streets, inside the magnificent Duomo Cathedral, and onwards to the celebrated exterior of Teatro alla Scala.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Badrutt's Palace, St Moritz

    All Aboard the Bernina Express

    Departing Milan by private transfer to Tirano, you board the legendary Bernina Express, one of the world's great scenic rail journeys, for a First Class passage through glaciers, viaducts, alpine meadows and milky blue lakes as the train climbs towards St. Moritz, where you settle into Badrutt's Palace.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Badrutt's Palace, St Moritz

    A Morning on the Heights of Muottas Muragl

    A short scenic train ride to Punt Muragl is followed by a funicular ascent to the summit of Muottas Muragl, where the full panorama of the Alps opens in every direction. The Panorama Trail leads along a ridge of sweeping alpine beauty, a leisurely hike accessible to all levels.

  6. Day 6

    A Scenic Drive to Milan

    Your journey draws to a close with a private transfer through the alpine landscape towards Milan Malpensa, approximately three hours by road, where your return flight awaits.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Evening aperitivo experience in Trastevere with a local expert, sampling Martini, Spritz, and Roman finger foods.
  • Day 3Business Class journey on the Frecciarossa from Rome to Milan, followed by a guided tour of the Duomo Cathedral and Teatro alla Scala.
  • Day 4First Class passage on the Bernina Express through glaciers, viaducts, alpine meadows, and milky blue lakes, arriving in St Moritz.
  • Day 5Short scenic train ride to Punt Muragl, then funicular ascent to Muottas Muragl summit with panoramic Alpine views and the Panorama Trail hike.

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
The Frecciarossa (Business Class) from Rome to Milan on Day 3, and the Bernina Express (First Class) from Tirano to St Moritz on Day 4. Rail fares are included in the package price.
Is this trip guided or independent?
A mix of both. Scott Dunn includes a guided aperitivo evening in Rome, a private guided afternoon tour of Milan, a guided hike to Muottas Muragl, and private transfers. Day 2 in Rome is entirely free.
What hotels are included?
Casa Monti in Rome (2 nights), Portrait Milano in Milan (1 night), and Badrutt's Palace in St Moritz (2 nights).
How much walking is involved?
The hike on the Panorama Trail at Muottas Muragl is described as leisurely and accessible to all levels. Walking tours in Rome and Milan are included; Day 2 in Rome is at your own pace.
When does this trip run?
Scott Dunn publishes no specific departure dates in the available information; contact them directly to confirm available dates.
What is the starting price and what does it include?
From £5,200 (approximately USD 6,945). The price includes rail travel, all named hotels, guided experiences (aperitivo, Milan tour, Muottas Muragl hike), and private transfers.

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