Eurotrip Recap: The Night Train Fiasco.

So last time we spoke, I was just leaving Skopje, about to get on the night train to Belgrade, en route to Croatia. Seriously, it was the longest journey ever, and despite being a true believer that ‘the travelling is all part of the experience’, I was soon wishing that I’d just booked an easyjet flight from Athens to Split!

The night train was a horrendous experience. I had heard from friends that had done it before that the beds weren’t very comfortable, and I wasn’t likely to get a great night’s sleep, but thought it was worth it due to the accomodation money I’d be saving. First key lesson of the trip: There is a big big big difference between a night train and a sleeper train!

The train that we ended up on was just a regular train that travelled over night – no beds in sight! So I spent a horrible night, not sleeping, pressed up against an old Serbian lady who kept trying to talk to my despite me making it very clear that I couldn’t understand a word she was saying!

In hindsight, it was funny and a truly Balkan experience, but at the time I just wanted to die a little…!

Eurotrip Recap: Skopje, Macedonia.

The next stop on the Eurotrip whirlwind was Skopje in Macedonia. We had hoped to travel directly to Split in Croatia, but due to a lack of research before we left the UK (not recommended!) it wasn’t really possible, and we needed to break up the journey a little.

Skopje is a very bizarre city – traditionally Balkan – the architecture isn’t really all that but I think in the next few years it will be a real up and coming city.

It is cheap – 7euros a night for the most amazing hostel we stayed in all trip, which had the most amazing power shower!! (hey, that sort of luxury is important when you’re travelling!).

There isn’t really that much to do in Skopje, I wouldn’t want to spend more than a day there, but there are A LOT of statues, and Mother Theresa’s house.

That night we would spend out first night on the night train, which turned out to be an interesting experience…

Eurotrip Recap: Athens, Greece.

Eeeekk, I’m so excited to start writing the recaps of my travels and share my photos with you all 🙂

I was excited to get away, but if I’m honest, I felt a little funny for the last few days before my trip. I was restless, worrying about whether I’d thought of and planned everything, nervous about missing my train and connections on the airport (fully aware that there was nothing that I could do!) and was a little upset to be leaving my new friends from the summer school.

Athens was an interesting city. We arrived mid afternoon on 9th August, and spent the first afternoon relaxing and starting to get our bearings of the city.

On our first whole day in the Greek capital, we went to The Acropolis, and on a sightseeing tour.

The view was amazing!

And there is so much history there – Look at this amazing ancient Greek theatre!

Everything had been so well preserved, with very little signs and only a bit of scaffolding to hold it together (rather that than it fell on top of me!)

On our second day in Athens, we explored the city a little more, did some shopping and generally chilled out still trying to get used to the 40’c+ heat! IT WAS BOILING!

We visited the National Gardens and they had a pond full of turtles – how cool is that?!

Our 3 days in Athens went quickly, but I was keen to move on the Croatia and be nearer to the sea – I thought I was about to die of heat exhaustion!

Next stop, Croatia – via Macedonia!

Italy.

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Slowly ticking off more new cities and seeing some amazing new things. We’re arriving in Italy this weekend – and will hopefully be visiting some family friends in Milan, and heading down to Rome. I can only hope that it doesn’t end up like that scene from Eurotrip!!

Backpack Through Europe.

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This has been on my Bucket List ever since I got back from Europe a few years ago. It had been some of the best weeks if my life and I couldn’t wait to do it all over again – only my bank balance had other ideas.

But tomorrow is the day! Tomorrow I will be flying out to Greece to start what I am affectionately calling Eurotrip 2012, and I couldn’t be more excited.

It has been a hectic few days of printing tickets, buying travel insurance and ammending packing lists, but I am just about ready. Bring it on!

I have written a few posts and scheduled them for over the next few weeks, and will try to keep you updated as and when I can. Until then, keep in touch, happy blogging and have a great few weeks.

❤

Sophie.

Exciting News!

I have some exciting news! A friend from uni and I have just booked a 3 week trip around Europe at the end of August!!!

I have 3 weeks off between the end of Summer school and the start of the next academic year and longed for a holiday, and he wanted to go travelling – and so Eurotrip 2012 was born!

In the Summer of 2009 I spent a month visiting key European cities with one of my oldest friends, and I can honestly say that it was one of the best months of my life so far. I love love love being in a new place, soaking up a new culture and making new friends with people from all over the world that I never would have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.

On the list is Greece – Athens, Croatia – Split, Italy – Florence & Rome, Switzerland – Geneva & Zurich, South France & Monaco. Planning is still in the very early stages but flights & Interrail tickets have been booked, and I now spend all my free time looking at hostels and attractions!

Any tips? Have you ever visited any of these places? Suggestions of things to do/places to stay/favourite dishes?!

❤

Sophie