“So far, I like Scandinavia very much, but the accessibility in the train with a wheelchair could really be improved upon," says Kris, who, last month, started a one-year European tour by train.
"Travelling demands a lot from me, both physically and mentally, but I hope that, together with NS International, I can see how we can make it easier for future travellers. And more importantly: I get to experience so many nice things that it's absolutely worth it!"
Kris can be followed on her Instagram: bucketkris.
“Today, I'm completing my first Interrail card," Kris says from a Swedish train. "After the first two days of travelling, I spent some time in Denmark. Then I went up from southern Sweden to Oslo, Bergen and today to Stockholm. I sleep alternately in hostels and in people's homes. Before I left, I placed a call in the Facebook group Europe Accessible.
"I didn't expect much from it, but I got all kinds of good tips for places to stay and have already met many nice people. Thanks to them, I have, for example, been able to ride a snowmobile, eat Norwegian food in the snow and get to know all kinds of local traditions."
"The most beautiful train ride was from Oslo to Bergen. Before my departure, I looked at special train routes and the so-called Bergensbanen often came up. Now, I understand why. The whole journey is one big winter wonderland. For seven hours, I looked out of the window with a smile on my face.
"Something that makes me smile a little less is organising travel assistance. In Denmark, it went well, but in Sweden and Norway, it's extremely difficult to organise a lift for my wheelchair. Sometimes, I spend up to seven hours trying to organise it. You listen to telephone selection menu that you don't understand, or the railway doesn't know whether they're allowed to help a tourist, or they just cancel on you.
"That takes a lot out of me, but I hope that I can make travelling easier for others by sharing my experiences. I want to collect the right contact details and tips on a special page on the NS International site, so that others will have fewer problems in the future."
"The next few weeks will also be very special. I will be in Stockholm for a few days. I'm really looking forward to that.
"After a week, I will leave on a night boat for Helsinki for some exciting travel. I'm going to take several night trains to Lapland and once there, I'm going to take a sleigh ride and I'll hopefully get to see the northern lights.
“It's going to be quite cold, so that's suspenseful, but fortunately I already know that they're better organised there for people travelling by wheelchair!"
I want to turn all the restrictions I have into opportunities,' says Kris. She is going to make a year-long train journey.
Want to travel a few days, two weeks or even a month through Europe? With the Interrail Pass, Europe will be at your feet!
Want to discover Europe at your own pace and create beautiful memories? Mariëtte and Dennis from Roermond preceded you and share their unique journey with us.