This sentence completely changed the way I travel. I felt myself relax, and my desperation to see.it.all fade a little bit. It’s hard to completely let go of the fomo-mentality, but it’s really made me enjoy my travels so much more.

This point was driven home when, recently, planning a trip to Europe in November, E and I began to reminisce about our trip to Europe last November.

(November, by and by, is a totally underrated month to hit the road!)

As we talked about the highlights of that trip, where we visited Finland, Estonia & Denmark, I realized most of my favorite moments from this trip were the simple ones, the ones where it was just the three of us–me, E and baby A–hanging out and exploring.

Our first lunch in Copenhagen at a random “activity church” we stumbled upon–it was one of our best meals, and I still don’t know even know what we ate. Just that it was crazy delicious.

There was dinner with our Danish friends, watching our little girls run around together.

Taking long naps with baby A, thanks to jet lag.

The ferry ride between Tallinn and Helsinki.

Running out in the dark, cold evening, to watch them light up the Christmas tree in Tallinn.

The three of us getting coffee in an atmospheric, cellar coffee shop.

Baby A passing out and sleeping on the window sill of a restaurant while we got in a lunch date.

Strapping baby A to my chest and finding our way to a local coffee shop in Copenhagen.

Baby A saying “Mmmm!”, to the delight of the entire café, at her first taste of a Finnish butter-eye bun, voisilmäpulla.

Stumbling upon a beautiful trail to Helsinki’s train station from our rental flat.

The sauna at our flat in Helsinki.

Baby taking her first steps in Helsinki.

Getting cute hand-me-downs from baby A’s little friend in Copenhagen.

E riding the moving sidewalks in the Munich airport with our tired baby, trying to keep both of them awake and entertained.

The list goes on and on.

It made me realize that sometimes the most special moments of a trip are the little ones, the ones that didn’t seem very significant at the time.

And, really, isn’t that what life is all about, too?

The post Little Moments appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

Moravia, Czech Republic

Before we moved to the Czech Republic, I assumed it was all about the beer. Bohemia, the region of the country that holds Prague, the Czech Republic’s most famous city, is certainly all about that beer, so it makes sense that many a tourist doesn’t know much about Czech wine. Or that even such a thing exists, as I mentioned above!

Well, I’m here to tell you, Czech wine certainly shouldn’t be forgotten when visiting the country. Even better, if you have the time, a visit to Mikulov, the capital of Moravia, the primary Czech wine region, is delightful. If you go in the autumn, make sure to try some burčak, Czech “young wine” that is delicious and deceivingly strong.

Eger, Hungary

Eger is a must for any wine-lover when visiting Hungary. Only about two hours away from Budapest via train, Eger has a wine valley, known in English as the “Valley of Beautiful Women.” We visited Eger a few times because the valley has over a dozen little family wineries built into the hillside. So, you walk around, hopping from wine cellar to wine cellar and tasting some of the most delicious wine I’ve ever had–at insane prices. Wine tasting in Eger is one of my favorite experiences in all of Europe!

Tokaj, Hungary

Excuse me for the bit of last-place-I-lived favoritism, but the wine in Hungary is just that amazing! While Eger wins my favorite thanks to its red bulls-blood and I am all about the reds, Tokaj produces the best dessert wine around. The Tokaj region also happens to be on Lake Balaton, the largest inland lake in Europe and a gorgeous little spot! I mostly drank Tokaj in Budapest but the region itself is worth a visit.

Santorini, Greece

The wind is so strong in Santorini that they have different ways of growing the vines, which looks weird but helps produce amazing grapes, helped along by the famously volcanic soil. Like all of the other produce we tried on the island, the grapes are slightly sweeter. Make sure to get the local moussaka with your glass of wine, as well–Santorini eggplant is the best in the world, I’m telling ya!

