HELLO.

I'M JEFF WILSON, AND I'M ON THE GRAND TRAIN TOUR OF SWITZERLAND.

NOW, ON THIS TRIP, I'M LOOKING FOR LOTS OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE-- BUT WHEN YOU'RE ON THE SWISS RAIL SYSTEM, GETTING THERE IS MORE THAN HALF THE FUN.

IMAGINE YOU'RE A HOLLYWOOD ART DIRECTOR TRYING TO CONJURE UP AN EXCITING BACKDROP FOR A NEW ADVENTURE FANTASY...OR A THEME PARK DESIGNER CONTEMPLATING THE PERFECT BLEND OF ATMOSPHERE, THRILLS, AND FUN.

WELL, YOU COULD HARDLY DO BETTER THAN SWITZERLAND.

THIS IS EUROPE'S YEAR-ROUND PLAYGROUND.

IT HAS ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIKING, SKIING, WATER SPORTS, OR PRETTY MUCH ANY OUTDOOR ACTIVITY YOU CAN IMAGINE.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: I'VE TRAVELED THROUGH SWITZERLAND BEFORE, BUT IT KEEPS PULLING ME BACK.

AS AN AUTHOR OF ECO-ORIENTED BOOKS AND HOST OF HOME IMPROVEMENT TV SHOWS, I'M FASCINATED WITH SWITZERLAND'S WORK IN GREEN ENERGY, PARTICULARLY WITH ITS TRAIN SYSTEMS.

AND AS AN OUTDOORS LOVER, WELL, THIS PLACE HAS IT ALL.

SWITZERLAND'S PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS HAILED AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S FINEST.

IT'S A MIND-BOGGLING NETWORK OF RAILROAD, BUS, AND TRAM LINES WITH PUNCTUALITY THAT WOULD MAKE A WATCHMAKER PROUD.

IT MAKES EVERY CORNER OF THIS MOUNTAINOUS COUNTRY ACCESSIBLE.

TO KICK OFF THIS TRIP, I FLEW INTO ZURICH AIRPORT AND BOARDED A TRAIN HEADING NORTHEAST.

THE OFFICIAL GRAND TRAIN TOUR OF SWITZERLAND COVERS 8 DIFFERENT ROUTES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

YOU CAN PICK IT UP AT ANY POINT AND CHOOSE ANY TRAVEL DIRECTION.

I'M OFF TO EXPLORE LOTS OF NEW DESTINATIONS, AS WELL AS RE-RIDE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE TRAINS, ALL IN THE GOAL OF FINDING LOTS OF OUTDOOR FUN.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: OUR TRAIN IS HEADED TO NORTHEASTERN SWITZERLAND AND THE TOWN OF SCHAFFHAUSEN.

ONE SWISS TRAVEL PASS IS ENOUGH FOR AN ENTIRE JOURNEY, EVEN IF DIFFERENT TRAINS, BUSES, AND BOATS ARE INVOLVED.

AND IT GIVES YOU THE FLEXIBILITY TO HOP ON AND OFF ALONG THE WAY.

[WOMAN SPEAKING GERMAN ON P.A.

SYSTEM] WOMAN: NEXT STOP, RHEINFALL.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THE NORTHEAST IS THE PLACE TO SLIP AWAY FROM THE FAMILIAR GUIDEBOOK SITES, DODGE TOURIST CROWDS, AND UNCOVER A QUIET, UNHURRIED PACE OF LIFE.

IT'S FULL OF HIDDEN GEMS-- LESSER KNOWN, BUT IMPECCABLY WELL-PRESERVED VILLAGES AND TOWNS.

WITH ITS TRADITIONAL BROWN-ROOFED HOUSES AND EXTRAVAGANTLY PAINTED FACADES, SCHAFFHAUSEN LOOKS AS IF IT'S STILL WAITING FOR A MEDIEVAL MERCHANT TO PULL INTO TOWN.

THE COMPACT ALDSTADT, OR OLD TOWN, EXUDES A CONFIDENT SENSE OF HISTORY.

STATUES RISE FROM FLOWER-RIMMED FOUNTAINS, AND MANY OF THE STREETS ARE PEDESTRIAN-ONLY.

SCHAFFHAUSEN'S EMBLEM, THE MUNOT FORTRESS, CAN BE SEEN FOR MILES.

IT WAS BUILT NEARLY 500 YEARS AGO TO A DESIGN BY ALBRECHT DURER, THE GREAT ARTIST OF EUROPE'S NORTHERN RENAISSANCE.

THE FORT OFFERS PANORAMIC VIEWS FIT FOR A NOBLEMAN'S GUARD.

THEY SPAN ACROSS A MOSAIC OF ROOFTOPS, VINE-DRAPED HILLS, AND A LONG RIBBON OF RIVER.

THE RHINE RIVER WAS A TRADING SUPERHIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE AGES.

AND SCHAFFHAUSEN WAS A MAJOR DEPOT FOR BARGES WHICH, BECAUSE OF NEARBY RAPIDS AND WATERFALLS, HAD TO UNLOAD THEIR CARGO HERE.

FIRST ON MY ADVENTURE LIST: A BOAT RIDE TO THOSE FALLS.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THE RHEIN FALLS IS THE LARGEST WATERFALL IN EUROPE.

THE FALLS ARE ABOUT 75 FEET TALL AND 450 FEET WIDE.

OUR BOAT STEERS VERY NEAR THE FALLS, PLUNGING INTO THE BILLOWING SPRAY.

HERE YOU CAN FEEL THE FULL IMPACT OF THOSE POSITIVE IONS AS WATER SURGES ALL AROUND.

[LAUGHTER AND CHEERING] LANDING ON A LARGE ROCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FALLS, YOU'RE TASKED WITH A SHORT CLIMB--A FAIR EXCHANGE FOR THE EXHILARATING VIEWS FROM ABOVE.

THESE FALLS EVEN COME WITH A GHOST.

ACCORDING TO LEGEND, A YOUNG FISHERMAN FELL ASLEEP ONE DAY WITH HIS BOAT ANCHORED ABOVE THE FALLS.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: IT BROKE LOOSE, AND HE AWOKE IN HORROR TO FIND HIMSELF IN A TERRORIZING TUMBLE DOWN THE FALLS--WHICH HE MIRACULOUSLY SURVIVED.

AFTER BOASTING ABOUT IT TO THE DOUBTFUL TOWNSPEOPLE, HE FELT HE NEEDED TO PROVE HIS CLAIMS BY REPEATING THE STUNT.

THIS TIME HE WASN'T SO LUCKY.

NOW, DURING THE FULL MOON, PEOPLE CLAIM TO SEE A YOUNG MAN AND HIS GHOST BOAT PLUNGING DOWN THE FALLS.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THE 1,100-YEAR-OLD CASTLE ABOVE THE FALLS WAS THE PRIZED WATERFRONT REAL ESTATE OF ITS DAY.

WOMAN: IT'S VERY WELL POSITIONED, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.

IT'S HARD TO TAKE IT OVER HERE.

RIGHT.

SO MANY PEOPLE WANTED TO HAVE THIS CASTLE, SO MANY FIGHTS WERE THERE FOR THIS CASTLE.

WHOO HOO!

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: IN THE HILLS NEXT TO THE FALLS, AN ADVENTURE ROPE PARK SENDS YOU FLYING.

WE'RE ABOUT TO DO THE BIG ZIP-LINE.

IT'S THE LONG ONE THAT GOES ALL THE WAY OUT INTO THE DISTANCE, AND I'M NOT SURE WHERE IT ENDS.

JEFF: HERE I GO.

SEE YOU LATER!

