ACROSS THE POND BUCKET LIST CHECK-OFF

by Dave Friant

Europe had always been on the list of possible “let’s give it a go” journeys. Experiencing different cultures and customs while eyeballing some noteworthy historical treasures did generate some interest. There was furthermore a curious enthusiasm about enjoying foreign delicacies served by waitstaff with delightful accents.

Our offspring were anxious for us to tap into an overseas adventure. Our years on earth at the time (72 and 70) seemed to be spot-on for such a happening. Nothing significant enough in terms of health to rule out a dozen or so days of unfamiliar activities on foreign soil and cobblestone streets.

We’re novices at extended travel. Estimated to be half of the continental 48 states plus an Alaskan cruise and portions of Canada’s British Columbia have been our go-to selections over the years. Reasonably tame for the most part. Absent the occasional poor weather or “you want how much for that Oh Canada Eh shirt?” reality checks, the times together away from home have been outstanding.

We opted for an 11-day overseas trip to Austria, Germany, and Switzerland in June 2023 through a group travel tour company. It was a sizable but manageable dig into our steadily earned bucket list fund set aside over the years for toss the dice experiences. Additionally, 2023 was our 50th wedding anniversary year.

The first portion of the trip involved a flight to Toronto and a 3-hour layover before boarding another Air Canada jet for the 8 & ½ hour jaunt to Vienna. Suggested by experienced travelers was the spending of some extra bucks to fly Premium Economy. We did so and the decision was 100% on target. Bandied about during the flight were thoughts of whether the packed attire would be sufficient on a 3-country tour. Would our newbie statuses be apparent when miscalculating while making purchases with foreign currency? What about failing to be overwhelmed with centuries-old architecture? And the apple strudel. God help us if we didn’t enjoy the strudel! All appeared to be manageable as we eyed strange-acting aisle mates between short periods of shuteye.

Ours was a group of 44 folks. The diverse crew of travelers were primarily hitched duos having committed to the bonds of matrimony several decades ago. Two single adults on the last legs of a gap year break from the rigors of undergraduate studies were also partakers of the adventure to be had, as were four older teen offspring from two of the married couples. An assortment of folks all new to the tour of this trio of countries.

The majority of the visit was by bus. It was a comfortable form of transportation piloted by a delightful professional (Gus) who many of the females suggested was worthy of a GQ magazine cover. Guiding our tour was a delightful lady from Spain (Maria) whose ability to successfully juggle all the airborne balls necessary for a worthwhile experience was extraordinary.

Our first day in Vienna involved some on-our-own free time. Searching for must have souvenirs and solidifying the ugly American characterization through demands that locals speak our language. No authorities called for overly asinine behavior... simply “the look” and an elbow shot to the ribs by the Mrs. We additionally toured a 1,440 room 17th century palace and visited the impressive St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The first tour night activity was attendance at the world-renown Wiener Hofburg Orchester. Ninety minutes of performances by opera singers and ballet dancers set to the music of Mozart, Strauss, et al. A departure from my generally unrefined stature in life, it was surprisingly entertaining.

Next up was a 2-hour afternoon boat ride on the Danube with a later arrival in Salzburg, Austria. The 2-night stay in the City of Music was highlighted by a local tour of the iconic film locations from The Sound of Music. Our captive gathering of observers were only mildly impressed when listening to my rendition of “Do-Re-Mi” from Mirabel Gardens. The group feasted on delicious cuisine that first evening at the 1,200-year- old St. Peter’s Restaurant, the oldest eating establishment in Austria.

Next up was Germany. Specifically, iconic views of the Bavarian Alps on the way to Munich and Oberammergau. Of particular interest was the visit to the Eagles Nest on the summit of Kehlstein Mountain near Berchtesgaden. Additionally enjoyed were the observations of Cuckoo clockmakers and a pleasurable boat ride within the Black Forest area on Lake Titisee.

Our final stretch was a bus ride and 2-day stay in Switzerland. Trying to keep my feelings of neutrality intact, but it was my favorite segment of the trip. We toured a sizeable portion of its’ noteworthy city of Zurich by foot and were enamored by the beauty of Lake Lucerne. The majority of the group (ourselves included) additionally ascended to Mount Pilatus via the world’s steepest cogwheel railway and a panoramic gondola to the summit. The temporarily elevated BP readings were short-lived and reversed upon descension.

Except for the lengthy pay-to-pee lines in the majority of areas and on rare occasions undercooked pork sausage, this trip was HERVORRAGEND. The locals were accommodating. The sites far exceeded expectations. And the apple strudel was delicious.