The cost

Here is an overview of spending on the trip. We had a budget of a maximum of 75,000, - the total for everything. We did very well. It's even cheaper in Eastern Europe than we had expected.


Transportation: (interrail tickets + seat bookings, bus and taxi): 13.390, -
Flight t / r: 12.260, -
Accommodation: 24.110, -
Entertainment (zoos, amusement park) 2095 -
Clothing + assorted stuff 3785 -
Food, drinks and necessities 10.445, -

Total: 66.085, -

We feel satisfied with the economy. May seem like a lot of money for a vacation, and it's by all means a lot of money, but we are, after all, 2 adults and 3 children who have been away for 25 days. We have experienced a lot, and has probably become even more well assembled as a family. You live close to each other, and for many it may feel tight and cramped. I can still say with hand on heart that we never grew tired of each other on this trip. We have only had a fantastic time! :)

Home

We had to get up very early again Monday morning. We took the bus from the train station before 7! Recommend it a lot. Comfortable, effective, fair price and many departures. When we got to the airport  I was a little intimidated by a huge long chekin-line. Those who have been at Gardermoen, or other Norwegian airports, understands that I thought that it was a matter of hours until our turn. It only was a few minutes. Incredibly effective! A long line of 10 different counters.

The trip home went quickly, a little break at Kastrup, and so we could finally (?) Land on Norwegian soil again. The question mark is placed there, as the boys sat on the plane back to Norway and discussed where we should go on the next interrail! We fell totally for this way of traveling, everyone, and there will be a trip  in 2013 or 2014 we have decided! :)

Munich

The train left at 8:35 in the morning, and we had a break in Bologna. To Bologna we had a compartment to ourselves, and it's always great! It was a short trip to Bologna, and we put our luggage at the station, so we could wander a little in the city. There was not much we could see, the train proceeded at 11:46 to Munich. Incredibly fascinating to see the landscape change like that. From the plains of Italy and the Alps. We drove through Innsbruck. Dinner was also purchased. And the boys got free ice cream, so they were thrilled! :)

The hotel was right next to the station in Munich, and we found it easily. There was only one small problem ... There had been a water leak, so several floors were closed. They were still very professional, and had already ordered new hotel to us, closer to the center, 2 rooms next to each other, including breakfast. It was pretty well :) We were staying at the Hotel Deutsches Theater. Feel free to stay here again!

Day 1: Breakfast was good (especially when it was free, we should not really had breakfast at the other hotel). We ate well, and waited until 9:30 before we went into the city. We wandered around at random in the pedestrian streets, and did a lot of "window-shopping" in expensive designer shops, before we ended up at C & A and got a lot of clothes for everyone. On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a huge toy store, where the boys got to pick one toy each. They chose some lego and back at the hotel they built with Lego.

It started raining in the evening, so we ate dinner at Subway, which was just down the street to the hotel and when we came back, the sky totaly opened! It was a tremendous thunder and lightning show. It reverberated from the walls. Tremendously.


Day 2: We got up early and ate breakfast before we went down through the streets of Munich's Deutsches Museum. A gigantic technical museum. Fun for both young and old here. Here they had everything from old to new boats, airplanes, balloons, cars and rockets. Huge! In addition, they had a large play area for children. Much could be pick and poke at! Wonderful! We were here the whole 5 hours :)

     

Back to the hotel to watch Tour de France, play with Lego, and pack our bags. Last day before going home. Strange, but delicious!

Florence

We got up, and went to the station at about. 10 in the morning. There are many trains between Rome and Florence, so we had plenty of time. At the station we were a bit demotivated when we saw the huge queues in front of desks (we had to have seat reservations), but a man who bustled around there showed us how we could order on a machine. No queues, no stress;) We got seats on a train an hour later. It was a short, pleasant trip of about one and a half hour.

Arriving in Florence was very close to the hotel. Hotel Desiree was just a few blocks from the station. The room was not ready when we arrived, but we were putting the bags from us at the reception and wandered around the city. Florence is very nice. Narrow streets, stalls, small shops, lively, beautiful architecture and some huge buildings in between.

The Wow factor was high, even in the youngest. Especially when we rounded a corner and got the huge The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore in front of us. Fantastic building.












