Munich to Trieste on a Train
The Journey from Denver to Munich
On our way to our cruise, we decided to make a stopover in the charming city of Munich. After some research, we discovered a convenient direct flight from Denver, Colorado to Munich aboard United's luxurious Dreamliner. Initially, I had booked Premium Economy seats for both Mike and myself, utilizing precisely 100,000 miles. In the past, I had always focused on saving money on seats, but considering my claustrophobia and Mike's ongoing neck and back issues, we realized it was imperative to accumulate points for an upgrade.
Unfortunately, on the day of our flight, Mike was wrestling with yet another severe migraine induced by his occipital neuralgia. As the day progressed, and our departure time drew near, it became clear that we needed to explore other options. Knowing how these migraines often left him feeling terribly nauseous and uncomfortable, I decided to inquire about the possibility of a first-class upgrade upon our arrival at the airport. Miraculously, the upgrade fee turned out to be surprisingly reasonable. When I surprised Mike with the news of the upgrade, his face instantly lit up with gratitude and relief. Throughout the flight, the flight attendants went above and beyond to ensure Mike's comfort. Understanding the gravity of his condition, they made every effort to accommodate his needs.
Getting to the hotel
We arrived in Munich, and had a van waiting for us that we booked in advance. To book our transport, we opted for the convenience and affordability of RhomTrip.com, which proved to be a wise choice compared to Viator. Their platform allowed seamless communication with their team through chat or email. One aspect that particularly impressed us was RhomTrip.com's practice of sending an email the day before our scheduled ride, providing us with the updated contact information of our assigned driver. This feature proved invaluable as it allowed us to easily reach out via text messaging if we encountered any difficulty locating them.
Furthermore, we quickly learned that stating the number of people and pieces of luggage we had was vitally important when traveling in Europe, where vehicles tend to run smaller. Since we were traveling with my parents, who brought along three pieces of luggage, we consistently requested a van to accommodate our party comfortably and guarantee the storage space required for everyone's belongings.
Accommodations
The driver took us to the Hilton Munich Park, which was in a good location. Unfortunately, issues started from the very beginning and didn’t really end during our entire stay. We had to move rooms 4-5 times (for various reasons including one room already had someone’s stuff in it!), my parent’s room didn’t have working heat, our room’s fridge was broken, the lounge was regularly out of everything, the keys stopped working at least 10 to 15 times requiring lobby visits constantly, all of the showers/bathtubs were covered in black mold, and the pool was packed with loud screaming children and athletes the entire time. If a hotel is sincere in their apologies, I don’t have a huge issue, however, most of the staff were not very friendly. In conclusion, we don’t recommend this hotel!
What We Did in Munich
When we are short on time at a place, we try and choose somewhere to go that allows us to get the most out of the experience in one day. When it comes to Munich, Marienplatz in the go-to area to walk around all day. We took an Uber from our hotel to the area. We saw the New Town Hall, Frauenkirche, St. Michael München, Hofbräuhaus München, and more iconic sights.
The famous Hofbräuhaus was absolutely packed and it was extremely stuffy, so we decided to find somewhere a little less well-known to have lunch at. We chose to eat at Der Spöckmeier - Wirtshaus am Marienplatz which was a super cute restaurant with beer and food options. Before leaving Munich, we wanted to have a giant stein of beer, so we found Augustiner Bräu. Augustiner Bräu is one of the oldest breweries in the area, and had a classic German atmosphere.
Getting to TRieste via train
The following morning we had prebooked a van to take us to the Munich train station. We booked the van on RhomTrip.com again.
We booked our train tickets on RailEurope.com, but a few things to note: The prices constantly change from minute to minute on Rail Europe, but there aren’t many other websites/options for booking. Make sure you know what you’re booking as many tickets are non-refundable. Some trains have different classes. We booked first class in the open air cabin.
On the train, they had regular class, first class open air, and first class rooms. While the first class seats in the rooms were undeniably nice, there were a few drawbacks that made us reconsider our choice. One issue some encountered in the first class rooms was the lack of proper airflow. Additionally, the doors obstruct the view out the opposite side of the train.