Central & South Dalmatia, Croatia

Croatia is full of great wine regions, or so I’ve heard, but the only one I’ve personally experienced is in the south, on the islands of Korčula and Hvar. We tried so many bottles of wine on Korčula our host asked if we were having a party! Cue shame face…

Brda Region, Slovenia

We were privileged enough to tour the Brda region in Slovenia with Slocally after a night in their Herbal Rooms Homestay. It was bliss! We visited small, family run wineries and tried the new “hipster” wine–an orange wine! We wandered among the many colorful, autumn-themed vineyards. It was a foggy day but that just added to the atmosphere. The region is also full of cute little towns, like Šmartno, and well-worth a visit. This region is on the border of Slovenia and Italy, so it feels sort of like a mini-Tuscany, but with its own Slovene flavor.

Pelagonia-Polog, Macedonia

We didn’t tour this region of Macedonia while there (partly because I was pregnant at the time) but were able to taste several wines from this region. I knew nothing about Macedonia or its wine before we went, and I was pleasantly surprised!

Do you have some favorite off-the-beaten path wine regions? Share in the comments! 

The post 7 Unique Wine Countries in Europe appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

If you want to be inspired to become a chocolatier…

Visit Bruges, Belgium. Belgium has some of the best chocolate in the world, and Bruges has so many delicious and creative little chocolate shops!

If you want to be inspired to be a great architect…

Visit Prague. Prague was one of the few cities in Europe to fully escape bombing in World War II. I’m not sure this is true, but I was told that the reason Prague was kept so intact is because Hitler himself loved it and wanted to preserve it.

If you want to be inspired to write about mermaids…

Visit Copenhagen, Denmark. Hans Christian Andersen, writer of “The Little Mermaid” and other stories, hailed from this lovely city–you can even visit several of his former homes, and the Little Mermaid statue itself.

If you want to be inspired to become the next Marco Polo…

Visit his rumored birthplace of Korcula, Croatia.

If you want to be inspired to make a movie about World War II…

Visit Krakow, Poland. Right outside of Krakow is also Auschwitz, a concentration camp made into a museum. It is by no means a fun visit but I believe it is necessary when you are in the area.

If you want to be inspired to write dark fairy tales…

Visit Peles Castle in Transylvania, Romania. Everyone knows Dracula came from Romania, and this castle would be the ideal setting for your own story about vampires.

If you want to be inspired to bust out a chorus of “Let It Go”…

Visit the fjords of Norway. This is where Elsa and Anna danced and sang and almost froze to death, after all.

If you want to be inspired to become the next Disney princess…

Visit Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. Said to be the inspiration of Walt Disney’s Cinderella castle, this castle will take your breath away with its setting alone.

If you want to be inspired by the fact that the HILLS ARE ALIVE…

Visit Hallstatt, Austria…or Mittenwald, Germany…or Salzburg, Austria. I couldn’t pick just one!

If you want to be inspired to open your own teashop…

Visit London, England. My favorite places for tea (although I am no expert!) are the Orangery at Kensington Palace, the British Museum (for a break while exploring of course), the National Gallery and Fortnum & Mason.

If you want to be inspired to become a classical musician…

Visit Vienna, Austria. Mozart played here, and they still have so much fabulous music–like an amazing boys’ choir you can hear in this very building on certain Sundays throughout the year

If you want to be inspired to act in a period film…

Visit Budapest, Hungary. Budapest, thanks to its price and the gorgeous, historical streets, is a prime spot for filmmakers. Walking near (or sometimes through) a film set was a common occurrence while I lived there.

If you want to be inspired to write poetry…

Visit the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy. Lord Byron was famously inspired by this bridge: “I stood in Venice, on the Bridge of Sighs, a palace and a prison on each hand.”

If you want to be inspired to paint like the masters…

Visit the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. While the Louvre is amazing of course, I loved the Musée d’Orsay–in an old train station!–more, partly because of the atmosphere and the increased accessibility of the art.

If you want to be inspired to read the classics…

Visit the ruins of Athens, Greece. My favorite part about visiting Athens and Greece are the ruins mixed in with modern life.

If you want to be inspired to write about a hunchback…

Visit the towers of Notre-Dame in Paris. You’ll be searching for Quasimodo the entire time!

If you want to be inspired to become a famous photographer…

Visit the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland. You can’t help but take a photo around every bend in this part of the world.

If you want to be inspired to go back to school for philosophy…

Visit Oxford in England.

