Train-life, Europe '22

June 2022 - May 2025

Current

An open-ended adventure by Karen Read more

Currently traveling

List of countries

Finland
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Poland
Hungary
Slovakia
Slovenia
Croatia
Austria
Czech Republic
Germany
Denmark
Sweden
Show all (14)

Categories

Backpacking, Bus, Culture, Nature, Photography, Sightseeing, Train, Wildlife

8.1kkilometers traveled

Means of transport

Flight551kilometers
Walking-kilometers
Hiking-kilometers
Bicycle-kilometers
Motorbike-kilometers
Tuk Tuk-kilometers
Car-kilometers
Train-kilometers
Bus-kilometers
Camper-kilometers
Caravan-kilometers
4x4-kilometers
Swimming-kilometers
Paddling/Rowing-kilometers
Motorboat-kilometers
Sailing-kilometers
Houseboat-kilometers
Ferry-kilometers
Cruise ship-kilometers
Horse-kilometers
Skiing-kilometers
Hitchhiking-kilometers
Cable car-kilometers
Helicopter-kilometers
Barefoot-kilometers

Oldest first

Traveler Train-life, Europe '22
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jul 22, 2022, 7:09 PM
- ☁️ 16 °C
- Altitude: 335 m
- Sweden Baksjön 64.637072, 16.66441964°38’13” N 16°39’52” E
Day 35
Back in my space
July 22, 2022 in Sweden ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
What a fantastic ending to a remarkable journey.
Welcomed by special ones as a surprise at our little airport, after a peaceful last night at sea, it is back to reality of normal life.

Beautiful flowers, lakes and forests to enjoy; studies to complete over the summer, and people to catch up with.

Thank you for joining on this trip - it was lovely to share this with you.Read more
1 like
Traveler Train-life, Europe '22
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jul 20, 2022, 2:01 PM
- ☀️ 27 °C
- Altitude: 14 m
- Finland Helsinki Central Railway Station 60.169386, 24.940860°10’10” N 24°56’27” E
Day 33
Finally, it's Finland!
July 20, 2022 in Finland ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
I traveled backwards and forwards between Tallinn and Helsinki a few times, as the cheapest bed I could get was on a ferry. It was special to have my own little bit of space after sharing with others - although the sharing has been good too!
I wanted to capture the essence of churches on this last day of my trip; the enormous Central Lutheran church (which seemed like a monument to man's achievements), the lovely German Lutheran church: an organ practise was happening as I mused about the beautiful stained windows; the enormous Orthodox Church which draws many tourists... and the peculiar Kamppi church: built like an ark, a place of quiet in the mad rush around the city.
I enjoyed walking along both the Esplenade (beautiful gardens) and along harbour moorings.
And now the last night on the ferry to Stockholm awaits!Read more
2 likes
Traveler Train-life, Europe '22
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jul 19, 2022, 12:06 AM
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 21 m
- Estonia Toompea 59.4391, 24.74512359°26’21” N 24°44’42” E
Day 32
Tallinn treats for the eyes
July 19, 2022 in Estonia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Truly chilly temperatures yesterday and lovely sunshine today made for carpet in picture lighting.
The castle walls surrounding the Old Town are among the most complete I have seen, and these add wonderful touches of antiquity everywhere.
The most interactional hostel roomies made the stay here memorable!Read more
Traveler My memories of visiting Tallinn are refreshed through your experiences. There’s always more to see and do! You’re having wonderful experiences.
7/19/22Reply
Traveler Yes, there are so many things still to experience! It makes life exciting.
7/19/22Reply
2 likes
Traveler Train-life, Europe '22
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jul 16, 2022, 7:27 PM
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 16 m
- Latvia Riga 56.94705, 24.11052456°56’49” N 24°6’38” E
Day 29
Riga, rain and finding out more.
July 16, 2022 in Latvia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
The rain made a difference to exploring around: bursts of rain came down hard, and my shoes, socks and feet were like sponges!
I walked around in the Central Market- wonderful colours and variety- then on to a Jewish memorial museum.
I took the evening easier as my feet were aching.
My second day in Riga took me to the KGB museum (ultra-dramatic guide!) And the weather looked like it was holding steady, so I went to the beach. Jurmala is a short train ride from the city, and it was super to walk in sea water, hear the waves, and walk on soft sand.
I found a pub playing the rugby (SA vs Wales). Go Bokke!Read more
3 likes
Traveler Train-life, Europe '22
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jul 13, 2022, 11:14 PM
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 106 m
- Lithuania University of Vilnius 54.684701, 25.29080754°41’5” N 25°17’27” E
Day 26
Vilnius, you beauty!
July 13, 2022 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
There is a massive amount to explore and marvel at in this beautiful city.
It feels very green, with many parks and forests, even within the city space.
Perhaps because of its heavy oppression within the last century, the city seems very accepting of others (the greatest support for Ukraine I have seen so far).
There are several Orthodox churches, as well as the array of Catholic churches.

