In September of 2009 I got an opportunity to travel through Europe. I was travelling with my brother and his wife. He had done all the planning and I was planning to just tag along :). We visited few countries during our stay there. Hope you enjoy reading.
Zurich, Switzerland
We first landed in Zurich. I haven't travelled much around the world, but for me this was the most expensive town I have ever been to. Try to get water filled up in bottles from your hotel itself. The tap water is good and locals consume that. The price for a 0.5L of Evian water was 4CHF(Swiss Francs) - It was unbelievable. Also, if you are going to buy bottled water, buy it from a superstore or at a train station - it's cheaper there. Keep in mind to not get sparkling water instead of plain - The description on the bottle doesn't help if you don't know the language.
Places in Zurich - The old town of Zurich is beautiful with its old structures and churches. You can easily walk
We first landed in Zurich. I haven't travelled much around the world, but for me this was the most expensive town I have ever been to. Try to get water filled up in bottles from your hotel itself. The tap water is good and locals consume that. The price for a 0.5L of Evian water was 4CHF(Swiss Francs) - It was unbelievable. Also, if you are going to buy bottled water, buy it from a superstore or at a train station - it's cheaper there. Keep in mind to not get sparkling water instead of plain - The description on the bottle doesn't help if you don't know the language.
Places in Zurich - The old town of Zurich is beautiful with its old structures and churches. You can easily walk
though the streets in the old town. It's not that big a town. We had got a 48 hour pass which ensured we could take any public transport. Also check out a small town called Rappersville. It's also an old town with a castle and vineyards. Close to Rappersville, is a small island you can visit. We went there by ferry but took the train back to Zurich
Interlaken, Switzerland
We drove from Zurich to Interlaken. Car rentals are expensive in Switzerland but we wanted to experience the interior towns away from the bustling cities. We chose not to take the motorway and instead drove the highway 4A. We wanted to take stops on the way to get some pictures and also check out the countryside. The drive was very very beautiful. We could see the alps in the distance, green meadows, cows grazing with the swiss bells
around their necks - an amazing sight. On the way we stopped at a place called green lake – yeah the lake really was green. We were in Interlaken only for a few hours, so couldn't go to the Jungfrau, which is I think the highest point in Europe which is accessible by train.
Chur, Switzerland
After spending few hours in Interlaken, we drove to Chur. Long, winding roads taking you up and down huge mountains. I highly recommend driving in Switzerland. You have the freedom of stopping anywhere and going to different places at your will. The car rentals may be a bit expensive, but its worth the buck. We planned going to Chur as we had to catch the Bernina Express from Chur to Lugano. Chur is a small town, we did not spend much time there but I could see that it was different. It had eating places open till about 2 am which proved to be lucky for our hungry tummies.
After spending few hours in Interlaken, we drove to Chur. Long, winding roads taking you up and down huge mountains. I highly recommend driving in Switzerland. You have the freedom of stopping anywhere and going to different places at your will. The car rentals may be a bit expensive, but its worth the buck. We planned going to Chur as we had to catch the Bernina Express from Chur to Lugano. Chur is a small town, we did not spend much time there but I could see that it was different. It had eating places open till about 2 am which proved to be lucky for our hungry tummies.
Tirano, Italy
The Bernina Express train journey was beautiful It would have been better if there was a bit more snow in the alps. The journey to Lugano had 2 parts in it: train journey from Chur to Tirano and a bus journey from Tirano to Lugano. Tirano was just at the border of Italy and Switzerland, on the Italian side. Italy had smaller houses, the roads were narrower and it was a bit different from Switzerland. The bus drive from Tirano to Lugano was sort of an adventure (even though I wasn’t driving). Initial part went through the valleys and through vineyards. But the later part went through small villages with the roads just a meter or so wider than the width of the bus. We could easily put our hands into people’s house and get some goodies on the way; it was that close. Luckily the bus had sealed windows and so no one lost their limbs. I think the driver had been driving that vehicle since he was 2 yrs old or something; his judgement and control while driving through those narrow lanes was mind blowing.
Tip: Never walk too far away from the train when it stops at a station. The train leaves quickly without much notice, we saw around 10-15 people left behind at one of the station along the way.
