By NICK FAGGE IN AVIGNON, FRANCE Dominique Pelicot invited his neighbour round to his to 'show him the goods' Pelicot stands accused of arranging for scores of men to visit his home in Mazan, France, to repeatedly rape his wife Gisele over the span of 10 years.   In court today, Madame Pelicot briefly broke down in tears as she listened to her husband's excuses for inviting their neighbour Simone Mekenese to their home 'to show him the goods' before he raped her in November 2018. Former soldier Mekenese, 43, who lived just 200m from the Pelicot's chalet, today insisted he believed he had been taking part in a sex game in which the 71-year-old grandmother was a willing participant. He told the court: 'This was the first time I took part in 'free sex'. Things were going badly with my ex-wife. I was looking for love, for a sexual encounter. Dominique Pelicot (pictured) today blamed the 'demon' inside him for the 'terrible betrayal' of his wife Simone Mekenese (pictured) today insisted he believed he had been taking part in a sex game in which the 71-year-old grandmother was a willing participant Jean Tirano (pictured) told the court that Pelicot said to him 'my wife likes black guys' in online chats Gisele Pelicot (pictured) briefly broke down in tears as she listened to her husband's excuses 'I thought I was taking part in a sex game in which Madame Pelicot pretended to be asleep.' But under cross examination he admitted that things were 'weird' and that Pelicot had told him to leave the room when his wife appear to be waking up. Judge Roger Arata asked him: 'Did you take the precaution that Madame Pelicot had consented to what was going to happen?' He replied: 'No, because Pelicot had consented to everything.' Asked if he believed a man can give consent for his wife, he replied: 'No, in hindsight, no.' Mekenese admitted he had previously stated that 'a man can do what he likes with his wife.' He added: 'I expressed myself badly. You don't have the right to hit your wife either.' Gisele has been forced to relive the traumatic things her husband and his cabal of men did to her during his trial  A banner which reads 'We said she was broken, she's a fighter Gisele' Pelicot is accused of inviting scores of men to his home to rape his wife  Earlier former pastry chef Jean Tirano told the court he had no recollection of raping Madame Pelicot and that Pelicot 'must have drugged' him. And the 52-year maintained that he only came round when he was sitting behind the wheel of his car in a car park by the house, feeling dizzy, and believes that Pelicot had spiked a glass of coke given to him when arrived at their home in early evening on 21st September 2018. Tirano, who is black, told the court that Pelicot said to him 'my wife likes black guys' in online chats, entitled 'without her knowledge', that the pair exchanged to set up the meeting. The following day he drove 250km from his home in Lyon to the Provencal village of Mazan, near Avignon, for the encounter. Judge Roger Arata told Tirano he did not appear to be drugged in the different sex videos that Pelicot took of the encounter. He asked Tirano: 'Did you think that Madame Pelicot gave her consent? Did she give her consent with gestures or words?' Dominique Pélicot is accused of recruiting men online to assault his wife repeatedly over 10 years A banner which reads 'No behind closed doors' is seen on the city walls during the trial of Dominique Pelicot Support for Gisele has skyrocketed since the trial began  A banner which reads 'Support for Gisele' is seen on the city walls during the trial of Dominique Pelico Madame Pelicot's lawyer Stephane Babonneau asked Tirano if he considered himself a victim, as he maintains that he was drugged by Pelicot.' He replied: 'The victim is Madame Pelicot Monsieur Babonneau asked Tirano if he believed he was not guilty of rape He replied: 'It is the justice who will decide.' The lawyer asked: 'Who is having sex with her [Madame Pelicot] in those videos?' Pelicot told the court that Tirano was fully conscious and aware what he was doing Pelicot himself blamed the 'demon' inside him for the 'terrible betrayal' of his wife and insisted he wished he's died 20 years earlier before he began allowing strangers to rape his wife Pelicot responded to a question from his wife's lawyer who asked if he understood the depth of the betrayal he had committed Pelicot replied: 'I believe there is a demon in every man I would have preferred to die of illness in 2002 without making my family suffer.' 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Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group a journey on Rhaetian Railway’s Bernina Express is one you’ll never forget Start in the Swiss city of Chur before winding south to Tirano for a slice of laid-back Mediterranean charm​ The Swiss began making inroads into the rugged Alpine terrain more than a century ago building the world’s most outstanding railways with an obsessive eye and effortless hand these little red trains still chug over ravines and rivers and below glaciated mountains grazing the 13,000ft mark Totally dwarfed by their colossal backdrop these railways corkscrew around spiral viaducts shoot through rock and ice and sail over mighty bridges Nothing sums up Switzerland like hopping aboard one a great train like the Bernina Express and letting the wild with the language flicking from German to Italian as you edge further south Swiss Railways (SBB) is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030 so every journey here comes with a clear conscience Everyone’s so intent on dashing up to the peaks that the cultured little city of Chur But don’t just blaze on through; it’s worth allowing a day or two to get a feel for the capital of Graubünden and Switzerland’s oldest city which archaeologists have dated back to the Neolithic Pfyn culture (3900-3500 BC) The interior is illuminated by a rainbow of stained-glass windows by Chur-born abstract artist Augusto Giacometti (1877-1947) which wings you through the region’s history in artefacts from the Bronze Age to baroque where hiking trails twist through a Heidi-like tableau of wildflower meadows An Alpine bike park with five downhill routes ramps up the thrills Back in town, prepare for tomorrow’s journey over a glass of regional Riesling and a plate of Maluns (grated, fried potatoes) with apple sauce and Alpine cheese in the warm, woody Bündner Stuben wind-battered plateaus and peaks reaching the 10,000ft mark Sit back and relax in one of the comfortable panoramic carriages The UNESCO World Heritage railway is a feat of early 20th-century engineering traversing 196 bridges and looping the loop on the 360-degree Brusio Spiral Viaduct Get the 8.32am train from Chur and you’ll be in northern Italy in time for lunch Tirano delivers an espresso shot of Italian life, with its mellow cafe terraces, pretty piazzas and trattorias serving specialities like bresaola.Photograph by Getty ImagesBuongiorno, TiranoAnd just like that the train glides over the border into Lombardy vines rib steep hillsides and wooden huts are replaced by campaniles and stone houses in fresco painter’s colours Tirano is much more than just the end of the line for the Bernina Express turquoise Adda River and peering up to an amphitheatre of Alpine peaks mythological frescoes and coffered ceilings an old mule trail linking Colico on the shores of Lake Como to Bormio in the Alps For more information, visit berninaexpress.ch Index policy and campaigns officer Nik Williams “The high number of votes for López Obrador is testament to the structural threats to free expression in Mexico that has made it the most dangerous place in the world for journalists we hope Obrador takes the steps necessary to protect media freedom Only then will this be the first and last time he is voted Tyrant of the Year.” We covered Mexico a lot in the years under his predecessor We noted with alarm the escalation of violence against journalists in particular he did so with promises to pull the country out of a dastardly spiral of crime People were cynical about these pledges at the time and it’s a shame to see their cynicism was correct Mexico remains very much on the Index radar as a result and we will continue to cover the country in our magazine and online Read about all the shortlisted leaders here The psychological toll of living in a warzone is causing young people to lose their ability to speak Rape victims on campuses are being urged to keep quiet with people's reputations prioritised over stopping sexual violence President Kais Saied's rule is becoming increasingly authoritarian Index rounds up of some of the key stories covering censorship and free expression from the past seven days Index has published work by censored writers and artists Subscribe below to get regular updates from our incredible contributors Index relies entirely on the support of donors and readers to do its work Help us keep amplifying censored voices today By NICK FAGGE IN AVIGNON, FRANCE and JAMES REYNOLDS The Monster of Avignon covered his eyes as his former wife bravely watched on through agonising footage showed in court purportedly showed him help others rape her while she was unconscious Films shown in the French court in Avignon today showed Gisele Pélicot lying on her side with her eyes closed and snoring while allegedly being abused by former pastry chef Tirano is one of 50 men accused of abusing Ms Pélicot while she slept during a vicious campaign of abuse orchestrated by her then-husband Mr Pélicot has since admitted to sedating his wife and inviting others over to abuse her The case has caused outrage in France and sparked massive demonstrations in her support she bravely asked that members of the public be able to attend court sessions to bear witnesses to the horrors she suffered ordinary members of the public witnessed videos and footage prosecutors say showed Ms Pélicot being attacked by several men as she lay unconscious Gisele Pelicot arriving at court The Mazan rape case on October 4 Dominique Pelicot is accused of allowing multiple men to rape his wife while she was sedated  Jean Tirano appears at court for the trial on October 3 Simone Mekenese