Europe
Explore the countries of Europe. The history, the food, the people, the experiences. Find travel tips, itineraries and stories from my European wanderings.
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A Day at Széchenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest
I love me a good sauna or spa. I’ve survived a Ukrainian banya, got a major scrub down at a Korean jjimjilbang, and relaxed in the warm waters of the Széchenyi Thermal Bath in…
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Krakow Christmas Market: Some Legit Holiday Cheer
At the Krakow Christmas Market in Poland, you won’t find any Black Friday sales. No human stampedes through department store front doors. What you will find are carolers, folk dancing, hot mulled wine,…
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Running of the Bulls in Pamplona: Sangria, Goring and a Bullfight
We’ve Arrived! Equipped with only a small backpack filled with the essentials and no plan on where we were staying, we arrived in Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls at 6am, sleepless…
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Easter in Ukraine: Church and Vodka at 3 a.m.
Easter in Ukraine Yesterday, I was dropped off with my host family in a tiny Ukrainian village for two years of service in the Peace Corps. They don’t speak English, I don’t speak…
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Surviving Smuggling Babushkas: Walking from Ukraine to Poland
Walking across the border from Ukraine to Poland is infamous for its chaos, and it lived up to its reputation. The journey starts from the bus stop in Shehyni (Шегині), Ukraine. On the…
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Istanbul was Constantinople: What to Do
Istanbul is a one-of-a-kind city with unparalleled history and rich culture. It was founded in 660 BC by Greek colonists and was the government, commerce and cultural capital during the Roman, Byzantine, Latin…
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Eight Days, Naked and Happy, at Fox Bay on the Black Sea Coast
I heard about a magical place that Peace Corps volunteers referred to as Hippie Beach, a nude beach on the Black Sea Coast of Crimea where you can camp on the beach for…
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Koktebel Jazz Festival: Cha-Cha & Illegal Camping
A few Peace Corps friends and I went to Crimea for the Koktebel Jazz Festival, held annually on the Black Sea peninsula. We don’t have anywhere to stay and brought our tent hoping…
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Climbing Mt. Hoverla: Ukraine’s Tallest Mountain
Mt. Hoverla, in the Carpathian Mountains, is Ukraine's tallest mountain at 2,061 meters (6,762 ft). A dwarf compared to other mountains, but the perfect size for an inexperienced climber. Like most places outside…
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Budapest: Western European Vibe with Eastern European Prices
There was just something about Budapest. A city with loads of history and a cool vibe. From Castle Hill built to defend the city against Mongolian invaders, to the nightlife of gritty bars…
