Backpacking Through Europe

After finishing university, I decided to go backpacking through Europe. I had been saving money for this trip for two years. My plan was to visit eight countries in six weeks. I packed everything I needed into one large backpack. It was important to travel light and not bring too much. My journey started in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. I stayed at a youth hostel near the city center. The hostel was cheap and I met many other travelers there. In Amsterdam, I rented a bicycle and explored the canals. The city was beautiful with its old houses and bridges. After three days, I took a train to Brussels in Belgium. I tried the famous Belgian chocolate and waffles. They were the best waffles I had ever tasted. From Brussels, I traveled south to Paris. I spent four days exploring the French capital. The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre were incredible to see. I met some Australian travelers at my hostel. We decided to travel together for a few days. Next, we took an overnight train to Barcelona. Traveling by night saved us money on accommodation. Barcelona was hot and full of life. We visited the famous Sagrada Familia cathedral. The architecture by Gaudí was unlike anything I had seen before. We spent lazy afternoons at the beach. After a week in Spain, my new friends continued to Portugal. I decided to go to Italy instead. I took a flight to Rome because it was faster. Rome was overwhelming with so much history everywhere. I visited the Colosseum, the Vatican, and the Trevi Fountain. The Italian food was amazing and very affordable. I ate pasta and pizza almost every day. From Rome, I traveled by train to Florence. Florence is known for its Renaissance art and architecture. I spent hours in the Uffizi Gallery looking at famous paintings. The statue of David by Michelangelo took my breath away. I continued north to Venice. Venice was magical with its canals and gondolas. I got lost in the narrow streets many times. But getting lost was part of the adventure. From Venice, I crossed into Austria. I visited Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. The mountains around the city were beautiful. I went hiking in the Alps for two days. The scenery was absolutely stunning. My next stop was Munich in Germany. I visited the famous beer halls and tried German sausages. The city had a mix of old and modern architecture. I took a day trip to visit a castle called Neuschwanstein. It looked like something from a fairy tale. From Munich, I traveled to Prague in the Czech Republic. Prague was one of the most beautiful cities on my trip. The old town square and the castle were amazing. Everything was also much cheaper than in Western Europe. I stayed an extra two days because I loved it so much. My final destination was Berlin. Berlin was a city with a fascinating history. I visited the remains of the Berlin Wall. I also went to many museums about World War Two. The city had a great nightlife and cultural scene. After six weeks of traveling, I was tired but happy. I had seen so many incredible places. I had also made friends from all over the world. Some of them I still keep in touch with today. This trip taught me a lot about different cultures. It also taught me a lot about myself. Traveling alone can be challenging sometimes. But it also makes you more independent and confident. I came home with hundreds of photos and countless memories. This was the best experience of my life so far. I am already planning my next adventure. Maybe next time I will explore Asia or South America. Once you start traveling, you never want to stop.

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