Autor: Surf San Sebastian

Barcelona’s bar scene is renowned for its cheap drinks, funky music and sexy occupants. But between the gems there are lots of lemons – particularly in the more touristy centre part of town. Here’s a shortlist of our favourite bars – for when you feel like tasting something other than wine – in the central Barcelona barrios of Born and Gothic, those ancient winding lanes that you’ll get lost in repeatedly during your time in the city.

Best Bars In Born

Born is the trendy part of town – far enough away from La Rambla to be less full of rip-offs and touts, but close enough to the action to be favoured by expats, tourists in the know, and locals who don’t mind an international vibe. Because of its cooler status, you might find prices to be a bit more expensive – think European city prices as opposed to what you might be used to elsewhere in Spain.

Cafe del Born (€€): Located on Passeig del Born, this small bar is easily overlooked by tourists due to its dark and old appearance. Don’t let this fool you! This place pops and also offers their famous espresso martinis for 4 euros between 5-8pm each night. If ya can’t get a seat downstairs, climb yourselves up the windy staircase to the upstairs lounge. You won’t be sorry, it’s the best place to pregame in town.

El Paradiso (€€€€): One of Barcelona’s ‘secret’ bars, this one is a must for your Instagram! You enter the establishment through a fridge (yah a fridge) and their cocktails are served in funky glasses, vases, tiki mugs (you get the picture). This place should be saved for a special occasion however, we wouldn’t recommend drinking here all night as the average cocktail will set you back close to 20 euros BUT they are the most aesthetically pleasing drinks in town!

Collage (€€): A little hidden away in El Born you’ll find Collage, a cool and cosy bar filled with eclectic art, vintage furniture and a seasonally changing cocktail list that might not make any sense, but that will not leave even the snobbiest cocktail aficionados disappointed. Staffed by a team that often win local cocktail competitions, this bar is the place to try something unexpected – or to learn about the cocktail making craft with one of the boozy classes we host with their staff. 

Club Haus (€€): New kids on the block, Club Haus is a great place to mingle, drink & then disco your night away. They have a nicely priced (great) wine list, banging snacks (get the tacos), ping pong tables, pool tables, wicket art installations and a DJ and dance floor downstairs.

Bar Sauvage (€€): What can we say… this place effing rocks – it’s kind of impossible to have a bad night here. Cover charge is generally 5 bucks on the weekend, but far out it’s worth it. Great selection of drinks (your bill can add up here so best you arrive with a coating of sauce) and they always have a DJ spinning old school hip hop, r&b classic, disco tunes downstairs. They pop until the early am also so you can literally dance the night away.

Carabella (€): Just out of Born, between the barrio and Barceloneta, you’ll find this Stokie favourite. Carabela has to have one of the best undisputed terraces in town as it has sunshine nearly ALL DAY LONG. They serve their drinks in fishbowl sized cups, everything is well priced and they have an exquisite taste in music. NOTE: they also have some of the tastiest mexican food in town (get the tacos, notice a theme here?) for you to munch on while you slam down your daiquiris.

Best Bars In Barcelona’s Gothic Area

Tasca el Corral (€): Another hit with the Stokies over the years, Tasca el Corral (Leche Bar as we have come to call it) is a traditional Vermouth bar here in Barcelona. Cheap drinks (like super cheap), lots of space for you to fit all your mates (which can be challenging in Barcelona), their famous flaming chorizo on offer and lets not forget the star of this bar – Leche de Pantera aka Panther Milk. Don’t ask us what’s in it cause we can’t answer that, all we know is that this stuff gets you loose. Like really loose.

Subrosa (€): This tiny little pocket bar is located just off Plaza Reial & is a pregame hotspot for people with minimal pennies. Their happy hour runs until 11pm (yep we know) and the drinks average at about 4.5€. It’s only a short stumble over to Jamboree (one of our favourite clubs in town) for a boogie once you’ve polished off all the cocktails also. We recommend this.

The Bollocks (€): Cool rock music, cheap beers and unlimited popcorn? What more can we say!?

