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Final days in London

We had two full days in London, so we planned to spend the first day shopping, as it was raining also, and the second day we would go sight seeing as the weather was going to be hot and sunny. We were staying next to Leicester Square Station, which is located on Charing Cross Road. So we first walked along here and went into a few shops and stopped for breakfast at one of the bakeries, and then made our way to Oxford Street. Oxford Street is the busiest shopping street, and runs for about 2 kilometres. There are several hundred stores located on the street, including many high-street brands such as Topshop, River Island, and department stores like Selfridges and Marks & Spencer. We first went to Primark, which is a popular, budget clothing store that also stocks accessories, homewares, beauty and lots more. We spent a lot of time here as the store was so large and had several levels. We spent majority of the day on Oxford Street, but still didn’t get to go into most of the shops. If you enjoy shopping, you could easily spend more time here. We went and found a place for dinner and then went back to our apartment as we too tired to do anything else. 

The next day, we decided to do a hop-on, hop-off bus so we could make the most out of the day and see as much as possible. We also liked how on the bus, they would tell you about the places you were passing and could get off at, which made it more interesting.

We first got off the bus near the Horse Guard, which is a building in the City of Westminster, which was formerly the headquarters of the British Army. At the entrance, there were guards that were sitting on horses. There is the Horse Guards Parade that also takes place every morning, but we weren't there for that. We then walked down to Parliament Square, which is a square near the Palace of Westminster. We took some photos with the iconic red phone booths here, and you could also see Big Ben in the background, even though it was surrounded in scaffolding and under construction.

We then made our way to Westminster Abbey, which is a large church located on the grounds of a former Benedictine monastery. It has been the coronation church since 1066, and many other ceremonies of national significance take place here. There was a long line to get into the church so we didn’t go in as we wanted to go and see other things.

Next on the list was Waterloo, which has several attractions including the London Eye, Sea Life Aquarium and the South Bank Centre. There are also many places to eat along here, so we decided to stop at a fish and chip shop along here as it is one of London's best and known and well loved dishes. Because I don’t eat fish, I just ate some chips and bought some other food. I found it interesting how Melbourne has all these attractions and areas also, and found London to be very similar to Melbourne. We have the Docklands in Melbourne which is in London also. For this reason, in a way, I did not enjoy London as much as I would have thought as it just felt like being at home, but with a lot more people around. There was so many people around, many of them being tourists. It was hard to walk around at times because you were squashed like sardines and it was very crowded, especially when crossing some of the bridges to get to Waterloo.

After this, we got back onto the bus and made our way to Buckingham Palace. The palace is the residence and headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. It was very beautiful and grand, but at the same time, it was a bit underwhelming. We saw the changing of the guards, which made everyone stop and just watch. I was actually quite surprised at the location, as we were walking and it just seemed out of place. I didn’t realise there was roads right nearby so there are cars driving around the palace.

Opposite Buckingham Palace is the Queen Victoria Memorial, and consists of the Dominion Gates (Canada Gate, Australia Gate and South and West Africa Gates). The central monument commemorates the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. The Canada Gate was very eye catching as it was covered in gold and was very large. There was also several statues located around here. After looking at the palace, we walked over to St James Park, which is a 90 acre park which has a large lake in it with various wildlife. It was very calming to walk along here as it was very open and green, and there wasn’t too many other people around.

We went to Hyde Park next, which is the largest of the four Royal parks in London. We actually got lost while trying to find it as the bus stopped in a different spot to where it said, so we had to walk and find it using our phones. We eventually found it and spend quite a bit of time here as it was so large, and took a while to walk around, even though we didn’t even see it all. We saw squirrels while we were walking through, which were really cute and entertaining. We also stumbled across the Albert Memorial, which was commissioned by Queen Victoria for her beloved husband Prince Albert who passed away in 1861. The Kensington Gardens are located next to Hyde Park, so we went there next. We went to Kensington Palace, which is a royal residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

We were tired after all this walking so we decided to get back on the bus and just sit on there for a while. We went past many other attractions, including Piccadilly Circus. Piccadilly is a main road and public square, and is famous for the neon signs and displays. It kind of reminded me of a smaller Times Square. There was shops and restaurants located here as well, and there was lots of people. There is lots to see in London, so you could easily spend several days there.

It was very sad to have to return home after travelling Europe for almost two months. This trip has made me want to travel more, and shown me a lot about different countries and cultures. I want to start travelling again as soon as possible, as its also made me realise how much I like planning and organising for trips also. 

Tips:

Getting an Oyster Card could be useful, and help you save money. We used this to catch the train to the airport when we were leaving, which saved us a lot of money if we had to catch a taxi for example. It would also be useful while travelling.

London is famous for its various markets, so if you have time, make sure to check one of them out. Even if it is just to grab something to eat, you will have lots of options.

Along with the rest of Europe, a tip that will come in handy is to stick to the right on escalators and stairs. This is compared to us in Australia who stay to the left. This also goes for driving.

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Fun filled Amsterdam

The second last stop on our trip was Amsterdam, which is the capital of the Netherlands. Before Amsterdam though, we stopped at Edam which is a town in northwest Netherlands.  It is about a 30 minute drive from Amsterdam. We first strolled around for a bit, and then we did a bike tour in Edam where we rode around. There was lots of cycle paths, and it was really easy to navigate the city on a bike. We saw the Kwakelbrug, which is a hand-operated drawbridge and is a famous monument there. There was lots of historic bridges located around the town which were cool to see. We also stopped at the Zuidpodermolen, which is a famous windmill in Edam, which is dated back to 1626-35. We took some photos here before making our way back to the start of the tour. It was very green, and the city was full of flowers which made it very colourful. It also has a charm to it, and it is very picturesque. The bike ride was also very peaceful, and it nice to relax and just experience the atmosphere in the town.

We then went to a clog demonstration, where we watched a pair of clogs being made. They are entirely made from wood, and are still very commonly used in the country. At the demonstration, we learned that clogs were negatively associated with cheap footwear of farmers and the working class, however, nowadays, some clogs are considered to be fashion wear. I actually bought myself a pair of clogs, which I was pretty happy about. They are hand painted, and the sound they make when they hit the floor is fascinating.