A few hours later we went back to the hotel. The room was ready, and they'd managed to put 5 beds in a regular hotel room. Cramped, but fair enough. Air Conditioning and we are happy;)








Day 2 we got up relatively early for a delicious breakfast. Homemade bread, various cereals, fruit, cold cuts and some cakes. They like it sweet for breakfast in Italy ... We went early into the city to avoid large crowds, and it was great. We just went along the streets and enjoyed the atmosphere. For the first time the boys started to mention that they are homesick. It's not complaining, but we all can feel that we have been traveling for 3 weeks. They are still as good as ever, and they cheered when they got their Super Mario - T-shirt as a reward for beeing so clever and nice. (that kind of rewards they should really have had every day. They are amazing to travel with!) the father was also got a T-shirt with "The Evolution marriage." ;)

Packing the bags in the evening, getting ready for departure in the morning.

Rome - part two

Fortunately, we spent some time eating a good breakfast in the morning. At nine the sky suddenly opened, and it was raining cats and dogs! It started with hail, but changed to heavy rain with lightning and thunder! We curled ourselves well together on the sofa and read a little Dr Proctor's Fart Powder.(By Jo Nesbø) Recommended as a holiday discourses (or really "anytimeatallreading"), fun for both young and old :)

Around half past 10 it stopped raining, and we took on our long walk. The plans were great! We started to walk past the Forum, up to the "Victor Emmanuel Monument." A giant white building in honor of the first king of the united Italy.

Furthermore, we went to the Pantheon. An ancient temple with impressive architecture. Magnificent!



The road winds its way on to the Trevi Fountain. World Famous and beautiful! We threw coins, and took pictures. It is huge with people everywhere, and our youngest disappeared for a few seconds. (felt more like hours ...) but he was fortunately good, and went straight to the agreed meeting place, if something were to happen. (It is best to choose an ice cream parlor, as this is a place kids remember!;))









A short, but well-deserved ice-break, before we trudged on to the Spanish Steps. Is it not this a bit overrated? It's just a flight of stairs? We did not really understand this, but we had now seen it and managed to be bothered by 4 merchants before we began the trip back. The boys are fantastic! No complaining. We have the best kids in the world! :)

Rome - part one

We got up early to try to reach the Colosseum before the rush. Have read and heard that there are huge queues here throughout the day. That's right! We were there around 9:30, and  it wasn't much of a queue. In addition, there was a guy who ran around and asked if anyone had the excact amount for the entrance fee, for they had not got their spare change that morning! We said that we had, and we got to jump ahead in the queue. This was indeed a partial truth ... It cost 24 Euro. I ran out, bought a calendar for1Euro, ran back in and then we had the right amout ... ;)

It is difficult to describe the Colosseum. It is gigantic! The boys also were impressed. But it must be experienced! It did help for the boys that my husbond, knows the history, and could talk about gladiators, wild animals, slaves and emperors so they got a little more understanding of what it was we saw. We were here an hour, but then it started to get quite full of "sheep flock" as the kids called the rest of the tourists, that we went out.

From the Colosseum we walked up to the Forum and Palatine Hill. Fortunately, we read on the poster outside, for it turned put that there was a joint ticket for these three sites! So if you are going to Rome; If you see one of them,  you might as well see the rest as well! 12 Euro for adults and free for children. It's worth it! There is a lot of impressive buildings, though mostly in ruins. The atmosphere is incredible. The boys were fascinated and looked around at the large rocks and were puzzled as to why people bothered to move them to build houses. They could only use the boards! :)

It's hot in Rome, we are longing to get back to Split... Back in the apartment we relaxed and played, before we went out at a restaurant around the corner as the lady with the keys recommended to us. Ristorante Luzzi is highly recommended. Simple and easy. Nothing fancy, but you get nice food at a very nice price! We ordered three pizzas, lasagna for 2, 6 sodasand 1 liter of water, and paid less than 300 kr. Great!

Ancona - Rome

We woke up early at the hotel, ate a little early breakfast, before we went to the train station. We thought we had plenty of time, but we had certainly not ... It was a little bit farther to go than the guy in the hotel lobby tried to explain to us ... approximately 2 miles to the ... We just lost the train we were going to take to Rome, and had to wait 3 hours for the next! That happens unfortunately. We sat on the platform, where we played, read and looked at the strange people! (many of them ..)




The advantage of losing the train, was that the train we had to take was an IC-train with seat reservation and AC. It's okay. The train sped through a typical Italian landscape. Open expanses of vines and some small peaks here and there.