Oviso (€): A Barcelona classic. They are located in Plaza George Orwell (or as we refer to it, Plaza Tripi) and have terrace seating along with plenty of indoor seats for you and all your pals (we love it as we can cram all of the friends in here). They do cheap mixed drinks and huge tasty jugs of sangria if you swing that way. The burgers are also muy tasty if you fancy a munch while you are there!

Penny Banger (€€): A late night favourite amongst many of us, Penny Banger has a great list of cocktails on offer for a pretty average price. They have super comfortable lounge seating and play epic music. One of our favourite places to sink the cockies.

Manchester Bar (€€): Don’t let the name scare you off, English pub this is not. They have a huge selection of beers and ciders on tap all for a super reasonable price and play hip Indie music for you to bop along to all night.

Marula (€€): Probably one of the best places for you to end your night if you are done bar hopping in the Gothic quarter. They have DJ’s every night of the week with special live acts playing every now and then (pretty rare in Barcelona as live music licenses are few and far between). Cover is generally around 10€ per person but ya get a drink coupon in place which is not so bad in our opinion.

Of course, all of these bars are best served with a big dose of Barcelona Boat Party, sailing at various day and evening times all summer long (and part of spring and fall/autumn too). And if you want your bar hopping to be more of an experience, why not try our Barcelona Wine Tasting, or our Cocktail Classes? 

 

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Swear at your flatmates

Relationships with your live in friends can be testing at the best of times. Occasionally you’ll want to rip their throats out – and that’s okay. But rather than keeping all that pent up rage to yourself until you go full David Bain and kill all your (adopted) family, it’s important to swear at one another. If Doris hasn’t washed her dishes for a week, or Kevin’s left his cum rag on the kitchen bench, let them know your displeasure. Discourse is the key to harmonious living.

Have phone sex with strangers

If you think people aren’t having sex during this pandemic, you’re lying to yourself.  The human race did not find itself at a population of 7.8 billion by being prudent Patricias. Having sex with strangers is always a tricky one, but, let’s be honest here, the thrill of virtually shagging someone you’ll never talk to again gets us all randier than a twelve year old boy who’s just found his dad’s collection of ‘adult magazines’. You think this is a far flung experiment, but in reality the logistics are very simple: call your ex-boyfriend; find your ex-boyfriends ex-girlfriend; text your ex-boyfriend’s ex-girlfriends new boyfriend; tweet his cousin; DM his mum’s brother; fuck ‘em on the phone. It’s almost exactly the same as six degree’s of Kevin Bacon, you just happen to have your genitals out.

#stayactive

Sometimes we feel somewhat redundant, with the Stoke family living at a surf house, and not actually being able to surf. But we’re lucky in that we have an actual, legit, fully blown yoga instructor here. While yoga can be a great way to stimulate your body and separate from the usual monotony of quarantine life, it’s also very useful from a mental perspective. 15 minutes of yoga in the morning is a great way to clear the mind and put you in a good headspace. Even better if you have beer in your hand.

Wash yourself

If you find yourself in the frankly privileged position where you have access to running hot water, you should be taking advantage of this. Even though you might be sat alone in your bed with no one else to smell your stingy funk, it’s important to shower, at least once a day. Maybe even twice. To save water have two half length showers; one in the morning and one in the evening. Get yourself looking fresh for them #selfies.

Wanderlust-ing

The travel industry may be in a state of disarray right now, but this shouldn’t be seen as a hindrance to travel. If anything it should be seen as an opportunity. Airlines, hotels, travel companies (like ourselves) are in a state of limbo, as the whole world has been told to cease any form of international movement that’s not deemed essential. This is a chance to pounce. Airlines are slashing flight prices, inducing people to book for journeys way off in the future – and you should be capitalising on this. €30 to Marrakesh? Yep. €45 to Bangkok? You betcha. Covid-19 will not last forever, and the forward thinkers are making the most of this now. Get on Skyscanner and figure out where you’d rather be.

Speaking of which, anyone ever heard of Oktoberfest?

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Plan your 2020 La Tomatina tour with a risk-free €1 deposit. Throw tomatoes in coronavirus’ face! 

