We are gearing up for our next Eurail trip to make a ton of new content for the blog, so look out come this August. We are specifically looking forward to our trip on the William Tell Express in Switzerland. For those fans who are true rail fans know of this journey, and if you’re just hearing about it now then you’re in for a eat.

The journey begins on water, just shortly after breakfast, whisking you away past the scenes of Lucerne.The boat sails along the calm bay, quietly through river waters of the Reuss, leaves the lake, and passes the house at Tribschen which Richard Wagner made his home for six years.

photo courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yucocktail/

The train journey starts in Fluelen, winds its way through the stunning Reuss Valley, and finally climbs through St. Gotthard range, ending with the Gotthard railway tunnel which is a civil engineering marvel! Just after this thrilling the tunnel, you arrive in Ticino. This is one of the best spots because you travel through all the charming charming villages on the way to Bellinzona. From there, passengers can opt to travel to Locarno or Lugano. The William Tell Express operates from May through mid-October. Reservations are required.

The Wilhelm Tell Express links two of Switzerland’s most beautiful regions which are Central Switzerland,  and my personal favorite Ticino. There are two daily connections from Central Switzerland to Ticino, and as well in the opposite direction back to Lucerne. The trip starts in Lucerne as you board a nostalgic paddle steamer or motor vessel and cruise to Flüelen on Lake Lucerne in about 3 1/2 hours.