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  • Luke Palmas
  • Luke Palmas

Europe

Travelling Solo on trains from Paris to Rome Read more
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  • Trip start
    November 4, 2024
  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    1322

    Paris

    Nov 5–9, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    The city of lights, despite its large reputation, has still exceeded my expectations. From the beautiful architecture, to the bigger than I thought Eiffel Tower and the frankly fantastic Public Transport system. But the part that blew me away the most is that there are so many people around all the time. Just lovely.Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    Napoleon's insanely massive sarcophagusChurch in Le Marais NeighbourhoodSaint Martin CanalThe part of the canal from that one bit in Mission Impossible Fallout5Me in the place where they filmed that one bit from Mission Impossible FalloutSteak Frite4Meringue Dessert

    Last day in Paris 🇫🇷

    November 9, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    What a marvelous city, the culture the architecture, the food and yes ofc the public transport and Urbanism are all so lovely. Today I did a bunch of random stuff that doesn't deserve individual posts. I saw Napoleon's tomb, I roamed around the Le Marais District, did a canal cruise and had an excellent dinner at Le Relais de Venise.Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    TGV
    31These bells were so loud11One of the top beers I've ever had1Better than IKEA!

    Ive arrived in Bruges!!! 🇧🇪

    Nov 9–10, 2024 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Caught my first french high-speed train today and then headed to the lovely medieval town that is Bruges. I came here because of that one movie and so far I'm feeling both characters opinions on the town. The Belfrey was extremely loud and Belgian beer deserves the hype. More to come tomorrow!Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    Me and the Rijksmuseum
    Is that Steve Buscemi?14Anne Frank's house

    Some more Amsterdam

    November 12, 2024 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Today I just stayed in Amsterdam and biked around a bunch. I visited the Rijksmuseum and saw some Van Gogh, Rembrandt and ship models. Afterwards I had a burger and a beer in a "Food Hallen" but I forgot to take pictures of these. I decided to catch the free ferry over to Amsterdam Noord to see a more modern biodiverse part of the city. Later on, I rode past Anne Frank's house on a night ride and had New York (or is that Old Amsterdam) slice for dinner. (Also forgot to take a picture of that).Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    CLOGS!!
    HSC more like HSCheese2A goud selfieI became the cheesemasterThey love canals so much here3Rotterdam Centraal1Cube houseBig food courtThis weird way to buy food

    Training around Holland

    November 13, 2024 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Today I had to ditch the bike because my rental period was up :(. So I decided to catch some Dutch trains around the country. The benefit of this place being a small country is that most other cities are less than an hour from Amsterdam by train. Firstly, I visited Gouda and did the Gouda Cheese experience. This experience was sort of like a museum on how the cheese came about and how it's made today but also, you get quizzed at the end. The best part was finally getting to try the cheese. Afterwards, I went over to Rotterdam to see some very non-traditional whacky modern architecture. After a few more strolls around the canals of Amsterdam I've decided this city is more romantic than Paris. This has been an amazing country and one I would love to come back (and even live in) but tomorrow I'm heading for Germany. Stay Tuned!Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    Me with the late-running trainWhy build one harbour bridge, when you can build 3?Me with the other late-running train

    Arrival into Germany 🇩🇪 and Cologne

    November 14, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Cologne certainly was a city I went to. It sure is a place on the Rhine that exists. Jokes aside, the gothic cathedral was awe-inspiring and the view from the Cologne Triangle was pretty good. What was not good was using German trains. I arrived 99 mins late to my next location Freiburg Im Breisgau.Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    1Can you find the maccas?
    2Umm Madeira anyone?The Black Forest not being that black1Pork SchnitzelThe Munster4German Food!

