On Track for Summer
Last Friday I received an exciting package in the post: My first Interrail Pass of this summer and, in fact, of my life. This means the official start of my new project: On Track for Summer!
Interrail is something I always wanted to do after finishing school but with a student exchange to New Zealand came an obsession with long haul travel and somehow life got in the way. That trains are a much more sustainable way of getting around than flying fits SusDane perfectly and I can’t wait to get started.
All aboard! Image by Simon Pielow
I started this spring by reviewing a couple of journeys by night train (story soon to be published in Sublime Magazine Online) and this summer really is turning out to be all about rail travel for me. I will be blogging for Eurail this autumn so it’s time to get on the tracks to explore more of this excellent way of travelling!
Part One
Over the last few weeks I have been piecing together a jigsaw puzzle of dates, places, travel times and accommodation. Things are now finally falling into place.
Tomorrow I head to Luxembourg, a tiny place I have never been. In my mind it’s mostly famous for European Union stuff, but there must be other things going on. I intend to find out for myself.
Next stop.... Image by Adrian Murphy
I then return to Switzerland to spend some time with my lovely little sister who is coming to visit. Together we’re going to explore some of the Italian part of Switzerland and weather permitting there might be some glacier action.
Next up is Slovenia and I’m going to be brave and try out a 4-berth couchette on a night train. I have done night trains but only in a single sleeper compartment. Unfortunately one wasn’t available for this journey, but at least this way I get to experience it so I can report back to you!
Slovenia here I come... Image by Jaime Silva
Slovenia is a foray into a bit of a geographical black hole of European knowledge for me. I have been to Italy, but never past it to the east in the southern parts. I will be based in Ljubljana and am looking into cool stuff to see and do. I hear Lake Bled is amazing and I’m researching sustainable initiatives in the area. If you have tips, please contact me either via the comments or on my email.
That will be part one of my train adventures. I was hoping to swing past Venice to learn how to sail/steer/whatever it is you do when you’re in charge of a gondola, but the dates just aren’t working out… I've been to Venice in winter, but have yet to experience it when it isn't freezing cold. I'll have to save that one for another time!
Here's a lego train - the Dane in me couldn't resist! Image by Mike
In August I am back in the UK, going to a wedding in Scotland (another place I’ve never been before, yay) and checking out the Fringe festival in Edinburgh. I'm then taking a little time in London town to catch up with meetings and people in the south east of England. I hope the sun shines!
Sunset train.... Image by Simon Pielow
Part Two
September is when I hit the tracks again and this time I will mostly be exploring Italy with some exciting stops on the way. More on that to come.
I hope you join me this summer on the rails to find out more about this green and exciting way of travelling!
You can follow me on the usual social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest) or on my Social Media Wall to see where I am! I will be posting on Twitter using the hashtag #SusTrack.
Thank you to Eurail for kindly sponsoring my train travel on Part One and Two of the trips described above. Views and opinions are and will be, as always, my own.
Main image by FullyFunctnlPhil
