Day Trip: Oxford

One Friday in April I decided to venture out of the city to explore more of English history. The city of Oxford is known for the country's oldest University and still stands as the center of thought and development.

In the morning, we took a tour of the Bodlelian Library above the Divinity school. The building was originally built in 1427 as the oral examination hall for students. This ornate hall was featured in numerous Harry Potter movies. Duke Humprey's library was built about the exam hall but it fell into disrepair and was left unfinished. Sir Thomas Bodley restored the library from 1545 to 1613. Today visitors can walk one end of the library, with it's leather bound manuscripts and texts. 

Next we stopped for a traditional English meal at the Eagle & Child. This pub formerly called the Bird & Baby was the frequent meeting spot of great writers who attended colleges in Oxford. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein first read The Chronicles of Narnia and The Hobit in this very pub. I had a chicken pie with mash.

After lunch we toured the ground of various colleges. The first stop was Trinity College, established in 1559. Notable alumni inlcude George and Cecil Calvert, the founders of the state of Maryland!

Next we moved on to Magdalen College. This is often cited as the most beautiful college in Oxford. It's great tower served as a lookout and retreat for the King during the Napoleonic Wars. It's large meadows and wooded paths along the River Cherwell are perfect for nature lovers. 

Our last stop was Christ Church College, founded by King Henry VIII (1532-1546). While Magdalen may be the most beautiful, Christ Church is certainly the most notable. Alumni include John Locke, Lewis Carroll and a long list of politicians including 13 prime ministers. Christ Church was also a favorite filming spot for the makers of Harry Potter. The dining hall was the inspiration for the set designed for the movie series. 

We only scratched the surface of Oxford. Though the city itself is rather concentrated, there are so many colleges and historical sites to visit. If you want to do a day trip you must start early! There are also a few bed and breakfast spots and hostels in the area for those who want to take their time exploring this beautiful city.

Palaces and Parks

Londoners sure love their parks and palaces! Throughout the city you can find beautifully manicured parks and stunning royal palaces. Here are a few that I frequently visited:

PARKS:

REGENT'S PARK: 

In the movie the King's Speech, King George VI, played by Colin Firth walked down the shrub lined gravel paths of Regent's Park. With a proper English rose garden, long paths of tall trees, a winding boat pond and plenty of of green space of a game of footie, Regent's park is the perfect place to enjoy those the precious sunny days. Just a short walk from my flat, Regent's Park was favorite spot for an afternoon run.

ST. JAMES PARK:

This beautiful park across from Buckingham Palace and down the road from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, may be the most spectacular park in London. From end to end, tourist can see exotic species of birds and ducks that swim in the center pond and waddle along the low pathways. It's the perfect spot to stop and enjoy a packed lunch while touring Westminster.

 

HYDE PARK:

Hyde Park is the largest park in Central London. It features a large pond called the Serpentine, the famous statute of Peter Pan and and large Memorial dedicated to Prince Albert. At the south east corner of Hyde Park is Kensington Palace and the beautiful Kensington Gardens. In order to see all of Hyde Park in one day, I would highly recommend renting a Barclay's Bike. They are part of a public bike share program and there are numerous stations across the city, including several near Hyde Park. You can access a bike for 24 hours for just one pound.

PALACES:

BUCKINGHAM PALACE:

Buckingham Palace is the most well known palace in London. It is the current home to Queen Elizabeth II and the center of many famous celebrations, including the Royal Wedding and the Diamond Jubilee concert. The changing of the guard occurs everyday at 11 a.m. However, you cannot go up to and taunt the guards as many movies depict!

KENSINGTON PALACE:

This is the current home to Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge. I has previous been closed for renovation but opened up in late April. It features a magical and artistic exhibit that tells the personal stories of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Queen Anne, Queen Mary II, Kings George I and George II and Princess Diana. Cut out light boxes, strings of paper decorations and beautifully decorated tables tell of the triumphs and trials of the royals that once lived in this beautiful brick palace. 

