Three Steps to Athens
My best friend Riane and I decided that we would do some traveling before arriving to Greece. She had only been outside the US a handful of times, never to Europe, and I had always dreamt of traveling throughout Europe. After looking at different options and prices, we settled on Copenhagen, Budapest, and Sofia.
Copenhagen, Denmark
From the moment we got on the metro in the airport, I knew I was going to love Copenhagen! Everything seemed to modern and sophisticated, yet the town had a feelings of the past. As a history major I love moments where you can see the advancements people have made, yet there is still a reminder of where they came from.
The city was welcoming and intriguing. We walked the city center every day for hours! We just could not get enough of this place that seemed so well put together. Not to mention there is a big shopping street (paradise for us shopaholics). During the free walking tour of the city we not only learned about the history of some sites, but also about the current situation that the citizens face every single day. I was surprised at how comfortably the people live here compared to the US, their civil rights make life enjoyable here not a burden, like it is for the lower-working class back home. I think that the most amazing fact I learned was that in Denmark new mothers get three whole months of PAID maternity leave AND they are guaranteed their jobs back. Fathers also get a paternal leave of one whole month, and combined parents can get up to eight months of parental leave. Aside from this there are many other welfare programs put in place to make life livable here in Denmark.
I left this country amazed at the opportunities it offers, and in love with its landscapes, architecture, and social life.
Budapest, Hungary
Our first night in Budapest was a breezy Saturday night. We were not about to miss out on the lively night life since it would be our only weekend here, so we decided to go out to grab some food and enjoy the night with some locals. Needless to say, our introduction to Hungary was set with high expectations. And we were not disappointed!
Although we did not have the time to join the free walking tour of the city, we did our own exploring of the center and the main attractions. Our favorite place was Gellért Spa, a huge bath house containing not only treatment spas but also recreational pools, thermal waters, saunas, and delicious cafes. It was the perfect way to spend a lazy, sunny day.
After this, we climbed the hill to the Citadella. Honestly, I almost did not make it, but it was all worth it when I got to the top and saw the view of the entire city! It was so beautiful I was in complete awe.
Sofia, Bulgaria
This was my second favorite destination of our trip. Just like Copenhagen, Sofia offered us a view of the past while still showing us the present. But, unlike Copenhagen, this wonderful city displayed its continuous 4,000 year history. Buildings were built upon each other and next to one another. You can find a Catholic cathedral, an Orthodox church, a Muslim Mosque, and a Jewish Synagogue all in less that a mile squared. Buildings from the past four centuries could be found next to each other. Traces of different eras were displayed along side one another. It is incredible!
My favorite was the food! In Sofia everything is so cheap compared to the US that we were able to eat out every day and still stay within our budget. Sofia is the only place in the world, up to now, to have a FREE food tour, and of course Riane and I were not about to miss it. In this tour we tried local foods, all had cheese (our favorite), and wines. It was truly a once in a life-time mouth-watering experience.
My best friend Riane and I decided that we would do some traveling before arriving to Greece. She had only been outside the US a handful of times, never to Europe, and I had always dreamt of traveling throughout Europe. After looking at different options and prices, we settled on Copenhagen, Budapest, and Sofia.
From the moment we got on the metro in the airport, I knew I was going to love Copenhagen! Everything seemed to modern and sophisticated, yet the town had a feelings of the past. As a history major I love moments where you can see the advancements people have made, yet there is still a reminder of where they came from.
The city was welcoming and intriguing. We walked the city center every day for hours! We just could not get enough of this place that seemed so well put together. Not to mention there is a big shopping street (paradise for us shopaholics). During the free walking tour of the city we not only learned about the history of some sites, but also about the current situation that the citizens face every single day. I was surprised at how comfortably the people live here compared to the US, their civil rights make life enjoyable here not a burden, like it is for the lower-working class back home. I think that the most amazing fact I learned was that in Denmark new mothers get three whole months of PAID maternity leave AND they are guaranteed their jobs back. Fathers also get a paternal leave of one whole month, and combined parents can get up to eight months of parental leave. Aside from this there are many other welfare programs put in place to make life livable here in Denmark.I left this country amazed at the opportunities it offers, and in love with its landscapes, architecture, and social life.
Budapest, Hungary
Our first night in Budapest was a breezy Saturday night. We were not about to miss out on the lively night life since it would be our only weekend here, so we decided to go out to grab some food and enjoy the night with some locals. Needless to say, our introduction to Hungary was set with high expectations. And we were not disappointed!
Although we did not have the time to join the free walking tour of the city, we did our own exploring of the center and the main attractions. Our favorite place was Gellért Spa, a huge bath house containing not only treatment spas but also recreational pools, thermal waters, saunas, and delicious cafes. It was the perfect way to spend a lazy, sunny day.
After this, we climbed the hill to the Citadella. Honestly, I almost did not make it, but it was all worth it when I got to the top and saw the view of the entire city! It was so beautiful I was in complete awe.
Our time in Budapest was unfortunately short, and we did not get to learn a lot about its history, but it was still an unforgettable experience!
Sofia, Bulgaria
This was my second favorite destination of our trip. Just like Copenhagen, Sofia offered us a view of the past while still showing us the present. But, unlike Copenhagen, this wonderful city displayed its continuous 4,000 year history. Buildings were built upon each other and next to one another. You can find a Catholic cathedral, an Orthodox church, a Muslim Mosque, and a Jewish Synagogue all in less that a mile squared. Buildings from the past four centuries could be found next to each other. Traces of different eras were displayed along side one another. It is incredible!
My favorite was the food! In Sofia everything is so cheap compared to the US that we were able to eat out every day and still stay within our budget. Sofia is the only place in the world, up to now, to have a FREE food tour, and of course Riane and I were not about to miss it. In this tour we tried local foods, all had cheese (our favorite), and wines. It was truly a once in a life-time mouth-watering experience.
Three cities gave us the taste of what life in Athens will be like for the next couple of months. It allowed us to start opening our minds and hearts to different cultures and their traditions. All I can say is that I am so thankful to be able to have had this opportunity, and I am way beyond excited to see what happens in the months to come :)
