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Majestic stillness welcomes
the crisp daybreak.
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00:00:17,640 --> 00:00:21,240
The Alps adorned
with crowns of ageless snow.
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00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:29,080
Their peaks ascending to
the boundless sky,
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00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:33,800
where clouds enshroud
the ancient crags below.
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00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:38,360
The grandeur of nature calms
the wanderer's mind,
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00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:44,600
as a crimson thread flashes beneath
the peaks serene.
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00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:52,000
Throughout the mountains,
a train begins to wind,
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00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:55,840
giving visions of sights unseen.
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00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:25,480
Our journey begins in Chur,
the older city in Switzerland,
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00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:27,840
and the gateway to the Swiss Alps.
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00:01:28,880 --> 00:01:31,200
With over 5,000 years of history,
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00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:33,680
Chur's charming old town
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00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:35,960
and alpine surroundings make it
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the perfect starting point for
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00:01:37,840 --> 00:01:41,800
an adventure aboard
the Bernina Express.
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00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:44,240
I am Marcus and I'm the fleet
manager of the Rhaetian Railway,
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00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:46,440
which includes
the Bernina Express.
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00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:54,760
We are in the capital of
the canton Graubunden.
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00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:58,320
It's in the very east part
of Switzerland.
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00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:00,840
We are in the heart of
the mountains.
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00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:05,240
The very special thing about
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00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:07,560
the Bernina Express is you can go
through spring
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00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:10,240
and winter and summer in one day.
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00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:13,880
It's one of the most beautiful
journeys
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00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:16,560
you can do by train in the
world.
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00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:24,560
Chur has long been a crossroads
for travellers, merchants,
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00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:27,880
and now adventurers aboard the
Bernina Express.
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00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:33,840
The train and its crew members
welcome a quarter of
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00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:36,320
a million guests annually,
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00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:39,440
all lured by the breathtaking
mountain scenery.
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The whole train is panoramic,
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00:02:47,880 --> 00:02:51,000
so we have glass windows until their
top on the roof,
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00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,280
and that will give you
a special feeling
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00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:55,560
and a nice view outside of the cars.
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00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:03,040
You will see a wonderful landscape
in beautiful weather.
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00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:06,000
The landscape changing from snow
here in Chur,
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00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:08,840
but you will see trees
and you will see glaciers
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00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:12,800
and you will arrive in
the summer in Tirano.
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00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:14,240
Now we are going to depart.
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00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:16,720
It's going to be a very busy day
today,
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00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:19,400
but it's going to be very fun.
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00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:21,480
WHISTLE BLOWS
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TOUR GUIDE: Make yourself
comfortable
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00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:26,040
and look forward to
a fascinating journey through
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00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:28,400
the heart of the Swiss Alps.
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00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:30,760
Christmas is near and it feels it's
get a more
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00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:33,600
Christmassy feeling right
now, yeah.
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00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:37,840
TOUR GUIDE: Welcome on board
the Bernina Express.
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00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:10,240
TOUR GUIDE: The Bernina Express team
wishes you a pleasant journey.
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00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:15,280
TOUR GUIDE IN ITALIAN
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00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:20,440
The Bernina Express takes
passengers on
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00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:24,400
a 90 mile voyage through
shifting landscapes,
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00:04:24,400 --> 00:04:30,000
bringing together diverse regions
and cultures along its path.
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00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:31,840
Well, I'm very excited
to cross all the bridges.
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There's so many to see and
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00:04:34,280 --> 00:04:36,720
we've been told that the Swiss build
their trains very high up
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00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:40,800
and very close to the edge,
so it should be an exciting ride.
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00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:43,560
TOUR GUIDE: The Rhaetian Railway is
only the third railway in
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00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:47,240
the world to receive
the World Heritage label.
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00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:49,880
Ascending into mountainous terrain,
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00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:52,400
the train navigates steep gradients
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00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:54,920
to over 2,000 metres above
sea level.
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00:04:56,320 --> 00:04:57,920
Connecting two nations,
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00:04:57,920 --> 00:05:02,640
the railway has bridged Switzerland
and Italy for over a century.
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00:05:06,280 --> 00:05:09,360
Beautiful train, with
the panoramic views of all
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00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:12,320
of those mountains is beyond our
dreams.
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00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:14,280
It's like a fairy tale!
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00:05:20,280 --> 00:05:23,320
And the journey, it's little bit
more than four hours
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00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:26,480
from Chur to Tirano.
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00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:29,680
We met on a train, my wife and I,
so we've been on many trains.
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00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:32,840
This is probably the most beautiful
that we've been on.
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00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:41,640
TOUR GUIDE: The line takes us over
196 bridges,
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00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:45,240
through 55 tunnels
and past 20 communities.
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00:05:56,440 --> 00:05:59,240
In the surrounding mountain towns,
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00:05:59,240 --> 00:06:02,880
the spirit of the season
comes alive.
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00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:06,480
Artisans continued time-honoured
practices passed down through
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00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:11,360
generations, infusing their
creations with passion
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00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:13,600
and a touch of alpine magic.
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00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:29,920
I'm Ursina Mertz
and I'm a chocolatier,
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00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:32,640
in our family business based
in Chur.
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00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:42,760
Mertz actually was founded by Walter
and Marie Mertz
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00:06:42,760 --> 00:06:47,360
and they started
the business in 1946.
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00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:50,600
It was in a small shop about 500
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00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:52,960
metres away from here on
the other side of
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00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:55,000
the station, where it was only a
shop
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00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:58,960
and a little production of bakery
and pastry.
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00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:05,400
And soon after that they made
the step into the city.
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00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:08,880
The big city life wasn't already in
this spot,
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00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:11,720
but they kind of already sensed that
this would be
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00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:15,040
a great spot to have a shop
and, yeah,
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00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:16,880
the history has proved them right,
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00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:20,320
because right now that's actually
the city centre.
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00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:27,000
Chocolate is an amazing product
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00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:30,280
and there is a long history
of Swiss chocolate becoming
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00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:35,160
the best chocolate in the world,
because 150 years ago,
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00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:39,120
when a very smart Swiss
chocolate maker,
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00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:41,920
invented a machine called
the conche,
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00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:45,240
which out rolls
the cacao beans over and over
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00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:49,640
and over again
and by that process they were able
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00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:52,960
to take out bitterness of
the cacao beans and,
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00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:56,120
of course, that made a huge
difference.
