Mont Blanc Express

Switzerland offers two marvelous rail and bus tours (the Mont Blanc Express and the Saint Bernard Express), both of which offer adventure and glorious scenery. The tours originate in Martigny, an old Roman town at the west end of the Rhône Valley—22 kilometers from the French border. The Mont Blanc Express is an all-by-train excursion. Departing from Martigny, it climbs over the Col de la Forclaz, through the Trient Gorge, crosses the border into France, and wiggles in and out of tunnels as it descends to Chamonix, where the views of Mount Blanc (the highest mountain in Europe) are absolutely breathtaking. On a clear day there is no mountain in the world more beautiful. The Saint Bernard Express (which operates only in summer) combines transportation by both train and bus. The first leg of the trip is by train. It leaves Martigny and heads east along the Drance River before turning south through the Entremont Valley and on to Orsières. Here the rail line ends and you hop on a bus for the last leg of your journey to the Grand Saint Bernard Hospice, founded by Saint Bernard in the 17th century. With its bleak, wind-swept, forlorn setting, you would think this would be the last place in the world the monks would want settle, but it was perfect for their mission to rescue stranded travelers going over the pass. The monks trained gentle Saint Bernard dogs to assist them in their mountain rescue. Although times have changed and helicopters have assumed job once done by these brave dogs, they are still bred here for the sake of tradition and maintaining the breed. You can visit a museum, the kennels, and a 17th-century church. Note: Remember your passport for the Mont Blanc Express excursion as you will be going into France.