When you travel, you can count on the unexpected. As an experienced traveler, I am not excluded from this premise. The recent vacation we took to Greece involved a lot of planning. We were going on the Norwegian Pearl for a 7–day Croatia, Greece cruise. Take a train from Milan to Bologna. Three separate arranged car services. After the cruise, flies to Crete, flies back to Athens, and takes a ferry to Hydra. Everything was set.
Trip Plan
Our round–trip airfare involved flying into Milan and returning home from Athens. Since I try to avoid changing planes, the flight to Milan was nonstop. The plan was to stay overnight in Milan and the next day take a one–way rail from Milan to Bologna. I arranged a car service to pick us up from the Bologna train station to Ravenna, Italy, where we were to board the cruise.
On Our Way
In the morning, we got a taxi to the Milan Central train station. I had bought the tickets online for the 9:48 am train. To find the track you have to check the schedule on the display board. I needed my husband’s help since I have a problem reading when it’s far away. I kept saying, “Is the track posted yet?” As time was passing by, I took a picture of the board to read it myself. I could not find a train leaving at 9:48 am. As panic was setting in, I showed the ticket to a transit worker, who I had shown the ticket to earlier. This time, he tells me we are at the wrong station.
Travel Nightmare
It was now close to our original departure time, so I knew that regardless of where this other station was, we weren’t making that train. We were told to go to a booth to see what we could do. As we were standing on the line, I was getting antsy. One because we had a car booked at the Bologna train station, and secondly, we needed to get to the ship. I decided we would take a taxi to Bologna. As we are walking on the lobby floor, I realize I am missing my pocketbook. Immediate panic, and I start screaming, “Help, help.” I left my husband with three suitcases, and two soldiers escorted me upstairs. Everything of importance was in this bag. Our passports, euros, credit cards, and all relevant documents for this trip.
The soldiers asked me where we were. I pointed to the display board; nothing there. Then I saw the booth we stood at. Incredibly, my lone bag was sitting on the floor. After I looked inside and all was there, the relief that washed over me was like a warm blanket. I was grateful for this reprieve, and now I just had to find my husband with the 3 suitcases
Plan B
My husband and I connected, and next we had to find out what a ride going to Bologna involved. What we found was that to get to Bologna would be 2 hours. From there, we would meet the driver I had booked, and the trip to Ravenna would take another hour. When I explained to the driver that our final destination was Ravenna, he said that was a 2 1/2 hour ride. The cost would be 800 EU. I cancelled the driver at the Bologna train station. They charged me half, which was better than no refund, and now we were headed to the port of Ravenna.
The ride went without incident, and we arrived at our ship at the time we had signed up for. Besides the 800 EU fare, I gave the driver a 100 EU tip. I knew he would not pick up a fare back to Milan, so I wanted to tip him for what was 5 hours of driving. Remember, gas is expensive in Europe.
Conclusion
I share this tale of woah with my readers, which, as a former teacher, I see as a teachable moment. Although the station was Garibaldi, I thought that was the name of the Milan Central Station. So WTH, as they say, “Assuming makes an ass of you and me.” It cost me stress and a lot of money; however, I am aware of my luck and wish you all the best of luck on your travels. I also want to acknowledge that Hydra is indeed my greek love and I definitely will return.
