What is Black and White and Fluffy?

While I am in China I know that I will be incredibly busy with school work. However, at the same time I know it will be good for me to take a break or two and have a weekend for myself. In that time there is one place that I really want to visit. That is the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center. The center's main focus is pandas, but it also has created environments to help foster over 20 other rare species. I've always had a love of pandas, and even named my car after the main character of Kung Fu Panda, so naturally it would make sense for me to want to visit this center.

There are little obstacles to getting to this location in China. The city that the center is located in is called Chengdu and is located in the Sichuan province. I can take a train from Nanchang to Chengdu that will take approximately 19 hours and 20 minutes that will only cost me $33.50. Once arriving in the city of Chengdu I can get a taxi for $5 that can take me to my temporary living arrangements. I have always wanted to spend time in a hostel, and this would be my perfect opportunity to do so. The hostel that I found that I think would eb the best experience is called the Chengdu Free Guys Youth Hostel. With excellent reviews on the staff and location as well as cleanliness and common areas for fellow international travelers, this hostel looks like it would be the best option for me. Pair that with the inexpensive cost of $10 for two nights in the mixed dormitory room, and that is a deal that I could not pass up.

Once arriving at the center ticket prices are just short of $10. Followed by a meal that my hostel suggests of a spicy Szechuan meal. That kind of meal can be found through tripadvisor and it looks like my best bet might be through Chenmapo DouFu where I can get a solid meal for anywhere between $10-$15.

All I would need now is about another $34 to return to my school in Nanchang and my weekend adventure would be over. For only around $120 I could have a really great weekend crossing the country of China. Other items to note on this trip is that for only about $4 I can pay my hostel a commission to take care of my tickets to and from Chengdu which would be a fairly inexpensive amount considering how much help this could be. All I have to say now is PANDAS HERE I COME!!

Vive la France!

      One of the biggest draws Edinburgh Napier University has is its great location to allow for travel. There are so many wonderful surroundings countries to explore and so little time! One such city I am positive I will miss is Paris, France.

     There's probably no need to outline the immense attractions this city offers. Food, fashion, art, architecture and so much more. So, let's start planning.

Travel

• Fortunately, there are great airfares from Edinburgh to Paris. Booking a few weeks in advance can secure a ticket for around only $120 from AirFrance for a two way ticket to the city. This would take around 2 hours of direct in-flight time and probably around 4 hours all together. This is the best option as it opens up nearly a day that would be spent otherwise traveling.
• You'd think that taking a train might be cheaper, but from the research that I've done it clearly isn't. For starter, one would have to take multiple trains and after adding the fees together this would cost around twice as much as it would to book a flight. This method of transportation would also take a considerably longer amount of time, chipping into the already too short visit.

Accommodation

• There are four popular hostels that I looked into around Paris, all of which were priced similarly.
  • Yves Robert - $37.00
  • Le de'Artagnan - $24.07
  • Jules Ferry - $34.00
  • Cite des Sciences - $34.00
  All of these have decent reviews and would be acceptable places to stay. They are located within 30 minutes of the city. Many of these hostels include free breakfast. Unfortunately though, many of these hostels require that a member ship be purchased along with the desired nights to stay.
• Couch surfing is also a good, cheaper option if it is something that would interest you. There are few websites that can facilitate arrangements with accepting host houses for a range of different prices depending on proximity and needs.

Attractions

Paris is a beautiful city with almost countless attractions. Here are the some of the top ranked sites (Paristop100.com).

1. The Eiffel Tower
2. The Louvre
3. Arc de Triomphe
4. Notre Dame
5. Les Invalides
6. River Seine
7. Champs Elysees
8. Musee d'Orsay
9. Sainte-Chapelle
10. Les Catacombs

And you must be sure to indulge in the local french food!