THE TOWER OF LONDON:

Many may not realize that this infamous stone fort known for torture and bloody deaths, is also a royal residence. Queen Elizabeth still has an apartment within the tower walls. Military guards nicknamed Beefeaters look after the grounds and give daily tours. These men are experienced and high ranking military officials who have since retired from active duty. They now live inside the tower with their families. The Tower of London also features the Royal armor and swords of past Kings and the beautiful Crown Jewels.

 

HAMPTON COURT PALACE:  

Just a thirty minute train ride from central London lies Hampton Court Palace. This was without a doubt my favorite palace that I visited while in London. The palace is most famously known as the home of King Henry VIII and his infamous wives. The palace is impressive just based on the sheer size of it. Numerous apartments space acres of perfectly prim gardens and lawns. Outside, the trees are shaped like Hersey kisses and daffodils grow wild in grass. Visitors can get lost in a hedge maze or wander through the bedrooms of King Charles II and the working kitchens of King Henry VIII, featuring roasting spits and large brick ovens that would prepare food for the King's lavish banquets.

Spring Break Along the Mediterranean

Europeans sure know how to enjoy their vacation time! We had a full two weeks off for Easter break. Most London students take the two weeks to travel home and prepare for final exams and term papers. The London businessmen and women take off for warmer weather or ski vacations. 

My spring break was certainly an interesting one. Unfortunately, the week before spring break, I had to fly home for my father's funeral. It was an incredibly trying time and I still can't believe I made it through that week. However, knowing that I was going back to travel around Europe with my best friends gave me a feeling of excitement for the future. 

I arrived back in London on a Monday with little sleep from the night before. I spent the afternoon at Heathrow airport, waiting for my flight to Barcelona where I was meeting my friend Lindsey and her parents. I hardly slept on the flight from New York and could not get comfortable on the airport benches. On top of everything, there was an air traffic control strike in France, so my flight was delayed and then extended because we had to fly around the entire country of France. 

Barcelona

I arrived exhausted after traveling for 36 hours straight without any real sleep. However, I was so grateful to be in Barcelona with such wonderful people. Lindsey's parents got rooms in a great hotel near the Assembly in the eastern section of the city. It was just a few blocks from the beach!

The weather was not great during our time in Barcelona. It rained each day and was far too cold for laying out on the beach. However, the weather could not take away from the fantastic architecture and the amazing food. 

The first day we visited the Sagrada Familia, the famous church designed by architect Antoni Gaudi. It was like nothing I had ever seen! The outside of the church looked like an ornate sand-dripped castle, the inside like a bright white cave with crevasses and stalactites. Because of the weather we didn't visit Parc Guell which features other sculptures from Gaudi. 

At night we sample traditional Spanish tapas including paellea, croquettes and pan con tomate. Of course we paired it with some fantastic local red wine. I just wish I could take bit of the fantastic food with me!

Nice

After Barcelona, Lindsey, her roommate Kristen, her parents and I headed off to Nice. Flying into the city was spectacular. We flew along the coast and circled over small city. The water was the bluest color I had ever seen! It was pure paradise.

We stayed in a small boutique hotel that had a great balcony and was just blocks from the old city. The first afternoon we walked to the beach and rented bikes. We rode up and down the beach path. It seemed everyone was out walking, riding bikes or roller blading down the beautiful coast. The weather is always beautiful in Nice because it is surrounded by mountains that block most of the rain clouds.

The second day we took a day trip through Provence. We visited a mountain top town called St Paul de Vence. It's twisting cobble stone roads took us to an incredible lookout down to the valley below. This region of France is famous for it's lavender and flowers. It is home to numerous perfume factories and we had the opportunity to stop in one along the way back to Nice.

On the final day in France we ventured to the small principality of Monaco. There is a public transportation bus that leaves from the center of Nice. It only costs one euro to make the 30 minute trip to the mountain-side resort. Lindsey's parents are big tennis fans, so we walked to the Monaco Country Club where the Davis Cup was being hosted. We were able to watch the Brian brothers of the United States defeat the top French double team, all while looking out on a beautiful view of the Mediterranean. After the match we traveled back to the center of the city and hiked to visit the royal palace and tomb of Princess Grace Kelly. Our last stop was the Grand Casino Monte Carlo. I felt like I was a character in Edith Wharton's the House of Mirth standing outside this amazing building overlooking hundreds of beautiful yachts sitting in crystal clear Mediterranean water.

