Nine countries, thirty-five days

     “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”

Bucket light hats in Athens

 A wee insight of my Interailing adventures all over Europe

FLEW TO ATHENS 24.06.17
Greece - Athens - 4 nights

Bulgaria - Sofia - 2 nights

Overnight train to Serbia
Overnight train from Serbia to Budapest

Hungary - Budapest - 5 nights

Austria - Vienna - 5 nights

Slovakia - Bratislava - day trip

Chez Republic - Prague - 4 nights

Germany - Berlin - 5 nights

Belgium - Brussels & Bruges - 3 nights & a day trip

Netherlands - Amsterdam - 3 nights
FLEW HOME 27.07.17

Plaka - Greece, Athens

Some people, not all, have a passion to travel and see the world - Interail is one of the most popular ways, and is becoming more and more common. I travelled with two of my best friends; Natalie and Emma, who I have grown up with throughout my life.

In this post I will be discussing the highs and lows to travelling, I'm hardly an expert as 5 weeks is absolutely nothing. But everyone has a different experience and a different story to tell. 

First regret - Getting the Post Office travel money card. A fee is charged on this card each time, whether it be a bank withdraw or an in store purchase. I later discovered there
were a lot more different options available without these fees, and to be fair a small money eater like this is not what you need.

Bad things come in 3
3 biggest Struggles I found?

- Having no phone for 5 weeks. My phone actually got stolen in a restaurant in Greece, which was called Goody's - about 3 days into the trip. 

It was actually Stolen by a 'gang' of girls, grabbing food off our plates, asking for money and distracting us. Possibily one of the most uncomfortable and scary situations I have ever been in. 

- Leaving the Budapest hostel, Grandio Party (The best place I've ever stayed) 

- No alone time

3 things which happened I wouldn't change?
- Having no phone (I know I said it was a struggle, but it was pretty much an ice
  breaker in every country haha)

- Loosing Natalie in the middle of nowhere after Sparty in Budapest - with no phone, shoes and money.

- Being on a train with no air-con, in 40 degrees heat and no water for 20 hours - with delays.
(worst experience but what an experience.)

3 things I lost
- My phone (stolen)
- My face wash
- My Casio watch

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - Bulgaria, Sofia

Sparty - Hungary, Budapest

Stylez bar - Austria, Vienna

Travelling on a budget was tricky at times, as you cant just 'splash cash' constantly on things you want. In Vienna we became daily regulars at a bar called Stylez for the happy hour - we just couldn't resist such cheap prices. 

There were so many times I would choose the cheapest drink or food option, rather than the one I MEGA wanted. Just to save me spending that little bit extra. Another money saver was taking advantage of the kitchen facilities in each hostel. It was also a great place to meet other travellers within the hostel.

Good things come in 3?

3 Best nights out
- Budapest - Sparty in the thermal baths
- Budapest - Hostel Jäger-train (Or vodka if you can't stand jäger like me)
- Prague - 4 story night club (Biggest nightclub in Europe)

3 Favourite places
- Budapest
- Berlin
- Amsterdam

3 Favourite/Interesting attractions
- Saronic Greek Islands - Hydra, Poros & Aegina
- Schlachtensee, Lake in Berlin
- Amsterdam, Red Light District

Old town - Slovakia, Bratislava

John Lennon Wall - Chez Republic, Prague

Schlachtensee - Germany, Berlin

Fun Fare - Belgium, Brussels

I have got to admit I was not looking forward to the 'backpacker' life - trailing my gigantic rucksack (bigger than myself) across Europe. But to be honest my thoughts vs. reality turned out to be completely wrong.
Experiencing Hostel life was absolutely amazing and a great way to socialise and meet fellow travellers. Which then become friends - some good ones for life, others - online friends who appear on your social media feed from time to time. 

It's insane meeting people who live an hour or even less away from you. People who you've probably seen before, yet you don't meet them until you're half way across Europe. 

The quality and the interior of the hostels around Europe were mind blown, compared to some hotels here in the UK they had MUCH higher standards - much more affordable too.

I am Amsterdam sign - Netherlands, Amsterdam

During each train journey I kept myself occupied with a day-to-day travel diary. Somewhere I can keep, and not forget all my funny little memories. 

I collected postal stamps from each country as a wee souvenir for myself. I added these to the cover of my diary, the only country I missed sadly was Slovakia. Finding a post office in every country however, bigger mission than we thought.

I would highly recommend Interailing to anyone who is looking for an affordable way to travel - do it. You wont regret it.


Love Ashleigh | x

Hostels booked with Hostelworld.com

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