Tour d’Europe: crossing the Alpes

Zürich area

One week of commuting near the lake of Zürich. I learned that a kilometer cycling in Switzerland is definitely not the same as a kilometer in the Netherlands. Every day 400 m climbing to get at the office is a good way to burn some calories. 

Nevertheless, the weather was super and the stay in the nature was good for mind and body. Same for the swimming in the lake end of a working day.

The original plan was to conquer the Gotthard pass by bike during the weekend and cycle towards Italy where I have another work assignment next week.

However, heavy rain and Stormy weather was forecasted as of Friday. So i packed my tent at 5:00 in the morning before rain would arrive and changed my plans.

After work, i cycled in pouring rain to a railway station nearby to take the train in the direction of Italy.

Lugano

The train connections between Zürich and Milan is one of the most beautiful of Europe. Passing lakes, waterfalls, mountains and involves the longest tunnel in the world: The Gotthard tunnel with 57 km railway under the mountains.

Around 21:30 I arrive in Lugano where i booked a bed in a hostel besides the train station. I shared the mixed room with 7 other people. And i was clearly the oldest.

Saturday morning starts with a blue sky. Ideal for an early walk in the city and along the lake, before the crowd arrives.

I make a 5 km walk to the park and the lake. And enjoy the peace and impressive nature with a strong smell of flowers.

At noon, i catch the train to Milan. The final goal of the day is Genova at the Mediterranean sea.

Milan

The view from the train is marvelous. I had the plan to make a small cycle trip to the center of Milan during my stop over of 1 hour in this city. However, in contrast to the hyper efficiency of Switzerland, Milan station appeared to be a chaotic anthill. Most ellevators were out of order. It took me 15 min to leave the station. And after 20 min of cycling i was still in the railway station area. Good idea, but execution was not effective.

I returned to the station to catch my train to Genova.

Genova

Also this night i will stay in a dorm in a hostel near the station.

My hope was to cycle along the coast and in the city. But i did not do much homework. And i figured out quickly that cycling in Genova is not a good idea. So with my bike at hand i walk in this labyrinth with streets as width as 1,6 m with building up to 20 min. The harbour was stacked with tourists.

No cycling, but the Italian food is still worthwhile and much cheaper than the Swiss counterparts.