With my thrice aborted attempt to take the trans-Siberian train, at 27 hours this 2011 trip remains my longest train journey. We actually started out from Sevastopol, a further 90-minutes south in Crimea. Total distance in excess of 1,000 km.

You can see on the map below the area travelled. Unfortunately the cities shown have become synonymous with tyranny, war and suffering. 2011 seems so very long ago.

The overnight train was full and we were soon sharing stilted conversation and food with our nearest companions. The carriage was made up of several 6-berth open compartments, with upper seats folded down at night to become upper bunks.

Luggage was stored in chests below the lower seat.

Annoyingly I cannot find my photos from the train journey so here are two from Lvov, the beautiful city at the end of our long journey.