My trip to Europe has changed my life forever. They way I look at people, the way I look at the world, the way I look at myself is all different now because of this trip I took. In two weeks, I was in Paris, Lucerne, Florence, Venice, Tyrol-Austria, Dachau, Munich, and Prague. I had pasta and pizza from Italy, Bratwurst and Beer from Germany, chocolote from Switzerland, chocolote croissants from France, soup in Prague, goulash and Shnapps in Austria, and gelatoo ice cream all over Italy. How lucky is it that that I got to try food from the countries that they came from? I got to meet people from these different countries, share in their traditions. I got to meet fellow travelers who I hope will stay friends of mine for years to come.
I got to go white water rafting in the mountains in Austria, mountain biking, sleeping in the Austrian grass, running down the Eiffel Tower as it was sparkling, overlooking what seemed like the world in the Swiss Alps, floating on a gondola ride in Venice. This trip was unforgettable. Beyond a doubt.
Let me know if you want any help in going on a trip like this yourself. Check out www.contiki.com. They give you freedom to explore and see what you want to see but they also let you know how to do it. They take you to the best clubs and restaurants, the best shows. They provide comfortable transportation, great hotels. I am definitely going with them again. Next time to Australia! Stay tuned.... Inna
I loved the time that we spent in Prague. Prague is one of those cities that is truly a treasure. It is beautiful and is full of so much history. The architecture is gorgeous and the people and traditions very unique. We spent two days in Prague.
The first day we were taken on a tour into the heart of the city with our lovely tour manager. He showed us the Castle and where the Velvet Revolution took place. We saw the solar clock, learned about the myth of the Charles bridge and had some time to explore on our own. I took this time to find the Jewish quarter and I did and I knew the next day I would visit it.
The Jewish Quarter used to be a ghetto for the Jews. It has one of the oldest cemeteries and oldest synagogues. The Nazis also made a museum for an extinct race there. Now this museum holds information of how the Jews survived.
For dinner that night, I decided to have falafel. It is funny that wherever I go, no matter what country I'm in I always manage to find it. Many people from our group spent the night going out to a bar and a five story club in Prague. They however got caught in the rain and somehow "lost" their wallets. I do kind of wish I would have went with them. But by that point, I had partied to the point where I was pretty low on cash and didn't know if I would be able to pay the taxi driver home.
The next day though I woke up early and set out to explore Prague with friends on our own. We walked into the city despite the fact that the metro transportation is great. The scenery was really beautiful. We shopped on the Charles bridge and went to see the Jewish quarter where we saw many shops as well. Then for lunch I had some more falafel.That night, I was really looking forward to our last big dinner as a group.
We spent our last night together in Prague. I really wanted my soup that I had heard from my cousin was incredible. I had two bowls of mushroom soup at dinner and let's just say it was everything I thought it would be. The desert of crepes and jam, appetizers, and the musical performance at this restaurant was also fantastic. We met the owner as she welcomed us. The wine at dinner was also excellent. After dinner we all went to a bar together. The bar was great as we all talked, danced, and enjoyed our last night of being together in this jewel of a city. Taking the metro back was fun as well. There was a pig on a diving board right in the middle of the city. Of course I had to take a picture with it.I definitely loved Prague. It was so much fun and so beautiful. Contiki really did take us to the best places.
On our way out of Austria we stopped by Swarowski Crystals. This is where the crystals for Katie Holmes' wedding dress were made. This is also the largest factory and showroom of Swarowski. Let's just say the ladies got a lot of crystal. Our Contiki Tour Manager then surprised us with the news that we were going to Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany. This was very special and meaningful to us and to me in particular. Most of my grandpa's family died in the Holocaust and I knew that this is one of those things that I had to do before I died. I was so grateful to Contiki for giving me that chance. The experience was life changing. At the entrance it said "Work Makes You Free." That was such a lie. I saw the memorials, the crematorium, the gas chamber, the barracks. It was a very emotional experience for me. There were many political prisoners of many religions in this camp as well. So many people had suffered and I will not forget.
After the Concentration Camp, we drove what seemed a simple 15 minute drive to Munich. It was crazy for me that a concentration camp had been so close to one of Germany's most popular cities yet people still claim that they knew nothing about what was going on. Munich was lively and full of people. Everyone was walking around. There was tons of shopping. H and M stores everywhere. We spent quite some time trying to find the perfect bratwurst sandwich which we did find eventually. There were people selling fruits and vegetables in the market outside and people were just sitting on benches and enjoying themselves. I saw the world famous Glockenspiel which was really nothing but a kookoo lock that was covered with construction. There was also a really interesting church in which it is believed is the devil's footprint. I put my foot in there and good thing it did not match up.
