Did your European train adventure change you?

Between a number of trips in the 1980s and a number in the 2020s I have seen so many places and done so many things that it’s hard to narrow it down too much.

What did I learn?

Every town you pass through is a microcosm of the whole world.  People are going about their daily lives just like we do when we are not interrailing.  Every town (ok, almost every town) has something worth seeing or doing, so step off the train and change your plans if something catches your eye as you pass through.

What a wonderful reflection from you @zagmund ! It’s inspiring to hear your advice to explore each town’s “microcosm” and embrace those unexpected moments. With so many journeys across the decades, have any particular spots or surprises stood out for you?

Hearing stories like yours is a good reminder that every stop, planned or spontaneous, has something unique to offer. Thanks for sharing this! :)

There’s a whole book of them.  If only I had the time.

Back in the 80s - starting on a Greek island (Spetses, I think) we decided we needed to go somewhere cooler.  A few days later (like the minimum possible) we were in Narvik swimming in the midnight sun.  Because . . . we could.  I still have photos of people and places I met on that particular trip within a trip.

I can’t remember the exact route, but I think we got a boat over to Italy, up to Rome, then Paris, then Hamburg, then Gothenburg, and finally Narvik.