appears at court for the trial on October 3 Harrowing footage of the rape and sexual abuse of the grandmother by strangers Courageous Ms Pélicothad already waived her right to anonymity to raise awareness about the use of drugs to commit sexual abuse against women This morning her lawyers called on the judge sitting at the Vaucluse Criminal Court to allow members of the public to be allowed to watch the footage for the first time has admitted to his part in the case in which 50 men are accused of being accomplices to this mass rape over a decade Most of his alleged accomplices deny charges of rape and claim they were 'tricked' by Mr Pélicot who allegedly told them his wife had agreed to take part in a sex game in which she pretended to be asleep during the sex Lawyers representing the accused called on Judge Roger Arata to restrict the viewing of the footage to parties involved the case claiming the trial was at risk of being 'hysterical' said: 'The right to a fair trial means equality for all parties told the court: 'In most rape cases it is one person's word against another and not that of Gisele Pélicot [because she was unconscious] 'But [in the footage] we have sound and images which make the theory of accidental rape collapse 'It only when the footage is seen in their totality can we measure the contribution of each of the accused to this monstrosity this evil that lasted for ten years to Gisele Pélicot.' The white-haired judge ruled that the footage could be shown both in the court room where accredited members of the press are present and broadcast to an annex room where up to 50 members of the public can follow proceedings Before the films were played Judge Arata warned the audience: 'I would like to inform members of the public that the videos were are going to view are degrading and against human dignity I ask anyone under the age of 18 to leave the room.' The films and photographs showed in graphic details of how Ms Pélicot was clearly unconscious while she was raped by seven of her ex-husband's co-defendants - who yesterday vigorously protested his innocence - allegedly assaulted her in a video as she lay motionless Thierry Postat was seen straddling Ms Pélicot and forcing her mouth open while she snored Dominique Pélicot is accused of recruiting men online to assault his wife repeatedly over 10yrs Gisele Pelicot's daughter Caroline Darian arrives flanked by her mother Gisele Pelicot at the Avignon courthouse on September 17 Ms Pélicot sat stoically in the court as the footage was shown Her ex-husband sat across the court from her with his hands shielding his eyes The first two films showed Ms Pélicot lying on her side with her eyes closed and clearly snoring while she was allegedly abused by former pastry chef Jean Tirano could allegedly be seen forcing himself on the grandmother while she lay snoring Then Moroccan-born hospital nurse Redouane El Farihi Another film allegedly showed Pélicot assisting his neighbour was seen straddling Ms Pélicot and forcing her mouth open while she snored And finally self-confessed 'woman hater' Adrien Longeron allegedly abused the sleeping grandmother in another clip Among the seven defendants to give evidence this week described by a court-appointed psychologist as a sex addict who visited Mr Pélicot's house six times to rape his wife Defendants have given a number of explanations against the line taken by the prosecution One married father accused of raping Ms Pélicot admitted having sex with Ms Pélicot previously but denied rape are claiming they had no idea she was drugged and assumed it was all part of a 'consenting scenario' between Mr Pélicot and his then wife He said he only went to the Mazan home because there was nothing else to do one New Year's Eve Husamettin Dogan said last month he also thought it was part of an elaborate sex game He denied the charge of rape and said he had sex with her in spite of the fact she 'looked dead'. He said he left after about half an hour when her snoring became loud Mr Pélicot made the stark admission last month that he invited dozens of men to have sex with his wife because he was bored in retirement In his first testimony after a period of absence from court due to illness he claimed he had begun inviting strangers to their home to assault his wife as she slept because he was 'utterly idle' in retirement The 71-year-old also told judges he and some 51 men alleged to have taken part in the rape of Gisèle Pélicot were indeed culpable before trying to explain his actions with accounts of abuse in his childhood Ms Pélicot was given a rousing applause from members of the public as she walked into the Vaucluse Criminal Court in Avignon this morning Mr Pelicot tried to hide his face as he was driven into the court compound in a marked prison van in handcuffs and flanked by gaolers The events - described by Mr Pélicot's daughter as the France 'worst sex case for 20 years – have caused huge public outcry with demonstrations held across the country the picturesque village in the shadow of Mont Ventoux in the south of France where the rapes occurred in support of Ms Pélicot and other victims of sexual violence Gisele Pelicot arriving at court on October 3 as suspects charged with rape stood trial Swiss opera singer Rose Marie Denise Doblies sings inside the hall of the court to show her support to Gisele Pelicot on Thursday Footage has emerged showing Dominique Pélicot - dubbed the 'Monster of Avignon' - being caught by supermarket security guards 'upskirting' female shoppers The caption reads: 'We were following him on camera Mr Pélicot depicted appearing at the courthouse in Avignon on September 11 and was only uncovered after the man was caught up-skirting women in a local supermarket the 71-year-old will not attend as she has vowed to never return to the village where she suffered this unimaginable betrayal The abuse only came to an end after Mr Pélicot was arrested for taking pictures up women's skirts at a local supermarket in November 2019 when he was first arrested on suspicion of gassing and then raping Ms Pélicot while inviting men he contacted online to do the same A search of his home revealed some 20,000 images and films of the systematic rape of his wife by strangers he had met on the internet stored on a computer file entitled 'abuse' The comments below have been moderated in advance You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group December morning as I slink into Chur Railway Station in the southeast of Switzerland I eventually spot it: that trademark red exterior with the curved panoramic windows and the words Bernina Express emblazoned across the side The other passengers have arrived and there’s a palpable excitement in the air We are all here for one reason only—to take Europe’s most beautiful train journey Frequently named Europe’s most scenic train ride the Bernina Express is a romantic throwback to the golden age of European rail travel through the tight valleys of Switzerland’s Graubünden canton past glaciers and over the highest railway pass in Europe where in summer you can even find palm trees The origins of the Bernina Express go back to the late 19th century when enterprising hoteliers and ambitious engineers teamed up to forge a transalpine railway line connecting the Swiss plateau to the up-and-coming resort towns of St and then down into the Italian region of Lombardy It was an ambitious plan—the canton of Graubünden is incredibly mountainous and sparsely populated the debonair attitude of the era and the support of the Swiss government which wanted access to the region’s natural resources Envisioned primarily as a sightseeing train the route was chosen to be as beautiful and dramatic as possible Alpine villages and crossing over the 2,253 meter Bernina Pass To negotiate the incredible differences in height engineers designed an intricate network of curved tunnels and radial viaducts which crisscrossed the valleys and folded in on themselves like a double helix This was not just meant to be a daring feat of engineering but a work of art too By the time the final track was laid in 1910 and connected 20 remote villages by rail for the first time the route was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site We pass typical Swiss landscapes of snow-capped mountains dotted with greystone castles and pointy churches villages of tightly huddled houses and valleys that seem to spiral into infinity we are greeted by interesting facts in German and English from the onboard speaker system we leave the comfortable environs of the Rhine and begin our slow crawl through the narrow Domleschg valley its looming porticoes—seemingly carved from the rock itself—carrying us over the numerous gorges that have historically made this valley so impenetrable which curves elegantly on its steeply receding arches before entering the flat rock face through a tunnel where it continues to follow the curve of the mountain the curve allows you to watch the train entering the tunnel 65 meters above the valley floor—an extraordinary from where you can catch a connecting train to Davos The Bernina Express really should be experienced twice once in winter with snow and once in summer when the valleys revert to a lush green stillness I’m sure autumn and spring also have their charms—this is Europe’s most scenic train ride after all We now enter the Albula Valley which is thinly populated with only a few disparate villages Here the houses are not so much clustered as strewn like ribbons along the banks of the semi-frozen Albula river The only living sight is a man bravely walking his black dog in the snow The bilingual station stop of Bergün/Bravuogn indicates that we are now crossing a border of sorts from German-speaking to Romansch-speaking Switzerland Graubünden is the only trilingual canton in the country refracted into dozens of hermetic dialects within the region’s isolated Afterwards you truly begin to get a sense of what the architects had envisioned for this journey nature and engineering merge seamlessly into one miraculous organism as the railway line weaves along the contours of the mountain through curved tunnels and helical viaducts spiraling in on itself like