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. I mean, if you saw the street signs we did as purely-english speakers…you’d be lost too.
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. No cameras, dogs running around, artists and carts full of…interesting trades. It’s such a contrast to the orderly city that surrounds it.
We started our long journey in Copenhagen, but we’d also end it there. There wasn’t as much to comment on that last day, as I felt like a walking dead man, and could only make it for about an hour at Warpigs Brewery before closing up shop.
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. If you plan to go to Budapest and feel comfortable, don’t wash right before an intense hike. In retrospect, that was likely obvious.
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.