And finally, when in Paris for more than a day and if you plan on visiting multiple sites you should consider a Paris Pass. These passes can be bought on different levels for various spans of days. They will grant access to many of the popular museums and other tourist sites while also allowing unlimited bus rides for days spanning the pass.

Oh what to do while in Germany?!

Oh what to do while I am in Germany?!

On the weekends when I am not bogged down in lesson plans and activities, I hope to see not only the big touristy places, but also the places where the locals go.  The local trips would be saved for more "one-day" kind of things, and the weekends would be where I could travel further out!

I want to visit Amsterdam.

Why Amsterdam?  There is so much history in Amsterdam and it is considered one of the "greatest small cities in the world" so why not!

I would leave on a Friday, hitting an afternoon train and stay through Sunday afternoon before heading back by train.  

A few options for where to stay:

• Bicycle Hotel Amsterdam 
• A-Train Hotel Amsterdam
• Hotel des Arts Amsterdam

The Bicycle Hotel; what does it have to offer?

• about 50 dollars a night
• bicycle rental for about 6 dollars a day
• great location
• simple and cheap

A-train Hotel; what does it have to offer?

• right beside the train station, so easy location
• more pricy because of location
• downside-paying for transportation

Hotel des Arts; what does it have to offer?

• Awesome location for the museum goers
• pricy for the location 
• you can walk to the local museums

What do I plan to do there?

Saturday- Museum day!

• Rijksmuseum (15 euros)
• Van Gogh Museum (15 euros)
• Both of these museums are located in Amsterdam's Museum Quarter

Sunday- Before I go I gotta see...

• Anne Frank House (9 euros)

In between these big places to visit, I want to visit a local coffee shop or cafè, and figure out where to eat (for cheap) next!

How do I plan to get around in Amsterdam?

Options- Walking (free), rent a bicycle (about 8 euros), bus (about 7 euros a day), maybe one day a canal boat (16 euros)

VALE! World Is Spinning Too Fast For You And Me.

Barcelona, Spain! 

This won't be the same summer song I'm use too, I plan to go to Barcelona, Spain :

REASONS I WANT TO GO! (WHO DOESN'T?):

 Catalunya is not Spain! - 

1. well, it is but the people of the Catalunya region don't think so in fact many of them regard themselves as superior to the rest of Spain so they have their own culture so this would be a great learning experience as a sociology minor  as well as a fun trip.  
2. I want to see the “real” city, explore neighborhoods like Gracia, Poble Sec and Poblenou. 
3. FOOD FOOD FOOD- Succulent (for soulful Catalan cuisine)

Accommodations: 

• Centric Point

  
  The Passeig de Gràcia, an impossibly chic shopping boulevard flanked with Modernista buildings – some designed by Gaudí – and dotted with ornate wrought-iron lampposts, is the unlikely setting for this popular youth hostel. Set on a chamfered street corner, the hostel is spread over six floors a grand mansion and consequently never feels cramped. There is a rooftop terrace where you can get cheap drinks, and internet and breakfast are included. The dorms are not especially exciting, but decent and clean. The double rooms are considerably more stylish, but here you're paying for location. 
  • Passeig de Gràcia 33, +34 93 231 2045, centricpointhostel.com, doubles from €100, shared dorm rooms from €20pp, including breakfast
• I'd go on a weekend and persuade a new friend(s) to go with me ! 
• Check in on Saturday and leave on Sunday!

Transportation: 

• Getting there: leave at 6 am (earliest train departure) and get there at 10:10 am
• There are four train transports per day 
• To get back we would have to connect with another train in Sants
•  we'd leave at 9:30 and get there at Pamplona at 1:15
• it'll be about 30 euros every trip 

Places to visit and to eat: (just a few)

• Sagrada Familia
• Casa Mila
• Gothic Quarter
• Boadas Cocktail bar (oldest cocktail bar in Barcelona) 
• Carpe Diem Lounge Club 
•  I would like to go to places that are not handing out cheap frozen food for expensive prices like:  La Cova Fumada (for bombas, beer, and good times), El Quim de la Boqueria (for a breakfast of fried eggs and baby squid, washed down with cava), Somodó (for the best €24 dinner in Spain).

