Europe Archives • The Bliss Movement

Budget Travel, Europe, Guides + Itineraries, Solo Travel, Tips, Planning and Packing, Travel

Solo travel hostel guide to europe

In my opinion, solo traveling is one of the best ways to travel! Sadly, many people miss out on the joys of traveling solo because of safety concerns or fear of being lonely on the road. Fortunately, there are plenty of tips you can follow to stay safe while solo traveling and many ways to meet friends in new countries! One of the most surefire ways to meet fellow travelers is by booking a hostel stay. If, like many people, you automatically recoil at the word "hostel," I'm about to change your mind. Keep reading for my solo travel hostel guide to Europe! **Th[...]

Europe, France

Exploring The Notre Dame In Paris

When, after long gropings up the dark perpendicular stair-case which pierces the thick walls of the steeple towers, one emerged at last unexpectedly on to one of the two high platforms inundated with light and air, it was in truth a marvellous picture spread out before you on every side; - Victor Hugo Once upon a time, I stepped into the life of Esmeralda and danced around the towers of the Notre Dame, shaking my tambourine. Just kidding. Nobody can shake a tambourine like Esmeralda, but I did get to wander around the towers of the Notre Dame on a crisp Pari[...]

Czech Republic, Europe, Prague

Prague, Captured in Photographs

Prague isn’t just a city, but an entity of some kind. -Sezin Koehler Have you ever been to a city where you start walking and then suddenly it's dark outside? You begin to wander through tiny alleyways, stumbling across beautiful hidden secrets, drifting in and out of reality. That was Prague to me - a city that I spent days wandering in and constantly being pulled in and out of its fairytale-like atmosphere. I only had three days in Prague and let me tell you, three days is not nearly enough. However, in those three days I was able to experie[...]

Europe, Scotland

That Time I Visited The Same Café as J.K Rowling

Okay, so she wasn’t actually there at the same time I was. But she had been there before and this café was known for being the very café where J.K Rowling began writing Harry Potter. The Elephant House is a café located in Edinburgh, Scotland and is the self-proclaimed Birthplace of Harry Potter. I am a Harry Potter fan. I will admit it with no shame because only the best people truly love Harry Potter. I was eleven when the first book came out, which Harry is eleven in as well, and I grew up eagerly waiting for the next book to be released; Only to finish[...]

Europe, Italy

The Leaning Tower Of Pisa and Rome’s Colosseum

If ever I get to cross something off of my bucket list that I think is worthy of a blog post, I am going to do one. This is my first blog post regarding my bucket list. Although seeing the seven wonders of the world (any of the wonders from any of the lists, seeing as there are a few lists), I was pretty excited when, back in the summer of 2010, I was able to see two wonders of the world. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, listed as one of the seven wonders of the medieval world, was something I had read about in silly children’s books as a kid, a building that caused[...]

Europe, Italy, Travel

My Unfortunate Encounter with Florence.

Unfortunate?! You might be wondering how on earth I could have an unfortunate encounter with Florence. All of my life I have been hearing marvelous things about Florence, a city full of inspiration and art and creativity. I had been told that, if ever I was in Italy, a visit to Florence was a must. It is undeniably a beautiful city but my first experience left me sadly disappointed. Florence welcomed me with a steady three day downpour of rain, cloudy skies and a horrible backpacker's campsite for accommodation. When people think of Italy, they often think of the[...]

Europe, Italy

The Fairytale City Called Venice.

People are standing all around me, jammed into a bus like sardines, far too close for comfort and people are helplessly touching other people in ways that shouldn't be allowed. A low chatter in a language I am unfamiliar with is buzzing throughout the bus that will take us to the city centre of Venice. After an hour of frustration, walking up and down the same street in search for the much needed bus stop, the reward of sweaty, human bodies with their arms raised to hold on for support was not what I had expected. The smell is overpowering and Alex, Sophie and I[...]

Europe, Italy

Ischia, Italy’s Gem.

Everyone has memories of their "first times." There's your first kiss, your first speech, your first time on stage, your first new years, your first taste of freedom. For me, Ischia was an island of many firsts. Ischia is an island located on the western edge of the Gulf of Naples. While prices on the island can be a little steep, I would say that Ischia is a must for any traveler. After spending two weeks travelling down from Northern Italy, stopping in all of the top Italian cities, I was eager to spend some time with nothing but beach, sun, and ocean. On J[...]