Tag: Europe
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Armenia Road Trip
We weren’t supposed to go to Armenia. I’d told Susan it would be great to check out, but thanks to amazing hiking in the Caucuses, we wanted to stay in Georgia. However, due to some iffy weather, we booked a night train to Yerevan from Tbilisi, and it ended up being one of the best…
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3 day trips from Tbilisi and Kutaisi, Georgia
Susan and I met up in Tbilisi this summer, which is a gorgeous city on its own, but also offers great day trips and accessibility to other regions of Georgia. Here are three trips we took together. Day Trip 1 Mtskheta A trip to Jvari Monastery as well as the neighboring cathedral and convent is…
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Spanish Coasts: Cabo de Gata and Almería
Although I have an undying love for Northern Spain, the beaches and capes of Southern Spain must be appreciated. Here are my favorite beaches and villages in the municipality of Almería: Cabo de Gata Natural Park When I moved to Murcia, one of my Spanish friends would constantly tell me about the beaches of Cabo…
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On building walls in Berlin
A neighborhood exists in Berlin, Germany. The streets of Neukölln are narrow and packed with people from different places. They wear hijabs and tight, trendy leggings; dark peacoats with bright headscarves; military-grunge apparel mixes among tropical patterns. Languages are tossed about and haggled with, coaxing the ears and brain to slow down and listen, to…
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Video: Backpacking Europe
After seven years of planning and dreaming, my best friend and I backpacked Europe in summer 2015. Here’s a video of our travels through Iceland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, England, Bavaria, the Czech Republic and Austria.
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Things to do in Paris (other than visit the Eiffel Tower)
When you think of Paris certain places come to mind: And although these places are wonderful and should be visited, here are a few suggestions for other things to do while in Paris… Savor the macarons When I first thought of Parisian food, I imagined croissants and crepes, until my friend Marjorie introduced us…
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Differences between Europe and the U.S.
While backpacking Europe, I was often asked what differences I saw between the United States and Europe. Although it’s hard to pigeonhole the entire 50 states or the diverse 28 countries that make up the European Union, these are a few differences I noticed while travelling. 1. Grocery stores In Europe, grocery stores are much…
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Music of the Romani people
A common element of Romani culture is music. Whether singing and performing on street corners, playing cellos and violins in orchestras, or winning first place at local school competitions, the Romani people often showcase a talent for harmony and rhythm. “You can say it’s in their genes,” one Romani mother told me. “No one teaches…
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Best Sites for Backpacking Europe
In preparation for our six weeks in Europe, Lav and I have been writing, researching and pinning like crazy. Here are some helpful sites we’ve found for budget backpackers like us. Budget and Planning 1. The Savvy Backpacker The most comprehensive guide for travelling Europe on a budget Covers initial trip planning, packing, finding accommodation,…
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Mystery of the Hradová Ruins
On the outskirts of Košice, among the low mountains and surrounding forest are the ruins of Hradová Hill. Very little is known about these ruins although they belonged to one of the largest medieval castles in Slovakia. “It is definitely a castle established by a king,” said Matej Ruttkay, head researcher of the archaeological institute…
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Love Bridge in Košice, Slovakia
It’s become a trend in Europe for lovers to leave padlocks on bridges. To mark my last day in Slovakia, I went to Košice’s bridge downtown to say goodbye to the city and leave my own little tag of love.
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Journalism vs. Sensationalism
After completing my internship in Eastern Europe, I made a short video and an interactive presentation using my photographs. This will be used to educate people about the culture of the Roma people of Slovakia and raise funds so the Roma Press Agency can produce a documentary about human trafficking in Roma communities. When doing…