Itinerary :

Day 1

Barri Gotic

skyline of the bari gotic

This is Barcelona’s historic center and dates back to pre-Roman times. The area is a maze of tiny streets that turn around on each other and open into lovely squares and plazas. 

Barcelona History Museum 

The Gothic Cathedral – Located in the heart of the Barri Gotic, this Gothic cathedral was built on top of an 11th-century church. 

Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art – In the Raval area of town is the city’s modern art museum. 

 There’s also a zoo in the park and some short walking paths. Take a bottle of wine, grab some ham, and have a picnic.

Day 2

Food tour

iberian ham in the boqueria food market

Barcelona has some of the best food in Spain

Beaches

the beach in barcelona, spain

No trip to Barcelona is complete without a visit to its famous beaches. This is the best way to end the day (relaxing) maybe... I don't want to miss my TRAIN!

A Weekend in Scandinava

I intend to visit  Sweden in the coming Spring, because their progressive social policies and cold environment appeal to me. While spending time abroad there, a travel plan is all but necessary to ensure a fun, productive experience.

Accommodation

• Hotels- Wide range of costs and quality, just as with most places
• Hostels- A cheaper option to hotels, but limited availability based on individual specifications
• Farmstays- Interesting, unique option with variety on par with hotels.
• Cottages and Cabins- More reclusive option located in forests, on beaches, and on mountains
• Castles and Manors- Sometimes surprisingly cheap option for a richer experience
• Camping- Extremely extensive option, but sometimes requires registration

Transportation

• Air- Extensive airport system allows for air travel to any region in Sweden
• Car- Country-wide road network and rental cars available
• Coach- Inexpensive public service found virtually everywhere
• Taxi- Deregulated and highly variable in price as result
• Train- Very efficient public service also found everywhere
• Canals- Unique transportation only available certain places
• Coast Ferries- More leisurely option available along coastline

Priorities

• Stockholm- Notorious capital of Sweden, extremely eventful and culturally rich
• Seasonal Sports- Range from skiing and snowboarding to golf and sailing.
• Swedish Traditions- Plethora of unique Swedish events

Food

• Raggmunk- A potato pancake
• Kroppkakor- Potato dumplings
• Gravad Lax- Dill-cured salmon
• Toast Skagen- Amalgamation of bread, mayonnaise, mustard, dill, and lemon
• Cinnamon Buns- Self-explanatory
• Saffransbular- Saffron buns
• Pepparkakor- Ginger snaps

Tentative Itinerary

• Book a student hostel in Växjö
• Take a train to Stockholm
• Eat as much food as possible
• Observe Swedish traditions

A Weekend Away: Exploring Budapest

A Weekend Away:  Exploring Budapest

Danielle Taylor

22.10.14

One of my dreams may be to study in Germany, but it's certainly not the only place in Europe that I want to visit.  There's one city in particular that I have wanted to visit for years now, and whenever I have some free time while I'm abroad, I plan to experience the culture, language, food, shopping, history, and people of an entirely different country.

What is this city that I'm so keen on visiting, you ask?

Budapest, Hungary.

Budapest is the capital of Hungary, and even though there's a common misconception that Hungary is a cheap country to visit, a better word to use would be affordable.  Because Hungary doesn't use Euros as its main currency, when I begin budgeting for this weekend getaway, I'm going to have to convert all my expenses between Euros and forints.  Most smaller business don't accept credit cards, so I'll have to be sure to have cash on hand just in case.

But how am I getting there, and where am I staying?

