Favourite Experiences:

• Checking out the amazing artwork along the Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery
• Hiking to Prague’s Letna Beer Garden
• Taking in the views from the top of the Bell Tower in Prague’s main square

I said goodbye to Ireland and flew to Berlin for a four-day stay in the German capital. As a history student, Berlin was fascinating to me. The city is a unique mix of historical buildings that survived the bombings of the Second World War and ultramodern architecture built more recently. There is so much to see in Berlin, and I found that an excellent way to start is to take a free walking tour with New Berlin Tours departing from the Brandenburg Gate. I would also recommend arranging a visit to the Dome of the Reichstag (visit their website to register beforehand) which offers an audio guide and beautiful views of the city. Walking alongside the remaining portion of the Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery is another must-do, as well as exploring Museum Island. I stayed at an excellent hostel in Mitte called Wombats which I would highly recommend. Below are some of my photos from Berlin:

Next off, I took the train from Berlin to Prague to spend four days in the old town. Prague is a beautiful maze of a city with winding cobblestone laneways and intricate colourful architecture. Prague’s old town runs along the banks of the Vltava River and its largest attraction, Prague Castle, is set on a hilltop looking down over the city below. There is a medieval feeling to Prague and wandering its streets feels a bit like being in a fairytale. One thing that surprised me about Prague was the quality of the food and drinks. Much to my delight, in Prague I confirmed the rumour that quality Czech beer is cheaper than bottled water. Take advantage of this if you can! I also loved the food – my background is Polish so the abundance of eastern-European prepared meats, stews and potatoes reminded me of my Nana’s cooking. Below are some of my photos from Prague:

–Katie