EUROPE

May - August 2015
A 105-day adventure by Laura
  • 18footprints
  • 8countries
  • 105days
  • 67photos
  • 0videos
  • 24.7kkilometers
  • 19.2kkilometers
  • Day 1

    Sydney Australia

    May 1, 2015 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    So it is set! we have competed the land down under, from road tripping all across Sydney to Cairns, as well as the long trip past Uluru up to the scorching suns of Alice Springs. Although these trips were tiring, myself and my boyfriend, Jason, are looking for something a little bit more challenging! And when we mean more challenging, we mean a 10 month trip across Europe, rather than a three week holiday.

    We will be leaving on the 3rd of May, and arriving in the early hours of the morning in London England on the 4th of May, where we will be greeted by one of my big brothers, James.

    We will keep you all updated every now and then! so watch this space and hope to keep in touch with you all through our adventure :)

    CIAO SYDNEY!!
    Read more

  • Day 5

    We arrived in London!

    May 5, 2015 in England ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    So we finally made it! After a horrible slow 23 hour flight, with a 2 hour stop over in Abu Dabi, we made it to London, and was greeted by my big brother, James. We didnt get much sleep on the plane, but was so excited to have arrived that my body didnt give in just yet!

    James took us around a whole lot of tourist attractions, in attempt to keep us awake. This included, buckingham palace, Big Ben, Trafalgar square, leicester square, tower of london, tower bridge, and st pauls cathedral! Gosh we walked sooo much, but after a long flight of sitting down, it was a good change.

    It is now 4 pm, and we are all very tired...so i think it is time to take a nap, before dinner. James cooked us a traditional English breakfast... so I wonder what he has in stall for tonight!
    Read more

  • Day 5

    Day 2 of rushed London

    May 5, 2015 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Day two of London! And already i am begining to have my on views of this big city. First of all... wow. This city does everything so traditional! From the guards carrying swords around, to everyone wearing fashional coats all the time. The city is amazingly clean as well... not even leaves are on the ground, as there are cleaners with brooms 24/7 around parks and streets. These are only a few positives....however, these are unfortunetly shadowed by a few negatives. I have learnt in the last 48 hours that everone here had ADD. They are constantly in a rush...and if you accedently bump into someone... a sorry is never enough...also, there are more tourist than true londoners here in london, what isnt bad... however it will be interesting to see what it is like in oxford next week, and how people are there.

    Today was a pretty tiring day! Again...we walked around the whole of london. In the morning,Jason and I tok our backpacks, and left james apartment, to go to our hotel near Eden Park. Unfortunetly my back is sooooo sore, as we got lost for a solid hour, and ended up getting a taxi to show us the way to our hotel. On the bright side, we were allowed to check in, and got upgraded to the delux room! Yay!

    we then got breaky at a small cafe, and found out how crazy expensive the food and coffee is! However, who can say no to a Big English breaky? After breakfast, we went back to the tower of London and took a tour through the castle! Was amazing seeing the royal crown jewls, and the castle walls!

    Now we are lazzing around with our sore feet, till dinner, where i will be meeting up with my close friend, Kelvin! Wooohoo.
    Read more

  • Day 8

    Day 3 and 4! London city

    May 8, 2015 in England ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Day 3 of loving the tourist life in London. Today we had the privlage of seeing the changing of the guards ceremony, but this time from start to finish! Pretty amazing that they do this once every day! After the ceremony we pushed throuh the tourist crowd and rushed our way to london eye to take some happy snaps of the famous ferris wheel of London. We re visited westminister abbey, and the Big Ben...however...this was not panned..but that we actually got lost in this big city...and trust me...its not hard to do.

    Day 4 and our last full day in London before our little weekend road trip up to bath! Today was a busy day visiting the british museum where we saw ancient artifacts and all these amazing egyptian tombs and their mummafied bodies! I love the fact that England provides the public with such an educational facility for free! instead of catching the tube back to kengsington park, we picked up a public bike, costing only 2 pounds each, and rode them all the way through Hyde Park and staight to the beautiful old attraction, Kengstington Palace!! This was such an amazing experience, just walking through the palace walls, knowing royalty had once lived and walked where we stand today.

    Tonigh we are going out to dinner to see my brother, for our last night in London.
    Read more

  • Day 10

    English Road Trip

    May 10, 2015 in England ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    First stop oxford! Yesterday Jason and I had a look around the old city of oxford where we had an amazing time exploring the famous sights of Oxford University! Here we also had the privalge to visit my ancestors memorial plaque ,Nicolas Ridley, who was burnt at the stake, for his religious faith.

    The next day we met my big brother and his friend, jess, who took us to Stone Hendge, and the amazing Roman city of Bath , where we explored the hot spiritual baths, and the besutiful surrounding buildings. Tonight we will be staying the night in Bath, and then heading back to London, before we head to the Netherlands.
    Read more

  • Day 14

    French Road Trip!

