Travelogue
This is the most memorable trip I have ever gone !! Going through the heart of Europe :-). Yeah... I am talking about my Europe trip. Being blessed by a 15 days vacation during the Xmas time, myself and my friends decided to utilise it to its every extent. We ( Raghu,Venky, Sunil and Myself ) decided to add some more countries to our list. A 15 days tour. We chose the places - Munich, Zugspitze ( Top of Alps in German side ), Vienna, Venice, Florence, Pisa and Rome. This would add Germany, Austria and Italy to our list.
We started our journey on Dec 21st, 2003 from Aalborg, Denmark. Our first destination was Munich. The DSB ( Danish State Railways ) train was upto Ringsted station. We reached Ringsted by around 11 AM. We had a break of 40 minutes here. We had our lunch from the station itself. Next journey was to Hamburg. We had to cross the Denmark-Germany border. Our train was docked in to a huge Ferry for crossing the sea !! The scene was awesome from the Ferry, even though it was raining. We crossed the German border and reached Puttsgarden. Train headed towards Hamburg. I couldn't find much differece between the landscapes of Denmark and Germany. Only difference was that there were some factories on the way. We reached Hamburg by 16:15. We took 'take away' pizzas and started our journey towards Munich. The sun had already gone to sleep. We had the pizzas and tried to get some sleep, but the seats were not that comfortable enough. we reached Munich by 23:00. Enquired about the train details to hotel, which was few miles away from Munich Hauptbahnhof ( main station ). We had to catch a tram to reach hotel. Checked in to hotel by 23:30.. Now its time for a good sleep. Zzzz...
Next day morning, we got ready by 7:30. Breakfast was better than expected. Today we are going to ALPS !!! Its a dream journey for all of us. We are on for our journey to Zugspitze, the highest point in Alps. We took a metro train from Munich station to Garmisch. On the way itself, I could find the traits of snow fall. By the time we reached Garmisch it was snowing outside. Every bit of nature was covered by just SNOW !! We got of the train and for the first time in my life, snow fell on my face :-). It was a nice experience :-) I walked slowly as it was slippery. From Garmisch station we took a train on to the top of Alps. We had to go to zugspitzplatt, which is a glacier, which guarantees snow and ice even in the summer :-). It was too cold outside and heavily snowing. We got into the cable car and reached the peak of Alps, the ZUGSPITZE !! WOW!! SNOW, SNOW and SNOW !!! There was nothing else that we could see. It was full foggy and couldn't see anything from the view point. It was -17 degrees at the top !!! There were lot of adventourous skiers. We made "snow balls" and threw each other :-) It was too hard to spend more time there. We started our journey back. By the time we reached Munich, it was snowing there, but the temperature was better( -2 degrees). We went to hotel and freshened up ourselves. Then started our search for the nearest Indian restaurant. Found one and bashed into it. Slurp, slurp, slurp :-).. Back to hotel and crashed ourselves to bed. Good night :-)
Next day, by 9:30 we started our Munich sightseeing. We first went to Dachau, the first concentration camp setup by Hitler. It was outside the city, less than an hour journey from main station. We reached Dachau by around 11:00. Most of the buidings were demolised, and only few were retained in memory of the prisoners tortured and killed by Nazis. On the entrance gate, it was written "ARBEIT MACHT FREI" which means "Work will set you free". We saw the museum setup inside the camp. The full history was depicted in the form of huge photos and writings. Then we saw a 22 mintute doumentary, in which they showed how the people were tortured and killed in the camp. It was too brutal. After that we went around the camp. We went to the crematorium setup behind the camp. It was separted by fencing and a water stream. It was well hid from the prisoners so that they were unaware of the happenings there. We started our journey back to Munich. By the time we reached Munich, it was almost sunny. We went directly to Marienplatz. We went to the City Square. It was so crowded. It looked beautiful with the Xmas shops around. We saw 'Church of Our lady' near the City Square. Oops..forgot our lunch.. Boom to Burger king.. A heavy meal :-). Then we went to see Residenz palace. The palace looked beautiful with the snow around. From there we went to Olympic Zentrum. As we came to the station, we could see the Olympic tower, which is touching the sky at the top :-). There was a over bridge from which we could see the BMW building. The building is amazingly structured in shape of cylinders of a 4-cylinder engine. Now on to the top of Olympic tower. Its 289 meters high. HO.. from the top, Munich looked really beautiful with the lovely outfit of snow. BMW building and Olympic stadium were outstanding amoung the other city beauties. Waited in the top of the tower till it became dark. They city looked awesome in lights. The entire BMW building got lit up in 5 seconds. We enjoyed the beauty of night. Then we came down and went back to the hotel. On the way itself we had pizza and then went to bed. Good night.