There was also a cheese shop there where we were able to sample a variety of different cheeses which were made on site. Of course, we tried Edam cheese, which has been a famous Dutch export for many years, and is loved by people all over the world. I personally love cheese so I enjoyed doing this.

Amsterdam, as well as many other cities in the country, are built around canals and waterways. There is about 1,500 bridges in the city and about 90 islands. The canals were used for extinguishing water, trash and sewage, and were also important for the movement of goods and people. The canals still play an important part of these movements, especially when it comes to tourists.

The next day, we started by going to the A'DAM lookout which is a 20 story rooftop building. At the lookout, there is the 'Over the Edge', which is Europe's highest swing. You swing back and forth over the edge of the building which is 100 metres high, whilst admiring the view of Amsterdam. I got up there and was a bit nervous at first, but then got used to the swinging and was able to enjoy the scenery. It didn’t last long either; we were probably up there for no longer than 5 minutes. We were also there early in the morning right as they opened so there wasn’t many people, so we used this to our advantage and had the rooftop to ourselves.

We went and found the 'I amsterdam' sign which is popular, and attracts many people. Initially, the sign was located near the Rijksmusuem, which is an art museum. The sign was removed because it would draw too large a crowd, so it was relocated to lesser-known neighbourhoods and areas to attract the spotlight to these activities and drawing people there. We actually had some difficulty finding it though as our GPS took us in the middle of a park, where it was not located. However, we kept walking around and eventually found it ourselves. The sign was located about a 20 minutes walk from the A'DAM lookout, so it worked out well for us. There was no one there, so we easily got a photo with it.

If we had more time in Amsterdam, I would have liked to go to the Anne Frank House, which is a writer's house and museum which is dedicated to Anne Frank. If I go back, I would definitely make sure I go here.

That night, we went on a canal cruise. While we were there, it was summer, so it was really hot on the cruise, but definitely worth it for the experience and views we got. The canal area is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site which I found interesting. The city was unlike any other I have been to, and even the people there make it so unique.

Tips:

Bikes are very common in the Netherlands, and especially Amsterdam. They are very popular among the locals and even tourists. It is important not to get in the way of these cyclists, and keep them in mind when you're walking. It is also the easiest way to explore, and make the most out of your time.

Make sure you know the difference between coffee shops and cafés! Its important that you know which is which so you don’t accidentally end up at the wrong one.

Many people actually speak English in Amsterdam, but it could be useful to know a few words in the local language.

Language: Dutch

Goede dag/Hallo - Good day/Hello Tot Ziens/Dag - Goodbye Alstublieft - Please Dank u (well) - Thank you (very much) Niets te danken - You're welcome Excuseer mij - Excuse me Ja/Nee - Yes/No Spreek je Engels? - Do you speak English?

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Castles in St. Goar/Rhine Valley

On our way to the Rhine Valley, we stopped at Heidelberg which is a town in Germany. We saw the Church of the Holy Spirit, which is the most famous church in Heidelberg. It is located in the centre of the market place, which was full of people. The steeple of the church rises above all the roofs and the whole town. This is the third church that has been built on the site, which has been erected in the place of older ones.

We then made our way to the Old Bridge, or the Karl Theodor Bridge. It is an arch bridge that crosses the Neckar river, and connects the Old City with the Neuenheim district on the opposite bank. It is 200 metres in length. On the end of the bridge, there is a large gate with two white towers from the Middle Ages, which was once apart of the city wall. I actually did not realise until after but there is actually a small apartment in the bridge tower, which was inhabited until 2004. There was lots of people on the bridge, many of them taking photos and admiring the views. On here, there is a great view of the hills in the background, including the Castle.

On the side of the bridge on the Heidelberg side, there is a statue called the Heidelberg Bridge Monkey.  It is a bronze sculpture, previously being a stone figure. This sculpture's head is hollow with eye holes, which means visitors can take photos with it while using it as a mask. There are different parts of the statue that represent different things. The monkey is said to be good luck, and rubbing the mirror in its hand will bring money. Rubbing the fingers will ensure you come back to Heidelberg, and rubbing the mice that are beside will bring fertility. There was actually quite a few people waiting here to take photos.

After Heidelberg, we made our way to Rhine Valley, or Rhine Gorge, which is the valley between Koblenz and Bingen in Germany. Many river cruises also pass along here and is a great sight seeing opportunity. We were staying in St. Goar, which is a town on the west bank of the Rhine. There are more than 40 castles on the Rhine, and because of its spectacular scenery, it is actually considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Especially on the way to St. Goar, we spotted so many castles and they were nestled in everywhere.

When we arrived in St. Goar, we first went to the largest free-hanging cuckoo clock in the world as we arrived. It is 3.5 meters high and 2 meters wide. The clock is located at a little family run shop, which sells souvenirs, beer steins and of course cuckoo clocks. We then went to a wine tasting and tried a variety of different wines. I tried Ice Wine (or Eiswein in German) for the first time and it was surprisingly really good, considering I am not a massive fan of wine. The man that was running the tasting was also really funny, which added to the experience. The St. Goar municipality is one of the largest wine-growing communities in the Rhine area, and there are also many vineyards located here.

We then walked up to Rheinfels Castle, which is a castle ruin above the bank of the Rhine in Sankt Goar (St. Goar), which started being built in 1245. It is the largest and one of the greatest ruins on the Rhine. It was handed over to the French in 1794 after many years of not being invaded, and a few years later, the walls and the castle were blown up leaving only the remains which can be seen today. It was a steep walk up from where we were staying, but definitely worth the hike up. Because it is so high up, you get amazing views down the valley, and it’s a lot of fun exploring the old fortress. We did not get to explore as much as we would have liked though as it was starting to get dark, and would have been hard to see getting back. There are also good photo opportunities, especially if you want to get a panorama along the Rhine. If we were there during the day, we would have done a tour, which would have allowed us to see more areas of the ruins.

We also the Loreley Rock, which is a steep rock. It doesn’t look like anything at first, but there is a great myth around it. It's said that Lora Ley was shunned by her lover, and ended up causing the death of many men in revenge.

