Europe 2023
After four years traveling around Australia in a van, I felt like I was getting close to hanging up my nomadic shoes and settling down (for a while at least). There was just one last trip I wanted to take before making the decision to leave the nomadic lifestyle behind. Europe!
There’s something so intriguing and unique about Europe that it’s hard to stay away. Europe is bursting with history and culture and you will be awestruck by an abundance of stunning landscapes. You will feast your way from country to country. Europe has everything you need and more.
I had an incredible 18 month trip planned for 2021 but like so many expectant trips around the world, COVID put a whopping big spanner in the works. Itching for borders to open again and for things to settle down I eagerly began planning for my rearranged 2023 Europe trip.
This European adventure included visits to Montenegro, Malta, Austria, Czechia (Czech Republic), France, the U.K. and Iceland. You can check out details of my unforgettable trip to Iceland here. It’s best I don’t wax lyrical about Iceland or you won’t hear about the rest of this European adventure.
Our time in Montenegro led us to Kotor, a scenic fortified town on the Adriatic coast. Back in 2016 Lonely Planet named Kotor as the number one city to visit in the word. The 12th century Old Town, the San Giovanni Fortress, and hiking the Ladder of Kotor are just some of the things you can do in and around the town.
Next, to Malta, a charming archipelago in the Mediterranean. From the turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon to the ancient streets of Valletta, there’s plenty to see and do in Malta. Over 2,000 km from Malta is Vienna. Vienna is brimming with endearing charm. The city is a blend of old and new, history, art and more than its fair share of ornate buildings. Across the border and into Czechia to Brno, the country’s second largest city. With many visitors to Czechia choosing to visit Prague, Brno is a wonderful spot with neo-Renaissance architecture and its fair share of castles. It’s even been afforded the nickname the “Hidden Heart of Europe”.
Paris and the U.K. are more well-known of course, but no less fun to visit. Dubbed the most romantic city in the world, it's hard not to be captivated by the magnetism of Paris. It is one of those tick of the bucket list destinations that simply cannot be missed. Last but not least was the U.K. leg of the trip. I headed to London, then made my way up north through Cambridge, Sheffield, Manchester, and to Perth and Glengarth in Scotland.
A continent like no other in its history, beauty and culture, a trip to Europe should definitely be on your agenda sooner rather than later.