Lately I've been writing long long emails of recommendations of must-dos and must-sees in Europe based on my experience. It's always nice to relive those memories and become a ambassador for countries I've visited and loved. While I was in Europe, I rarely blogged about places I visited...simply because I didn't think I had the knack for being a travel writer and also because I was too busy having fun ;). However, considering how alcohol has damaged my brain cells, I want to document my experiences before they become a long lost memory. My new thing for the day was to create a list of my top 5/6 cities in Europe as an aspiring, burgeoning travel writer, based on my adventures last year.
It was hard to narrow down 5(ok maybe 6) from the 37 different cities I visited. I can't say there was a single city that I didn't like. The fact that they were all so new or old (depending on your perspective) and so different from NZ, made them all special, in one way or another.
So top cities in Europe, for a young, single traveller:
1) Praha, Czech Republic
Ok so this might be slightly biased but I really do think Prague is the most beautiful European capital city. It literally took my breath away as soon as I landed, not only because it was freezing cold but because it looked like I had time travelled and landed in a winter wonderland in the medieval ages. I landed in Prague after 3 days in Paris and I thought nothing would ever compete with the charm and romantic magnetism of Paris but boy was I wrong! Prague with its cobbled stone streets, ethereal castle complex, century old buildings and bridges, lavish gardens, buzzing night life, sprawling cafes and pubs on every corner is definitely an eclectic yet somewhat perfectly blended mix of the old and the new. I miss the people, I miss my old job, I even miss the flat I lived in but what I really miss and long for is the beautiful view of the Prague Castle glistening in the Vltava as I walked home from work every day. It really is one of a kind. Prague unlike its Western European rival cities is cheaper, smaller and easy to czech out in just a couple of days. The beer is amazing and unbelievably cheap. Food is great if you like hearty meals of meat and potatoes and the nightlife is unbeatable. There is something for everyone. The Czechs themselves are not the friendliest people you'll meet...in fact it's surprising how their tourism industry is flourishing in spite of their somewhat rude and cold customer service...but most people will agree, who needs smiley sugary customer service when you get an entire meal and a couple of beers for under 10 euros and be served by a waitress or waiter, who look like they have just walked out of a Vogue magazine?! Besides, if you do spend longer time in the Czech Republic, you realise the Czechs are like pineapples, hard and prickly on the outside but once you get in, they are the sweetest and softest! It just takes time to get through the outer shell, especially as a tourist. Prague definitely is a must-see in Central Eastern Europe. Like my friend Gui said, once you leave the city, you feel like every city lacks a bridge, a castle and angels! No place will ever be good enough!
2) Copenhagen, Denmark
I spent 10 whole days in Copenhagen, which after Prague, is the longest time I've ever spent in a European city. I went there for work and my objective was to learn as much as I could about the city to talk about it like a "local" before I lead my group of students around the city. Copenhagen with its laidback city feel, royal architecture blended in with modern Nordic designs, canals and some awesome waterfront cafes was very different from other European capitals. I liked how everyone cycled, whether you were a CEO of a company or a toddler or a University student. That, coupled with the wind mills gave a very "green feel" to the city. It felt pure, it felt natural, it felt hip and sustainable. I also really liked the mindset of the Danes. Our tour guide explained to us how Denmark prided itself on being the most mediocre country. After losing parts of the country to Norway and Germany, the Danes realised how they couldn't be the strongest super power but what they could do was be the best mediocre country in the world. They decided to make the most of their resources and focus on rebuilding a successful, sustainable, somewhat socially egalitarian society. I was lucky to be there just before summer, so the weather was its best behaviour. I also had the pleasure of witnessing a huge carnival with colourful Samba dancers, heaps of different floats, latin tunes and an atmosphere of contagious enthusiasm. I literally felt like I was on the streets of Rio but in a Nordic capital! I also really enjoyed the business culture in Denmark. The Scandinavians are world-renowned for their efficiency, fairness, integrity and innovation and I experienced that in every business meeting I had. The Danes in general were very friendly too, they would offer to help if you looked lost, they would zip out their smart phones to look for directions and speak English which was such a novelty in Europe! One of my most favourite memories from Copenhagen, besides a wonderful lunch of fresh and orgasmicly delicious salmon in Nyhavn was the Aqua Concert in Tivoli! I saw Aqua live in the biggest amusement park in Denmark, a band I hadn't listened to since I was 10. To see them perform "barbie girl" and "Dr Jones" to a crowd packed with people of all ages and backgrounds on a pre-summer's day was just awesome! Copenhagen is expensive and perhaps too cold and rainy at times, but definitely was a breath of fresh air (literally) from the other cities I went to. Not only a nice-to-visit city but can also be a nice-to-live in city!
3) Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I fell in love with the city as soon as I stepped out of the Schipol airport. Amsterdam is cool, it is liberal, it is multicultural, it is relaxed, it is eccentric. A lot like me! It might just be my personality twin! I was only there for a couple of days but felt like I could drop everything else and move there to live permanently. Most people attributed my love for Amsterdam to the freely available and legal Marijuana sold in the coffee shops but I attribute it to the endorphins released by cycling around the city! When i think of Amsterdam, I don't think of the notorious red light district or the coffee shops, I think of the bicycles and the breezy, relaxed, eco-friendly, leg-toning activity I indulged in. I rode a bike after a long time and man, it was fun! I loved the smell of fries at every corner, I loved how multicultural the city was, I loved how quirky their bars were, how friendly and tall the Dutch people were, how the entire city was soo indie yet so commercial. We lived with a friend of a friend in an awesome apartment and the apartment was like no other. We had to climb 3 floors up an extremely dingy stair case at an almost 90 degree incline (not recommended when under the influence of alcohol) which led up to a spacy, bright, modern apartment. It was such a contradiction to the exterior of the building. From the apartment, we could look at other apartments, all with a small balcony, small terraces where people drank and hung out. I can totally see myself on one of these terraces in a not-so-distant future...
