Planning the Big Trip (part 1)

it’s just under a year since I left the Uk to return to New Zealand but before I went, I knew there were so many more places in europe I wanted to see.

The time for small trips had passed so it was time to plan the big one. We wouldn’t have jobs to rush back to, no rent to pay, family that wouldn’t mind waiting another few months to see us. The only thing holding us back was the amount of funds we could save.

We had two way to do this…

1. We could plan everything in advance. We could know where we would be two months before we went, where we would be. We could have budgeted our money to know exactly how much we could spend in each place on each day. We would have a written itinerary ready to recite when needed or

2. We could wing it. Planning day by day, keeping an eye on money, trying to keep things cheap but not missing out on experiences because of how much things cost.

Our decision was a mix of both. We started our trip at the end of summer, when people still trying to find a bargain, were holidaying in all the places we were headed to first. We knew this would be a factor and when we first started looking into where we wanted to go and places to stay, found that a lot were already being booked up.

Another factor to consider was that I would be in Malta for the month of August so anything we wanted planned and booked would have to be done before I left for there. This meant lots of nights in July debating where we both dreamed of going and how realistic it was to go (“what do you mean you don’t think it would be a good idea to visit the Russia right now!”) Knowing that our first destination was going to be Greece, We booked our one way tickets to Athens in July, 2 months before we begun and started looking at hostels.

We also knew that while we were in Greece, one of Ads best mates  would be as well and considering it would be awhile till they saw each other again, that played a part in choosing where we wanted to go. We wanted to see at least 3 different Islands and so we took to the internet for advice, I found Ngaire’s blog post to be one of the most useful and she was such a source for information when I was asking. In the end we knew the three islands we would visit Santorini, Paros and Milos. We booked the ferry to Santorini but left the rest till later.

The only other trip we booked ahead of time was a Traveltalk sail Croatia trip. This was in the hopes of having a week off planning on own own, but looking back, I wish we had just done it on our own terms. We might not have partied (I don’t think I would have minded that much) or sunbathed (I probably could have found the time on my own like in Bol) as much but we wouldn’t have been forced to skip places so that we could spend 4 nights in Split so we didn’t miss a party with other boats.

Apart from that, we were pretty much on our own. We had a guide book (left behind prior by Ads sister) and an idea of what we wanted to see and as we went along places were added and taken away. There were cities that I wanted to see but didn’t work into our plans such as Berlin and places I’d never assume I’d go such as Serbia or Romania. Yes sometimes we did backtrack a bit but at the end of the day it was an experience. We spent the better part of 2 and a half months traveling and getting to see things we would have probably missed out on otherwise and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Have a look at where we got to on our travels:

Stay tuned for Part 2: How we traveled 

An unexpected trip to Belgrade

I never expected to go to Belgrade, Serbia but after hearing so much about it the last few weeks, Ad and I made the decision to go.

Belgrade Fortress

We booked two nights initially, and to be honest wasn’t expecting much from it. But once again I was proven wrong and  Two night turned into four, and there was something new to see and do every day.

Our first day in Belgrade and we decided to check out the free walking tour.  The girl that did it was great and we got given a shot of rakia to get the day started the ways the Serbs do.

This was a media building that was bombed by NATO in 1999, because of its iron skeleton it didn’t collapse so they were able to rebuild it .

Tesla Coil, one of the few interactive parts of the museum

We decided to visit three museums while in Belgrade; the Nikola Tesla museum, the military museum and the National Bank of Serbia. My favourite by far?
National Bank of Serbia. Not only was it free (and empty) but they print your face on (fake) money as a free souvenir to take home and give you chocolate!  Best day ever!

But what about if it’s a nice day and you don’t want to stay inside? Take a walk to Zemur, across the river. On the way, by a box of popcorn and admire the views of the fortress and Big War Island. When we did it, our views ranged from a street filled with army tanks to a dog show.

Alternatively go on a street art hunt, there is so much to see.

From umbrellas hanging above you.

To a real zebra crossing below.

Like I said Belgrade is a city of surprises.

If you’re planning on going and thinking of staying in a hostel, can I suggest Hostel Bongo. We almost didn’t go since it didn’t have many reviews on hostelworld but I’m so glad we did.  It’s clean, really Central and the staff are lovely.