Enigin Ghana

When in Rome!

If you are stuck for a travel destination this year, then think of Rome. A place full of history, culture, romance, and excitement, Rome offers something for every type of holidaymaker. The main attraction of Rome is, of course, the historical ruins of the ancient Roman Empire, but that is not all that it has to offer.

Other than the great weather that Rome enjoys over the spring, summer and early autumn, Rome also offers fantastic Italian cuisine. On nearly every street you will find some quaint little restaurant that will serve up brilliant pizzas, pastas, fresh seafood and meat dishes. As good as Italian pizza and pasta is, do try some of the other cuisine, it’s all good.

As a tip, try to stay away from the main streets when looking for something to eat. Yes, the food is fantastic at the big restaurants, but you could eat somewhere just as good for a lot less if you wander off the beaten track for a few minutes. It is worth taking a look.

Rome, as a city, is relatively small as well, meaning on a great day, you should walk the streets and see as much as you can on foot before jumping on a bus or the very efficient and well ventilated metro system. There is something of historical importance to see on nearly every street as Rome tends to preserve anything historical that they find, something a lot of other cities could learn to do.

The Colosseum is a must see. It dominates the skyline of Rome and is a truly remarkable structure. It usually costs around 11 euros to get inside, which is well worth it. Other places of note are the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Circus Maximus, the Castle Sant Angelo, the many Mausoleums dotted around the city and the Forum. Making the trek to Vatican city to see St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel is also a must when in Rome.

Rome is a city that is unlike any other, the people are friendly, there is so much to see and do, the weather is great and you will never eat better food, so why wouldn’t you go?

I think I have a solution everyone will agree upon for what we should do for Rosemary’s engagement party. We should book some resorts as a surprise.

Train Travel Around Europe

Travelling is a true joy. Whether it be a quick weekend away or a few months travelling through a continent, there is something about travelling that seems to appeal to everyone. Breaking out of everyday routine is something we wish we could do on a regular basis, but is something very few of us get the chance to do more than once or twice a year.

It is because of this that we cherish our holiday time so much and look forward to it for many months. Holidays are relaxing, exciting and a great way to relieve stress. Visiting new cultures can be informative and can help you develop as a person.

I know personally that I became far more confident in social situations after my return from a months travel around Europe. I visited around 12 different countries, sometimes making the holiday a bit rushed, but I talked to many other travellers and locals and it really helped me to open up. Now I believe I am a more ambitious, confident and outgoing person than I was before which has helped me enormously in everyday life.

When it comes to holidays, I feel there is no better way to spend one than travelling around. Europe is a fantastic place to do this because of the huge variety of cultures that are so close to each other. Impromptu decisions can be made as European train networks are fantastic and all the countries are linked together to make access anywhere very easy.

One night you could be partying in Berlin and the next you could be walking across some truly breathtaking Austrian scenery. You don’t have to know how to speak any foreign languages as all European countries know English, but learning a few basics is a polite thing to do that the locals will appreciate.

A basic route should be planned out, with a “top three” list made so that you visit the countries you really want to. But half of the fun of travelling around Europe is making decisions on where to go the night before you leave or changing your mind and jumping on a different train altogether. It gives a thrill that is unmatched by any other holiday when you don’t know what you are doing or where you will be in 24 hours time.

If you decide to travel in this fashion, the best thing to do is to buy and interrail or eurail ticket which will save you a lot of money on trains. Seat61.com is a great website to find out information on train travel. Travelling overnight on sleeper trains is a great way to save on hotel or hostel bills as well. With that in mind, if you have to, try and stay in a hostel. They tend to be cheaper, just as nice, and far more friendly than hotels and can be filled with some interesting people to talk to.

Travel around Europe, you won’t be disappointed. Mick’s surprise party: I think I know what we should sort out. Who would be up for a surprise trip and putting up a bit of cash on some val thorens accommodation.