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Travel

Switzerland by train

(71 Posts)
Luckygirl Sun 31-Dec-17 18:14:51

My family are trying to organise for us all to spend 10 days in Switzerland, specifically as it is a favourite place of my OH who is unwell with PD. The idea is that they will be there to help us as travelling is a huge challenge to him. TBH I fear he will not be well enough at all next August but we are on top of contingencies for cancellation. It is a wonderfully kind thought from them - a once-in-a-what's-left-of-his-life opportunity.

There is no way he would be fit enough to fly, so the plan is that some of the family will fly, some drive down (the keen drivers!) and OH and I and one DD will go by train to Innsbruck. Has anyone ever done this? Do you know the best route? The idea is that OH will be able to sit back and enjoy the scenery and also have access to toilets. The journey to the Ashford terminal is likely to be a bit difficult for him (coming from S Wales border) as there will be changes necessary.

Does anyone have any advice about the most direct and speedy train route once we are over the channel? The rest of the family will pick us up in Innsbruck, having organised hire cars.

jura2 Thu 06-Sept-18 18:32:33

Thanks - actually no other cases. I had ordered chicken breast, and it was not cooked properly. Did not want to make a fuss, as we were with friends. Never ever will make that mistake.

Zizi's management in Market Harborough, and at Head Office, to whom I sent a copy of the medical tests - were totally unconcerned bordering on rude.

PECS Tue 04-Sept-18 23:05:41

Sounds nasty Jura, hope you are fully recovered & restord to normal. I had symptoms for food poisoning whilst away on holiday in Cormwall recently but no idea what exactly caused the problem. Because food poisoning can take anything from 3 hours to three or more days to manifest you were fortunate to pin it down to Zizis. I expect there were a few other locals afflicted with Zizi being the common factor, that's usually how it is traced to source.

Luckygirl Tue 04-Sept-18 12:01:51

Thanks Bathsheba - it was hard for him, but it lifted his spirits greatly - and the presence of young happy people was a real tonic for us both.

Bathsheba Tue 04-Sept-18 11:45:07

I'm so pleased it all worked out so well for you luckygirl. It did seem a mad venture - I'm not sure I'd have had your courage! But you went ahead with your dream and you all had a fabulous holiday. Your family were amazing and you should be very proud to have raised such wonderfully thoughtful and generous-hearted children. Well done to all of you, such a lovely thing you all did so that your DH could have a holiday of a lifetime smile

silverlining48 Tue 04-Sept-18 11:36:33

I meant to say the Swiss alps.

silverlining48 Tue 04-Sept-18 11:27:40

We used to regularly travel by train to Italy and as I never managed to get much sleep in the couchette I woke early and used to go out into the corridor. as Dawn was breaking the sun would rise over the mountains topped with snow, quite beautiful.

loopyloo Tue 04-Sept-18 09:18:14

Reminds me that I went to work in Switzerland in 1969 and we travelled by train overnight. We spent a lot of time in sidings then going backwards. Arrived really exhausted but had a wonderful time in a beautiful country.

MawBroon Tue 04-Sept-18 09:09:11

Apology for unintentional offence accepted Jura? smile (if that is permitted and not misconstrued)

cornergran Tue 04-Sept-18 06:38:24

Delighted for you luckygirl, you still sound excited. Memories to treasure.

MawBroon Tue 04-Sept-18 06:22:58

so I now avoid it like the plague. I lost quite a bit of weight - but...
Oops sorry, just based my “silver lining” comment on your observation blush

jura2 Mon 03-Sept-18 19:19:12

but we digress- and rudely so.

I only popped in to see how Luckygirl and family got on with their travels. And it is wonderful news - I am so happy for you, Lucky and family- hope you are having a good rest now- happy with all the lovely memories you made together

jura2 Mon 03-Sept-18 18:37:56

Yes, Health Authorities were automatically alerted as soon as test results were through - nasty stuff for sure, and no more Zizi's for us.

jura2 Mon 03-Sept-18 18:36:48

We only noticed the Travel Lodge this time- as we ate at the bistrot below- where dogs are allowed. Milo's is great, and the staff so friendly too. Yes, Ascoughs is a favourite- used to be on main road by Milo's- but was far too small, and as they got so succesful, they had to move to St Mary's road.

