The Gang Goes To Europe
One bar chat that started with “what if went went to Europe…” actually played out. My roommate Jordan and I thought of a handful of countries we could technically see in two weeks, wrote it in a Field Notes, and plotted it in Google Maps. With a little prodding, Salfai and Dubbs joined, made adjustments to hit countries they wanted to see.
- Meet at Toronto Airport (from Grand Rapids, MI & Minneapolis, MN)
- Fly to Copenhagen, Denmark
- Fly and rail to Budapest, Hungary
- Fly and cab to Prague, Czech Republic
- Bus to Munich, Germany, for the last Oktoberfest Saturday night
- Rail to Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Fly back to Copenhagen — and home, if we all make it
- Slice of Europe 👍 in the bag
Copenhagen, Denmark 🇩🇰
In Copenhagen we stayed at an Airbnb in the city, and we spent the time walking long the piers and eating at the market – lost most of the time in-between.
Copenhagen is almost shockingly quiet for the size of it. Or maybe it was just our first experience being explosively loud Americans while visiting a Scandinavian country. My absolute favorite recommendation is to visit the Freetown Christiania, in the Christianshavn district – an area of the city that governs themselves.
Budapest, Hungary 🇭🇺
In Budapest we stayed at the most wild and social (and cheap) hostel I’ve stayed in – Sziget City Hostel. They invited us to cruise the channel between the magnificent buildings on a boat with free drinks. The next day was a steam bath and mountain hike…in that terrible order.
Prague, Czech Republic 🇨🇿
In Prague we saw architecture that I can’t even describe. I also went to the most [literal] underground bar of my life.
Munich, Germany 🇩🇪
We went to Munich with the only event we registered for: Oktoberfest. The Oktoberfest. The one with the most beer you’ve ever conceived, the most packed multi-story tents, and the most heel-kicking table songs. And it’s all true.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands 🇳🇱
We spent the longest duration in Amsterdam. The first couple days we stayed at a hostel in the Red Light District, but spend the last couple relaxing in a houseboat in a canal. I even visited my grandmother’s home village/town. Nothing can compare to that ending.
We made it home, we want to go back.