a thread being pulled around a screw The pattern is so labyrinthine that you soon lose all sense of direction like trying to follow the logic of an MC Escher painting Compared with the claustrophobic valleys before with large villages stretching heedlessly into the distance We stop at Samedan with its postcard-pretty center contrasting with a rather merciless sprawl gray cubism that is typical of Alpine modernism and which no one seems to actually like still maintaining its reputation as one of Europe’s glitziest resorts as if to psychologically prepare itself for what comes next the trees are thinning and the peaks becoming more jagged while below it lies the arresting sight of the Morteratsch Glacier I don’t think I’ve ever seen a glacier in the flesh before We’ve soared past the treeline at this point Everything is white except for our little red train choo-chooing across the tundra Even the jagged peaks of the mountains can’t break out of their snow-covered straitjackets It’s a magnificent sight which briefly stops all the chatter on the train as people gaze motionless out the window We stop briefly at the lakeside station of Ospizio Bernina this is the highest point on the Bernina Pass and the highest railway pass in Europe from here on we’re on the southside of the Alps where the waters—including Lago Bianco—drain not into the Danube which hangs perilously close to the edge of a huge cliff the train stops for 15 minutes to allow passengers to stretch their legs The sky is still bright blue and only a few wispy clouds hang around It’s minus six degrees Celsius (21.2 F) according to my phone I don’t see snow like this very often and judging by the joyous reactions of the other passengers From the cliff-edge you can make out the verdant Poschiavo valley curling into view Above it rises the imposing mountain of Piz Palü memorably referenced by Michael Fassbender’s character in Inglourious Basterds a young woman with strawberry blonde hair and large round glasses that fog up every time she takes a breath under her mask but some locals use it because it’s the fastest way between Chur and Poschiavo,” she replies the road can be closed for days due to bad weather We also need to collect people from the hotel in the station.” there is a hotel emanating from its modest foundations On a remote mountain top that is only accessible by a train which comes twice a day?” I splutter her eyes transfixed on Piz Palü in the distance slightly unsettled by her sudden stillness Only the laughs of the children playing in the snow break the eerie silence I work this route 10 days a month,” she says “And the landscape shifts so much between seasons the wind blows the snow around creating different patterns and ripples I feel like I never see the same view twice.” She blows her whistle and we all scurry back onto the train The train zigzags down the mountain leading to spellbinding views of Poschiavo and its namesake lake this time into Italian-speaking Switzerland leaving a lush green meadow dotted with grazing cows snow-drenched Bergamo Alps provide our first glimpse of Italy weaving through the tiny streets of Poschiavo with barely a meter between you and the houses If some idle villager were to absent-mindedly open his window at this time We then ply a picturesque path along the lake past the dinky hamlet of Miralago with great views back towards Poschiavo Phones are out and anticipation is building for the Bernina’s greatest showpiece—the Brusio spiral viaduct carrying you round then under its elegant porticoes with the tail of the train still visible on the arches above The sudden proliferation of gas stations means that we’re now approaching the Italian border and the temperature is a cool 11 C (51.8 F) but then for centuries this was one of the most important Alpine crossings and was frequently contested between rival powers a dizzying array of armies fought for control here the Holy Roman Empire and the local Swiss contingent known as the Grey Leagues which gradually came out on top due to a mix of brutal fighting and skilled diplomacy The Swiss lost the valley in 1797 to Napoleon’s Cisalpine Republic it was incorporated into Italy along with the rest of Lombardy in 1861 Tirano still benefits from cross-border trade and the valley is one of the richest in Italy famed for its cheeses and hams and home to some of the country’s snowiest ski resorts dotted with fir trees and the occasional dollop of snow it has a solemn beauty which grows on you as you wander round its faded old mansions hinting at a storied past I follow the old buildings to what I presume is the central square and slink into a cryptic looking trattoria with a downbeat meant for reconstituting oneself after a long day in the fields or on the slopes I amble my way back to the station and catch the next train to Milan The Bernina Express may be the most beautiful train journey in Europe but the Tirano to Milan regional train is no slouch either its villages clambering up the sides of the mountains we pass along the eastern shore of Lake Como the sky darkening and the fog rolling ominously over the water After a long tunnel we emerge into the pancake flat Po Valley and the sprawling satellite towns of Milan with all their bright lights and intense rushes of urbanity from the glacial kingdom we’ve just departed For the Bernina Express timetable and reservations, visit the website Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Alex Sakalis is a writer and journalist whose work has appeared in the BBC, The Economist and The Guardian among others. He lives in Bologna, Italy, tweets at @alexsakalis, and can be found on Instagram at @sakalisalex. From ancient herding practices hidden in its deep mountain ranges to centuries-old violin craftsmanship many customs and traditions unique to the region are also part of Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list they make Lombardy the Unesco capital of Italy and an inspiring destination full of history Cremona’s annual entertainment calendar is full of countless music festivals It is where the centuries-old violin-making tradition lives a craft that was perfected four centuries ago by the Amati These families along with the following generations founded a legacy that has become central to Cremona’s identity The Unesco Intangible Heritage is more than visible in the old town and violin-makers can be seen spending up to 250 hours to create one instrument: most of them complete just two to six violins a year assembled from over 70 pieces of precious wood is carved by hand to acoustical perfection Students from all over the world come to Cremona to learn the craft making it a vibrant city that lives and breathes world-class music year-round In the towns of Bagolino and Schilaprio of the Brescia and Bergamo provinces the descent of cattle from the mountains in autumn is a highly anticipated moment of the year greeted by locals and visitors dressed in traditional garb the practice of transhumance has shaped the lives of the local communities in Lombardy’s mountains: in the spring groups of herders depart with their livestock for the cooler highlands passing through centuries-old mountain routes; in autumn where the animals are kept warm in the stables for winter The herders possess invaluable knowledge of the land and skills in food preparation and handicraft passing them on from one close-knit member to another feeding on rich mountain pastures means excellent quality dairy - more reason why the local cheese is an unmissable treat for onlookers at transhumance festivals a hard cheese made from alpine cow milk and saffron is a gourmet speciality served all over town explored across Lombardy’s mountains The limestone mountains of Lecco have lured many mountaineers who took to its rocky faces with simple homemade pins and pure endurance built through long hours of factory work It was not long before they were found conquering steep icy slopes in the Dolomites inspiring generations of alpinists to follow in their rugged paths From Lecco’s iconic Monte to the rest of Lombardy’s mountainous ranges (the Alps and the Prealps make up approximately 40% of the region’s geographical area) alpinism has been bringing people together joined by a culture of shared knowledge and connecting rope Thousands of routes can be found across the region and Lombardy’s many alpinist clubs offer a wealth of information for climbers and mountaineers of all levels farmers of the Valtellina valley have used the age-old technique of dry-stone walling to shape arid rocky mountain slopes to cater to their needs Dry stone walling involves stacking stones to make solid constructions with nothing other than the occasional use of dry soil as a filler these stone walls become living structures that enrich the biodiversity of the surrounding environment and are an excellent example of ancient rural engineering The Via dei Terrazzamenti in Valtellina gets visitors up close to the millennia-old structures Connecting 70km between the towns of Morbegno and Tirano it is an easily accessible pedestrian path dotted with wineries where local Sforzato wine is always on the menu A short drive northwest of Como town lies Ossuccio, where a pleasant path among olive trees connects fourteen Baroque-style chapels of the 17th century. Pilgrim or not, the trek up this pre-alpine crag to Sacro Monte di Ossuccio, one of nine Sacri Monti, or Sacred Mountains is the perfect setting for quiet contemplation circular - adorned with magnificent frescoes and life-size statues illustrate the Mysteries of the Rosary The path leads to the Sanctuary on the summit where you are rewarded with spectacular views over Lake Como For history buffs, the Santa Giulia Museum, extending over 14,000 sq m in the city of Brescia is an unmissable centre of rare archaeological finds The enormous complex displays about 12,000 works that trace the history of the city of Brescia The site was a former female monastery founded in 753AD by the last King of the Lombards (rulers of the Italian peninsula from 568-774) who resided in the ancient city or Strangers on a Train - the Bernina Express Train ride is the real deal that beats any on-screen train trip