Athens to Bolzano

We were all packed and ready and off the boat by 8.30am. Our cars arrived at 9.15, the others staying in Athens overnight and taking me to Athens airport for my flight to Rome.  I had a longish wait so purchased lounge access with Goldair.  It is a small lounge and I was lucky to get a spot early.  However, good coffee a few decent snacks, access to power points all made the time pass quite quickly.  As an extra bonus I had an extended Messenger conversation with Gemma which was wonderful.

I found Athens airport signage quite confusing and probably took a roundabout route to my gate. The flight was fine, no passport control or customs in Rome to speak of and I was soon searching out the train to Roma Termini.  I was not completely confident of how my Eurail pass would work, but it all worked.  33 minutes to Termini left me 45 minutes until my train to Bolzano.   Signage here was even more confusing; I even had trouble locating where to access the platforms.  Given I had a fair bit of time, I thought I should take a bit of time out and have something to eat and drink before positioning for my train.  I had a bit of an odd moment when a young lady joined me at my table for two and urgently tried to engage me in conversation, in Italian.  She was very wild-eyed,  and I assume high and it was a little confronting.  Luckily her male companion came and removed her after a minute or two.

Fed and watered, my next goal was to find my platform.  Platform numbers are only allocated minutes before departure so I was left in subway limbo between platforms until confirmed.  Then my heart sank as I realised there were no lifts to the platform, leaving me to lug my 23kg bag and 8kg backpack up the long flight of stairs.  The train arrived on time.  I always find getting the suitcase onto the train difficult as you have to lift up and forward.  This was no exception.  Once on the train, there was no space left for suitcases and I wandered up and down until a gentleman took pity on me and offered to move his stroller and then placed it atop my case. The train itself was quite dirty, wifi speed non existent and my vision of a relaxed scenery filled trip evaporated.  However I was pleased to be aboard a direct service, so all I had to do was fill in 4.5 hours.

I got into Bolzano at 9.20pm.  It was only a 6 minute walk to the hotel, but the cobblestoned streets made it hard work.  I would like pumped up 4WD luggage wheels for next European trip please.  Checked into the hotel which seemed a little sparse at the time, and set out for food.  Surprisingly nearly all restaurants were closing, so after wandering aimlessly for some time I finally took the pizza option.   Although it was a chilly 15 degrees sitting outdoors and I had no jacket, the food was very welcome.
 

A pretty good night's sleep and then BREAKFAST of champions at the hotel.  Real coffee, served in a pot and too many food options to choose wisely.  Fruits, cakes, cereals, salmon, cold meats, amazing cheese, breads and fresh juices/wine.  I did not choose wisely, filling up on cheese and delicious breads but it was so good.  There may have been some pastries also.  As it was Sunday, breakfast was open until the very civilized hour of 11am.  Even so, I was the last to leave.