We got up at 6:45 and realized after we got start that we did not allow enough time to get dressed, check to make sure we had all of our belongings packed and travel to the train station. We rushed around and got on our way as fast as we could and still make sure we had everything we needed to take with us. Well, we did make it to the train station in time but not with much time to spare. We had to walk a long way down the platform because the train was in 2 sections, Paris to Strasbourg then they would drop one section and then continue with our section on to Zurich. After traveling for several miles the train stopped in Lorraine, France (not a regular stop on the schedule). They told us there was an accident somewhere ahead and we would be delayed 50 minutes up to possibly 2 hours. We were a little concerned since our connection in Zurich 2 1/2 hours. We thought that would be plenty of time between connections when we made the reservations but if we were delayed longer than 2 hours that would be cutting it too close. Thankfully, they got the accident cleared and we started again and were told we would only be delayed 38 minutes. We are now about 1 1/2 hours from Zurich and beginning to see some mountains. We arrive in Zurich at the re-scheduled time. Now we have to wait an hour in the train station. We get some coffee and wait for the train and track number on the mechanical screen. We finished our coffee and just sat in the shop a few minutes. I went out to check the screen and then a second time the track was listed. We gathered our luggage and thought it would be just as comfortable on the train as in the coffee bar.
The train left on time. It was a beautiful trip with the going along Lake Zurich. Then we got to the mountains! The train now follows the river down the valley. We went through Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz then arrived in Vienna about 10:30 pm. Loved going through all those places, reminded me of THE SOUND OF MUSIC! We saw snow covered mountain tops and flowers blooming in the valley.
Lake Zurich:
Fields and foothills to the Alps:
Rugged rocks. Windsurfer on the lake.
Clouds hanging on the tops of the mountains in the Alps.
In the valley lots of houses with flowers on every window.
Dome churches in every village.
Railroad tracks, the river, the highways all run next to each in the valley.
The railcar had the TV screens to show our location like the airlines. Also, they had attendants that brought us drinks and meals from the Dining Car.
We each had a single seat on each side of the train. Lots of room and could get up and down as many times as I wanted to without getting dirty looks
Sun beginning to set in the mountains.
Very dark after the sun sets so not much to do but listen to iPod or read for the rest of the trip.
We got to Vienna about 10:30 pm. Got a taxi to the apartment and the apartment manager let us in and showed us around to go over everything in the apartment and how it works. It was probably after 1:00 am before we got to bed EXHAUSTED. It was a long day but I think it was worth it.
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