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00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:00,360
It's the best.
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00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:02,560
I wouldn't say it if
I didn't mean it.
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00:08:04,040 --> 00:08:07,800
We cannot change
the world or save lives,
105
00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:10,480
but we can give happy moments
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00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:15,080
to our customers,
or let them give a happy moment
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00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:19,480
to someone else, and that's really
what makes it so special,
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00:08:19,480 --> 00:08:23,240
I think, to still help just in
a different way.
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00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:25,040
Yeah, that makes me happy.
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00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:35,040
Coming to work is wonderful no
matter how early it is.
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00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:39,880
It's a beautiful place
and then there's the smells.
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00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:42,400
The smell, it hugs you,
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00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:44,440
it hugs you "good morning".
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00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:48,240
I mean it's like a soft,
warm, hug.
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00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:51,080
It puts me in a good mood,
it's wonderful.
116
00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:56,400
Christmas, it's a beautiful season
of the year for everyone,
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00:08:56,400 --> 00:09:00,360
everyone has very high expectations
about Christmas.
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00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:02,240
And for us it means
a lot of work to do,
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00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:04,240
a lot of beautiful work of course.
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00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:06,600
I mean I'm powdering angels with
gold,
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00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:09,320
it's very nice,
but it's a busy time,
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00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:12,520
we're also one hand has
to work into the other.
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00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:21,720
Around this time
the days become shorter,
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00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:24,440
obviously it becomes darker earlier,
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00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:25,680
and then you go outside,
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00:09:25,680 --> 00:09:28,040
and you see all
the beautiful Christmas lights
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00:09:28,040 --> 00:09:30,520
and it's just kind of
a different atmosphere.
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00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:31,960
You feel it's coming.
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00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:36,520
When it's raining in Chur around
Christmas, you know you wake up in
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00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:38,800
the morning and you see
the powdered mountains,
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00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:39,920
almost like powdered sugar.
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00:09:39,920 --> 00:09:42,720
So, yeah, it feels like being in
a chocolate factory here
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with a chocolate mountains powdered
with sugar.
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00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:04,000
We rejoin the journey as
the Bernina passes through
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00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:07,200
the Albula Valley,
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00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:10,000
distinguished by its forested slopes
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00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:12,640
and deep gorges shaped by glacial
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00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:15,520
and river erosion over thousands
of years.
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00:10:17,360 --> 00:10:20,400
Traditional Swiss villages dot
the landscape,
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00:10:20,400 --> 00:10:23,760
with chalet style houses
and picturesque church spires.
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00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:31,000
And this is home to
the journey's first iconic landmark,
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00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:36,080
the Landwasser Viaduct.
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00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:38,920
One of the most iconic engineering
marvels of
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00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:40,880
the Swiss Alps.
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00:10:40,880 --> 00:10:44,440
This structure is not just a bridge,
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00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:47,800
it's a testament
to early 20th century ingenuity.
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00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:53,560
Stretching across the chasm,
the Landwasser Viaduct,
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rises 65 metres into the alpine
sky.
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00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:01,880
Built in 1901,
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00:11:01,880 --> 00:11:04,280
the Viaduct was designed to navigate
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00:11:04,280 --> 00:11:06,960
the challenging topography of
the valley,
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00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:10,040
allowing trains to seamlessly
transition
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00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:12,600
from one mountainside
to another.
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00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:18,840
10,000 tons of limestone were
quarried nearby,
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00:11:18,840 --> 00:11:22,480
creating an enduring structure that
still blends with
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00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:24,840
the surrounding cliffs.
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00:11:24,840 --> 00:11:28,160
It's giving me Harry Potter vibes,
I mean all of it.
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00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:29,680
So, it's fantastic.
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00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:40,080
It's a single track, curved viaduct,
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00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:43,800
136 metres long.
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People feel amazing,
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00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:51,800
they always wants to take pictures,
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00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:56,200
and that's why we travel very,
very slow.
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TOUR GUIDE: It is one of the most
impressive constructions on
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00:11:58,560 --> 00:12:00,600
the line as it curves
elegantly above
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00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:03,680
the valley below, before entering
a tunnel carved into
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00:12:03,680 --> 00:12:06,000
a sheer rock face.
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00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:30,200
Switzerland,
nestled in the heart of Europe,
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is renowned for its stunning
alpine landscapes
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and rich cultural heritage.
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A land where soaring mountains meet
serene valleys.
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This country is
a mosaic of languages
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00:12:46,560 --> 00:12:48,000
and traditions.
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The Bernina Express meanders 90
miles from Chur in
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00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:58,600
Switzerland,
passing through 55 tunnels
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00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:05,760
and crossing 196 bridges on its
journey to Tirano, Italy.
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00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:11,120
As the altitude increases,
the landscape transitions
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00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:13,680
from mixed forests of oak
and beech
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00:13:13,680 --> 00:13:17,920
to dense coniferous
forests of pine and spruce.
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00:13:35,800 --> 00:13:37,880
It's my second time in here.
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I came in summertime,
and this is a winter experience now.
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The mountain is so beautiful.
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00:13:48,640 --> 00:13:50,560
We are travelling from Brazil,
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enjoying my vacation here in
Switzerland with my mom.
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And we just decided
to live this experience
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and see these beautiful views.
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00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:03,000
Christmas for us is very different.
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00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:05,080
This is very Christmassy.
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00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:07,800
It feels like we are living in
a movie.
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00:14:09,560 --> 00:14:10,920
Each season offers
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00:14:10,920 --> 00:14:14,280
a fresh perspective on these
majestic peaks.
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00:14:14,280 --> 00:14:20,840
Yet, over time the changes
witnessed, hint at a bigger story.
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00:14:20,840 --> 00:14:23,240
That is the Morteratsch
Glacier.
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00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:25,600
It's a very important one,
195
00:14:25,600 --> 00:14:29,240
people really like
to take pictures, videos of it.
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00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:36,840
The journey on the Bernina
Express reveals
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00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:40,160
a fascinating geological timeline,
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00:14:40,160 --> 00:14:43,680
with rock formations dating back
millions of years.