That evening we met up with another Maryland student who was studying in Nice. She took us to an excellent restaurant in the heart of the city called Acchiardo. The city of Nice was actually a part of Italy for hundreds of years. Then in a referendum vote, the people of Nice decided that they wanted to be a part of France.  However, the Italian culture can still be found in Niçoise cuisine. I had delicious homemade gnocchi, a potato based pasta, in a sweet tomato sauce.

In the morning I said my goodbyes and thanks to the Frechette family and headed back to London. I got back to my flat and unpacked my bag from my trip to the U.S., Spain and France. I consolidated all my clothes in my backpack and headed for my cousin's house in South Kensington. I had a wonderful Easter Sunday dinner with family and got some rest before I headed off to my second leg of spring break. 

Mykonos

Mykonos Island in Greece was the relaxing vacation I needed. While studying abroad it is easy get run down, spending all day walking around cities and touring museums. I needed a break from touring and just needed to relax on the beach.

Although it was not prime beach weather in Mykonos there was enough sun to spend some time lounging near the water. The other days were spent walking through the winding streets of Chora and snacking on gyros. It was also Greek Orthodox Easter so we were able to see some cultural traditions as well. 

Overall spring break was an amazing experience and a blessing. I am so grateful that I was able to see three beautiful countries with wonderfully kind groups of people. It was the perfect distraction I needed and allowed me relax and enjoy life. It was also heartwarming to come home to a huge package filled with cards and letters from friends back home, reminding me to Keep Calm and Carry On.

Museums in London!

I am without a doubt a museum junkie! And London certainly has an abundance of museums! Best of all, many of them are free! Here are a few that I visited during my time abroad:

ART MUSEUMS:

The National Gallery:

This massive stone and marble domed building sits in Trafalgar Square in the heart of London. You don't have to be an art expert to appreciate the extensive collection of the Gallery. It features some of the most famous paintings from van Gogh to Monet to Rembrandt. The building itself is art in itself. It's massive columns and beautiful ceilings set the tone for the grand paintings, some of which span entire walls. 

The Tate Britain:

South of the Thames River lies the Tate Britain. This museum is home to some of the most famous British artists. It features a wide collection of sculptures and portraits. While I visited it featured a Picasso exhibition. But perhaps more impressive is it's sister museum, the Tate Modern.

The Tate Modern:

I was amazed when I walked into this multilevel, concrete, monstrous building. Black and white walls pop with bits of neon pinks and reds. Although I am not normally a fan of modern art, it's hard not be taken by the works of Picaso, Warhol, Dali and Pollock. There was also a large Damien Hirst exhibit while I was in London. 

HISTORY AND CULTURE:

The British Museum:

This museum is certainly a must see in the city of London. It is a mixture of art, sculpture and artifacts that takes you through the ancient Roman England to modern life in Mecca. The British Museum is home to the Rosetta Stone, a wide collection of Egyptian sarcophagi and hundreds of Greek pottery and artifacts. Best of all, it's all free!

 

Victoria and Albert Museum:

This beautiful museum in the neighborhood of South Kensington is certainly underrated compared to some other famous museums in London. Visitors walk in to a gorgeous Dale Chihuly green and blue chandelier. The museum features furniture, clothing, jewelry from the Royals and church relics and paintings. When I visited the V&A, I visited the Diamond Jubilee Celebration exhibit. This was a photograph exhibition by Cecil Beaton. 

Cecil Beaton was the main photographer for Queen Elizabeth II. He photographed the Queen from the time she was a child, through World War II, her coronation and the death of Princess Diana. It was a fantastic exhibit and worth the extra entrance fee.

The Imperial War Museum:

The Imperial War Museum is south of the Thames river and accessible by the Elephant & Castle tube stop. Outside the museum sits a giant canon and shells that were nearly as tall as me! Inside were levels of planes, tanks and trucks. I went to the museum without reading much about it, and was surprised by it's extensive Holocaust exhibit. It was unlike other World War II exhibit I had seen. It had recorded narratives from Holocaust survivors and scale models of entire death camps. It has entire glass wall filled with children's shoes recovered from just one camp. It may be a bit out of the way for someone just visiting London for a few days, but it certainly an excellent museum worthy of a visit if time permits.