    May 14, 2015 in France ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    So after a adventures time catching up with my older brother, and visiting all the English tourist attractions, it was time to go and visit Jasons' side of the family.
    First stop was London to the Netherlands, in a town called Hoorn, where we saw Jasons Grandmother. We stayed at her little apartment, which is located on top of shops (which was very convenient), and visited all the local Museums! We visited a large museum, which showed us the old ways of living in Holland. I got to taste some of the interesting fish...and even some which was raw (YUK!!!). We were only there for 3 days, as we will be re visiting the Netherlands in the next two months!

    Next stop! FRANCE! but not Paris just yet! But in fact, we are traveling down by car for 12 hours, to the country of France, where we will be apart of a Family reunion with Jasons family. This next week we will be living amongst the old Buildings, and grass paddicts with Lakes which surround the whole town. It is absolutly BEAUTIFUL here! Seriously feels like Paradise! Very quiet, and nature surrounds us everywhere. The only negative I can say is....No one speaks English! It is deffinetly a challenge...but a worth while one.

    This is a perfect break for me and Jason before we commence our 6 month BusAbout journey through Europe! Stay Tuned on facebook for photos! As I can not upload photos, due to restricted internet use.
    Read more

  • Day 20

    Country to large city! FRANCE

    May 20, 2015 in France ⋅ 🌙 6 °C

    France... what can I really say? The steriotype of stuck up, and not wanting to speak English! This theory was disproven! First was the country south of france, where we lived in an old building of more than 200 years old...and gosh was it scary! Not many residents spoke English, but they all tried their hardest to welcome you in their old quiet town. We spent most of our time looking at the beautiful landscapes, going to old antique markets, and stuffing our faces with traditional French food. For those who dont know.... french food consits of bread...cheese..wine and well 3 course meals breakfast, lunch and dinner!
    Although i am sad to leave this paradise, i am sick of eating and thinking about food! Next stop...Pariiiiissss

    Paris. The city of love...and well i am not surprised..as everyone is sipping on wine by the bottle under the effel tower...and are not afraid to show public affection....YUK!
    Beautiful old city..but also crazy drivers who i am sure try to run you over...and just to let all those who are wanting to go to France... a zebra crossing doesnt mean you have way...it means..be aware of those scooters and bike riders who actually dont care about pedestrians.

    In Paris we enjoyed climbing up the effel tower..where i soon realised i am now scared of heights...as i have a constant fear that the ground below me is going to cave in.... (thanks to my christmas 2 years ago when the deck collapsed)...this not only happened at the Effel tower..but even at the bridge of locks..!
    We visited Notre Dame, what is a beautiful cathedral, and the amazing palace versailles, which took all day to walk around just the garden alone!

    The next two days we are heading to Disney Land, and maybe even Movie World or the Museum Louvre. However, what ever we miss, we will be coming back around to see in August!
    Read more

  • Day 27

    The mountains of Switzerlans!

    May 27, 2015 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    First we set from France for a 6 hour journy on our busabout tour bus to the amazing views and nature of Switserland. First stop, the small but very beautiful town named after a bear, Bern. Wow. Just wow. Such a beautiful town... you hear the sounds of bells ringing every 15 minutes (including at night) from the surrounding churches, to tell the time, or weddings or even funerals. Them town has a lovely aqua lake which streams throughout the city, and you are even allowed to drink and swim in it in Summer! However it was wayyy to cold! We didnt do much stuff which cost money..as the frank (currency of switzerland) was very expensive! So pre made pasta salad from the local supermarket was what we survived on! We did lots of walks around Bern, such as through a rose garden, the botanical gardens, and the 6km walk around the Lake! Unfortunetly the Bears which are located around the lake were not seen, as the town were recostructive their new home, which no longer is in a pitt. Very disapointed about the bears, but very hapoy we stopped in the small town! Next stop Lauterbrunnen.

    Lauterbrunnen...what can i say... how do i describe such an amazing town... well first of all, for those who have read the Lord of the Rings... this spectacular place was one of the writers inspiration to write. Tall mountains with snow on top, and you cant even see the top as clouds hide the peak. We arrived at 6pm that night, so we went to the local resaurant with our new Australian friend! Very expensive, however i was lucky enough to try rosti, a swiss potato dish for free, as they accidentlt gave me two meals!

    Lauterbrunnen is already 800 metres above sea level..and the well known swiss alps mountain 'jungfrajoch' is a 2.5 hour journy by train even further up from the mountain. On the first complete day we got the train uo the mountain, costing us 130 frank each which is almost $400 togeather! Very very expensive... but deffinetly worth it. Although it was a cloudy day...it was still amazing to see all the mountain..and well real snow, unlike Australia with their snow guns! We walked 3km up the mountain...with wearing almost nothing at all since we packed for summer weather (leggins and a big jacket for me). The air was so thin, it made you very tired, and weak! Just shows how much our boys rely on oxygen! We saw ice sculpters of bears and penguins, and even a big ice tunnel which you could practical slide on with your sneakers! Once we returned to Lauterbrunnen, Jason had a cat nap, while i decided to do some exercise... what a mistake it was..as i cramped while doing squats! Just shows i use my muscles enough on this holiday! For dinner we went to a pub and had soup, burgers and chips, with nice swiss cider to finish it off!

