Do's and Don'ts Through Switzerland and Italy
Flying from Australia, I was packing for four seasons travelling through Europe. The excitement was overwhelming and being a female, I wanted to throw my entire wardrobe into my suitcase. If only someone could invent the Mary Poppins’ carpet bag, life would be much simpler.
Not to do: Do not listen to your female family or friends who tell you to pack everything, "just in case". When travelling to Europe or anywhere for that matter, travelling light is the best option. Switzerland to Italy is a great journey as you can enjoy the contrasts of people, history, culture, food, architecture and landscapes. I started in Switzerland where there was a constant reminder of one inescapable fact; how short I really am (regardless that I travelled with a colleague who is over 6 feet tall). I am a strong believer that the best things come in small packages (5.3 feet to be exact), but I have never felt so small or so unimportant until standing in the presence of the Swiss Alps that loomed over me. I travelled to Zurich, Thun (a charming beautiful town, just 30 minutes from Interlaken) and Chur while enjoying the magical scenic rail journeys of the Golden Pass, Jungfrau, Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. For me, choosing my favourite scenic rail journey would be like asking me to choose my favourite dessert. I loved all of them! I travelled on the romantic Golden Pass from Lucerne to Interlaken which winds through rolling hills, past waterfalls and charming towns all mirrored along Lake Lucerne.
To do: When we arrived at Interlaken, the Golden Pass inspired us to enjoy another scenic train journey, the Harderbahn, which by chance we spotted near Interlaken Ost station. This train climbed up 1322 metres and the intimate beauties of the mountains including the Jungfrau were revealed to us. Just a quick walk from the top station, the Harder Restaurant is great for a meal or a local beer. The bird’s eye views are breathtaking and the extended terrace with a partial glass floor makes you feel like you really are on top of the world. The Jungfraujoch was our next trip from Interlaken, which is a journey to the highest station in Europe at 3454 metres. If you're wondering what the highest railway station in the world is, its Tangulla station in China along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway reaches 5,068 metres. Unfortunately, it was snowing on top of the Jungfrau so the views weren't as clear, but as a Sydney girl, I just wanted to reach my arms to the sky and spin around in slow motion while the snowflakes fell down on my cheeks, just like in the movies. But as an adult, there are sadly some things you can't get away with. I travelled along the Glacier express from Brig to Chur and I definitely recommend first-class travel along these scenic journeys to provide panoramic views of the extended landscapes. Each view along the Glacier Express takes your breath away and behind every bend is a postcard picture waiting for you to get 'happy snappy'. The Glacier Express reaches 2033 metres above sea level and welcomes over a quarter of a million visitors on board every year. The Bernina Express was our last scenic rail journey, travelling from St Moritz to Tirano. The train follows the cliff’s edge and heads down to mirrored lakes, bringing you closer to nature’s splendour. The Bernina Express journey was filled with dramatic landscapes and a lot of fun. From Switzerland, I continued on to Italy and it was amazing to watch how quickly the cities, landscapes and the dramatic temperature changed from below zero to 38 degrees in Rome. Lake Como was my first Italian stop and it wasn't long before I knew why visitors flocked to this beautiful city. The backdrop of mountains framing Lake Como is truly inspiring. This small city packs in a lot to see including the historical sites from the old town, a ferry over to Bellagio, great restaurants and shops to enjoy. I even saw a yoga day in the middle of the square for everyone to join in.
To do: If you are looking for the best views of Como, I would recommend a train which climbs up to the little historical town of Brunate. This funicular train costs just €5.25 in return. Views over the town and the lake are truly magnificent. Venice is known as the most romantic city of Italy, consisting of 118 small islands connected with canals and bridges. This heritage-listed city is one that may seem like a maze as you discover something historical, cultural and just stunning behind every corner.
To do: If you want to enjoy a different side of Venice, then how about a day at the beach? Yep, that's right, Venice has everything, even its own beach. Now apologies if the whole world knew this already and I've been living under a rock, but this was my third visit to Venice and I was not aware there was a beach, located just 15 minutes away by water bus.
Not to do: In 2007, I travelled with my family to Venice and my mum, being an animal lover, thought feeding the pigeons at St Marks square would be a terrific idea. However, instead of scattering the bird seeds along the floor, she held onto the seeds a little too long which brought the attention of hundreds of pigeons. My mum disappeared beneath the flapping feathers and all we could hear was her scream, the black coat she was wearing was flying up like a Marilyn Monroe scene (minus the glamour of course). As my family and I couldn't move as we were stuck with laughter, a lovely local helped my mum. Learn from my mother’s lessons. While travelling to and from Florence, don't be too quick to fall asleep on the trains as the views are beautiful and constantly changing. Personally, I love the rolling hills of yellow sunflowers which blossom in the summer season. Florence is the capital city of the Tuscan region and is famous for its historical, artistic and architectural heritage. Discover the numerous museums, galleries and of course, the shopping as Florence is also known as the fashion capital of Italy.
To do: End your day, or maybe even start your night with the beautiful Florence sunset on the famous 'Old Bridge' with gelato. We were able to enjoy a local band as we watched the sky paint pinks as the sun slowly hid behind the city. Rome is the capital city of Italy and one of the oldest cities in Europe. The captivating history and architecture are remarkable which is why you would need a couple of days to enjoy the endless sights, museums and activities offered in Rome. To do: Enjoy the tradition of throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish, then throw a second coin to ensure you return to Rome. There are many ways to do this, but the traditional way is to throw the coin using your right hand over your left shoulder. Just a few more 'to do' tips before you head out on your adventures. If you have a smartphone you can download the app Viber which allows you to text and call internationally using free Wi-Fi. It definitely helped me for those days I needed to talk to someone from home. And one more tip, make sure you pack a book or some music to enjoy whilst on your train rides.
