Departure from Berlin HBF Station and ICE Train to Nurnberg HBF and then transfer t Train to Passau.
We have had several days here in Berlin then a Day outing in beautiful Potsdam. We have had a wonderful time with warm days, clear weather apart from a coo0l change and drizzle in Potsdam. Nonetheless, it was really exciting to venture out into the countryside to another historic city.
We have enjoyed all of our time in Berlin. The Hotel 4 was very much a toursit hotel and we got by, not what we would usually use or expect, but things worked and it was in a great location. Given the other activities both sport and cultural in Berlin over this week, it turned out to be a sound decision with a great location.
Today we depart our Hotel and have a late start to get to the Berlin HBF Station. We are much more familiar with the train layout. We are taking an ICE express to Nurnberg before changing to another ICE Express to Passou. The luggagfe is under control and we use elevators to get to our platform and await the arrival of our trin.
When the train comes several younger men , gratefully assist us to board with our heavy cases. It is a relaxing and enjoyable trip over about 2 plus hours. The train is not full, which seems rare.
Ther Transfer at Nurnberg works well, we leave the train and then wait some 20 minutes for the train to arrive on the same platform.
We board our carriage and it is also a little quieter, but our seats are taken by 2 women with no intenton of moving.
So we sit in nearby section, with our luggage safely stowed. It is a shorter trip. We reach Passau after travelling beside the Danube River for approximately 20 miles. We depart the train quite well, managing the luggage and walking back along the station to a lift which takes us down to the underground passageway / walkway. From here we take the life from Platform 1 and into the waiting and ticket area. Thern just a short 50 metres walk to the taxi rank.
Here we strike another challenge, there are no taxis availalbe as there is a music concert being held at the beautiful Cathedar. It takes almost 20 minutes for a random number of taxis top come ar an irregular time spaced. We have a 5 minute ride to our hotel, which is an older style 4 star hotel directly beside the river. We are assisted with our luggage into the foyer of the hotel, which we learn a little later, was flooded to a height of 8 feet on the ground floor, not more than 6 weeks ago when the whole river system flooded and rhe River Cruise boats couldn’t mke it under the bridges. Hard to Believe, nbow beautifully cleaned up and we get to spend 3 full days and night before boarding our Viking river Boat for the Cruise Passau to Budapest.
The Hotel has a variety of room types and we have selected a deluxe room with view over the River and large ensuite. Very comfortable, plenty of storage and everything works well.
We un pack then decide to go for a walk and a drink in the nearby square. The River is always busy with a variety of differnt types of boats and ferries. We eat tonight in a beautiful local REstaurant overlooking the river. We each have Schnitzel and vegetables, simply great with a half bottle of French wine. Then an Apple Strudel dessert. Then we finish off with a walk along the promenade beside the River taking in the passing traffic. Just a great day. Delighted with our hotel and accommodation, we are informed that breakfast is something special.
We are also advised that our viking longship will arrive tomorrow evening downstream. Ken intends to walk to it and take photos. Passau is a small but beautiful city. Tomorrow we will explore in greater detail visit the Cathedral ,listen to the organ recital and be tourists.
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