A round-trip train from Giessen to Budapest is going to cost around 210 Euros, and a plane would be around 237 Euros, so a train would probably be the more practical choice.  As for rooming options, 4-5 star hotels would cost somewhere from 100-150 Euros, but there are plenty of budget hotels for 30-50 Euros.  Since I'm not fond of the idea of staying in a hostel, I'll probably select one of the budget hotels.  I anticipate I'll be traveling with at least one friend, so hopefully we'll be able to split the cost of the hotel room so it's even cheaper for the both of us.

Eating out in Hungary is actually rather affordable.  Meals range anywhere from 3 to 39 Euros (39 Euros being at one of the nicer hotels in the city), so I wouldn't have to be concerned about spending too much on food while I'm in the country.  I would probably try not to go over 20 Euros per day on food just in order to reserve some of that money for leisure spending.

Even though there are a multitude of things to do in Budapest, there are just a few attractions that I know I have to see before I leave.  I'd want to go to Matthias Church and BudapestEssence first, and then visit Szimpla Kert, one of the most renowned bars in Budapest.  I would also want to do TONS of shopping in the Szimpla Sunday Farmer's Market and the West End Shopping Center.  The final attraction I would like to go to see is a performance at the Budapest Operetta Theatre.  I would probably put aside at least 200-300 Euros for the attractions and shopping solely because visiting Budapest is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.

So what does the grand total come to?  Accounting for all the most expensive possibilities, my budget for this weekend should probably be somewhere around 650 Euros.  It's a bit pricey for a college student like myself, but the price is well worth the chance to live out one of my biggest dreams while I'm abroad.

Adventures of Unhinged Anthologies

The ability to travel is something that not many are given. Just the chance to have the ability to roam free--at least somewhat--within a country is something that many Americans don't have a chance to do. The students at Maryville college get an exciting chance to stretch out our wings and fly through these new sites with unobtainable excitement and glee. I, as a student going abroad, was given this chance to go to an exciting place that continues to grow with fervor and heat every moment a stick is added. No matter the amused chuckles that I get from people when I tell them that I am going Abroad to Canada, It is a Country rich in culture and a heritage with an important past that excites me to learn more about. While there is the option to go to Toronto (one of which is already given to the International students by the School) is there, but there is somewhere else that I would rather go.

Because of my Thesis, I wish to go visit residential schools and witness first hand the hardships that the aboriginal peoples of Canada went through. One that I am interested in going to is Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford Canada. They have a Museum that contains rich information and a good source of information and help for where I could use survey's or interviews for furthering my knowledge on the school systems themselves, what students know about what happened, and the overall feel of the Canadian outlook on what happened.

I would first need to pick a day to go, I would want to try and take a day trip to get as much information about it as possible. Transportation isn't an issue, because I will be traveling to Canada with my Car up to St. Catherines. I will need to make sure that I have gas, but that shouldn't be all that bad (the gas rate last time I checked is rather close but just a tiny bit higher, than here especially since we have gone down). The drive to Brantford is only around an hour and a simple drive mostly along a highway. 

The day would be spent at the Museum, contacting curators, talking with students, walking around and making sure I get the most out of the situation as I can. The price of living is a bit higher in canada, but I can still get food anywhere from 5-15$ for a single meal. While I am there I would hope to make connections and possibly find a possibility to volunteer for them for further insight on information that would make my growth as a student more beneficial.

There are many places that I want to go, possibly flitting through other provinces with the kind words and help from some of my other friends; I hear that Sarnia has a wonderful night life and a beautiful look right on Detroit! Maybe that is where I will be going next. 

The Berlin Renaissance

           One thing that I know I'm going to do while in Germany is visit Berlin. My college is a few hours west of the city, and it's hard not to go to the capital if your in a different city. However, most people just stick with the Western side, the 'less sad side,' and the more accepted side of the capital. Ever since the Berlin wall was created during the Cold War not many people think of Eastern Berlin as a great place to go due to the influence of the USSR, but what they don't know is the cultural revolution that has gone through the city since the fall of the wall and the Soviet Union. Now the city is full of art, culture, and people finally expressing their feelings from their time confined, and what's even cooler is that in November the 20th anniversary will happen so hopefully something will still be going on around the time that I'm there.

