We began our only full day in Warsaw the right way: with a couple dozen pierogi, borscht and hot rum cyder. Our meal at Zapiecek rivaled some family Christmas dinners of my childhood. The favorites of the meal were the Ruskie and the wild mushroom pierogi. Filled to the brim, we began our Maps-plotted route to… Continue reading Day Around Warsaw
Warsaw Arrival
Upon arrival into Modlin Airport, I was shocked and delighted to stroll right out! It was because we’d come from an Italy instead of the U.S! (Within the Schengen Area many airports have border-control free entry for Schengen flights) We deplaned, passed through the baggage area and the “nothing to declare line” (we had nothing to… Continue reading Warsaw Arrival
Milan, the final day
To begin our final day in Milan, we packed up and checked out, leaving our luggage for safe keeping at the front desk, as many others had as well. With the intent of taking the long hike up to the top of the Duomo, were deterred by the long line for tickets and gray skies… Continue reading Milan, the final day
Milano with Marco!
The morning following or Como trip we’d booked a 10am free walking tour of Milan through Walkabouttours. Outside the Duomo we met our guide, Marco, a man full of enthusiasm and genuinely happy to meet each of the roughly 40 of us with a handshake! Over the next 3.5 hours we followed Marco and his… Continue reading Milano with Marco!
Lago di Como
Monday we set our sights on Lake Como! After breakfast we took a winding route to the Cadorna Station, stopping at St. Ambrogio’s Basilica (site of the previously mentioned crypt). Upon our arrival at Cadorna, our train was already boarding, so after buying tickets, we awaited the next one –thirty minutes later—cozily seated at the… Continue reading Lago di Como
Touring Milan Day 1
Saturday we awoke later than expected, and made our way downstairs for breakfast. After, we began our day of sightseeing at the Archaeological Museum, which was far more expansive than we could’ve expected for €5. The museum backs up to 3rd century towers and ruins of a former barrier wall and cloister, which includes the still active… Continue reading Touring Milan Day 1
London by Duck
Due to this terrible head cold I’ve been battling along with my body’s refusal to reset it’s circadian rhythm, we lost a day. Thursday was one quick lunch at Noodle Noodle (near Victoria Station) and a walk through some side streets back to the hotel. While far from 5*, The Dover provided a great location… Continue reading London by Duck
London To Milano
Our beautiful, if unfortunately early, flight from London Stanstead to Milan Malpensa was smoother and more comfortable than anticipated. For all the flack Ryanair receives in online forms, our first experience went well. The pre-flight stop at the executive lounge didn’t hurt the overall experience, either. The hour-forty flight that was delayed by about half… Continue reading London To Milano
London on Foot
After a mostly sleepless night, we began our morning with our hotel’s “full English Breakfast.” It included six pieces of toast, a strawberry yogurt, and four cereal options, with an automatic espresso and juice machine. After getting cleaned up and formulating a day plan, we headed out…then immediately turned around to fetch gloves and a winter… Continue reading London on Foot
Travel Day
After the 10.5 hour flight of movies and occasional sleep while packed in on a Boeing 787, I arrived at London Gatwick, and quickly made my way to border control. Maybe it was a fluke, maybe he just hadn’t bittered yet since his shift just started, but whatever the cause, my border control agent was hands… Continue reading Travel Day
The calm before the storm
Current time is 4:24 the morning of my departure day! I can’t sleep, with a quiet excitement looming over this spot on my friend’s couch in his eerily peaceful Santa Monica apartment. This afternoon, I’ll be departing LAX, setting out on the ten and a half hour journey to London—where it all begins! The bag… Continue reading The calm before the storm
Barbados in a Nutshell
While I spent six months living in Barbados, and have much to go on about, I’ll attempt to provide you with the quickest rundown of what to know and what to do! What to Expect Do expect to be immersed into a truly Caribbean lifestyle (pronounced kAr-ib-EE-an, not cah-rib-ean; like the pirates, not the cruise line) in all… Continue reading Barbados in a Nutshell
Meet Raina
[two-third] I am a UCLA Philosophy BA with a heart for adventure! January 2016 I began my first long-term experience abroad through UC’s student exchange program. I packed up my life and headed to Barbados with far too much luggage in tow. I learned a few lessons in travel-planning necessities along the way, and am… Continue reading Meet Raina