Top 5 Favorite Travel Spots

I spent the spring semester of my junior year abroad in Barcelona, and I loved it. One of the best parts was being able to easily hop on a plane and go anywhere in Europe for a decently low price. If you’re in the same situation as me, I recommend using Hostelworld to find good, cheap places to stay, it’s what I always did.

Since it was so easy, my roommate and I traveled to six countries besides Spain and something like 12 different cities. It’s hard to choose from all of them, but I think I’ve come up with a list of my top five favorite places that I’ve been. Not in any order.

1. Santorini.

I almost didn’t stay for this trip. I had first decided to stay a few weeks after school was done to travel, and then halfway through the trip I panicked and almost changed my plane ticket, but I’m so glad I didn’t. The island is absolutely beautiful. We were a little spoiled this trip by splurging for a private room in our hostel, but it was worth it. There was an all day tour we went on, in which we climbed Thera, a volcano, got to swim in a hot spring as we took a boat around the island, and rode donkeys up the mountainside so to watch one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Every bar we went to, the bartenders would give us free shots of Raki, a very strong spirit, in order to make sure we felt welcome on the island. It is a perfect little getaway, with the picture perfect white houses with blue roofs that everyone knows from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I can’t wait to have another chance to go back. Having to leave Greece to go back to America was a little disappointing.

2. Amalfi Coast.

How lucky am I that I was able to spend Spring Break traveling all over Italy and the Amalfi Coast? First half of the week we toured the main cities, but the best part of the trip was the second half when we toured the Amalfi Coast. We went with a program, so they had all sorts of activities planned for us. Unfortunately, it rained almost the entire time we were there, but that didn’t hide the sheer beauty of the steep cliffs and beaches of the coast line. Stores were handing out free shots of Limoncello for you to taste test to see if you want to buy it. The Amalfi Coast is known for it’s handmade sandals, which were a little too expensive for me, but it was enthralling to be able to watch as they made the sandals right in front of you.  We stayed in Sorrento, but there was a boat tour to Capri, a day spent in Positano and a trip to Pompeii. Because of all the rain I didn’t get to climb Mount Vesuvius or go cliff jumping, or get to go into the blue grotto, but I would still go back to the Amalfi Coast in a heartbeat. I think I might even want to honeymoon there.

3. Mykonos.

I know, another Greek island. But it was so different from Santorini that they can’t be placed in the same category. Mykonos is a tiny island. We rented ATVs and made it to the other side of the island in like 30 minutes, where all the beaches are. It was a great way to see the whole island, instead of just driving around. Once again we splurged on a hostel and got ourselves a private room, and the man who owned it folded towels for us every day. The whole town is right at your fingertips, you just have to travel through the small alleyways. But it’s so pretty that you don’t mind how crowded it can get. Then there’s the iconic four windmills, right on the edge of the beach. We had a view of them from our hostel. It looked beautiful when we arrived as the sun was setting. We weren’t there during the busy summer season, as it was just the beginning of May, but I can see exactly why it’s quickly becoming one of the hottest summer destinations.

4. Amsterdam.

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I know, I know, of course Amsterdam, but it’s not for the reasons you think. I loved the narrow houses all pushed together, overlooking the streets or canals. I never knew of the rich history Amsterdam had until I went and visited it. We took a walking tour, which I highly recommend, no matter where you are, and got to know the history of Amsterdam, the Red Light District, and got tips on where to go. There’s the famous Anne Frank House, and of course the I AMSTERDAM sign. But what makes me single Amsterdam out was the nightlife. It’s a beautiful, quaint city, and I think it was the most fun place we traveled too, besides maybe Dublin, it’s hard to tell. There was just so much going on, and it’s kind of fun to walk through the Red Light District after dark, just to experience it once. It’s nothing I’ll ever forget. Our hostel was right near the district, and we arrived late, around 1 in the morning, and the first thing we ever really saw in Amsterdam was a woman in a window. It was an interesting welcome, to say the least, but it’s what makes Amsterdam, Amsterdam. I would love to go back when the canals aren’t frozen so I could really see the water.

5. Venice.

An entire city floating on water, of course it’s going to be a favorite. We took a gondola around, and it was an amazing way to see the city. You get to go into the back alleys of it, and see what it has to offer. Then there is the Piazza San Marco, home of the Saint Marks Basilica and it’s bell tower, the Doges Palace, and the Grand Canal. I loved all of Italy, but Venice just sticks out. We took a boat out to a little island and walked along the beaches, even though it was a little chilly to be swimming, and we got to ride in a water taxi everywhere. Much better than a normal taxi. I would to live there, using a boat to get around and getting to eat Italian food every day.

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