ISEP student Destiny S. is a part of ISEP Voices Spring 2016. She is a first-generation college student from Northern Arizona University, and is currently studying abroad at Edinburgh Napier University in the United Kingdom.
Over Easter break, I had about two weeks off of classes and decided to take this time to see as much of Europe as possible. I began my journey March 19 and did not return to Edinburgh until April 2. During this time, I spent about two days in each destination I visited. From my trip, I developed this list of tips and tricks to take advantage of the time you have while you travel.
Stop 1: Stonehenge, England
Tip 1: The easiest way to get to Stonehenge is to take a bus from Victoria Coach Station in London to Amesbury, and then take a taxi for 13 pounds (each way) to the Stonehenge site.
Tip 2: Go to the exhibition portion to learn about the history before seeing the stones, it makes the sight of them even more powerful.
Tip 3: Go to the area closer to sheep and outer fields to get better pictures with all of the stones. The places where the people tend to crowd give a good close up view but the size of the stones and the tourist crowd does not make it easy to get a great picture.
Stop 2: London, England
Tip 1: If you are a student, you can get an access card for unlimited rides on the underground while you are here.
Tip 2: Don’t underestimate the free tours! Also, don’t forget to leave a tip of your choosing.
Tip 3: If you are short on time and money, look at the popular attractions from a distance. Spend your time getting a broader view of London.
Tip 4: You can go to the National Gallery and British Museum for free and see some great artistic pieces!
Tip 5: London Bridge is not the bridge you might expect, but go to the nearby Tower Bridge, which is frequently used in the media.
Tip 6: See the changing of the guard, but don’t step on their road during the procession or you will get in trouble.
Tip 7: It’s okay if you don’t know exactly where you’re going. On most of the main roads around the city, there are maps of London that list major landmarks.
Stop 3: Stockholm, Sweden
Tip 1: If you’re flying into the Ryanair airport near Stockholm, take note that it is about an hour and 15 minutes away by bus.
Tip 2: The 7-Eleven stores are your best friends in this expensive city.
Tip 3: There is a lot of history in Stockholm, and it is well-explained on the free tours offered
Tip 4: Be sure to go to different stops on the metro to appreciate the mosaics for different stations.
Stop 4: Copenhagen, Denmark
Tip 1: The National Museum is free and offers free luggage storage.
Tip 2: The Tower of Christiansborg Palace is free and provides ideal views for picture taking.
Stop 5: Dublin, Ireland
Tip 1: Don’t restrict yourself to the city limits! There are some amazing spots just outside of the town that must be seen.
Tip 2: The events in Dublin make the time spent here even more special despite the crowds.
Tip 3: Look around at night, because the lights on the buildings are amazing.
Tip 4: The Book of Kells is historically significant and available for public viewing for a fee.
Stop 6: Paris, France
Tip 1: If you are short on time, visit just one of the museums in Paris.
Tip 2: Even if you’re not religious, visit the Sainte-Chapelle when the sun is shining. The stained glass views need to be seen in person!
Stop 7: Barcelona, Spain
Tip 1: Tapas are really cheap and filling options for food in Barcelona.
Tip 2: See the magic fountain show if possible, because it is free and one of the most amazing experiences with water and lights.
Tip 3: After 8:30 p.m. the Parc Guell is free to the public, but can be dark and not ideal for pictures.
Tip 4: If time permits, be sure to visit the Picasso museum where they let students in for free!
I hope that this provided some insight to any future travels you may have. Leave a comment if you have any questions. My advice is to travel around the world as much as possible, because you will not regret it!
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