St. Goar is a very quiet town and not very lively, but it is very friendly and is a very authentic German town. It is great to explore without lots of tourists and some peace.

Tips:

If it is something you enjoy, a river cruise might be a top activity to do in St. Goar. You'll be able to see the banks of the Rhine river, and look at all the medieval buildings and picturesque views.

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Waterfalls and snow: Lauterbrunnen

On our way to Switzerland, we made our way to Liechtenstein, which is a small country which is only 25 kilometres long, and is located between Austria and Switzerland. Vaduz is the capital of Liechtenstein, which is also a German speaking language.  We saw the Vaduz Castle, which is the palace that the Prince of Liechtenstein lives in. We only saw it from a distance, where it overlooks the capital from the top of a hill.

We also made a stop at Lucerne before arriving at our stay, where we saw the wooden Chapel Bridge. Lucerne is a city in Switzerland, which is known for its medieval architecture and Lake Lucerne. We saw the Lion Monument, or the Lion of Lucerne, which is a rock carving which commemorates the Swiss guards who were massacred during the French Revolution in 1972.

We then made our way to Lauterbrunnen, where we were staying for the next two nights. It is located in one of the valleys in the Alps. The view from our window was amazing. We were surrounded by mountains, and we had a waterfall not too far away. There was also a stream on the site, and it was just the perfect location.

The next morning, we were off to Jungfraujoch, which is an alpine attraction and viewing point. We had to catch two trains to get there which takes a few hours, and there is a stop within the tunnel up which offers spectacular views onto the glacier through windows. This was a great opportunity to get a glance at what we were about to see close up.

We walked out where the train stopped and we entered the main building, and went to the observatory, and the highest point. There was 360 degree views from up here, and it was just incredible. We were so high up, and you could see lots of snow and mountains in the distance, and the view over the Alps.

I had never been to the snow before this, so it was surreal walking out on the snow. It was harder to walk on than I imagined. We made some snowballs, and mucked around here before we went and sat in some chairs in the snow.

After walking around a bit, we decided to go tobogganing, which was a lot of fun, but it also kind of hurt. It is worth noting that it is extra to enter this area, but definitely worth the money as it’s a lot of fun. I also kept injuring myself because there was so many people doing it, and they would stop suddenly on the slope, or they would get stuck. It was also hard because I was trying to record while on the toboggan, so I was basically controlling it with one hand. We then realised that there was also tubing on the other side, so we decided to do that instead. We found this so much better because there wasn’t as many people. It was also fun to just sit in the donut, and bounce around if you hit the side. Even if you hit into people, it wouldn’t hurt because you're in the tube. It was much easier to record and take photos in these also.

Inside, there is an Ice Palace, which has lots of ice sculptures and tunnels, which was really cool. The floors were also made of ice, which made it kind of difficult to walk on though. It is minus three degrees Celsius in there, so it was just as cold as it was on the snow, if not colder without the sun beaming on you.

There is the Alpine Sensation, which is a long corridor which is located between the Sphinx Hall and Ice Palace. We learned a bit about the sacrifices that were made by the miners that worked on opening up Jungfraujoch to the railway. There is also a giant snow globe that is located at the end with 'Little dreams of Switzerland' written on it.

There is also a Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven, where you can learn about the history of chocolate and how its made, as well as purchase the products.

Overall, this was a great experience, and had to be the best place to experience snow for the first time. It was lots of fun, and I would definitely go back if I could. 

We then made our way back to Lauterbrunnen, and walked along the main street which is full of restaurants and cafes, and a few stores. The walk back to our stay was nice as we could admire the stunning scenery around us and stop at the waterfall for a bit. The scenery is what makes this place so beautiful, and it is also so tranquil and peaceful.

Tips:

If you're planning on going to Jungfrau, make sure you have appropriate clothing. Even if it is summer, make sure you have warm clothing, and things like gloves and hats will come in handy. Also don't forget sunglasses. Especially on a sunny day, the snow can be very bright.

Although Lauterbrunnen is very beautiful, there isn't much to do here so take this into consideration before booking. Apart from some hiking and waterfalls, the town itself does not have much to offer in terms of other activities.

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Thrills in Hoftgarten (Austria)

On our way to where we were staying in Hopfgarten im Brixental, which is a market town in the Austrian Tyrol, we actually went white water rafting. I had never done anything like this before so I was really excited, but also didn’t know what to expect. The rafting was located in Haiming, which is also apart of the Austrian Tyrol. This has to be one of the best things I've ever done, and the location of it was just incredible. We were surrounded by mountains, greenery and nature, and the water was beautiful. We got to jump into the water near the end, which was freezing, but also refreshing. The waves were the best part, and flying around the in the raft was also good, especially when others would fall over. It was a lot of fun and a good laugh, and overall a really great experience, and now I want to go rafting again

After rafting, we continued onto Hopfgarten. Our Schoneck where we were staying had idyllic mountain vistas, and had beautiful views all around.

The following morning, we were booked into go paragliding. Once again, I had never done anything like this before. I was really excited, but also a bit nervous at the same time. We arrived at Wildschönau where we were paragliding, and had to wait at the bottom for our pilots. Out of my friends, I went up first, and we had to ride the gondola to get to the top. Being in here made me nervous, and I was just thinking what have I gotten myself in to. Looking out, we were so high up, and I was starting to regret my decision.

We finally reached the top and walked to the cliff where we were about to run off. There was lots of goats on the top of the mountain.  We finally set all the equipment and harnesses up, and started to run off. I was panicking a little, but when we were finally in the air, it was very peaceful and calm. I found it wasn’t too bad also because the harness also had a seat attached at the bottom, so I was basically sitting down while in the air. While in the air, you could see the whole town, and it was just beautiful. The scenery was very green, and it was amazing. My pilot then starting to do spins and turns in the air, which were fun, but also the wind from doing this was a bit intense and I couldn’t open my eyes at times.

