Long Train Runnin'

In the dozen trips to Europe or Asia since 2009, we've never rented a car to get around: too expensive and frankly, too much trouble. Except for an occasional cab, traveling by train is the way to go. This year, we travelled by train from Germany (Munich in Bavaria) to Italy (Bolzano in South Tyrol and Genoa on the Italian Riviera), about 300 miles.

Based on previous experiences, I have concluded that the most prompt and timely train service resides in Switzerland and Germany. Italy and Spain? Not so much. Leaving Bolzano, we almost immediately fell behind schedule, missing our connection in Verona first, then Milan and finally Turin. We eventually arrived Genoa after 11 hours, tired but relieved.