October has gone by in a whirlwind, taking with it Halloween festivities and an amazing Fall Break adventure.
Since the middle of summer, my flatmates (as the Brits would say), have been brainstorming about what to do for Fall Break. The advantage of studying abroad in Europe, albeit not on the continent, is having the ability to cross borders and visit multiple countries in the span of a week. The only downfall? Not being able to choose. There are so many discarded itineraries in my Trash folder that it isn’t even funny.
Eventually, we chose something that worked best for us – we signed up for the WSA Best of Central Europe tour, where someone had already planned everything. The relief was tangible.
BERLIN, GERMANY
We started out in the heart of Germany’s alternative scene, in a hostel around the corner from the East Side gallery. Our group of fellow students was small, and our guides were young and local. If you’re interested in the post-WWII Germany and the Cold War, this city is definitely for you. The historical walking tour was one of my favorites on the trip, and really well-done.
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Fast-forward to the capital of the Czech Republic, which I had been told was one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It very well lived up to its reputation, walking down the winding streets through centuries-old architecture was a breath-taking experience. Highlights? Definitely grab a Trdelnik (also known as chimney cake in Hungary) and head over to the Lennon Wall.
KRAKOW, POLAND
Such an unexpectedly beatiful city, and an extremely cheap one as well. After being in London, where a good meal at a proper restaurant costs an arm and a leg (£10-15), Krakow prices seemed like a dream. Also, the city itself is kind of like a fairytale, especially with the autumn leaves.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Despite being the worst hostel of all time (Thinking about booking a party hostel? No. The answer is no.), this city consolidated how much I enjoyed this trip. Our main tour guide and mama bear was from Budapest, and she was so passionate about the city that we couldn’t help but fall in love too. Go up to the Castle District at night, and check out the view from St. Stephen’s Basilica. This city is a well-kept secret, with amazing caves and thermal baths, as well as a vibrant nightlife and delicious goulash.
Overall, the most important thing is to travel with an amazing group of individuals. Yes, I traveled with some of my closest friends – but I also met and befriended people I would have never gotten to know without this trip. 10/10, definitely would recommend.