A Budget Solo Trip Across Europe!

I am a resident of Bangalore and last year, I decided to go for a budget trip to Europe with a group of friends. However, for some reason or the other, all my friends cancelled the trip but I did not. I went solo! I was too excited and a little scared because it was my first solo trip!

Paris

My first stop was Paris where the food was scrumptious! Out of all the European locations, Paris had the best network of public transportation.

London

Next, I travelled to London by bus! It was the first time that I had crossed an international border by bus. In London, I checked out classic tourist spots such as Westminster Abbey along with buildings with lovely architecture (St Paul's Cathedral), and being a cricket buff, I did not miss the chance to tour Lord's Cricket Ground! 

My favourite thing in London was the city’s rich pop history. As a Beatles fan, I also visited the place where they gave their last performance in the year 1969. I will definitely go back to London someday!

Frankfurt and Amsterdam

Then I flew to Frankfurt, from there to Kaiserslautern where my cousin and his wife reside. Together we explored the Heidelberg Castle from where we took a bus to Amsterdam- a city of peaceful canals and hectic streets! It was so chaotic that you would feel as if someone would run over you if you do not pay much attention on the road.

The Rijksmuseum and the Museumplein were magnificent! De Wallen, the red light district, was shocking yet captivating. If you are going to Amsterdam, then do visit Keukenhof- one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. I simply had a ball in Netherlands!

Berlin

Then I returned to Germany to explore Berlin where the S-Bahn and U-Bahn proved to be super useful. First, I visited the Brandenburg Gate, which is to Berlin what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. I also visited Berlin Victory Column that is made of solid gold! From there, I headed to the French square known as Gendarmenmarkt. Later, I experienced a live parliament session at the Reichstag building.

The following day, I went to the East Side Gallery. Then I had my gloomiest experience on the trip when I visited the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Berlin was like a huge history class where I learnt a lot in a short span of time.

Copenhagen

I flew to Copenhagen where again, a cousin accompanied me for sightseeing. We travelled to a stimulating place recognized as Freetown Christiania, a neighbourhood with its own set of rules and regulations! There we went to a few cafes and tried Danish pastries and later, walked towards the harbour side of Copenhagen to have lunch. We also saw Rosenberg Palace, which was originally a Renaissance fortress of the royals of Rosenberg. Then our next stop was Amalienborg, the residence of the Danish royal family.

Gothenburg

Then I boarded a bus to Sweden where I started from Gothenburg where one of my closest college friends lives. We climbed the Skansen Kronan fortification where we could enjoy splendid urban views and relished waffles at a teashop. I loved the peaceful day in Gothenburg before boarding a train to Stockholm, my last destination.

Stockholm

Here, I visited the Stockholm City Hall where the banquet of the Nobel Prize is organised every year. From there, I walked to the Vasa Museum, one of the most thought-provoking museums I have ever visited! It houses a massive ship, which they had recovered after 333 years.

In the evening, I strolled to Gamla Stan, the oldest part of Stockholm. Visiting Nobel Prize Museum was a treat for the history geek in me. 

Going on this solo trip was one of the best choices of my life! I explored Europe at my own pace, without depending upon the likes and dislikes of a fellow traveller. One should absolutely travel solo at least once (do not skip doing a lot of homework beforehand)!