Reminiscing on Summer in Europe

The days are short, the air is cold, and it's that time of year when you retreat into the warmth of home, shutting out the world. January blues are in full swing and the bright days of summer feel like a distant memory.

Thinking of summer reminds me of all the memories I made inter-railing just two years ago. From visiting quirky sex museums in Amsterdam to swimming in the serene waters of Lake Bled and chilling in the thermal baths of Budapest, I still have to pinch myself when I look back on my adventures.

Take a trip with me down memory lane as I reflect on my favourite summer moments in Europe.

First stop: Amsterdam.

The capital of the Netherlands is renowned for its iconic canals, freakish museums, and legendary nightlife, and it did not disappoint. Sailing down its beautiful canals, we admired the stunning architecture while listening to an audio guide recount its storied past (pardon the pun). The buildings lit up at night, and their vibrant reflections rippled and danced across the water in a truly magical scene.

Later, we had the chance to explore the city more by visiting a series of museums. The first stop was The Upside Down where you could "walk on walls" and see yourself reflected in the many mirrors. Each room revealed a new optical illusion and posed a new photo opportunity which we of course took full advantage of.

It's not every day you get the chance to visit a sex museum, and this turned out to be one of the most memorable and entertaining activities we did in Amsterdam. The museum shed light on the history of the Red Light District through personal stories shared by the women who worked there, offering a thought-provoking glimpse into the lives of sex workers. At the end of the tour, there was a wall where visitors could leave anonymous notes for others to read detailing their own sexual experiences. It was a truly unique experience- the museum was both raw and refreshing in its presentation of sex and sexuality and the final exhibition was unlike anything I had ever seen and gave us a good laugh.

Berlin, Germany

I'll be honest, Berlin was not what I expected.

As a History nerd, I enjoyed getting the chance to go on a walking tour through the city where you could see first-hand and learn all about the buildings and places that had been affected by WWI. But when we stepped outside of the city centre, it was dirty and there were times when I felt unsafe and was glad to be moving to the next place soon.

Despite this, I'm glad we went and it was in Berlin that I got to tick something off my bucket list: skinny dipping. On our last day, we battled the rain and went down to Lake Schlachtensee for a swim. It was very quiet and secluded, making it the perfect moment. It was one of my favourite memories that I made on the whole trip.

Krakow, Poland

Krakow is a perfect blend of culture and energetic nightlife. Did you know that the Old Polish Capital has more bars per square meter in its Old Town than anywhere else in the world?

During the day, we strolled along the cobbled streets, reaching the Cloth Hall and St Mary's Basilica. If you've read my other articles, you know that I appreciate a church building and the Baroque interior inside was simply stunning.

At night, we went on a bar crawl with the Let's Rock Party Hostel and got a taste of the nightlife we had heard so much about. From edgy pubs to underground bars and eccentric clubs, Krakow sure knows how to party.

If you find yourself in Krakow, Auschwitz should be a priority. I didn't take any photos here for obvious reasons but it was an eye-opening insight into the harrowing reality of the lives of many people during this period- an important chapter of history that must never be forgotten.

Budapest

In our short time spent in the Hungarian capital, we had the chance to visit the iconic thermal baths and embark on a scenic cruise along the Danube River.

At the height of summer, the Szechenyi Baths offer respite from the scorching sun and a chance to cool down and relax. Surrounded by the scenic City Park and featuring a maze of indoor baths and saunas, this attraction is an ideal place to relax and connect with nature's restorative wonders.

We enjoyed an evening cruise along the Danube River, taking in the breathtaking views of the city beautifully illuminated at night. Over a couple of glasses of wine, the tipsy tour of the city was a moment to remember. In two hours, you can soak in all the sights that Budapest has to offer. A must-do, in my opinion.

Prague

The historic city of Prague is the perfect option for those on a budget. In the city centre, visitors can see the Prague castle and the medieval Astronomical Clock, from which you can climb up and get a spectacular view of the old town. Visitors should come during the winter for an opportunity to see the snow-covered cobbled streets and its famous Christmas markets.

Prague also has several speakeasy bars. Our favourite was The Anonymous Shrink's office, where psychology and mixology come together in this sensory experience. Simply take the Inkblot test and have your "therapist" prescribe your medicine. I would recommend booking ahead of time to avoid disappointment, as this is an incredibly popular destination.

During the day, we went on a paddle boat along the river which is a lovely date idea for couples. Make sure to check the weather beforehand though! On our trip, we got drenched in a hailstorm and had to return to our hostel in wet clothes which was not ideal (lesson learned.)

Lake Bled, Slovenia

If I had to sum up Lake Bled in one word it would be magical.

Nestled south of the Alps in Slovenia, this picturesque lake is surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes and is home to a fantasy castle that draws travellers from around the world. There are so many options from people who just want a relaxing swim in its waters to those wanting to be at the heart of the action- paddle-boarding and tobogganing down one of its many hills.

When we were there, there was a wedding taking place and it was like something out of a fairytale. This was my favourite destination on our trip and I can't recommend it enough!

Fair Verona

Our final destination saw us city-hopping around Northern Italy. From navigating the labyrinth of winding streets of Venice to getting to see where Romeo wooed Juliet in Verona and watching the sunset on the bays of Rimini, we were always on the go.

We lost ourselves in the narrow alleys of Venice where everywhere you turned, you could see rich-coloured buildings floating on the water and canals which stretched as far as the eye could see. There is nowhere like Venice, with over 400 canals replacing roads and grand architecture.

Reaching Venice during a heatwave, we took this as an opportunity to try its famous ice cream to cool ourselves down. From the scoops of ice cream to the classic Pizzas and Aperol Spritz, every bite was heavenly.

Picnicking is strictly banned in Venice so we were always moving from place to place. Unfortunately, we missed out on the chance to ride on one of their famous Gondolas but this is something I want to try next time I visit.

In Verona, we went to Juliet's House where it is customary to touch the breast of her statue for luck in love. Visitors swarmed the area for a chance to peek inside the medieval building and to see the statue and add a padlock on the wall of love in the courtyard. We didn't choose to go inside due to how busy it was but it was a memorable experience nonetheless.