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We arrived in Rome at about 14:00 and decided to walk to the apartment which was right at the Colosseum. It's hot here! We managed to be both sweaty and thirsty before we arrived. It was a very nice apartment, and we could actually see the Colosseum from the apartment window.  2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and air conditioning is great. Nice lady who showed us around the apartment, explained how everything worked, and gave us tips on places to visit and places to eat.




We walked to the colosseum and forum, but only looked from the outside.

Split - Ancona

Day 7 in Split

We ate breakfast, and cleaned out of the apartment in the morning. It was a little sad to leave the apartment who had been our "home" the past week. We had a great time here. Right in the center. Calm. Airconditioning. Kitchen. Washing machine. Top! We could easily have been another week. At the pier we were lucky and got the last two luggage compartments to store your bags! Had been stressful to carry them all day, the ferry didn't leave until 17!

We had to have us a farewell swim, so we spent a couple of hours on the beach. Just as delicious as every day. But at 12 o'clock we went to the village again. Ate some food in a bulge at the harbor, and went to "our" pizza shop and bought us some great sandwiches and drinks for the boat trip.

We had been told that we had to show up 2 hours before departure, and conscientious as we are, we did ... To those who take the ferry: It is enough to meet at least 2 hours before, and pick up your tickets. Then you can do whatever you want, untill it's time for the ferry to go! We were sitting these two hours on the pier, played some cards, ran around a bit,  used up the last kroner on some drinks and chips, before we finally got to stand in line. There was no seat reservation, so we lined up early so we could get seats together.

We got in, and said a last farewell to the city,and the ferry took us across the Adriatic, towards Ancona. The time was used to play cards, DS and PSP. Eat some food, lots of candy, and relax a bit. We did not arrive at Ancona before 22.10, and it was a very long line at passport control. We also had to walk for a while until we arrived at the hotel, so we did not emerge until around 23.30! Straight to bed!

Split - part three

Day 6

Grey and "cold" day ... In these wonderful days that means a bit overcast and "only" 27 degrees ... :) Spoiled? Yes! Over 30 degrees pretty much the whole trip, so we have been spoiled!
It was actually quite nice to go and wander around the old city today. We just wandered around at random. The boys got to choose the street we should go, and it was certainly great fun! Alleys and narrow streets were explored, dead ends were great discoveries, and icecreamshops a huge bonus!

Port of Split. In the background you can see the old town. The tower is a very good starting point. It was the middle of the palace. Our apartment was on the far left in this picture, and a little into the streets there;) I love this city! It has a wonderful calm and comfortable atmosphere all the time. Although it is becoming a tourist town, it's not as targeded towards tourists as other cities. Really hope it continues like this, because we will return!

In the evening we were out looking for a place that had received very good reviews on TripAdvisor. We did not find this, but we found Spalatin Ristoran. Cosy restaurant on the corner of Republic Square. The waiter was nice, the food came quickly and tasted great. Meatplatter for Two for the adults and pizza for the kids. When you only pay 500 NOK including a drink, we are happy happy!

Split - part two

Day 4

The day began quietly in the apartment with a good breakfast, before we moved into the center of Split. Our apartment was right at the large Diocletian's palace. The walls around were high, and the streets inside the palace was narrow and twisting. Fantasticly cozy! At the right you see one of the four main entrances to the palace, under the clock.

We were also a trip down to the basement of the palace where there was a museum with several things from Diocletian's time. We saw some statues, ornaments, and an olive press, which you see on the image to the left here.

When we got up on the main square in the Palace again, it was a little play around "guard switch" in the palace. Deokletian himself, with his wife came out on the terrace and watched the guard changed, and spoke to the people. Fun for the boys to see. It was almost as they thought it was the emperor for real ...

Over you see a picture of the main square.

Day 5.

Today was also started at the beach. In the morning, it's mostly just locals, as well as families with children on the beach, so it's nice to be there. (Some brats, and big "kids" that are not always realizing that there are others also present on the beach later in the day ...) The boys love to swim! They splash, "swim", sitting in the bath ring, running in the waves and make sandcastles. We adults also had ta bath even if the enthusiasm is decreasing the higher the age... Fantastic fine days anyway :)

Today we decided that we should go for a walk to a shopping mall, just north of the city. A fairly newly opened shopping center, called the Joker, which was about a mile north of the palace. We went up and came into a more modern Split. More high-rises, and less of the cozy atmosphere in the narrow streets of the city center. The mall was the largest in the city. Okay. But it was a bit nice to be inside a little after so many days in the blazing sun.



