In the last two weeks I have travelled across the UK, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, and Milan. Each of these countries extends a warm and inviting atmosphere to tourists, bolstered by efficient infrastructure. However, navigating these places can become tricky if you’re not tech-savvy. Automation dominates the scene—whether it's purchasing tickets or hiring a car, the process is predominantly online. This ease and accessibility seem more intuitive for Europeans, Americans, and Australians, given their familiarity with both language and technology. For newcomers from places like India, this shift to digital avenues in every facet of life can pose a unique challenge.
Cash transactions, it seems, are becoming a relic of the past in Europe. The region's train infrastructure is noteworthy, particularly in Italy, where some of their long distance trains by Trenitalia operate at double the speed of India's Vande Bharat trains. This swift pace results in more seating capacity, with fewer sleeper berths. This evolution towards speed and efficiency could very well be the future blueprint for India's own rail advancements, such as the anticipated bullet train.
Moving on to the roads, Croatia's infrastructure stands out with its extensive tunnels, bridges, and viaducts. The coastal roads are particularly impressive, showcasing the country’s commitment to travel ease despite its size. Bosnia offers entry without the need for a special visa ( if you have a Schengen Multiple visa), though travelers should expect checks at border counters. In Medjugorje, parking was a mild inconvenience, though generally, the experience remained positive. It's worth noting that expenses can add up—fuel prices, for instance, are 30-40% higher than in India, and parking can be costly. Nonetheless, if traveling in a group with a private vehicle, these hindrances are outweighed by the freedom and flexibility of exploring at your own pace.
We drove into Slovenia from Croatia and the roads are also good there ( Vintgar Gorge, Lake Bled ect). In Italy, we primarily took trains to Turin and Lake Como and used the subway in Milan.
Google Maps tracks your travel as well and informed me I had driven 1400 kms, Trains 600 kms and the ferry rides as well. So one more discussion point on privacy and analytics.
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