If you want to be inspired to start a revolution…

Visit the remnants of the Berlin Wall in Germany. The East Side Gallery is probably the best spot to see the pieces, although you can find sections in other areas of the city too.

If you want to be inspired to be the next great mountain climber…

Visit the High Tatras in Slovakia.

If you want to be inspired to start a farm…

Visit Bavaria in Austria and Germany. The farms here are ridiculously picturesque.

If you want to be inspired to go completely green…

Visit Slovenia. Slovenia has been nominated as one of the greenest countries (environmentally) in the world–and it’s completely gorgeous, too.

If you want to be inspired to open a hip wine bar…

Visit Belgrade, Serbia. While Belgrade is definitely still on the grungy side, the endless, creative cafés and bars would inspire anyone to find their own niche.

If you want to get inspired to invent your own world…

Visit the Elephant Café in Edinburgh, Scotland. The rumor is that J.K. Rowling couldn’t afford to heat her place at the time, so she came to this café to write the first Harry Potter book. It’s a great café with a beautiful view either way! I especially love the bathrooms–when I went, they were covered in graffiti dedicated to J.K. and her books!

Where do you find the most inspiration around you? What would you add to this Europe list?

The post Where to Be Inspired in Europe appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

Christmas in Europe, however, doesn’t have this rule. In addition, in case you haven’t heard, Christmas in Europe is completely magical. The only thing missing tends to be snow, depending on where you are (my hometown in Montana definitely wins on the snow front!). But, Europe has Christmas markets so…maybe it still wins ;).

I’ve been lucky enough to spend several Christmases in Europe, and very spoiled to visit quite a few markets over those years. Here are a few of my favorites!

Budapest

I had to give a shout out to my former home, of course! There are markets all over the city, some catered more to tourists, and some catered more to locals.

Cologne

Cologne, and Germany in general, might be the king of Christmas markets. There are no less than seven markets scattered throughout the city, each with a different theme. My favorite was the gnome-themed market, but the one by the famous Cologne Cathedral is a must-see, too!

Bruges

Bruges is wonderful any time of year, but Christmas is especially wonderful! The market there is tiny, but the whole city really feels like a Christmas market.

Prague

I couldn’t make this list without including Prague, of course! Prague is even more fairy tale-esque at Christmas, if you can imagine. There are a few Christmas markets scattered across the city, but my favorite is the one in Old Town Square, because you just can’t beat that ambiance!

Frankfurt  

We met our friends last year in Frankfurt and I didn’t have very high hopes for some reason–but the Christmas market we went to there, in the old square, was delightful!

Nuremberg

Nuremberg might be one of Germany’s most famous, and while it isn’t my favorite, the city is pretty much taken over by Christmas and it’s so fun to visit!

Brussels

Brussels also has quite a few markets scattered over the city, but really the best part is the light show in the Grand-Place, if you ask me! And watching with a waffle in hand…even better.

This week was also the final week of the Bake Along Bake Off with Amanda! I used this chance to….make more bread. Surprise! I didn’t have a really good bread bake this year, although this week was okay, and the signature challenge for the final week was three different types of rolls.

I’m going to play the pregnancy card (again) and let you know that I only made one type of roll. I mean, I’m nine months pregnant here!

The rolls I did make, though, using this recipe, Braided Brioche Rolls, were amazing!

And absolutely, totally informal, as Mary Berry would say.

I think it was cold in our house because they didn’t rise very much–until they exploded in the oven that is!

One (out of six…) of the rolls turned out fairly neatly, and became the star of the show. Still, the rest were equally delicious!

I can’t believe it’s my last bake for this year! And that this is my second year in a row participating. Some of my best bakes over the past two years: these cream puffs, this pizza, these tiny chocolate cakes, my first spun sugar, this amazing bread, and my pumpkin cake!

The best thing about the baking challenge is getting back in the kitchen–baking is so relaxing and creative. Also, it’s been my major form of nesting–our freezer is stuffed with baked goods for after baby ;).

Here’s to more baking the rest of this year, and next year!

The post Top Christmas Markets in Europe + Bake Off Bake Along Week 10 appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

As you may have read, I am currently in my hometown in Montana, which has a pretty nice fall, really. Although it has already snowed…but I don’t care because that means the weather has been nice and chill!