After paragliding, we went into town and just walked around. We found a quiet spot for lunch, and then continued to explore the town. There was lots of cute and authentic looking buildings, and they were also colourful. The town was very quiet, and there was also a lot of friendly locals around. We found a small church which was open but had no one in it, so we were able to look around without disturbing. It was very simple, but had lots of character.

We caught a taxi back to where we were staying, and we figured out that there wasn’t many taxi drivers in the area, which just shows how small the town is, and also that there is not a big need for services like this. However, during winter when it snows, more people go to the town to ski. It was also within walking distance, but we had been to the supermarket earlier but did not want to haul everything back. We also had the option to go mountain biking, but after the bike ride in Germany, we decided not to and wanted to spend our time exploring the town instead.

While in Austria, we also tried schnapps for the first time, which is an alcoholic beverage. There are so many different flavours available, including sour apple and strawberry. They tasted really amazing, and some of them didn’t even taste like they were alcoholic.

Austria was very relaxing, and there was not many tourists in this town. It made the experience more authentic, and you were able to see how the locals lived. It was also very picturesque and welcoming.

Tips:

Just take some time out to explore and walk around the town, as it is very quiet and relaxing, but gives you a sense of how the locals live.

There are lots of different options for activities in the area and nearby. I recommend participating in these, whether it is paragliding, hang-gliding or canoeing. Let your inner thrill seeker thrive.

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Tour around Munich

Because we were only there for the night, we did a bike tour in order to get the most out of our time.

On the bike tour, we stopped at the Theatine Church of St. Cajetan, which is a Catholic church built in 1663. We entered during a mass, so we only stayed near the entrance not to disturb it. Never the less, it was very beautiful inside and out.  Although the outside is quite plain and yellow, there are two main towers and many statues on it. We then continued to ride until we ended up at the Court Garden, which is located between the Residenz and the Englischer Garten. There were beautiful garden beds, neat lawns and trees and also a beautifully architectured gazebo in the middle.  

We then rode to Chinesischer Turm which is a beer garden located in the English Garden, which is Munich's largest park area. The beer garden is surrounded by a Chinese tower, which is a pagoda-style that is wooden with five storeys. This beer garden is also the second largest in Munich, and can seat about 7,000 people, and is majority all self-serviced. We sat on one of the beer garden benches which was right next to the tower. The food available included traditional foods, and various types of beer, which can be purchased in one-litre glasses, which was a struggle to finish personally.

After dinner, we then finished the bike tour and rode back to the beginning. We then walked to Hofbräuhaus which is a beer hall, which was built in the 16th century. We didn’t stay here long as we couldn’t fit any more beer in, and wanted to explore the city a bit more. There was live music here though which was pretty cool.

We walked to Marienplatz, which is a central square in the city centre, dating back to 1158. It is located in the heart of the old town. We had to walk down a few streets full of shops and restaurants before we got here. There was so many people here; many just standing around admiring what was around them. The main attraction in the square is the Neues Rathaud, which is the New Town Hall. It is 300 feet long, and is a elaborately decorated façade with lots of statues and turrets.

After we left Munich, we also stopped at Dachau which is a Nazi concentration camp that was opened in March 1933. It was originally a camp for political prisoners, but it turned into a death camp for thousands of Jews. We got to see some of the historic buildings on the camp, and even the crematoria area. It was heartbreaking to think of the lives that these individuals had to live, and the experiences they had in these camps. Many of those not fortunate to ever leave the camp. Earlier on, I also went to Auschwitz which is located in Poland, and has over 40 concentration and extermination camps. Its places like this that make you appreciate everything you have, and they are definitely an eye opener.

Tips:

There are cyclists everywhere, and they take over the city. They come flying down the road and don’t really take the pedestrians into consideration, so you need to keep an eye out for them.

Not really a tip, but if you enjoy surfing, you can surf or just watch others at Eisbach. It is done in the Eisbach River, with waves created by artificial concrete breaks.

Like many other places, make sure you carry cash with you. Some places may only except cash, but its also just good to have it for smaller transactions too.

Language: German (not much different from Austrian German)

Guten Tag/Hallo - Good day/Hello Auf Wiedersehen - Goodbye Bitte - Please Danke (schön) - Thank you (very much) Bitte schön - You're welcome Entschuldigung sie Bitte - Excuse me Ja/Nien - Yes/No Sprechen Sie Englisch? - Do you speak English?

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Vienna: a walk in the park

On the night we arrived, we went to Prater amusement park, which is the most famous amusement park in Vienna. We also had dinner there at one of the restaurants located on site, where we tried some authentic food of the region. There was lots of different rides, including multiple roller coasters, ghost trains and carousels. It is also very popular for the Giant Ferris Wheel. One of the rides that stood out to me that I went on was an indoor rollercoaster, which is also in the dark. It was full of lasers and lights, which made this ride really exciting. There was also a small mirror maze which you had to go through in order to go on the ride.

The first place we went on the second day was the Schönbrunn Palace, which was the main summer residence for the Habsburg rulers located in Vienna. There are 1,441 rooms in the palace. You are able to tour the inside of the Schönbrunn Palace, but we did not spend enough time there to do that. The palace also has a park/garden which was opened to the public around 1779, and is 1.2 kilometres in length. We walked along the gardens, but we still didn’t see much of it. There is a lot to see if you want to do majority of it so you need to make sure you wear appropriate footwear. The palace is also on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. It was very beautiful and very grand, and the size gave a sense of power that the empire has.

We also saw St. Stephen's Cathedral, which is the mother church and a symbol of Vienna. The Gothic structure commenced building during the 12th century. There are four towers, and it has a total of 13 bells which hang off the structure. The size of the church wasn’t as large as some others we had seen, but it was still quite big and was definitely beautiful and a sight to see. It is also located near the middle of the main shopping street in Vienna, which is how we found it as we were previously at Swarovski, as it is an Austrian brand and also produced there. The store was very large, and had art installations on almost all the levels, along with the normal products.

We continued to walk around the Vienna City Center, which was full of people. We saw the Saint Augustine Church, which is a parish church built in the 14th century. It was also the Habsburg monarchy's court church for almost 300 years. Mass here is supposed to be wonderful, with a full orchestra and chorus every week. After this, we found Kaiserappartements, which are the Imperial apartments, which were the residence for the Habsburgs for over 600 years. Therefore, it was the centre of the Holy Roman Empire. We sat at a Starbucks across the road where we just sat and watched, and admired the view in front of us.

