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Archive for the ‘Europe’ Category
48 Hours in Copenhagen
While working on a TV show in May I found out that we were going to have an unexpected 2 week hiatus. I thought about staying home being lazy and just enjoying my time off and sleep in every day until 11am. However I have been
suffering from a major case of the travel bug for the past few years now and the moment my mother jokingly said to me “Two weeks off? I’m surprised you aren’t going anywhere!” I started checking out flights for Europe.
I had been hoping for a European vacation later in the summer with the idea of heading to the north, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Not having tons of time though I decided just to travel to Denmark and Sweden and it perfectly worked out that the dates I would be visiting Denmark were the same dates as Chris from the Aussie Nomad.
I am pretty sure we did as much as physically possible in Copenhagen in a 48 hour period (minus the Carlsberg brewery and a few museums because they are closed on Monday’s and partly due to too many other things that we were doing).
Getting to the city center: I flew into the Copenhagen Airport (CPH) from London and it could not of been easier to find the trains to get to the city: just follow the signs and you can’t miss it. I took the train a couple stops from the airport to the Copenhagen Central station which only took 10-15 minutes. Chris took the train from Germany using a Eurorail pass and it dropped him off right at that same station.
Accommodations: I had a hard time deciding where to stay in Copenhagen as the internet was full of bad reviews for every place and all of them seemed more expensive than other hostels throughout Europe (FYI: Denmark is one of the most expensive European countries). My final choice for a hostel was based on location and I stayed at the Danhostel Copenhagen Downtown hostel right in the middle of the city a 2 minute walk to Tivoli and about a 5 minute walk to the train station. A weird thing about this hostel is that they asked the guests to clean everything. Now I understand cleaning up after yourself but there needs to be a certain amount of upkeep on their behalf which was lacking and foam pads and metal bars on beds don’t mix well together. Chris stayed at the Sleep in Heaven hostel on the outskirts of town but he seemed to get around by public transport easily and I’m pretty sure he enjoyed the free wi-fi a fair bit.
Sightseeing: The top tourist attraction in Copenhagen hands down would have to be the famous Little Mermaid statue (Den lille havfrue) which sits in the harbour just off of Langlinie Park. The statue was originally commissioned by the founder of Carlsberg Beer after being fascinated by the fairytale which he saw portrayed at the ballet based off of the famous Hans Christian Andersen’s story. It’s a nice scenic walk from the city center to where the statue is located especially if you walk along the canals and harbour which some may argue is the longer way to get there, but it is worth 
it. You get to pass by the Danish Stock exchange with its unusual three dragon spire, you get a nice view of the Spire from the Church of our Saviour near Christiania, the Amalienborg palace (the future home of the Crown Prince Frederik and family) and you can see the multi-color buildings of Nyhavn Harbor and why not enjoy an ice cream from one of the many ice cream shops along the way?
Another must see/do item in Copenhagen is Tivoli Gardens. Located in the center of the city, Tivoli is said be the 2nd oldest theme park in all of Europe, opened in 1843. Inside Tivoli there are theme park rides and roller coasters, lots of games to play, a lake to stroll around, a few concert areas and many places to eat and drink. Chris and I both agreed it is definitely a great place to go on a first date, or a romantic night on the town while on the road.
Unique features: Copenhagen is also famous for a small area of the city called “Christiania” which is also known as “the Freetown”. Regarded as a commune, it is an old military area that was taken over by squatters in the 70’s and is run by its own rule with no policing by the Copenhagen Police inside its walls. A very colourful place, not only from its shockingly crazy graffiti, but also from the people who live there. We were told by a few people to visit here including a lady at the tourist information desk, but aside from it being a “must see” we didn’t know much about it. As we walked through part of the compound we were taking photos and a little video but not too long after we got there we were told by some residents to put our cameras away. There is a street in Christiania called “Pusher” street, since there are no Police here, drugs are legal and everyone sells them on tables and stands on this street, just as if they were as normal as hot dog stands.
Shopping: Although Copenhagen is very expensive it would be a shame not to take in some of its fabulous shopping, even if you are just doing it from the window. Be sure to visit the pedestrian streets of Købmagergade and Strøget where all the big brand names are squeezed in between the fabulous boutiques.
Everything is located very close to the city center — easily walkable or just a quick bike ride away. The city has many bicycle paths and there are many options of bikes to rent for a day or even just a few hours.
More than 24-hours? I also recommend checking out the Copenhagen Zoo if you have time. The highlight of the zoo in Copenhagen for me was seeing the Polar beers and the low-light for Chris (the aussie nomad) was of course seeing Australian animals. However an interesting fact, the Copenhagen Zoo is the only place in the world outside of Australia where you can find the Tasmanian Devil. The Tasmanian Devils found here were actually donated from Australia on the birth of Danish Prince Frederik and Princess Mary’s (originally Australian) first son.