The Bernina Express train journey was beautiful It would have been better if there was a bit more snow in the alps. The journey to Lugano had 2 parts in it: train journey from Chur to Tirano and a bus journey from Tirano to Lugano. Tirano was just at the border of Italy and Switzerland, on the Italian side. Italy had smaller houses, the roads were narrower and it was a bit different from Switzerland. The bus drive from Tirano to Lugano was sort of an adventure (even though I wasn’t driving). Initial part went through the valleys and through vineyards. But the later part went through small villages with the roads just a meter or so wider than the width of the bus. We could easily put our hands into people’s house and get some goodies on the way; it was that close. Luckily the bus had sealed windows and so no one lost their limbs. I think the driver had been driving that vehicle since he was 2 yrs old or something; his judgement and control while driving through those narrow lanes was mind blowing.
Tip: Never walk too far away from the train when it stops at a station. The train leaves quickly without much notice, we saw around 10-15 people left behind at one of the station along the way.
Lugano, Italy
We reached Lugano in the evening after the adventurous bus ride. We roamed around the town (but I think it was more of a small city) as night fell. Lugano is situated in a valley surrounded by
We reached Lugano in the evening after the adventurous bus ride. We roamed around the town (but I think it was more of a small city) as night fell. Lugano is situated in a valley surrounded by
mountains and a lake on one side. The small building lights reflected well in the almost still lake. Took out my tripod and settled there for sometime, beside teenagers smoking, singing and having fun. The morning was a bit dull as the sun was hiding in the clouds, not willing to come out. We went to a place on the top of a hill from where you could see the entire city. A house on the peak with restricted access frustrated us, but then we found some other place to take a peak at the mountains and the lake below.
Milan, Italy
Milan, the fashion capital of the world, was buzzing with people. Though we really wanted to watch a fashion show, we did not find time to do it. It is the place to visit if you want to take a peek at the Roman architecture. It was different from all the other places we had visited till then.
Milan, the fashion capital of the world, was buzzing with people. Though we really wanted to watch a fashion show, we did not find time to do it. It is the place to visit if you want to take a peek at the Roman architecture. It was different from all the other places we had visited till then.
The place was crowded (very crowded) and the hotel rooms were small (very small). One can hardly turn around in the stand up shower in the hotel (a 3 star hotel). The vendors on the sides of the street reminded me a lot of Bombay (now Mumbai, India) – my home town. The street performers were fun to watch – a clown kept the crowd entertained. The public trains were a bit dirty but it connected the different parts of the city very well. Milan houses the original “Last Supper” painting, but we could not get a ticket to get in there. From Milan we took a train for Venice – The beautiful town built on water.
Venice, Italy
Its like you are in a wonderful. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing – I knew what to expect, but could not believe it. It felt that one of those Sponge Bob Square Pants sort of cartoon imaginary place where the bus travels on water, the taxi travels on water, the streets are water
ways, your backyard is a beautiful pond… It’s a totally unimaginable place which you can experience only when you are there. It was great to finally see the gondolas, the water buses and the world famous St. Mark's Square. We roamed around the city on foot, sat by the river, watched traffic jams , watched people singing in the gondolas. At night there were musicians playing in St. Mark’s square.
ways, your backyard is a beautiful pond… It’s a totally unimaginable place which you can experience only when you are there. It was great to finally see the gondolas, the water buses and the world famous St. Mark's Square. We roamed around the city on foot, sat by the river, watched traffic jams , watched people singing in the gondolas. At night there were musicians playing in St. Mark’s square.
We also visited the islands Murano and Burano by ferry. Murano island is the ex
porter of the world famous Murano Glass. Burano was a smaller island in comparison and it was more of a residential place . It had colorful houses with ropes hanging out of the window to hang clothes. They had a pulley system to move clothes along the line.
porter of the world famous Murano Glass. Burano was a smaller island in comparison and it was more of a residential place . It had colorful houses with ropes hanging out of the window to hang clothes. They had a pulley system to move clothes along the line.
