Heading north to Tirano, ITALY on the border of Switzerland, the terrain changes into towering mountains with ribbons of grapevines traversing the hillsides. This quaint town of 9,000 is a relief from the hordes of tourists back in Venice. The continual rain beats loudly all evening on the sky light of our hotel room. Since the Glacier Express does not run in November, it is onto the bright red Bernina Express train for an Alpine experience, climbing from 429 meters to 2253 meters before heading down to St Moritz. As the train climbs, you are immersed in the trees with hills covered in fall leaves. It is quiet and peaceful; like being suspended in a hot air balloon. A stop is in Alp Grum at an altitude of 2,235 meters where you can get off and ... read more

It is an hour and a half train ride into Florence, ITALY where the language spoken is Florentine. This city is where opera started in the 16th Century. It is also the birthplace of fashion, which you can still see exists today in the shops. Ponte Vecchio allows for beautiful views. It is the only bridge that was not demolished during WWII. Being Sunday, the area is packed with people, most who are enjoying the delicious food available from many of the markets. Wanting to see Siena, ITALY, it is back on the train for a short ride. The countryside is just like in the movies with rows of vineyards, cypress and stone pine trees, and medieval towns built on hill tops. On arriving in Siena, we purchase two bus tickets, get on a bus, and ... read more

Travelling from Ascoli Piceno to Salerno, ITALY involves riding on three trains. Riding on the second train in a small compartment, the glass door opens, and a man begs us for money. I say, “We only speak English”, and he leaves. The ticket master is looking for him. The countryside slowly changes into mountains, and heavily wooded areas. Approaching the city of Salerno, there are huge manufacturing plants, some of which involve canning tomato products. The city has an important port on the Tyrrhenian Sea dealing with around 10 million tons of cargo per year. In the 16th century, Salerno founded the first medical school in the world. Entering into the center of the city is like Alice falling down the rabbit hole. The tall buildings create a warren of streets where you can be instantly ... read more

Today we are informed that the train is not running from Zagreb due to repairs on the tracks. Therefore, it is necessary to board a bus for two hours and then reconnect on the train. Travelling through the Croatia countryside there are rolling hills packed with trees in full autumn foliage. The scenery changes to the mountain range of Mount Mosor and then again to flat rich farmland. It is gorgeous unspoiled nature. Waking up the view is palm trees, and the Adriatic Sea, with a 24C temperature. It is time to abandon jackets and don capri’s, sandals, and sunglasses. The Riva promenade parallels the water and leads to an old city. The entire day is spent meandering down ancient corridors, visiting unique shops, and eating just outside the Palace at Villa Spiza’s. The following morning ... read more

Leaving the Czech Republic behind, a few hours later, the train crosses the border and into Wien, better known as Vienna, AUSTRIA, founded in the first Century AD. This very liveable city is also known as the city of music and dreams as Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, and Freud all worked here. It is lovely to hear the clip clopping of the horses pulling carts down the cobblestone streets, and the church bells ringing on the hour. It is also where coffee houses originated centuries ago, creating part of the Viennese charm. First stop is to the Stephansdom Crypt which is still used as a burial spot for Archbishop’s today. In one section, hermetically sealed metal jars store the organs and hearts of royalty, much like the ancient Egyptian traditions. During the outbreak of the bubonic ... read more