           So East Berlin has some several cool attractions to see and appeal for students. Art students would love to go see the contemporary art made during the cold war and how it changed after that. You can see the difference between the more blocky, dark art during the occupation and the bright and colorful art of the more modern age. There are several galleries and museums dedicated to art alone. History majors will find their home with both WWII, WWI, and the Cold War museums as well as several other German history museums and libraries to visit. The cuisine, culture, music, and art are just a few things you can see during the trip there. The nighttime life is also very popular among younger crowds, so if you're more of a night owl then this is a good place to go. Clubs and popular hang out spots are all over the city, and what better way to see the people then to join them? So if you needed a good place to let off some steam it would be there. With Education in the morning, good food for lunch and dinner, and then a cool place to hang out at night where could you go wrong with Berlin?

           Travel is easy in Berlin. You can use trains or planes to get there as well as driving or traveling on a bus. Once in the city it would be very easy to walk to almost anywhere, drive if needed, or hail a taxi or bus to get you where you need to go. More often than not there are student discounts, if provided the proper documentation, that could get you a bus pass for the weekend without breaking the bank. Hostels are easy to grab and generally inexpensive, but hotels are also an option to stay in. Some things you have to see, if you're a history major like me, would be the Stasi Museum and Prison (which used to be the HQ for the secret police and a very chilling reminder of what was going on then), Museum Island (an 'island' of different museums that held everything from the cathedral, art museums, and history museums in an easily accessible area), and the Berlin Wall History Mile (a walk along the parts of the Berlin wall that still remains today). For night life there are several different clubs that are made up of everything from old places and wastelands of the Berlin Wall (like Kunshthaus Tacheles or Potsdamer Platz), to large chunks of courtyards that are busy full of shoppers in the morning and clubbers at night (like the Hackesche Hofe). Be sure to check out the local bars to sample some of the local beers (which come in as many flavors as you can think of), the currywurst (a more spicy version of sausage), Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup), Armer Ritter (a take on French toast), and sample the Berliner Wiesse (the Champagne of the North).  When you're ready to check in for the night EastSeven Berlin Hostel is a place to go; it's had several positive reviews and even won a few awards. A great way to save money would be to buy the 'Welcome to Berlin Card' which allows several discounted or free museum trips, maps, and discounts for food.

Tentative Itinerary:

Friday:

• Arrive 9 am
• Breakfast 9:30 am
• Check into hostel 10 am
• Check Point Charlie museum 11 am
• Lunch 3 pm
• Walk along Berlin Wall 4 pm
• Dinner 7 pm
• Free time 8 pm
• Sleep 10 pm

Saturday:

• Breakfast 8 am
• Museum Island 9 am
• Lunch 2 pm
• Stasi Museum 4 pm
• Dinner 7 pm
• Rest 8 pm
• Night life 12 am

Sunday

• Breakfast 9 am
• Check out 10 am
• Kunsthaus Tachel 11 am
• Lunch 2 pm
• Potsdammer Platz 3 pm
• Depart 6 pm

Price list:
EastSeven Berlin Hostel - about $42 per night
Food - Breakfast $3.80 - $8.86; lunch - $5.06 - $12.66; dinner - $8.86 - $18.99
Beer - $3.16 - $5.06 per drink
Nightlife - varies depending on person but about $6.33 - $15.19 for cover charges and $5.70 - $7.59 for cocktails
Walk along museums - generally free
Check Point Charlie - students - $12.03
Museum Island - student 3 day pass - $15.19
Kunsthaus Tacheles - varies depending on shop but anywhere between very cheap to very expensive. free to look around
Stasi Museum - students - $5.06
Potsdammer Platz - free
Metro/Bus - $1.90-$3.29.
All day bus pass - $8.48
Welcome to Berlin Card - $23.42

Overall Cost:
3 breakfasts average $6 each
3 lunches average $11 each with three beers average $12
2 diners average $15 each with two beers average $8
2 nights stay $42 each
Museum Island average $15
Stasi Museum - $5.06
Nightlife entry fee average $12 with one cocktail averaged $6

about $264.72 if getting everything

Where in the world is Karlsruhe?