Written by Cailin O’Neil who visited Copenhagen, Denmark in May 2010. Be sure to check out Cailin’s website, Travel Yourself.
Trip Review: Contiki’s Croatian Island Cruising
Trip Review: Contiki’s Croatian Island Cruising
Tour Operator: Contiki Tours
Trip Name: Croatian Island Cruising
Starting/Ending Point: The cruise departs and comes back to Split, Croatia. You can fly into the Split Airport (SPU). There are buses and taxis that can transport you from the airport to the port area. A taxi costs around 300 Kuna.
Number of Days: The cruise departs on Saturdays and returns to port the following Saturday so the actual trip is 8 days/7 nights.
When I Went: July 2010…and the weather was very warm. But that makes a swim in the Adriatic that much more appealing.
Highlights of Trip: Croatia is an up-and-coming travel destination. My brother actually went a few years ago when people were just getting wind of it and I decided to pay a visit before the tourism explosion officially begins. But, what I found out, is that the uptick is already on its way!
The port town of Split town is beautiful and has a gorgeous promenade where everyone gathers in the evenings. Immediately next to it is where you will find your boat. After an evening spent in Split, I met my group at the boat around noon and, within a few hours, we were sailing to our first stop of Hvar. This port is known as one of the more social ports so expect a late night with clubs that stay open until the wee hours of the morning. You can walk to the top of the hill and take a look at the Arsenal Fort too.
Continuing on, we went to Korcula, home of Marco Polo. Stepping into this town made me feel like I had been transported to Italy with little wine bars and trattorias tucked away in small alleys. After an evening here, we ventured to Dubrovnik, where we spent two nights giving us ample time to explore. Dubrovnik is by far the busiest place we visited in Croatia, specifically because of the large cruise ships that also dock here. But, nonetheless, we still had a wonderful time exploring the old city, climbing the City Walls and enjoying waterfront dining. To supplement your time, you can kayak around the City Walls for a spectacular view or embark on a day trip to neighboring Montenegro.
After busy days in Dubrovnik, the tone takes a 180 degree turn when you arrive in peaceful Trstenik. The small town is literally untouched and gives you a feel of what life was like in Croatia a decade earlier. There are some walking trails 
and secluded swimming spots and this overnight gives you a chance to relax and unwind. The final stop before returning to Dubrovnik is Makarska, another touristy port known for nightlife which has a bar located in a cave called Deep. One final night on the boat in Split gives you time to see the city, explore Diocletian’s Palace and do some shopping.
My favorite part of the trip? Swimming in the Adriatic Sea. The water is clear and the surrounding landscape makes it picturesque. Take advantage of all the swimming stops with a quick jump in to cool off.
Don’t Forget to Bring:
- Ear Plugs and an Eye Mask – Boats have thin walls and you will want to leave your door or porthole open at night for the cool sea breeze and nothing is worse than the sun in your eyes at 6am!
- Bring your own beach towel as the boat only provides linens and towels for use in the cabin.
- You will spend a good amount of the daytime hours at sea so bring reading material, games, a deck of cards and/or music to keep you entertained when you’re not sunbathing (with SPF, of course) or swimming.
- The heat can get pretty intense in summer. A wide-brimmed hat to protect your scalp, face and neck is a must. Pair it with a lightweight sundress and some sandals and you’re good to go.
- I brought two pairs of high heels and never wore them once. You see, the boats dock side by side which means you will sometimes be walking through other boats and across the gaps in between them to get to port. Heels are not suited for this type of activity. Cute, flat sandals will be easy to walk in and fit in perfect with the laid-back vibe.
- Food-wise, expect seafood, fish and Italian-inspired dishes. For dessert, treats like gelato and tiramisu are everywhere.
- If you have sensitive eyes and want to spend a lot of time in the water swimming, goggles might be a good thing to throw in your bag.
- A waterproof camera, like those single-use ones, are perfect for this type of trip. There will be lots of jumping off the boat and snapping a picture from the water level can be fun.
Want to book now? Contiki will be releasing their 2011 dates in November. If you want to pre-register for a 2011 departure, Contiki has an awesome deal: if you put a deposit down by November 16, 2010, you are able to get $200 off the trip cost plus a $25 optional excursion voucher. Additionally, you can combine these deals with the Early Payment Discount. Score!
Reader Perspective: First Solo Trip to Europe
I knew I’d be nervous for my first solo, international trip, but I had no idea how bad it would get. I spent the entire seven hour flight—from Philadelphia to London—fighting the shakes, breathing through waves of anxiety, and trying to convince myself that it wasn’t a huge mistake.
