If there’s one thing I’ve learned about travel, it’s that flexibility is key. With Wizz Air no longer flying into Rome, I’ve had to rethink my gateway city—Vienna seems to be the new winner. And honestly? I’m not mad about it.
Vienna: A Late-Night Arrival & A Short Walk to Comfort
My flight to Vienna was delayed and packed to the brim, so by the time I arrived, I was beyond relieved to check into Hotel Schani—just a short, well-lit walk from the main train station, that felt safe even though it was close to midnight when I ventured out from Wien Central.
Relaxing in ReggioJet: Vienna to Prague
The next morning, I hopped on the ReggioJet to Prague, opting for the Relax Cabin—a well-worth-it upgrade. Spacious, comfortable, and a much more affordable splurge compared to flying business class. I try to book all my tickets using the Trainline app as I find this much easier though it can be a good idea to cross reference their rates direct but by using the app you’ll easily see the best connection and the name of the company servicing that route.
One tip: Always reserve a seat. It saves you the hassle of moving around with luggage and lets you enjoy the journey stress-free. Daytime travel also seems to have fewer delays, making for a smoother ride.
Prague: A Snowy, Walkable Fairytale
With my self-made Google Maps walking tour and an AirPod tucked discreetly under my hat, I set out to explore Prague without looking like a total tourist. And wow—what a walkable city!
First stop: the Astronomical Clock (Pražský orloj), the oldest functioning astronomical clock in the world, dating back to 1410. Every hour, from 9 AM to 11 PM, you can watch the Walk of the Apostles—a brief but fascinating show that’s been running for over 600 years.
From there, I wandered to James Bridge, the Lennon Peace Wall, and the historic Jewish Quarter, soaking in Prague’s stunning mix of every architectural style from the last millennium—something you can’t find anywhere else in the world.
Braving the -3°C temperatures the next morning, I climbed up to Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, just in time to catch the Changing of the Guard. Despite the cold, it was 100% worth the walk—especially for the breathtaking views of the city from the top.
I noticed many people experiencing homelessness around town, and seeing them in such harsh conditions really stuck with me. Before leaving, I made an online donation to the local Salvation Army, which runs the Nocleženka (Night voucher) program—100 CZK (€4) provides one night of shelter for someone in need. Moving forward, I’m going to keep looking for similar programs or ways to give back while travelling, because even a small contribution can make a difference!
Prague left me wanting more time to explore, though I’d skip peak summer to avoid the massive crowds. Spring or autumn sounds just about perfect. I stayed at the NYX Hotel in Prague, just a short walk from the train station and would return here.
From Prague to Hamburg: A Different Kind of Train Ride
Next stop: Hamburg, this time on a second-class commuter train—6 hours and 44 minutes of no-frills travel. Definitely a different vibe compared to ReggioJet, but it was a pretty smooth journey and got me where I needed to be.
Crossing Borders: Hamburg, Denmark & A Morning in Sweden
Hamburg was a quick stop before catching a train to Copenhagen, checking into Grand Joanne—a hotel that was so warm and inviting, and with the heavy snow and much cooler weather (-11°c), it was hard to leave.
But we had exploring to do. We wandered past Tivoli Gardens and City Hall Square, then made our way down Strøget, Europe’s longest pedestrian street. From there, we strolled all the way to Nyhavn, soaking in the colourful buildings along the canal with a hot chocolate in hand, and finally, ended our walk at the iconic Little Mermaid statue. A perfect way to take in the essence of Copenhagen!
By 7 PM, it was pitch black and well below freezing, so we went back to the hotel and enjoyed the European tradition of single bed covers on a double bed—each of us tucked into our own duvet. It’s surprisingly cozy and definitely something I could get used to!
Up early as always, we decided to cross the longest bridge in Europe for breakfast in Sweden—because, well, why not? Just a 45-minute train ride each way, and we were in Malmö, wandering around Malmö Castle before heading back to Denmark.
In the afternoon we visited Rosenborg Castle, where we saw the Crown Jewels, and then stopped off at the local Torvehallerne KBH market, where we sat and chatted in the winter sunshine.
Back to Hamburg & Onto New Adventures
After another very full train back to Hamburg, I headed south, catching an overnight Nightjet to Vienna (you can read all about that experience here).
I made my way to Slovenia with a short FlixBus ride and spent two peaceful nights in Maribor, catching up on some work and visiting the world’s oldest vine, which has been growing for over 400 years. It was a nice little break before continuing my travels.
Next Stop: Our First House Sit of 2025
Next, I’ll be hopping on another FlixBus to Zagreb, Croatia, for our first house sit of 2025, taking care of Peanut Butter & Jerry (yes, those are their names!).
Our Awesome Adventures 