After this, we just walked around Vienna, where we then found ourselves at Volksgarten, which is a public park. In the middle of the park is a Theseustempel, which is an interesting piece of neoclassical architecture. The one in the park is a replica of the Greek temple Theseion. There is also a blossoming rose garden, which provides some great photo opportunities, and also a small fountain too. You could also see other civic buildings in the background. It had a section which had trees planted, which people had dedicated to different people. Some were dedicated for other's birthdays, just as an example. I thought this was a great idea, and a nice way to incorporate individuals in the park. Overall, the park was very relaxing, and it was pleasant to just walk through and sit down to relax our feet.

We then made our way to Maria-Theresien-Platz, which is a large public square. The Museum of Modern Arts is also located here, and there is a large statue in the middle of the square. People were sitting here and having picnics

Everywhere we went, there was some sort of statue or fountain, which was dedicated to someone who had an impact on the city. I also noticed that majority of them featured a horse of some sort. Overall, Vienna was a very peaceful place and it was very relaxing in general. Vienna is very famous for its classic music also, with composers like Mozart and Beethoven, so if you enjoy these, it is definitely the place to go.

Tips:

Everything is pretty much walking distance, so skip the public transport if you can. Walking through the City Centre covers many of the main sights.

Take a good look at the architecture. There are many structures from the Barock and Art Nouveau era which are very beautiful.

Language: Austrian German Guten Tag/Gruss Gott - Good day/Hello Auf Wiedersehen/Tschuss - Goodbye Bitte - Please Danke (schön) - Thank you (very much) Bitte schön - You're welcome Entschuldigung Die Bitte - Excuse me Ja/Nien - Yes/No

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Venice: The floating city

Venice is unlike any other city as it is built on over 100 small islands, has no roads and is just canals.

On the night we arrived, we went to Burano which is full of bright, colourful fishermen's houses. It is famous for the houses, and is also known for its lace. When we got there, it was quite late, so most of the shops were closed or about to close, which was quite unfortunate. We had dinner there at one of the restaurants located in the centre of the island. Seafood is very popular there because it is located on water, however, I do not eat seafood so I ate different food. I took lots of photos here because the houses are just beautiful and because of the different colours. Also compared to the main island of Venice, it is very quiet and not as crowded, so it is a great place to go that isn't as full of tourists.

The next day, we spent the day on the main island of Venice, and first visited the Grand Canal, which is the major canal in the city. We stood on top of one of the bridges that runs across it, and just watched as lots of boats and gondolas passed.

We then made our way to St Marks Square (or Piazza San Marco) which is the main public square in Venice. There is always lots of tourists flocked here, and most of what happens in the city revolves around here. It is the largest open space on the island, and has an open waterfront at the end. There are also lots of shops, cafes and restaurants that run along the outside of the square.

We went inside St Marks Basilica, which is located in St Marks Square. We waited about 30 minutes in line to enter, but it didn’t feel long at all. While we waited in line, we were able to take in everything around us, and just admire the attractions. The architecture and design on the outside was beautiful, and the inside of the church was also incredible.

Adjacent to the Basilica is the Doges' Palace (Palazzo Ducale). Last time I was in Venice, I did a tour of the palace, but this time around, we just admired from the outside. While inside, you can see former assembly halls, apartments, and prison cells that all functioned together to essentially be like a small city for the King of Venice.

If you walk a bit further up, you can also see the Bridge of Sighs, which passes over the Rio di Palazzo. This bridge connects the New Prison to the interrogations rooms in the Doge's Palace. The story behind the name of the bridge is that those who were incarcerated for a long time would use this bridge, and sigh as they looked out as it would be the last time they looked at the outside world, and the last of their freedom.

After leaving St Marks Square, we walked through narrow streets full of shops, which lead us to the Rialto Bridge. The Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges that spans the Grand Canal, where we were earlier in the day. The bridge has three walkways; two along the outsides and a wider walkway in the middle that is full of shops that sell various items primarily for tourists. It's also important to note that the bridge, along with many others in Venice are full of steps so it may be challenging for those with prams and also wheelchairs.  

Later in the day, we then did a gondola ride. We started off by going on the Grand Canal, and then we rode through smaller canals which were very peaceful. There are gondolas located everywhere around the island, so if you're thinking of getting on one, its probably worth asking how much they cost as some may try to charge you more being a tourist. Depending on which you go with also, they generally last about 30 minutes.  

Venice is known for its Murano glass, so many of the shops you enter will sell some sort of product made from Murano glass. While in Venice last time, I watched a Murano glass demonstration where I watched various products being made from scratch.

Venice would have to be one of my favourites cities because it is so different to anywhere else. If I were to go back, I would want to explore more of the smaller islands, and see what they have to offer.

Tips:

Pack light! Chances are you will need to carry your luggage over several bridges when you come so you want to make sure you'll be able to carry it. The water taxis and ferries generally won't be able to drop you off right near where you are staying so it is likely you will need to walk for a while.

Don’t heavily rely on the GPS device on your phone. It is probably worthwhile printing a map prior which is detailed with lanes and alleyways. Google Maps for example will not be very accurate.

If you're going to St Marks Basilica and you have a backpack, you will need to put it in the luggage room that is located around the corner. Take your bag here prior and then go and wait in line, because if you have it with you in line, they may make you take the bag to the room and re-join the back of the line. We had them with us and didn’t have to wait again, but might just depend on who is there on the day.

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The eternal city of Rome

Rome is the capital city of Italy and draws millions of people each year from all over the world.

The Vatican City (which is actually the smallest country in the world) is also located in Rome, therefore, many people from all religions go to see what it has to offer and to see the Pope (or at least try). The Vatican is also famous for the Sistine Chapel, which was crafted by Michelangelo. While in the Sistine Chapel, you must not speak and are not allowed to take photographs or record. Both times I have been, it has been full of people in there and difficult to move around without bumping into people. However, the frescoes are amazing, and it makes you wonder how they were created, especially as they are so high up.

