Best Hostels in Europe

This time another trip report. I had a pleasure to visit Slovenia and 3 cities in this warm country. Firstly, I had a leaders meeting in Maribor. Then I had some free time which i spent in Ljublana, and in the end project took place in Koper. We have arrived to amazing country, where the Alps and the Mediterranean meet the Pannonian plains and the mysterious karst. I had some travel tips, hotel recommendations and advices where to eat and what to do. Ready?

Trip to Maribor

A second-largest in Slovenia city, Maribor. It’s life is strongly connected with wine growing hills and the Mariborsko Pohorje mountain. This is a  of city of the oldest vine in the world, and like you can imagine, it’s obligatory to try some of this scarlet drink. What is more, Maribor has been the European Capital of Culture 2012. It’s advisable to visit farmers’ market and see the many sites of this historic quarter. I’ve beein Climbing  up the Piramida Hill- low hill elevation 386 m which rises above the city, where the Maribor castle once used to stand. I think it’s also ,,must see” in Maribor to take a trip to old town to see The Main Square and the Castle Square. The city is lovely, I guess in top three cities to visit in Slovenia.

Visiting Ljubljana and Koper

The capital of Slovenia greeted us with green parks and medieval and modern architecture. The city is crowned by a hilltop castle and sitting on the banks of the emerald-green Ljubljanica River.  Ljubljanica banks are filled with great restaurants, and chic bars popular with visitors and locals alike.This green city was also awarded the title of European Green Capital of 2016. I saw  Dragon Bridge and Cathedral of St. Nicholas (Stolnica Sv. Nikolaja) . Walking around old city was lovely, also the prices were affordable, especially because it’s the capital.

My last trip destination was Koper. We were glad to join this beautiful coastal community. It’s one of this resorts largely undiscovered by holidaymakers. The prices were really ok. The Venetian-era old city is the gateway to an array of intercontinental adventures. Anyway, it was known as “Goat’s Island” when it was under Venetian rule, interesting, huh?

What to do in this port city? Take a cruise from the port. Walk around coastal town. Visit museums, swim and sunbathe. Visit Belgramoni–Tacco Mansion or Praetorian Palace. We were trying simple Istrian dishes, feeling  blessed with some wonderful fish and seafood. There are so many seafood dishes to choose from, we tried to check them all!

My next project was happening in Carcassonne. It feels like in the move, to walk around  medieval village that is still inhabited ( inhabited since the Neolithic period!).  Nowadays there are 50 permanent residence households inside of primeval city walls. I was sightseeing  this fortified French town with a delight. It sits in the luscious valley of the Aude river—the gap between historic trade routes, near the Pyrenees.

This huge construction contains 3 km long walls of the city, 52 massive towers and barbicans, portcullis and draw-bridges. The city figures on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. And, in my opinion, it truly deserves it! I guess there is no other opportunity to see Medieval  military architecture on this scale, well- kept and preserved… The largest fortified city in Europe invites visitors for a wonderful walk, to discover history.

All day sightseeing in medieval Carcassonne

I stayed in  Hotel de la Cite Carcassonne set in the scenic region.  It was large elegant historic, bricked medieval building. Some elements of it were retained in later reconstruction, but in general it’s a few hundred years old part of the city.  Hotel de la Cite Carcassonne features of the original medieval old building with elegant, modern furnishings.What else do we need? Hotel  located in renovated historic buildings filled history,  modern and comfortable. We had wonderful view and sunny weather.

Gustave Nadaud and his poem Carcassone

XIX century French songwriter  and chansonnier wrote a poem about Carcassonne. It’s written from perspective of a peasant who i getting old and was not able to make any sightseeing of Carcassonne. This cry of simple man was appreciated and made this city even more famous. I guess it’s a proof that this city had always been charming and attractive to visitors.

I’m growing old, I’ve sixty years;

I’ve labored all my life in vain:
In all that time of hopes and fears
I’ve failed my dearest wish to gain.
I see full well that here below
Bliss unalloyed there is for none.
My prayer will ne’er fulfilment know
I never have seen Carcassonne,
I never have seen Carcassonne!

My first travel report will be from the city of kings in Poland. I decided to visit Krakow during summer holidays. In fact, it was one of the best choices I ever did. 

We were living in a hotel located near Wisla River, with a beautiful view on Wawel Castle. I simply loved the view. It’s a medieval castle and sacral complex with a magnificent history. It has impressive cathedral, royal apartaments, the biggest bell in Europe and the dragon’s den! It’s definitely something to see for those who visit Krakow. 