That evening, I had a very interesting experience. We went to a really famous beer hall where Hitler had given many of his speeches. On the ceilings you could see swastikas that were covered with flowers to hide them. I wondered how many people still felt like him. The night was full of lively entertainment and beer drinking in the beer hall. We had an all you can eat buffet with a lot of bratwurst, coleslaw, and potatoes. On one side of our table sat Romanians, on the other Russians and I was sitting in the middle with the Americans. This was a very odd experience for me since I am Moldovan (which is very similar to Romanian) and I had always thought that I was Russian (since Moldova was part of the Former Soviet Union for a long time), yet I was sitting with the Americans because I am American. And furthermore, I was sitting in a place where 65 years ago I would have not been allowed in and would have been killed for being Jewish. It was a very odd and puzzling experience. I felt like I was a part of so many worlds and the Russian and the Romanians didn't even notice me. The old men were too busy asking our blonds to dance. I don't think they had a clue that I had anything to do with them. During the evening though, I too danced some sort of a line dance and had a good time. Following the dinner, many went out to a street with 21 bars and clubs in it but I stayed in that night. It had been a very memorable day.
Our first entrance into Austria was met with a lovely moon. I don't mean moon like in the sky.
The truck next to our lovely Contiki coach was fun of lively Austrian gentlemen who thought it would be great to moon us so we had a nice view of a white butt out of the window. The girls screamed and I wish I would have taken a picture but oh well....
Once we were in the Austria though, the view, the real natural view was spectacular. We first hand saw "The Hills Are Alive With The Sound of Music."That day was quite an adventurous one for us. We went white water rafting in the mountains of Austria. I have always wanted to go white water rafting. This was a real jam packed adventure though, I'm not sure I was ready for it. We had full body wet suits as the water in Austria is cold. We had life jackets, rain jackets, special water shoes, brief episode of training and then we hit the water. We also first had to demonstrate that we could swim and had to jump out of the raft into the water, get our hair wet, and demonstrate that we could get back in or rather be pulled back in. The waves were immense. We also had moments to just sit back and enjoy the view which was gorgeous. We did tip over at one point and thank goodness for a fellow rafter who pulled me in. It was exciting and absolutely amazing. I was terrified but I was so glad that I did it.
After the experience, the first thing that we were met with were shots of SCHNAPS, the traditional Austrian alcohol. We all drank it down. Then we had really good goulash which is this red stew with potatoes and meat and really good bread served in white bowls. This was one of the best meals that I had. After being in such cold water eating this hot steaming stew with the bread melting in it was awesome. I really needed that.
That night we stayed in cabins in Hopfgarten which is a little complex owned by Contiki. The village itself is really cute and small. They have a local bar called the Steal Bullet and sperm shots are very popular there. Our own tour manager and driver served us our traditional meat and potatoes dinner. They were dressed up as Helga and Hansel. :)
The next day we spent mountain biking in the mountains in Austria. This was also a challenge. The hills were steep and I only then realized how out of shape I was. We decided to take a "short cut" that was shorter but took us on very steep slopes. Once we got to the meeting area, I could barely move. I almost instinctively threw the bike down, took off my helmet and collapsed on the green grass. Above me were mountains and below me was the most comfortable green grass that warmed my whole body. I will never forget that grass, those mountains, and that sunshine. The barbecue we had there cooked by Fritz I am convinced was the best food I have ever had in my life. A spring cabbage salad with sizzling sausage and a hot potato. This potato was like sent from God. I have never in my life had a potato that was taken off the grill in front of you and melted in your mouth like that. The sour cream, ketchup sauce, and sweet mustard sauce were also incredible on the potato and sausage. That was the best meal I have ever had in my life.
The ride down was much easier and really really really fast. I breaked the whole time and I was scared I was going to break too hard and fly out into the brooks beneath me. We had the rest of the afternoon to explore the village and go bass fishing, swim in a lake, or just ride our bikes and get lost in the way things used to be with a local post office and bank. At night there was a "pimp and hoe" party with other awesome Contiki tours. There was of course a poll there for everyone to show off what they had. Austria was awesome! So much adventure, amazing food, tons of fun!