We were also very fond of the pizza shop in the 1st floor of our building. Quick, easy, good and very cheap! The boys eyes almost popped out when my husbond came in the door with what was very suitable called Jumbo Pizza. 55 cm in diameter, for 85 kroner. Delicious! :)

Day 6.

We walked and walked through the palace early in the day. A little overcast, so it was nice to go around.
We also visited the Temple of Jupiter that was inside the palace. It was a small room that was previously used for the worship of Jupiter. Outside (as you can see in the picture at right) was a statue of Diocletian's time. (Without the head though, but great anyway!)


In the afternoon we got some strange looks when we walked down towards the beach, packed up with swimminggear, bags, buckets and shovels. Why? It rained! Pooh! Nice and hot, and the beach alone;) The boys enjoyed themselves as much today as every other day :)

Split - part one

Day 1:

Nice breakfast at the hotel before we went to the train station. We had again, fortunately, booked tickets in advance. Good thing we did, for the train was packed! It was a nice trip, in a dramatic landscape. We felt we drove in the lowlands, it was so flat, with few peaks here and there, but it turned out that we were over 800 meters in several places.

During the journey we got a text from the holder of the apartment we rentet, that she was in town. We could go straight there and did not have to wander around the city for 2 hours with bags. It was very nice. We arrived in Split arround 2, and found the apartment which was right in the center. Beautiful, newly refurbished apartment, with all the facilities we needed for a week. Kitchen and bathroom with washing machine. Just great! There were also a magnificent four-poster bed that I fell in love with! :)


The day was calm, it had been a long train ride. We looked only slightly in the area, before we got us some pizza for supper from the pizza baker in the first floor of the apartment. 7 NOK for a huge piece.

Day 2.

We got up early to shop in a small supermarket we had seen the day before. Breakfast was eaten, lunch made and packed, and then we went off to the beach. We had decided thatwe wanted to check out a beach on the peninsula, to avoid the masses in the center, so we trudged off!

It turned out that the short walk was pretty very long ... It usually is like that when we start to walk. The boys trotted off as well, and we found a very nice beach in the end! Not too crowded with people either, and most were locals, who used their lunch break here. There were small, round stones on the beach and the boys enjoyed it.

We stayed there just a few hours. The sun is really hot at midday when it is over 30 degrees in the shade ... On the way back we stopped for a while at a playground in the shade, where we had some food, and drinking plenty of  water. the two youngest have struggeled a bit with some fever and headache, and we suspect the lack of drinking water is the reason why.

The evening was spent in the apartment with DS, mobile gaming. Angry Birds is a fun way to past tome, and we were hooked. All of us! (Stupid pigs that will never die - Ivar (6år))

Day 3.

Today we got up early, ate breakfast, and decided to go to the beach in the center before it was overcrowded. It was a beautiful beach with fine sand and shallow waters. The boys loved it! Only 15-20 minutes to walk from the apartment, so it was just wonderful! We had reading material, and the boys had both rings and some shovels / buckets, so life was just great! By coming so early (09.30), we could be almost three hours alone, before it started to get crowed, and we were satisfied and went back to the apartment.

In the evening we ate at the restaurant Posejdon. The boys were relatively satisfied with their pizza / pasta dishes, we adults was rather lukewarm to the food. Do not eat here if you are going to Split. We chose the restaurant because we saw it on the way through the palace, there were many who ate here, and we were tired. There are many other places in town. Choose a different ...

Zagreb

5:00 is EARLY! But when you have to... We got up early to catch the train to Zagreb. The longest train journey on the interrail. We had fortunately booked tickets in advance and put in a nice cabin, alone throughout the trip.

The train ride was nice, but the border crossings, it can be a complicated affair ... When we were crossing the border between Hungary and Croatia, we were checked by not less than 3 different people! Tickets and passports were thoroughly checked, and we had to tell everyone who we were, where we came from and the purpose of our journey through Croatia ... Welcome to Croatia...


When the inspectors were finally satisfied, we were told by the conductor that we had to drive back to the previous station, where we had to switch to bus. It was maintenance of the trainline . We drove 30/40km by bus before we again was on the train to Zagreb.