I had some free days before the project started, so I decided to walk around and enjoy. I stayed first 5 days in a lovely boat which is a hotel at once, and rocks slowly on Wisla. It was something original, swimming hotel. Ther food was delicious, views amazing and live music brough a charming climate to the cruise. There are thousands of places to stay in the city but I choose something I found interesting, 

Later on, with the leaders from each country we were located in small enclosures separated with wooden fence. I hope others were not angry, because we couldn’t stop talking. Of course, first thing we did was sightseeing of the old, 13th century Salt Mine. It was amazing, dark tunnels, chambers with salt figures, reconstruction of times, when workers mined there every day in hard conditions. I guess it was really healing and enriching to inhalate in the underground kingdom of salt. Around 20 breathtaking chambers and chapels, underground lake and around 800 steps to take! Although it’s the suburbs of Krakow, around 20 minutes drive, I believe it’s one of the most interesting destinations in here. 

What to see if you visit Krakow? – Nowa Huta 

During the project we have visited Wawel Castle, Dragon’s Cave and his big statue, Main Square and all the attractions in there. I didn’t realize how much history is hidden in this medieval walls. So many legends and real stories. Underground museums with archaeological findings. Art and culture everywhere, including Lady with Ermine of Da Vinci. Later on I had 2 ,,free” days, so I went to see Nowa Huta, with all it’s ancient places, medieval churches, dignified cemeteries, places connected with communism, Lenin, independence fight. Next weekend I spent in Bonerowski Palace. Like I mentioned before, there are thousands hotels in Krakow, from 5 stars exclusive spa to small, simple hostels squeezed between old tenement houses in the centre of Krakow. I had opportunity to check some of them, because the cost was involved into the project.

Since the subject of our meeting was about immigrants and integration, we also had a trip to Auschwitz Concentration Camps. 26 people from different countries entered this symbol of nazism and it was also meaningful for me. Two of us had Jewish roots. They came together holding hands. I hope after seeing this ,,museum” in Auchwitz I hope people will think. About avoiding the tragedy which has already happened. Amazing transfer company Krakow Direct took our group of 26 people to the place and found for us 2 guides- English and Spanish. I know it was troublemaking, but some of us didn’t understand english so good, and I wanted everyone to know as much as possible.

Visit Krakow Kazimierz Quarter – Jewish history

Another brilliant district durig Krakow walking tour was Kazimierz Quarter. I happend to be there as my friend told me that there are some famous zapiekanki and I should eat them. I said ok, why not, let’s try Krakow street food.

However, it turned out that it was an amazing choice. Beside delicious zapiekanki, I discovered a magic atmosphere of Kazimierz district! Once it was a separate city, inhabitated mostly by Jews. Due to this fact, there are many synagogues in Kazimierz quarter today. I’ve visited all of them and still i cannot decide which was the best. Kazimierz is totally different than the rest of the city. It’s also thanks to its climatic restaurants and cafes, many of thm with Jewsih menu. Another this was live Jewish music that I was listening while sitting in a charming cafe. It’s a district ou can’t miss while you visit Krakow.

Travelling around Krakow

What are the best ways to travel around Krakow I would reccomend? One of it is definitely Krakow walking tour that I did. It will show you the city from its best perpective. A local guide will explain you everything you want to know about it so your tour will will entertaining and valuable at once.

Beside Krakow walking tours, there are organized trips from Krakow to its surrounding. It’s probbly the best way to visit Krakow surrounding areas. Private/Shared groups with a local guide, comfortable car and extremely nice, English speaking driver will make your tour very pleasant. I went with such tour to Auschwitz and it was really good choice.

Passionate traveler. Blogger, copywriter. Lover of long conversations, good kitchen and folk music. I like comfortable, cosy places and big screens with oscar winning movies. Yup. It’s me. I hope you will like my articles. You will learn about the cities I visit and my recommendations.

Wherever my story takes me, however dark and difficult the theme, there is always some hope and redemption, not because readers like happy endings, but because I am an optimist at heart. I know the sun will rise in the morning, that there is a light at the end of every tunnel.

Michael Morpurgo

I grew up in small city in the suburbs of Berlin. I have studied in Salzburg and Hanover. Then I decided to travel a little, I worked in London, Madrid and Brussels. I love to travel, so I wanted to have a job which helps me move around. I was lucky to meet some people ( thank you Brian!) who advised me to become an European Union Projects Manager.

Job which makes me travel around the Europe

Now, I travel more or less every month to another country to check if everything is ok, I learn people how to make your own projects, how to lead other groups of people. I also like alternative ways of spending time, of accommodation and people in general. I usually try to stay in huts, bubble hotels, Indian Tipis, old mill,  houses on the three… Whatever I find on my way.

I’m really happy, because now, even if I travel alone I’m never alone. I keep meeting wonderful people, and with some of them I keep in touch. We usually have to separate ( they come back to their home countries, I have to go to another destination) but we keep in touch and we try our best to meet again. I would love to tell you something about the places I visit. I hope it will be any help.