passes through scenes of unspoilt alpine landscapes from valleys connecting the Italian town of Tirano to St Not only is it one of the most scenic train lines in the world but it is also one of the steepest and highest reaching an altitude of 2,253m above sea level it represents an architectural and civil engineering feat and a train ride where you will never doze off It is a miracle that Leonardo da Vinci's iconic work is still standing today The late 15th-century masterpiece started as a mural painting in the monks dining hall at the Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery and was damaged and risked being lost entirely over the centuries Constant restoration and conservation efforts protect against further deterioration of this extraordinary work It is an incredible display of da Vinci’s ground-breaking techniques of the time and to see it with your own eyes is an awe-inspiring experience They were built in 1561 by the Republic of Venice to protect the ancient city from enemy attacks but Bergamo's walls were fortunate enough to never see a single artillery blow The walls run the 6km perimeter of the old town the snow-capped peaks of the Orobie Alps can be observed underground passages and plenty more military elements make for a captivating stroll The Ancient Cities of Mantua & Sabbioneta The eternal beauty of Renaissance architecture lies in the fundamental principles that the architects adhered to and measures linked to principles of rationality and science the Gonzagas of Mantua put these urban planning philosophies into practice constructing an entire city from the ground: Sabbioneta these are two outstanding examples of Renaissance town planning: Mantua as the evolution of an existing city while Sabbioneta as the implementation of the dreamlike dimensions of Renaissance ideals this precious archaeological site is one of the largest of its kind worldwide and has more than 140,000 rock carvings formed over about 13,000 years depict aspects of daily life in these mountains of Brescia: symbols and figures found on over 100 rocks narrate stories of hunting in the Neolithic times to conflicts in the Iron Age ​Located a half-hour drive from Bergamo city Crespi d’Adda Workers Village is a picture-perfect version of a 19th-century ‘workers’ village.’ Much like Hershey in Pennsylvania and Pullman in Illinois17 - company towns that sprouted up during the industrial boom - it was created by the textile magnate Cristoforo Crispi who envisioned a self-contained village where workers and their family’s needs were looked after in its entirety a Renaissance-replica church (and priest’s residence) are just some of the structures that have stopped in time at Crespi’s village From prehistoric storytelling to vibrant traditions that colour its cities today, Unesco’s listings are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Lombardy They represent some of Italy’s best-kept secrets so incorporating one or more stops to these marvels is a must for any visit.  Lombardy is known as the Lakes Region, loved for its lush gardens, gorgeous houses and perfect views. It is much more however, a wealth of culture awaits tourists, as well as the possibility of trying countless outdoor activities and tasting unique food and wine. On our website, you’ll find information, events and plenty of travel itineraries to organize your trip including accommodation and services. The Bernina Express, one of Switzerland’s most epic train rides, is fast gaining traction among a new generation of eco-minded, wildlife-oriented travellers. Here’s why. Get your weekly dose of armchair travelling, straight to your inbox 2016Photo: Michaela TrimbleSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links marking your start along the world’s most beautiful rail journey Connecting the Italian Alps with the Swiss Alps each turn of the tracks reveals another unimaginable view explore the entire Bernina Range of mountains amid farms yielding fresh milk and butter And whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or want to relax in total luxury (or do a bit of both)—there’s something on offer for every kind of traveler Arriving at Lake Como, you’ll quickly realize it’s every bit as picturesque as you’ve been told. If you’re thirsting for a taste of the celebrity lake life, you can book a getaway just like George and Amal at Grand Hotel Tremezzo Steeped in more than 100 years of history and standing resolute at the base of Lake Como the property is directly across from the village of Bellagio request the hotel’s exclusive hydroplane ride over Lake Como where an Alfa Romeo Spider will be waiting for you at the top of Comacina Island for a private sunset picnic Or if a culinary adventure is more your speed prepare a quintessential Italian meal alongside executive chef Osvaldo Presazzi you can even see the tallest of Milan’s skyscrapers just west as well as Switzerland’s Pennine Alps rumored to be the most photographed mountain in the world hop aboard a ferry for a scenic ride to Varenna a picturesque Italian oasis where laundry billows in the wind Wander past the town’s medieval Castle of Vezio before walking the historical Pilgrim Path a natural gorge cut deep into the rocks of a cliff by the Pioverna River Here you can find milky blue glacial pools where you can board the famed Bernina Express the highest rail journey in Europe and arguably the most beautiful in the world the Bernina Express crosses suspension bridges over bold gorges: You won’t find better more flawless views of icy-blue Poschiavo Lake and cascading Piz Palü Glacier After an introduction to the wonder of the Bernina Range the train crosses the Bernina Pass at 7,600 feet above sea level a glitterati stomping ground surrounded by lakes and pinewood forests of the Engadine Valley the town’s highly revered tobogganing race held on a natural ice skeleton track the 65-foot indoor infinity pool will play tricks on your eyes as the mountain range ahead is perfectly reflected in its waters Take turns rotating between the stone grotto steam bath Once your muscles are perfectly rested, get outside to experience Swiss alpinism at its best. There’s simply no end to adventure in this lakeside town. Start with an easy trail walk of Lej da Staz (Lake Staz), which culminates at Hotel Restorant Lej da Staz where an outdoor Airstream serves up quick fare and local Swiss brews Relax in bucolic Swiss splendor as locals jump off the dock into the icy lake waters get your heart racing with a hike to the top of Alp Suvretta in the Bernina Range Your journey will pass ski lifts on your ascent as the summit reveals the most iconic shapes in this mountaineer’s paradise including the Piz Bernina and the Biancograt ridge of Piz Scerscen enjoy a perfect view of the Alpine lakes below where kite surfers appear as tiny dots in the water MAKING wholesale changes to a period home when there’s no good reason to do so can mangle its character but happily it’s not a road the owners of Tirano went down When they bought the Victorian property on Victoria Road 16 years ag they did not whip out all that was good in favour of a swish and modern finish hanging onto original doors and solid wood floors (previous owners all of the elements (along with high ceilings) that make homes like this one worth keeping as close as possible to their original period form Encaustic tiles in hallwayThe only significant alteration/contemporizing of Tirano they carried out had already been kickstarted by the previous owners Kitchen with extension to the rearWhen the current occupants moved in they remodelled the extension to make it more open and lightfilled and better oriented to enjoy a south-westerly aspect Modern add-on makes the most of the lightMost of the rear wall has floor-to ceiling-glazing and a very large roof light keeps things bright and airy They lost a utility room in the remodelling so added a new on to the side of the property meant this house had a deep floor plan to begin with  Standing in the very private back garden you get no sense of how close it is to the city centre (five minutes on foot) It helps that Tirano is set well back from the main road Andy Moore of Andrew Moore and Co is the auctioneer and he says “it’s kind of like living in the countryside Patio off extensionYou know you’re in town though when you come out the main gate a well-tended green space named in honour of a certain US president who once visited the area Also nearby are Salt restaurant and Sonny’s Deli with bright futures if all the long promised development of the south docklands goes ahead with good momentum already generated by what’s taken/is taking place on the nearby quays Regeneration is a buzzword in this part of town with much evidence of same on Victoria Road where some homes in the same row as Tirano are undergoing varying degrees of rejuvenation Likewise a new owner of Tirano – which Mr Moore brings to market with an AMV of €750,000 – might decide to make changes comes with six bedrooms (one on the first return is used as a home office/study another has a four-poster (open to negotiation if a new owner wants to keep it while the main bedroom is a fabulous size) Main bedroomThere are three bathrooms; two elegant interlinked ground-floor reception rooms with pocket doors between and a little sculpture garden created by the artistic owner visible outside Reception roomThe kitchen has a centre island beamed ceiling and feature glass cube wall; utility and wet room Mr Moore describes it as “a late Victorian residence of substance and charm in a prime location” which is attracting very strong interest especially among those who “know their market”.  “We are not reliant on people returning home from further afield people who have been waiting to buy in a very specific location,” Mr Moore says adding that young professional couples with families are strongly represented.  