TRAVELLING EUROPE BY TRAIN - INTERAIL

Winter might be coming, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't start planning adventures for an amazing Summer '15.  

For those of you who haven’t heard of  it, Interrailing involves purchasing a train ticket, granting you access to travel around Europe via train.

With only a backpack, train ticket, and your best friends for company, your world soon becomes a bizarre combination of crashing in hostels and living a hobo-esque lifestyle. However, although InterRail is a world away from a typical teen's holiday week in Ibiza, it provides a unique amazing experience in a league of its own.

Is InterRail for you?

It isn't for everybody -  you need to be prepared to travel long hours every few days, and be okay with dodgy hostels and the strong possibility of having questionable bodily hygiene on occasions.

It's not a luxury holiday -Travelling for an entire month on a student's budget is challenging - expect to live on around £10-15 a day for all your eating/souvenir expenses.

                                                     Your InterRail pass and wristband

You can design a personalised route of the European cities you want to include in your trip. Below is the trip I followed, with just a sample of the amazing sights we witnessed.

                                                             Destination 1 – Prague,

Czech Republic

                                                              The John Lennon Wall

A wall dedicated to The Beatles' Singer, covered with lyrics from the their songs. This iconic wall is said to represent Lennon’s aspirations of maintaining ‘love’ and ‘peace’.

                   

Destination 2 - Slovakia,

Bratislava

                                                                 St. Elizabeth's Church

Known as the 'Blue Church' due to it's entirely blue colouring. This unique, art nouveau style church is like no other in the UK.

Destination 3 -

Vienna, Austria

Schönbrunn Palace

One of the Europe's most famous palaces, and past residence of the imperial family, this gorgeous monument is essential viewing when visiting Vienna.

Destination 4 -

Budapest, Hungary

‘Szimpla Kert’ (Ruin Bar)

 

If you visit Budapest, you have to visit the famous Ruin Bars dotted around the city.

With a tradition of carrots being handed out to customers, seating areas made from cars, old movies are projected onto the walls, as well as every cocktail or beer imaginable being served daily, you cannot miss this experience.

Destination 5 - Belgrade,

Serbia

Belgrade Zoo

With the best opportunities for 'selfies', Belgrade Zoo includes elephants, tigers, lions, polar bears, hippos; and any other animal you can envisage.

Destination 6 -

Zagreb, Croatia

Museum of Broken Relationships

One of the coolest things in Zagreb – this award-winning museum displays anecdotes of relationship break-ups, displayed as art.

Destination 7 -

Rijecka, Croatia

    

Preluk Beach

With typical weather being 35 oC, Rijecka's beaches are perfect for a sunbathing day, as a relaxing break from constant travelling.

Destination 8 - Venice,

Italy

Grand Canal

The iconic canal in Venice is known for its beauty and uniqueness. With no pavement, the buildings along the canal have to be reached by boat.

Destination 9 - Milan,

Italy

The Arc of Peace

This ginormous, imposing monument in Milan features the four goddesses of victory, riding horses by Giovanni Putti.

and finally…

Top Tips Before You Go

• Go with your best friend. You will be travelling non-stop, attached at the hip, to your travelling companion for a month. You'll have to navigate cities and plan routes with them, and arguments won't help!

• Lay out everything you’re planning to take; and half it . You’ll have to carry your heaving rucksack for hours at a time when travelling between countries, so pack light!

•  Take travel-wash to wash your clothes whilst travelling, you will have to do this!

• Write down the name of where you are staying, when you go out – it’s easy to forget and find yourself wandering around the streets of Budapest looking for your hostel at 2 in the morning...

Love,

Cat xxx