Next morning, we freshened up early morning as we had to catch train to Vienna. From the main station train started at 9:26. Good bye Munich. Now to our next destination, Vienna, the land of art and music, where Mozart and Bethoven lived. We crossed Alps in this journey. We reached Salzburg by 11:00 and then Linz. We reached Vienna by around 14:00. It was pretty cold, but no snow. Our hotel was near Westbahnhof, the train station where we got down. We checked into hotel and freshened up ourselves. By 19:00, we went to see Schobrunn palace. Its Xmas eve. Palace was well lit. We couldn't get inside. On the way back, we had our dinner from one of the Pizza centres ( luckily one of those kind was open, since Xmaz eve all the shops and restaurants were closed). Reached hotel by 21:00 and right to bed :-)
Good morning and Merry Xmas !!! Its Xmas day and I am in Vienna :-)). It was really cold outside, but the day was bright. After breakfast, we started our sight seeing. Took the metro and reached volks theatre station. We saw the Natural History Museum and Leopold museum. Volks theatre was diagonally opposite to the Museum. Near to that itself, Parliament house was there. After a few minutes of walk we reached City Hall ( Rathaus ). Opposite to City Hall is Burg theatre. Horse chariots were a common scene in the roads of Vienna. Streets looked really beautiful. Then went to Votive church which is also nearby. Then we went to see Imperial Palace. It was huge and beautiful. From the palace we walked to Joseph's platz. It was really a nice walk, saw so many beautiful buildings. Then we took a metro to UNO City, which is the modern part of Vienna. We crossed Danube river and reached UNO City. It was amazing to know that Vienna has a modern look like this. We could see many UN buildings there. Then we went to nearby Donau Park, where the Donau Tower is situated. We went up and had a nice view of the city and the Danube river. By sunset we came back to the hotel.
Next day, we checked out the hotel and started our journey towards Venice, the land of canals. Its 7.5 hrs journey for us. On the way I could see the beautiful Alps shining in the morning light. The train journey along the valley of Alps was really amazing. We crossed through so many tunnels, cutting through the belly of Alps :-). We crossed Autria-Italian border. The italian side of Alps was bright, since there was no snow. It was a different view of Alps for us. We reached venice by around 16:30. Checked in to hotel and crashed ourselves.
Next day morning we took a bus to the heart of Venice. Venice is fully connected by water channels. Then only mode of transportation is through water. We took a 24 hr water bus ( vaporetto ) pass and started our expedition through water. The main water canal is known as Grand Canal, which has a shape of an inverted 'S' from top view. We went to Rialto bridge. The bridge has so many shops on it. Venice is really colorful. I was really attracted by the colorful masks found in the shops. We took our water bus to Piazza San Marco. This is the main square in venice. There we could see thousands of pigeons. They would come and sit on ur arms and shoulders :-). I took some photos with these new friends :-). San Marco Basalica is in this square. Near to Basalica is the Doge's Palace. Bell Tower is right in front of the Basailica. We spent some time at the square. Near the Doge's palace was 'Bridge of Sighs'. We bought some souvernirs. Then we took a round trip in the Grand Canal. Went to the last stop, Lido and came back. On the way we saw Basailica Santa Maria della Salute. It was amazing to see a city fully connected by water. The building were very old and not that beautiful. We waited til it became dark and saw venice in lights too. Then we went back to our hotel. Had dinner and after that, we played Rummy for some time. Good night :-)
Next day Morning we checked out from the hotel. Went to Saint Lucia station where we had to catch the train. That was nearby the Grand Canal. We roamed around the streets of Venice. Had Pizza, which was really different from what I ate before !! Took our train to Florence by 19:30. Checked into hotel.
Next day, we started our sightseeing in Firenze ( Florence ). We got the information about the tourist spots in Florence from the Tourist informaton centre. We to Piazza del Duomo. Its a Cathedral and a dome infront of that. It was really big. But it was situated in the middle of the City with so many other tall buildings surrouding it. Then we went to Galleria Academia and then to Galleria Uffizi, where MichelAngelo's David Sculpture is kept. But it was not open :-(. Then we went to around the city. We saw Ponte Vecchio, the most famous bridge in Florence and also the oldest, this structure with three stone arches replaced a wooden bridge which had crossed the Arno River at this spot since Roman times. We crossed the Arno river and reached Palazzo Pitti ( Pitti Palace ). Thatz the end of our Florence sight seeing. We had dinner and came back to hotel.
