“You won’t look like this lost tourist with Bus2Alps” read the sign, as I walked through the Rutger’s Involvement Fair.
My outfit for the “lost tourist,” safari hat and all, was a visual representation of what will never happen with Bus2Alps. With us you will never be staring at maps (and missing the scenery) or frantically asking friends where to find the cheapest hostel in Prague! We have already thought out these details so you can enjoy every second of your journey abroad.
Bus2Alps has scoured Europe for that food you can’t miss out on with the deal you can’t pass up. Your nights will be spent dancing with friends, not attempting to plan your next day (that’s already done!) Sprint and sweat to catch the train? Or walk along with your cool, calm and collected tour guide to your comfy bus? Pretty easy decision! So remember, check your worries at the door and come along with Bus2Alps! Where you’ll never be the lost tourist.
You know, when I think of the word “culture”, a lot of things come to mind… Traditions and customs, languages, music, clothing, history, architecture, the arts. But I must admit: the number one thing that I think of is always FOOD! There are so many delicious, exquisite, to-die-for, unbelievably tasty foods in all of these amazing places you will be visiting in Europe this semester. It’s something to definitely get excited for. Yes, you can learn a lot about a city by visiting the museums, speaking with the locals, and checking out the historic sites, but you can also learn from sitting in a restaurant, visiting a roadside food stand, posting up in a cafe, and shopping in the markets. You aren’t allowed to leave Europe without tasting:
1. Schweinshaxe: a.k.a. “Pork Knuckle”.
I know what you’re thinking. Pork Knuckle? Are you sick? But trust me! This Bavarian dish will make you weak in the knees. Like, falling-off-your-chair-good. I first tried it at Munich’s Oktoberfest and I plan on eating it at least once a day during my time at Springfest this April & May. Get a little side of potato dumplings & red cabbage and you won’t be able to stop smiling for hours (especially with a big stein of bier to wash it down). Austin, the Bus2alps Rome master, says the best place to get some schweinshaxe is at the Chinese Tower on Munich’s famous bike tour.
When I first visited France, I was sure nobody would be able to convince me to eat a SNAIL. I was pretty set with that. However, I had a realization that I was in France. Like, the country France. And I wasn’t sure if I would ever be back again. So I decided to take advantage of my opportunity at hand. I mentally prepared myself, took a deep breath, and ate it. And my life has never been the same. Baked in garlic, butter, and herbs, escargot is absolutely scrumptious. I eat it every time I’m in France now. I recommend eating some up in Montemartre amongst the Sacre Coure, overlooking the city. And then get a big nutella & almond crêpe for dessert. Crêpes in Paris are so legit & it’s socially acceptable to eat more than one a day, so don’t worry.
Yes. You heard me. I said fried cheese. It’s called Smazný sýr (a.k.a. Smaz). You’ll see these cheese stands outside some of the big nightclubs, waiting for everyone to stumble off the dance floor and into the arms of the Cheese Man. A lot of Czech food is focused around tasting good with beer, or tasting good after being drunk off beer. They take their beer verrrry seriously (they claim to have invented it!) Whether this is true or not, I don’t know for sure. But I DO know that it’s seriously delicious, strong, and cheap
Goulash originates in Hungary, so this is THE place to eat it. It’s a soup or stew of meat, noodles, spices, potatos, and other vegetables. Suuuuper hearty & tasty! A great plate to get your energy back after swimming in the thermal pools, and spelunking like Batman.
Hot pork sausage, usually sliced up and served with warm curry ketchup..You can find it at lots of food stands throughout the city, usually mit pommes (with french fries). It’s the perfect snack to grab on your way to the East Side Gallery or the TV Tower. Cheap and delicious. Just the way I like it…uhhh..yeah..moving on…
The fresh fish from Split is nothing to joke about. It’s fresh ta deaf. It will flake right off the bone & melt in your mouth. And you might not know that Croatia is actually very much into their wine. Team Barcelona’s travel specialist, Tara says it’s a perfect meal to enjoy after a day of island hopping or playing in the Krka Waterfalls. You know, the usual.
hahaha let’s face it, no matter what it is, you’re gonna think it’s the best tasting thing in the world. My recommendations after the coffee shops? Nachos, pancakes, or maybe even nachos inside pancakes. Seriously, just eat anything.
The Swiss are known for their cheese fondue, so take part in the tradition! Gather around the table with friends, potatoes, and bread. Light the flame and dip into the warmed, Swiss cheese goodness. Hint: You’re supposed to scrape the bottom of the pan each time you dip, or else the cheese at the bottom will burn. But that’s actually the best part, so snag it before someone else does! Also, Rösti is a must-have in Switzerland…made of grated potato, either cooked or raw, and fried into round patties. Sometimes, other ingredients are added, such as bacon, cheese, onion, apple, or herbs. Knock both off the list by going Night Sledding–it’s included in the package & it’s the best meal to have while warming up in the lodge.
