All posts tagged: Europe Travel

travelling europe

Two Month Solo Backpacking In Europe

Published by Dev

Europe is perhaps the most friendly continent in the world for solo-backpackers. With easy border crossing, a world-class public transport system, and more youth hostels than anywhere else in the world, Europe is meant for backpackers, and for travelling a few countries in just one go. Earlier in 2017 — between April and May — I travelled across 8 countries in Europe over a period of two months (or 58 days to be precise). I started from Zurich in Switzerland and completed a loop while travelling across Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy, before flying back to India from Zurich again, and it was a whirlwind experience. I stayed with local families in Germany & Italy, explored Swiss Alps, tried Segway in Rome, and had many other memorable experiences. Presenting in a quick 3-minute video, here’re some highlights from my two-month backpacking trip across Europe: Planning to backpack in Europe? Read: Budget Travel Tips For Europe

Europe: In Pictures

Published by Dev

Europe is a long, long way away. It takes tiresome hours to fly to. Getting there and staying is expensive than many people can afford to. The exchange rate between Euro and whatever currency you own is also (as expected!) not very encouraging either. And if any will was left, the super-cheap all-inclusive packages to Bali and Indonesia, costing just as much as a return airfare to Europe does, makes it even more discouraging. So why even bother with travelling to Europe at all? Well, let us count the ways in ‘Europe in Pictures’. Europe For Neoclassical Architecture The revival of Classical architecture during the 18th and early 19 century, defines Europe. Almost in every big city, and even in smaller towns, you can find an elegant piece of architecture characterised either by the grandeur of scale, or something just as alarming. Take St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, for an example, which looks both reviving and ancient. With its 100-meter high dome, it represents a neoclassical and a period architecture. Europe For Beautiful Drives Whether driving with a purpose or for recreation, in Europe if you’re behind the wheel, …

Budget Travel Tips For Europe

Published by Dev

Despite more and more budget backpackers making it to Europe, discovering their own quirky ways to travel on a cheap budget, Europe still remains a fairly expensive destination (especially for those who are dealing with a prominent currency difference, as I did, of 1Euro (EUR)= 70 Indian Rupees). A few things, however, have worked in budget travellers (like me) favour. For example, the dawn of hospitality networks, the rise of sharing economies, and an introduction of cheaper public transport. And all this has contributed to making Europe more affordable than ever. During my 2 months of travel in Europe, and especially while travelling across countries like Germany, Austria and Italy, I often get sick to my stomach seeing how expensive travelling in Europe can be. But thankfully, I did a lot of research before starting my great Europe Odyssey. From volunteering to self-cooking to staying in hostels, I used a mix of everything to keep my budget under control. So speaking out of my experiences, here are some tips on how to Budget travel in …

A Scenic Bus Ride In Switzerland

Published by Dev

It was undoubtedly clear that as soon as the bus escaped Italy and entered into the Swiss territory the journey became far more surreal. The majestic Swiss Alps, perfectly beautified with an unbroken chain of white glaciers, crystal blue lakes and the many quaint villages – as I happened to explore during a cheap 25 Euro Flixbus journey – offered no less than many million dollar views. I was travelling from Milan to Basel to spend my last weekend in Europe, before flying back to Delhi, and it couldn’t start any better. I mean there is no denying the fact that Switzerland offers the beauty unparalleled, on any road trip, taken in any direction, but this 300-km long stretch, even though I had nothing more than a window seat on a public bus, felt no less spellbinding. (PS: Milan to Basel route was even better than Zurich-Lucern-Engelberg, as I explored during a day trip to Mount Titlis from Zurich) A Scenic Bus Ride In Switzerland: What To Expect The first two hours, as we escaped Italy were perhaps the most …

My First Impression Of Ljubljana, In Slovenia

Published by Dev

Before I go any further, I’d like to confess that prior to my visit to Slovenia I knew a very little about this country, but my first impression of Slovenia changed it all. Other than vaguely being aware of it as ‘a part of Eastern Europe’, I knew nothing more about Slovenia. And to my guilt, my heart was always more drawn to the neighbouring countries of Italy, Austria, and Croatia — as is often the case with a majority of tourists travelling through Europe. Perhaps that’s why, while crafting the itinerary, I gave Ljubljana (the only town in Slovenia where I stayed) no more than four days, out of which I even planned a day out and visited Lake Bled and Postojna Cave. But as I left Budapest, in Hungary, and inched my way towards Slovenia, I realised that we were only moving towards the west, and to a place that looked far more organized and reformed, than what I’d initially thought, or had been experiencing for the past few weeks. I realised that Slovenia was …

Frankfurt: More Than Just Stock Exchanges, Money And Business

Published by Dev

Walking along the far side of the glittering Main River, I heard a song-like melody coming down my way. I did not see her face, as she went past me, in the same direction, but her humming sounded much familiar. Every sound she made with her flawless throat felt hear-soothing. Perhaps I was overwhelmed by the moment. The magic of the riverside Frankfurt had totally overpowered me. Love was in the air! The next thing I know is that I go on a boat tour down the Main River. I sit next to the window, staring out the window as if almost meditating, while the larger-than-life landscape slowly passes by. Frankfurt, at large, appeared to me like a small village with a “touch of the city”, and that’s what it is. It’s one of those remarkable places in the northern hemisphere with a metropolitan, yet a relaxing flair. People were busy living their own personal lives, unknown to any intrusion. ‘Frankfurt am Main’, more commonly known as Frankfurt, has indeed come a long way since its foundation in the 1st century. …

Before 58 Days In Europe : The Planning Phase

Published by Dev

Yesterday, on my Facebook page, I posted the route-map that I’ll be following during my upcoming 58-day backpacking trip in Europe. And one of the comments on the post, written by Mohit Agarwal, gave me a bright idea. The comment read “Have a great journey…. waiting to hear about your planning phase and the trip”. I realized that I seldom talk about the planning phase of my journeys. And if I don’t talk about that, how can I consider them as journeys. Planning is, after all, just as important to a journey, as the journey itself — you plan better and you will thank yourself throughout the trip! Planning becomes even more important when you want to travel under a budget, and/or you are travelling outside of your country. And on my upcoming 58 days backpacking trip, I’ll be doing both! Hence, I planned enough! However it’s a different thing that I still do not know if I am going to follow the exact route-map I’ve created at the moment, or I’ll alter it and …