I have always wanted to go to Venice especially with recent news that it is sinking. When we took the fairy ride over to Venice I was super excited. We first came into the famous St. Marten's square. This square really is full of pigeons everywhere. They sit on people and run after people. They only managed to run away from me though. We walked around Venice for hours. It was really lovely. Venetian glass blowing and masks are very popular there. For 10 days, they have a festival where everyone walks out and wears masks.There are designer stores also in Venice everywhere. Gucci and Pucci as well as Armani decorate the streets. As soon as we were ready for our gondola ride, we were given really good champaign on a gondola in Italy. The gondoliers though cute were not as romantic as we had thought. We even had some traffic on the water as the different gondolas made their way through. Our ride was during the daytime so we could see all the narrow streets looming above us, people with flower baskets on their balconies waved to us. There were staircases disappearing into no where as the water levels of Venice are rising. Our gondolier didn't sing either. Some even talked on their cell phones. I thought it was funny how modernity even plays a role here. This reminded me of the Bedouins in Israel who use cell phones riding camels in the desert. In regards to the gondoliers apparently it is forbidden for them to sing so that they do not disgrace the Italian heritage. A special singing assistant can also be arranged with an accordion who will uphold the true Venetian musical principles. This is ironic that they try to uphold tradition here but the gondoliers themselves aren't what one would expect them to be.We then had dinner in a local Venetian restaurant. A man playing a clarinet walked around our tables. Roses were sold. Everywhere we dine, we had live entertainment. We also saw a traditional glass blowing presentation. Venice is wonderful. I wish we could have stayed more there at night in St. Marten's Square to see it light up in all its grandeur.
We spent two days loving Florence. Florence is the city of statues, art filled streets, a crazy night life, delicious Italian dining, and shopping galore. Did you know that the story of Pinocchio was created near Florence? There are tons of the puppets being sold in different sizes in the streets. I made sure to buy two. Pashmina's and leather are also known to be made in Florence. Speaking of leather, Florence is also full of illegal vendors selling knock off Louis Vutton, Chanel, Gucci, Dolce and Gabanna purses. If one is caught purchasing these items, they can be charged up to $2,000 Euros so I made sure to stay away however tempting it was.
In Florence, we had two huge family style dinners. Both were feasts for a wedding. We were served countless plates of pasta, salads, different meats, and stir fries and vegetables. On our second evening there we were met with cocktails, fountains, champaign everywhere. We saw an engagement of a fellow Contiki tour also dining with us. There was also a live Opera singer performing for us and a live band. Florence was magnificent. That is exactly the right word to describe it.
On both nights in Florence we also went out. The first night to a karaoke bar "The Red Garter Pub" which is a favorite and then the second evening to the unbelievable Space Electronic Disqo Techa. This club has two amazing floors. We were given VIP status and taken to an exclusive glass room above a huge dance floor full of spaceships and dancing people. I have never been to a club like this. In the VIP room we were given unlimited wine and champaign. The first drink for everyone were on the house as soon as we got to the club and let's just say we partied hard and in style. Talking the taxi home with fellow drunk friends was also quite an adventure. We made sure to get all the high heels out of the taxi.
Lucerne, Switzerland was probably by far my most favorite city that we went to. I didn't know what to expect but as soon as I arrived in this beautiful city it was literally like I was in another time. The streets were bright and cheery. The architecture was beautiful. The Swiss Alps were in the background as if floating on a lake making the whole place look like a fairy tale. I love mountains. There were castles in the hills, white swans floating on the lake, flowers on bridges, and the chocolote was yes...HEAVENLY! This was the best chocolote I had ever had. We were given a few hours to explore the city and then we were taken to a traditional Swiss Folk Restaurant.
The fondue we had at the restaurant was the best. The cheese was really good. Again we were offered a soft drink and wine and the main meal was also very good with potatoes and veal. We had a professional yodeler and the Swiss displayed and played all their traditional instruments. Following this festive evening of yes the "chicken dance" too, we were taken to a high class bar. The bar was full of candles and white leather couches. Then we were told that there was an exclusive "beach bar" that we had to go to so our tour manager took us there. At this bar we literally had to check our shoes in because the floor was covered in sand. The dancing, the drinks, everything was awesome. Switzerland was as happening as it was gorgeous.
The next day we went up in a train and then cable car to the Swiss Alps. This is seriously probably one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen in my life. They were gorgeous. Everywhere you look, it's you and the mountains. The view was incredible. It was funny also that there was a little zoo of beavers up there. I took a picture of two of them kissing.I loved Switzerland. I for sure want to come back here again.
