Europe
Europe
Europe
Amsterdam
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Amsterdam! One of the funnest cities in the world, especially for backpackers. Have been three times so far, and am sure I will be back!
It's a very open minded place that has a very diverse community of creative people and lots of fun things to do. Amsterdam is one of those cities that many people are lucky to visit, business or pleasure, and every time you're there you discover a different side of it.
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What To Do:
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Parks
Amsterdam has beautiful nature. Check out some of the many parks they have, like Vondelpark. It's a massive, beautiful park that blooms all year long. We only got a chance to spend an hour or so there, but it's such a beautiful place and so close to everything. There are other parks, further from City Center, such as Westerpark, Amstelpark, Erasmuspark, Frankendaelpark and Beatrixpark.
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Art & Museums
Banksy in the Mokomuseum was awesome. Before the trip, art never fascinated me that much, but that exhibition birthed a new appreciation towards art in me. There are many other museums and displays like The Van Gough or The History Museum. Also the Body World exhibition was really cool. If you're interested in fitness, anatomy, or just want to know how the human body works I would highly recommend it. Also the Anna Frank house.
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Fun things to do with friends: Go to a soccer game, get high in a park (responsibly, but hey it's legal), do a laser tag session & play glow in the dark minigolf at GlowGold.
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Food: Omlegg - We spent every breakfast here! The vibe was always so nice and cozy, and they had so much food to choose from.
Michelin Restaurant &samhoud- This restaurant is beyond phenomenal. It was the best culinary experience I had ever had and one of those things you remember for a life time. We had the 7 course meal and all dishes had so much thought behind them and blew us away. Everything we tasted was like something we had never had before and didn't expect from the shape, colour or texture. The best thing by far was the caviar, which I had never had before. It was like BUTTER. This was before I stopped eating meat - so the deer was also sensational. No picture could do justice to the decoration of it all (caviar - right image).
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Coffee Shop:
Boerejongens is the best coffee shop in Amsterdam, and for the most part only locals know about it. Do smoke responsibly :) They have a room upstairs for lounging as well.
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Mushrooms:
Kokopelli is the place to go. They have a chill out area and a very nice staff, all sweet and genuine.
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Red Light:
In general keep in mind that the sex culture in Amsterdam is much more open to all kinds of things. That being said there are many stories of woman that end up working in the district unwillingly. If you do decide to go do keep in mind that a man must always wear a condom for all kinds of "activities". When you go in, you will receive a menu with options to choose from before hand. There are ladies who will do things you didn't mention on the list knowing it's hard to say no and then have you pay for everything. This is what I've heard from my intel of friends who've opened up about their experiences.
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Parties:
There are awesome parties in Amsterdam like the White Party. Have a look when and where good performers are going and check it out. This picture is with friends at AMF (Amsterdam Music Festival)!
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Unlike many cities, there doesn't seem to be one big dominant music genre. Also many famous artists and DJs like Martin Garrix are originally from Amsterdam.
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Party at ADE AMF Festival: October (There's a separate post under "Festivals").
Party at DGTL: Techno in April.
Party at Awakenings: EDM in June.
Yoga Fest: June.
Tulip Festival (for flowery fellas): June - July.
Music Festivals: As you may have noticed, many of the best DJs in the world originate in Amsterdam such as Martin Garrix and Tiesto. While most locals go to Techno parties, they have something for everyone.
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Keep In Mind:
Smoking - in clubs you can smoke weed, not cigarettes.
Weed - it's good to start slow and to see how you react with time and different strains.
Bad Highs - when feeling "funny" let your friends know, maybe take a stroll outside even if it seems hard to get up. Don't get too far in your mind, stroll and enjoy the setting. Go try something basic like a supermarket and have the time of your life seeing the colorful fruit. Eat something sweet, drink water.
"Space Cookies" - because all funny stories from Amsterdam start with "we had a half a cookie, but it didn't work, so we had a whole and things got messy..."
Mushrooms - I highly recommend Kokopelli as I mentioned earlier. Once you see how you react to the dose (and feel free to talk to the workers) you can stroll around. Buy something to eat and see how your taste buds changed. Write. Draw. Sing. Dance with posters of Nicki Minaj in the snow, talk about our truest forms and fears. Laugh. Cry. You may end up with a stronger bond with your friends than before. On one random 10 AM in Amsterdam my friend and me saw a hippie-ish looking guy walk into a construction site. Worried that he was high and may injure himself we peeped inside, and found him enjoying the breeze of an external heater while smiling at us with the biggest smile. Hugging a huge piece of steel. I'm not really sure this is an example of what mushrooms will do to you, but hey, it was kind of charming.
Stairs - number one cause of catastrophe in Amsterdam.
Touristy things - like The Sex Museum & Wax Museum, aren't all that cool if you're not really obsessed with sex, wax or touring high.
Ubers - can't go into most central areas in the city. Wear good shoes to cope with the cobble stones.
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One of the most romantic locations on the planet! Just as beautiful as the pictures, Santorini holds a magical ambiance.
The sun rays bouncing off the shiny white houses, the smell of fresh ocean breeze and incredible hospitality - Santorini is rightly the best known honeymoon destination.