Karlsruhe, Germany is located in the Rhine valley, the warmest part of Germany. It's a smaller city that doesn't attract a lot of tourist traffic, but don't let that fool you...Karlsruhe is full of rich culture and exciting experiences that can satisfy the heart of any traveller.

As soon as you arrive in the closest airport, which happens to be in Frankfurt, you must take a train south towards Karlsruhe. Take this time to familiarize yourself with German phrases/vocabulary so that you will be able to navigate your way around once your train ride is over. 

As for accommodations, Karlsruhe has plenty of options. If you're looking for a more modern, hotel feel then Novotel Karlsruhe City is the place for you (prepare to drop a couple of Euros for this place...)This 4-star hotel is in central Karlsruhe and offers modern rooms with wi-fi internet, spas, fitness, the whole works. In fact, this is the closest hotel from the Kongresszentrum S-Bahn Train Station, where you will be arriving from. Although this specific hotel is quite expensive, it is one of the most convenient of accommodations for you! If you're looking for a more economical option, there are a variety of hostels available for a small price. But if you feel safer staying in a hotel, then the ACHAT Comfort Karlsruhe is the place for you. It is a 3-star hotel that lies in the Neureut district in the north of Karlsruhe. It offers modern rooms and has connection to the Autobahn motorways if need be.

Once things settle down after your arrival, it is a good option to go out and experience the nightlife that Karlsruhe has to offer. If clubbing is your scene, this city has multiple places to get your groove on...places including Discothek Unverschämt, Monkeyz Club, or Carambolage, the city is most definitely not lacking in the late night dance department. If clubbing really isn't your scene, then maybe going out for a nice dinner may strike your fancy. If you're like me and would like to enjoy authentic German cuisine, then Flammaurant is the place for you...offering excellent authentic German cuisine, the food is rated to be excellent and even brews their own ale on sight. The atmosphere is great, and the prices are reasonable. This is definitely a good place to spend your first night in a new country. 

Now it is time to think about your full day of exploring the exciting city of Karlsruhe...but where to begin? 

Being a historic city, Karlsruhe has a variety of exciting places to walk to that are often free of charge! 

One of the most beautiful sights in Karlsruhe is the Karlsruhe Palace. Built in 1715, this palace is what the entire city of Karlsruhe is built around, almost like a fan. There are many tours given of the palace, and you can even walk through the botanical gardens or even walk through one of their museums to educate yourself further on the history of the city. If you're wanting a more interactive experience while in Karlsruhe, there is a zoo that you can walk through, where you can ride a "gondoletta" around and watch the water organ (That happens to play every 30 minutes). 

After all of this sight seeing, food is definitely going to be on the top of your to-do list...there are a variety of restaurants throughout the town, including Zum Karlshof, a greek restaurant or Kais Pizza. No matter what you are craving, Karlsruhe has you covered with a variety of restaurants. As a foodie myself, I am very thankful for this fact. 

As you continue the rest of your trip take the time to just walk around and try to understand what the locals have been treasuring for so many years...the history of the city is kept alive through the local's love for Karlsruhe, so it is worth taking time to appreciate and respect.
There is so much more to Germany than just the hustle and bustle of modern cities. It is a country full of rich history and experiences as well. Karlsruhe is one of the hidden treasures of the country, and one that is definitely worth a visit! 

But all week waiting on the weekend… trips on a traveling students budget (Barcelona)

As a student abroad, you have the opportunity to explore and grow, not only in the place where your institution is, but weekends and longer breaks allow for the pleasure of traveling during your study abroad trip!

