LIFE

I studied abroad in Florence, Italy in the spring of 2023 and traveled to 19 cities while I was there (yes, 19!). Like the stereotype goes, studying abroad changed my life, and I could talk about it forever.

As another excuse to reminisce on the best four months of my life, this is a comprehensive rank and review of seven popular destinations I visited, based on food, activities, transportation, price and safety. Grab your passport and my hand, and get ready for allll the travel inspo your 2024 vision board needs rn.

7. Vienna, Austria

I have never been as cold in my life as I was in Vienna. Freezing temperatures and whipping winds really put a damper on our trip, but it did not take away from how breathtaking the city is.

Our group visited Vienna as part of a three-part trip through Budapest, Vienna and Salzburg in one weekend, so I was only in Vienna for a day. If I had more time here, I really think I would've enjoyed every moment!

Food: 7/10. Pro tip: If you find yourself in Vienna, don't leave without indulging in some apple strudel. You will not regret it.

Price: 6/10. Vienna was expensive, but it was comparable to some American cities in terms of prices.

Transportation: 8/10. There is an easy-to-navigate and inexpensive subway system that covers all major parts of the city. 

Activities: 5/10. Our group didn't get to do much except walk around the city and hop from restaurant to restaurant seeking warmth, but if we had a few extra days, we definitely would have had a blast.

Safety: 8/10. I felt very safe.

6. Budapest, Hungary

@visitbudapest_official

We only had one day in Budapest, and it rained and snowed the entire time. If we had better weather and sliiightly more time, I know I would've loved it even more than I already did.

Food: 9/10. Hungarian food is so unique. When visiting Budapest, you must have lángos, a fried dough dish with as many toppings as your heart desires (think pizza but more indulgent!). We went to Retro Lángos, but there are no shortage of places to get lángos in Budapest. 

Price: 6/10. Budapest was slightly more expensive than other European cities. They also use their own currency, the Hungarian Forint, and the conversion rate is pretty crazy ($1 = more than 350 HUF). Needless to say, your first dinner bill might be slightly jarring!

Transportation: 8/10. Budapest has a simple and inexpensive subway system, including one train that takes you right to the Szechenyi thermal baths. Other than that, we walked almost everywhere.

Activities: 7/10. There's so much to do in Budapest. Take a dip in the Szechenyi thermal baths for a great Insta pic opportunity or take a ride on the Budapest Eye.

Safety: 9/10. I felt very safe in Budapest.

5. Split, Croatia

Split has such a rich history, and it made for the perfect girls trip.

Food: 5/10. We had a lot of good meals in Split, but the food did not stand out to me over other meals we had while traveling.

Price: 6/10. Things were pretty reasonably priced, but a lot of places were cash-only, which was unexpected. Better bring that cute change purse when you visit!

Transportation: 7/10. As someone who is intimidated by buses, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the Split bus system was to navigate. Ubers were also very easy to get and very inexpensive. With the way the city is laid out, this was one of the only places we visited where other forms of transportation were often easier than walking.

Activities: 8/10. If you're ready to brave the treacherous steps, climb the Saint Domnius Bell Tower for beautiful bird's-eye views of Split. If you're down to explore, book a boat tour and jump into the blue lagoon with your besties to make a new core memory.

Safety: 10/10. In a group of eight girls, I felt very safe.

4. Interlaken, Switzerland

Interlaken was the first trip we took during our time abroad, and it was a great way to jump-start our travels. It was January, so we were definitely bundled up, but that only made it more of a perfect winter wonderland.

Food: 8/10. We had mouthwatering burgers at Asllani's Corner, which was an amazing refresh after two weeks of nonstop pasta. Swiss chocolate is a must, and if you want to indulge in everything the Swiss culture has to offer, def give schnitzel a try. 

Price: 4/10. The food is definitely more expensive than other countries we visited, and the excursions and activities will run you a pretty penny, but they're *so* worth it.

Transportation: 10/10. Interlaken is very walkable—as long as you're willing to brave the cold.

Activities: 10/10. Interlaken has something for everyone. An adrenaline junkie's paradise, you can ski and sled in the Swiss Alps, plus skydive and paraglide over the countryside.

If this isn't your style, don't fret! Take a chocolate-making class to create yummy treats with your besties or take a walk along the lake for stunning Pinterest-worthy pics.

Looking for something even more ~chill~? Curl up with a book right next to the beautiful mountainside. Our hostel had a balcony that overlooked the mountainside, and I could've sat there all day, just taking it all in. 