Piran, Slovenia
From Venice we took the ferry to Piran, Slovenia. The ferry ride was fun with live music playing and people dancing. As per the ferry crew, very few Indians travel in the ferry to Slovenia; so they were very excited to meet us and talk to us. It was a fun ride. We reached the small town of Piran from where we could see 3 countries; the Czech Republic, Italy and then of course we were in Slovenia. My brother had local friends in Slovenia, so they came, picked us up and became our tourist guide. We saw an old church in Piran before heading out into the interiors of Slovenia. We visited the Skocjanske Jama (Jama pronounced as Yama means Cave), castles and few other places on the way.
From Venice we took the ferry to Piran, Slovenia. The ferry ride was fun with live music playing and people dancing. As per the ferry crew, very few Indians travel in the ferry to Slovenia; so they were very excited to meet us and talk to us. It was a fun ride. We reached the small town of Piran from where we could see 3 countries; the Czech Republic, Italy and then of course we were in Slovenia. My brother had local friends in Slovenia, so they came, picked us up and became our tourist guide. We saw an old church in Piran before heading out into the interiors of Slovenia. We visited the Skocjanske Jama (Jama pronounced as Yama means Cave), castles and few other places on the way.
The caves had huge Stalagmites and Stalactites; couldn’t get any snaps as Photography wasn’t allowed inside the caves. It was beautiful. It was good to have local friends in Slovenia, as it is not a very famous tourist destination. If you are alone here, try to rent a car or get some local people to go with you. Many people cannot speak English, so it gets tough at times.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
The capital, Ljubljana was a small city with big archaeological excavations. We visited the city and few neighbouring towns. We had traditional food and drinks at our friends’ place and also tried our hand at Tarot (a traditional Slovenian Card Game). It is a great game and lot of fun when there are lot of people. From Slovenia we left for Austria by train.
Vienna, Austria
The train journey to Austria as usual was beautiful. We could stretch out and sleep as we had a cabin for ourselves. They are the musical kind, maybe because of Mozart. Even if you haven’t heard of Mozart, you will come to know that he was from Austria :). The city centre had lots of restaurants and cars weren’t allowed in the main square. One can walk, eat, dance and watch street shows. As it was my brother’s last destination, we did not travel much. We were mostly in the city center itself. The Schonbrunn palace is huge and worth a visit. It was time to say bye to my brother and sister-in-law.
Munich, Germany
It was different in Germany as it was the first place in Europe I was all alone. First time I stayed in a Hostel. Was tired of my heavy bag.
So just kept it in a locker in the railway station. Went around the city, visited the BMW Museum. You have the opportunity to watch the BMW production line; in case you are interested, do book in advance as it’s tough to get tickets for the same day. I couldn’t. Went around 
the museum and first time saw a F1 car so close. Watched an ice hockey game between the local German teams – was fun.
I was getting ready for the big day – the very next day was the first day of OKTOBERFEST (Beer fest). If you haven’t been to the Oktoberfest(which happens in September), I would highly recommend you to go there. I watched the entire parade before going into the beer tents. Apparently people had lined up to get into the tents since
6 in the morning and I was there at 10 trying to get into the tents. Many tents (the famous ones) very full and they weren’t even allowing more people. Somehow I got into one of the tents (the tents were huge) and was excited in anticipation of an Oktoberfest beer.
But to my dismay I found that they only serve beer to those who are seated. I couldn’t find a place to sit as it was fully packed. I asked some local Germans to accommodate me. They were kind, friendly and they obliged. It was great fun to have beer with the locals there. Amazinggg, truly amazing… Loved every bit of it. Was a bit woozy while going back to take my train to Zurich for my return flight back to Seattle.
Some tips for a Europe trip:
Try to carry cash with you or make some provision of withdrawing cash while in Europe. Many places do not take card or charge extra for a card transaction. I had taken a Travelex Mastercard which could be used to withdraw euros directly. (You do get a better exchange rate if you convert more than $2500).
Travel light - especially if you are travelling to different countries and not just sticking to one place. I did a mistake of travelling with a heavy bug. My muscles (whatever I have :)) got a lot of exercise during this trip.
While booking hotels for your stay, just keep in mind that if you are not renting a car, try to get a place as close as possible to a train, bus, underground or tram station. It gets a bit tough on you and your pocket if you have to take a cab to get to the city center or main station. The local transport in most of the places in Europe is great and you won’t find it tough to travel around.
Recommendation:
Overall an amazing trip and I would recommend visiting few countries in Europe and getting drunk at Oktoberfest.