Still, I can’t help but reminisce about some of my favorite autumn moments during my last few years in Europe.

There was the perfectly gloomy autumn in Prague.

Wine tasting in Czech wine country.

The colors of Hallstatt, more majestic against the beauty of the Austrian Alps.

I could never forget Oktoberfest in Munich–a different type of local color to see.

The mind-blowing colors of Slovakia.

The most perfect fall ever in Slovenia, at Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj.

More wine tasting in the Brda wine region of Slovenia.

Oh, and of course…my former home of Budapest, and that castle in the park!

In honor of it fully being fall, I’m embracing the baking side of the season in this week’s Bake Off Bake Along with Amanda.

This past week was caramel week–apparently a bake-off first–and I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about it. I honestly just wished for another bread week!

The challenges, however, were interesting–millionaire’s shortbread, Dutch stroopwaffels, or a caramel cake showpiece with spun sugar. Since I wanted to do something truly autumnal–and I didn’t have a waffle maker for the waffles–I decided to make an apple spice cake!

(I thought about pumpkin, but it is only September…don’t want to pumpkin myself out!)

Specifically, I made this Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Drizzle.

I am nowhere near a good enough baker to make up my own recipes–but I did tweak this one slightly. I always have to in some way, due to the high altitude. Usually I add more liquid and remove some of the sugar and baking powder. I also increase the temperature.

In addition to the above, for this recipe I doubled the spices and used a more basic vanilla buttercream.

I also experimented with some spun-sugar nests for the top, since that was a requirement for the showstopper described above. I used good old Martha Stewart to guide me.

The result…

Again, rather rustic. Apparently “rustic” is my theme this year.

But just look at that spun sugar nest! My first time ever delving into the spun-sugar world–it was actually fun and I love how it turned out.

The other best thing about this recipe is the caramel sauce. It was perfect and surprisingly easy. You can find the recipe here!

can you spy a couple of little pups??

Of course, the cake itself is also lovely–it incorporates applesauce which is such a great way to use less sugar, and also give it that coveted fall-flavor.

But really, can we just take a moment to appreciate my nest again? I’m just too proud.

Question: do you enjoy baking in the autumn? Do you feel nostalgic for past autumns? 

The post Autumn in Europe + Bake Off Bake Along Week 4 appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

However, I’ve found so many unique castles–so many more than the ones you always hear about–and I just have to share them with all of you!

Also…some of these are ruins, some are palaces, some are fortresses…but for the purposes of this post, I’m (incorrectly) putting them in the same category of CASTLE. Capiche?

Peles Castle, Romania

Transylvania, Romania is the “Land Beyond the Forest” and evokes images of terrifying fairy tales–and that will be proven when you stumble upon Peles Castle high in the mountains of Transylvania. This castle might be one of my favorites in the entire world. It’s just…so cool and in such a gorgeous spot.

Bonus: Pelisor Castle, Romania

Right next door to Peles Castle is a smaller castle, originally a hunting getaway. It’s halfway hidden in the trees and a little gem in itself.

Bran Castle, Romania

Well, most of you have probably heard of this castle–although you might know it as Dracula’s Castle instead of Bran Castle. While not the most beautiful castle in Romania, you can certainly see why it inspired Mr. Stoker.

Spis Castle, Slovakia

Near the High Tatras in Slovakia, close to the town of Poprad, you will find the ruins of Spis Castle. I don’t know about you, but I just love wandering ruins!

Cesky Krumlov Castle, Czech Republic

Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic is fully discovered–but the castle never seems to get mentioned. I’m not sure why that is–I’m pretty sure it’s the only pink castle in Europe (although please correct me if I’m wrong). It’s so pretty that every time I’ve seen it, they’ve been filming a movie there!

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Again, Edinburgh is a hot spot, but many people forget about Scotland as they’re traversing Europe. You shouldn’t! The Edinburgh castle has been there for forever and it has a unique history–and a pretty cool museum.