Safety: 10/10. I never felt unsafe in Interlaken.

3. Barcelona, Spain

We had a lot of friends from school studying abroad in Barcelona, and we visited them for spring break. Barcelona is a city unlike any other, and the reunion with my besties was the cherry on top.

Food: 10/10. Barcelona is known for its tapas (small shareable plates), and they did not disappoint. One of the top three meals we had abroad was at Mimo's Born. Our table almost buckled under the weight of all the dishes we shared, and every single one was to die for.

Price: 8/10. As a whole, Barcelona was very reasonably priced.

Transportation: 7/10. Barcelona has an easy-to-navigate and reasonably-priced subway system that'll help you access every corner of this sprawling city. If public transportation isn't your jam, there is an abundance of taxis around the city, too.

Activities: 8/10. There are a million things to do in Barcelona, it's literally impossible to get bored. Visit the beautiful Sagrada Familia or climb your way to Park Guell or The Bunkers for show-stopping views of the city.

Safety: 4/10. Unfortunately, I felt very unsafe in Barcelona. Pickpocketing is a major problem here––our friend had her phone stolen out of her jacket pocket on the subway right after we arrived. After that, I was constantly on guard, clutching my purse to ensure my phone and wallet were with me at all times. Always walk or take public transportation in groups. And keep your wits about you!

2. Amsterdam, Netherlands

I cannot say enough good things about Amsterdam. My friends and I pulled this trip together at the last minute, and it was amazing. Thanks to the lovely people, culture, and environment, I'll never forget my time there.

Food: 9/10. We had a lot of great meals in Amsterdam. Get yourself some traditional fries or a stroopwafel, all for a reasonable price, but with a hefty line. These things are popular for a reason!

Price: 7/10. Pricing is pretty similar to that of a typical American city. It's more expensive than Rome, but less expensive than Vienna or Budapest.

Transportation: 6/10. The canals make the heart of Amsterdam pretty hard to navigate by car, but it's great for biking and walking––maaajor emphasis on the biking. I cannot tell you how many times I was almost hit by bikers, but that was usually my fault. If strapping on a helmet isn't for you, it is a very walkable city.

Activities: 9/10. I was never bored in Amsterdam. Take a tour of the canals with your squad or visit the incredibly moving Anne Frank House. If you're visiting between March and May, you have to go to the Tulip Festival—it's a must.

Safety: 10/10. Everyone in Amsterdam was so friendly and welcoming. I genuinely felt like I could walk around by myself and be completely fine, partly because the streets are populated with people at all hours of the day and into the early morning.

1. Florence, Italy

I left a piece of my heart in Florence. I could talk about it all day every day for the rest of my life and never tire of it. Florence truly became a home away from home for me. I felt so comfortable and welcomed there, and the community for study abroad students is unlike anywhere else.

Food: 10/10. I still dream about the pasta I had in Florence. No matter where we were, every dish was exquisite and fresh beyond your wildest imagination. We had so many different variations of Italian dishes at the most unique restaurants all around the city. If you're a meat eater, you have to allow yourself a Florentine steak. Un. Real.

Price: 8/10. If you're careful to avoid the tourist traps, Florence is very reasonably priced, especially when it comes to the food and drinks. Most of the best pasta dishes we had were consistently under 15 euro and my favorite cup of coffee every day was 2.50 euro. Buying your daily cup of joe in Italy will have you kicking and screaming to return to $7 Starbucks drinks. Yikes!

Transportation: 8/10. Lace up your sneakers because Florence is a walking city. We walked everywhere, and while exhausting at first, it really is the best way to get to know the city. 

Santa Maria Novella, the main train station in Florence, is pretty central and has trains out to a million different places all day long. There is also a tram that leaves from the train station and takes you to the airport for only 2 euro.

The Florence airport is tiny, which makes getting in and out fairly painless and much quicker than any American airport. However, I never—not one single time—took a flight out of the Florence airport that left on time.

Activities: 10/10. There is so much to do in Florence, I could never talk about it all here, but I'll try. Visit the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, the Uffizi and the Accademia Gallery, home of the famous David statue. Climb the Duomo or ascend the Tuscan hillside to Piazza Michelangelo –– the best sunset spot in the city. 

Safety: 9/10. As a very paranoid girl, I always think people are out to get me, but I truly never felt unsafe in Florence. I walked all over almost every day, often by myself, and never once felt unsafe.

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Top and slider images courtesy of Grace Walker.

by Grace Walker | 12/28/2023