Despite the limited space for large luggage pieces, there are areas where we could stack our belongings, ensuring they were kept safe and out of the way of foot traffic. Moreover, we discovered that there was also additional space available between the seats for luggage.
DO NOT run late getting to your train! Our hotel was about a 15 minute drive to the station, and we made sure to allow ourselves a full hour at the train station, which went by very quickly. We couldn’t find our specific train and needed to ask for help.
To enhance your train journey experience, we highly recommend bringing your own snacks, meals, and drinks. Although the train station may have vendors, it's important to consider the possibility of running late and not having enough time to purchase refreshments. Furthermore, the limited options and over-priced snacks on the train's snack cart can be disappointing.
Additionally, consider bringing activities such as cards or other forms of entertainment to pass the time when the view outside the window is not captivating.
Keep in mind that the train makes frequent stops allowing passengers to embark and disembark. This means that if a seat appears to be unoccupied, it may not remain so for the entire journey. To be considerate of fellow passengers, be mindful of the space you occupy.
Furthermore, it's important to note that the train does offer a couple of small bathrooms onboard. However, please be aware that these facilities are quite compact in size.
Switching trains in Venice
Our train from Munich went to Venice, where we had to switch trains to get to Trieste. The scenic route meandered through idyllic countryside, offering glimpses of charming villages and rolling hills along the way. We had a one-hour layover in Venice. We stepped outside the train station briefly, and found ourselves mesmerized by the nearby Venice canal. This short interlude allowed us to immerse ourselves in the unique atmosphere that permeates every corner of Venice.
As it was dinner time, our hunger led us to a charming to-go pizza vendor that offered both a casual take-out option and a cozy sit-down restaurant. We indulged in their delectable pizzas, their flavors evoking the passion and authenticity of Italian cooking. If you happen to visit the Venice train station, make a point of seeking out this hidden gem and treat your taste buds. We made sure to stock up on snacks and drinks at the cafe/shop in that station for the remaining journey.
The train to Trieste was a different type of train, designed for regular daily travel. Despite the train's bathroom facilities not being in the best state, the overall comfort of the train compensated for this minor inconvenience.
As we arrived in Trieste, we were immensely grateful for our hotel’s pre-arranged driver. The late hour of our arrival would have made finding a large taxi a challenge.
The Port of Trieste
The DoubleTree by Hilton proved to be an exquisite establishment, boasting a stunning array of amenities. Admittedly, the price tag was a bit hefty, but we were willing to indulge ourselves in this luxurious experience for the convenience it offered. The main reason behind our selection was its proximity to the port, ensuring a hassle-free morning embarkation onto our cruise ship.
The hotel management arranged for a private van to collect us promptly at 10:30am since our embarkation time started at 11:00am.
Boarding the Oceania Riviera
Arriving at the port, we were pleasantly surprised by the efficiency and convenience of the check-in process. Oceania Cruises had proactively sent us luggage tags in the mail, allowing us to streamline our drop-off experience. Once we deposited our bags, we proceeded to the passport check area, ensuring we had our boarding numbers readily available.
After a security check of our carry-ons and personal items, we found ourselves at the check-in desk in the terminal. The staff provided us with our room cards and took our photos for identification. With these essential formalities completed, we were granted permission to board the ship.
Despite not being able to access our staterooms until 1 p.m., a detail we hadn't initially realized, we were encouraged to make the most of our time onboard. The Terrace Cafe and Waves, which offered breakfast and lunch options, were conveniently open. Additionally, this period provided an opportunity to make spa appointments or attend to any other personal needs, ensuring a seamless transition into our cruise experience. Before fully settling in, we learned of an important requirement – visiting our assigned muster station.
In the next post, we will provide an extensive overview of the Oceania Riviera following its recent renovation. From the redesigned amenities to the enhanced features, we look forward to sharing our insights on this rejuvenated vessel.
You can watch the full experience below!