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00:14:45,680 --> 00:14:49,360
The train passes through valleys
formed by glaciers,
200
00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:51,640
offering views of moraines,
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00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:54,640
rock walls and ancient glacial beds.
202
00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:01,640
In recent decades,
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00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:05,680
climate change has accelerated
the melting across the Alps,
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00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:10,200
revealing rock that hasn't seen
sunlight that thousands of years.
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00:15:15,360 --> 00:15:17,800
One of the largest in
the Bernina range,
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00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:22,720
the Morteratsch Glacier, is visible
from the train.
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00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:40,480
The glacier has been receding by 30
metres a year,
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00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:43,000
making it a beautiful yet poignant
reminder of
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00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:44,800
the Alps' vulnerability.
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00:15:59,920 --> 00:16:02,280
High in the alpine meadows,
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00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:05,840
where snow whispers across
silent peaks,
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00:16:05,840 --> 00:16:09,160
a craft shaped by generations
quietly endures.
213
00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:16,840
Beneath the deep drifts
of snow that veil the landscape,
214
00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:20,640
a steadfast spirit thrives in
the winter.
215
00:16:20,640 --> 00:16:23,960
It's here in these mountains
where tradition
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00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:26,600
and the land are woven together.
217
00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:39,400
My name is Philip.
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00:16:39,400 --> 00:16:43,800
I am a farm helper up in
the Alps of Switzerland.
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00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:47,240
During the summer,
I'm making fences or cutting hay,
220
00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:49,200
but then during the winter
221
00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:52,280
feeding animals, or even
carpentry projects
222
00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:55,440
and fixing nets and things to get
ready for the summer again.
223
00:16:57,560 --> 00:16:59,560
Working on the farm,
it's just so amazing.
224
00:16:59,560 --> 00:17:03,960
Like every day,
the view here is crazy.
225
00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:06,240
This is by far one of
the most beautiful places in
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00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:08,240
the world, I think.
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00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:10,040
HE LAUGHS
228
00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:13,760
I grew up in New Hampshire,
where it's pretty cold
229
00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:15,480
and there's quite a bit of snow,
230
00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:18,840
but the Alps are just
so beautiful in the winter.
231
00:17:24,040 --> 00:17:28,440
I would describe this area as
a winter wonderland.
232
00:17:28,440 --> 00:17:32,160
Deep snow blanketing
the entire landscape.
233
00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:35,240
When you're out on the farm,
you can hear the wind coming through
234
00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:38,760
the trees, or coming over
the peaks making a "whoosh".
235
00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:42,840
But when you're inside by
a warm fire,
236
00:17:42,840 --> 00:17:45,560
hearing the wind howl around
the house,
237
00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:48,240
it's just such a snug feeling.
238
00:17:58,280 --> 00:18:00,880
Life on the farm kind
of works in like a cycle.
239
00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:03,520
We start out, the spring,
240
00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:07,240
getting ready to make hay,
make hay through the summer,
241
00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:09,160
getting ready for the winter.
242
00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:11,640
And then now we've just transitioned
to doing
243
00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:15,960
a lot of snow ploughing
and then also harvesting timber.
244
00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:16,680
Woo!
245
00:18:17,920 --> 00:18:20,480
SAW BUZZES
246
00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:31,520
This is our first really
big snowstorm,
247
00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:34,560
so we're going to move all
the animals into the barn.
248
00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:37,280
And this is really
for their own health.
249
00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:41,480
In the winter,
it stays wet all the time.
250
00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:43,520
They're either in the snow or in
the mud.
251
00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:45,280
When they're in the barn,
they stay dry,
252
00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:46,680
it's better for their feet,
253
00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:49,160
and just overall
the animals' health.
254
00:18:54,080 --> 00:18:55,960
So, right now,
all the sheep are in the barn
255
00:18:55,960 --> 00:18:57,920
and now they're
going to take off the bells.
256
00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:01,400
The bells are a tradition going way
back in Switzerland.
257
00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:03,320
They also serve a lot of function.
258
00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:04,520
During the summer,
259
00:19:04,520 --> 00:19:07,480
a farmer will have his windows open
as he sleeps at night.
260
00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:09,120
And from the sound of the bells,
261
00:19:09,120 --> 00:19:10,960
you can actually tell whether
the animal's grazing,
262
00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:13,000
whether they're sleeping, running.
263
00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:15,400
If there's a predator chasing
your sheep,
264
00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:17,200
you want to be able to know.
265
00:19:17,200 --> 00:19:19,120
But once the animals are back in
the barn,
266
00:19:19,120 --> 00:19:20,760
they don't really have a purpose
and they're loud.
267
00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:22,440
So, we're taking all the bells off
268
00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:24,200
and then we'll clean them,
repair them,
269
00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:26,400
and then hang them up
as decoration.
270
00:19:31,120 --> 00:19:35,080
In the winter you can kind of relax
and this is when people hang out.
271
00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:37,440
They play music,
play games together, and so
272
00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:40,960
the winter is a more relaxed,
family-oriented time.
273
00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:44,360
The farm is owned by
the Bichart family
274
00:19:44,360 --> 00:19:46,400
and Eric is of course the boss,
275
00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:48,680
Barbara, she does a lot of
the behind the scenes.
276
00:19:48,680 --> 00:19:50,200
And then the four brothers,
277
00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:53,560
they do a lot of the work on
the farm from making hay,
278
00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:55,440
to feeding the animals,
279
00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:59,840
and of course taking care
of cleaning the bells.
280
00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:02,560
All four brothers started playing
folk music.
281
00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:05,320
They all yodel and they all play
different instruments.
282
00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:08,640
It's really pretty
incredible to see.
283
00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:11,920
FOLK MUSIC PLAYS
284
00:20:54,120 --> 00:20:58,080
Lago Bianco,
the White Lake, gets its name from
285
00:20:58,080 --> 00:21:00,640
the milky colour of its water,
286
00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:05,880
tinted by fine glacial sediments
suspended within.
287
00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:08,240
TOUR GUIDE: We are now in the most
spectacular part of
288
00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:09,720
the Albula line.
289
00:21:09,720 --> 00:21:10,840
We are just tackling
290
00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:13,920
the last great climb before
the top of the pass.