Sorry to say, but Travel Lodge from the coutyard looked a bit grim- so glad you thought it was OK. Our apartment is very close, near the Church and old Corset factory (great Museum btw), now the Council Offices and Library.

Farndon Fields farm is great for local foods, but a shame they won't take reservations, so often a big queue.

MargaretX Mon 03-Sept-18 18:26:23

I live in Germany and have flown so often to England and now at 80 I fly business class, with Lufhansa and have their Mobility Help which costs nothing.
As a lot of people who will be flying to Switzerland will be businessmen and women you can get cheaper business class tickets for planes which fly midday. That is what I do when I fly to Manchester. The midday flight is only 100 Euros(70ounds) more and you have free coffee and light meals in the business lounge and can lie down if you want and have time. You will get really looked after.
It sounds expensive but as you are going to Swiitzerland it will be an expensive holiday anyhow.

The trains are clean and punctual but the seats in rows and not easy for hours and hours.
There is that special train to Interlaken, but that is to enjoy the view of the mountains - if its all not covered in mist!

silverlining48 Mon 03-Sept-18 18:21:22

Jura2 We stayed at the travel lodge, breakfasted every morning in milos who kindly opened up early for us and had a very nice dinner at ascoffs, is that right? I was looking for Ascots. Thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
Campylobacter is extremely unpleasant some years ago my husband was ill for over 3 months. He Lost a whole lot of weight very fast. ( it’s all back on nOw though!) Its a reportable disease and we had environmental health round checking where he had eaten. You have my sympathy.

jura2 Mon 03-Sept-18 17:33:24

Yes, VERY unpleasant, proven by medical tests. Chicken not cooked through.

Now, that grin is really, truly, unbelievably b*tc*y sad

MawBroon Sun 02-Sept-18 22:52:29

Campylobacter? Oh dear.
But every cloud has a silver lining grin

jura2 Sun 02-Sept-18 16:54:08

yes, 2 days before we arrived on our last visit.

Got Campylorbacter from Zizi's in MH - so I now avoid it like the plague. I lost quite a bit of weight - but ...

Milo's is a brilliant little local Café- in a little alleyway right opposite Zizi's.

MawBroon Sun 02-Sept-18 16:07:21

Some of us GNers met up for a lovely lunch in MH a wee while back.
Probably just as well I didn’t find a tearoom as well as the white chocolate cheesecake!

jura2 Sun 02-Sept-18 15:38:46

Such fabulous news Luckygirl - I am so so happy all went well, and only too sorry we are too far to pop in and have a coffee or glass of Swiss wine. Bravo to all involved.

sliverling48 - glad you enjoyed Market Harborough- we just love our visits there. Where did you eat those cakes then - favourites are Milo's Café- all made on premises and so friendly- and Farndon Field Farm market and Café. If I may ask, where did you stay. Three Swans?

Marydoll Sat 01-Sept-18 07:43:03

grannyqueenie, ? You can take the girl out of Glasgow, but you will never take Glasgow out of the girl. grin

silverlining48 Sat 01-Sept-18 06:59:18

Lucky girl, So pleased all went well, it did seem mad initially, yet it worked. Lovely to have the family together, it’s going to be one to remember.

Jura, we are just back last night from market harborough, our first trip to Leicestershire, a lovely market town. Trouble is I have put on 4 lbs in just two days, what do they put in those cakes?!

Willow500 Sat 01-Sept-18 06:11:54

What a wonderful family you have Luckygirl - so caring to have taken all your husband's needs into consideration and I'm so happy you managed the journey and had a wonderful time. Switzerland is stunning - my husband lived there for 18 months in the Emmental area and the views from his apartment were amazing. Prior to that he used to make the journey by car regularly crossing from Hull to Rotterdam then driving all the way which he loved. We'd like to go back one day so a train trip sounds a fab way of doing it!

grannyqueenie Sat 01-Sept-18 00:39:47

Marydoll you took the words out my mouth and since I’m also a Glasgow girl, they probably sounded exactly the same too!
Great news luckygirl

Marydoll Fri 31-Aug-18 22:40:36

Great news. I'm so glad it all worked out. The thread caught my eye tonight as I remember when you first posted.