The Quest for the Holy Beer

Trappist monks are known to have a knack for brewing beer, and when it comes to the monks at the Abbey of St. Sixtus of Westvleteren, they take the crown. The beer is exclusive to the monastery, and can only be bought there. We decided to take the journey to try this world renowned beer, which was no small feat. 

To begin our journey, we had to get there. You have to take a train to Poperinge, Blegium, a tiny city, with two platforms at the train station. You may have to make a connection or two to get there, but with your Go Pass, it will only be 5 euros. Once you get to Poperinge, you can get to the monastery in a few different ways. You can take a cab, or if it is a nice day you can rent a bike. If you go on a Sunday, many bike rental shops are closed, so you may need to have the number for a cab ready. 

Once you reach Westvleteren, you cannot visit the actual abbey or brewery, but you can visit the claustrum to see how the beer is made. Make sure to check in advance to see if they are open when you want to go, since they have season hours. 

Then, the best part, trying the beer. Beside the abbey, there is a visitor center and restaurant and brew house, called "In de Vrede" or "In the shadow of St. Sixtus Abbey". This is the only cafe in the world that serves Westvleteren beer. Fancy huh? There are three beers made by the monks, the Westvleteren Blond 6, Westvleteren 8, and the Westvleteren 12. The 12 is the real show stopper, it is a delicious beer that has won the title of "Best beer in the World" multiple times. They are very strong beers, starting at 5.8%, then 8%, ending with 10.2% alcohol. Even if you are not a beer drinker, I suggest trying a little of each. If you are with a group, order one of each and share if you are not wanting to get too tipsy. Or if you are up for anything, do what we did, and try one of each, plus an extra 12 just for good measure. When you get peckish, try the abbey cheese or pate, both are made at the abbey too, and are delicious! 

While you are there, visit the gift shop, where you can buy 6 packs of the beer to take home or share with friends, or glasses and other souvenirs. 

It is a journey, and does add up, but if you are a beer drinker, it is definitely worth it! It is a once in a lifetime adventure, just make sure you have some good friends with you to enjoy the good drinks, and you can never go wrong!

Belgium

Leuven, Belgium was my home while studying abroad, and while there I found many ways to get the most of my time and money. Here are some of my tips for Belgium. 

To travel, take advantage of the public transportation. You can get a "Go Pass" for the trains, which costs $50 euros, and is good for 10 one way train rides anywhere in Belgium. This was a deal, since most one way train rides were in between 5 and 10 euros, so you could take a day trip for just 10 euros! And if you are traveling to one of the countries on Belgium's boarder, you can use a pass to get to a boarder city, then buy a ticket to the city you want, which sometimes can be cheaper. This can come in handy when visiting Luxembourg, Germany and France! Also, if you have enough time, buy your ticket at the train station, instead of on the train. You will get stuck having a higher costing ticket if you buy on the train, since you don't have any option but to buy it! And buses are an affordable way to traverse the city once you get there. 

You absolutely must try Belgian fries while you are there; there are double fried for unhealthy goodness and then topped with sauce! I recommend the samurai sauce for a spicy kick! Another must eat: Belgian waffles. Most sugar waffles are just 1 euro, and the perfect snack or dessert. They are made with pearl sugar, which adds a caramelized sugary crunch on the outside of the waffle.  If you like seafood, try the mussels in white wine. Usually served with fries, this is a traditional Belgian meal! Many Belgians get sandwiches for lunch, and there are plenty of sandwich shops to chose from!

Next, beer. When in Belgium, you MUST try beer. How can you not when it is so cheap! And I'm not talking Natty Light cheap, I mean affordable and delicious! If you stop in Leuven, go to the Oude Markt, a square filled with bars, all with open air tables to enjoy your drink and the weather. There are also Drink Centers, which offer a wide selection of beers from all over the Country. There are also breweries all over the country that you can tour and do tastings, many offer student discounts. 

In Brussels, make sure to see the Manneken pis, the statue of a little boy peeing. It's a strange concept, but it's still fun to see! Depending on the time of the year, he is dressed up for any occasion! And the best part, it's free!  Also, The Town square and city hall, beautiful and historic buildings in the center of the city. Delirium Cafe is a famous bar with a long beer list and interesting atmosphere, try their beer while you are there! Finally, Cantillon Brewery: famous for its lambic beer and spontaneous fementation. It's an acquired taste, but definitely worth a try. When you get hungry, try the side streets off the Grand Palace, where there are many traditional restaurants where you can get a good deal!

In Ghent, hike up the narrow spiral steps to the to of the bell tower revealing a spectacular view of the city! Then stop in St. Bavo's Cathedral, an ornate Cathedral that is the seat of the diocese of Ghent. See the city from the water, and take a boat ride along the river! Try a nose of Ghent, a chocolate treat famous for the city. 

The country may be small, but it has a lot to offer! Visit Belgium for a wonderful time!