From as little as €1 a week with our digital introductory offer Already a subscriber? Sign in Graham Norton's home in Wapping in London up for sale at €5.8m founder and director of the digital news outlets NoticiasWeb and RCP Noticias However this was not a call for greater transparency and action to respond to the ever-climbing rate of journalist murders in Mexico He was publishing what he alleged were the confidential financial details of leading journalist Mexico is second only to Ukraine for the number of journalists killed Since Obrador only came to power in 2018, it would be overly-simplistic to lay this solely at his feet. However, according to Article 19, attacks on the press have increased by 85% since he took power with every single Mexican state witnessing such incidents for the first time in 2021 When there is a culture of impunity and the devaluing of journalists It is this erosion of the civic fabric that makes Article 19’s director for Mexico and Central America: “His [Obrador’s] speech causes other political actors to replicate his attacks These actors feel empowered and allowed to attack in the face of a narrative that presents the press as an adversary After publicly leaking Carlos Loret de Mola’s alleged salary and potentially violating Article 16 of the Mexican Constitution in the process Obrador labelled journalists who are critical of him as “thugs sellouts” and “the real mafia.” This framing establishes a false and dangerous parallel between the free press and criminal enterprises further emboldening threats that can soon escalate to violence Williams says: “What Obrador sees as a war against the elites Without Obrador stepping forward and addressing the ingrained climate of fear and impunity instead of fixating on those who report on uncomfortable facts Mexican journalists will remain stuck in the crosshairs of those seeking their silence.” winner of the Index 2018 Freedom of Expression award for journalism is among those who have been consistently threatened for doing th.. Index on Censorship's new editor rounds up the stories that have made headlines this week including disinformation around the Florida hurricane (Melinda Moore/Getty)The Rhäetian Railway provides an awe-inspiring adrenaline-inducing ride past therapeutic springs and mountain-perched castles crossing 84 tunnels and 383 bridges along the way I floated in a steamy, 38C rooftop pool, watching glints of the sinking copper sun reflect off the Rhäetian Alps. Located in the Canton Graubünden’s town of Samedan, the public, alfresco bath at Mineralbad & Spa is nestled under the 400-year old Reformed Church clock tower so close that the glockenspiel bells cause ripples in the water Mineralbad & Spa is just one of the many alpine wonders found along the Rhäetian Railway a scenic 240km passenger train route that runs from Thusis Italy – passing overlooked alpine villages archaeological excavations and majestic mountain-perched castles along the way Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year But it is one of only three inscribed on Unesco’s World Heritage List featuring 84 tunnels as well as 383 spectacular bridges and stone viaducts that cross the landscape’s lacework of glittering rivers and glaciers 60km stretch from Thusis to the town of Silvaplana The track’s turns and twists provide multiple opportunities to witness the Upper Engadin’s surreal landscape I counted at least five medieval castles perched high atop mountains like long-forgotten chess rooks After the train passes the town of Tiefencastel, it leaps onto the Hope Diamond of rail design: the dramatic six-arch Landwasser Viaduct which was built entirely of local limestone in 1901 The 65m drop to the aquamarine Landwasser River below is both terrifying and beautiful the train then plunges from the viaduct into the cliff face following a svelte black tunnel through the mountains The whole experience lasts 45 seconds – but it’s as thrilling as any rollercoaster and could induce vertigo in the most blasé of aerialists For those wanting to take an overnight stop, the Upper Engadin region has hotels to suit every taste and budget. I bunked down in Silvaplana, just 5km west of St Moritz, where the Nira Alpina has direct gondola access to the 3,303m-high Corvatsh Mountain and 70 spacious rooms with balcony views of turquoise Lake Silvaplana Its handsome head chef Marek Wildenhain even works the breakfast shift churning out the canton’s best gipfeli (croissants) zopf (challah) and a tasty assortment of Swiss cheeses Take the Rhäetian’s Engadin Line to the rugged and low-key Lower Engadin, a world apart from its flashy sibling. About 46km northeast of Silvaplana, the Swiss National Park celebrates its 100 but it likely served as a traveller’s hospice on the ancient Ofenpass for thousands of years before that I couldn’t help but wonder if the view had changed much since Julius Caesar crossed the neighbouring Great St Bernard Pass in 57BC To witness its vaulted roof and Romanesque frescoed apses glow in such brilliance is like entering heaven itself which forces the train to coil like a wurstschnecke (spiral-shaped sausage) the train leaves Switzerland’s dark green valleys orderly churches and clock-watching train conductors behind Descending the mountains with little warning it suddenly emerges into a landscape of palm trees gelato shops – and passengers gesturing to sash-wearing polizia (police) brought together by one of the best trains in the world A SBB bus service from Tirano to Müstair will launch in July, making all aspects of the region much easier to access. 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Malaysian trade minister on US tariffsMalaysia's minister Zafrul Aziz will be representing the ASEAN bloc in its negotiations with the US. so much so that it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 The little red train belongs to the Rhaetian Railway and crosses the mountains from the Italian side to the Swiss side framed by wonderful views the Bernina Red Train’s journey covers 60 kilometers that are covered in about two and a half hours you traverse a pristine environment of glaciers It is possible to travel non-stop along the entire route or stops can be arranged along the way to visit the many places of interest encountered A mystical and highly symbolic place, the shrine of the Madonna of Tirano is located at the end of the Marian Way of the Alps a route for hikers and pilgrims nearing completion that touches the various Marian shrines in the province of Sondrio Located at the crossroads between Italy and Switzerland the shrine of Our Lady of Tirano stands where that of the sanctuary of the Madonna di Tirano is the most important example of Renaissance architecture in the Valtellina and it has many fine sculptures inside that stand out in a richly stuccoed environment One of the most splendid jewels of the entire Valtellina is Palazzo Besta in the village of Teglio It is a splendid Renaissance palace that preserves beautiful 16th-century fresco cycles on biblical mythological and historical subjects inside The ground floor of Palazzo Besta a is home to the Antiquarium Tellinum an important collection of engraved prehistoric stelae that date back to the Copper Age These artifacts have been found since 1940 in various locations in the territory of Teglio Prominent among the various finds on display is the Mother Goddess a stele engraved with an anthropomorphic figure that is believed to have been a symbol of fertility nestled among the waterfalls of the Bragagna Valley is the village of Savogno This small ghost town during the winter is abandoned by all its inhabitants who prefer to move to the valley and then return only in good weather Reaching Savogno on the other hand is not easy since there is only one road but it is a limited traffic road and to travel it you need to obtain a special pass from the municipality of Piuro so all that remains is to climb up a steep mule track of almost 3,000 steps with the Acquafraggia waterfalls as a backdrop the spectacle that will open to the traveler’s view is truly unique among the narrow alleys and cobblestone streets it is really easy to get lost in one’s own thoughts while admiring the stone walls and ancient loggias of houses and huts Over 130 thousand hectares of unspoiled nature in the heart of the Central Alps, the Stelvio National Park is one of Italy’s most famous national parks and the symbol of high altitude parks. Stelvio National Park is almost three-quarters of its size above 2,000 meters and even touches 4,000 with the summit of Ortles Its forests and meadows are rich in great biodiversity and are home to as many as 260 animal species including golden eagles In addition to being a park with great scenery and lush nature the Stelvio is also a place rich in history and even today many traces of those tragic years remain in the form of military roads and mule tracks Skiing, history and spas. All this is much more can be found in Bormio one of the most popular destinations not only in Valtellina Bormio has so much to offer the traveler and Bormio is located in the heart of the Stelvio National Park and many hikes depart from here among enchanted forests and snow-capped peaks but it is also a renowned ski resort with many kilometers of slopes can set out from here to conquer iconic passes such as the Stelvio while if you are looking for more relaxed diversions Bormio with its nine hot springs is the largest thermal park in the Alps and a destination for visitors from all over Europe since ancient times Straddling the municipalities of Grosio and Grosetto is the Rock Carvings Park the most important evidence of the passage of the ancient inhabitants of Valtellina More than 5,000 figures are engraved on the various rocks that make up the park some of which are dated as far back as the fourth millennium BC The most famous are certainly those found on the Rupe Magna which preserves thousands of engravings of anthropomorphic figures the former being characterized by its imposing fortified tower and the latter by its Romanesque-style bell tower The former home of the aristocratic family, Villa Visconti Venosta is nestled in the greenery of a lush garden and in its many rooms it still preserves the rich period furnishings heirlooms and works of art that are part of Marquis Emilio’s collection The palace’s rooms are also adorned with 18th-century frescoes with religious themes while traces of a fresco dating back to the 15th century have been found on the northwest