(A room part of the Vatican Museum)

The following day, we started by going to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. It is a popular tourist attraction in Rome, and is a symbol of the city. The Colosseum was built in 70 A.D. and is an amphitheatre used for gladiatorial combats and animal fights. After many years of use, it fell into neglect, which can be seen while there and also in photos. The structure has been impacted, but they are always doing works to try and repair and restore it, especially on the inside of it. The size is grand, and its fascinating to wonder how many people came to watch battles here.

The Spanish Steps are also a famous place to visit while in Rome. They are a set of stairs that lie above the Piazza di Spagna, and also has the Trinità dei Monti church located at the top. When I went, they had only just banned people being allowed to sit on the steps, so many people were still trying to sit down but would get told off by individuals patrolling the steps. There is also a fountain located at the bottom of the steps called 'Fontana della Barcaccia' or 'Fountain of the Old Boat'. There were many people taking photos with the fountain and also people drinking water from the fountain as the water that pours over is safe to drink. It is also hard to get photos of the steps as there are people everywhere, so it is probably best visited while it isn't busy so you can have the best experience.

We went to the Trevi Fountain twice while we were there, on different days. The Trevi Fountain would have to be one of the most famous fountains in the whole world. It is also one of Rome's most famous attractions, and I can understand why. The fountain is beautiful crafted, and its large in size. The tradition with throwing coins in the fountain is that you throw a coin from your right hand over your left shoulder. It is also said that when you throw a coin in, you will return to Rome in the future.

When I went to Rome last time, I did not go and see the Pantheon, so it was one of the things that I wanted to see this time round.  The Pantheon is a former Roman temple, but is now a Catholic church. I actually did not realise until we got in that the oculus (the opening on the roof) is actually open and is not closed. I learnt that this was the only source of light when it was built. In the centre of the floor, there is sloping floor with hidden holes which allows the water that enters to drain away.

For dinner, we went and ate at a restaurant which was located in the Piazza Navona. It was nice to just sit down and watch everything that was happening in the square. Piazza Navona is full of shops, restaurants, street performers and is also home to the 'Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi' which is a large fountain in the middle of the square. Previously, the Stadium of Domitian was located where the square is now built, but it could hold about 20,000 spectators who came to watch competitions. Before we headed back to our hotel, we ate a gelato in the Piazza and had a look in some of the shops there. Although there was so many people there, it was very peaceful and relaxing, especially compared to some of the other attractions in the city.

You can spend forever in Rome because there is so much to see. Just by wandering the streets, you can discover so many new things that you wouldn’t even know were there. It was good to just walk around and explore the little side streets also.

Tips:

Make sure to always carry cash or coins with you. Especially while visiting attractions like the Trevi Fountain, you'll want a few coins to throw into the fountain. Further to this, many places (not just in Rome) require you to pay to use the bathroom, so its useful to have some put aside for this.

Make sure to dress modestly, especially when visiting churches. If your shoulders are not covered or skirts or shorts are not below the knee, they will not allow you entry.

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Florence: Full of art and architecture

My background is Italian so I will never turn down a trip to Italy. I did a school trip to Italy back in 2014, and also went to visit family in the south of Italy before I started this trip of Europe. I went to Florence when I did the trip back in 2014, so I had already seen a lot of the things we saw this time, but it was still as amazing as the first time.

Before arriving in Florence, we stopped off at Pisa. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is located in the Piazza dei Miracoli, and is located next to a cathedral and Baptistery. Last time I was there, we climbed the spiral staircase to get to the top, and the view at the top was nice. The stairs are heavily eroded due to the amount of people that has stepped on them and because of what they are made from. Because this area draws many tourists, I noticed lots of people being approached by others trying to be sold things, including myself. This is something to keep in mind and be prepared for.

The next day, we started off by attending a leather demonstration, as Florence is famous for its leather and is home to the largest leather production in the country. The demonstration basically went through the process of how it is made and used for.

We then went on to explore the city. We made our way to the Duomo, which is a large cathedral (Cathedral of Santa Maria). When I was in Florence last time, I actually climbed the Duomo and reached the top near the dome, where I was able to see the view of the city. The climb was quite unpleasant as the stairs are not great, and there are also some tight spaces that you need to crouch through. There was also lots of people, so we'd have to wait for others to pass in order to fit. The view did make up for it though. The size of the Duomo is incredible and its architecture is amazing. Right next to the Duomo is also Giotto's Bell Tower. Right in front is also the Baptistery, which is a religious building dedicated to the patron saint of Florence.

We also saw the Basilica di Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross) which is a church. It is located in the Piazza di Santa Croce, which we found always ending up back here. We did not go inside, but even just seeing the outside you can tell its beautiful.

Next we went to the Piazza della Signoria, which is one of the most famous squares in Florence. It is shaped like an L, and is full of political and artistic presence. The Uffizi Gallery is located to the side of the square, and it has a fountain in the middle as well as various statues located in different spots. There is always lots of people in the Piazza della Signoria, and its not hard to understand why.

After a walk through the square, we made our way to Ponte Vecchio, which is a famous bridge located over the Arno River, with shops built all along it. Florence is also known for its jewellery, so many of the shops on the bridge sold jewellery. An interesting fact about the bridge also is that it is the oldest bridge in Florence, and was the only one that was not destroyed during World War II. In the middle of the bridge, there is a lookout onto the river, which I found relaxing to just stand there and watch.

One of the highlights of my trip last time was a visit to the museum to see the statue of David. So of course this time, I had to go back to see it again. It is located in the Accademia Gallery, which is close to the Duomo. To get inside, we waited in line for about an hour and a half, which got quite frustrating as we had people try to cut in front of us in line. Apart from that, everything was fine. We got inside, and there's a few small areas before you approach the statue. You come around the corner, and at the end of the hall is the statue of David. The size of it is incredible, and you don’t realise how big it is until you are standing in front of it. It is truly marvellous.

Despite going to Florence twice, I would definitely go back again as there is still so much that I want to see.

