This was at a time of no internet, no mobile phones and a different currency in every single European country. That was what he needed to have, and it took him quite some effort to find a place where he could purchase the guide. But he got it and could make his plans for the journey — and what great routes did Dejan discover! Here, they experienced the midnight sun for the first time in their lives.
They also managed to find a train along the German North-Sea coast that brought them to Emden. From there they managed to make it to their first high-speed train experience on TGVs in France, from Paris to Brest on the Atlantic coast.
But of course, the best planning also needs to be coupled with spontaneous improvisation when circumstances change. After the 3 rd week of traveling, Dejan and his girlfriend were in Lyon, with plans to visit Spain and Italy. Being already really exhausted after 3 weeks of backpacking, they decided to skip Spain and try to go via Switzerland they wanted to travel on the Glacier Express to Rome and then home.
Staying overnight in Lucerne was also not possible, as the only youth hostel crazy expensive was full and any other available place to stay was far above their budget. Continuing straight to Italy would have required them to spend hours of the night at the train station in Lugano.
The only way to get out of Lucerne was to go to Zurich, so they decided to give it a try. When entering the train to Zurich they realized that the last stop was not Zurich main station, but Zurich airport.
