Off to Vienna...

On August 13, we were back at Spoedtest in Leiden to get COVID-19 antigen tests for our summer travels.

The following evening we headed to Amsterdam Centraal to catch the new overnight train service to Vienna.

It was naïve of us to have thought that a new train service would mean that the trains themselves would be new as this train was likely built in the 50s. 

Travelling during the pandemic was stressful, but we benefitted from the fact that our overpriced train tickets guaranteed that we wouldn’t have to share our compartment, that normally would have slept six.

Probably not a surprise that we brought wine with us; nor would it be a surprise that we had more than just this strange test tube full of wine. Apparently our train stopped in the middle of the night for a few hours since we arrived in Vienna three hours late. 

Since it was my birthday, I splurged on a room at Hotel Daniel, a hip hotel with a sailboat perched on the rooftop. 

In addition to the giant message to be optimistic above the entrance, this sign was on the door: No Bad Temper, No Spies, and Ties? Why Not Try Without.

We were pleasantly surprised when we were offered free Prosecco for my birthday while we waited for our room to be readied. 

I surprised Jimmy with a room with a hammock seat (with a very funny note about not to do anything wild in it)…

…and panorama views.