I have been looking forward to departing the Balkans and getting back to Italy and the day has finally arrived. This should be an easy trip, two short flights on the same airline with a two-hour layover in Vienna. My travel day Skopje to Florence on Austrian Airlines doesn’t quite turn out the way I had anticipated.
Skopje SKP
I have arranged for a taxi through my Airbnb host. The vehicle and driver have both seen better days. No worries, I get from A to B safely and that’s all that matters. Skopje airport is bright and airy. An easy terminal to navigate in the nation’s capital.
After checking in, I head for a little café and enjoy the best cookie I have had in years. Ironically, I was unable to find a decent bakery for sweet things in the city, but here at the airport, a fresh from the oven chocolate cookie that tastes just like a brownie, yum!
After security, the terminal offers a few more food choices and a duty free of course. There isn’t much space for walking, so if you have time to kill, best to do it prior to the departure lounge.
Skopje to Vienna
I am flying with Austrian Airlines today, who I’ve flown with before. A lovely airline, clean, prompt and friendly professional staff. This first leg to Vienna takes me from dry hot and arid to rainy skies. A free glass of water and small chocolate ball are provided, a lovely treat compared to the budget airlines that are my norm and offer nothing extra.
Vienna VIE
Landing into Vienna is smooth and easy. It’s after lunchtime, and all I have eaten today is that cookie. I’m on the hunt for a quick meal, a very specific one. Searching the busy terminal, all restaurants seem to be heaving. I find one down a hall that has a few empty bar seats called Beirbar.
I order the wiener and potatoes, but they are out of potatoes so offer a pretzel instead. Good enough, along with a crisp Austrian lager and I’m in a state of happy contentment. On my way to my gate now, I dodge other travellers in this very busy terminal.
Vienna to Florence
Its raining quite heavily now, my window seat is covered in pretty drops and rivulets of water. Flying out, skies are cloudy and the view is dim, however soaring above the clouds, clear skies and a beautiful sun shine through.
As the time is nearing for our approach into Florence, the pilot comes onto the speaker and makes an announcement. We are not in fact landing in Florence but are diverting to Bologna! Oh dear, this is a first for me. He says the runway in Florence is too short for us to land a fully loaded jet in rainy weather, so we must head to the nearest runway that will accommodate this aircraft.
Bologna BLQ
Well, this is a surprise. After landing safely, we are kept on the aircraft, apparently if we wait 10-20 minutes there might be a chance that we can leave again and fly to Florence. Also, there is no ground crew available so we are stuck on the craft regardless.
After 20 minutes a flight attendant comes on the PA and then the pilot, to explain that we will be getting off the plane here in Bologna as soon as they can find someone to drive a set of stairs to the plane. Another 10 minutes pass and we head down and into the terminal.
We have been instructed to collect our suitcases and move out to the Arrivals Hall. All 150 of us are now grouped together, waiting further instructions. After almost 30 more minutes of waiting, we are informed that three buses will be arriving to transport us to Florence.
Bologna to Florence
It is now closing in on evening time, I purchase an Airalo eSIM so I can contact my Airbnb host and tell her what is happening. I will also need the data as soon as I arrive into Florence. The first bus pulls up and the hoard of humans acts like complete animals all attempting to get on board.
I don’t make it on this bus, being shoved out of the way by too many. The next bus is the one I manage to get onto, and am seated by a lovely Scottish lady who talks my ear off the whole drive to Florence. Its dark, but it wouldn’t matter, as almost the entire ride is through tunnels. We arrive at the airport in Florence and now its time to find a taxi.
Florence FLR
I get to the taxi stand, having already googled what the fee should be for my ride. I’m staying outside of the old city gates so my cost will be more than is indicated on the board. A young man asks to share the taxi with me, saying he will pay half and get out where I do. Normally I would not agree but I have seen that he was on my flight, so I know he is in the same predicament.
We get in and it turns out he is a chef working in Berlin. He has come home to Florence for a few weeks to visit his ill mother. It’s lovely to chat with both him and the driver, who offer me suggestions on what I should be tasting while I am here, and from where. Arriving at my Airbnb, my host is waiting for me. During the ride, the chef was in contact with friends who are waiting for him. Total cost was €40 so I’m thrilled I didn’t have to pay that all on my own.
I am here! Its late, I have no food, no water, so I still have to head out on foot and try and find at least a bottle of water, but I’m ever so relieved to be in Italy once again. My anxiety is high but that’s okay, cause, well, I’m in Italy.