    The next morning it was raining, however this did not stop up! We visited the spectacular mountain waterfalls 'trummel bachfalle', which are water fall caves inside the mountain! I was soaked after this adventure, causing me to have to walk back with wet socks, and need to get changed, before doing a small day trip inti the city of interlaken! Interlaken has a beautiful long lake with mountains which surround it! We also got to have a nice burger at a local takeaway shop, and visit all the tourist shops! Switzerland are known for their watches and obsession to know the time! So there are watch shops every 20m! And not cheap... about 250 franks each...and still i see tourist by them!

    Tonight we cooked leftovers on the stove, and are going to an exclusive pub for only busabout and contiki members! We are leaving early in the morning at 8am, for next stop Munich, followed by a small town in Austria!

    Speak then xxx
    Read more

  • Day 34

    Italian adventureee begins!

    June 3, 2015 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    We stopped one night in Munich, as we are returing in October for Octoberfest! However, we thought we might as well tryout a beer hall, just to get a glimse of the bavarian way! Beer, beer, beer, pork knuckle, beer, snitizel and beer...that sums Munich up! I tried on some traditional clothes, however, i am still on the look for that one outfit for October.

    Next stop was two night in a small country town in Austria! Very relaxing out here, and not much to do, however this was exactly what we needed for our trip...a break before Italy. We went walking and on cable carts up mountains, ans also treked it into a larger city to enjoy some water slides and spas! Only thing what shocked us and what we were a bit dissapointed in, was that we paid for the saunas...however they were full of naked men...apparently clothes were not allowed...so there goes a bit of money..as i completly chickened out after that.

    The next stop is Venice... also known as venezia...and one of my favourite citys so far! This italian city is completly different to anything i have seen. We enjoyed the beautiful Italian sun... while on the local ferries, which were completly packed! It was a nice change from cars, and great to know that there were no bikes or crazy european drivers trying to run us over! The city had canals everywhere! Ive never seen or walked up so many stairs in my life! My feet are killing after everyday, as we walk from one side of the city to the other! There are masks, which were absolutly beautiful, and murrano glass, and hand made lace Everywhere! Thr food wis amazing...having pizza ans pasta everyday is not something to complain about in Italy, as it is always fresh! Gelato i have been having everyday! Trying all the different flavours. There are si many tourist here though..which dont know how to keep to one side!!!

    We are here for 5 nights, so there is plenty to do around the city. We watched an italian theatre show, which taught us the history of venice, and commedia dell'arte masks, which was great as i learnt this in high school. We have been visiting all the different roman buildings, museums, churches, galleries and the magnificent palaces!

    Our room is great as well, and has a kitchen, so we have been mostly cooking our own meals, as Venice can be very expensive.

    So far i have bought a new leather bag and a painting! But looking forward to go tourist shopping tomorrow for some little gifts!

    Next stop, Florence!
    Read more

  • Day 41

    ROMA!

    June 10, 2015 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    ANACONA....a small holiday town 4 hours from Venice. Lucky for us, we missed our busabout bus from venice to Anacona, so we got to experience the Italian trains.. just wow...absolutly...not luxury... no air con...people staring at you..and the constant harrasment of gipsys and indian sales men, who try to either sell you something, ask for money...or steal your belongings... just perfect.
    Either way..we got to Anacona, and did absolutly nothing for the two days we were there, besides enjoy the italian beaches! Lovely water, lovely sun... but not quiet like the Australian sand...as we were stepping on hard rocks! Not so nice, when we have such sensitive feet!!

    After two days, we were ready to head to the Ancient city of Rome! One of my favourite places to visit! But not a place I would ever live... the traffic here is crazy! No one cares about pedestrians on crossings...nor do the people care about older people standing up on trains... we gave up our seats almost every train ride...and everyone was shocked...giving us weird looks! Atleast we made Australia proud!

    We did so much in the 7 days we were here! We walked absolutly everwhere..and boy do my feet hurt! I even broke my sandals :(
    We visited the typical attractions around Rome! We did a walking tour first to see where everything was, and the basic history around such attractions. We saw the pop at the Vatican, which is actually its own country! Smallest but richest country in the world!

    On our lazy days in Rome we visited a water park which was so much fun, and also went to the beach, where ofcorse we turned into lobsters.... very red lobsters.

    We did a day trip out to a city 30 minute away from Rome, which showed a small ancient town, which was invaded by the bavarians, and soon was quarantined due to an invest of malaria. This was very interesting as you were able to see the whole town... the houses, gardens, ampetheatre and all the amazing sculpters, almost in perfect condition! However no roofs were preserved.

    One amazing fact I learnt in Rome was that the sculpters which are white, wernt originally white! They were only white because of being hidden under the ground for so many years!

    Next stop is Pompeii, the amalfi coast and Capri, on our Italian adventure tour, for the next three days! This part of the trip i was most excited for! Cant wait, however a big 5am start tomorrow, so I better go to bed!
    Read more