           

Ireland

Ireland is a beautiful country, and full of many adventures just waiting to be had! You won’t need the luck of the Irish to guarantee you have a great time in Ireland, just these tips to help your Euro go further!

When booking your hostel, make sure you look into the location. Many buses and trolleys only go through the main part of the city, so if you are outside that radius, you will need to lace up your walking shoes! We stayed at a nice hostel, but it was about a 20 minute walk from down town, so we got our workout every day!

On the menu while in Ireland, fish and chips, Irish coffee, and of course a Guinness beer. If you go to Dublin, check out the Guinness Storehouse, where you can pour your own perfect pint, or enjoy your pint at the Gravity Bar on the top floor of the factory overlooking a lovely panoramic view of the city! Although tickets are rather pricey since it is a very touristy thing to do, it is still a fun stop for friends! The Jameson Whiskey distillery is also in Dublin, and another fun attraction to get a taste of Irish life. Your student ID will get you a discount at both. 

Also in Dublin, a great sight is Trinity College where you can see the beautiful historic buildings and the magnificent library. You can take a guided tour that ends in seeing the Book of Kells, which is housed in the library, at the end. The Book of Kells is a spectacular sight; it is the four Gospels written in Latin and ornately illustrated, dating back to 800 AD.  

A great way to see more of the country is to take a bus tour. There are many different routes that go all over Ireland. The one we took went to castles, a Neolithic tomb, a fairy ring, Celtic crosses and the Cliffs of Moher. The Cliffs were one of my favorite sights in Europe; I would definitely recommend seeing them! The tour was a great way to cover a lot of distance in just one day. We traveled with the Galway Tour Company, where you get a student discount. 

So grab your camera and make your way to Ireland for an adventure of a lifetime!

Budapest

Known for its party hostels, thermal baths,and historic statues, Budapest is a

must see in Europe! Here are some tips for getting hungry, and thirsty, in Hungary. 

First, when you arrive and stop at an ATM, don't faint when you see the conversion amount. That would lead to someone stealing you Debit card and your passport to adventure! Just kidding, but one hundred USD= 27,383.50 Hungarian Forint, so when I made my first cash withdraw I was a bit shell shocked. But luckily, forint goes a long way in Budapest! 

We decided to stay in a party hostel. You know, when in Rome, or this case Budapest. Retox was the name of our chosen hostel. It was very affordable, since it was a 16 bed mixed gender room. We were a little concerned going into it, but the facilities were very nice, providing linens and towels for our stay in the price. When staying in a hostel, always travel with friends, and bring a lock. Most hostels have lockers for your backpack and valuables, not that I suggest leaving anything too valuable in the room. Rotate who brings toiletries, like shampoo and soap, to leave more room to share with your travel mates. And don't be afraid to book the cheaper rooms with more beds, a penny saved is a penny you can put toward something fun! After all, you will just be sleeping in your room!

I suggest only taking out the amount of money that you will think you will need for a few days, and keeping it on you, in a safe location. Most tourist cities are packed with pickpockets, so just be careful when you are out and about! If you can separate your money into an inner pocket and your purse, so if something does happen, you will not lose it all. A money belt or passport holder that goes under your clothes is a great investment when traveling the world!

Take advantage of the delicious street food vendors! Some Hungarian specialties include lángos, fried flat bread topped with anything from cheese, sour cream, or sausage; goulash, a stew made with potatoes, veggies and meat; kurtoskalacs or chimney cakes, sweet spiral bread cooked rotisserie style and coated in sugar and cinnamon; and let's not forget sausages! Another one of my favorite meals we had were gyros, which are not traditionally Hungarian, but where we stopped made their own pita and sauces, and would fill yours however you wanted it! With so many affordable good eats, it is easy to eat well on a budget!

Traveling the world can be stressful, so take some time for yourself and visit one of Budapest's thermal baths. We went to Szechenyi, which has large indoor and outdoor pools ranging in temperatures, as well as steam rooms, saunas and full spa services. We went in the winter, so it was a delightful sensation to retreat from the cold air by slipping into the heated water!

Budapest had a wide selection of free walking tours. The city is large so bring your walking shoes and make sure to give your guide a tip! The city has statues sprinkled all over it, and many have stories and traditions connected to them, such as rubbing or patting them for luck. Another sight you must see is the Chain Bridge, which crossed the Danube River and connects Buda and Pest, the two parts of the city.

If you are in the city for the party atmosphere, make sure to stop in Instant, the club/bar that spans multiple floors and themed rooms. It feels like traveling through decades and countries based off the décor and music; it definitely makes for a good time! Just watch out for people who have indulged too much, as the city is known for a lifestyle of debauchery! Or take a nighttime river cruise, where you can have a beautiful view of the light up buildings from the Danube, and the price of the ticket includes a battle of champagne!

No matter why you go to Budapest, you will be glad you did! Make the most of your money, and don’t forget your camera and your walking shoes!