Allegra hotel was right next to the station and was easy to find. The only problem was that when we arrived, said they that we had not ordered. They could not find our names in their system, and the hotel was full. Luckily I had my papers in order. I had printed out all of the reservations, and when I showed them this, and pointed out that I had already paid for the hotel, the tone from the boss (who had now come to sort out) changed. We got lots of excuses and had to "settle for" a suite for us all 5 It was a perfectly good solution for us, since we really should have two small rooms, not even next to each other .. :)

We went for a walk up to the center of town and looked a bit, but we had only the evening here, so there was not much that was explored. It seemed like a very nice and beautiful city, so it is very possible that we will come back here another time!

Budapest - part 2

Day 3

Only one thing in the kids heads today:  The Carnival The more up and down, and back and forth they go, the better! (At least for two of them...) We bought a metro-card today. It's really hot, and we didnæt want all the walking.

We got lucky! 40% off on the tickets, every weekday in june :) For a cheap like me, this is heaven ;) Around 360 NOK for all of us 5, and the boys could do whatever they want, all day long! Carousels and rollercoasters, high in the air, driving cars and boats. Success! :)
The only downer was a chicken mom, and a dad who got sick in the rollercoaster... :)



And on a hot day, you have to cool down with icecream, soda and slush :)


Day 4

St.Stephens Basilica

We are starting to feel the heat, and started the day slow. Reading, and som games in the appartement. Noone really wanted to do anything, but around 2, we walked towards the city centre again. We stopped and looked at this enormous dome in the centre.
I took the two youngest inside to look at the beautiful arcitecture, paintings and glasswindows. It was amazing.

On the way to the appartement, the youngest mannaged to fall and get a rather nasty cut on his knee. He's a tough little guy, and walked all the way home. Luckily we had brought plenty of first-aid kit. Strips and bandages, and he was all good :)

Budapest - part one

Budapest is a complex and weird city. We arrived at Keleti Pu, and this is possibly the most beutiful trainstation I have seen. It had some amazing details, and great arcitecture. The only sad part was that it was totaly worn down. Completly lack of renovation. This was a subject througout the city. Many buildings should have masseive renovation, but there where also fantastic buildings.

Our appartement was next to one of the main streets, Andrássy út, and the boys are luckily good walkers, cause the walk to the centre was a bit longer than we thought... 2,5 km. A short stop at Burger King, and the energylevel rose.. We found the appartement, and it was a renovated flat in an ok neighbourhood. The kids were happy when they saw the bathtub! (It doesn't take a lot to make the young ones happy... :) )

In the evening we took a little strole down towards the centre and the river. It turned out to be a 5 km long walk, but the atmosphere was great, and an icecream always helps on the motivation :)

Day 2, and another long walk. This time to the Zoo. We spent some hours here, but I think we are a bit spoled with the Zoo back home. We felt a bit sorry for the animals in this zoo. The caves were small, it was very warm, and some of the animals looked like they were, not mistreated, but very unhappy... A bit sad. 


On the way back from the zoo, we started to panic a bit. We couldn't get money from the cash automat! And we only had 2000HUF (about 60NOK). I think I managed to go through 20 terrible thoughts by the time we arrived at the next cash automat. This worked, and we got all the money we needed :) The evening was spend wandering the city.



Day 3. We walked toward the castle. Over, you see a panoramapicture from the top. We could see the whole Pest-side of the city. A guide talking next to us, sais it was easy to see witch part of the city was bombed during the war, because that's the part of the city that's build in modern arcitecture, with alot of glass.



We chose to tak a small train to the top of the height, some of us were a bit tired from all of the walking...The boys thought this was fun, and a bit old-fashioned!
On the top, we went to the Budapest historical museum. The exhibition showed things from different eras, and the development of Budapest.





We went back to the appartement to relax a bit. And we dined at a very cozy italian restaurant in the evening. The boys loved it! :)

Vienna

We are finally off! :)

So far so good. Planetrip whitout any problems, and the appartement was easy to find. We were met by a charming couple who told us a bit about the neighbourhood. Nice start :) The appartement was newly renovated, and close to the city centre.

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On the first evening, we did a short trip to the Prater. An Amusementpark with rollercoasters and lots of fun for the whole family (espesially the male part of the family...) We also came here on the second day. The kids wanted more. They are a bit crazy... 

The second day we spend in and around the Schönbrunnpark. Over you see a panoramapicture of Schloss Schönnbrunn, and some of the park surrounding.

The Zoo was also visited. They had elefants, jaguar, panda and koala (and many more..) This is a very spesial zoo, where thay have managed to keep much of the old arcitecture. Well worth a visit!

Pricelevel in Vienna is absolutely acceptable. We did spend som money in Prater, but that was a lot of fun! :)