Epic Road Trip 2.0 From Italy to Poland Part 1

Road Trip 2.0

Well here we are once again, on the road and travelling through the European countryside. We have been looking forward to this particular arm of our trip since the beginning of our year long adventure and will be the final leg of our wonderful time here in this part of our world. We will be driving from Italy to Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, France and finally Switzerland before heading back to Italy for our last few weeks.

We begin this leg of our journey travelling to Vienna, Austria from Italy. We were so excited to be making this trip. Brendan had asked us months before if we could possibly go to the Geneva Car Show while we were travelling. John looked into it and realized that it would be on during March and just before we would be heading back to Canada. This was to become the focus of many discussions and development of a much larger trip!

The day started off wonderfully sunny and warm and an omen of the way the day was to unfold. We had a relatively easy and uneventful drive up to northern Italy and were in awe at the beauty of the Italian Alps, snow covered and majestic against the mid afternoon sun. We drove across the border and into Austria with only the Austrian flag as an indication of our arrival! But aside from that the most obvious change was the architecture of the houses. We almost immediately went from Tuscan style homes to alpine designs. They were so very quaint and inviting. There was a skiff of snow on the ground and smoke billowing from many of the chimneys so we felt as though we must be in the midst of a Christmas painting!! Also the drivers in other vehicles became much less aggressive and actually paid attention not only to speeds but overall driving etiquette! (Sorry but the Italians are just simply crazy drivers!, or maybe John just brings that out in them :-) )

By the time we made it to Vienna it was dark so we weren't able to see a great deal of the landscape, however once inside the city we were enthralled by the buildings and history that seemed to scream from every street corner. Our hotel was lovely and very comfortable. The clerk at the front desk spoke English and was very helpful in directing us to restaurant options and tourist locations. We were only to stay in Vienna for the night and then make our way to Poland by dinner time. However, after having seen some of the city we were beginning to feel that we might just need to stay in town a bit of the next day just to have a closer look.

Brendan standing outside the Shild Hotel in Vienna

By the time we settled into our large exquisitely appointed room which included a BATH (yes it does take something that simple to excite me!) we headed out for a bite to eat. We choose a restaurant that was a minute's walk from the hotel and very much in keeping with the Austrian theme. We enjoyed (what else?) but schnitzel and, no not beer, but wine and lemonade!! It was absolutely perfect. The food was made to order and the atmosphere was filled with the feeling of accordions, mountain goats and yodellers!!! Wonderful end to a long day.

The Shild Hotel offered breakfast with your stay so we were up in good time to take part! It was buffet style and quite varied in its offerings. As well there was an unending supply of coffee - what more could you ask for! Our waiter was familiar with Canada and specifically the west coast as he had worked for Celebrity Cruises when he was younger. He told us many stories of places he had been and of his time in Vienna. He was so friendly that we were late checking out b/c we were so enjoying our visit. This is one of the best adjuncts to travel that you don't appreciate until you've done it. The people you meet are amazing and so interesting!

Our very kind and pleasant waiter (focus courtesy of our wonderful Austrian wine goggles!!)

Once we had checked out we made our way downtown. Along the way our camera never stopped! We were so completely enthralled by the beauty and elegance of this wonderful old city that we would have stayed much longer had we had any time to squeeze out of our trip. We decided to stop by the Keiser's palace as our one treat. OH what a treat it was! So much splendour and the sculptures were so amazing. Such incredible works of art and antiquity throughout the courtyards and along the old cobblestone streets. As we made our way to our van I was attempting to find a way to talk the boys into staying there and cancelling the remainder of our trip. John, having read my mind (which he frequently does!) took me by the hand and vowed to bring me back to this beautiful city within the next 2 years! (I will be holding him to that!)

Driving through the old section of Vienna

Border of Slovakia

So we sadly left Vienna but we were thrilled to be able to make our way through Slovakia during daylight so we could take a glimpse of the country where John's grandfather, Gustav Michalec was born and raised. I was expecting it to be a barren wasteland of goo but I was very much mistaken and look forward to the coming years when we come back to spend time becoming better acquainted with the land and its people.

We spent the vast part of the rest of the day travelling through Slovakia, the Czech Republic and into Poland before arriving at the Best Western where we will spend our next couple of days before moving on to Germany.