Amsterdam

Amsterdam the first stop on my euro adventure.

I spent about a day & a half here spending the majority of my time in the red light district (no judging people).

The first night I arrived in the early evening after flying in from Liverpool, I met some fellow Aussies at my hostel and 3 of us (a guy, girl & me) decided to head to the famous Red Light District to have a wander around & to see just exactly what it was like down there. I was surprised as to the location of the street (it was fun asking two guys which direction it was in & them giving us very strict instructions on how to get there) it is only a short walking distance from the centre of town, the girls gave the bloke I was with alot of attention & gave us girls a but of a cold shoulder.

The next day I did the free New Europe walking tour which was good they showed us the Red Light District during the day, Dam square, a lot of canals, we tried some cheese, the Ann Frank house, and went to the little IamAmsterdam sign. All over it was a really good tour.During the night I did the Red Light District night tour this was great I learnt alot more than I expected about the area & it's surroundings, I would highly recommend it if you want to learn about the ladies & not just look at them.

I stayed at: The Flying Pig Uptown - 4/5 clean, rooms where a little crowded, own smoking room, free breakfast, good value for money, good location.

Tours I took: New Europe free walking tour, New Europe Red light district tour.

Hello people!

Hey everyone,

Im here to write a quick post to let you know where im at & whats going on.

Im currently in Nice - France. Im more than half way through my trip & am having the time of my life!

Horse riding in Tuscany

Life after 20 - By Jenni Austria Germany

When I reflect upon the past few years of my life, I realize that Europe has played an enormous role in my life post 20. This still surprises me sometimes. Before age 20, I'd never left the continent of North America and then, suddenly, Europe is my new home. How does that even happen? Let me explain....

Age 20: At the age of 20, I went to Europe for the first time. I began the trip with my parents and sisters (we traveled through France, England and Ireland), continued the trip with my best friend after they left (we traveled through Germany, Austria and Italy) and ended the trip alone (in Greece!). Looking back, I have no idea how I survived this summer because I was definitely no expert in European travel. I made so many rookie mistakes but I learned from these mistakes and, luckily, lived to tell the stories!

Age 21: Sigh. This was such a good year of my life. At the age of 21, I moved to Salzburg, Austria to attend the University of Salzburg. Not only did I fall in love with the city of Salzburg but Austria quickly became my favorite country of all time. There's just something about waking up every day to the beauty of the Alps. I'll never get over that -- so much beauty in one place, I could cry.

Age 22: This year was another great year for me! I moved to Vienna, Austria to intern for the US Embassy and was shocked by how different the two Austrian cities -- Vienna and Salzburg -- compare. Salzburg is a hard city to live up to but Vienna gave it quite the run for its money. This year only made me love Austria more than ever. I get so nostalgic when I think of my time there and I know Vienna will always be a place I'll visit regularly.

Age 23: This year might have been my hardest year yet. I moved to Germany and settled just outside of Nuremberg, teaching English at two different schools (middle - high school level). The year was full of ups and downs and if we're being honest, there were more 'downs' than 'ups'. But I learned a lot and that's what matters, right? Right. I think. I hope.

Age 24: This year of my life is just beginning. In fact...it begins today! Today is my 24th birthday. I'm going to come right out and say with high hopes that 24 will be my best year yet! To see how this next chapter of my life unfolds, join me here.

Thanks so much for having me, Alex!

One night in Dublin

With a bit added about the day.....

So I'm currently in Dublin Ireland after flying here from Edinburgh yesterday afternoon.

Last night consisted of hanging out around the hostel & chatting to random people in the street (yes these are the things you do when you travel)

Today was a 3 1/2 walking tour & a trip to the national museum

I am SOOOO tired i didn't get in until late last night & then had somewhat the sleep from hell (sharing a room with 7 guys, with most of them snoring) then getting up at 7am to straighten my hair (in the stair well i might add, ah dedication).

Anyway i am back to Liverpool tomorrow for 2 1/2 days then it all begins!

Hope you all are well & happy!

P.S A big hello to Tim, my lovely Irish friend i met last night & who showed me around Dublin last night.