Most of the houses in Santorini are Airbnbs. During holidays they get pretty full, but because transportation to the island is less common on off seasons and it gets pretty vacant in the area.
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What To Do In Santorini:
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Eat at La Maison (my favorite restaurant in the whole world).
See the volcano.
Go on a wine tour (the Airbnb might hook you up).
Spend the day in Oia (beautiful area to stroll and shop, but most gifts you can find in Athens for a fraction of the price).
Walk up and along the cliffs & hikes, best at sunset.
Go horseback riding.
See the Museum of Prehistoric Thira.
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Don't Do:
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Tripadvisor in Santorini is majorly corrupt. We went to the highest ranked restaurants and they sucked so bad. But then people we randomly met introduced us to incredible dining like La Maison, and man the Greek can cook... Oh the cheese... and the lamb... the fig leaves... salads... fish... Oh my! Luckily the stairs burn off some calories.
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Keep In Mind:
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- Santorini is super expensive.
- It's a romantic destination more than anything else, not much to do there otherwise.
- Only one beach is swimmable, and that's about 2-3 KM from the airport which is super misleading and it's not even that great a beach.
- Those white heavenly stairs are beautiful, but you need energy to walk up them every hour.
- Bad internet and cell reception on the island.
- Can't flush toilet paper (they have special sealed buckets).
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Athens
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One of the most underrated cities in the world in my opinion. The Acropolis is stunning, the food in beyond incredible and you could stay for hours just on the Plaka alone!
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Even though this country crashed financially not too long ago, it still flourishes in so many areas of society. The buildings, the graffiti, the stories behind the statues. It amazed me that people don't talk about Athens like they do about Rome. This city is so well preserved and has so much history and philosophy. If you come, do stay more than 2 days (as an active traveler I would have preferred 3 days in Santorini max and 4 in Athens).
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What To Do In Athens:
Delphi Day Trip
Have a great feast in the Plaka
See The Acropolis & Parthenon (this could take half a day on it's own)
Zeus Temple
The Agora
The Archeology Museum
The National or Botanical Gardens
Lake Beletsi
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Keep in mind:
Not all ATM and credit card readers function here, bring cash.
There is a big drug scene and plenty of homeless around main public transportation areas.
If your a student bring your card for discounts
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Paris
Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the most artistic and architectural cities in the world! With intense and rich history, stunning buildings and super friendly locals. Here are some things definitely worth checking out in Barcelona:
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1. Espit Chupitos - A hilarious bar, with 100 different kinds of shots. Some are lit on fire, and some with special twists... The location is right next to where the locals go party and drink, so definitely plan a whole night for the area.
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2. Sagrada La Familia - Gaudi's unfinished beautiful masterpiece, along with many of his other works around the city.
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3. Bunkers Del Carmen + Tibidabo mountain - A stunning hike and view.
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4. The FCB Stadium - Seeing all that raw energy live, even if you're not a football fan, is mesmerising.
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5. The Science Museum - Up a beautiful hike of a mountain.
6. Wander on the Diagonal - It goes diagonally (get it?) across the city. The diagonal has the best shops around and restaurants. Grab lunch at Le Pain Qoutidien or Tiki Poke Bowls. One side of the street will take you to the mountains (where the Science Museum is) and the other side to the Barcelonetta beach. Which is defiantly worth a stroll on the board walk and lounging.
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7. Shop in the malls and markets - I am not the biggest fan of shopping, but it's like they think of every detail to make your shopping experience the best it can be (there's an adult sized kids slide in Sephora, hello). And it's super cheap. The markers are really fun, especially the less touristy ones.
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8. The MNAC Musem - Home of Catalan art. Many other great museums around as well.
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9. The Born - It's the most beautiful area in my opinion and so close to everything. They have cool bars where the fridge leads to a club or the entire bathroom is strip club red. They get really funky and it's a great vibe for youngsters.
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10. Tour the history - The Catalan and Spanish history tends to sneak up on you in the most random of places. Being Jewish, when I saw the cathedral had in the walls Hebrew imprinted in them, I was confused. Later I found out that these stones are former tomb stones that were robbed from the Jewish cemeteries and used to rebuild the structure. Along with massacring 85% of the Jews in Barcelona. From the outrageous killings in the Plazas, to the stories of woman letting down their hair from windows for their suitors, the tales never end. If you don't get a chance to do a tour at least read up a bit, and find the Smiling Unichorn gargoyle!
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Food: Flax & Kale - best food I had in Barcelona. Healthy, not local, but gorgeous place.
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La Fabrica Empanathas: Delicious empanathas, need say more?
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Hostel recommendation: St Christophers Hostel. Great location, awesome staff and amusing nights.
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If your a skater or love rock music - Nevermind Bar.
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If you love dancing and going wild - Razzmataz.
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Champagne enthusiasts - Xampanyet.
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Keep In Mind:
Watch your stuff, there's loads of theft in the area.
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Santorini & Athens
Paris' monument-lined boulevards, museums, cafes, boutiques, pastries and art are enchanting in many ways both modern and old.
