Germany – Czech Republic – Austria

During my first Erasmus in Trier, I decided to take advantage of being in the heart of Europe and plan a short but intense Interrail trip. From the 12th to the 17th of May, I travelled with three American friends, Ella, Liz, and Devon, who were living in the same dormitory as me. Even though we were not attending the same university, we quickly became close, and this trip felt like the perfect way to explore together.

All three of them were from Kansas City, and despite our different backgrounds, we shared the same excitement for travel and adventure. We bought a five-day Interrail pass for around 200 euros and planned an ambitious route through Nuremberg, Prague, Brno, Vienna, Salzburg, and Munich.

It was a fast-paced itinerary, but that was exactly what made it so exciting.

DAY 1 – Thursday 12.05.2016

( Night at: Art Hole Hostel, Prague )

The trip began extremely early. I woke up at 3:00 in the morning, and by 4:00 we were already at the station in Trier, starting our journey. Our first stop was Frankfurt, followed by a train to Nuremberg, where we arrived around 10:00.

We spent a few hours exploring the historic centre, visiting the Albrecht Dürer’s House, the St. Lorenz Church, and the Frauenkirche Nuremberg. Walking through the old town felt like stepping into a postcard, with its charming buildings and relaxed atmosphere.

After a quick lunch, we returned to the station and, in the evening, continued our journey by bus to Prague. We arrived around 22:00, completely exhausted, and went straight to our hostel to sleep.

DAY 2 – Friday 13.05.2016

( Night at : Art Hole Hostel, Prague )

( John Lennon wall all together, Prague )

We woke up around 9:00 and headed out to explore Prague. The city immediately impressed us with its charm and unique atmosphere.

We started in the Old Town, then made our way up to Prague Castle, enjoying the views over the city. On the way back, we walked across the famous Charles Bridge, surrounded by street artists and musicians.

One of the most fun moments was stopping to try a trdelník ice cream, which was as good as it looked. We also visited the John Lennon Wall, full of colours and messages, a completely different side of the city.

In the evening, we went to a traditional Czech restaurant where I tried goulash for the first time. After dinner, we went out to a club called Déjà Vu, but we didn’t stay long as we were still tired from the previous day.

DAY 3 – Saturday 14.05.2016

( Night at: Seven Vienna, Vienna )

We woke up early, had breakfast, and took a train at 09:52 to Brno, arriving around 12:30. There, we met Katrina, a Slovak friend I had lived with during my first year of university in Italy.

She showed us around Brno, and we had lunch together in the main square before visiting the Špilberk Castle. Brno is a small city, but it felt very welcoming and easy to explore.

In the late afternoon, we continued our journey to Vienna, arriving around 19:00. After checking into our hostel and taking some time to relax, we went out for dinner at Centimeter, known for its generous portions and casual atmosphere. After dinner, we went back to rest, ready for a full day ahead.

DAY 4 – Sunday 15.05.2016

( Night at: Seven Vienna, Vienna )

We dedicated the entire day to exploring Vienna. Starting from the museum district, we visited the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Hofburg Palace, and the Vienna City Hall.

One of the highlights for me was the Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation Vienna, which offered a completely different perspective compared to the classical museums.

We spent the whole day walking around the city, trying to see as much as possible. Vienna felt elegant and impressive, but also quite expensive, so for lunch we opted for something quick and affordable.

In the evening, we had dinner at a Mexican restaurant near our hostel before heading back early to rest.

DAY 5 – Monday 16.05.2016

( Night at: Wombats City Hostel, Munich )

( Old town, Saalzburg )

In the morning, we visited a few final places in Vienna, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Mozart House. Then, at 10:30, we took the train to Salzburg, arriving around 13:00.

I immediately loved Salzburg. Even though it was raining, the city had a magical atmosphere. We visited the Mirabell Palace, the Hellbrunn Palace, and the impressive Hohensalzburg Fortress.

In the evening, we continued to Munich, arriving around 20:30. After checking into the hostel, we spent the night at the hostel’s pub, relaxing, drinking, and enjoying our last evening together.

DAY 6 – Tuesday 17.05.2016

On our final day, we woke up early and had breakfast before heading out to explore Munich.

We visited the Nymphenburg Palace, walked through the English Garden, and spent time around Marienplatz. The parks were especially beautiful, and it was nice to slow down a bit after days of constant travel.

In the afternoon, we began our journey back, taking a train to Saarbrücken using our Interrail pass. From there, we continued to Trier using our student transport card, which allowed us to travel for free within the region.

We arrived back around midnight, completely exhausted but incredibly happy. It was one of those trips that felt much longer than it actually was, full of different cities, cultures, and unforgettable moments.