    Freiburg Im Breisgau

    November 15, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C

    Gluten Tag from Freiburg, a city in the SW of Germany on the brink of the Black Forest. Today I wondered around Germany's green city and saw its extensive rebuilt old town which is mostly car-free, full of trams and full of cyclists. Afterwards I caught the Schausinlandbahn cable car up to a mountain peak to see some spectacular views of Germany, Switzerland (covered by clouds) and France (also covered by clouds). For lunch I had the best Schnitzel I've ever had and a pretty good beer. For dinner, I stuck to the German theme and had a Dr Oetker frozen pizza. Overall this is a nice town and it's just reinforcing everything I already thought about cars, trains and good urbanism.Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    I love the stonework here12FlammkuchenBlack Forest Parfait1BratwurstI didn't go up that because it was foggy1I summited Schlossberg1

    More Freiburg!

    November 16, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Today I did some good old fashioned wandering and tried some food. I tried this french-german style of pizza called Flammkuchen. I didn't get to try Black Forest cake but I managed to try Black Forest Parfait (which I'm sure is probably the same.) I also had an Australian classic with a German twist, Bratwurst on bread with onions. Dare I say on par with Bunnings. I finished off the day with a great view of the town from Schlossberg.Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    Basel main stationBasket Münster1My extremely capacious roomLyonnaise Salad2Lyonnaise SausageCervelles de Canut

    🇨🇭 (briefly) and then Lyon

    November 17, 2024 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    Today I departed Freiburg on a Swiss train bound for Italy. It was a nice change of pace from Deutschebahn's shenanigans. I had an hour and 20 to kill in Basel so I ventured over to their Münster. Great church! Afterwards, I had to catch a french train back into L'Hexagone to Mulhouse. I'm sorry for what I said about Cologne because Mulhouse was truly even more of a city that just exists. Idk I didn't take any photos because it was too cold to leave the station and the station itself was a bit depressing. It was really only meant to be a stop on the way to Lyon. Lyon is so much more different to Paris than I thought it would be but it has its own charm. I had Lyonnaise salad, Lyonnaise sausage and Les Cervelles de Canut (translate it I dare you). Anyway Lyon looks like it's going to be a fun city to explore so stay tuned for more.Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    Mini Eiffel Tower?2The Funicular driver saw me taking pictures and offered photograph me2Creme Brulee

    Lyon is pretty

    November 18, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    Yesterday I started and finished the day by going up to the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourviere. This late 19th century church is certainly not the oldest I've seen but, it may have the prettiest interior. I just adore the shiny mosaics that cover all the walls. It's position atop a hill allows for breathtaking views of the city as well. Interestingly, this hill also has what looks like a mini Eiffel Tower? It's a radio mast apparently but I'm just surprised that the second biggest city in France also built one. The basilica is already reminding me of Sacre Cour back in Paris but this is on a whole other level. Anyway, afterwards I went to the confluence of the Saône and Rhône rivers and thought it looked pretty neat. All in all, Lyon is really cool but all the museums are closed on Mondays and I'm going to visit an ancient Roman town today so I guess I'll miss out.Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    Temple of Augustus and Livia1

    Vienne is full of Roman ruins

    November 19, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Today I ventured south to Vienne on the river Rhône. This was once an important trading town for the Roman Empire and remains pretty well preserved to this day. There was a variety of architecture from all different ages dotted all over the town to marvel at. From a massive Roman amphitheatre to a mediaeval clifftop castle. The Gallo-Roman Museum was especially impressive, housing many beautiful, ancient mosaics. The museum also included a large outdoor excavated site that I was free to roam around. It felt like what I imagine Pompeii to be like without what I imagine are huge crowds. Tomorrow the French Riviera awaits me.Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    1It's kinda hard to tell but the sound of the water receding is just so 🤤This dog was so well-behaved on the tram

    "Nice" is an understatement

    November 20, 2024 in France ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    When I picked this stop, it was really just to experience a bit more of France before heading to Italy and I didn't think much of it when I booked it. Nice absolutely ate! This is possibly the most gorgeous beach I've ever seen. It was that turquoise blue you see in postcards all the time. Pebble beaches rule! Why? The sound they make when the water withdraws, oh it's just so good. I'm very excited to explore more Nice and French Riviera tomorrow. Till next time 👋Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas

    Wandering around Nice

    November 21, 2024 in France ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    Yesterday I didn't do too much and forgot to post! It was threateninh to rain the whole time so I didn't do much. But in short, I checked out a Russian Church, wandered around the old town and inside a baroque home, and around a cemetery.Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    Photo spheres don't translate to this app wellT-shirt weather!