4) Paris, France
You know when you think of what your dream mate would be like, you make a list of the most glorious attributes and characteristics? Paris was like my dream man. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a Parisienne. I always imagined myself walking along the Seine, wearing a beret, eating a croissant with my French poet/writer boyfriend (I know horrible stereotyping eh?!). Something about Paris always attracted me and was on my MUST-VISIT list. It was the first city I went to in Europe and it was love at first sight. I was greeted at the airport by a huge, unfriendly Algerian man who barely spoke (or chose not to speak) English. Not the romantic, chisel faced "Thierry" or "Fracois" I had imagined but that didn't bring me down. It was 6 in the morning and I was welcomed into my hotel by the most mouth watering smell of fresh pastry. The hotel, small and dingy, was very European and located in the most Bohemian part of Paris - Montmartre. I loved it. Most people suffer from the "Paris Syndrome" which is a transient psychological disorder suffered by tourists when Paris they dreamt of doesn't match the Paris they see. Yes, it is not as romantic and grand, as movies and books make it out to be but I really didn't have a problem flying solo in the city of love. In fact I loved it. Paris was what had inspired Hemmingway and Orwell to sit in cafes and write and I could see what inspired them...I loved all the touristy sites - Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Notre Dame etc..all very touristy and just as people describe it in city guides but what I liked more were the secret alleys with creperies and the fresh vegetable markets and the wine bars and the artsy markets of Montemartre. There was something very charming and captivating about the streets, cafes and the people. They had an air of world-renowned snobbery but could still say the darndest things in their French accents which would make your day. Other than Spain where men would often blatantly greet you as "Hola Guapa", I was never really wooed by the European men but in Paris, the men were direct and they knew what to say and how to say it. For example, I was asked out to a drink by a ticket checker at the metro station and offered a free tour of Paris by a man in a souvenir shop. Coming from NZ where kiwi blokes are far from being charming or forthcoming, this was a welcoming yet kinda creepy change! I think at the end of the day, Paris is a treat for all the senses, as Hemingway described it, it's a "moveable feast". Paris in spite of being big, crowded and expensive, reminded me about the joie de vivre, you may love it, you may hate it, but you definitely can't forget it!
5) Madrid, Spain/Berlin, Germany
It was really hard for me to pick my 5th favourite city. I tried to be like Bella and pick one between a dazzling vampire and a rugged werewolf but was hard...was difficult to choose between a siesta-loving, warm (in every sense) capital and a crazy, buzzy German capital. I decided to be a kindergarten teacher and let them all win! They both get a joint 5th favourite position.
I loved Madrid. We went there in the peak of summer. Temperatures were soaring and the entire city was sizzling. Most people who have been to Spain recommend Barcelona but I preferred Madrid more, partially because I had to spend half the time I had in Barcelona in sorting out life after getting pick-pocketed and partly because Madrid gave us more of an opportunity to experience the Spanish way of living. We would wake up late (around 11ish), go out, eat lunch (which was ALWAYS amazing). People talk about Italian and French food but I love Spanish food. I love the sea food, the boccadillos, the delicius jamon and chorizo! After lunch, we'd attempt to sight see but more often than not, would return to our hostel for a siesta and again leave in the evening for more exploring and soaking up the night life. Madrid is old, it's rusty, it's hot. It may not have Gaudi's crazy architecture or Dali's paintings but it has a vacationesque vibe which is hard to beat! The night life is amazing too, after gorging on tapas for dinners that lasted for three or more hours, we could explore the clubs - a nice mix of salsa bars and "club like" music or just chill in wine and sheesha bars. I think the day starts after 6 pm in Madrid. I surely am mad for Madrid's manana.
To contrast Madrid's manana is the buzz and beats of Berlin. After spending just 48 hours in the city, I had blatantly declared that if cities were soulmates, Berlin would be mine. Berlin is like that person who everyone adores. There is nothing to not like about Berlin. It is pretty, it has a lot of history, it has a lot to see, a lot to eat, a lot to do and lot to come back to if you miss out on a few things on your last trip. It is also easy on the wallet. The most unforgettable night out that I can't remember much of also took place in this German capital. Berlin is hip, it is hipstery, it is hippie and despite the past, it is happy. Therefore can appeal to various groups of people. With its unique traffic light signs, the bears of unity all over time, the ever evolving Berlin art gallery, buskers on every stark corner and the stark difference between East and West Berlin, it is intriguing, it is like the guy with a mysterious past that you can't wait to unravel more of. Berlin has awesome albeit very confusing metro lines and cycling lanes which always makes me happy. The mayor of Berlin described the city as as poor but sexy and that's where its appeal lies. It's not just like any other Germany city. As Jack Lang once said, "Paris is Paris but Berlin is never Berlin", it is always changing, evolving and full of surprises and that's why I love Berlin!
There you go, my top 5 or rather 6 must-go to cities in Europe. Coming soon: the Asian edition!
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