Buckingham Palace

When i was in London last week i stumbled across the entrance to the Summer opening of Buckingham Palace's state rooms.

At a mear £17.50 i couldn't pass up the chance to take a walk around the Queens diggs & i also got to see THAT DRESS!

For you £17.50 you join a rather large group of people who are let in portion by portion into the State rooms of the palace, your given a audio guide (which is amazing) at no extra cost & are free to wonder as you like.

However you cannot take photos in the Palace (which makes sense doesn't it really) but you can in the grounds as you will see below.

Buckingham Palace

Just hanging out in the Queens back yard!
Back of the Palace
Wondering around the garden
Palace off in the distance & the pond
Royal Squirrel?
More gardens.

I really enjoyed the tour & i spent almost 2 hours in there.

Kates dress was stunning & so small, i also got to watch a video of Sarah Burton talking about how the dress was made & why it is that way.

My favourite thing where Kates earrings, they where stunning & a gift from her mum & dad on her wedding day.

I would recommend anyone near London to go & take a look find all details here!

Back to Edinburgh

Hi guys,
So as your reading this i will be in Edinburgh.
Yes i am back here again as there are somethings i didn't get to see & I'm also meeting up with some bloggers while I'm here, exciting!!!!

Please see the look on the ladies face haha, this time though i have a umbrella but i am hoping its not going to rain (don't laugh).

Imperial War Museum London

On Tuesday i headed to The Imperial War Museum in London.
I had very very high hopes for my trip there as their sister museum in Manchester is one of my all time favourites. I was so happy to find that it exceeded my expectations.
The building itself is simply stunning the walk up to it in the warm September sunshine was divine.
Inside its well put together & easy to navigate.
The best parts where the simulated trench, the Holocaust remembrance section & the mock house from the 1940's.
In the end i spent about 3 hours there & it is most definitely worth the journey.

(this photo looks a little scary, I'm still trying to work out my tripod. Feel free to have a little laugh at it)

And so it begins

So my travels have finally begun..
This may only be my pre Europe adventure but im still exciting.

Im finally a backpacker (after almost 3 years of planning) im finally doing all my touristy things.
Today it begins in London, yes i have been here 3 times but this is different i have always come here with a purpose but this time i am a tourist.

Lets get it on!

You know you love a book when you buy it twice!

Yesterday i headed to Waterstones to pick up a copy of the much raved about One day.
I like reading books before i see movies so i decided to bite the bullet & buy it.
So i picked up One day & had a little wander around & spotted one of ALL TIME FAVE books so i just had to buy it because although i own a copy back home i have not read it in well over a year so I'm so excited to have a copy, the books called Marching Powder by the way!

I also picked up 2 things i have been wanting for a while.
To complete my set of Paperchase Travel accessories (i think i own everything, oh dear) i picked up the bag tag & the passport case which i have wanted since they came out.

Have you read either of these books?
Or bought any goods ones of late?

"Plant a expectation; reap a disappointment"

So as a rule of thumb i hold myself and everyone else around me to a very high standard. With this said i am very often let down.

That is why when i head off on my travels starting in London on the 5th of September (anyone around?) i have decided to have no expectation from any of the places i go.

This has already served me well, when i went to Scotland (which i will blog about soon, promise) i didn't have much of a expectation of anything. Where i was staying, the people i would meet, the Military Tattoo, the cities themselves or even the Haggis tour i did (again post coming soon).
And guess what i had a AMAZING time.

So this busabout route above is where im heading i land in Amsterdam on the 18th of September and finish in Paris on the 29th of October.
But guess what im going to have fun with it, take it as it comes and go with the flow (which is hard for me).
I also have 10 days pre Europe travel aswell.

I will be taking you all along for the ride blogging in a rota along with so many AMAZING guest bloggers. I will also be meeting some bloggers along the way which will be great fun as they can show me around there city of choice.

In most places i am staying 2 full days, so i will do some kind of tour on the first day and then spend the second exploring.
I'm excited!!!!