So get out there. Start traveling and enjoy the food! Your Bus2alps guides know all of the best places to get delicious, affordable eats, so don’t hesitate to ask for some recommendations. Be brave & step out of your comfort zone to try new things. You just might love it.
Carnival is a traditionally Catholic celebration that takes place in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, a 40 day
Two masked figures at Venice Carnevale
period traditionally marked by peninental practices and the exclusion of meat, parties and other festivities.The first recorded Carnival took place in Italy in 1268. The origins of some of the best known traditions such as parading and masquerade balls also take root in Italian Carnival, the best known being the Venice Carnival, for its elaborate and city-wide masquerade ball.
Although today Carnival is slated as a Christian-specific celebration, some argue that it may have pre-Christian roots in earlier Roman and Greek celebrations. Many historians point to the striking resemblances to the Roman festival, Navigium Isidis, in which a parade of masked figures followed a picture of the Roman god Isis along with an adorned wooden boat (resembling a float) to the waterfront to celebrate the beginning of the sailing season.
Carnival Parade in Rio de Janiero
No matter what its origins may be, today Carnival has blossomed into a worldwide celebration with several different variations of the event taking place in cities all over the Christian world with notable celebrations in Rio de Janiero and New Orleans. Europe in particular is home to some of the oldest and noted Carnivals in the world, and whether it’s attacking bystanders with confetti and pig blatters in Belgium or spiking doughnuts on spearheads in Hungar
Masopust Festival, Prague
y, many have acquired their own unique traditions.
In Bohemia, the Carnival equivalent,Masopust festival, takes place during the days leading up to Ash Wednesday . In old Czech masopusttranslates into “meat fast.” While practices may vary region to region, it often concludes with a pork feast along with traditional masks and costumes. So this Tuesday get out and celebrate, however it may be custom, with the rest of Europe and the world.
The clear blue skies, warmtemps, and fresh powder made for unbelievable conditions on the mountains for all of the skiers, snowboarders, and explorers in the Jungfrau Region. Goggle tans mean more street credit, and all the Interlaken guests from this past weekend have been getting mad’respect around town. Rumor has it that the dance party at Lucerna on Saturday night left lots of people happily stumbling onto the bus on Sunday morning, ready for a nice nap through the hills on their way home after an amazing weekend in Praha. Masks & costumes galore took over the parties in Venice & Stiges, and everyone in Ireland had yet another incredible time at the Cliffs of Moher & Guinness Storehouse among other places.
Over in Spain, Barcelona has been tearin’ it UP! Monday, the Bus2alps BCN crew hosted the Out Cold event at Dow Jones, giving away free canyon jumping, 50% off Interlaken Winter, skydiving, free ski/snowboarding, free night sledding, and rewarding any of those that signed up on the spot with a free Bus2alps T-shirt. Wednesday, people were raging in the dance pits as DJ Laidback Luke performed at Sutton. Lots of students were off traveling for the weekend with us, but got home in just enough time to celebrate Carnival in Sitges Sunday night! Things got crazy as the best costumes were rewarded with a free trip to Las Fallas in Valencia, one month from now.
Over in Florence, a massive chocolate festival took over the town, just in time for Valentine’s Day. And in Rome, Valentine’s Day was spent with a gathering of students at the Friends with Benefits Aperitivo event at Cafe Friends in Trastevere. Drinks, food, and new friends were made before going out for the night in search of some Valentine magic! A beer pong tournament was held Friday night at On the Rox along with a Cool Runnings event at La Botticelli for some free Interlaken activity giveaways! Free trips, chocolate, and love. It was a lovely week, and we’re all super excited for the next one coming up!
Well guys, it’s February 15. That means two things. First, Valentine’s day is finally over. Thank goodness. Second, Spring Break is right around the corner and I know so many of you still haven’t decided what to do. It’s hard to choose, but thankfully Bus2alps is here to swoop in and save the day.
The Eastern Loop with Bus2alps is by far the coolest way to spend your 10 day break. Hands down. Budapest, Krakow, Prague, and Munich are four of the most underrated cities Europe has, and getting home and telling your friends you went to Budapest and Krakow for spring break is a whole lot cooler than saying you were in London. Just my personal opinion.
One major factor for me in choosing the Eastern Loop is money. Eastern Europe is cheap. One Hungarian forint is equal to 0.004531 U.S. dollars. In Euros, it’s 0.00344…in Budapest, you can eat for as little as 5 euro a day. That’s unreal, and there is no where else in Europe where that is remotely possible- except maybe in Krakow. One of our Bus2alps staff members was in Poland for Christmas and bought basically a new wardrobe for the equivalent of a hundred bucks. We can do the same here in Florence right…haha. Prague is incredibly cheap as well. At the end of the Eastern Loop, you will have four currencies in your wallet. How many of your friends can say that?!