As a student in Pamplona, you are very close to many great places, France is in your backyard and you are in a nation filled with hundreds of wonders and cities to explore. Where to go?

First things first… Barcelona!

From its Mediterranean climate, the rich history, the incredibly vast art movement, to the food, there is a plethora of reasons to make this voyage in a weekend.

I don’t think that it took too much convincing to win you over on the idea of Barcelona, but let’s talk logistics now. What is the cost? How will you get there?  Where will you stay? What are the most important things to do during your time there?  These are all very important questions and ones that all people should consider before a trip.

How are you going to get there? I’ve done a lot of looking into the best methods for travel within Europe and Spain and one of the most convenient and bargain friendly options that I have found so far is train. For a round trip ticket leaving on a Friday and returning on a Sunday, the average price that I found was $159 USD. This is not too bad and the train is a great and safe manner of travel.

Once there, where will you stay? Hostels are a great option, especially for students traveling. They are cheap, but also provide many great benefits such as free breakfast and included wifi! I found one in Barcelona that runs at about $9 USD a night. This is a great deal and also includes breakfast. For two nights that’s only $18. This hostel is also centrally located in the city and is in walking proximity of many attractions that a visitor may want to see.

Now that you know where you are going to stay and how you will get there, the real fun can begin. What to do.

Depending on classes and train schedules, you will probably get into Barcelona later in the night, do not fret though, Barcelona is known for its night life. One thing to do is to enjoy a night out in the club. Most range from 10-25 euros and are going strong from 1:00am to 5:00am! That leaves plenty of time to check in to your hostel, run for dinner, and still have time to get ready.

For dinner there are many options, my recommendation is to head towards the ocean and enjoy the freshness of the seafood that Barcelona has to offer. Depending on the stature of the restaurant you choose, dinner may range from $10-70 USD.

Because you danced the night away, sleep in a bit but make sure you wake up in time for free breakfast! You’re going to need the energy! You may also want to grab a piece of fruit for your bag if there is portable fruit at the hostel.

Today is your one full day! Enjoy it! A few things you may consider seeing are:

• Casa Batlló
• Font Màgica
• The beach! Specifically Barceloneta
• La Rambla
• Sagrada Familia

For evening pleasure, I highly recommend attending a fútbol match if you can make it, a ticket is about 39 euros for a bad seat, but the experience will be well worth it!

As you spend your last few hours on Sunday, enjoy some of the more artsy aspects of Barcelona from museos to street performers.

Happy Travels!

Bienviendos a Buenos Aires

Budget- Hopefully 2000$ USD = 16,983.99 ARS

Where do I want to visit?: Buenos Aires, travel time: 7+ hours by car, 9+ by buss (699km)

What is the draw for a study abroad student? Capital of the country, big city, Paris of the south America. Very urban, contemporary city

Outline for one weekend of travel:

o   Ideal options for accommodation-  Hotels

§  Hostels( using ISIC Card)-10% off

§   Avenue Hostel (best hostel in Buenos Aires) Av. de Mayo 950 . Buenos Aires, Argentina . (5411) 5031-1277

·       Rooms: Double room with private bathroom- 300 pesos. Per night (approx $35 USD/night)

·       Double room: 280 pesos/ night (approx 33 USD/night)

·       Dorm rooms (from 4,6,8 beds) $80 Pesos (approx $10 USD/ night)

·       Includes: Breakfast, Free internet access, WiFi zone, Spanish courses, tickets, tourist info, luggage storage, guest kitchen, TV room, linen included

o   Transportation (getting there and getting around)- Car if my host family or friends I make decide to go

§  Bus- need to get used to using public transportation

·       http://www.plataforma10.com

·       book only 30 days in advance- around 400+ pesos ( appox $50+ USD)

§  Flights?- Aerolineas Argentina- around $140 USD – 1188 Pesos

·       Only if people im traveling with want to

·       Bus may be better cultural expeience

§  Once there- public transportation

o   Priorities (places to visit, activities to do)

§  FOOD!!!!

