#181: Go To Europe

A trip to Europe is usually at the top of most people’s bucket lists, and for good reason! There is so much to do there that one can never be bored. The whole continent is filled to the brim with culture. I have been lucky enough to have gone on two trips to Europe. The first trip was when I was 17 and went backpacking there for the summer. The second trip was when I studied abroad when I was 19. I chose to study in Austria specifically because it was centrally located and it is so easy to get all around Europe from there with all the trains and cheap flights. This made it so I was able to see so many places that I have always dreamed of.

When I first went backpacking I went to France, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey and Greece. My two favorites were Switzerland and Greece. Not only was the food amazing but the people were so friendly and helpful. In Switzerland my favorite thing was just seeing all the nature and mountains that surround the small cute villages. The whole country looks like a postcard. My favorite thing in Greece was of course the food. There were so many hole in the wall restaurants that had the freshest and most delicious food.

My second trip over, my favorite counties were Austria and Ireland. Austria was similar to Switzerland in that every village looks like it belongs in a Christmas magazine with all the mountains, Christmas markets and curvy cobblestone paths. It was a place I could imagine living the rest of my life, it really felt like home. Ireland was also similar to that in that it really felt like a home to me. The rolling hills, warm hearty food, and lush nature made it feel like I was back in Washington.

I would love to go back and spend more time in all of these places. There is still so much more to see across Europe. During these trips I made it to 15 countries. Next time I go back, I plan to focus more on Eastern Europe or Scandinavia.