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THE CREATORS OF THIS PARK LET THEIR IMAGINATIONS RUN WILD, CONSTRUCTING A CRAZY OBSTACLE COURSE OF ROPE, WOOD, AND CABLE.

IN THE SAFETY OF A SWISS-DESIGNED HARNESS, YOU CAN TEST YOUR COURAGE BY NAVIGATING AERIAL TRAILS WITH MORE THAN 140 DIFFERENT CHALLENGES.

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT CLIMBING TREES THAT BRINGS THE KID OUT IN ALL OF US.

JEFF: READY?

HA HA HA!

HERE I GO!

HERE GOES NOTHING!

THANK YOU!

SEE YOU!

WHOA!

WHOO HOO!

WHOO HOO!

YEAH!

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: BACK ON THE SCHAFFHAUSEN PIER, MY SWISS TRAVEL PASS LETS ME BOARD A BOAT FOR A TRIP ALONG THE HIGH RHINE.

WELL, YOU HAVE A NICE OFFICE HERE.

IT'S A NICE PLACE TO WORK, A NICE VIEW.

YES.

IT'S THE BEST PLACE ON THE BOAT.

HA HA HA!

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THE RHEIN AMBLES AND BENDS ALONG PASTURES AND WOODLANDS, A SERENE LANDSCAPE CHISELED BY THE MIGHTY RIVER OVER THE AGES.

WE DRIFT THROUGH A WATERCOLOR CANVAS COME TO LIFE, PASSING BY TIME-BURNISHED VILLAGES TUCKED INTO THE RIVERBANKS.

MMM.

AND IF TRAVELING ON THE RIVER AND GAZING AT ALL THIS WONDERFUL SCENERY MAKES YOU TIRED AND HUNGRY, YOU CAN COME DOWN TO THE GALLEY AND HAVE A LITTLE SNACK.

I'M HAVING THIS FANTASTIC PASTRY AND A GREAT CUP OF COFFEE.

BYE-BYE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

BYE-BYE.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: STEIN AM RHEIN LOOKS LIKE A SET FROM A PERIOD COSTUME DRAMA.

ONE OF THE BEST-PRESERVED VILLAGES IN EUROPE, IT'S A CONCLAVE OF HALF-TIMBERED HOUSES HUDDLED TOGETHER.

HERE YOU CAN WANDER THROUGH THE SWITZERLAND OF CENTURIES AGO... [PLAYING MUSIC] SPICED WITH A FEW CONTEMPORARY TWISTS.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE IS MY WATCHWORD THIS TRIP, AND THE BIKE PATHS ALONG THE RHINE AND AROUND LAKE CONSTANCE ARE AMONG THE BEST CYCLING TRACKS IN EUROPE.

THOUGH BIKES AREN'T INCLUDED AS PART OF THE GRAND TOUR, THEY'RE EASY TO RENT.

YOU CAN PICK UP A BIKE IN TOWN AND RIDE IT TO YOUR NEXT DESTINATION.

OR IF YOU WANT A SHORTER RIDE, YOU CAN JUST RIDE AROUND A BIT AND THEN PUT IT ON THE TRAIN.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THIS IS CYCLISTS' HEAVEN.

THE LONG, FLAT STRETCHES ALONG THE LAKE ARE GREAT FOR CASUAL BIKERS AND FAMILIES WITH KIDS.

AND THERE ARE SOME HILLY SPOTS FURTHER INLAND IF YOU WANT SOME EXTRA CHALLENGE.

BICYCLING IS VERY POPULAR IN SWITZERLAND.

THERE ARE NETWORKS OF WELL-MARKED TRAILS STITCHED TOGETHER ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

LAKE CONSTANCE, KNOWN AS BODENSEE IN GERMAN, IS THE THIRD LARGEST LAKE IN WESTERN EUROPE.

3 DIFFERENT NATIONS LINE THESE SHORES: SWITZERLAND, GERMANY, AND AUSTRIA.

IF THE DAY IS HOT OR YOU JUST WANT A BREAK FROM CYCLING, THERE'S NO BETTER PLACE FOR WATER SPORTS.

WHETHER YOU WANT TO BE ON...

IN...OR UNDER THE WATER...

IT'S ALL HERE.

THE TOWN OF ROMANSHORN IS A CONVENIENT PLACE TO DROP OFF A BIKE... AND CHECK OUT AN EXHIBIT DEDICATED TO SWISS TRAINS.

ROMANSHORN BECAME A TRANSPORTATION CENTER IN THE MID-19th CENTURY WHEN THE TRAIN CAME TO TOWN.

TODAY IT'S A MAJOR RAIL AND BOAT HUB.

ROMANSHORN CELEBRATES ITS LONG RAIL TRADITION HERE AT THE LOCORAMA.

IT'S HOUSED IN AN OLD TRAIN DEPOT, AND YOU CAN SEE CARS AND ENGINES DATING BACK OVER A HUNDRED YEARS.

GETTING UP CLOSE TO THESE OLD ENGINES, YOU REALIZE JUST THE SCALE OF THE THING.

I MEAN, THESE WHEELS ARE AS TALL AS I AM, AND THE PARTS ARE JUST ENORMOUSLY HEAVY.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: IN A LOCOMOTIVE DRIVING SIMULATOR, YOU'RE THE ENGINEER.

JEFF: WE'RE OUT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, SO I'M GOING TO GO FAST.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: YOU CAN SEE VIRTUALLY WHAT IT'S LIKE TO CONTROL A TRAIN.

SO THIS ISN'T A TOY.

THIS IS A REAL SIMULATOR.

I MEAN, THIS IS ACTUALLY SHOWING YOU WHAT YOU SEE FROM STATION TO STATION ON THIS PARTICULAR LINE IN SWITZERLAND.

YOU SEE ALL THE SAME SIGNALS THE ENGINEER SEES.

YOU HAVE ALL THE SAME CONTROLS THAT THE ENGINEER HAS.

YOU HAVE THE SPEED LIMITS BETWEEN TOWNS.

YOU HAVE TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF BRAKES.

YOU HAVE THE POWER AND THE DIRECTION.

YOU'VE GOT ALL THIS INFORMATION HERE ON THE SHEET THAT TELLS YOU HOW MANY CROSSINGS THERE ARE, WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE CROSSING ARMS, THE GRADE OF THE TRACK, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN TOWNS.

YOU HAVE A LOT TO THINK ABOUT AS AN ENGINEER.

[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] JEFF: OH, YOU JUST USE THE ELECTRIC ON THAT.

RIGHT.

OK. WE MISSED THE STATION.

[LAUGHTER] THERE WERE NO PEOPLE, I TOOK NO ONE ANYWHERE, SO NO ONE WAS HARMED MAKING THIS FILM, I PROMISE.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: NOW IT'S BACK ON AN ACTUAL TRAIN FOR THE HALF-HOUR RIDE TO ST. GALLEN.

FOR CENTURIES, ST. GALLEN, AN ANCIENT TOWN IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE ALPS, WAS AN IMPORTANT CENTER OF LEARNING.

IN FACT, IT WAS ONCE DUBBED THE "WRITING ROOM OF EUROPE."

IT ALL STARTED IN THE 7th CENTURY WHEN ST. GALLUS, AN ITINERANT MONK, TOOK A STUMBLE HERE.

ACCORDING TO LEGEND, ST. GALLUS WAS WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST WHEN HE FELL INTO A BUSH, STARTLING A BEAR.

WELL, ST. GALLUS APPEASED THE BEAR BY GIVING HIM BREAD, AND IN RETURN THE BEAR GAVE ST. GALLUS SOME WOOD.