facade Beyond the small and large masterpieces that can be found here it is the villa as a whole with its understated elegance that deserves a thorough visit Say Livigno and immediately you can only think of its whitewashed slopes Livigno on the other hand represents the ultimate for anyone looking for a vacation full of sports and fun Livigno is one of the best known and most popular ski resorts in the entire Belpaese but it is also a place that can offer much more to those who choose it for their vacations There are so many excursions that can be made but there are also so many clubs where you can go wild until late at night or relax with a hot chocolate in your hand in front of the magnificent alpine views palaces even a museum that tells the history and traditions of these places 09/06/2023 By Launched as a tourist experience on 3 June 1973 The train link is the highest train crossing in the Alps and a portion of it forms part of Glacier Express journey The four-hour railway journey crosses 196 bridges passes through 55 tunnels and reaches an altitude of 2,253 metres above sea The Albula and Bernina lines that make up Bernina Express’s route were jointly declared a World Heritage Site in 2008 The Albula line was constructed between 1898 and 1904 and the Bernina line was built between 1908 and 1910 Trains on the route climb more than 1,800 metres Typically this requires a rack and pinion system of rotating cogs that pull the train upwards this line was built using spiral track that never exceeds a gradient of 7% The Bernina express is Europe’s highest train crossing The four higher altitude railways in Europe are all dead end journeys These are Switzerland’s Jungfrau (3,454m) and Gornergrat (3,090m) railways the Zugspitze in Germany (2,650m) and the Mont Blanc Railway in France (2,372m) is the capital of the canton of Graubunden is in Italy’s Lombardy region next to the Swiss border It is around an hour by road from Lake Como For more information on the Glacier Express, possibly Switzerland’s greatest train journey, click here For more stories like this on Switzerland follow us on Facebook and Twitter Filed Under: Travel By subscribing you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy Previous Newsletters Copyright © Le News Sàrl 2014-2022 / Company number: CH-550.1.129.786-5 / VAT number: CHE-193.843.357 TVA By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy South African Paramount Group has delivered two transport aircraft to the Mozambican Armed Defense Forces (FADM) needed to enhance combat readiness capacity against terrorism that plagues Cabo Delgado province Speaking at the presentation of the aircraft Major General Cândido Tirano said that the aircraft are; a LET 410 and CASA 235 with the capacities of 17 and 30 seats Major General Cândido Tirano said that the military transport aircraft are intended for military transport and logistics missions as well as for deploying paratroopers Both aircraft offers landing and takeoff advantages on conventional runways a South African Defense Aerospace Industries company has been cooperating with the FADM in various aspects supplying and repairing a variety of types of military equipment The Commander thanked the Mozambican government for its partnership with the company Paramount and the equipping of the Mozambique FA branch Paramount continues to provide essential support to Mozambican forces battling Violent Extremist Organizations (VEO) in the oil and gas rich Cabo Delgado region Paramount is training fifteen Mozambican pilots at the Paramount Technical Training Academy based at Polokwane International Airport while Burnham Global is also training Mozambican military personnel on armoured vehicles operations Last year, Paramount delivered six Gazelle light utility helicopter to help with the counter insurgency fight in Cabo Delgado Both Gazelles were acquired from former British Army stock by Paramount in an auction The business also includes the sale of twelve Marauder armoured vehicles made by Paramount Although, one of the Gazelle helicopter deployed against jihadists in northern Mozambique was shot down with small arms fire Also, Paramount Group supplied it’s Mwari ISR aircraft to Mozambique on behalf of the national government The Mwari along with a Bombardier Dash 8 intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft operated by Canada’s PAL Aerospace; are the two major ISR components helping the government in its fight against insurgents GameTyrant is a game news and culture from the team at GeekTyrant Covering video games on consoles like PlayStation Bad things are in store for Noctis if this recent Final Fantasy XV cinematic is any indication we see the protagonist of the game go through many locales thinking he's the hero only to discover he may also be the villain It wouldn't be a Final Fantasy without internal struggle right If this game were judged on cinematic quality alone it's going to get a 10/10 from everyone who plays it I know some fans aren't exactly thrilled about the Kingdom Hearts battle system being implemented and I think this game is a day one buy for me no question it was just announced that a 4 player multiplayer mode would be made available as DLC "Comrades" will let players cooperate as Noctis and his bodyguards and will be included with the season pass but no individual price has been announced.  EditorI started out as a loyal reader of Geektyrant before emailing Joey one day about the potential of writing for Geektyrant. Now six years later I'm the managing editor of Gametyrant.com and still living the dream and giving my opinion to the geek masses! Geektyrant is my life, and I hope that shows in everything I do!@G33kyMick  // mickjoest@geektyrant.com All names, trademarks, and images are copyrighted by their respective owners   ///   Copyright / DMCA NoticeCopyright © 2015-2022 GameTyrant Entertainment LLC All Rights Reserved ///   Privacy Policy Last Updated on 25th May 2022 by Sophie Nadeau If you’re looking for an escape from reality then you need to look no further than the most magical train ride in Switzerland This eight-hour train ride is often cited as the most beautiful in Europe and en route you’ll get the chance to spy ancient glaciers and practical advice for planning your visit There’s a reason that part of the train line the Bernina Express runs along (Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes) is designated as a UNESCO train ride and this soon becomes apparent when travelling on the train an entire day soon passes by in the blink of an eye Even if you’re an avid fan of European adventures, you’d soon be forgiven for never having heard of the Bernina Express before. Connecting Tirano in Italy to Chur in Switzerland starting points in Switzerland include St Moritz The Bernina Express endpoint is Tirano and the entire journey takes around four hours each way making it much shorter than the Glacier Express While the Abula line was constructed between 1898 and 1904 while the Bernina line was built from 1908 to 1910 The two rails were merged in the 1940s by the Rhaetian Railway the Express operates with the sole purpose of operating as a sightseeing attraction and is easily one of the best things to do in Switzerland which is often said to be the oldest settlement in Switzerland the Bernina Express then snakes its way through valleys While many might believe that hour upon hour on the train might be boring bringing along your laptop or work to be completed (or even a book or gaming console) would be your first mistake one review stated that every time the person in question put down their camera the train would turn the corner and they soon found themselves resuming their previous occupation of snapping away While you can always do a Bernina Express DIY route of sorts the official Bernina Express route is as follows: the train departs from Chur in the early morning before snaking its way through forest and mountain passes to reach Tirano in Northern Italy making its way through the town of Tirano and back along the same route before arriving back in Chur in the late afternoon The entire journey takes an entire day to complete and you can start on either end you might imagine that passing mountain upon mountain peak might become a little repetitive after a while occasionally passing through mountain tunnels there are several highlights that are of particular note the train makes a quick stop off at Alp Grüm and all passengers are invited to explore the area for fifteen minutes This impossibly high mountain pass chalet can be found at an altitude and is the last stop in the Romansch speaking area The station just before Alp Grüm is that os Ospizio Bernina which is the highest point of the Glacier Express At a staggering height of 2,253 metres above sea level it’s not only the tallest point on the Bernina Express but also all of Eastern Switzerland this magical village looks like it’s been plucked out of the pages of a storybook meaning that ancient ruins and fortified palaces can be found around nearly every turn at this point of the Bernina Express The Italian town of Tirano is the only official stop in Italy Characterised by its traditional Italian architecture highlights of the town include the Catholic Shrine of Madonna di Tirano then you’ll be able to spend around an hour in Tirano there are several points where you can stop off en route While the express does indeed make its way all the way down to Italy with the aim of exploring the quaint town of Poschiavo for a few blissful hours before the train returned to pick us back up Nestled in the Valposchiavo and surrounded by impossibly high mountains and characterised by its three church towers wandering through this town feels akin to stepping back in time Poschiavo has something of a Mediterranean feel about it we also enjoyed sampling some local cuisine at the Ristorante Mortice where we tried traditional pasta paired with lightly sparkling wine Thanks to its location in the East of Switzerland Chur takes a little longer to get to than many of the other cities and towns that typically form the beaten tourist track of Switzerland Situated around an hour and a half train ride away from