Train Trip Through Europe: Castles, Cathedrals & More
After the dusty grandeur of Egypt and a few blissful days in sun-kissed Antalya with our fabulous friends Farah and Chad 🌊🇹🇷, we flew into Milan where we were treated to a breathtaking aerial view of the snow-capped Swiss Alps - nature’s dramatic welcome to the next leg of our adventure.
Milan, Italy – Kicking Off with Football & Fashion
We landed right across from San Siro Stadium, and
what timing! The city was electric with celebration as AC Milan made it into
the championship (though heartbreak followed when they lost 💔⚽).
Milan loves its football - Crowds were out cheering throughout the day, singing
and waving flags as they walked through the streets.
Stops along the way:
Sforza Castle – Home to dukes, da Vincis, and a whole
lot of history. Originally built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke
of Milan, this fortress has been a military citadel, a royal residence, and now
houses several museums and art collections including Michelangelo’s last
unfinished piece.
Duomo di Milano – Nearly six centuries in the making,
this Gothic cathedral is the largest in Italy and one of the largest in Europe.
It’s adorned with over 3,000 statues.
Lucerne, Switzerland – Prison Chic & Mountain Peaks
Our journey through the Swiss Alps was nothing short of cinematic. We zipped through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world’s deepest and longest train tunnel, stretching over 35 miles beneath the mountains!
We stayed in the Barabas Hotel—a former prison turned
boutique stay. Think “Orange Is the New Black” meets alpine minimalism. ⛓️🗝️
Top sights:
The Musegg Wall – 14th-century fortification with nine
towers you can still walk in. The views of the Swiss Alps from the towers are
amazing!
Lion Monument – Carved directly into a sandstone rock
face in 1821, a tribute to the fallen Swiss Guards who died defending
the French royal family during the 1792 storming of the Tuileries Palace in the
French Revolution. Mark Twain called it “the most mournful and moving piece of
stone in the world.”
Hofkirche – A baroque church beauty right out of a storybook.
Bern, Switzerland – Bears, Bells & Breathtaking Views
Switzerland’s capital is packed with charm - and clocks.
Zytglogge – Once part of the city’s western gate
(built around 1218), this astronomical clock has been ticking since the 15th
century.
Bern Minster – Gothic, grand, and gasp-worthy. The
tallest cathedral in Switzerland, construction began in 1421 and wasn’t fully
completed until 1893. We climbed 344 steps to the top and were rewarded
with jaw-dropping views (and sore calves 🥵).
Bear Park – From medieval pits to a proper habitat, bears
have been kept in the city since 1513 after being captured as a war trophy. It
is home to Bjork, Finn, and Ursina, who live their best bear lives now 🐻.
Aare River Walk – Clear turquoise waters winding
through the city. A must to walk!
Freiburg, Germany – Schnitzel, Strudel & Stories
If you’re in Germany and not eating schnitzel
followed by apple strudel, are you even doing it right?
Highlights:
Freiburg Minster – Gothic spires soaring into the
sky. Built between 1200 and 1330, it’s one of the few Gothic churches in
Germany to have survived World War II bombings mostly intact.
Historisches Kaufhaus – Bright red and full of
history (and photo ops 📸). It dates back to the
early 1500s and was once the city’s central merchant house.
Bächle – Originally created in the Middle Ages to
bring water into the city, these narrow channels are now iconic. According to
local legend, stepping into one accidentally means you’ll marry a Freiburger…
or at least come back someday.😉
Strasbourg, France – From Cathedrals to Craft Beer Baths
Ill River boat tour = chill cruise + cool history +
navigating a real-life lock system = 10/10 experience.
But let’s talk about the beer spa. Yes, it’s a thing.
Yes, we did it. Soaking in a warm beer bath while sipping a pint from your own
personal tap? Absolute genius 🍺🛁.
Other gems:
Notre-Dame de Strasbourg – Another gothic cathedral
masterpiece that makes you say “whoa” every five minutes. It was once the
tallest building in the world (from 1647 to 1874) and still boasts the world’s
largest astronomical clock.
La Petite France – A UNESCO World Heritage Site with picture-perfect neighborhoods of half-timbered houses and canals dating back to the 16th century. Basically a fairytale, but with better wine.
Brussels, Belgium – Beer Me, Belgium!
Our final stop was Brussels. We only had a day before flying
out, so why not check out the breweries, especially when they boast of having over
2000 different types of beer. 🍻🇧🇪.
Final Thoughts 🚄❤️
Europe by train is a vibe - we’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Stay tuned for the next adventure! ✈️🧳💬
Comments
Post a Comment