A visit to the Museum of Occupations (the old KGB headquarters) was informative and moving. The whole point was to keep the USSR apart from the rest of the world, so we heard do little when I was young.
There is a lot of interesting art, and quirky responses to control (like the independent colony of Uzupis).
This is a country worth revisiting!Read more
Traveler There is so much that you can relate to us about your experiences and observations!
7/14/22Reply
3 likes
Traveler Train-life, Europe '22
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jul 12, 2022, 10:48 AM
- 🌧 15 °C
- Altitude: 112 m
- Lithuania Kalvarija 54.411866, 23.22466154°24’43” N 23°13’29” E
Day 25
Leaving Poland
July 12, 2022 in Lithuania ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
After exploring the history of Krakow in the last 90 or so years -Schindler's museum, Pomerskli street, and some of the synagogues and Remuh cemetry (where a long wall is built with old gravestones); also hearing the busy night life in the Old Town; I headed east.
My last train ride for this trip was between Warsaw and Suwalki.
Now I use buses and ferries to travel. Today I head to Vilnius. It is exciting to think of seeing these places that we know so little about!Read more
1 like
Traveler Train-life, Europe '22
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jul 8, 2022, 5:36 PM
- 🌧 17 °C
- Altitude: 229 m
- Poland Krakow Old Town 50.061207, 19.94228250°3’40” N 19°56’32” E
Day 21
Wet, wonderful Krakov
July 8, 2022 in Poland ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
After the amazing warm, fun day at the baths in Budapest, I had quite the challenge to get trains / transport to Krakow. Wrong times (and station!) on the train app, and very full train from Vienna meant I could not travel there, so I took a Flix bus from Vienna to Krakow. The bus got stuck in bad traffic near Brno, and the bus got in so late!
But I found my hostel and have a cozy little spot.
Today I have been wandering around Krakow, but crazy rain storms made it impossible to be out, so I eventually just came back to the hostel.
I have a ticket to a concert tonight and don't want to miss that!Read more
1 like
Traveler Train-life, Europe '22
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jul 7, 2022, 10:54 AM
- ☁️ 25 °C
- Altitude: 104 m
- Hungary Budapest Kelenföld 47.465201, 19.02100647°27’55” N 19°1’16” E
Day 20
Thermal baths and on the tracks again.
July 7, 2022 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
There are so many amazingly crafted buildings in Budapest! (More than in the other cities I have been in, it seems?) The filigree- style metalwork shows fantastic creativity and skill, and the various styles of architecture are inspiring.
The Buda Tower is a church tower which did not fall despite the rest of the building being downed in bomb attacks.

I had to take advantage of the Thermal springs in Budapest (it was an aim of the entire journey, to swim in thermal water) and this was special time. Masses of people,wonderful water of different temperatures, and a hearty Hungarian stew with wine for lunch.

I got my hair cut, well, in the evening, and packed bags for an early start. Poland ahead!Read more
1 like
Traveler Train-life, Europe '22
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jul 5, 2022, 9:00 PM
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: 130 m
- Hungary Vörösmarty tér 47.495736, 19.05236147°29’45” N 19°3’8” E
Day 18
What a city Budapest is!
July 5, 2022 in Hungary ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Oh my goodness! So much to see and do here! Similar building style to many other cities, but there is a different feel here, too.
I wanted to see a lot (written in my planning book), and did get to do several of those things - the great market hall, parliament, the Metropolitan Ervin Szabo library (wow!), and attended Mass in the Cave church at Gellert. Stopped off at the biggest Ruin Bar on the way back home too.
Still more to see... what can I manage in just one day?Read more
Traveler Looks like you’re still having a really fine time! That’s so nice! Stay strong and healthy, and stay the course for your itinerary today. 22k steps in 1 day is very hard to better! Love and encouragement to you from Dad and Mom.
7/6/22Reply
Traveler thanks so much, dad! it was 32 000 plus steps - over 22 km... my body feels it!
7/6/22Reply
1 like
Traveler Train-life, Europe '22
- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Jul 4, 2022, 2:27 PM
- ⛅ 33 °C
- Altitude: 144 m
- Slovakia Bratislava 48.147597, 17.11434248°8’51” N 17°6’52” E
Day 17
More European culture, in Bratislava.
July 4, 2022 in Slovakia ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
After a trip through 4 countries yesterday (travelled all day), I arrived in Slovakia.
This morning I walked around the old city, and experienced the feel of old spaces, and new creativity.
I walked across the Danube River, and enjoyed the many big trees throughout the city.Read more
1 like