Things didn’t improve much when we touched down. I mindlessly followed passengers towards customs, where I was quizzed about my travel plans and employment status back home. The customs officer never cracked, never smiled. She slammed my first stamp into my first passport and wished me a good day. I scampered off to the first bathroom I could find. I took my time trying to collect myself and prepare for a world of unknowns.
The Hidden Side Of Rhodes
Despite its generous size, Rhodes is an Island of understated appeal. Ask a neutral to recall a famous Acropolis and the answer will doubtless be Athens. Enquire of a Greek party island and they are likely to respond with Mykonos or Los.
Yet unbeknown to many, Rhodes boasts its own ancient ruins to rival the mainland capital, as well as its own dusk-till-dawn party town. Indeed, the heritage site of Lindos and hedonistic resort of Faliraki represent the versatility of this enjoyable chunk of Greek Isle.
A Holiday to Turkey
Vacation time seems to always be at a premium. That makes choosing the right destination all the more important, but that’s easier said than done considering most vacation destinations are one-dimensional – it’s usually either beaches, history, or culture. Then there’s the debate between going east or west.
Very rarely is one destination so multifaceted, but only one place has the unique combination where eastern and western cultures meet: Holiday to Turkey. The country’s largest city, Istanbul, sits on the Bosporus River, which divides Europe from Asia and is the melting pot of melting pots. From the Grand Bazaar to the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, the cultural and historical sites of Istanbul are truly worth marveling at. Wandering the city by foot is the best way to explore, as the narrow, meandering streets never disappoint. While you’re there, do try the Turkish Delight! It’s a sweet, gelatinous delicacy rolled in confectioners’ sugar and is oh so good! Visiting a Turkish Bath should also make your to-do list. The bathing process involves several different rooms and/or pools of varying temperatures and a massage on a warm marble slab. The intensity of the massage will vary from masseuse to masseur, but they typically tend to be bit rough – it’s quite the experience though.
Reader Perspective: Studying Abroad in Spain
It was four years ago today I stepped off the plane from studying abroad in Seville. I might include that my parents were at my side, because I’d told them I wasn’t leaving Spain unless they were coming to retrieve me. While I don’t thank them for actually doing it (I sulked the entire eight hour flight home), I do thank them for instilling the heart of a lion in me.
There are a few reasons as to why I’m writing this:
- It’s an anniversary of one of the most extraordinary experiences I’ve ever had, and I’ve got time to remember.
- After waking up this morning on a friend’s couch in London, I noticed above my head a pleasant water mark that looked like someone climbed a ladder with a brown matte barrel and sketched the outline of Spain. Torture or coincidence, I’ll never know.
- I can’t get Seville, my three roommates, Angeles, my housemother who I thought could blow the roof off our apartment with her snoring, and even our ratty house dog Kiyo who I never once trusted, out of my head.
- Finally, I’m writing to urge students to study abroad, and specifically in Spain. (¡Viva España! is clearly written across my forehead.)
Reader Perspective: Studying Abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark
Need some help planning your study abroad trip? Check out tips on selecting and preparing for your program from DIWYY reader and guest writer, Lisa Griswold. She also includes some helpful tips if traveling to or studying in Copenhagen, Denmark is on your radar! Lisa recently returned from a study abroad program with the Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS).
Why Lisa chose Copenhagen and the DIS program: I chose this destination because I desired to be somewhere that was different from the typical study abroad location. Take a risk and go somewhere off the beaten track, you’ll find the opportunity to learn and experience something extraordinary anywhere you go.
Reader Perspective: Bullfighting in Spain
Olé. Three simple letters that when pronounced together form one of the most uttered words in Spain. In any tourist shop, you are likely to come across mugs, t-shirts, pens, and postcards depicting a elegantly dressed man waving some sort of a cape around his body, with Olé emblazoned above his head. No, this is not some sort of a fashion statement (although these men do take pride in their outfits), but a traditional Spanish spectacle known as La Corrida de Toros, or ‘Bullfight’ in English. The very mention of a bullfight can often incite an intense debate, especially among non- Spaniards who argue that the sport is cruel and out of date. This is often countered by the notion that bullfighting is a beautiful, highly regarded tradition in Spanish culture, and represents an important part of Spanish history and culture.
Killing 12 hours at the Amsterdam Airport
Look around Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and you may be deceived by the hordes of red-eyed folks ambling around in a daze into thinking this airport is as dull as ditchwater. Of course, anyone familiar with Amsterdam will know that the glazed looks will owe more to the city’s famous coffee shops than the lack of things to do in the airport.
In fact, Schiphol is one of Europe’s best and most modern transport hubs, and anyone finding themselves with a long layover should be reassured that they will never be short of something to keep them busy until their flight.
Photo of the Week: Athens, Greece
DIWYY reader, Kelley Johnson at the Temple of Zeus in Athens, Greece. Want to see your photo featured in Photo of the Week? Email kristina@diwyy.com.