Next day, we checked out from hotel and started our journey to Pisa. Yup !! We are going to see 'Leaning Tower of Pisa', one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval Mind. We reached Pisa Centrale. From there we walked to Pisa Tower. The city was small, but clean and beautiful. We reached Pisa after few minutes of Walk.. WOW .. It was a wonderful scene to see a building declining the laws of nature and standing proudly !! "Yes, its really leaning" I said myself. Then it was fun time :-), taking photos with Pisa in our hand and then supporting Pisa with all our strength, all fundoo things :-). After a while we started from there as we have to catch our train to Rome on the same day. We reached Rome by around 18:00. We checked in to our hotel.
Morning itself, we started our journey for Rome sight seeing. It was bit rainy :-(. But nothing was stopping us from enjoying the beauty of old sculptures and admirable buildings. First we went to see Piazza della Republica. The streets were really beautiful. Then we went to Spanish steps. There was a beautiful boat shaped fountain at the bottom of the steps. Then we went to see the MOST BEAUTIFUL Trevi Fountain. It was an amazing view. I should say that, that is the most beautiful fountain I have ever seen. Its too good. I saw someone throwing coin to the fountain, I too did the same and later came to know that the belief is that whoever throws the coin will visit ROME again !! COOL :-). The rain was over by this time. Then we went to see Vittoria Palace, which is a monument entitled to Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoia, first king of Italy. We went inside and saw the sculputures and rooms. Then we went to see Pantheon. The Pantheon roof had a big hole. There are 22 small holes on the floor of Pantheon, which drains the waters when it rains. Then we went to see Piazza Navona. The Cathedral was under renovation :-(. From there we went to see the Roman Forum. The Roman Forum (Forum Romanum) was the political and economical centre of Rome during the Republic. It was mostly abandoned at the end of the 4th century. Then we went to see Roman Colosseum, this is where the gladiator fights were conducted. It was partly demolished. Since it was New Year Eve, it was closed. We stayed there till they put up the lights. Ho man, it was an awesome view !! Golden colored Colloseum, looked really majestic in the yellow lights. From there we came back to hotel. That was the end of Rome sight seeing.
Next day morning, we went to Vatican city. Happy New Year !! Yes, it New Year day and we are in Vatican city. We went to St. Peters Basilica. When we reached there, huge crowd was there and POPE was giving a speech inside the Basalica.WOW..Since its New Year day, people have come to get blessings from Pope. Since huge rush was there, we were not able to enter Basalica. We waited for while, then all the people came out of the basailica and started looking towards an open window in the nearby building. We also waited there. After few minutes, POPE came near the window and waved his hands.. HO.. I was really thrilled to see Pope :-). He gave his blessings for the people. Then we went to see Saint Angelo Castle. There was beautiful Catherdral infront of Saint Angelo. We spent some time there and then started our journey back. Reached back Rome. Same day we had our train back to Munich. So that was the end of our WONDERFUL Europe Trip.
On the way I dropped down myself at Munich and headed to Nuremberg to spend 3 days with my friend Sanju. I was completely tired when I reached Nuremberg. So gave full rest for one day :-). Next day morning Sanju took me to Dokumentation Zentrum, this is where Nazi documents used during World War are kept. Next to the Zentrum, there was a "ski lake". The entire lake was frozen during winter and people have converted it to a Ice hockey ground :-).Then we went to 'Lorenzkirche', the biggest church in Nuremberg. Then to "Schöner Brunnen" fountain, which was beautifully ornated. Sanju showed me a 'lucky ring' there. Turn the ring three times and wish something, ur wish will get fulfilled :-).By night we came back. Next day I went and met my friend Jay. We went for bowling in the evening. All through the 3 days, I ate nice homely food prepared by Bhahiji, which I was missing for last 7 months :-). And I should say that Sanju really helps Bhabhiji in cooking ;-) ( Sanju.. Treat !! ). I reached back Aalborg on Jan 5th, 2004.
Looking back, It was really a wonderful trip with lot of funny moments and 750 photos packed in my Camera !!!
Prash
