On the 3rd of February this year, I boarded a plane bound for Germany. I was about to embark on an exciting chapter of my life; travelling to Europe for the first time ever, living abroad for 6 months on exchange, and living away from my family for the first time ever.

Germany was my gateway to Europe, and Europe was my gateway to the world. 2009 has been the year of the most extensive travels ever … indeed, all those cities which I have visited deserve a very special mention here.

FEBRUARY

Heidelberg, Germany

Munich, Germany

Stuttgart, Germany

MARCH

Freiburg, Germany

Titisee-Neustadt, Germany

APRIL

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Brussels, Belgium

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Paris, France

Madrid, Spain

Barcelona, Spain

MAY

Karlsruhe, Germany

Worms, Germany

Berlin, Germany

JUNE

Wissembourg, France

Rome & the Vatican, Italy

Florence, Italy

Venice, Italy

Milan, Italy

JULY

Jyväskylä, Finnland

Budapest, Hungary

Vienna, Austria

Bratislava, Slovakia

(pictures and reflections of some cities under the cut)

Karo, Andreea and I leaving our mark on the Berlin all. Albeit in the form of a Finnish vulgarity.

The Brandenburg Gate

Attempting to climb over the Berlin Wall! I wasn’t held at gunpoint this time round though ;)

Trebi cars were commonly-used back in communist East-Germany / East-Europe. I would like one, please!

Der Berliner Dom

Potsdam, Germany

The Sansouci Palace

JUNE

Wissembourg, France

Wissembourg is characterised by cute cottages like this

Wissembourg lies in the Alsacian region of France. Both France and Germany have gone to war several times over Alsace’s territory.

Pierre, Andreea, me and Jerome.

Jerome is my dear friend from Wissembourg whom I first got to know en route to Strasbourg, while I was waiting for the train at the Wissembourg station. The second time I was at Wissembourg, he took Andreea and I on a tour around his town. It’s small, yet so quaint. It’s one of those towns where the community is so close-knit and everyone seems to know every other person.

Rome, Italy

The world-famous Trevi Fountain : It is said that when you throw a coin into the fountain, with your back facing it, you will return to Rome again

The Spanish steps

The Colosseum; such an imposing structure that leaves you totally awestruck

Imagine all the numerous gladiator fights that took place in the Colosseum previously

The Vatican City, Italy

St Peter’s Basilica

Inside the Sistine Chapel

Florence, Italy

At the Duomo Cathedral

Do not be surprised to find several nude male statues in Florence

But the most famous nudie is David, by Michaelangelo. Pictured here is the original statue, measuring almost 5 metres tall. Photography was strictly forbidden, but I snuck this photo anyway.

Florence - the birthplace of Gucci! (my ex-workplace)

By the bridge .. and on the day that we were here, we saw a total of 4 couples having their wedding photos taken hmm.

Venice, Italy

At Rialto / St Marco : the port of Venice

Pretty, and expensive, venetian masks!

A gondola rider taking a break

Milan, Italy (not pictured, as I lost my photos)

I was turned away from entering the Duomo cathedral here, for the first time ever, because my dress was deemed to be too short. Everything about Milan screams chic! The Milanese are VERY well-dressed, mind you.

JULY

Jyväskylä, Finnland

By the pier

Partying, suomi-style :)

The summer cottage

At Karoliina’s summer cottage.

Welcome to Finnland, where the sun doesn’t really set in the summer.

I had a very “chill” time in Finnland - I was there mainly to visit Karoliina and Annukka, my Finnish friends. So there was none of those touristy sightseeing. In fact, what I did during that one week there was to chill out like a local. The highlight was driving up 3 hours to Karo’s summer cottage(I can’t remember the name of the town though). Most of the Finns have their own summer cottages, where they retreat to over the weekends. Karo’s summer cottage was exceptionally beautiful, because it was so rustic, and surounded by a huge lake. Also, when in the summer cottage, do go to the sauna, immerse yourself in 70-degrees-Celsius temperature and afterwards, plunge into the lake at temperatures of about 10 degrees Celsius. (yes, summertime is still rather cold in Finnland)

And also the quote that I take away from the trip … Karo’s mum: “Make sure the Singaporean doesn’t freeze!” (upon shaking my hand and realizing that it was rather cold)

Budapest, Hungary

The Hungarian Parliament; probably the largest parliament building in Europe

With Eszter, our dear Hungarian friend who very kindly offered us to stay in her apartment the 3 nights we were there

The Central Market Hall (Nagy Vasarcsarnok) - get yourself some paprika as a souvenir here!

Langos (deep-fried bread) is a must-try when you’re in Hungary

At Buda, looking over Pest (the Danube river separates the city into Buda and Pest)

I have this particular impression about Budapest. Or rather, the Hungarians in general: They have this sense of pride towards their own country which I find very endearing. I was rather moved when I heard my Hungarian friends talking about their country … this is a country that is working hard to advance even further, during this post-communist era. But its people never forget how much the country has been through, and its glorious past is what keeps them going till now. I love this city.

Vienna, Austria

The sun starting to set over the Schonnbrun Palace

When in Vienna, please have a slice of Sachertorte (this chocolate fudge cake which is a Viennese specialty).

Outside the Austrian Parliament

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

When I was 12, I promised myself to visit Vienna. Maybe it must have been one too many Mozart sonatas at that time (yes, I was very much into classical music at that age), and learning that it was here where he largely resided. Anyway, Vienna exudes so much elegance and grandeur, without being overbearing. One of my favourite cities, definitely.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Outside the President’s Palace

By the river Danube

The Blue Church

Truth be told, Erica, David and I did not exactly do much around here as we were on a day trip. My most vivid memory of Bratislava involved lying on a hammock(for the first time ever!) on this man-made beach, drifting in and out of sleep under the sun, losing my balance when dismounting from the hammock and falling flat on the ground. Then there was also this helpful Slovakian who approached us and spoke to us in English, upon seeing our lost faces when we were trying to orientate ourselves with the directions.

Perhaps I will post more pictures from the other cities another time! It’s getting late, and I’ve spent a good 2 hours posting photos on just these few cities alone :) You can request for pictures of other cities of your choice here too.