WELL, GALLUS TOOK THIS AS A DIVINE SIGN.

I MEAN, WHO WOULDN'T, RIGHT?

SO HE DECIDED TO USE THE WOOD TO BUILD A HERMITAGE HERE.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: ST. GALLUS CAME TO SWITZERLAND AS PART OF A MISSION OF GAELIC MONKS WHO TRAVELED AROUND EUROPE TO SPREAD CHRISTIANITY AND SET UP MONASTERIES.

AFTER HIS DEATH, AN ABBEY WAS FOUNDED ON THE SITE OF GALLUS' HERMITAGE.

IT WOULD BECOME ONE OF THE PRIME LOCATIONS DURING MEDIEVAL TIMES FOR MONKS TO COPY MANUSCRIPTS.

THE LIBRARY STILL CONTAINS 160,000 ANTIQUE BOOKS AND 2,000 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS.

COUNTED AMONG ITS TREASURES IS THE OLDEST COMPLETE MUSIC MANUSCRIPT IN THE WORLD.

THE ENTIRE ABBEY COMPLEX HAS BEEN HONORED AS A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.

ST. GALLEN'S CENTRAL LOCATION IN THE LAKE CONSTANCE REGION MAKES IT AN IDEAL BASE FOR DAY TRIPS.

THE MANY TRAINS THAT PASS THROUGH HERE SHOWCASE THE ENGINEERING PROWESS OF THE SWISS RAIL SYSTEM.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE SITTER VIADUCT, AT MORE THAN 300 FEET HIGH, IS THE TALLEST RAIL BRIDGE IN SWITZERLAND.

BUILT IN THE EARLY 1900s, IT SPANS NEARLY 1,200 FEET.

ABOUT AN HOUR SOUTH OF ST. GALLEN, THE REGION OF APPENZELLERLAND TRANSFORMS DRAMATICALLY FROM ROLLING HILLS... TO SHEER AND RUGGED ALPS.

COLORFULLY PAINTED HOUSES IN THE VILLAGE OF APPENZELL TRUMPET THE AREA'S LOVE FOR SWISS TRADITION.

AND IN NO OTHER PART OF THE COUNTRY ARE THE OLD WAYS SUCH A PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE.

LOCAL EVELYN MANSER TELLS ME THIS TOWN IS ESPECIALLY PROUD OF ITS TRADITIONAL CUISINE, AND EVEN OFFERS FOOD TOURS TO VISITORS.

JEFF: EVELYN, WHEN I TRAVEL, I LIKE TO TASTE THINGS FROM THE REGION WHERE I AM.

I WANT TO KNOW, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE LOCALS EAT.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS IN APPENZELL THAT ARE LOCAL TASTES?

EVELYN: A LOT OF DRIED--SMOKED AND DRIED PRODUCTS.

MERCI.

OK. WE HAVE SMOKED AND DRIED VENISON.

IT'S LIKE A SALAMI.

NICE.

AND THEN WE HAVE PORK, AND SMOKED AND DRIED BEEF.

BEEF.

OK. AND EVERYTHING'S SMOKED AND DRIED-- WHAT'S THE REASON FOR THAT?

IT JUST HOLDS A LOT LONG.

RIGHT.

SO IN THE ALPS-- SO IF YOU TAKE IT INTO THE ALPS OR YOU GO HIKING, YOU CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU AND IT JUST-- YOU CAN KEEP IT A LONG TIME.

RIGHT.

RIGHT.

THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

I'M GOING TO TRY SOME OF THIS VENISON.

IT LOOKS GREAT.

MMM.

IT'S DRIED AND CRUMBLY A LITTLE BIT.

YUP.

MMM.

PERFECT FLAVOR.

DRIED BEEF IS PARTICULARLY SWISS, MAYBE?

VERY MUCH SO.

YEAH.

YEAH.

IT'S DEFINITELY FROM THIS AREA.

GREAT FLAVOR.

MMM.

BEAUTIFUL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AH, THE BAKERY IS NEXT.

GREAT.

WHAT IS SPECIAL OR DIFFERENT ABOUT APPENZELLER BAKED ITEMS?

WE HAVE A LOT OF SPECIALTIES, THE SAME AS THE MEAT, SPECIALTIES THAT HOLD A LONG TIME.

OK. YOU CAN TAKE THEM HOME AND YOU CAN KEEP AT HOME FOR A WEEK OR TWO, AND THEY'RE STILL AS GOOD AS ON THE FIRST DAY.

OK.

I SEE.

THIS ONE HERE, IT'S LIKE A GINGERBREAD, AND IN THE MIDDLE IT'S T AN ALMOND FILLING.

OOH.

IT'S CALLED A BIEBER.

VERY TASTY.

A LITTLE SPICY.

YUP.

VERY GOOD.

WHAT'S BEAUTIFUL ABOUT IT-- IT'S NOT TOO SWEET.

IT HAS A LOT OF NICE SPICES BUT DOESN'T OVERWHELM YOU.

VERY TASTY.

THANK YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

YOU CAN HAVE SOME OF THIS, TOO.

THANK YOU.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THE WHOLE APPENZELLERLAND REGION IS THREADED WITH NETWORKS OF HIKING TRAILS-- EVERYTHING FROM GENTLE WALKS TO HEART-POUNDING ASCENTS.

TO REACH THE SPECTACULAR EBENALP PLATEAU, YOU CAN HIKE UP OR USE YOUR TRAIN TICKET FOR A DISCOUNTED RIDE ON THE CABLE CAR.

IT'S A KIND OF ALPINE MAGIC CARPET TO ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT HIKING DESTINATIONS.

PARAGLIDERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOFTY EBENALP TO SOAR LIKE BIRDS OVER DAZZLING MOUNTAIN SCENERY.

A SHORT HIKE LEADS TO 3 DARK MOUNTAIN CAVERNS KNOWN AS WILDKIRCHLI.

HERE, ANCIENT CAVE BEARS AND NEANDERTHALS ONCE FOUND REFUGE, AND LATER CHRISTIAN MONKS BUILT ANOTHER HERMITAGE.

THE ALTAR CHAPEL WAS DEDICATED IN 1621.

AROUND THE CORNER, THE AESCHER HOSTEL IS AN IMAGE PULLED STRAIGHT FROM A TRAVEL BROCHURE.

DEFYING GRAVITY, IT CLINGS PRECARIOUSLY TO THE ROCK FACE.

THIS WAS ONCE A SHELTER FOR PILGRIMS WHO CLIMBED THE MOUNTAINSIDE TO SEEK COUNSEL FROM THE HERMITS.

NOW IT'S A GUESTHOUSE FEATURING SIMPLE, MODEST ROOMS AND ULTRA-EXTRAVAGANT VIEWS.

ZUM WOHL.

MMM.

I CHECKED WITH SOME LOCALS, AND THEY SAID THERE'S MORE GREAT HIKING AND SOME AWESOME RIVER RAFTING IN SOUTHEASTERN SWITZERLAND, SO THAT'S WHERE I'M HEADED NEXT.

TRAIN SCHEDULES CAN BE A LITTLE BIT CONFUSING IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE THIS BEFORE, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT IT, IT'S ORGANIZED BY THE HOUR THAT THE TRAIN LEAVES.

SO I'M HERE.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT AFTER 10:00.

I'M GOING TO CHUR.

WE HAVE A TRAIN LEAVING AT 10:26.

IT'S A REGIONAL EXPRESS, AND IT IS ON TRACK 3, SO I'M RIGHT OVER HERE.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: IN CHUR, I MAKE A QUICK CHANGE TO BOARD MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE TRAIN: THE ALBULA-BERNINA LINE.