    Èze

    November 22, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    After saving one tiktok like 3 years ago I knew one day I would have to come to Èze. So this morning I caught two buses with serene views up 427 metres to the clifftop village. I genuinely think it may be the prettiest view I've ever seen. The mix of medieval buildings, greenery, mountains and the ocean makes for a spectacular sight to see. This place is so special I implore you all to come one day. But don't come at this time of the year because all the restaurants there were closed for renovations. Anyways, after realising I couldn't eat there I took a hike down to sea level. I'll warn you this track has some of the most uneven ground I've ever treaded and was not fun to walk down. The views were great tho. As my search for lunch continued it led me to another country. Cya next in a few minutes in a post about 🇲🇨.Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    The Monte Carlo casino was smaller than expected
    I didn't win big :(2Normal country doing normal thingsThe entirety of the Monegasque rail system (it's french)

    Monaco!!! 🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨

    November 22, 2024 in Monaco ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    I came here to check off the box as a country to visit. It was a bit of fun... The casino looked nice, the yachts looked luxurious. I had a pretty descent Caesar salad with some bread and olive oil (🤤). I forgot to go see the F1 track tho. Anyway, Monaco was alright but the highlight was the beautiful Mediterranean. It was worth it to say I've been here. Sorry to any Monegasques' reading but you're probably rich anyway.Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    Snowy Alps in the background
    Cool awesome fort is now an icky Pablo Picasso museum

    Antibes!!!

    November 22, 2024 in France ⋅ 🌬 14 °C

    After Monaco I stayed on the train to Nice past Nice! Antibes is a much nicer town than Monaco. This was originally settled by the Greeks as a trading colony but is now obviously French and there was this cool fort around the old town and the port. Idk when that was built I only skimmed the wiki for this one. It was nice to see the sunset without the sun in my eyes. I also noticed there has been snowy Alps behind Nice this whole time!!!??? But that was pretty breathtaking. If I come back to the lovely Côte d'Azur I'd come back here.Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    cheap grog1Calamari1Gigli al PestoChocolate SalamiA cool train I saw

    Finally in Italy 🇮🇹

    November 23, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Today I arrived in the last country of my trip (if you don't count the Vatican), Italy! My intro to this country in 2024 is the lovely town on the Italian Riviera, Camogli. Being in Liguria, Camogli is famous for good seafood and good pesto. I tried a calamari salad and Gigli al Pesto. I also had what sounds like some made up Italian dessert, chocolate Salami and it was actually not too bad. If I'm being honest, they were both different to what I expected but still great. This is my only Hotel of my trip and the privacy is a nice change. Being able to dump my bags as soon as I got here was such a blessing. Well tomorrow is likely to rain so hopefully I'll have more Camogli stories to tell but I doubt it. Cya next time 👋Read more

  • Luke PalmasEuropeLuke Palmas
    Me before finding out there was no buried treasure
    1Massive PizzaA mossy path with little signage that I kept followingMy rewardSun-less sunsetLa Camogliese was in weird hut in a towerTestaroli alla PestoTiramisu

    Camogli and San Fruttuosso

    November 24, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Today I caught a ferry to an abbey only accessible by hiking trail (and ferry). The Abbey of San Fruttuosso looks like some mystical Pirate cove, with it's azure waters and dramatic cliffs. Ironically the Tore Doria that's built there is made to defend from Pirates. But anyway, that was really fun. Later, I just started walking in one direction away from the town and I kept just going up stairs. It had just rained and there was lots of moss about, it felt very refreshing, like a rainforest. It reminded me a lot of Madeira with its temperate forestry. Eventually the path led me to a church atop a cliff overlooking Camogli and the rest of the Ligurian coast. For dinner I ate at La Camogliese and had Testaroli Pesto (much more yum than last night's pesto), Tiramisu and a shot of limoncello. I'm gonna miss Camogli a lot. For someone that doesn't like seafood all that much, this fishing town sure had a lot to offer.Read more

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