Silver Streak

SUMMATION: Thanks to "The man in seat 61. The title of this last blog sounds like a mystery novel, but it is in reference to a website called "the man in seat 61." This site saved our souls many times during this journey. It is a complete European train travel guide and we recommend it to anyone considering train travel in the future. Visiting nineteen countries over a 100 day span, we are giving this European trip a 9+ rating. TOP 3: #1 Norway - the famous Oslo to Bergen and Flam railway trip - spectacular scenery #2 Prague - architecture and colours, took my breath away #3 Lagos, Portugal - gorgeous beaches This adventure started with a desire to vacation in Portugal. Obviously, it took us a long time to get there. Seeing country sides ... read more

The next overnight train is to Paris, FRANCE and we are able to have a cabin together. Once again it is a rocky 14 hour trip in our bunk beds. It is difficult even to brush ones teeth. There is an hour wait in Hendaye, FRANCE. This is where Franco and Hitler met at the train station in 1940 to discuss Spain’s part in WWII. Continuing on, the countryside is dotted with villages of white washed homes, coloured shutters, and red tiled rooftops. They are all beautiful. Makes you want to stop and stay awhile. Through the famous Bordeaux wine area bordered by of course, grape vines. Several acres have been flooded right up to the roadside. Suddenly, there is a huge colourful rainbow which only lasts seconds. Many dark brown deer are roaming the fields. ... read more

A full day of travel. Waiting outside under a canopy for a train transfer at Tunes, the rain falls in such thick and heavy sheets it almost looks like snow. At 10 pm we glimpse the city of Porto, Portugal under twinkling lights. For breakfast, the coffee shop only offers one item in two flavours. One is the famous Portuguese pastel de nata (custard tart), and the other is the same tart, but with the addition of port. So we order one of each. The Sao Bento railway station began construction in 1904. The large blue and white tile murals were composed by Jorge Calaco and involved the use of 20,000 hand-painted tiles. Many of the scenes are life in the country with cattle, camps, vineyards and watermills. Walking down the streets, reveals several beautifully tiled ... read more

Getting on the tren (train) hotel at 9:30 in the evening, there is confusion as to why it was mandated by the ticket seller that we each required our own dormitory. There are two bunk beds per room, and so between the two of us, we have four beds. Chris comes to visit my sleeper, and we enjoy a picnic. (bottle of wine, some clementine oranges and some cheese actually) Am thinking I’ll be put to sleep by the gentle motion of the train, but instead it is very rock and roll, as I am directly over the wheels. Landing in Lisbon, PORTUGAL, the weather is warmer, and so some clothing can be shed. A nap is required. Being Sunday, all the shops are closed and it is a good time to wash clothes. At the ... read more

From Montreux, it is a lovely voyage through the rolling hills, quaint little villages, embraced by the Seine river, and majestic Swiss Alps. There is a castle built in a diagonal line to correspond with the striated rock upon which it is built. Arriving into Aix-en-Provence in the Cote d’azur region (french riviera) we are given bad news at the train station. Because of the storms that have struck southern France, the railway tracks are under construction. We are stuck! No way out other than bus, car, or plane. Will have some decisions to make. Since Provence is known for their lavender, the accommodation we have booked is called The Lavender Apartment, with walls being painted this same hue. Looking out the living room window, there is a French soldier bearing an automatic weapon, and patrolling ... read more