Spend 10 days swimming in the thermal baths in Budapest, exploring the salt mines in Krakow, signing the John Lennon wall in Prague, and drinking at the dark beer festival in Munich. Save your money and get more out of your break. Head east, rather than west. They will be 10 days you won’t forget, and you will spend them in the most fascinating places in Europe.
Europe is a wonderland – some study abroad students see it as one massive playground and they’re ready for the thrills. You can travel to tons of different places, experience old cultural traditions and taste new dishes, all while learning a lot about yourself along the way.
The opportunity to travel this much at such a ripe age is absolutely incredible. Don’t let it get tainted by getting scammed or lost in a foreign city. It just might ruin your time there.
There are a number of things you can do to be overly prepared and cautious in your travels:
- Keep your hostel address and phone number on you at all times.
- Make sure you have enough credit on your phone before leaving your home city.
- Carry cash in multiple places on your body and belongings – not just one pocket.
- Make copies of your passport and credit cards.
- Listen to your gut in uncomfortable situations.
These are all important precautions to take, but one thing that can ensure your safety is traveling with experienced guides and in groups.
Mom might be hesitant on giving the thumbs up for a Morocco trip, but you can reassure her that you’re going to be in a group the whole time with experienced Bus2alps leaders and local Moroccan guides. They will look out for you and take you to the safest, best places… That will go a long way!
Come to Morocco, Budapest, Greece, Krakow, and any other major European city with Bus2alps and know that you will always have someone looking out for you, leading you to the local gems, staying out of the bad areas, and being available 24/7 in case something happens.
So tie up those laces and hit the playground, all of Europe awaits.
With 400 students joining the Bus2alps team, everyone in Venice put on their masks and partied hard for Carnevale in the snow! And speaking of snow, students this past weekend got the special treat of czeching out Prague in the snow. The whimsical architecture and Prague castle made the city seem even more like a fairytale when it was covered in beautiful white stuff. 200 students joined us in Interlaken this past weekend as well, and clear blue skies for skydiving, skiing & snowboarding, canyon jumping, and walks by the lakes made for amazing photo opts.
This past week in Barcelona was filled with beer pong, techno, mountains and cava. Bashar N and Brendon L won the beer pong tournament this past Tuesday. The winners both received 50% off the weekend trip of their choice, a t-shirt, and a pitcher of beer from our friends at the George Payne. The party continued as the city celebrated the arrival of the Nervo twins at their concert Wednesday night at Bling. Those who recovered snapped some great pictures at Montserrat on Saturday for the Bus2alps day trip and ended their week on a high note, tasting cava at the Freixenet Winery.
The Bus2alps Florence team put on their beanies, ski goggles, and party pants for the Out Cold event at Astor last Wednesday night. With Irish coffee, hot cocoa & Baileys, and coffee with Kahlua, students gathered in the bar to escape the cold temps outside and warm up with some delicious booze drinks while getting pumped for Interlaken, Switzerland trips! Fee night sledding, free rentals, free canyon jumping, free skydiving, and 50% off a Bus2alps Interlaken trip were all given away that night.
In Rome, a group of students from different schools in the city gathered for a homemade Roman cuisine cooking class, organized by the Bus2alps team. 3 courses were prepared by everyone in the class from scratch with local, organic ingredients and a hilarious chef before of course, feasting on our creations. With snow still lingering around the city, the monuments and sites are truly spectacular. With Valentine’s Day coming up, the romantic Eternal City is gearing up for some apertivo specials and giveaways with the Bus2alps crew.
Neve a Roma! 26 years since the white stuff hit the eternal city, until last Friday when Rome got blanketed with 4+ inches of snow. What started out as mere flurries developed into a snow covered St. Peters Square, snow-globe Colosseum, and white carpet Forum. Rome and most of its residents have not experienced snow in recent memory (aside from an occasional ski vacation) so watching Italians dust off their cars with phonebooks and kitchen spatulas was a sight to behold. Unfortunately we were forced to cancel our Naples day trip Saturday because of this unexpected snowfall which paralyzed transportation in and around the city. We were upset that we couldn’t go down to Napoli so decided to hold a photo contest among those who were to go and give away a FREE Interlaken trip!
We also realized that since everyone was out in the rarely pedestrian friendly streets documenting the winter wonderland anyway, we could hold a similar photo contest through our Rome facebook group. Everyone posted and shared their favorite shots on our facebook event and the image to garner the most “likes” would win 50% off a trip to the real stuff – Interlaken Winter with Bus2alps, and the runner up won 25% off a trip to Prague. Check out the winners below and head to the event online to judge the rest of the photos for yourself: http://www.facebook.com/events/290249381030499/
Want to have your Bus2alps travel stories published on the Bus2alps blog for your entire traveling community to see? Send the link of your blog to mike@bus2alps.com for a chance to featured on the Bus2alps blog. You could win a free trip!
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