Last summer I embarked on a wonderful trip from the west to the east of europe by train, which is a kind of travel that I’m growing more and more fond of because it’s more sustainable, flexible, and less tiring than air travel. I first went through France where I had way too many croissants, and then continued in Germany’s Black Forrest.
Freiburg im Breisgau
The first stop in Germany was Freiburg im Breisgau, a town I had added to my bucket list after seeing a reel about it a while back. It also felt like the perfect chance to pair the visit with some hikes in the Black Forest, another long-standing bucket list item.
Both the city and the Black Forest were a very pleasant surprise. While I expected the city to have the cobblestone streets and old houses I’m such a sucker for, the Black Forest turned out to be even more beautiful and wilder than I had imagined. For some reason, I expected it to be densely developed with infrastructure and industry—about the general impression I have of Germany—but it struck the perfect balance: enough infrastructure and facilities for convenience, yet it still felt like being immersed in nature. Unfortunately, Captain Click didn’t make it to the hikes; however, I did get some nice shots of the city itself.
Lucerne
Next on my itinerary were a few days in Switzerland, where I’ve spent most time in Zurich. The city was far more beautiful than I’ve expected, but I was unlucky with the weather, so I didn’t dare carrying my old Captain Click around, as he’s not particularly fond of the water. However, on my day trip to Lucerne, I’ve finally got a break from the rain, and I got to shoot around.
Lucerne, the city of lakes and mountains, combines medieval charm with breathtaking alpine scenery. Its colorful old town, iconic Chapel Bridge, and serene Lake Lucerne make it one of Switzerland’s most picturesque destinations, that Captain Click and I enjoyed so much. Although I’ve only got to spend there one day, I managed to see the most important highlights of the city, minus the Museum of Transport, which deserves another trip back.
Moving on to Austria
My trip continued east, with the next destination being Vienna—a long-awaited item on my bucket list. After a sleepless night on the NightJet, I arrived early in the morning to find an uncomfortably hot and crowded city that I just couldn’t get in the mood to explore, so the following day, without thinking much, I rented a car and drove to the Wachau Valley along the Danube River, known for its picturesque rolling hills, castles, vineyards, and pretty villages. It turned out to be an excellent choice, the trip was rewarding both for my eyes and for Captain Click’s lenses, as it felt like I stepped into a postcard.
My trip didn’t end here, however my energy for long photo walks did, so I took a rain check on photographing the beautiful Budapest. But luckily it’s a place that I often return to, so it will get it’s fair share of shooting next time.