291
00:21:13,920 --> 00:21:17,720
This man-made reservoir was created
by damming natural lakes in
292
00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:21,360
the early 20th century
to produce hydroelectric power -
293
00:21:21,360 --> 00:21:23,720
integral to the region's development
294
00:21:23,720 --> 00:21:27,240
and the running of
the Bernina Express.
295
00:21:27,240 --> 00:21:31,640
TOUR GUIDE: You can see the dam wall
at the end of Lago Bianco.
296
00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:34,240
The lake's pale greenish colour is
caused by water
297
00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:36,000
flowing in from the glacier.
298
00:21:39,280 --> 00:21:42,800
It's always amazing
to travel here, as you can see.
299
00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:46,120
And in every season it's
totally different.
300
00:21:46,120 --> 00:21:50,040
Now we have snow,
but there's still water in the lake.
301
00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:54,280
It's really, really nice to travel
here in Christmas.
302
00:21:56,280 --> 00:21:58,960
Could be like
a Christmas postcard.
303
00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:02,640
I think it's really, really nice.
304
00:22:02,640 --> 00:22:04,120
I wanted to join this trip
305
00:22:04,120 --> 00:22:06,960
because I think it's
the only opportunity that you have
306
00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:08,600
to see a view like this.
307
00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:12,360
And only by train you can enjoy
this lovely view.
308
00:22:12,360 --> 00:22:14,720
We've been lucky because there is
snow, as well,
309
00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:16,520
we have been very lucky.
310
00:22:16,520 --> 00:22:18,880
I come from India,
we're doing a Euro trip,
311
00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:21,960
and we thought we'd touch
Italy, France,
312
00:22:21,960 --> 00:22:25,160
and Switzerland.
Switzerland has been amazing.
313
00:22:26,720 --> 00:22:29,080
We're like on a Friday trip here
314
00:22:29,080 --> 00:22:33,040
and this just seems to be
the icing on the cake.
315
00:22:33,040 --> 00:22:37,720
It's so beautiful
to be on the Bernina Express.
316
00:22:37,720 --> 00:22:38,960
You can just close your eyes
317
00:22:38,960 --> 00:22:42,040
and take these memories
with you every single day.
318
00:22:47,400 --> 00:22:51,280
From fields where alpine
farmers labour,
319
00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:55,200
their work meshed into
the mountains' fabric,
320
00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:58,400
through lakes that mirror stillness,
321
00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:01,280
reflecting peaks
and boundless skies,
322
00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:07,840
we ascend where winds
and echoes combine.
323
00:23:07,840 --> 00:23:12,400
Higher still to snow-capped summits,
324
00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:17,400
travelling to horizons where nature
continues to shine.
325
00:23:39,080 --> 00:23:41,840
Travelling beneath clear skies
326
00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:45,720
and leaving behind
the azure blue water of Lake Bianco,
327
00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:49,320
the Bernina Express continues along
its snowy route through
328
00:23:49,320 --> 00:23:52,400
the Swiss Alps towards
Tirano in Italy.
329
00:23:53,720 --> 00:23:58,480
TOUR GUIDES SPEAKS ITALIAN
330
00:23:59,960 --> 00:24:02,000
Now people are getting excited,
331
00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:04,280
because we are
going to reach Alp Grum
332
00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:06,240
and very interesting point.
333
00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:08,240
And of course they have a break -
334
00:24:08,240 --> 00:24:11,840
they can get off the train,
they can take pictures.
335
00:24:17,360 --> 00:24:20,440
The train rolls past
Ospizio Bernina,
336
00:24:20,440 --> 00:24:25,760
its highest point at 2,253 metres.
337
00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:28,960
A symbolic threshold before
the dramatic descent to
338
00:24:28,960 --> 00:24:31,640
the alpine refuge of Alp Grum.
339
00:24:36,520 --> 00:24:38,800
The journey towards Alp Grum is
340
00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:40,680
a thrilling feat of engineering,
341
00:24:40,680 --> 00:24:43,160
where the train hugs
the mountainside -
342
00:24:43,160 --> 00:24:47,840
its power meeting the challenge
of gravity in perfect harmony.
343
00:24:47,840 --> 00:24:50,280
The track winds through
numerous curves,
344
00:24:50,280 --> 00:24:53,160
demanding precise control from
the driver.
345
00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:59,960
The railway connecting
to Alp Grum was completed in 1910,
346
00:24:59,960 --> 00:25:03,040
with this station originally serving
as a crossing loop
347
00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:06,600
for trains travelling in
opposite directions.
348
00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:11,240
In 1923, it gained its now iconic
train-side building,
349
00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:15,120
drawing visitors eager
to experience the panoramic views.
350
00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:23,840
It is not possible
to reach Alp Grum by car.
351
00:25:23,840 --> 00:25:26,480
You can only reach Alp Grum by
train,
352
00:25:26,480 --> 00:25:28,840
or walking - if you like to hike.
353
00:25:32,920 --> 00:25:35,240
There is one person who has
always considered
354
00:25:35,240 --> 00:25:37,840
the isolated positioning of Alp Grum
355
00:25:37,840 --> 00:25:40,560
to be part of its charm.
356
00:25:40,560 --> 00:25:43,120
Primo Semadini has been
the custodian of
357
00:25:43,120 --> 00:25:46,960
the restaurant hotel here for
the last 18 years.
358
00:25:46,960 --> 00:25:49,280
It's a nice place to work here.
359
00:25:49,280 --> 00:25:51,120
I live in paradise.
360
00:25:51,120 --> 00:25:55,160
We see here the glacier of the Palu,
361
00:25:55,160 --> 00:25:58,160
the Piz Palu, the Lake Palu,
362
00:25:58,160 --> 00:26:00,360
but it's very cold at the moment.
363
00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:04,720
Years ago,
364
00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:08,560
minus 20, 25 degrees.
365
00:26:08,560 --> 00:26:09,880
Last winter,
366
00:26:09,880 --> 00:26:12,680
not more minus eight,
367
00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:15,680
nine, ten -
the glacier is leaving.
368
00:26:15,680 --> 00:26:17,240
LAUGHS
369
00:26:17,240 --> 00:26:21,640
In a few years,
we don't see more, its only water.
370
00:26:21,640 --> 00:26:24,640
It's a problem that
we know everywhere.