THIS IS NO ORDINARY TRAIN RIDE.

WITH 55 BRIDGES, DOZENS OF TUNNELS, AND AN ALTITUDE CHANGE OF 3,600 FEET, IT'S TRULY AN ENGINEERING MARVEL.

SINCE ITS OPENING IN 1903, IT'S BEEN PRAISED AS ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR RAIL STRETCHES IN THE WORLD.

MAN: THIS LINE BETWEEN CHUR AND SAN MORITZ IS PART OF GLACIER EXPRESS AND BERNINA EXPRESS.

AND THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL TRAIN RIDE.

IT'S EVEN THE FIRST RAILWAY LINE WHICH IS NOMINATED IN SWITZERLAND AS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE.

JEFF: OH, VERY SPECIAL, THEN.

MAURUS: YES.

TRAVELING IN SWITZERLAND BY TRAIN, BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, IS SO EASY.

SO A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK, "ONCE I AM IN SWITZERLAND, I LIKE TO DO THIS EXPERIENCE."

THEY RIDE THE TRAIN, AND THEY SEE IT'S VERY, VERY RELAXING.

THEY CAN SIT DOWN, ENJOY THE LANDSCAPE, AND THEY SEE THE BEST OF SWITZERLAND JUST OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOWS.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: WHILE YOU'RE ENJOYING THE VIEWS, YOU CAN DINE ON LOCAL DISHES IN THE VINTAGE DINING CAR.

IT RE-CREATES STYLISH EUROPEAN TRAIN TRAVEL FROM THE 1930s WITH PERIOD DECORATION AND 3-COURSE MEALS.

MAURUS: THIS IS A REALLY TRADITIONAL DINING CAR, AND WHAT IS VERY SPECIAL, EVERYTHING IS FRESHLY COOKED IN THE KITCHEN, WHICH IS VERY SMALL, BUT THEY DO IT WITH A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM.

YEAH.

AND YOU WILL SEE IT REALLY IS-- YEAH.

THEY DON'T TAKE ANY SHORTCUTS-- NO MICROWAVES, NONE OF THAT KIND OF THING.

NO, NO.

GREAT.

OH, IT SMELLS GREAT.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: MILES OF FORESTS RIPPLE AND FOLD AROUND THE ALBULA LINE, BEGGING TO BE EXPLORED.

I'M MEETING UP WITH GUIDE SVENJA SUMMERMATTER FOR A LOCAL TAKE ON HIKING.

SO, SVENJA, TELL ME, WHAT MAKES THIS REGION, THIS AREA, SO SPECIAL FOR HIKING?

YEAH, THIS IS REALLY AN ADVENTURE PART OF HIKING BECAUSE IT'S THE RAILWAY ADVENTURE TRAIL.

IT'S VERY EXCITING BECAUSE, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU TAKE THE TRAIN IN THE TOWN IN THE VALLEY, THEN YOU GO UP TO PREDA.

YOU CAN GET OFF THE TRAIN, AND THEN YOU DO THE HIKING PART HERE NEAR THE TRACKS.

YOU CAN SEE ALWAYS THE TRAINS, AND THEN YOU SEE EVERYWHERE THE INFORMATION BOARDS, WHERE YOU GET INFORMATION ABOUT CONSTRUCTIONS HERE.

YOU SEE THE VIADUCT SURROUNDED BY THE MOUNTAINS.

SVENJA: YEAH.

IT'S JUST AN EXPERIENCE HERE.

AND THE BEST PART OF THAT IS IT'S ALL DOWNHILL FROM THERE, FROM PREDA TO BERGUN.

EXACTLY.

EXACTLY.

IT TAKES AROUND 2 1/2 HOURS TO GET TO BERGUN, AND THEN FINALLY TO FILISUR, AND THERE YOU CAN TAKE AGAIN THE TRAIN TO GO BACK HOME.

SVENJA: I THOUGHT I'D BRING SOME WINE BECAUSE WE ALWAYS HAVE A LITTLE BOTTLE OF WINE WITH US IN OUR POCKET.

JEFF: THAT'S A GREAT TRADITION.

I CAN GET BEHIND THAT.

SO WE SHOULD SAY A TRADITIONAL SWISS TOAST.

YEAH.

WHAT WOULD I SAY IF I WAS--IF WE WERE TOASTING?

THANK YOU.

IT'S SANTE, WE SAY-- SANTE?

OR PROST.

PROST!

YEAH.

MMM.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: CONQUERING THE HIGHEST RAIL PASS IN THE ALPS, THE BERNINA EXPRESS PROVIDES A LINK BETWEEN NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN EUROPE.

IT PASSES THROUGH A LONG AVALANCHE GALLERY, OR SNOW SHED, HINTING AT THE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF SNOW DELIVERED HERE BY WINTER STORMS.

NEXT STOP IS THE HAMLET OF ALP GRUM, WHICH, EXCEPT IN SUMMER, IS ACCESSIBLE ONLY BY TRAIN.

AT 6,500 FEET, THIS MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT PROVIDES SWEEPING VIEWS OF THE PALU GLACIER.

UNFORTUNATELY THE PALU, LIKE OTHER SWISS GLACIERS, IS RETREATING DUE TO GLOBAL WARMING.

A HIKE DOWN THE HILLSIDE LEADS TO A LOCAL HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER STATION.

MAN: THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING, IT'S LIKE A LITTLE CASTLE.

JEFF: YEAH.

MAN: IT'S BECAUSE ELECTRICITY WAS SOMETHING NEW, AND AS A SIGN OF PROGRESS, THEY MADE SOME CASTLE, SOME VERY-- STURDY-LOOKING BUILDING.

YES, YES.

THAT WAS THE REASON WHY.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THE SWISS ARE AHEAD OF THE CURVE IN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ENERGY PRODUCTION.

THEY EVEN USE HYDROPOWER TO SUPPLY MANY RAILWAYS.

OH, SO THE RAILWAY HERE NEVER RAN ON STEAM.

NO.

FROM THE BEGINNING, IT WAS WITH ELECTRICITY, BECAUSE THEY BUILT HERE THIS POWER STATION.

AND THAT'S--YOU KNOW, TODAY I UNDERSTAND THAT A LOT OF SWISS TRAINS ARE RUN ON ELECTRICITY AND THAT MOST OF THAT ELECTRICITY IS RENEWABLE HYDROPOWER, RIGHT?

MOST OF THEM NOWADAYS IS RENEWABLE HYDROPOWER.

YES.

AND IN SWITZERLAND, WE HAVE ABOUT 60% FROM THE ELECTRICITY IS PRODUCED BY HYDROPOWER.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THOUGH TYPICALLY NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WE GET A BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR OF THE UNDERGROUND TRAIN THAT POWER STATION WORKERS USE TO MAINTAIN THE STATION.

TRAVELING INTO THE DEPTHS OF THE MOUNTAIN FEELS LIKE A JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH.

THE ALPS WERE ONCE A DAUNTING BARRIER THAT STYMIED TRAVELERS AND SPAWNED LEGENDS OF DRAGONS.

NOW, THANKS TO RAIL POWER, THEY'RE ONE OF SWITZERLAND'S GREAT ASSETS--AND AN INVITATION TO ADVENTURE.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER] AS EVERY HIKER/TRAVELER KNOWS, ONCE THE DAY'S OVER, IT'S TIME TO REFUEL.

THE ALP GRUM RESTAURANT, OPERATED BY INNKEEPER PRIMO SEMADENI, IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL TRAIN STATION FAST FOOD.