Eilean Donan Castle, Highlands of Scotland

Ah, the incomparable Eilean Donan. The most iconic castle of Scotland, certainly, and perhaps one of the most iconic in the world! I stumbled upon this castle en route to the Isle of Skye, and it is definitely worth the trip.

Ross Castle, Ireland

In Killarney National Park, you’ll find the stoic Ross Castle, mostly pretty because it happens to be on one of the famous lakes of Killarney.

Karlstejn Castle, Czech Republic

Another Czech castle just a stone’s throw from Prague, Karlstejn will immediately transport you to medieval times. Approaching on the train, then walking through the village where it looms, is a moment to remember.

Predjama Castle, Slovenia

I’m pretty sure Predjama wins the “most unique castle” in Europe award because it is. literally, built into a cave on a mountainside. Oh yeah, and the Slovene Robin Hood lived here for a while. AND in 1999, they found a treasure there! Now if that isn’t a castle of dreams, I don’t know what is.

Bled Castle, Slovenia

Lake Bled is well-known as a fairy tale, and the castle that lies on a cliff above the lake is part of that experience.

Kilkenny Castle, Ireland

If you want a castle that makes you say “now THAT is what I always thought a castle would look like!”, look no further than Kilkenny Castle in Kilkenny, Ireland.

Schonbrunn Palace, Austria

Everyone knows about Versailles, but have you heard of the Austrian Versailles? Just outside of Vienna lies the gorgeous Schonbrunn Palace. It’s worth the price of a tour to wander the rooms–and make sure to see the expansive gardens!

Salzburg Fortress, Austria

There’s just something about fortresses set high above quaint little towns, complete with a mountainous backdrop…who’s with me??

Castle Stalker, Scotland

I had never heard of this castle until we randomly spotted it during our Scottish road trip in July. This castle is just a small building on an island, but the setting is spectacular.

Kotor Fortress, Montenegro

Above the town of Kotor lies the ruins of Kotor fortress. While the ruins are cool–and borderline dangerous–the views are what make a trip to this fortress a must.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Okay, I know I’m supposed to be talking about lesser-known castles, but I have to mention this castle! It really is just perfection.

Bonus: Hohenschwangau Castle, Germany

Next door to the famous Neuschwanstein is also another, smaller castle, Hohenschwangau, which was the original hunting castle of Ludwig II and his family (the designer of Neuschwanstein). Apparently one hunting castle in this gorgeous setting just wasn’t enough.

Prague Castle, Czech Republic

I just had to include another very famous castle–since I used to see it on a daily basis when we lived in Prague! Prague Castle’s majestic station in the city gives Prague one of the best skylines in the world. The castle itself is really a huge compound, but the cathedral is gorgeous and the small streets around said cathedral are lovingly restored.

Versailles Palace, France

Another one that is well-known, the Palace of Versailles is a must-visit partly because it is absolutely immense. It’s a great little day trip from Paris, and will transport you to another world.

Windsor Castle, England

Windsor seems very quintessentially British to me–I mean, the queen still lives there! The best thing about this castle, though, is that it’s really a giant museum, full of treasures given to/stolen by the British Empire. The town surrounding the castle is adorable, too.

Okay, your turn! Which castles are your favorites? Any I forgot to add to this list?

Linking up with Wanderful Wednesday. 

The post My Favorite European Castles appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

******

Now that Eastern Europe is in my rearview mirror (sob!), I can’t stop thinking about this region of the world. Being back in the States for a little while, many people are surprised we spent three years in places like the Czech Republic and Hungary. Apparently there’s still a stereotype alive and well amongst our American family members and friends–that Eastern Europe is depressing, gray, dingy, and fairly uniform.

Well, I’m here to tell you that this area of Europe quickly climbed up my list as one of my favorite regions in the entire world. Not only is it incredibly diverse, but it’s full of gorgeous landscapes, cities that rival the likes of Paris–at a fraction of the cost!, intricate architecture, unique cultural institutions, and tons of amazing food!