Zurich you’ll want to time your visit to what you personally want to see and experience Whereas the summer offers the chance to enjoy views of green pastures and the crystal clear lakes at their very best winter is a frozen wonderland just waiting to be admired I personally took the train in the winter (as is likely evident from the photos) and am glad to have done so Though the summer season is enjoyable and offers perks like larger open windows from which to snap photos there’s something so surreal in getting up close and personal to sun-dappled spots caked in snow It’s also only in the winter when the panoramic windows can be enjoyed at their fullest potential these massive floor-to-ceiling windows create a kind of greenhouse effect rendering the carriages in question almost unbearably hot then I highly recommend paying the extra fee to receive a panoramic window seat- you can thank me later Though it may seem relaxing (and indeed it is) bear in mind that the trip from Switzerland to Italy and back again is still a full’s day worth of travel particularly if you factor in a little extra time for exploring Chur following the train ride As such, you’ll want to rest as much as possible the night before, and perhaps not plan something too strenuous the next day! Consider staying in Chur the night before (check for the best accommodation deals here) so that you don’t have to rush to the Express starting point the next morning You should also know that when purchasing your Bernina Express tickets you actually have to pay two different fees While the first part of the ticket is your simple fare which goes from A to B the next part costs 14CHF and is mandatory for a seat reservation on the iconic Swiss train I’d recommend wearing comfortable clothing as you’ll be sat down all day as well as suitable shoes for wandering around the towns don’t make the mistake I did and be sure to wear non-slip shoes Whether you’re visiting in summer or winter you’ll want to pack a pair of sunglasses as the sunshine can be pretty strong While coffee on the train is what you’d expect to pay in the rest of Switzerland (4 Swiss Francs) it’s not of the highest quality and the rest of the food is a little on the pricey side If you want to see the most spectacular views then be sure to sit on the right-hand side of the train when travelling from North to South you’ll have iconic sights such as one of the largest glaciers as well as the best view of Alp Grüm and the best view of the nine archway Brusio spiral viaduct be sure to sit on the left-hand side of the train If you’re looking to book the Bernina Express for yourself, then you should know that there are a number of ticket options available. Official Bernina Express tickets can be purchased here though there are also a plethora of tours you may want to book instead particularly if you’re staying in Italy and enjoy guided tours For those who are seeking to go on the Bernina Express on a budget this route encompasses the rail track from Tirano to St Moritz and then back again from St Moritz to Tirano For those who are short of time and wish to experience the Bernina Express alongside several of Italy’s other most famous destinations (Lake Como and St Mortiz) Not only will you be able to ride on the world-famous Bernina Express, but you’ll also take a cruise on Lake Como and enjoy a walking tour of St Mortiz. Check prices and availability here. Sophie Nadeau is a full time travel writer and photographer focused on cultural experiences in Europe and beyond When she's not chasing after the sunset (or cute dogs she sees on her travels) she can be found reading and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. I started this site back in 2015 with one mission in mind: I wanted to create useful travel guides with a historical and cultural focus Today it has blossomed into my full time job and together with a small team of writers (including my husband and sister) we craft articles to help you travel better throughout Europe © 2015- 2025 Sophie Nadeau. Nadeau Pasquier LTD. All Rights Reserved. solosophie participates in various affiliate marketing programs. solosophie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Privacy Policy The El Tirano sniper rifle is one of the better sniper rifles you can find in Far Cry 6 It comes pre-equipped with armor-piercing rounds the Fresh clip mod that gives bonus damage to the first bullet fired after reloading It also has a pretty nice paint job to boot The game will tell you that the rifle is found by searching Escila Fort but gives you no direction to locate the area Escila Fort is located almost at the top of the map on the eastern side of Yara you will probably get notified that there is an Ambush nearby you can take out the enemies inside the fort before and grab the supply drop before proceeding to the weapon It is recommended to clear them since they can be a problem if you are under-leveled for the area climb to the top of the fort and locate the lighthouse Head over to where you will be in range of the grappling point on the lighthouse railing Use your grappling hook to ascend to the top of the lighthouse Now that you are at the top of the lighthouse Inside the opening is the chest that contains the El Tirano sniper rifle Squarespace issues with publishing new articles \u2014 Their team is currently working on the issue If horror fans need another reason to be excited about the upcoming Netflix series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina we’ve got some cool news to share with you The series was already said to feature nods to horror films like The Exorcist But we’ve now learned that horror movie master Clive Barker has contributed over 150 paintings that will hang on the walls of Greendale’s bewitching academy in the series Production designer Lisa Soper talked to io9 about how this came to be explaining that she talked with Barker about her plans for the set design and he asked her to look through his art and pick what she wanted: “We spoke about kind of the idea and the themes behind what we were doing here and he said take a look through all the artwork and pick out what you want?’” Clive Barker is also an acclaimed artist whose work has been shown in art galleries all across the country Now some of that art will be immortalized in the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina series It’s said that the show has a collection of 150 pieces of Barker’s works Now Soper is trying to get Barker to visit the set and shoot a cameo as a teacher in the academy The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina will haunt audiences on October 26th Please note that there was an error when this article was published This came to our  attention when our readers questioned its accuracy Reports indicate that the girl is a 16-year old teenager It is our policy not to delete articles that have factual errors because other publishers may already have cited them We would like to thank our readers for their feedback Below is the original unedited article (with the error): Smanga Kumalo— Hundreds of protesters demonstrated outside the Sebokeng magistrate court yesterday after the high ranking reverend of the River of Living Waters Ministries Ntsiki Phoswa (36) appeared before the magistrate Nelson Mokwantla Phoswa allegedly kidnapped a 16-month-old toddler before raping and dumping her in the Vereeniging mortuary thinking that she was dead He was arrested at the church last week Thursday after the girl pointed him Phoswa kidnapped the toddler at Zone 12 Sebokeng on September 01 she lost her consciousness and they drove her to Vereeniging mortuary and placed her in the mortuary fridge After three days she regained her consciousness and escaped from the mortuary and ran to a local clinic were her aunt was called Captain Bheki Thwala told Sowetan that the girl gained consciousness after three days and she escaped from the fridge “The girl was gang raped after she was kidnapped and we are still busy with the investigations Two suspects are still at large and we believe we will make other arrests soon,” he said Thwala said the child was then taken for DNA tests and the police are still waiting for the results But the blood of the suspect has not yet been taken She is a member of River of Living Waters Ministries appeared to have arrived before 08: 00 from surrounding areas Some of the River of Living Waters Ministries congregates were there to support Phoswa The police were there to maintain order among the protesters The community members and Thetha FM listeners were chanting singing slogans and carrying placards that read: WHY YOU RAPE A CHILD WHEN SHE SPEAKS THE TRUTH” The protests were triggered by rumours that the church was satanic and those children were being kidnapped by the church leaders Mokwantla asked Phoswa to reveal his previous or pending cases before the court “Be honest before the court because if the court of law finds out that you are having outstanding matters you’ll be fined R40 000 or two years imprisonment,” explained Mokwantla added by saying the state is still waiting for the DNA test from Pretoria Kgmotso Mathebe told the court that Phoswa allegedly raped the child at  his (Phoswa) place Mokwantla ordered investigation officer to go to Pretoria to collect the DNA test “I appeal to the investigating officer to use the state resource and go and collect those DNA test (results) because we won’t wait for four weeks Even the DNA test of President Jacob Zuma took only three days when he was accused of raping,” Mokwantla concluded said Phoswa and Stephen Bafana Zondo want to kill the girl because she went to a local station and told the presenter of local radio station that Zondo used her for satanic practice In March this year community members protested at the River of Living Waters Ministries after presenters on Thetha FM community radio station Pitso Motubedi and Seth “Mokoto” Bokwa brought into the studio people who claimed they were devil worshipers and were serving Zondo prophet Paseka ‘Mbhoro” Motsoeng and apostle Simon Mokoena of the Tirana church who cried uncontrollably outside the court told the Public News Hub that her granddaughter Mapule