371
00:26:27,200 --> 00:26:30,880
This location in the clouds may be
defined by its beauty,
372
00:26:30,880 --> 00:26:34,880
but its isolation creates challenges
of its own.
373
00:26:34,880 --> 00:26:39,560
If I forget to order bread,
I don't have bread here.
374
00:26:39,560 --> 00:26:41,840
I cannot go on the other side of
the street
375
00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:43,240
and buy something.
376
00:26:43,240 --> 00:26:46,920
If it is forget, it's forget.
377
00:26:49,280 --> 00:26:52,280
As life continues among
the snowy peaks,
378
00:26:52,280 --> 00:26:54,640
those that have made
the Alps their home
379
00:26:54,640 --> 00:26:57,480
have forged their path through life
with artistry
380
00:26:57,480 --> 00:26:59,040
and dedication.
381
00:26:59,040 --> 00:27:01,640
By using their surroundings as
their base,
382
00:27:01,640 --> 00:27:06,120
they exemplify the true meaning
of living at one with nature.
383
00:27:06,120 --> 00:27:10,440
BELL TOLLS
384
00:27:18,120 --> 00:27:21,000
My name is Babatunde Adewale,
also known as Baba
385
00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:22,680
the Cheese Doctor.
386
00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:24,960
Originally
from Nigeria
387
00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:27,240
and now Swiss/Nigerian.
388
00:27:32,800 --> 00:27:36,800
My cheese journey started around
nine years ago immediately after
389
00:27:36,800 --> 00:27:38,240
I moved to Switzerland.
390
00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:41,640
My wife is from Switzerland,
I met my wife when I was in UK,
391
00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:45,200
so we decided to move from UK
to Switzerland,
392
00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:48,440
and this is where I had
the first contact with cheese.
393
00:27:48,440 --> 00:27:51,440
My father-in-law started
the business over 30 years ago
394
00:27:51,440 --> 00:27:54,680
and then when my father-in-law was
close to retiring
395
00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:57,840
and the business would just
basically evaporate,
396
00:27:57,840 --> 00:27:59,440
I decided to step up to
the challenge
397
00:27:59,440 --> 00:28:01,200
and get it going again.
398
00:28:04,800 --> 00:28:07,600
So, this is a traditional Swiss
cheese,
399
00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:09,280
it's called Schaf Kaisli.
400
00:28:09,280 --> 00:28:11,120
In German, "Schaf" is sheep.
401
00:28:11,120 --> 00:28:14,520
And "Kaisli" is like
a cheese, like something small.
402
00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:20,440
It's 100% sheep milk,
403
00:28:20,440 --> 00:28:23,520
and then it's one
of our best seller.
404
00:28:23,520 --> 00:28:26,400
You can see nothing is with machine,
405
00:28:26,400 --> 00:28:27,760
we are handmade 100%,
406
00:28:27,760 --> 00:28:32,160
and this is what people love about
our product.
407
00:28:32,160 --> 00:28:35,320
I'm not a studied cheese maker,
but I learned
408
00:28:35,320 --> 00:28:37,360
a lot - just like my father-in-law,
he wasn't studied -
409
00:28:37,360 --> 00:28:40,440
but you just have to have
an interest in what you do
410
00:28:40,440 --> 00:28:42,720
and then you learn along the way.
411
00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:51,480
I never thought I would end up
making cheese, you know,
412
00:28:51,480 --> 00:28:55,320
but life is full of surprises.
413
00:28:55,320 --> 00:28:56,920
You just have to be ready.
414
00:29:00,360 --> 00:29:02,280
When preparation meets opportunity,
415
00:29:02,280 --> 00:29:05,360
everything looks like magic,
you know.
416
00:29:13,640 --> 00:29:18,040
People in Switzerland like
to eat cheese regularly,
417
00:29:18,040 --> 00:29:21,680
but in Christmas-time is
a bit more, I would say.
418
00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:26,240
It's a really busy time - busy,
busy -
419
00:29:26,240 --> 00:29:29,320
from the production,
from the order preparing,
420
00:29:29,320 --> 00:29:33,040
we have a lot of things going on
right now.
421
00:29:33,040 --> 00:29:37,440
People are really interested in like
eating something very good,
422
00:29:37,440 --> 00:29:41,200
giving nice gift to the family
member, to the friends, family,
423
00:29:41,200 --> 00:29:43,880
so we are here for them
to like make this wish come true.
424
00:29:52,360 --> 00:29:55,480
Cheese is one of
the biggest Swiss tradition,
425
00:29:55,480 --> 00:29:58,120
so for me to be a part of it as
a foreigner,
426
00:29:58,120 --> 00:30:00,000
it's a great honour for me.
427
00:30:01,360 --> 00:30:05,400
I'm one of the first African that
stepped into
428
00:30:05,400 --> 00:30:08,640
this type of business, so it's
a great honour
429
00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:12,120
and a pleasure for me to see how
the people accept me,
430
00:30:12,120 --> 00:30:14,480
like and respect me for what I do.
431
00:30:16,920 --> 00:30:19,880
It brings me so much joy
to see that you don't have
432
00:30:19,880 --> 00:30:25,320
to be like born into it,
but you can also be a part of it.
433
00:30:34,440 --> 00:30:38,400
At Alp Grum,
the red train remains at rest.
434
00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:40,960
A brief interlude in
the journey, as passengers
435
00:30:40,960 --> 00:30:44,600
and crew enjoy the beauty
of this alpine outpost.
436
00:30:47,040 --> 00:30:50,000
This is the only - a 15 minute stop.
437
00:30:50,000 --> 00:30:53,600
It's a good time to have a break,
I think.
438
00:30:53,600 --> 00:30:58,080
They can take pictures, as you see,
they're taking lots of pictures.
439
00:30:58,080 --> 00:31:01,560
They can stay a little bit here in
the mountain.
440
00:31:01,560 --> 00:31:03,240
It's very important for them,
441
00:31:03,240 --> 00:31:05,600
because the journey is like four
442
00:31:05,600 --> 00:31:09,400
hours long in between Chur
and Tirano.
443
00:31:09,400 --> 00:31:12,400
Though the scenery here
is captivating,
444
00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:14,680
the Bernina must remain on schedule.
445
00:31:14,680 --> 00:31:16,520
WHISTLE BLOWS
446
00:31:16,520 --> 00:31:19,160
Now it's time to go -
my colleague is calling us,
447
00:31:19,160 --> 00:31:24,080
and we have to go to the train
before to stay here for the night!
448
00:31:31,800 --> 00:31:36,560
The Alp Grum station is like being
in a painting,
449
00:31:36,560 --> 00:31:41,560
around the mountains and lakes,
such a beautiful area.
450
00:31:48,400 --> 00:31:51,320
The backdrop was really amazing,
and my son had fun.
451
00:31:51,320 --> 00:31:53,120
He had played in the snow!
452
00:31:53,120 --> 00:31:55,080
We've gone to a lot
of places in Switzerland,
453
00:31:55,080 --> 00:31:56,800
but being able to do that in
Christmas,
454
00:31:56,800 --> 00:31:58,560
there's nothing like that.
455
00:32:02,200 --> 00:32:04,680
It was unbelievable.
The views were breathtaking.
456
00:32:04,680 --> 00:32:06,080
There wasn't a bad spot.
457
00:32:06,080 --> 00:32:08,720
I think the glaciers were really
phenomenal to see.
458
00:32:08,720 --> 00:32:12,160
I wasn't expecting that.
We were really blown away.
459
00:32:12,160 --> 00:32:16,880
As the Bernina leaves Alp Grum
towards its next stop at Poschiavo,
460
00:32:16,880 --> 00:32:19,840
driver Michael's shift is coming
to an end.
461
00:32:42,240 --> 00:32:43,680
Hi, guys.
462
00:32:43,680 --> 00:32:44,880
Hi.
463
00:32:44,880 --> 00:32:50,920
SPEAK IN OWN LANGUAGE
464
00:32:56,560 --> 00:32:58,840
WHISTLE BLOWS
465
00:32:58,840 --> 00:33:02,440
SPEAK IN OWN LANGUAGE
466
00:33:02,440 --> 00:33:06,120
While the Bernina welcomes
new driver, Etienne,
467
00:33:06,120 --> 00:33:08,080
there's an important adjustment
to be made to
468
00:33:08,080 --> 00:33:10,920
the train during the stop.
469
00:33:10,920 --> 00:33:13,560
On a journey with such
differing landscapes,
470
00:33:13,560 --> 00:33:17,600
there are constant mechanical
demands on the train.
471
00:33:17,600 --> 00:33:20,720
We come from Ospizio Bernina,
the highest point,
472
00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:23,480
then Alp Grum and now we are
in Poschiavo.
473
00:33:23,480 --> 00:33:26,040
From the highest point
to here of course we have
474
00:33:26,040 --> 00:33:27,920
a huge difference in metres
475
00:33:27,920 --> 00:33:31,400
and that's why we also have
a difference with pressure.
476
00:33:31,400 --> 00:33:35,280
If you don't do this,
the brakes don't work properly.
477
00:33:35,280 --> 00:33:39,200
We have to be sure that
the pressure is the right one.
478
00:33:42,920 --> 00:33:45,880
With the pressure adjusted
and the Bernina Express leaving
479
00:33:45,880 --> 00:33:48,560
the last major Swiss town on
the route...
480
00:33:48,560 --> 00:33:50,640
In a half hour, we are in Tirano.
481
00:33:50,640 --> 00:33:53,720
..the passengers are given
a glorious memento synonymous
482
00:33:53,720 --> 00:33:55,760
with the country of its origin.
483
00:33:55,760 --> 00:33:58,280
We explained that this glacier,
484
00:33:58,280 --> 00:34:01,040
they have on this chocolate train we
give as a gift
485
00:34:01,040 --> 00:34:03,360
that is
the Morteratsch Glacier.
486
00:34:05,720 --> 00:34:08,720
And it's a nice memory for them,
they take it home.
487
00:34:16,280 --> 00:34:22,120
The highest peaks, with air,
clear and crisp,
488
00:34:22,120 --> 00:34:26,840
a sanctuary for travellers far
and wide.
489
00:34:26,840 --> 00:34:31,520
Majestic landscapes from every
viewpoint
490
00:34:31,520 --> 00:34:34,480
across the visible mountainous
divide.
491
00:34:36,400 --> 00:34:41,360
A journey into new territories,
with marvels to behold.
492
00:34:43,040 --> 00:34:45,640
Sights and structures of wonder
493
00:34:45,640 --> 00:34:50,040
and beauty welcomed into
nature's fold.
494
00:35:13,160 --> 00:35:15,080
On the final leg of its journey,
495
00:35:15,080 --> 00:35:17,760
the Bernina Express gently
descends into
496
00:35:17,760 --> 00:35:20,520
the picturesque Poschiavo Valley,
497
00:35:22,040 --> 00:35:26,360
where towering alpine peaks give way
to lush meadows
498
00:35:26,360 --> 00:35:27,720
and charming villages.
499
00:35:42,400 --> 00:35:44,440
This valley down to Italy is
500
00:35:44,440 --> 00:35:48,000
a patchwork of terraced fields
and winding rivers.
501
00:35:48,000 --> 00:35:50,720
Its beauty, a testament to the
harmony
502
00:35:50,720 --> 00:35:52,920
between nature and
tradition.
503
00:35:53,960 --> 00:35:57,600
As the train carves its way through
the heart of the mountains,
504
00:35:57,600 --> 00:36:01,840
a truly extraordinary sight awaits
the guests just ahead.
505
00:36:03,360 --> 00:36:07,720
And now it comes
the spiral viaduct of Brusio.
506
00:36:07,720 --> 00:36:10,800
A masterpiece of railway engineering
507
00:36:10,800 --> 00:36:14,040
that's as functional as it is
beautiful.
508
00:36:14,040 --> 00:36:17,000
TOUR GUIDE: From now on, the train
is gradually losing height with
509
00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:19,800
a gradient of seven metres
per hundred.
510
00:36:19,800 --> 00:36:23,560
This unique spiral viaduct was
ingeniously designed
511
00:36:23,560 --> 00:36:26,240
to allow the train to handle
the steep incline of
512
00:36:26,240 --> 00:36:27,680
the mountain terrain.
513
00:36:32,640 --> 00:36:34,200
The viaduct is composed
514
00:36:34,200 --> 00:36:37,760
of nine stone arches,
each spanning ten metres.