THIS IS A DESTINATION-- A PLACE TO LINGER OVER LUSCIOUS SWISS-ITALIAN SPECIALTIES, LOCAL BEERS, AND SPECTACULAR VIEWS.

JEFF: WHAT WOULD BE A COUPLE OF TYPICAL DISHES THAT YOU WOULD SERVE HERE?

PRIMO: HERE WE MAKE HOMEMADE PIZZOCCHERI.

IT'S A SPECIALTY FROM VALTELLINA IN ITALY, ALSO IN POSCHIAVO.

OK.

IT'S A PASTA WITH CHEESE AND VEGETABLES AND POTATOES.

SOMETHING WHEN SOMEBODY HAVE A LOT OF...

VERY HUNGRY.

WELL, YOU'RE MAKING ME HUNGRY.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THE GLACIER EXPRESS, A 7 1/2 HOUR RIDE ACROSS SOUTHERN SWITZERLAND, IS LEGENDARY AMONG TRAIN FANS.

TALK ABOUT A CONTRADICTION IN TERMS.

THIS IS KNOWN AS THE SLOWEST EXPRESS TRAIN IN THE WORLD.

THERE'S GOOD REASON FOR THIS LEISURELY PACE: THE TRAIN SNAKES ITS WAY THROUGH ALPINE STEEPNESS, NEGOTIATING COUNTLESS TIGHT CURVES AND VERTICAL SLOPES, AND HUNDREDS OF BRIDGES AND DOZENS OF TUNNELS.

KICK BACK AND ENJOY THE RIDE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO RIDE THE GLACIER EXPRESS ALL IN ONE TRIP.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF ADVENTURE STOPS ALONG THE WAY.

NEXT ON MY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE LIST: RIVER RAFTING ON THE VORDERRHEIN.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THIS IS ONE OF THE SOURCE RIVERS OF THE RHINE.

I MAKE A QUICK TRAIN CHANGE TO GET TO THE TOWN OF ILANZ, AND MEET UP WITH MY GUIDES FROM WASSERCH RAFT TO PUT IN AT THE RIVER.

ALL RIGHT.

NOW, WE'RE TRAVELING THROUGH THE SWISS GRAND CANYON, AND IT'S EXPERIENCES LIKE THIS, A DAY LIKE TODAY--THIS IS WHY I TRAVEL.

[LAUGHTER] JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THERE'S NOTHING QUITE LIKE RAFTING TO GET YOU OUT IN THE WILDERNESS, WORKING AS A TEAM, HAVING FUN.

WHOO!

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THIS STRETCH OF THE VORDERRHEIN IS ESPECIALLY SPECTACULAR, FRAMED IN STEEP CHALK WALLS CREATED BY A HUGE LANDSLIDE AT THE END OF THE LAST ICE AGE.

ALL THAT GEOLOGIC CHURNING LEFT A ROLLER COASTER OF RAPIDS FOR TODAY'S RAFTERS.

NOW IT'S BACK ABOARD THE GLACIER EXPRESS AND ON TO ANDERMATT.

WHEN THE GERMAN WRITER GOETHE PASSED THROUGH THIS REGION IN 1779, HE DECLARED, "OF ALL "THE PLACES I KNOW, THIS IS THE DEAREST AND MOST INTERESTING TO ME."

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: AND NO WONDER.

IN A COUNTRY OVERFLOWING WITH SPECTACULAR VALLEYS AND MOUNTAIN PASSES, THE URSEREN VALLEY IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE.

THE VILLAGE OF ANDERMATT WAS ONCE A MANDATORY STOP ON THE EUROPEAN SKI CIRCUIT.

ANDERMATT DRIFTED INTO SEMI-OBSCURITY IN THE LATE 19th CENTURY AFTER THE GOTTHARD RAIL TUNNEL WAS BORED BELOW IT, DIVERTING TOURISTS AWAY FROM THE TOWN.

TODAY IT'S EXPERIENCING SOMETHING OF A RENAISSANCE AS INVESTORS HAVE COME TO RECLAIM ITS TOURISM POTENTIAL.

ONE HOTEL THAT'S MANAGED TO MAINTAIN A TRADITIONAL SWISS FEEL, BLENDED WITH MODERN AMENITIES, IS THE RIVER HOUSE.

PRIDING THEMSELVES IN BEING RELAXED AND UNCONVENTIONAL, THE OWNERS IMPLEMENT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRACTICES, SUCH AS USING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY FOR HEAT.

MAN: IT WAS FOR US REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE, LIKE, A REALLY LOW, SMALL CARBON FOOTPRINT.

WE GOT A SPECIAL PERMIT FROM THE AUTHORITIES THAT WE COULD DRILL IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE ON, ACTUALLY, PROPERTY THAT'S NOT OURS.

IT'S LIKE THE MAIN STREET GOING THROUGH TOWN.

AND WE DID THE DRILLING AT A TOTAL OF 500 METERS DOWN INTO SOLID ROCK.

DRILLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET-- NOW, I'M SURE THAT THE AUTHORITIES WERE ALL THRILLED ABOUT THAT, RIGHT?

IT WAS ACTUALLY NO PROBLEM AT ALL.

REALLY?

WE GOT THE PERMIT INSTANTLY.

YEAH?

THAT'S GREAT.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: RIVER HOUSE SERVES UP HEARTY TRADITIONAL DISHES USING LOCAL INGREDIENTS.

KEVIN: WELL, WE TRY TO SOURCE ALL FOODS FROM AROUND THE REGION IF POSSIBLE, LOGICALLY.

SUMMERTIMES, WE HAVE SALADS FROM THE GARDEN, HERBS FROM THE GARDEN.

WE HAVE CHEESE FROM AROUND THE MOUNTAINS IN HERE--IN THE AREA.

SOMETIMES WE GO AND HIKE.

WE GO FOR BLUEBERRIES.

WHATEVER YOU FIND OUT IN NATURE, WE TRY TO BRING THAT BACK INTO THE KITCHEN SO WE CAN ACTUALLY SHOW PEOPLE WHAT THEY'RE EATING FROM THE REGION.

MM-HMM.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THE 9 1/2 MILE GOTTHARD TUNNEL, THE ONE THAT CHANGED ANDERMATT'S FORTUNES, FIRST OPENED IN 1882.

IT WAS A REVOLUTION FOR TRAVEL IN SWITZERLAND, PROVIDING PASSAGE THROUGH ONE OF THE MOST FORBIDDING MOUNTAIN RANGES IN CENTRAL EUROPE.

A NEWLY BUILT, STATE-OF-THE-ART THOROUGHFARE CALLED THE GOTTHARD BASE TUNNEL MEANS AN EVEN FASTER CONNECTION BETWEEN NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN EUROPE.

ITS 35-MILE LENGTH EARNS THIS NEW PASSAGEWAY THE TITLE OF THE WORLD'S LONGEST AND DEEPEST TUNNEL.

JEFF: AS FAR AS THE TRAINS GO, THE OLD WAY, THE TRAINS WENT ALL THE WAY UP AND OVER THROUGH THE OLD GOTTHARD TUNNEL.

AND IN THIS CASE, YOU'RE SAYING IT'S FLAT THROUGH THE ALPS?

THAT'S CORRECT.

UNTIL NOW, THE TRAINS CAME FROM THE NORTHERN PART OF EUROPE, FLAT UNTIL HERE TO ERSTFELD, THEN GOING UP THE STEEP INCLINES TO GOSHENEN, GOING THROUGH THE EXISTING TUNNEL, AND THEN GOING DOWN TO THE TICINO VALLEY.

