Last month I wrote a post laying out my itinerary for a month long solo trip around Central Europe. Well, I’ve just left London with the intention of only completing half that trip.
Why did I change my mind?
The first reason was actually a practical one. I have three rather large university deadlines at the end of April. I figured it would be smart to give myself some time to come back and put the finishing touches on everything. Also, I have obligations to my internship and didn’t want to just disappear for a month.
Then there was talk among some of my best friends from college of a European reunion and the decision became even easier. As much as I would encourage anyone to travel solo if they are without a willing companion, nothing beats a trip with friends.
So I changed a flight, booked some busses, and almost completely redid my plans for spring while also laying out some tentative plans for the summer.
What will I be up to for the next 5 months?
Spring
Madrid
One of the greatest parts of blogging is being able to connect with people who live the same crazy, travel obsessed life that I do. One negative to this is that it can often be hard to find a chance to actually meet these people because they have the same crazy travel schedule that I do. This weekend will change some of that. I’m meeting Ashley from Ashley Abroad, Jessica from Curiosity Travels, and Julika from Sateless Suitcase in Madrid for a few days of fun.
Besides talking shop and getting to know each other in our Go With Oh apartment, we will also be discovering Spanish food with Madrid Food Tour, having a blogger meetup on a rooftop terrace, and relying on Jessica’s expertise to show us the Spanish capital.
Berlin, Warsaw, Krakow, Budapest
These are the four cities I’ll still be visiting from my original itinerary. I wrote in a lot more detail before about what I’d like to see in these places, but the general gist is history, food, beer, repeat.
Scotland
Over Easter weekend I’ll be doing a short road trip in Scotland with three of my best friends from college. We plan on starting in Glasgow and then moving onto the Loch Lomond area for a boat cruise and a visit to a Scotch distillery. The next day we want to hike Ben A’an and stop at Stirling Castle for a bit. Finally, we’ll end up in Edinburgh for a day or so.
The best part of these road trip plans is the fact that none of us have ever driven on the left hand side of the road. Also, I haven’t driven a car at all in over three years. And we like to drink a lot. All of which don’t exactly promise a successful road trip…
Summer
And then we have my tentative summer travel plans. Knowing me these will change in the next two hours, but for now these are the places I’d like to see in between writing my dissertation.
Belfast
I’d planned to go to Belfast in January (even booked a flight), but had to cancel my trip last minute due to some unforeseen scheduling conflicts. Belfast is home to a lot of history and I’m definitely taking a black taxi tour and visiting the Titanic museum. I also want to take a trip out to Giant’s Causeway and eat a lot of fresh seafood.
Brussels
Two of my friends are coming to London for a week in June and we want to take a day trip somewhere in order to relive our days of gallivanting around Europe while studying abroad. Brussels is only a couple hours away on the Eurostar and is a doable, if slightly rushed, day trip. I have no intentions other than indulging in beer, mussels, fries, chocolate, and waffles, even if it means coming back 10 hours later carrying an extra five pounds.
The Cotswolds
In June one of my friends will be returning to London shortly before another one leaves (such is the life of an expat, eh?) and a welcome-back-leaving-party-weekend-away is in order. After having such a great time in Cornwall, we just want to get away from the city and enjoy some nature in a rented apartment and The Cotswolds, with its rolling green hills, looks to be the perfect place to do that.
Wales
I have a goal to visit every country in the United Kingdom and was told to leave Wales until the summer when the weather is better. I want to visit some a beach and maybe hike Snowdon, the tallest mountain in the UK outside of the Scottish Highlands.
USA
At the end of August I will be returning to the United States for the first time in a year. I’m not really sure yet if this will be a for good move or if I’ll be returning to London, but I’ll be spending some time road tripping in Michigan and celebrating the marriage of my two friends before heading down to Louisville to see my family. It goes without saying that there will be a lot of beer and food consumption during this trip.
Do you have any tips for me? What upcoming travel plans do you have?
 Plans, Again - /spring-travel-plans-2/){kind=link}
I don’t think the word “fail” belongs in there — these travel plans sound amazing! And I cannot wait to finally meet you in Madrid!
Julika recently posted..Living like a Local in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin
haha you are right, Julika. Probably not actually a fail! And see you tomorrow!!!
That’ll be so much fun to travel with your college buddies! I love solo travel too, but sometimes it’s a nice break to go with a group- not only are the responsibilities spread out, but it’s way more fun!
Rachel of Hippie in Heels recently posted..Cooking Ugandan Dishes
I agree! It is so nice to have other people help with logistics and to have a ready made group for going out with.
Sounds great! I agree- the chance to travel/catch up with friends is not to be missed. I’m from England but I’ve only been to Wales once. It was beautiful but it can still get quite chilly in Summer- we were camping and I was freezing at night. My summer plans this year involve travelling Western China and learning to dive in Indonesia. Can’t wait!
J in Beijing recently posted..Walking it out: Connecting with my Beijing Home
Your summer plans sound amazing! I’m slightly jealous as I miss Asia a lot and China and Indonesia are the two countries I really want to go back and travel. Have fun!
What a fun upcoming couple months! And hey, even if it doesn’t all happen as planned, that just means that something more fun/important is happening—not always a bad thing! My personal favorites on your list are Krakow and Edinburgh. Also, I’d double, triple, quadruple recommend the New Europe Tours in Edinburgh and Berlin. So informative and fun!
Vanessa recently posted..Why Korea is So Safe: My Theory
I just did the tour today in Berlin and it was fabulous! One of the best walking tours I’ve done. I will definitely have to keep them in mind for Edinburgh
Take me with you! These plans sound amazing!
Sheryll recently posted..8 Days
You come travel with me in Europe and then I’ll join you in Vietnam!
Your travel plans still sound amazing and I can’t wait to hear all about them.
You’re definitely on the right track for Snowdon in Wales.
Some beautiful scenery in the summer. I know Aberystwyth has a beautiful beach and a great farmer’s market but it is quite a small (student) town and saw some damages from this winter’s floods so there might be better places to go to. Will ask around for you. 
Berlin, Warsaw, Krakow, Budapest – I can’t even!
I’m so excited for you with these! I really want to go to these places so badly. Oh, I just know you’re going to have a great spring/summer.
Ceri recently posted..Thoughts From Korea
Yes! Any Wales tips would be greatly appreciated. I still need to get to Cardiff!
Your trips sounds amazing and I’m jealous! I’ll be going to some of the same cities you are during the summer (Brussels, Warsaw, Budapest and Belfast). Super excited, especially about trying some Belgium waffles and fries!
Taylor recently posted..Grand Canyon Less Traveled
Well, don’t be too jealous it sounds like you have some amazing travels coming up
And yes to fries and waffles!
Seem like solid plans! I would however, suggest Ghent instead of Brussels for a day trip, it’s more quaint and the centre is smaller, so you won’t have to rush. Mid-July there is a city festival going on for 10 days, with music and performances all over town. Good fun but not so great to see the sights as the city is flooded with partygoers, day and night!
Sarah recently posted..5 Quirky Things to do in Bali
Everyone says Ghent is better but since I have such limited time and the EuroStar goes straight to Brussels I’m going to have to stick to it. Next time though!
It’s nice to read this. For me, it’s not a fail. I read one post before about the unexpected things you’ll experience in travelling and although it may disappoint you somehow, but it will give you lessons in life to learn and appreciate everything especially in visiting places all over the world.