24

Host: BLSTarget not accessible

Marmi found the railway station while out on the trail. Now he’s relaxing in his carriage and enjoying the panoramic view. Well, this is easier than hiking, he smiles.

The Swiss railway network covers more than 5,317 kilometres – it is one of the densest in the world. There are more than 10,000 trains every day. Marmi has scurried aboard one of them. He’s amazed: the carriage is flooded with light, the windows are huge and it’s quiet with no stress. Everyone looks content, even cheerful.

Marmi has ended up on one of Switzerland’s many panorama trains, which allow you to explore the Alps from the comfort of your seat. There’s the historic Gotthard route, for example, or the GoldenPass Express between Interlaken and Montreux. Meanwhile, the Glacier Express, known as the world’s slowest express train, runs through the Rhine Gorge to Zermatt, at the foot of the legendary Matterhorn. And the Bernina Express runs from Tirano to St. Moritz. The most beautiful routes can be found in the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland app, which also provides information about places of interest along the way. It’s not only interesting for tourists, but for Marmi, too.

“Tickets, please!” Marmi’s heart starts beating faster. Feeling pretty nervous, he rushes through the carriage and up to the inspector, who laughs. Marmots don’t need a ticket. But humans do. And before they start their journey.

Marmi is delighted, enjoys the rest of the trip at the window table and then gets off at the terminus. Alpine air! Marmi sucks it in and dashes across the alpine meadows. The air is getting colder, and winter is coming.

Marmi really has to eat, dig a new burrow above the tree line and start his own family. He has seen enough of Switzerland and its people, and will live his future life mostly underground.