Category Archives: germany

Traveling Solo Through Berlin

Berlin is one of Europe’s most influential cultural hotspots, with a mix of important historical sites, galleries and museums, as well as an underground music and art scene that attracts visitors from around the world. Whether it’s your first time traveling through the capital of Germany or you happen to be a seasoned visitor, here are a few things to do and see along the way.

The Nightlife

For anyone looking to make new friends, you’ve come to the right place. Berlin is home to what many consider to be Europe’s most eclectic and exciting nightlife, with a mixture of trendy bars, grungy music venues and large and small clubs. The areas of Kreuzberg and Mitte are great if you’re looking for a larger quantity of new places to discover, but if you’re after some of the best hot spots, then make your way to Prenzlauer Berg.

Museum Island

museum island

One of Berlin’s most popular attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Museum Island is home to five fantastic museums and galleries. Expect an array of world-class artwork and historical relics from Germany and around the world. From ancient Egyptian artifacts in the Neues Museum to Byzantine sculptures in the Bode Museum, if you’re looking to enjoy some classical artwork and potentially meet like-minded cultural enthusiasts then this is the place to head.

Consider a Pub Crawl

As previously mentioned, Berlin is replete with a great bar and pub scene. If you’re looking for a few people to have a drink with, then there is no better chance than on an organized pub crawl. If you happen to be staying in a local hostel, then they will often have one organized, or be able to tell you where to go to find one. If you’re not staying in a hostel, then ask around at a local bar or pub.

Rent a Bicycle

berlin bicycle

Berlin is not an overly large city, and many of its best sites can be seen while making your way down its streets. To feel more like a local and get a better understanding for the layout of the city, consider renting a bicycle, it will give you a great sense of direction and place for future Berlin city breaks.

Berlin is a great place to head to discover important parts of Europe’s modern culture and history and relax at the same time.

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where to party in Europe

did someone say par-tay?!

party buckets o lola!

most know Europe has an undeniable reputation for being one of the wildest party destinations in the world. whether you’re planning a bachelor party or a girl’s weekend that you’ll never forget, you shouldn’t overlook considering a getaway to one of these – not to be missed – party cities of Europe. AND you know i’m somewhat of a party expert – right? 😉

Ibiza, Spain

claiming the infamous title of the world’s largest party destination, millions of travelers flock to the notorious party island of Ibiza. located of the coast of Spain, this Mediterranean delight hosts some of the biggest and craziest dance parties in the world. while i’ve never been to Ibiza, it is up there on my party scene to-do list. i mean seriously, it’s got everything lola loves. music, drinks, dancing, beaches & blue water! they say if you’re heading to Ibiza for the party of a lifetime, be prepared for many late nights and very early mornings. the before party festivities start from around 11pm, with most of the real action not taking place until 2am, at the earliest. lola better rest up then! during the hours of sunlight, you should plan to rejuvenate those dancing feet on the pristine beaches of Ibiza, along with thousands of other partygoers. well, DUH!

shake that – dancin’ queen!

Amsterdam, Netherlands

often referred to as the party capital of Europe, Amsterdam is a favorite party destination for travelers from all around the world. the ‘anything goes’ vibe of Amsterdam is what entices many young travelers, with most holiday-makers simply looking to have a good time. this is another party destination that i’m dying to hit! some of the world’s best nightclubs can also be found in Amsterdam, hosting the best DJ’s from around the globe. LOVE IT! if you’re looking to find flights to Amsterdam, be sure to check out vacation packages that include accommodations near some of the hottest night spots in the city. i’d be down with a sweet getaway for a deal! Amsterdam is the city that never sleeps, making it a haven for lovers of dance music and endless nights. SIGN. ME. UP.

fire this party up!