§  Trip Advisor: 3 days in Argentina

·       Urban biking tour

·       Casa Rosada- executive branch of the gov.

·       Calle Museo Caminito

·       Plaza de Mayo- where Eva Peron addressed the crowds

·       Calle Florida

·       Palermo Viejo

·       Avenida Santa Fe

    Capital Federal District

o   Food: eat with the locals

o   Tentative itinerary: spend atleast 3 days?

Casablanca: The Most Visited Movie in the World

Casablanca is a beautiful coastal city in Northwestern Morocco that has a bit of a western feel to it without fully shaking off its cultural roots.  It’s the largest city in Morocco, and in the Maghreb region.  This is a must-see city with its beautiful architecture, beaches, the Hassan II Mosque, and the New Medina of Casablanca.

To get to Casablanca from Ifrane, Morocco it’s cheapest to take the bus.  The CTM Bus System, originally a French system, is the cleanest and quickest way to get to Casablanca.  It’s about a five hour bus trip and will cost around 125 MAD one way, which is equivalent to about $16 USD.  There are other bus systems that you can take out of Ifrane that are cheaper but don’t go straight to Casablanca.  These bus systems go to Fez first, and from there you have to find a bus or train to Casablanca.

El Hotel Central

There are no hostels in Morocco; however, most the hotels are very cheap in comparison to hotels in the United States.  They range between $20 and $45 USD for nice accommodations with bathrooms and central heating and even breakfast brought to your room if you’re willing to pay the extra amount.  As long as you book in advance, you should have no troubles finding accommodations in Morocco’s most vibrant and bustling city.

If on a budget, street food is the best option in Casablanca, especially around the Old Medina.  Outside the walls of the Old Medina are countless carts to grab food from; most of the food available isn’t most than 10MAD.  There are also several restaurants throughout the city that cater to a small budget at well including La Corrida, La Cocina, and Al Mounia, whch is famed with the best couscous in all of Morocco. 

When it comes to things to do in Casablanca, visiting the Hassan II Mosque is an absolute must.  It’s the third largest mosque in the world with the tallest minuret in the world.  It’s also only one of two mosques that is open to non-

Muslims in Morocco.  It costs about 120 MAD to enter the mosque or 60MAD if you are a student with your International Student ID Card (ISIC).  It’s a beautiful place with a roof that opens to the sky and has a beautiful interior.  The New Medina is also a fun place to visit while in Casablanca.  It’s a good place to try out your bartering skills.  Just remember to never buy anything at the asking price!  The

Mahkama du Pacha is yet another beautiful site within Casablanca.  If you enjoy Spanish and Moorish architecture, this is a must-see.  It’s free to enter, but impossible to get in unless you have a guide.  If you can find one, it’s worth going inside.

Getting around Casablanca is easy enough.  There is a tram that runs throughout the city.  A one-way ticket costs around 6MAD, but a re-fillable ticket that allows you on the tram ten times throughout the day only costs 1MAD.  When traveling in Morocco in general, especially women, it is best to look as inconspicuous as possible.  Dress modestly and don’t go out and walk around the streets alone at night.  It is also advisable to stay in the northern part of the city when traveling alone because that’s where most of the population is located. 

For weekend travel, it’s best to plan in advance, especially since the CTM doesn’t travel to Casablanca from Ifrane except once per day.  You might be better have taking a cheaper bus to Fez and then finding your way to Casablanca from there.  To do as much as possible, it would be best to leave as early as you can on Friday, and stay in Casablanca for two nights and come back on Sunday.  It all depends on the bus system/train system if you prefer the train.  Just remember, there is no train system in Ifrane, so you’d have to take it from Fez.