Late last year I made my second trip overseas and my first trip to Europe. After finding affordable airfare, three destinations were selected: London, Paris, and Amsterdam. Over a course of two weeks, I dove headfirst into experiencing three vastly different countries, and wildly varying cities. Months of careful planning meant an (almost) perfectly executed trip, with few hiccups. Armed with charts, spreadsheets, folders, and pre-purchased tickets for museums and attractions in each city, I felt as prepared as possible while simultaneously facing the unknown.
When I travel, I typically don’t take the amiable “take me where the road leads” approach. Part of the fun of being in a new city or country for me is soaking up the knowledge offered by the area, so museums, libraries, iconic historical areas and tours are all a top priority. This means full speed ahead – while there is time for leisure during certain times, I much prefer exploring a museum to window shopping. To maximize the amount of time available in each location, tickets were purchased in advance, transportation researched and acquired, timetables were created, and maps of each city were carefully tucked away in my bag.
All of this preparation served me well; however it didn’t adequately ready me for the experience. It is one thing to plan for an adventure or vacation, but another thing to experience it entirely. Especially when, admittedly, knowledge of each city I visited was superficial at best. While I figured out the financial and practical logistics of each facet of the trip, I spent little time actually researching the country and city itself. There were many times where I found myself ashamed at the lack of knowledge about a particular place, especially as I stood in awe of icons I had only dreamed of: Notre Dame, the Effiel Tower, Tower of London, Big Ben, King’s Cross Station, the Catacombs, the Anne Frank Haus.
Not having extensive knowledge about each place actually enhanced my experience. While gasping at the murals on the ceilings of the palace of Versailles; or watching trains depart from Kings Cross Station; climbing the narrow set of stairs behind the hidden bookshelf in the Anne Frank Haus; and being surrounded by six million skeletons in the catacombs under the streets of Paris, I was fully immersed in each incredible experience. It was almost impossible to sleep each night, my head buzzing with the experiences of the day mentally reviewing notes and pictures from each amazing point in the journey.
Coming home to The United States, in midst of a frenzied presidential election almost caused depression. To go from walking along the Thames to be shuffled back into everyday regular life was a solid, abrupt adjustment. It only has increased my thirst for travel, and strengthened my resolve to continue to step out of my comfort zone. As I struggle with recently lost friendships and continuely battle to lose weight, I am comforted by the lessons I learned abroad.
Join me as I write about my experiences in England, France, and The Netherlands. Share my excitement and wonder at the opportunity to visit and learn more about these amazing places. Do you have travel tips for future trips to London, Paris, or Amsterdam? Share them in the comments below!
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21 Comments
I visited London and Paris is October 2015. It was both my and my husband’s first Europe Trip. We booked through Go Ahead Tours and it was amazing. It took the thinking out of planning. I felt the same way when I came home… The previous day I was walking down the Champs de Elysees eating a crepe and the next I was back in NJ dealing with the hustle and bustle. I try to remind myself to create a life that I don’t have to take a vacation from… I can’t wait to read about your adventures.
It’s such a strange feeling to go from such one extreme to the other, isn’t it? Once you return home it’s hard to bask in that vacation glow
I can relate in the sense that recently lost friendships have encouraged me to travel solo. All of the places you listed are also places I plan on traveling alone to when I start my Euro trip
I think traveling solo is a great thing – I can’t wait to do so. Have fun on your European trip – I really enjoyed mine!
I can’t wait to hear more about your European trip <3
You sound like such a lovely person, I love curious people! What do we have left in the world except for mystery and learning new things?? It sounds like you had an amazing time learning as you went, even if you feel it wasn’t perfect!
Oh thank you for the kind words 🙂
I prefer learning most of the things in the moment. Sometimes is better not to know much. P.S. For me the Catacombs were also an awesome experience.
The catacombs were so amazing!
Aha! What a pithy post. Are you planning to come to India? If yes, drop me an e-mail and I will take you around Delhi.It will be fun, promise. ))
India is on my list! Just have to figure out The Who/what/when/where and price tickets. I’ll definitely email you – thanks for the kind offer!
This was very interesting to read! Thank you for sharing your experience 🙂 I can’t wait to read more of you
I am somewhat like you in the planning of my trips, I like to know where I’m going, how I’m getting there and I want to make sure I have a place to stay. Other than that I usually wing it as far as exploring. I have a few must do activities I build in but I like to leave some open time to find those places you normally wouldn’t find in a guide/on a Pinterest board. Cheers to your all of your future adventures!
Cant wait to read about your experience in Europe! I lived in Stated for a bit and I couldn’t wait to move back to Europe !! Its something special about our old continent ! I am glad you enjoyed your trips and I wish you more travel as soon as possible !
This post is so relevant. We do a lot of research before travelling a place, but when we reach there it seems there are so much more to know!
Seems like despite hours of research, there is always too much to learn!
Wow! That’s just mesmerizing! I can totally relate to your feel. I was there at all these places last year and the awe that you get filled with cannot be described in words!!! I missed Catacombs though and I do really feel bad that I missed it!!!
I loved the catacombs – I want to go back and experience it again!
Sounds like an awesome adventure!!! I really want to make it to Europe sometime.
I highly recommend it!
I agree on so many of your points here, especially the one about trading shopping for hitting the Museums, as I feel it’s important to get to know a destination, and nothing better the museums! Glad that you had a great time!