Tips:

Pre-book tickets to museums. Museums like the Uffizi Gallery draw lots of people, so booking tickets prior can save lots of time and also waits in awful lines.

Explore Florence on foot. Most things are fairly compact, so it does not take too long to reach different sites and places also. It also means you can see areas which can't be reached by car.

Look out for people trying to sell artwork on the streets. These people lie the prints on the floor and try to potentially scam you. While there, I saw a literal fight between a lady and the man trying to sell his pieces as she rode over one with her trolley which he had conveniently placed there. Also scammers and pick pocketers in general. One of my friends got pinched by a gypsy beggar who tried to follow us. Very random!

Language: Italian

Ciao - Hello/goodbye  Buongiorno/Good morning/day Arrivederci - Goodbye Per favore - Please Grazie - Thank you Prego - You're welcome Mi scusi - Excuse me Si/no - Yes/no Parla inglese? - Do you speak English?

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The French Riviera: Life of the rich and famous

The French Riviera (or Côte d'Azur) is the coastline along the southeast corner of France. On my trip, I was there for 2 days but it was really only one day that we went out and did things as the first day we had some issues with our hotel. On the way to our hotel though, we stopped at Bandol, walked along the beach and stopped for dinner.

The first thing on the agenda for the day was to spend the day in Nice. We arrived early in the morning, and began by walking on the beach, and walking on the Promenade des Anglais, which is an iconic seaside promenade in Nice. The colour of the water was just amazing and unreal. We walked until we reached the 'I Love NICE' sign, and then found a trail which led to the Castle of Nice, and also a lookout which looked out onto Nice. There were lots of stairs, but the view from here was incredible and definitely worth the hike up.

After we came down, we walked through the old town, which was full of cobblestone streets and beautiful coloured buildings. There were many shops and restaurants located here, and we even stumbled across a market on Cours Saleya. There was lots of people here, dining at the eateries and also at the market. We found a little pizza shop in a quiet street further along, where we bought lunch and took it around the corner to sit in front of a little church.

We made our way to Place Masséna, which is a historic square. It was surrounded by beautiful, picturesque buildings, and had a fountain in the middle. We stood in the square for a while just admiring what was around us as it looked like something out of a movie. After some time, we found a cool area where we could just sit and relax as it was a very hot day while we were there so we wanted to get out of the sun.

Later that day, we made our way to Monaco, where we saw the Palace of the Prince of Monaco. It was honestly quite underwhelming considering the wealth of the city-state. Right next to it there was a lookout, which was incredible. The view screamed money and luxury. There was countless boats and yachts in the water. While leaving, we also drove along a strip which is included in the track in the Grand Prix that is held in Monaco.

Finally, the last stop of the day was  Monte Carlo, where we spent our time at the Monte Carlo Casino. This area also screamed money; the location was elegant, and the outside was surrounded by luxury cars. We had to pay a 17 euro fee to enter the casino. There also wasn’t many rooms or tables in the casino, but we assumed that there would have been many other private areas for the rich and famous who were ready to spend big.

It was a jam packed day so we were all exhausted after everything we had done that day. We definitely could have spent more time in the French Riviera, especially so we did not have to rush everything into one day and so we could have seen more. Overall, I enjoyed the French Riviera and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the beach and water (especially areas like Nice).

Tips:

If you can, rent a car so you can get the most out of it while you're there. Definitely don’t stay in the same area the whole time, and try to explore surrounding areas and sites. The driving style is not as bad compared to the bigger cities in France like Paris, so it is not as intimidating.

There are lots of opportunities to splurge while in the French Riviera, but make sure you are splurging on the right things. Although I didn’t do any of these, a yacht ride or helicopter ride would be amazing experiences to do while there.

Try street food while there; some of the best places to eat are those hidden away.

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Stroll through Barcelona

Out of all of the places on my trip, Barcelona was one of the places I was most excited about. I'd heard so many good things from others who had been, and was really intrigued by the culture.

The night we arrived, we watched a Flamenco show, which is a traditional form of dance in Spain, with live music also. It was unlike anything I had ever seen. The atmosphere was incredible, and it is something you need to watch live as it literally makes the room move from the intense movements and dances.

While there, we also received tapas, which involved small portions of different cuisines; rather than receiving one full meal, appetizers or snacks are eaten instead. I enjoyed this as it allowed us to try many different foods at once.

Before the show, we also went to see La Sagrada Familia (the Sagrada Family) which is a large unfinished church in Barcelona. The architect of the church is Antoni Gaudí, who designed numerous buildings in the city. He had a unique and distinctive style, and has contributed greatly to Barcelona. While there, I also wanted to go to Parc Güell, which is a park composed of different gardens and architectural designs. Gaudí was also one of the architects of this park. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to go here, but if I were to go back to Barcelona, this would be on the top of the list.

The next day, the first thing we did was go to the Picasso Museum. We went here first to try avoid any lines and possible waits which was helpful as we got in straight away. As we were leaving, there was already a huge line out the front. I did not realise how many pieces he had actually worked on until we got there; there were thousands of pieces there. How the museum was organised was also interesting. As you enter, you walk into the main courtyard, which is then surrounded by a common structure which you access via an outdoor stairway. After we had left, we just walked about the streets and stumbled across the Cathedral of Barcelona, and also found a little market selling many second hand items.

For lunch, we stumbled across a little shop in a quiet street which specialised in empanadas. I had never heard of empanadas before and was a little hesitant at the start, but now they are one of my favourite foods and I eat them all the time. They were one of the best things I ate while over there, and I'm glad that I stumbled across them.

We then made our way to the Mercado de La Boqueria, which is a large, famous market with a diverse range of foods and goods. We didn’t spend long here as there was so many people, and it was difficult to walk around and look at stands. We probably went at the worst time as many people were looking for food for lunch. The food there looked amazing though, and definitely worth the visit to get some fresh and delicious products.

We then spent the remainder of the day shopping on Las Ramblas, which is the main street full of shops and food. I probably did the most shopping here compared to other cities as it had a large range of shops, and there was also lots of sales happening. Many retailers like Zara are also founded in Spain so it was the best place to shop at these stores. I probably would not go to the restaurants on this strip and rather go to another place on a side street to receive something more authentic food and not overpriced because of tourists.

