Routes like the Glacier Express may be justly famed, but beyond lie a plethora of overlooked rail itineraries — all of which uncover a more surprising side to Switzerland. Think gorgeous Italianate cities, sunlit vineyards and time-capsule towns, where local life proceeds at the same pace it has for centuries. Here's how to plot an alternative tour of this beguiling country.

Bellinzona to Lucerne

Best for : all sides of Switzerland

The often-bypassed town of Bellinzona — home to three of Switzerland’s best-preserved medieval castles — deserves a linger. After exploring, take the Gotthard Panorama Express north. Boarding this famed train is like stepping into a reel of film, every landscape glimpsed through its windows a new scene. One moment, you’re racing past the palms and piazzas o

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