515
00:36:39,200 --> 00:36:41,600
By looping over itself in a spiral,
516
00:36:41,600 --> 00:36:43,880
The structure reduces
the gradient to
517
00:36:43,880 --> 00:36:45,920
a manageable 7%,
518
00:36:45,920 --> 00:36:49,320
allowing for a smooth journey down
the valley.
519
00:36:51,600 --> 00:36:55,560
And all people are making photos.
520
00:36:59,960 --> 00:37:02,600
As the train finds flatter ground,
521
00:37:02,600 --> 00:37:05,120
the valley reveals its quieter side.
522
00:37:06,520 --> 00:37:09,640
Vertiginous cliffs giving way
to lush green slopes
523
00:37:09,640 --> 00:37:12,720
framed by the ever receding peaks of
the Alps.
524
00:37:19,520 --> 00:37:22,840
Hidden deep within the rugged
embrace of these mountains,
525
00:37:22,840 --> 00:37:25,040
a quiet artistry thrives.
526
00:37:26,200 --> 00:37:28,840
In the heart of these
alpine villages,
527
00:37:28,840 --> 00:37:33,760
skilled hands keep alive traditions
passed down through the ages.
528
00:37:33,760 --> 00:37:37,400
Here, craftspeople devote themselves
529
00:37:37,400 --> 00:37:40,600
to techniques perfected
over centuries.
530
00:37:51,320 --> 00:37:53,680
My name is Brigitte Trauffer
531
00:37:53,680 --> 00:37:55,960
and I'm a member of
the Trauffer family
532
00:37:55,960 --> 00:37:58,640
and I'm a member of the board of
533
00:37:58,640 --> 00:38:00,600
the Trauffer Wooden Company.
534
00:38:02,720 --> 00:38:04,680
Every family in Switzerland knows
535
00:38:04,680 --> 00:38:07,680
the wooden toys of Trauffer.
536
00:38:07,680 --> 00:38:12,080
It's I think a piece of,
of history in Switzerland.
537
00:38:12,080 --> 00:38:15,320
The place where everything started
is next to the production.
538
00:38:15,320 --> 00:38:18,520
But I will show you
the birth house of our cow.
539
00:38:20,360 --> 00:38:22,920
Here, everything started in 1938.
540
00:38:22,920 --> 00:38:25,800
It was Alfred
and Rosa Trauffer who started
541
00:38:25,800 --> 00:38:29,160
a business here in their own house
in the cellar.
542
00:38:32,440 --> 00:38:36,280
He learned to carve bears.
So, this was his job.
543
00:38:36,280 --> 00:38:39,280
But in the World War, there were no
more tourists to come here
544
00:38:39,280 --> 00:38:40,760
and to buy those bears.
545
00:38:40,760 --> 00:38:43,920
So, he thought about,
"What can I do that also
546
00:38:43,920 --> 00:38:45,640
"the local people can buy?"
547
00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:52,400
They started with something that
makes children happy,
548
00:38:52,400 --> 00:38:55,440
and they started to make very simple
wooden toys
549
00:38:55,440 --> 00:38:58,800
that everybody can buy it in
the hard times of the war.
550
00:39:02,040 --> 00:39:05,400
He loved cows.
He was also a hobby farmer.
551
00:39:05,400 --> 00:39:07,320
And so, he started carving cows,
552
00:39:07,320 --> 00:39:10,520
and his wife Rosa was painting them
with red dots,
553
00:39:10,520 --> 00:39:12,240
because it's Switzerland.
554
00:39:15,120 --> 00:39:18,240
When the company was growing bigger
and bigger,
555
00:39:18,240 --> 00:39:20,960
they had to build a production -
it's over there.
556
00:39:30,480 --> 00:39:32,840
All those cows are standing here,
557
00:39:32,840 --> 00:39:36,920
are moving now to a Christmas market
in Interlaken.
558
00:39:36,920 --> 00:39:40,240
Yeah, they're ready for decorate
the Christmas market.
559
00:39:43,440 --> 00:39:47,840
We cut them out by hand,
we paint them by hand.
560
00:39:47,840 --> 00:39:50,040
We put the bells on by hand
and everything.
561
00:39:51,440 --> 00:39:53,800
Every cow and every animal we have
562
00:39:53,800 --> 00:39:57,280
and we produce is
a little bit different to the other.
563
00:39:57,280 --> 00:39:59,640
To go on with this tradition
564
00:39:59,640 --> 00:40:02,920
is the most important thing
for our company.
565
00:40:02,920 --> 00:40:05,640
So, we stamp the wood manually
and not with the machine,
566
00:40:05,640 --> 00:40:07,920
so that we can be sure that
every piece
567
00:40:07,920 --> 00:40:09,280
of wood is perfect.
568
00:40:09,280 --> 00:40:11,680
So, if it's not perfect,
we cannot sell it.
569
00:40:18,280 --> 00:40:21,560
Our Christmas preparations start
in August,
570
00:40:21,560 --> 00:40:24,000
because then we start to do
a lot of stables,
571
00:40:24,000 --> 00:40:27,400
because they're very popular
Christmas presents for children.
572
00:40:27,400 --> 00:40:30,120
The parents love to give them
a whole stable,
573
00:40:30,120 --> 00:40:32,080
with all the animals in there.
574
00:40:32,080 --> 00:40:33,720
So, we have to prepare them.
575
00:40:33,720 --> 00:40:35,560
This is my personal favourite cow,
576
00:40:35,560 --> 00:40:38,880
because these are the calves
and they're so cute, I think!
577
00:40:40,400 --> 00:40:43,200
The best is when you see children
who see the cows.
578
00:40:43,200 --> 00:40:46,080
So, when you can see how they start
to smile
579
00:40:46,080 --> 00:40:48,080
and start to play with them.
580
00:40:48,080 --> 00:40:51,840
So, they're not only liking
digital toys or plastic toys,
581
00:40:51,840 --> 00:40:53,280
when they see our wooden toys,
582
00:40:53,280 --> 00:40:58,400
they're really smiling and happy
and, yeah, that's the best part.
583
00:40:58,400 --> 00:40:59,960
Oh, and our Christmas cows,
584
00:40:59,960 --> 00:41:01,760
people love our Christmas cows.
