Europe here i come......

 Whilst i have had a few holidays post covid, its been a while since i feel like i have gone on an adventure - either somewhere far away or a trip which is a bit different.

So after deciding to play in the World Bridge Series in Wroclaw, it seemed like a good idea to spend some time before/after travelling around Europe. I wanted some flexibility and decided to purchase an Interrail ticket so that i could travel by train as/when i wanted. There is a wide variety of tickets available and it generally seems like good value for money (even when i decided to upgrade to first class). The ticket enables me to travel on 10 days over a month - some trains require reservations with associated fee and i have also gone for a couple of sleeper trains where you pay depending on the sleeping option you go for.

Everything is planned, but hotels are all cancellable the night before so i can decide to change my itenerary as the trip evolves.

I enjoy rail travel. Its relaxed, can provide a more scenic option and provided you have enough to keep you occupied the longer journeys go quite quickly. In addition railway stations tend to be in the centre of cities avoiding the trek from an airport. At the moment, rail travel seems to be more reliable compared to flights where airlines/airports are struggling with fully reopening post covid.

Interrailing was a common rite of passage for people before they started work when i was young, but i never went. I imagine in those days you packed a guide book, perhaps a map and some paperbacks to read as you went. Slightly different now (!!) - a smartphone (with £10 roaming Sim), tablet and laptop provides me with everything i need to get around, podcasts to listen to, plenty of ebooks to read and downloads from Netflix, Sky Go, Amazon and BBC Iplayer to watch over the coming weeks. And of course an ability to review system notes before arriving in Poland.

The journey starts with Eurostar fron Brussels, from where i take train to Koln and then Berlin. A full day travelling before a few days in Berlin.

Podcast of the day : Test Match Special

Currently reading :  David Baldacci - The Escape

Currently watching : Succession Series One