Interrail Trip 2017

Hi Guys!

I can’t believe it has been almost been 3 months since I wrote my last blog post! I do apologise, things have been pretty hectic with my PhD, family and social commitments BUT I’m back! Bringing the FIRE! We have just about 6 weeks and a few days till the end of 2017 so Im going to make this time count so will start off with something quite exciting – my interrail trip! 🙂 

On Saturday 9^th September till Saturday 23^rd September, my friend and I embarked on our inter-railing trip. We visited 5 countries within those 10 days which was absolutely amazing! It was tiring near the end as we did A LOT of exploring in a short space of time however I have no regrets, it was a unique and wonderful cultural experience.

I won’t take up too much space chit-chatting, below is a brief summary of our time abroad and our favourite sites in each country. Enjoy the read!

 

Key details

• Approx total cost of everything: £1,500
• Length of stay: 10 days
• Accommodation type: 4 hotels and 1 hostel
• Mode of transport: Train mainly and plane
• Planning time: 8 months
• Booked through: STA travel
• Youth travel pass: ages 18-27

 

Destination 1: Budapest, Hungary

Highlights

• Hungarian Parliament Building
• Heroes Square
• Chain Bridge
• Széchenyi thermal bath
• Goulash soup <<< traditional soup

Parliament Building

Chain Bridge

Széchenyi thermal bath

 

Destination 2: Prague, Czech Republic

Highlights

• Křižík´s fountain <<< a fountain that moved in sync with music and it was very colourful, soothing and theatrical.
• Havel market
• Prague Castle
• Dancing House (a really quirky architectural building) 
• Charles Bridge

Křižík´s fountain

Prague Castle Entrance

Dancing House

 

Destination 3: Brussels and Brugge in Beligum

Highlights

Brussels:

• Grand-Place
• The Atomium
• EU parliament
• waffles
• chocolate

Brugge

• Canals and main square

Grand-Place

Atomium

EU Parliament Building

Market place in Brugge

Destination 4: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Highlights

• Anne Frank’s House
• Van gogh Museum
• Canals
• Cycling
• Dutch pancakes

Canals

I AMSTERDAM Sign in front of Rijksmuseum

Final destination: Lisbon and Sintra, Portugal

• Fado music (local music in Portugal)
• Cork products (local material used for bags, jewellery, purses etc)
• Pasteis de Belem (in historical part of Lisbon)
• Free tour of Lisbon central (by non-natives!)
• Sintra: castle, palace, lakes and hilltop views

Monument of Portuguese Explorers in Belem

Streets of Lisbon near baixo chiado

BEST CUSTARD TARTS EVER MADE!

Sintra Palace

 

Top tips/Lessons learnt

1. Check the distance between each city before booking anything (hotel/flights/trains)
2. Ensure you book seats for next city instead of buying a new ticket to that city like we did (interail pass covers train ticket not seats).
3. Research thoroughly into hostel, as some are super and nice while others are sub par to say the least!
4. Check your passport is up to date
5. Pack any medications you made need
6. Planning time is important so you don’t rush
7. Ensure you have travel insurance (just in case anything happens!)
8. Travel lightly i.e. small suitcase or big rucksack
9. Choose your travel buddy wisely…it’s not all friends you can tolerate for 10 days straight! (I was lucky with mine ^_^ )

 

THANKS FOR READING!!! (I know it was long) ^_^