AND NOWADAYS THEY CAN GO FLAT THROUGH THE ALPS, SO YOU NEED LESS LOCOMOTIVES, LESS PERSONNEL, AND LESS ENERGY.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: BUT LUCKILY FOR FANS OF THE ORIGINAL SCENIC ROUTE, THE OLD TRACKS WILL BE LEFT IN PLACE.

THE OTHER LINE IS STILL OPEN, AND THE IDEA IS THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, PEOPLE COULD TAKE THE FAST LINE DOWN TO TICINO, SPEND THE DAY, AND THEN TAKE THE PANORAMIC ROUTE BACK TO THE SWISS-GERMAN-SPEAKING PART.

SO YOU HAVE BOTH.

YOU HAVE THE INNOVATIVE MODERN PART, AND THEN ON THE WAY BACK, YOU CAN ENJOY THE SCENERY.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THE GRAND TOUR LEAVES GERMAN-SPEAKING SWITZERLAND AND DIPS TO THE SOUTHEAST, WHERE LOCALS SPEAK FRENCH, AND FABLED PEAKS CAPTURE THE DREAMS OF MOUNTAINEERS.

THE TOWN OF MARTIGNY, LINING A CURVE ON THE RHONE RIVER, SPREADS COMFORTABLY ACROSS THE VALLEY FLOOR.

MARTIGNY, LOCATED IN A STRATEGIC MOUNTAIN PASS, HAS BEEN A COMMERCIAL CROSSROADS FOR CENTURIES.

ROMAN RUINS, LEFT FROM THE DAYS WHEN THE ROMAN EMPIRE INFILTRATED THE ALPS, ARE SCATTERED THROUGH THE CITY.

IN 1976, LOCAL ARCHITECT LEONARD GIANADDA WAS EXCAVATING A SITE FOR A NEW BUILDING AND DISCOVERED A PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN TEMPLE DEDICATED TO A ROMAN SUN GOD.

AROUND THE SAME TIME, GIANADDA'S BROTHER DIED IN A PLANE CRASH, SO LEONARD DECIDED TO CREATE A CULTURAL CENTER IN HIS BROTHER PIERRE'S MEMORY.

IT HOLDS ARCHEOLOGICAL RELICS DISCOVERED DURING THE EXCAVATIONS.

IT ALSO HAS EXHIBITIONS OF ART FROM SOME OF THE WORLD'S MAJOR COLLECTIONS, INCLUDING WORKS BY PICASSO AND MATISSE.

[DOG BARKING] JEFF: YOU'RE AN OLD MAN, HUH?

OLD MAN.

YEAH, I KNOW.

HE'S 9 YEARS OLD.

OH, THAT FEELS GOOD, HUH?

GOOD BOY.

YEAH, YOU'RE A GOOD BOY.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THE NEXT MUSEUM IS ONE THAT'S GOING TO THE DOGS.

IT TELLS THE STORY OF THE GREAT ST. BERNARD PASS, THE HOSPICE THAT WAS FOUNDED BY MONKS, AND THEIR FAITHFUL CANINE COMPANIONS.

THESE ENORMOUS ST. BERNARD DOGS ARE WELL-KNOWN AROUND THE WORLD FOR THEIR LEGENDARY ALPINE RESCUES.

THE MONKS WOULD SEND THEM UP INTO THE PASS TO SAVE TRAVELERS WHO HAD BEEN STRANDED BY AVALANCHES OR HARSH WINTER STORMS.

OF COURSE, IT'S SUMMERTIME NOW, SO THEY'RE OFF DUTY.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THEY STARTED OUT AS SIMPLE WATCHDOGS FOR THE HOSPICE, BUT THE MONKS SOON DISCOVERED THE DOGS' UNCANNY ABILITY TO NAVIGATE SNOW STORMS AND SENSE IMPENDING AVALANCHES.

[DOG BARKS] IN THE BEGINNING, THE MONKS AND DOGS PERFORMED RESCUE MISSIONS TOGETHER.

LATER THE DOGS COMPLETED RESCUES ON THEIR OWN.

SOMETIMES, ONE DOG WOULD STAY AND LIE ON AN INJURED TRAVELER TO KEEP HIM WARM, WHILE ANOTHER DOG WOULD RETURN TO THE MONASTERY FOR HELP.

YOUNGER DOGS LEARNED HOW TO PERFORM SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS FROM OLDER ONES.

[WOMAN SPEAKING FRENCH] JEFF, VOICE-OVER: I'M LUCKY ENOUGH TO VISIT JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE BIRTH OF A LITTER OF PUPPIES.

JEFF: HELLO!

HELLO!

YES.

JEFF: YEAH.

JEFF: YOU HAVE PUPPY BREATH STILL.

YEAH.

SWEET.

I KNOW, I KNOW.

NOW I HAVE ANOTHER PUPPY.

[JEFF LAUGHS] WHAT'S THAT?

WHAT IS THAT?

WHAT IS THAT?

[BARKING] JEFF, VOICE-OVER: MARTIGNY'S OUTSTANDING TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE MAKES IT A GREAT LAUNCHING POINT FOR EXPLORING THE SURROUNDING AREA.

A TRIP TO THE EMOSSON HYDROELECTRIC DAM IS AN ODYSSEY INTO SWISS TRANSPORTATION.

IT TAKES SEVERAL RAIL SYSTEMS TO REACH THE TOP OF THE DAM.

THE FIRST LEG IS ABOARD THIS LOCAL TRAIN.

THEN WE TRANSFER TO THE EMOSSON FUNICULAR.

THIS IS WORLD'S STEEPEST TWO-CARRIAGE FUNICULAR, WITH AN 87% GRADE.

IT CHUGS UP TO THE RESERVOIR TO AN ALTITUDE OF NEARLY 6,000 FEET.

FROM HERE, WE CHANGE TO THE EMOSSON PANORAMA RAILWAY.

THE SMALL CARS HAVE A FRIENDLY TOY TRAIN FEEL.

THEY'RE PULLED BY A LOCOMOTIVE RUNNING ON BATTERIES THAT ARE RECHARGED EVERY NIGHT.

THE TRAIN WINDS ITS WAY ALONG THE MOUNTAINSIDE TO THE BASE OF THE DAM.

THE LAST SECTION OF THE EMOSSON TRIP IS ABOARD A MINI-FUNICULAR, WHICH TAKES US A HUNDRED FEET ABOVE THE HIGHEST PART OF THE DAM.

THE MASSIVE DAM IS NEARLY 600 FEET IN HEIGHT.

IT WAS BUILT TO SUPPLY POWER TO THE SWISS RAIL SYSTEM.

THIS DAM ISN'T THE ONLY GIANT TO INHABIT THIS AREA.

DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS, REACHING BACK NEARLY 250 MILLION YEARS, HAVE BEEN FOUND NEARBY.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: FROM THIS LOOKOUT, YOU GET FAR-REACHING VIEWS OF THE SWISS, ITALIAN, AND FRENCH ALPS.

IF YOU HAVE TIME, YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE YOUR SWISS PASS TO CROSS THE BORDER INTO FRANCE AND VISIT THE FAMED MOUNT BLANC.

HERE WE GO.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: BUT I'M OFF TO EXPLORE MORE OF SWITZERLAND.

THE NEXT PHASE OF MY GRAND TOUR TAKES ME BACK INTO THE GERMAN-SPEAKING PART OF THE COUNTRY AND THE HEART OF THE EMMENTAL VALLEY.

I'LL HEAD NORTH AND EAST AND THEN TAKE A SHORT SIDE TRIP OFF THE GRAND TRAIN TOUR TO THE TOWN OF TRUBSCHACHEN.