It is worth noting that I found Barcelona to be one of the cheapest cities that I went to in Europe. Everything was quite affordable, and decently priced especially considering how many tourists the city has. I also noticed this while shopping; the exact same product that I saw in other countries and cities cost less in Barcelona.

Tips:

If you can, book tickets (e.g. for museums) prior to going. This will not only ensure that you will get in and it wont be booked out, but most of the time, it is also cheaper. Especially with La Sagrada Familia, it sells out fast and you may not be able to purchase tickets at the door.

There is no Uber in Barcelona, but taxi services are connected to other ride-hailing apps. Depending on where you go, it may be worth walking as many things may not be discovered by car. Seeing iconic and famous places are also not suitable and best seen on foot.

If you can, go to Barcelona while they are holding one of their many festivals. From August to about September is the best time to experience these festivities.

Language: Spanish

Hola - Hello  Adiós - Goodbye  Por favor - Please (Muchas) Gracias - Thank you (very much) De nada - You're welcome Perdonar me - Excuse me Si/no - yes/no Uno/dos/tres - one/two/three Habla Inglés? - Do you speak English?

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Lots of wine in Beaujolais

To be completely honest, I had never heard of Beaujolais before coming to Europe. I did not know what to expect, but did some research to find out that it is a wine-producing province, which is famous for its wines; in particular, the red wines produced there. It is located about 50km away from Lyon, which is one of the largest cities in France.

To get to our stay for the two nights, we saw some beautiful scenery, full of vineyards and estates, and had to drive on roads that twisted through the town. We stayed at a 16th century Chateau which was nestled in within the wine country. It looked sort of castle-like from the outside, and was a very beautiful building. However, considering its age, the inside of the building was a bit run down and was a let down compared to the outside. In saying this though, the view from the bedroom window was unreal and just spectacular.

The first day we started off by taking a casual walk through the town, where we had prepared a picnic basket. We walked for a while before we found the perfect spot to sit down and enjoy our food. We were surrounded by vineyards, and it was a beautiful way to eat and take in our surroundings. Where we stayed was very quiet, so it was very different from life in Melbourne, and allowed us to enjoy the nature and peacefulness.

We had a wine tasting session later in the day where we were able to try a range of different wines that were produced by a winemaker who lives there. I am not a huge fan of wine, especially red wines, so I can't say that I particularly enjoyed them. However, it was amazing to see where they were made and the equipment used. 

On the second day, we were able to just relax and enjoy the pool that was at the Chateau. We also played some table tennis, and just sat by the pool for the whole day. These two days were very relaxing, and probably the most relaxed days that I had while on this trip. Beaujolais was a very quiet and peaceful place and it was great to get away from the city where there are lots of tourists. Places like this make the experience more authentic, and can make you feel like a local.

Tips:

Make sure you organise your way around and transport if needed as there are limited ways of making your way around the town. Especially where I was located, nothing was close so we weren't able to go anywhere unless we wanted to walk (which wasn’t very realistic). Hiring a car could be a good option if wanting to explore more.

Language: French

Du Vin - Wine Sante - Cheers

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2 days in Paris

I had some pretty high expectations for Paris, but was not going to be disappointed. Paris has so much to offer; there's so much to see, experience and eat.

My first night was spent trying some authentic French cuisine, followed by a cabaret show. I must say I am quite a picky eater, so it didn’t surprise me that I wasn’t a massive fan of the food in France (although the desserts were a different story). I really did not know what to expect with the cabaret show, but now think that you should definitely do it just to be able to say you’ve done it. It was full of music and songs, lots of dancing, acting and even some magic.

My second day in Paris was dedicated purely to exploring what the city has to offer. The day started off by going and seeing the Eiffel Tower which needs no introduction. It is the most popular monument in Paris, and quite arguably, it is one of the most famous in the world. I found it quite interesting that at the time of the build, the monument actually created controversies, and a number of times, it was suggested that it be demolished. Crazy to think now how much it is has done for the city. I must say though, although very beautiful, I definitely believe that there are some other sites that are underrated and deserve more attention.

Next on the list was the Arc de Triomphe, which is also one of the most famous monuments in Paris . It is located in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle, and was created in 1806. For a small fee, you can actually sit under the Arc de Triomphe via underground access, but unfortunately did not have enough time for this.

This was then followed by a trip to the Champs-Élysées, which runs from the Arc de Triomphe, and is full of different monuments and a never-ending amount of shops. It is actually almost 2 kilometres in length, and as I learned, can become quite impossible to see the whole avenue (on both sides too) whilst constantly stopping to take in what was around us and also browsing all the shops. Let's just say be prepared to spend big here and ensure you have enough time too.

I also managed to get to the Louvre, but also did not have enough time to actually go in. After a full day of exploring, my friends and I found a spot along the Seine river where we were able to enjoy some authentic French macarons, and just take in everything that Paris had to offer.

While in Paris, I used the metro a fair bit. It seemed quite intimidating in the beginning especially as there are so many different lines, but I got the hang of it after a bit and managed to get on the right trains everytime. I would definitely recommend deciding prior how you are going to get around the city to ensure you can plan as much and be super organised. Especially with the metro, it is good to know which lines you will need to take to get to certain places.

I only got to spend 2 days in Paris, but would recommend spending more time there if you can. I definitely plan to go back in the future, and spend more time exploring what this beautiful city has to offer.

Tips:

Make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes as Paris is best explored on foot.

Pick pocketers and scams: Even though this happens everywhere, I noticed it a lot more in Paris. You just need to be really cautious of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings. Also, if something seems to good to be true, it probably is.

If you're planning on driving in Paris, be prepared to deal with some horrible driving and lack of obeying road rules. I personally didn’t drive while I was there, but even just watching other cars on the road make me extremely anxious!

Language (might come in handy while in Paris):

Bonjour - Hello Au revoir - Good bye S'il vous plait - Please Merci - Thank-you De rien - You're welcome Excusez-moi - Excuse me Oui/Non - Yes/no