So if Eastern Europe isn’t on your radar, here are 20 pictures to inspire you to visit–and if you do, let me know, so I can live vicariously through you (I miss it so much!).

prague

prague

cesky krumlov, czech republic

budapest

budapest

eger, hungary

bratislava, slovakia

lower tatras, slovakia

belgrade, serbia

transylvania, romania

brasov, romania

korcula island, croatia

kotor bay, montenegro

athens, greece

santorini, greece

lake ohrid, macedonia

krakow, poland

wroclaw, poland

lake bled, slovenia

smartno, slovenia

Linking up with Wanderful Wednesday.

The post 20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Eastern Europe appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

I don’t blame you for being scared of the cost! But, I’m here to tell you that it is possible to travel on a budget in Europe–and you don’t need to backpack to do it!

1. Pick your destination wisely–not just where, but when! Europe does still have a few places that are more affordable–Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania, Portugal, Croatia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, and Poland, to name a few! However, don’t just choose the cheap destination if you have no interest in these places. If you’ve always dreamed of wandering the Swiss Alps or dreaming amongst the wineries in Tuscany, those places are still doable–especially if you go in the off-season, or to lesser-traveled regions outside of the well-known tourist areas.

^^Romania, beautiful…and inexpensive!

2. Now decide how to get there and how to get around! My favorite sites for flights are Skyscanner and Kayak, as well as Airfare Watchdog. Within Europe, use Rome2Rio or GoEuro to find the cheapest option between points A and B, either by bus, train, or car. GoEuro is easier to book from itself, but Rome2Rio has options for this as well.

3. Prioritize. Now that you’ve chosen (which to me is the hardest part!) and bought your tickets/scoped them out, think about what’s most important to you at the destination, as that will be what you spend your money on. Unless you aren’t traveling on a budget (and if you aren’t, lucky you), you will not be able to go full-out in every area of travel, especially in Europe! So, do you want luxurious accommodation, or all the food? Do you want to see every little thing possible, or are you happy just soaking in the vibe of the place? Do you want to stay in one city, or see the entire country?

        ^^two weeks in one small corner of Croatia still didn’t feel like enough time!

4. Accommodation research. As much as I want to say that it the destination is all that matters, I am picky about my accommodation. Now that I’m in in my late twenties, and married, I generally don’t want to stay in hostels or shared rooms, even though these are often the cheapest options. What’s more, when I look back on my travels, often my favorite places were amazing in part because of where I stayed while there. It’s half the fun, after all! I spend hours researching where to stay in each destination–looking at location, amenities, and reviews. As I’m sure you know, Airbnb is a great way to get places with kitchens (which will save you money eating out, see next point). I’m also a fan of Booking.com, as you get rewards the more you book.

^^an adorable apartment in Vienna (and my adorable husband)

5. Eating out. Eating out is often inevitable when traveling, and it can be some of the most fun and memorable parts of your trip. I often choose one large meal a day, and eat smaller/cheaper meals through the rest of the day, or stop frequently for small snacks. In Italy, for example, I know there will have to be gelato stops–so I eat smaller and cheaper meals to save money.

^^moussaka on Santorini–one of my most favorite meals ever and a must to try–and shared with my husband!

6. Eating in. If you find a place with a kitchen, this will help a lot with your food expenses. If not, it’s still easy to make a picnic! If the weather is not on your side, share food or get an appetizer as your main dish. Grab snacks at the grocery store so you can easily skip a huge meal, and eat on the go if necessary.

7. Walk! The best way to see a city, in my opinion, is to walk its streets. Sometimes the help of public transportation is necessary–and, in places like Prague, a fun way to sightsee–but it can save you money to hoof it a few extra blocks. Bonus, you get in some free sightseeing, you get some exercise, and you get a feel for the city that isn’t always possible otherwise.

^^Prague from a tram

8. Be picky with activities–and search for package deals or free/discount days. Many cities in Europe nowadays have a city pass to get you deals on their major sites. Paris has it’s famous Museum Pass, for example. That being said, before buying, make sure it will actually save you money and that you actually want to do all of those things. Several times I’ve bought a pass and ended up wasting time with activities I wasn’t that interested in just because I needed to make it worth my money. Or, I bought a pass and realized I didn’t have enough time to make it worth my while! And, finally, most memorably, we bought Museum Passes in Paris but didn’t account for the fact that our pass was good over a holiday–so we lost a full day! In addition to city passes, many places in Europe have deals on the first Saturday of the month, or on Tuesdays, where museums or churches are free or reduced in price. Or, if you’re going off-season, these things may be cheaper AND less crowded–just make sure to check opening and closing times!