MAN: HERE WE GO.

HELLO.

COOKIE FOR YOU.

JEFF: WOW.

A COOKIE.

THANKS.

APPRECIATE IT.

FROM THE KAMBLY PRODUCTION SITE.

IT'S COMING UP NEXT STOP.

OH, GREAT.

IT'S FREE ENTRANCE, AND THERE YOU CAN TASTE OVER A HUNDRED COOKIES.

A HUNDRED DIFFERENT KINDS OF COOKIES?

THIS I GOTTA SEE.

THIS IS RIGHT DOWN MY ALLEY.

WE'RE GOING TO THE COOKIE FACTORY.

I CAN'T WAIT.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: FOR MORE THAN A HUNDRED YEARS, KAMBLY HAS BEEN MAKING BISCUITS IN TRUBSCHACHEN, WATCHED OVER BY 3 GENERATIONS OF FAMILY.

A TOUR THROUGH THE SHOWROOM IS SWEET-TOOTH'S DREAM, WITH FREE SAMPLES GALORE.

I'M SUITING UP TO MAKE SOME COOKIES.

I'M LEARNING FROM THE BEST.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: KAMBLY CLAIMS THEIR SECRET IS THAT THEY USE ONLY FRESH BUTTER AND MILK FROM LOCAL DAIRIES.

OH, LOOK AT THIS.

IT'S A CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN-- NEVER-ENDING CHOCOLATE.

WOMAN: IT'S DARK CHOCOLATE AND MILK CHOCOLATE.

SO YOU HAVE TO FILL THE BOWL, BUT NOT WITH THE FINGERS BECAUSE IT'S NOT HYGIENIC.

NOT WITH THE FINGERS, NONE OF THIS TASTING.

YES.

WE SET THE WARM DARK CHOCOLATE...

YES.

AND I SEE FROM WHAT YOU'VE MADE I WANT TO DIP THE ENDS AND THEN DIP THEM IN--IS THIS...

THEY ARE HAZELNUTS.

HAZELNUTS.

MMM.

THAT'S MY FAVORITE.

HAZELNUT IS MY FAVORITE.

OK, SO I TAKE THIS, AND I DIP A LITTLE.

OH, I'M NOT DOING VERY WELL.

DIP THE HAZELNUT.

DIP THE HAZELNUT.

I'D HAVE TO BE A LOT FASTER IF I WANTED TO WORK IN THE COOKIE FACTORY.

IT'S VERY GOOD.

HANG ON.

THIS IS ONE I MADE.

NOTICE MINE--MY COOKIES HAVE LITTLE CHOCOLATE FINGERPRINTS ALL OVER THEM.

MARLISE'S COOKIES ARE PERFECT.

BUT MINE TASTE JUST AS GOOD.

MMM.

THANK YOU.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THE TOWN'S RESIDENTS PAY TRIBUTE TO EARLIER TIMES AT THE HERITAGE MUSEUM.

THIS CAREFULLY RESTORED FARMHOUSE SHOWS WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE HERE IN THE 18th CENTURY-- EVERYTHING FROM CHILDREN'S LINENS TO CHEESE-MAKING.

POTTERY FROM THIS REGION IS WELL-KNOWN IN SWITZERLAND.

THERE ARE ONLY A HANDFUL OF COMPANIES LEFT THAT MASTER THIS OLD-WORLD CRAFT, INCLUDING AEBI POTTERY.

THEIR DISTINCTIVE MOTIFS ARE MADE UP OF NUMEROUS SMALL DOTS, AND EACH PIECE OF CERAMIC IS UNIQUE.

JEFF: YOU KNOW, I COULD DO THAT CIRCLE STUFF ALL DAY, BUT THIS IS REALLY... WOMAN: IT'S NOT EASY!

NO.

IT'S FUN.

IT IS FUN.

I CAN SEE HOW IT WOULD BE VERY THERAPEUTIC.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE-- YOU HAVE THE KAMBLY CUP?

ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS THE JEFF WILSON "REAL RAIL ADVENTURES" CUP.

WOMAN: AH, YES.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE SHAPE OF...

HANG ON.

I'M GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE SHAPE OF WHEN I'M DONE BECAUSE I DON'T REALLY KNOW YET.

IT'S--IT'S GOOD.

DO YOU LIKE IT?

THERE IT IS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

UM, IT'S REALLY A SIMPLE PROCESS THAT ANYBODY CAN DO.

I'M GOING TO STICK TO HOSTING TELEVISION SHOWS, AND MAYBE I'LL JUST BUY A CUP.

HOW'S THAT?

YES.

OK.

YES.

OK.

THANK YOU.

NOT A PROBLEM.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: DOWN THE STREET, THE JAKOB COMPANY'S ROPETRAIL USES INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO PULL VISITORS INTO THE WORLD OF ROPEMAKING.

ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE ROPETRAIL IS YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO THE BUILDING.

YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO THIS ANYTIME YOU WANT.

JUST SHOW UP AND, UH, BRING YOUR SMARTPHONE AND GO.

THERE'S FREE PUBLIC WI-FI HERE FOR YOU TO TO DOWNLOAD THE APP AND GET ON THE ROPETRAIL.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: A CENTURY AGO, THE JAKOB COMPANY JUST MADE ROPES FOR LOCAL FARMERS, AND NOW IT LASSOS BUSINESS FROM MORE THAN 55 COUNTRIES.

THERE.

I LEARNED TO TIE A PARTIAL KNOT, SO IF I HAVE TO TIE UP A PACKAGE AT HOME, I'M READY TO GO.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: IF YOU GO INSIDE THE MUSEUM, YOU CAN ACTUALLY CREATE YOUR OWN ROPE.

JEFF: I SEE YOU HAVE INSTRUCTIONS HERE SO ANYBODY WHO WALKS IN CAN... MAN: CAN READ, CAN SEE THE PICTURES AND CAN DO THIS.

AND WE TAKE THIS UP HERE, AND THIS IS GOING TO HOLD THE ROPE--OR HOLD THE STRANDS SEPARATE.

MAN: EXACTLY.

AND ALL THE WAY UP TO THE END.

REPLACE THIS WITH THE HOOK.

NOW YOU CAN TWIST.

AND AS I TWIST, THE STRANDS GET TIGHTER AND TIGHTER.

NOW THE ROPE IS BEGINNING TO FORM AT THE FRONT.

YEAH.

THE LEITHOST IS MOVING.

AND RIGHT UP TO THE END.

EXACTLY.

WE CUT IT, RIGHT?

AND... NOW WE CAN CUT.

AND PUT A KNOT ON EACH END.

SO YOU HAVE YOUR... YOU HAVE YOUR ROPE.

YEAH.

INTERESTING.

[CHILD SPEAKING GERMAN] JEFF, VOICE-OVER: BACK ON BOARD THE TRAIN, I ENCOUNTER A SWISS VERSION OF AN "I SPY" DRIVING GAME FOR KIDS.

[SPEAKING GERMAN] ESMERALDA.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: IT'S A TREASURE HUNT COMPLETE WITH MAP.

[SPEAKING GERMAN] JEFF, VOICE-OVER: KIDS READ A STORY ABOUT THE NOT-TERRIBLY-FEARSOME CAPTAIN ENGELBART WHO'S LOST ALL OF HIS PIRATES AND NEEDS HELP FINDING THEM.

SO THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO FIND THE BAND OF PIRATES ONE AT A TIME AND MARK THEIR NUMBERS INTO THE BOOKLET.

[SPEAKING GERMAN] JEFF, VOICE-OVER: KIDS HAVE TO LOOK OUT OF THE TRAIN WINDOW AT THE RIGHT PLACES MARKED ON THE MAP TO FIND EACH OF THE PIRATES.

