Today is our first train ride! We were hoping to enjoy the views of the highest railway tracks in Europe and the steepest in the world, on the panoramic cars of the  Bernina Express which takes its passengers on a unique journey through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges. From Switzerland’s oldest town through wildly romantic gorges, past spectacular man-made structures such as the Landwasser Viaduct, up to the eternal ice of the glaciers and back down to the palm trees in the Italian town of Tirano but the tracks were closed due to a recent avalanche..instead of seeing this UNESCO World Heritage Site and pristine Alpine landscapes by train, we would have to go by coach. When this was announced, you could see the disappointment on everyone’s face; however, we would soon discover that this alternative mode of viewing would be just as great if not better. We were able to stop a few times to take photos, play in the snow and walk to the Italian side of the border. We were unable to drive over the Italian border because, apparently, the Italian roads are not maintained in the winter, but we were still able to walk across and take in the views of two different countries. We’ll just have to save the Bernina Express for the next time.