Berlin, Germany

now this is one i can actually speak to since i have spent time in Berlin! while it may not be the first place that comes to mind when determining the best party places in Europe, Berlin definitely does make the list of the cities with the best nightlife. with a large student population overflowing onto the streets, partying is the name of the game for most nights in the city of Berlin. what makes Berlin one of the best partying destinations in Europe is that it continues to evolve. unlike many other destinations, which are stuck in the days of fist pumping and go-go dancers, Berlin offers travelers a diverse range of nightlife options. who doesn’t like having choices?! gaining an ever-growing reputation as the cosmopolitan hub of Germany, Berlin is home to a radical art scene, electronic playground and never before seen architecture. if you’re looking for a new place to party, you’ll be amazed by what’s offered in Berlin. i’m ready to return to Berlin myself & have my buddy Travels of Adam show me the hotspots because, you know, he’s a hipster – YEAH!

no party is complete without a good drink!

the list of ‘where to party in Europe’ destinations is virtually endless, but these are three that should definitely not be missed! whatever party scene you’re looking for, you’ll certainly find it in the captivating streets of Amsterdam, the ever-changing city of Berlin or the breathtaking shores of Ibiza.

XO – lola

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Filed under germany, netherlands, spain, travel

my 7 super shots from here + there

i don’t fancy myself much of a photographer but will give this a go…

my travelin’ partner in crime, Leah, from Leah Travels tagged me to participate in HostelBookers’ 7 Super Shots. i enjoyed putting this together as it inspired me in a time when i have not been traveling. incredible, the power of photographs! it was fun to see & read what other travel bloggers posted as well. there are some amazing pictures out there that will cause wanderlust in anyone!

a photo that takes my breath away:

sunset in santorini, greece

it was a dream come true to go to Greece this past fall. seeing the Acropolis has been on my bucket list for a LONG time. i’m still carrying the awestruck feeling of seeing it with my own eyes. along with visiting Athens, i also stopped over to the beautiful island of Santorini. it truly looks like all the photographs you’ve seen. AND, for me, it had the most incredible sunsets i’ve ever watched go down. it took my breath away, quite literally.

a photo that makes me laugh or smile:

miami beach, florida

this photo may not incite laughter or cause you to smile but it does for me. Miami is my ‘happy place’ and whenever i’m feeling a little blue, i look at this picture and am reminded of the warm sun, calm water & peace i feel when i’m in Miami. it makes me say ahhh.

a photo that makes me dream:

gouverneur beach in st. barts

if you’ve visited St. Barts you know it’s an absolute dream. i think everything there is dreamy. the weather, the beaches, the food & drinks, the lifestyle, the people – it is HEAVEN on earth. i dream about St. Barts all the time & cannot get back there soon enough.

a photo that makes me think:

berlin wall, germany

there are so many moments in history landmarked around the world and i certainly haven’t seen them all. for me, seeing the Berlin Wall brought home the division of a country that has reunited in my lifetime. World War II was so horrific and the division of a city and country must have been such a dark and sad time in Germany. this picture certainly conjures up thoughts of darkness and sadness to me.

a photo that makes my mouth water:

champagne in provence, france

sante! champagne may not make your mouth water and it doesn’t always mine either. BUT i spent my birthday this year in France and had the pleasure of being reminded how much i love French food. my mouth is watering just thinking about all the delicious food and drinks i devoured while there. bon appetit!

a photo that tells a story:

roman forum in rome, italy

you may think lola’s all fun & games. i am mostly BUT i do enjoy history quite a bit. i have been to Rome a couple of times and even with a personal guide, still am overwhelmed by all that makes up the Roman Forum. so much history, so many stories. everyone from Jesus to Caesar – even me – walked this cobbled path. truly the center of Rome and, at one time, the whole of the world.

a photo that i’m most proud of (aka, my NationalGeographic shot):

nepali coast in kauai, hawaii

it was easy to catch the beauty of the Nepali Coast at the end of the Waimea Canyon in Kauai, Hawaii. it certainly helped that mother nature decided to give me a rainbow to highlight the beauty of this place. like i said, i don’t think i’m a world-class photographer, so i appreciate a subject that is photogenic!

so, there it is – my 7 Super Shots. this is an area of improvement for me and look forward to learning more about photography at the upcoming travel blogger conference – TBEX. i’m going to tag friends who i know are better about taking photos…their’s are sure to inspire wanting to travel near & far.

Raul of ilivetotravel

Keane of Keane Li

Craig of Stay Adventurous

Kirsten of aviators and a camera

Aaron of  The Adventures of elatlboy

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Filed under france, germany, greece, hawaii, italy, miami, st. barts, travel