IT'S A FUN WAY TO KEEP KIDS ENGAGED WHEN TRAVELING.

JEFF: HURRY, HURRY!

[BOY SPEAKS GERMAN] [SPEAKS GERMAN] JEFF, VOICE-OVER: IF YOU GET 4 CORRECT MATCHES, YOU CAN COLLECT A TREASURE AT THE TRAIN STATION IN ENGELBERG.

MAN: VOILA.

[WOMAN SPEAKS GERMAN] DANKE.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: AS YOU WALK TOWARD ENGELBERG, SURROUNDED BY PASTURES AND FRAMED IN A CIRCLE OF MOUNTAINS, YOU CAN TELL YOU'RE COMING TO A SPECIAL PLACE.

THE TOWN IS A HAVEN OF QUIET STREETS AND SWISS CHARM.

BUT THE SOUL OF ENGELBERG IS THE BENEDICTINE MONASTERY: A STATELY WHITE EDIFICE SET AGAINST AN ALPINE VISTA.

[MONASTERY BELL RINGING] NEARLY 900 YEARS AGO, A ZURICH NOBLEMAN ALONG WITH A GROUP OF BENEDICTINE MONKS FOUNDED THIS MONASTERY.

IT WOULD BECOME ONE OF THE GREAT CENTERS OF LEARNING IN SWITZERLAND.

SURVIVING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONFLICTS, DEVASTATING FIRES AND PLAGUES, MONKS HAVE LIVED HERE CONTINUOUSLY DOWN THROUGH THE CENTURIES.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THE MONASTERY IS STILL A CENTER OF INSPIRATION AND ACTIVITY FOR THE COMMUNITY.

CONCERTS ARE HELD IN THE BAROQUE MUSIC HALL.

THIS ROOM, CALLED THE CHAMBER OF VIRTUES, WAS CREATED BY ONE OF THE MONKS.

IT TOOK 10 YEARS TO CAREFULLY INLAY THE WOOD IN THE WALL PANELS.

VISITORS ON SPIRITUAL RETREATS OFTEN STAY IN FORMER MONK CELLS.

AND THE CHURCH IS A BAROQUE WORK OF ART.

THE WALLS AND CEILING GLOW WITH RELIGIOUS PAINTINGS AND CARVED ANGELS.

A GOLDEN CHANDELIER LIGHTS THE WAY FOR THE HOLY.

AND THE CHURCH ORGAN IS THE LARGEST PIPE ORGAN IN SWITZERLAND.

[MAN SPEAKING GERMAN] JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THERE ARE STILL ABOUT 20 MONKS LIVING AT THE MONASTERY.

THEY SPEND THEIR DAYS TEACHING STUDENTS, MINISTERING TO THE COMMUNITY, AND CULTIVATING BEAUTIFUL GARDENS.

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DO HERE AT THE MONASTERY?

[SPEAKING GERMAN] TRANSLATOR: I SERVE GOD, SO IN MY DUTIES BEING A MONK, I PRAY 5 TIMES A DAY.

THAT'S MY NUMBER-ONE DUTY.

AND OTHER THAN THAT, OF COURSE, MY PASSION GOES TO THE FLOWERS.

I USED TO WORK A LOT OUTSIDE IN THE GARDEN, BUT NOWADAYS I'M MORE IN THE SHOP BECAUSE I'VE BECOME A LITTLE BIT OLDER.

WE ALSO DO MANY FLOWERS FOR THE RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS IN TOWN.

[SPEAKING GERMAN] I GROW BEETS AT HOME.

[SPEAKING GERMAN] [MONASTERY BELL RINGING] JEFF, VOICE-OVER: IT'S EASY TO SEE WHY THOSE 12th-CENTURY MONKS NAMED THIS PLACE ENGELBERG, OR MOUNTAIN OF ANGELS.

IT'S A LITTLE LIKE HEAVEN ON EARTH, ESPECIALLY FOR OUTDOOR FANS.

WHAT'S BETTER THAN KAYAKING FOR IMMERSING YOURSELF IN QUIET BEAUTY?

A TRIP OUT ON LAKE TRUBSEE, WITH ITS CLEAR GLACIAL WATER AND SHEER MOUNTAIN WALLS, SERVES UP A GENEROUS PORTION OF SWISS SERENITY.

AND THIS IS AN ACTIVITY THAT JUST ABOUT ANY FITNESS LEVEL CAN TAKE ON.

NEARBY, A GONDOLA CALLED THE TITLIS ROTAIR IS AN ENGINEERING TRIUMPH.

ON THE 5-MINUTE TRIP, THE GONDOLA REVOLVES 360 DEGREES.

THIS IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL MODERN SWISS EXPERIENCE.

GLIDING SMOOTHLY OVER THE RUGGED LANDSCAPE, IT PROVIDES HEART-STOPPING VIEWS OF THE SNOWY SUMMITS.

WE'RE UP AT 10,000 FEET, AND ON A CLEAR DAY, YOU CAN SEE ALL THE WAY TO ITALY.

YOU CAN 82% OF SWITZERLAND FROM THIS SPOT.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: THIS IS PLACE FOR EXTREMES...

EXTREME HEIGHTS, EXTREME BEAUTY, AND EXTREME COLD!

I'M WALKING THROUGH THE GLACIER CAVE.

IT'S 500 FEET LONG, AND IT'S UNDER A HUNDRED FEET OF SOLID ICE.

HONESTLY I THINK I'M GOING TO HEAD TO THE CAFETERIA FOR A CUP OF COFFEE BECAUSE IT'S A LITTLE CHILLY IN HERE.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: AFTER FORTIFYING MYSELF WITH SOME CAFFEINATED COURAGE, I'M READY TO TAKE ON ONE LAST CHALLENGE.

[WIND BLOWING] WE ARE UP AT THE TOP OF TITLIS HERE, AND WE'RE AT A SUSPENSION BRIDGE WHERE YOU CAN WALK OUT OVER THE GLACIER.

YOU CAN HANG OVER THIS INCREDIBLE LANDSCAPE.

THIS IS NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH, NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.

IF YOU'RE AFRAID OF HEIGHTS, YOU MIGHT WANT TO STAY ON THE--STAY ON SOLID GROUND.

OH, MAN.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: BUT IF YOU'RE UP FOR AERIAL THRILLS, YOU CAN'T BEAT THIS AMAZING FOOTBRIDGE.

THIS IS THE HIGHEST SUSPENSION BRIDGE IN EUROPE.

THEY SAY THAT TO CROSS IT, YOU NEED NERVES AS STRONG AS THE STEEL CABLES THAT SUPPORT IT.

JEFF, VOICE-OVER: ON A RECENT WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT, SWITZERLAND ONCE AGAIN TOPPED THE LIST.

WHAT'S THEIR SECRET?

IS IT THE COUNTLESS CHARMING VILLAGES?

IS IT THE FRESH-FROM-THE-FARM PRODUCE?

IS IT THE CHOCOLATE?

EXPERTS SAY IT'S BECAUSE THEY INVEST IN THEIR PEOPLE AND THEY WORK HARD TO PRESERVE THE NATURAL WONDERS THAT NURTURE THEIR SPIRITS--NOW AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

JEFF: I KNOW I'M HAPPY WHEN I'M IN SWITZERLAND BECAUSE NATURAL BEAUTY IS AROUND EVERY CORNER AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURE IS ALWAYS JUST A TRAIN RIDE AWAY.

I'M JEFF WILSON.

THANKS FOR JOINING ME.

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