****If you are a blogger in London, Dublin or any of the above cities on the map and would want to meet up and show me around i would be happy to. Either leave me a comment or email me at alexslifeafter20@gmail.com******

Walking around Edinburgh

Oh my god, where have i been? Who am i again!

I'm soo sorry i have been gone so long, as you all know i was in Scotland for a week and then i had mega amounts of sleep to catch up on and now I'm back at work (and its BUSY).

I decided to break up my Edinburgh photos into sections for fear i may crash your computer if i put them all on at once.

The ones below are all photos of walking around the city centre, Edinburgh is such a pretty city with really nice friendly people.

Enjoy!

I dont do crappy souvenirs!

I like to travel (if you didn't already know) but one thing i cant stand is the crap that is available to buy as souvenirs.

I have in the past been guilty of buying this stuff in the past but the plan for the UK and Europe is good quality mementos that i can keep forever and will help my memory in my twilight years.

The Liver Building.

The Bombed out church.

Today purchased 2 prints by a Liverpool artists of 2 of my fave buildings in Liverpool, they are cheap, lightweight and great quality.


What do you buy when you travel?

Hello Edinburgh

Its just over a week before Michael and i go to Edinburgh we will be there for 3 full days before he heads home and i join my Haggis adventure!

So other than the Military Tattoo which we will be attending what else do we need to see and do?

Any markets worth attending etc?

Mikes bike tours - Amsterdam

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Whilst looking into things to do on my European travels i have come across some great tours (i am aiming to do one per city) but Mikes bike tours appears to be calling my name.

Details of the tour I'm looking at doing below!

Duration: +/- 4 hours
Weather: We provide rain gear - which can often be necessary in Amsterdam. (A note on the weather, if you come to town and it’s raining, you have two choices as we see it; either you sit bitching in your hotel room and don’t see anything, or you put a jacket on and come join us on the tour! Nobody has drowned yet!! But some have gone swimming).
We meet: at 11am on Kerkstraat # 123 (where our tour garage is located at)
Operates: daily at 11am March through November and from December through February every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11am.
RESERVATIONS NOT NECESSARY Just show up at our shop where all tours will depart from. Large groups should however call ahead to warn us.

What do you think?

Planning for Amsterdam!

As you all know Europe is fast approaching so I'm planning what to do in each city, here are some places i think I'm going to like in Amsterdam.

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De 9 Straatjes (The 9 streets)

Shopping, canals, cute coffee shops. See you there.

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Vondelpark

Considered the nicest park in Amsterdam, maybe i could stop here for lunch one day?

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Waterlooplein Flee Market.

Branded as the most interesting and one of the oldest flee markets in Amsterdam. I have been told the markets in Amsterdam are by far some of the most interesting in the world (please correct me if I'm wrong!).

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Anne Frank Museum.

I'm a little bit of a history buff and enjoy anything to do with wars throughout Europe, so a stop at the Anne Frank museum is a total must. I think this will be something i do on my first day there.

What else should i be doing? Please leave comments below!

Stop number 1. Paris

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Hotel des invalides and Dome des invalides (war museum) - This building is partially a war museum and the other is a church.

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Musee de l'Armee (The War Museum) - You will see a trend here, where a city has a warm museum i will go. This is where my fascination lies.

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Notre Dame, another must see when you go to Pairs.

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DISNEYLAND PARIS!

Who has seen those TV ads for Disneyland Paris? Well i am just like those excitable children!

I cant wait to make the trip (i am aware this is not in Paris) I'm unsure as to how many days i will need here. Ideas? I'm thinking at least 2 which will mean finding somewhere to stay within walking distance, again ideas?

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The Eiffel Tower - Of course i need to see the amazing Eiffel Tower (I'm not sure you can actually go to Paris and not see it).

Porte de Clignancourt (Paris flee market) - I love markets and especially love finding quirky antique reminders of places i have been (i already have a few from around the UK). This is open over the weekend and on a Monday i will have to time my travel plans around this.

Question? Does Paris have a underground city that is accessible by a tour (legally)?

Is there anything else people think i should be seeing?

(Either blog followers or readers who have found this via Busabout Facebook)

Please leave in the comments below!