^^Selfies to pass the time in the endless Paris lines

9. Be choosy with your souvenirs. It can be really tempting to go crazy shopping in a new country full of beautiful local handicrafts, delicious food and drinks, more exclusive shops, etc. Of course, since I live in a tiny flat and am acutely aware of the size of my suitcase, this isn’t as much of a problem for me–but I still have to rein myself in. I usually let myself pick one thing from each destination–something easily packed–along with a few postcards. I try to get a postcard from every spot! Of course, if this is your one big trip to Europe, go crazy and buy all those things I wish I could–a cuckoo clock in the Alps, pottery in Romania, local alcohol from every destination, giant paintings of Santorini…and the list goes on.

10. Use these travel hacks from Personal Capital, for your travels in Europe, and future travels in the rest of the world: 

Want more tips? Visit this post from Personal Capital: How To Save Money Traveling Like A Boss. For more help with financial planning, check out their free financial software.

Tell me–what are your tips for traveling on a budget, in Europe or elsewhere?

The post Ten Tips for Budget Travel…in Europe! appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

Europe!

I like to think I’ve loved (or at least liked) every place I’ve visited, but Europe is the place I want to keep living–for now!–and here are a few reasons why:

The variety

From the moonscape of Iceland to the canals of Venice, from the sun-baked coast of Croatia to the stormy seas of Ireland, Europe encompasses an amazing section of the globe. I like that I will never run out of new places to see, just in this little corner of the planet!

The food

Some of the best meals in my life have been in Europe, and some of the most interesting, variable cuisine can be found here. French croissants, Hungarian goulash, Belgian fries, Scottish whisky, Czech beer, Croatian wine, Irish cheese…the list could go on! There are so many unknown, delicious elements of cuisine to discover here.

The history

You can practically feel history when you take a breath here–and the history is packed full. Hungary alone has about 2000 years of history beneath its belt–from the Ottomans to Communism and beyond.

The architecture

I don’t know enough about architecture to discuss what’s Gothic or Neo-Gothic and so on, but I love the gorgeous buildings in Europe, from tiny cottages in remote villages to ornate palaces and government seats. I also love that every country/city tends to have its own architectural style.

The beauty

The cities are beautiful, the countryside is beautiful, I can’t get enough!

The culture

There are certainly similarities between many of the countries in Europe, yet every one has somehow managed to stay distinct. Whether it be language, their own twist on ancient ceremonies, food preferences, beer and wine regions, and so much more…I love staying for a while and learning about the unique customs.

The unpredictability

I think Bill Bryson said it best: “I loved the idea that you could never be sure of anything in Europe. I still enjoy that sense of never knowing quite what’s going on.” It’s true–I hardly ever know what’s happening, but a lot of time, that’s what keeps things interesting. It’s not always the best when your bus (that has ALWAYS taken you to where you need to go in the past) suddenly ends five stops early, leaving you to make a run for it–and of course, no one else seems fazed by this–but still. It’s usually exciting and adventurous and keeps me quick!

The possibilities

I absolutely adore the feeling of being able to hop on a SHORT flight or a (longer) bus ride and be in a brand-new country, with a new language, a new culture, new cities to explore and new sights to see–all within a day’s trip. My home in the United States is Montana, which is a huge Western state, where it can take a day’s travel just to visit a new state–much less to visit a new COUNTRY! I love the possibilities of travel that are at my fingertips in Europe.

The English teaching

I would likely enjoy teaching English anywhere, and I hope to try teaching elsewhere someday, but I really love teaching English in Eastern Europe. I love learning the culture from locals, spending time with kids, learning about and celebrating the country holidays at the schools and with my students. The approach to languages is (mostly) wonderful–everyone is excited to learn English, but also excited to share their native language with you, too.

So, do you think you could fall in love with a region, too? Or have you already?

Joining Angie, Emma, Jessi and Kaelene for a travel-themed LOVE link-up! It is the month of February, after all!

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