European trip train journey tips and places to see question.

They have stations and you don't have to complete that journey.

With the interral global ticket you can take any train you like either express or the milk train.

 

This seems like the trip we have in mind. What did you do about luggage and where did you go?

I know trains are cheaper on the continent, but we want to do a lot of journeys. Do you remember what first class was like compared to 2nd?

 

Will you be home in August Jan?

 

We could go to Naples and Valencia too. Lou has lots of family in Naples and we have friends in Belvedere maritimo Calabria. We think it may be too far south to do Norway and Sweden and we can go to Italy any time.

 

Right then. We will pop in when we are in Oslo.

 

We are all smiling ear to ear. Clincher!

 

They all have mate. It's the way of the south.

A true story from back in the day.

Lou's dad bought a old building off a chap in a small village in Calabria. Eventually we went with him to meet this guy everyone called Cumbaro or Padrino. He was the village elder and we had a wonderful afternoon sat on his chair carved into the rock under a olive tree overlooking the med. His name was Vito and he was a very nice chap. Lou spent all afternoon in the house with his wife and we felt thoroughly spoiled when we left. Lou's dad explained he was the village elder and what he said went. The good side of this was he advised and people went to him for all sorts of advice, help and friendship. The downside and I believe this is how a lot of the communities operated over there was, he could in extreme circumstances sanction nastiness.

We liked him and found him very intelligent and inquisitive. He made us extremely welcome.

 

So far the rough plan is. Early train from home to London. Lunch in London and eurostar to Paris Gare de nord. A night in Paris, probably in Monmartre. Then a day in Paris sightseeing. That night we take the overnight sleeper to Milan and a few days with Pas and Maggie Lou's cousins in Como. sightseeing Como and beyond either on scooters or borrowed car ( Pasquale will sort that bit ) . From Como I want to see Austria and Innsbruck as I have never been. Lou wants to go to Vienna and a concert in the golden hall. So Austria for a few days. The lure of Bavaria is strong, so too is a trip to the VW museum, and Berlin as a it is now- a open city. tips would be helpful here.

From Berlin we would like to head north to the arctic circle via Sweden and back through Norway to Oslo and Jan's offer. This part of the trip may take the best part of a week and hopefully the scenery will be reward enough. I presume ( Haven't researched the route yet ) that there will be sleeper trains for this haul. Info here if anyone has experience of it.

The final few days of the trip we think may be spent travelling from Oslo to France and a few days in Euro Disney relaxing in a the dream castle hotel.

The whole idea of this trip is for it to be flexible and we could end up going places I had no idea existed. Nothing is set in stone other than Paris, Milan and Norway. The rest we are very keen on staying flexible and apt to change.

Things we think are worth a visit. Eiffel tower, La scala Milano, VW museum. The alps and possibly a night in a alpine lodge. Vienna and the golden hall. Bavaria and a night in a tavern. Berlin and the sights. The arctic circle and northern lights. Meals and nice hotels. The money side of it is a consideration, but we are getting older and just want a really nice trip to show Will how easy it is to travel and enjoy ourselves. I will be watching the pennies where I can, but I won't be scrimping and saving just to save a few bob, It would spoil the trip. and-- You only live once.

If anyone has any suggestions on what we should see or do. Post them up.

 

I don't know why predictive put Valencia instead of Calabria?

 

It's for Lou Phil, She loves the place.

 

The thing is, We like train travel and choose it as the preferred mode whenever the situation is right, As you know I do a awful lot of driving each year and when this idea cropped up we thought, Yeah! Why not?