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This is actually a tale of two trips - a lovely ride through some of the most picturesque country in the world and one that most definitely was not. I had been on the Milan to Zurich route the only other time I was in Milan back in the 1980s on a contract for SRI. The second half of our journey, overnight train from Zurich to Zagreb, was an unknown but we had hopes for it. Of course reality chimed in, but more on that later.
The start of the journey is getting to where the trains are. In the case of Milan, it is the spectacular Stazione Centrale. One shot by tram from Cenisio to the station, the tram being a classic as well. Enter the station to...
...a huge, three story, sky light space of old marble and lots of people.
One thing we didn't realize was that the week after Easter is a big travel time for families; it is a week school holiday in many of the countries in the region. Families visiting their families, travelling across boundaries in mass. As a result, stations and trains are packed. This was the theme of this part of our trip.
The station is a great landmark to visit even if you aren't travelling - full of old marble gateways and memorials. Digital track/schedule tables embedded in carved marble passage frames. Large terrazzo floors with a variety of designs from Milan's past. A living museum which is still doing the work it was build for.
Time to get on the train and you enter the big, bright, wide, humanity-filled platform area - almost as impressive as the lobby. It is mostly as I remembered from my last (only) visit about 40 years ago, though with more digital signs than clacking numbers.
Time to join the crowd boarding our Zurich-bound train for the first leg of the LOOONNNNGGGG trip to Zagreb.
Travel through the Alps triggers a lot of images - and we have lots of them taken through the windows of a moving train...
Cloud shrouded mountains.
Reflecting Alpine lakes...
Snow capped peaks above Swiss fields...
The postcard Swiss Church at the foot of a mountain...
Until arriving at Zurich - which has a pretty good station as well.
With a four hour break between trains, we lock the bags up and see what's outside the station. We were here once on our trip through Switzerland 35 years ago. There have been some changed...
...and some things remain recognizably Zurich.
Weather was cold and we were not entirely prepared, so back to the station which had a mall in the basement. This included an blue cube water shower, a natural attraction for the young (and not so young) play.
Finally it was time to board our overnight train. It looked like a bit aged train operated by the Croatian National Railway. And, as a result of the end of the Easter holiday week, the train is packed; reviews of this route said that the train was often sparsely occupied. They never travelled during a holiday apparently.
The interior lived up to the exterior impression. It had the old fashion layout with compartments for 6 travelers and marginal space for luggage (especially for those of us with major baggage). Most of our fellow travelers are families, including on Croatian mom (who spoke good English) with two daughers (one teen, one almost) who were just happy to find seats. They were on their way back from spending their holiday visit with dad working in Austria. For me, the compartment configuration was tight with seats that didn't recline. Nobue was only slightly more comfortable. Little, if any, sleep was had.
Finally, after 17 hours of train travel, we arrived significantly sleep deprived and competition event later in the day - and the first opportunity to visit with Marie', we've arrived in Zagreb. And that is for another entry...
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