Two of my mother's siblings live in the most western part of Austria, not far from Lake Constance. My godmother has never driven long distances herself, and her younger brother can't drive long distances anymore due to a severe illness; so I've visited them a couple of times in the past three years. Whenever husband accompanied me, we took the car (it's an eight hour drive), but whenever I'm going alone, I travel per train as it's cheaper - and far more relaxing!
Earlier this month I visited them. I took the night train, and was even able to sleep for a bit in the couchette coach.
At 7am I switched trains, because I had a breakfast date with a cousin from my father's side, who lives in the beautiful Montafon area:
Two years ago, I spent a couple of weeks in this area at a physical therapy facility, and have very fond memories of that time.
At midday, I took a train from the Montafon area to a city near Lake Constance, where another cousin - my godmother's daughter - picked me up, and took me on a short hike so I could stretch my limbs after travelling for so many hours.
Our destination was a pilgrimage church, which was buildt on top of a plateau with a spectacular view over the lake and across the Rhine-valley towards Switzerland.
Sadly, the very next day a bad weather front hit the area, which ended all plans for further excursions.
I spent the next couple of days huddled indoors with my godmother, interspersed with visits from my uncle. It was time well spent.