The Churchill War Rooms:

Along Whitehall, across the St. James Park, below the floors of the Ministry of Defense lies the secret rooms of Winston Churchill's expert team of advisers during World War II. Only the few men and women who worked on the top secret missions and the top military advisers knew that these rooms existed. After the war, the basement rooms were sealed off and forgotten. Decades later when people felt it was safe to talk about the secrets of the war, the rooms were opened and turned into a museum. 

Now the original furnishings, maps, papers and even push pin are preserved and visible to everyone. The entrance fee includes an audio tour with actors reenacting phone calls and letters between Churchill and his advisers. I showed an entire side to World War II history that I never knew about. 

All the museums have given me a great insight into history from a different perspective. I only wish I had more time to visit ALL the museums in London.

 

Amsterdam

It has been a while since my last post, and a lot has happened. In March I had to fly back home to New Jersey because my father suddenly passed away. Since then I have been trying to keep up with my school work and just stay positive! The blog has taken a back seat, but I am still keep my notes in my journal. I am going to do my best to get everyone up to date on my travels.

My first trip was to the beautiful lined city of Amsterdam. My friends and I took a Rail and Sail on the Stena Line. We left Liverpool Station in London and took an hour long train to Harwich Port on the Southeastern coast of England. We then boarded a small cruise ship that took us on an overnight trip to the Netherlands. We landed early in the morning in Hook van Holland and took a train to Amsterdam.

DAY ONE:

Amsterdam is a very walkable city. We were able to walk all the way from the train station to our hostel in the center of the city. We checked in and dropped our bags off in our room. Then we were off the the Van Gogh Museum. This modern museum takes visitors through different stages of the life of Vincent van Gogh from his beginnings as an artist in the Netherlands to his time in Paris and the French countryside.

Van Gogh was known for taking inspiration from other artists. This museum did an excellent job of pairing the original works that inspired Van Gogh with his versions. The museum also featured many of the letters and journal entries Van Gogh sent to his family members and friends. These writings chronicled major life changes and battles with mental illness.

After the museum we stopped by the iAmsterdam sign for a photo op!

DAY TWO:

On day two, we explored the center of the city and shops along the canal. In the afternoon we went to the Anne Frank Museum. Words can't describe how moving this experience was. The museum is in the original building where Anne Frank and her family lived in hiding. The front of the building was the original jam factory of Anne's father, Otto Frank. When the Nazi's began to occupy the Netherlands, Otto had to give up his factory. Eventually the family moved to the back of the house, called the Annex. Their secret apartment was hidden by a movable bookshelf.

The family spent months in hiding before they were discovered, after the Nazis received an anonymous tip about the family.

Today, the rooms of the house are now empty but the spirit of the Franks and van Pels can be felt throughout the museum. Videos and writings from those who knew and helped the family are played in each room. One older video even featured Otto Frank speaking about his relationship with his daughter. It was hard not to get emotional listening to him talk about Anne, still heartbroken over her death, decades later. It was truly a moving experience.

DAY THREE:

Our last day was certainly a fun one. We started out with a traditional breakfast at the Pancake House. My roommate Jenny and I split ham and cheese pancakes and nutella and banana pancakes. They were certainly worth the 20 euro price tag and were probably one of the best meals I had while abroad.

After breakfast we walked clear across the city to the Heineken Experience. We toured the original factory, sampled the beer and walked through rooms and rooms of Heineken marketing and advertising. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. It was a fantastic way to end our trip.

We left Sunday night on the rail and sail back to London. We mistakenly got on the wrong train to Hook van Holland and almost missed the boat. I was so nervous and worried that we would be stranded without a way to get back to London. But everything worked out and we made it on the boat. It taught me that things will go wrong while traveling but if you just relax, everything will figure itself out and life will go on. It's a lesson that came in handy just a few weeks later when I learned of my dad's passing. I just took it one step time until I got home. It's still difficult but am I trying to live by the famous U.K. motto, Keep Calm and Carry On.