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The Must See and Do:
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The Eiffel Tower - the best place to be in Paris. The Iron lattice tower known as Eiffel is a global cultural icon and the most recognizable and visited touristic structure in the world. The tower has three levels for visitors, including restaurants and is 324 meters (1,063 ft) tall. On special days and holidays it lights up for the festivities.
The Luvre Museum - is huge, so plan out the day for it and take your time (just like Beyonce).
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Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe - is stunning. Have a look at Ardin des Tuileries on the way.
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The Sacred Heart Basilica, Notredom Cathedral - the gothic cathedral in the center of Paris, come early to avoid lines.
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Disneyland Paris - The happiest place on earth (except for Florida I guess).
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Moulin Rouge - After Disneyland you need a worthy afterparty.
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Food:
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Les Arlots - Comfort French food. Need I say more.
Laduree & Carl Marletti - Sweets.
Vegan Options: Pousse- Pousse, Macéo, Le Potager du Marais, and Le Bar des Artisans.
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Keep in Mind:
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- Food is good in Paris. Like... REALLY good. So don't waste time on basic croissants and baguettes, stay hungry for the real deal. Including buttery french desserts of course (eclairs and macaroons *drools*).
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- For tours you can always buy tickets online, without waiting in line. This is a life saver. The catacomb line took 3 hours in sunny summer Paris, so going early might be advised as well.
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- The French don't like tourists, not even the cops. Sometimes they will trick you as a joke when asking directions. While not all do this, it's best to just use Google maps and avoid the misdirection.
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- Central stations, especially in poor areas, have a large population of homeless and immigrants living. It's not recommended to walk there at night.
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- Paris is stunning and such a different experience for each individual. Choose the side of Paris that speaks to you, and discover the city of love!
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Berlin
Berlin is a city of transformations. Holding such grim, turbulent history, it managed to rebrand itself successfully as a city of love and not war. From a harsh political past to its transformed multicultural, eclectic and diverse essence. This city is one of a kind truly. With the best nightlife in Europe, incredible art and endless sights to see for cheap. Berlin is a city you either fall in love with, or you didn't have a very good tour guide.
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Must Sees:
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The Berlin Wall - With an incredible story and an incredible commemoration it's something every visitor should see. There are so many moving individual stories painted on it reminding of the history of the city being divided. This wall is definitely worth having a good long walk around.
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Berlin's Museum Island - A fascinating world UNESCO site.
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Brandenburg Gate - One of Germany's most known landmarks.
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The Berlin Cathedral - For incredible architecture and history.
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Park Life - Check out the parks like Britzer Garden, Treptower Park, the Berlin Botanical gardens and more.
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Nightlife
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Don’t bother doing any hostel pub crawls or touristic parties. Dive deep to a outrageous night at Watergate or an even more intense night at Berghain or Sisspyfous (1-4 hours in line). If you're not really into parties, there is loads of live music in the area with many scenes of genres and big celebrities touring often.
Giving some well needed credit to Sissyfous
Unlike the world-known Berghain club, Sissyfous is locals only. It is placed inside a castle with the biggest door I have ever seen, not too far away from the Berlin wall. I arrived as the Sissyfous after going out to Watergate (a club on the river) with my roomie the night before. It was his first time doing drugs and around 7 AM I decided to go to sleep and he wanted to stay (I didn't do drugs but I'm pointing this out for story-sake). Late afternoon I travel to the East Side to party, walk into the Sissyfous castle I see him half asleep – still smiling, hand in the air, dancing like crazy! Needless to say it was a beautiful moment in a backpacker friendship. I'm pretty sure he passed out on a couch a few minutes later and I ordered him a cab home.
Inside the Sissyfous you have 3 floors. One stage is outside and it's a pretend beach. This beach is decorated with sand, volleyball, sunny lights and balloons all around (many Open Air parties are similar to this style). That type of techno here is more tropical and jazzy. Then you have a groovy room that always smells like weed, from which the lights are reflecting from the glass of the colorful church like windows. Lastly you have the hardcore room. It opens late at night and there’s a long black corridor leading to it. In this pitch black corridor you can take out your phones and drag the flashlight beam on the wall – it will actually draw on it in shinny neon. Seriously. Some chemistry trick happens there and the marking will stay like a green marker on the wall for 10 seconds. This stage room itself is dark, and filled with green and blue lasers. The music is more intense than the other stages, but like in the rest of Berlin's parties, you always have lots of free space around you and everyone is really respectful.
The Berlin Party Guide:
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- Black is always better.
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- The freakier you are the better.
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- Consider the bouncers some kind of god, and don’t disrespect them. Avoid using the phone next to them and never break eye contact when you speak with them.
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- Berlin’s parties coke stalls are less available then the bathrooms. Kinda nuts.
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- You will probably get hit on by both genders.
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- The parties can last 3 days at a time.
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- If you like trying new things this might be the place for you. I don't just mean it for the parties, but for the culture, food, music and artistic exposure this melting pot of people has.
- No taking pictures or being on the phone on dance floors or when with the bouncer.
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- Parties don't start til 1, or til you walk in. ;)