Ireland

Galway

Pictures from walking around the city. Image 5 is the Quincentennial Fountain in Eyre Square and #6 is a statue of Oscar Wilde and Eduard Vilde. I’m not sure why I’ve always loved bronze statues maybe I like that they’re frozen in time, I can come back and they’ll be in the same spot years later. The last photo is the Lynch memorial window.

It was a beautiful day to visit the cliffs of Moher, it was really windy but an amazing sight. Pictures really can’t do it justice. We went up O’Brien’s Tower and you can see everything from up there, after you wait in line.

Pictures from the rest of our bus tour we took. Our first stop was Dunguaire Castle, we just stopped to take pictures in front, our tour guide also pointed out the original Dunguaire castle although there wasn’t much left of it. We went on a tour of the Aillwee cave system, it was a great tour and the history of them was really interesting to hear. We also got to see the Burren lands I believe they were called. The rock formations were stunning, standing there watching the waves was unreal.

Dublin

Some pictures from around Dublin. Third picture is the Ha’penny Bridge called that because the original toll was a halfpenny, well its actual name is the Liffey Bridge. Pictures 5 & 6 were from Dublin Castle, the latter being from the original castle before it burned down in the 17th century. Picture 7 is from the Epic Museum, a great place to get an education on Irish immigration. 10 & 11 are from the Christ Church Cathedral, my favourite church I’ve visited. Visited on both my trips to Dublin! Hilarious history for a church to have.

Food, drinks and snacks

Loved the food in Ireland, right up my alley. Lots of veggies, potatoes and meat (Although I did eat a raw potato and I have to say they’re better cooked). The Guinness bread was different but tasted great dipped in my soup. I had lots of treats and sweet drinks too.

Netherlands

Amsterdam

Amsterdam had an amazing vibe, the architecture was so unique and it never ended. Everywhere I looked there was something beautiful. Even got to see a draw bridge operate which was interesting. I am still confused about why there are so many rubber duck stores in Europe.

Tried some raw herring at Stubbe Haring, don’t know if I would do that again. Also got a little tattoo that I let the vending machine pick out for me. I love the canals in the city and how walkable it is, I will forever have a fear of being killed by a bicyclist now though. It’s funny seeing Mcdonald’s and other modern stores in historic buildings, I wonder if the people who built them ever imagined what they would look like now.

We went to Moco Museum and Rijksmuseum. Moco was very engaging and different than a normal museum, it was odd to see NFT’s displayed in person. Rijksmuseum had nice collection of artwork and different historical artifacts, including an entire library!

Best part about Amsterdam was how many friendly animals there were around to pet

Food, drinks and snacks

While I’m sure I probably won’t try the raw herring again I would definitely go back for another stroopwafel!

Germany

Berlin

There was lots to learn in Berlin, it seemed like every corner had some bit of history to it. Whether it was obvious or more hidden. We went to Pariser Platz on our walking tour to start. Our guide told us the history of Brandenburger Tor and pointed out Hotel Adlon to us. We visited the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, it’s something else walking through it. While I enjoyed the tour it was quite somber to walk where so much tragedy has taken place. We saw buildings damaged from gunfire in WWII and sections of the Berlin Wall still remaining.

Berlin Zoological Garden had lovely grounds, the plants and animals were cool to see. Wasn’t a fan of some of the enclosures but the gardens themselves were pretty.

Food, drinks and snacks

Some interesting foods we tried. Went to an Austrian restaurant and we tried… Austrian version of Mac and cheese haha. Currywurst was interesting although we just tried it at a stand at the train station. Overall some good hot chocolate, drinks and pastas. Also a big fan of the 500ml juice boxes they have!

Czechia

Prague

All the buildings in Prague were beautiful, although we did stick to old town. We went up a tower at Prague Castle and the view was amazing, the staircase up there… not so much. Met lots of friendly people here and had a great time.

Food, drinks and snacks

The breakfast I had here was my favourite of the whole trip, especially since we had some buns with vanilla cream after. Still sad I didn’t get a chance to try the chimney cakes while I was here. I also tried malinovka I think it was called which was like a raspberry soda and it was delicious. Last picture was what I got after I thought I ordered a lemonade, turned out to be some sort of bubblegum liqueur. Was pretty good though!

Italy

Venice

We only spent one evening in Venice but it was a beautiful maze of buildings and canals

Rome

Rome was wild, so weird to be walking through a city and them bam, Trevi fountain in the middle of it. One thing I learned on this trip is pictures really don’t capture these places, getting to experience them is a whole different thing. Incredible to think about the people who lived here hundreds of years ago.

Food, drinks and snacks

The amount of gelato and pasta I ate in Italy should have been illegal. So good and it’s everywhere! The frozen drinks we had in Venice were refreshing but those pancakes in Rome… I’ll definitely be revisiting when I go back!

England

Birmingham

Had to go back to England to visit Dani! We had a blast catching up, playing mini golf and having some dinner and drinks. Proof I won mini golf on slide 5. Found a Tim Hortons in England, their ice Capps weren’t bad, not quite the same though. I learned I love popping boba and blue drinks.

London

Finally got to see Big Ben! When I was here back in 2018 it was still undergoing renovations so we couldn’t see it completely. The only good thing about that hostel was the triple bunk bed, it was sketchy and weird besides that. This was our last city before we had to head home, always sad when a vacation comes to an end.

Food, drinks and snacks

That chicken sandwich from Bonehead… Best chicken sandwich I’ve ever had. This section turned into mostly drinks, vacation is a good excuse to order all the fun fruity drinks. Or drink an entire sharing drink to yourself (Do not recommend).