London, England
Surprise surprise. It makes every travel list and with good reason. There is something magical about London. It is stunning and fascinating. There are lots of things to see and do. London has the power to satisfy everyone with different interests.
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park was tremendous. Walking in felt as if I was entering a movie set. Little gingerbread houses as stalls selling delicious sweet and savoury foods. Merry-go-round bars for adults to
wind down with a drink. Lots of different rides to satisfy even the wildest thrill seekers. I would describe it like ‘The Sydney Easter Show’ but on steroids.
The public transport in London is almost perfect. Not only is it incredibly easy to use but it is reliable. You miss one train, don't even worry. The next one will be arriving within minutes. I would recommend going on a double decker bus at least once and sitting right at the top!
Venice, Italy
I was surprised at how much I loved Venice. It was a magical and enchanting place. With over 117 canals and 400 bridges, Venice is different to any other tourist destination on this list. You won’t see a car in the slowly sinking city, which adds to its uniqueness.
The city boasts many delicious eateries, offering some of the best Italian in the country. I would say I had the best spaghetti bolognese and gelato ever in Venice.
While I would describe the Gondola ride as disappointing, I would insist on doing it for your first visit. Yes, the water is filthy, but nonetheless still a nice experience.
Vienna, Austria
First and foremost, do not even think about travelling to Vienna unless it’s near Christmas. The landscape is spectacular, covered in soft white snow. The streets decorated with beautiful lights and trees done up in style. The Christmas markets were one of the most beautiful events I’ve been to. They looked straight out of a movie. And right next to the markets an elaborate skating rink fit for all ages. The food served at the markets was delicious. With much to choose from between sweet treats to authentic Austrian food.
The nightlife is lively and fun. I would personally recommend a bar called ‘Travel Shack’. Aussies will feel right at home, with vegemite toasties and Aussie beer on offer. They have a wonderful menu of wacky shots. My mates participated in a waxing shot, where they have a piece of chest hair waxed after taking a shot. Another fun one was a shot of alcohol followed by lighting the mouth on fire. It was a 'one of a kind' type of night.
Prague, Czech Republic
An incredibly beautiful city that was torn apart in World War 2. Prague is fantastic in the way that you can stay in the centre of ‘Old Town’ and be able to walk to every site you want to see. For such a small city, it is full of world class views and quirky museums to wander through.
The nightlife is insane. If you've never been one to enjoy clubbing, Prague might very well change your mind. ‘The Golden Tree’ serves delicious food during the day, and transforms into a club at night. With multiple rooms offering different experiences, expect to have a good time. Just be careful with the alcohol, the Czech are heavy handed with the booze!
Galway, Ireland
Galway like the rest of Ireland is one of a kind. The Irish are friendly, hilarious and very welcoming to tourists. The customer service I received in Galway, in particular at ‘The Artisan’ on Quay Street was outstanding. The food was divine and at a fairly cheap price.
Blarney stone is one of the most unhygienic tourist attractions in the world. While I’m not sure I instantly got the gift of the gab, it's definitely worth doing. The surrounding gardens were beyond amazing. Expect to be enchanted with a whimsical fairy garden, beautiful waterfalls, sensational bridges and even a poisonous garden.
The live music in not only Galway but all of Ireland is unlike any other. Walk into any pub playing live music and it will be like walking into a concert. I thought the quality of the music couldn't get any
better in Dublin. Then it got better in every Irish city I want to and Galway was certainly one of them.