Our Alps Grand Tour

A rail adventure in the Alps

My son and I have been discussing it for years, taking a road trip from one end of the Alps to the other. In the end, we settled for travelling by rail, particularly since Switzerland's railways are second to none in timetables, routes and punctuality.

We flew to Geneva at the far west of the Cantons Helvetica and found some caches in this french-speaking area. My son told me off for speaking French when I didn't always understand the responses.

We then took a couple of trains to the german-speaking areas arriving in Interlaken, and some more caches. It was here that we took the Jungfraubahn to Europe's highest railway station and a couple of caches at over 3500metres elevation.

Next, we headed to Zurich (travelling first class of course) for some more caching and a meet-up with friends Monica and Matt who cache under the name mona212. Cheese fondue and beer.... mmmmm. yum.

Next, we headed for an overnight in Liechtenstein and some more caches and another new country, before we headed by bus to Austria to get a 7-hour train journey to Vienna.

We loved Vienna. An elegant city with magnificent architecture; and prices comparable to the UK (Switzerland was so, so expensive). My favourite cache in this city was the Wien Travel Bug Hotel, a large box inside a pub.

As a bonus we took the one-an-hour 59-minute rail journey to neighbouring Slovakia and a visit to Bratislava and its Old Town which was really interesting.

Thanks to everyone we met and for your hospitality.