585
00:41:01,760 --> 00:41:04,040
We also have them with the dots,
586
00:41:04,040 --> 00:41:05,920
and we also have them in gold.
587
00:41:07,840 --> 00:41:12,480
At the moment, we are producing a
lot of cows for Christmas,
588
00:41:12,480 --> 00:41:14,800
or the big ones for
the Christmas market.
589
00:41:14,800 --> 00:41:18,000
But, I would say we are ready.
590
00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:20,400
Christmas can come!
591
00:41:26,960 --> 00:41:29,520
Passing from Switzerland
to Italy is like turning
592
00:41:29,520 --> 00:41:33,600
a page in the story of the Alps.
593
00:41:33,600 --> 00:41:35,960
The sharp disciplined peaks soften,
594
00:41:35,960 --> 00:41:38,280
embracing the rolling hills
and vibrant charm
595
00:41:38,280 --> 00:41:40,760
of their southern neighbour.
596
00:41:40,760 --> 00:41:42,360
The valleys widen,
597
00:41:42,360 --> 00:41:43,960
cradling quaint villages
598
00:41:43,960 --> 00:41:47,560
with terracotta roofs that peek out
from the frost.
599
00:41:47,560 --> 00:41:51,040
We are now approaching Italy.
600
00:41:51,040 --> 00:41:54,280
The landscape is very different.
601
00:41:54,280 --> 00:41:56,920
We are at a different altitude.
602
00:41:56,920 --> 00:42:00,520
We have different trees,
nature and everything.
603
00:42:00,520 --> 00:42:03,600
And also, as you can see here,
we don't have snow.
604
00:42:05,560 --> 00:42:09,400
Every day it's
the same journey,
605
00:42:09,400 --> 00:42:13,280
but also a total new journey,
different journey for me.
606
00:42:13,280 --> 00:42:15,680
So, it's I like it.
I like it.
607
00:42:20,200 --> 00:42:24,120
And here is the landscape between
Italy and Switzerland.
608
00:42:29,040 --> 00:42:31,600
Now we are in Italy.
609
00:42:33,200 --> 00:42:36,080
Crossing an invisible border
into Italy,
610
00:42:36,080 --> 00:42:39,560
the Bernina Express approaches its
final stop,
611
00:42:39,560 --> 00:42:44,560
the town of Tirano,
at 429 metres above sea level,
612
00:42:44,560 --> 00:42:48,800
a descent of over 1,800 metres from
its highest point.
613
00:42:51,520 --> 00:42:55,360
As the train enters the town,
it makes an unexpected transition,
614
00:42:55,360 --> 00:42:58,120
leaving the railway
to glide onto the road,
615
00:42:58,120 --> 00:43:01,800
weaving seamlessly through
the heart of Tirano.
616
00:43:01,800 --> 00:43:05,080
You can see the Church of
the Piazza Di Madonna.
617
00:43:13,800 --> 00:43:18,200
And now we are driving in
the front
618
00:43:18,200 --> 00:43:22,520
of the church in the station
of Tirano.
619
00:43:22,520 --> 00:43:24,280
Nestled in the town centre,
620
00:43:24,280 --> 00:43:27,480
the Basilica Di Madonna has been
a refuge for travellers
621
00:43:27,480 --> 00:43:30,080
for over 500 years.
622
00:43:30,080 --> 00:43:33,280
Its spells call out, their song
echoing through
623
00:43:33,280 --> 00:43:36,000
the valley as the journey
concludes beneath
624
00:43:36,000 --> 00:43:38,800
the watchful shadow of its spire.
625
00:44:07,120 --> 00:44:11,120
This is the end of the Bernina line.
626
00:44:11,120 --> 00:44:14,680
Now we are in Tirano,
the last station.
627
00:44:22,960 --> 00:44:25,720
Goodbye, thank you for coming.
Thank you.
628
00:44:31,040 --> 00:44:33,680
This trip was amazing,
from having some mountains
629
00:44:33,680 --> 00:44:36,480
and lakes and
it's just out of this world.
630
00:44:40,560 --> 00:44:44,240
You get to see all
that beautiful scenery,
631
00:44:44,240 --> 00:44:48,080
with a lot of snow and
the trees filled with the white,
632
00:44:48,080 --> 00:44:52,320
it was magic, it feels enchanting to
be on the journey.
633
00:44:55,080 --> 00:44:56,600
The best part was the lake,
634
00:44:56,600 --> 00:45:00,120
the view and the panorama
was amazing.
635
00:45:00,120 --> 00:45:02,400
It's once in a lifetime experience.
636
00:45:02,400 --> 00:45:03,920
It feels like Christmas.
637
00:45:03,920 --> 00:45:07,480
And it's one of my presents
for myself this year.
638
00:45:09,160 --> 00:45:11,760
I would describe the journey as
beautiful.
639
00:45:11,760 --> 00:45:14,240
It is extremely beautiful.
640
00:45:14,240 --> 00:45:16,640
Goodbye, thank you for coming.
641
00:45:19,000 --> 00:45:24,000
The Basilica di Madonna holds more
than just history within its walls.
642
00:45:24,000 --> 00:45:26,480
Its organ,
one of the largest in Europe,
643
00:45:26,480 --> 00:45:28,760
breaks the silence of the valley,
644
00:45:28,760 --> 00:45:30,760
resonating through the Alps
645
00:45:30,760 --> 00:45:35,080
and drawing to a close
the 90 mile journey on
646
00:45:35,080 --> 00:45:36,880
the Bernina Express.
647
00:45:36,880 --> 00:45:40,840
ORGAN PLAYS
648
00:45:45,520 --> 00:45:49,320
From ageless peaks,
we traced a silver line
649
00:45:49,320 --> 00:45:54,400
past crystal lakes that mirror
the sky,
650
00:45:54,400 --> 00:45:58,840
by quiet hamlets framed in
centuries' glow,
651
00:45:58,840 --> 00:46:04,640
across mountains,
to where now soft meadows lie.
652
00:46:04,640 --> 00:46:08,320
Over bridges spanned
and borders gently crossed.
653
00:46:09,360 --> 00:46:12,800
From Switzerland to Italy, we roam,
654
00:46:12,800 --> 00:46:17,400
a route where hearts
and terrains embrace,
655
00:46:17,400 --> 00:46:21,640
a beloved red train now safely home.
66791
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