A semester in Barcelona and all the adventures that come with it
Aix-en-Provence seemed like the perfect spot for middle-aged vacationers and retirees seeking a South of France getaway. Known for its lavender, soap and slow pace of life, it’s easy to see why. Aix-en-Provence, Aix for short, is a relaxing university city with a condensed downtown oozing of classic architecture and shops you can easily pop-in …
After a tight connection from city bus to our Flix Bus, we were on our way to France. The double decker comfortable ride was stiffened by almost standstill traffic for probably the first 30 minutes of the trip. Our bus ended up arriving to Nice over an hour past the E.T.A. Luckily, the sweet couple …
Throughout my semester in Spain every weekend trip I’ve taken has been solo (not counting my program’s mandatory trip to Tarragona). But for Spring Break I planned a two-week-long journey through Northern Italy and the French Riviera with two of my best friends. It felt exciting to explore grand European destinations with people I have …
Some cities seem defined by their bridges. Pittsburgh’s iconic yellow three sisters’ bridges are just a few of the many that reach across the rivers. Wroclaw, Poland is known as the city of 100 bridges. Venice’s romantic gothic bridges are said to characterize the city as much as the canals they stretch over. And Bilbao, …
The palace and the city behind it Vienna is known for its café culture. Trendy coffee shops across the city offer retreats for freelancers, students and visitors looking to rest their feet. There were several spots that caught my eye, but after having been away from my two cats at home for three months, I …
I have mixed feelings about Vienna. I found the city to be surprisingly commercial, expensive and not nearly as charming as Bratislava or other cities I had visited. But despite my hesitancy to embrace the Austrian capital, I have nothing but good memories of my time there. The vegan scene there is incredible, I enjoyed …
The U.F.O. Bridge is often considered to be one of the most unique communist era constructions in Eastern Europe. Originally built between 1967 and 1972, it acquired its extraterrestrial name from locals referencing its round futuristic looking peak, and the name has stuck among Bratislava residents and visitors despite its official title being The National …
In the U.S., pizza has endless regional variations, from Chicago’s deep dish to New York’s signature slices, American pizza gastronomy has crafted its own world. I grew up on the classic cheese, either delivered in a box, from the freezer section of Kroger or hand-rolled and baked with a homemade crust. Since going vegan, I’ve …
Continue reading "Eating My Way Through Naples: Vegan Style"
The weather was still chilly on my next day in Basel, but with the rain puddles dried up and sun peeking through the clouds, the day lended itself much more to exploring. I headed towards the three-country bridge. It’s an easy ride from the main railway station on tram 8. The tram takes passengers across the border into Germany, and with a stop right in front of the bridge, you can go from Switzerland to Germany to France in a matter of minutes.
At one of my classes at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, my professor always starts the class asking where students have traveled and where they will be travelling the following weekend. When I told him, I would be traveling to Basel, Switzerland he looked a little confused. Why Basel? He essentially asked. Sure, this Swiss city isn’t …
Continue reading "Basel (Not Pronounced Like the Herb), Switzerland Pt. 1"
To Barna & Beyond 