Image: B&B Blue Train
It travels sublimely in the plush, carpet and varnish world of yesteryear. With his Viennese company “B&B Blue Train”, Christian Brenner mobilized half a dozen old saloon wagons from the interwar and post-war period and also adapted them a little to modern requirements. The historical ambience is still unbroken. You can travel all day from Linz because scheduled trains have priority and longer stops are sometimes necessary. However, time flies by. The open cars allow for casual conversation, entertainment will be provided, refreshments and food will be served. The second central experience is the charming and varied landscapes to Postojna (Adelsberg) and over the karst down to the Kvarner Bay to Rijeka.
Image: B&B Blue Train
The railway made a significant contribution to Opatija becoming one of the most fashionable spa towns on the old continent 150 years ago. In 1873, the southern railway line from Vienna to Trieste was extended to Rijeka with a branch line. In 1884, the Southern Railway Company, which was supposed to develop tourism alongside rail transport, had the first luxury hotel, the Kvarner, built in Opatija. At that time it was a fishing village, still called Abbazia because of the Italian (Venetian) influences. This means, like the Croatian word Opatija, abbey, because various orders had led monasteries here since the 15th century. The church of St. Jacob on the sea shore still reminds of this time. Today the churchyard is a tranquil square shaded by old trees in the middle of a tourism hotspot. On a rocky outcrop nearby stands the symbol of this coast, the girl with the seagull, who watches over the drowned souls.
trips to the country
Imperial flair also awaits the tour participants on a tour and stroll through the restored old town of Rijeka, the European Capital of Culture 2020. The following day we head south to the artist town of Labin. Coal mining stopped in 1989 and the historic city center has shone ever since. Noble baroque houses line the streets. The view of the sea and the picturesque streets opens up from the terraces. You stop at a typical local kanoba (type of heuriger) where you can fortify yourself with a typical local snack before the journey continues to the small town of Hum, which is known as the smallest town in the world. There is a city wall, a city gate, a church and the authorities – but only 53 inhabitants. A jewel is the Romanesque cemetery church with its thousand-year-old frescoes.
If you wish, you can spend the last day on the Opatija Riviera or explore the island of Krk or the port cities of Pula and Rovinj on one of the two optional day trips before starting the return journey the following day.
On track with the organic gardener
Travel dates The 3rd OÖN readers’ trip with the nostalgic train will take place from October 23rd to 27th.
Early bird bonus: The price for early birds (until June 30th) is 799 euros, from July 1st the trip costs 859 euros. The price includes the train journey, bus journeys and excursions in the luxury bus, overnight stays in a 4-star hotel with breakfast and evening buffet, a typical local snack and German-speaking travel companion.
As an extra will Organic gardener Karl Ploberger accompany the journey and be on board to report on the spot about the most beautiful villa gardens of the imperial era.
Trips: On the fourth day there is a possibility to take part in optional day trips – to the coastal towns of Pula and Rovinj (€59) or to the island of Krk (€45).
Info/Booking: Moser Reisen, Carmen Dienstl: 0732/2240-45, dienstl@moser.at, moser.at
Source: Nachrichten