Seapamore was also missing “I am searching for my child who is also missing and she is nowhere to be found Mapule is also a friend with this victim and I believed they use them for satanic purposes They target these underprivileged (children) or orphans and use them,” she sobbed How the hell can a grown man do something like this haaai stop publishing lies and get ur facts straight!!the girl is 16 years and is making false accusations!check murendeni with mabochobocho at thetha fm page Being a formar journalist journalims is all about truth honesty n proof stop trying to b popular n start geting your facts straight sub editor they like to change things without consulting the journalist i have been following your story and this is an in depth reporting unlike other other journalist You gave us the whole information not the bits and pieces Be aware people would always be negative against you it is the right of our journalists to publish anything they heard Saying “allegedly” should tell you that we don’t know if it’s a fact There is no need to attack our journalist like that I am almost certain that you know Smanga personally and you are trying to discourage him from doing the good work that he is doing don’t be discouraged by such comments I agree with the former editor this is in depth reporting Keep up a good Smanga we need reporters who are brave like you who leave the stone unturn PLEASE give the writer a BELLS cause he knows his or her thing You do bad or good people will always attack you I see here some people have personal vendettas against the writer Great story de nd thanks for c-ing yor mistake nd apologising,dis is the first article I read de whole story These are all lies,how can a 16 month old toddler escape from a mortuary You really need to get your facts strait before publishing such story No stop publishing lies ,know your story this isn’t the way of earning more u a creating enemies bloody fool Am warning you touch the Anonted man of God you will regret it .Cause stop to accuses man of God What are doing with those who allow to have they Children to have abortion Please Please Don’t ever try to accuse man of God PASTER .ZONDO….BISHOP ZONDO….ARCHBISHOP ZONDO HE IS A TRUE SON OF GOD..GREATER IS HE WHO IS DWELLING IN HIM..THAN THE ONE WHO IS IN THE WORLD…THE MORE TROUBLE COME….THE MORE GRACE BE ADDED MORE BY JESUS CHRIST U talking nonsense Pastor Zondo nd Apostle Simon Mokoena r the true sons of God ,if u hate them that minz u r a satanist ,wena kuqala ,Im talking frm the experience I know what They did to me ,they helped me so much ,I was not working for 10 yrs ,but since I met Tirano my life has changed ,my frend has been helped by Pastor Zondo ,nd Apostle Mokoena he reads the bible like other church leaders ,IF U HATE STOP TALKING RONG THINGS ABOUT THEM ,U R LIKE A W….mawunjalo smunga all u telng its lie nna ke Motirano for lyf Viva bishop Zondo Viva,keep it up with ur good work Plz guys stop fooling people about your lies Bishop Zondo and Apostle Mokoena are the real man’s of God coz their teaching n prayers are real.I am Motirano for life be coz im healed n happy b coz of tirannus church even B Zondo i like him bcoz his teaching is real Ke mo tirano ka sibile iam who iam today becos of tirano iam where iam today becos of u ntate mo apostla big up to tyrannus big up viva tirano viva viva Iwould like to thank ntate mapostole for his prayers n teachings am 26 of age n ntate ungifundise ukuthandaza,ukuziphatha,inhlonipho n most of all ukufunda(STUDY) so please stop writting bad things without proof Ya vhele banjalo ma journo,stop ku bubula lies abt our daddy.he n zondo r da best prophet iv eva knwn.w need more like thm s stop ur nonsense Ke rata ntate mokoena,he teach me lot of things i had never known ke rata kereke tsena tse pedi mare ke motirano for life Bafelletse hokae bomokoto le baetsana bahae tsohle ditlafeta hotlasala molimo ka lentswe lahae rivers entse leteng lemodimo wateng halala bishop halala we lv u Ke motirano ke rata tirano ka pelo ka moka ntate mo aposotola o rera ka nnete kea dumela gore this bishops k e baporofeta nd who ever oa dumelang otla thola I m waiting the secod time of Jesus Christ’s resurrection,wars and ruMours of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed must happen but the still to come,fals christs and false prophets will appear and perform great sings and miracles to deceive even the elect son of man will appear in thE sky to all nations of the earth will mourn!! when are they going to show us the true Man of God If they are good at finding false ones when are you are you gonna direct us to the true prophets Bishop thank God for your life we young preachers we are looking upto you we now know that these things they can’t destroy us only they make us strong am pregnant and @ the hospital bathi anginawo amanzi so they want to terminate the foetus….pray with me please Pastor pls ntate moapostola Mokoena pray for me.lot of doctors told me that i cnt hv pregnancy bcoz i got knots in my fallopian tubes.pls by hope and ur prayers u had done for me to be where i am now.i think these knots will be released tirano keya ba nyorilweng iam who iam now ka yona ka mohau wa modimo ke tlaba mohlala hoba sa kgolweng hore modimo ontse aleteng le 2day otla dula aleteng hy ho monate tirano anything haesa osebelletse u must live it bcause nna ke itholletse nnete kgale re thetswa but now nnete rea etseba viva ntate mokoena god bless tirano tlogelang go tlontlola di kereke tsa batho ge elegori motho o kgethile seithati its their own believe stop enterfering if thers satanist in the let them in it its their choice and life after all wena ungenaguphi nizinja gabi nina ma journalist peace Ke motirano 4 lyf batla bua fela se se salang my dad simon mokoena o tswela pele,those who wish bad thing 4 tirano apostolic church may god forgive them becouse they dont know what they are doing.keep calm cos tirano is rocking Baba ngithanda yonke into esontweni kodwa abaetapele bethu bayasimosha phakathi uma uneqiniso mgezinto zakho ke motirano for life letla bua yang kapa yang letla seyetse sepe ke hlompha mahodimo horefa ntate yasa tshwaneng le bontate ba bang,ntate ke batla hoipona ke fihlile hohle moo onpitsetsang teng le ba lapa laka,hoba nna ke MOTIRANO 4 LIFE AMEN ke boela ke hlompha mahodi hape,ntate ke batla hoba hohle moo onpiletsang teng le ba lapa laka ke MOTIRANO 4 LIFE VIVA TIRANO VIVA AMEN My people perish because they lack knowledge Jesus Christ is the way the light and life anyone who goes to the Father must accept Jesus Christ as His Lord The bible is the word of God the word of God is a double edged sword it separates 2 kingdoms The bible says ask in the name of Jesus and you shall receive One thing that we must all know is that God is almighty God is alive He reigns over the whole world Everything that we need to know about God is in the bible The bible is the only truth that Christians needs to know I pray that we may all find peace and know that God loves us Every knee shall bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord this is the word of God the only manual that guides heals and saves Christians without God’s word we shall perish Abantu mabahlukane nokuthetha kakubi ngabantu Yhuuu hayi Ntate Mopostola ke kopa dithapelo tsa hao hle Ntate ke mathateng a chelate ke tlameile ke patale batho Hake tsebe ke etse jwang ke lekile honka di loan hobane keya sebetsa empa le kajeno ntse ke emetse karabo ke kolota batho Ntate ke kopa dithapelo ke lla bosiu le motsheare hake sana le mantswe a thapelo ha ke rapela Ke nale ho ipotsa hore Modimo o re utlwa kaofela na ke jeketswe ke ba heso ke di collegues le Modimo ke bona antahlile leyena..ka kopo hle Ntate like healing and touching’s lives.And if Zondo and Mokoena are satanists,they wouldn’t do that.I fail to understand how could people believe what devil-worshippers were saying.Satanists represent evil and stand for nothing positive.What they do is to kill,destroy and cause chaos in people’s lives nothing else guys u really dont know what you are talkong about my Apostile Simon Mokoena is not a satanist he is indeed a man of God ,,you can say whatever you want abt him but nothing will ever change the good work he does for the people of God ,,,i say KE MOTIRANO FOR LIFE! Ntate moapostle ke kopa dithapelo ke na le 5yrs jwale ke opelwa ke mangwele ebile kese ke tsamaya ka crusher ntate Jesus is the ONLY TRUE KING and He prophesy about these things Stop protecting and pray and wait for Jesus ONLY batho ha batsebe seo ba se batlang re tlohelleng rona le TIRANO hoba re bone tse ngata ka baka la yona o buwa o sa buwe ke MOTIRANO 4life halala tirano halala .ke ya morata NTATE wa rona MOAPOSTLE o makaditse di tjhaba Hey wake up pple stop praising fake pastors instead of God if unenkinga why ungazithandazeli wena coz thoz pastors are jus pipo like us ukuphi umehluko btwn pstr Zondo nakuwe pliz praise God liv thoz pstrs to God’s judgment Ke leboha matla le boholo ba morena molimo hore ebe kereke ta Tirano e teng lefatsheng…he keys o rata ntate moapostola Tata apostle Mokeana is man of god stop talking nonsense about him phambili maTirano noba banga thini soze siyeke umthanda gutata wethu apostle Simon Mokeana noba ningathini:amen matirano to every church dat is growing its had to people to believe as church of god I fail to understand why God should let one person to rule his people while the person praise the dirty spirit our God is not a fool n I’m sure he’ll never be so people who are badmouthing the men of God and their churches le pidietsa thohako and pls leave us alone,we congregation chose to worship our leaders wether they’re snakes and I believe those who are busy with their dirty talk never been to this churches to hear the teachings and encouragements that we get from our leaders Nna ntate moApostle Simon Mokoena O nrutile hose nyenyefatse dikereke tse ding le baruti ba teng hobane Modimo o Mong re rapela Modimo ale Mong kena le serithi se setle ka lebaka la di thuto tsa ntate NNA PELE KE BONA NTATE moAPOSTLE A FETOHA NOHA KEYA PELE LE TIRANO LE TENG HA FETOHA NOHA E PHEDISANG KETLA TSWELLA PELE LE TIRANO YA KA Δdocument.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime());