This time last year, I wrote about my 2016 travels. It was great reminiscing about the amazing places I visited so I thought I’d do it again this year.
2017 was another fantastic year of travel for me. I didn’t quite manage 12 countries in 12 months which was my secret goal. But 9 out of 12 aint bad. Here we go. My 2017 Travel Round Up – best bits and top tips.
April / May – Central Europe
I fulfilled a long-held ambition earlier this year, to spend a few weeks interrailing around Central Europe. Although we only spent 3 nights in each of the 7 cities we visited, we crammed so much in and had so much fun.
April – Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is without doubt the happiest, most chilled out place I’ve ever been.
Nyhavn Harbour
Best Bits
- Nyhavn Harbour
- Freetown Christiania
- The Rundetaarn
- Tivoli Theme Park
- Getting lost wandering around Copenhagen’s narrow streets
Top Tips
- Although it was really cold, most of the bars and restaurants had outside seating areas with heaters and blankets. I loved sitting with a beer at Nyhavn Harbour wrapped in blankets watching the world go by.
- If you’re planning on visiting The Rundetaarn, which you should, find out when the Observation Deck is open and plan your visit around that if you can.
- The Little Mermaid is underwhelming, but still worth a quick visit.
- If you’re in the vicinity of The Little Mermaid at around sunset, you’re likely to hear the firing of the Holmen Cannon. Don’t panic. The cannon fires every day at sunset to mark the end of the day.
- Watch out for people on push bikes. They’re everywhere.
April – Berlin, Germany
This was my second visit to Berlin in as many years, and I still think it’s one of Europe’s coolest cities. I could never get enough of Berlin.
Spreepark Abandoned Theme Park
Best Bits
- Driving an old Trabant around Berlin City
- Pulling our own pints in ‘The Pub’
- Climbing the only remaining Watchtower in Berlin City Centre
- Creeping around the perimeter of Spreepark Abandoned Theme Park
Top Tips
- If you want to drive a Trabi, remember to take your driving licence. Although no one actually asked to see mine, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
- To get inside Spreepark Abandoned theme park, book tickets in advance.
- Buy a Berlin Welcome Card.
April – Prague, Czech Republic
Views of Prague from above are simply breathtaking, and this photo doesn’t do it justice.
Prague from above
Best Bits
- Climbing Petrin Hill for the views of Prague from above
- Walking over the iconic Charles Bridge
- Exploring Underground Prague
- Beer Tasters
- The KGB Museum
Top Tips
- For a tourist free Charles Bridge experience, visit first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
- Try one (or more) of Prague’s hot alcoholic beverages to warm you up on a cold day.
- To avoid the queues at Prague Castle, be there for opening time.
May – Vienna, Austria
In Vienna, I rode the highest swing ride in the world.
Schonbrunn Palace
Best Bits
- Schonbrunn Palace Park and Gardens
- St Stephen’s Cathedral
- Prater Park
Top Tips
- Visit St Stephen’s Cathedral during the day and at night.
May – Budapest, Hungary
Budapest might well be my favourite European city.
Shoes on the Danube Memorial
Best Bits
- Shoes on the Danube – simple, tragic, quietly emotional memorial to jews killed on the banks of the Danube during WWII
- Hungarian Goulash
- The Museum of Terror
- Gellert Baths
Top Tips
- Plan in a full day to explore the Castle District.
- Look out for Trams.
- Book a tour of the Hungarian Parliament Building well in advance to avoid disappointment.
May – Ljubljana, Slovenia
Slovenia – Central Europe’s friendliest and most patriotic country. And it’s so pretty.
Lake Bled
Best Bits
- Ljubljana Free Walking Tour – I’d highly recommend it
- Metelkova
- Lake Bled
- Predjama Castle
Top Tips
- Visit Lake Bled. Slovenia is such a small country so no matter where you are, you should definitely visit Lake Bled. You won’t regret it.
- Buy a travel ticket at Ljubljana train station, just so you can laugh at the lady shouting loudly at you to remember to take your change.
- Talk to the locals.
May – Zagreb, Croatia
On my second visit to Croatia in as many years I visited the city’s Capital, Zagreb where, amongst other things, I played Ludo whilst watching the sun go down over the city.
Plitvice Lakes
Best Bits
- Free Zagreb Walking Tour
- The Museum of Broken Relationships
- The Stone Gate
- Lotrscak Tower and Gric Cannon
- Exploring a World War 2 Bomb Shelter
- Plitvice Lakes
Top Tips
- Visit Plitvice Lakes. It takes a couple of hours to get there by car but I promise it is so so worth it.
August – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam is dope. Get it?!
Best Bits
- Snacking on bitten ballen
- Milling around Museumplein next to the iconic(?) “Amsterdam” slogan (for the ultimate tourist experience).
- The Heineken Museum, for the ‘free’ beer and interactive games.
Top Tips
- Book tickets for the Anne Frank House well in advance, or you’ll miss out, like we did.
- If you decide to visit a marijuana cafe, be careful. It’s strong. So I’m told.
- Don’t bother with the sex museum.
November – Havana and Varadero, Cuba
Where I drove my chevy to the levy. Or something like that.
Best Bits
- Cruising around Havana in an old Chevrolet
- Drinking fresh sugar cane juice with (more than) a splash of rum
- Music. Everywhere. In the streets, in bars, in restaurants
- Rumba
Top Tips
- There is only one internet provider in Cuba. You need to buy a wifi card from an Etecsa Centre which you can use at one of the Etecsa wifi hotspots.
- The rum cocktails are strong. You were warned.
- The north of Cuba, on the Atlantic Ocean is prettier but the sea is colder (although not too cold to swim in). The Caribbean Sea that borders the south of the island is much warmer and calmer.
- There are no pigs at the Bay of Pigs. Its good for snorkelling, but not if you’re looking for beautiful beaches or stunning scenery.
So that was 2017, I can’t wait to see what travel 2018 has in store.