Obviously at this time we’re unable to say whether La Tomatina 2020 will go ahead, or whether the coronavirus will cause it to be cancelled. What we do know is that as of time of writing, the whole of Spain is going through the worst of this pandemic, and that the country has been almost completely locked down – if La Tomatina was scheduled to take place in the coming days, or weeks, that it definitely would be cancelled. Too many people jammed into too small a space – it’s an epidemiologist’s worst nightmare. 

But we’re optimistically confident that by the last week of August, when La Tomatina is held every year in the village of Buñol, just outside of Valencia, the coronavirus should have cleared and La Tomatina will be on. That’s what we believe, optimistically. 

But that doesn’t give you confidence, nor should it. That is why Stoke Travel is offering symbolic €1 reservations until we have some clarity as to what the situation will be. That means that you can start not only daydreaming about your post-lockdown travels, but start booking them too, and without any risk. We want you to spend some of your time in isolation planning for a time when social distancing is a thing of the distant past. 

If you have to fly in to Spain to enjoy La Tomatina, most airlines are now offering you complete flexibility on any travel booked during this period, so you could book your stay and your flight without any real concerns about losing money if plans change.

And while we have no idea on how the coronavirus will handle exposure to high-velocity tomatoes, we can assure you that not only is hurling tomatoes at strangers deeply therapeutic, but that the party that comes with it is second to none and heaven knows that we’re going to be needing a party by August, and there are no parties finer than Spanish fiestas! 

So come on, let’s look forward to the good times around the corner and start planning some risk-free post-coronavirus travel. La Tomatina is just what we need. 

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Balling on a budget? Here are a few places that make a perfect weekend trip for study abroaders

There’s nothing quite like studying abroad in Europe. Calling a new city home for four months, meeting new people, and experiencing a new culture, in a way you only can by living it. But as much as you’re going to love your new home, one of the best parts of studying abroad is getting out of there! It’s so easy to travel: flights between cities are so cheap, and everything is only a short train ride away. 

Europe has so many iconic cities to see, and your time studying abroad is precious, so we’ve done our best to narrow it down to 7 cities that you absolutely have to visit. 

 

Prague, Czech Republic 

 

Prague is a living, breathing fairytale. It also happens to be one of the cheapest European cities to visit. I mean you can get a beer there for 50 cents. The city spreads itself with enough castles, towers, and steeples to give it the nickname “the city of a hundred spires” 

The Czech capital is steeped in history and the art & culture scene here is as vibrant now as ever. Take a walk across the river on the Charles bridge, to see the John Lennon Wall, which has been covered in graffiti, Beatles lyrics and murals since the ’80s. 

Per capita, the Czech’s come in first in the list of annual beer consumption, so it’d be a downright travesty if you didn’t treat yourself to a pint or two whilst in the Czech capital. If you want one of the best views of the city, head across the river to Letna Park and grab a drink at one of their many beer gardens.

It’s no secret that Prague has some of the best nightlife in Europe. With over 600 bars and clubs, you could find yourself anywhere from a Hemingway bar to a multi story underground mega club pulsing with EDM. 

With ruins and houseboats converted into clubs, where you can dance until the sun is up, and cobblestone streets to stumble your way home on, a weekend in Prague will be one you’ll be talking about long after you leave.

 

Lisbon, Portugal 

 

There’s never a bad time to visit Lisbon. While it’s always lively and busy, the rhythm of life is somehow – slower. The best way to explore Lisbon is to walk—sure it might be a little hilly here and there, but the intricate tile work and amazing street art that will surprise you at every turn (and if you get exhausted simply stop for a cerveja). Whenever you see a sign saying miradouro follow it and you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous Insta’ worthy views. If you’re looking for a sunset spot Miradouro da Nossa is a great place to sit with a bottle of wine (we go for vinho verde in the whites and anything from Alentejo, or Douro).

Make sure to visit the Alfama district—a maze of steep cobblestones streets—and you’ll find tiny restaurants and terraces that serve some the best seafood you’ll ever have. Yellow cable cars run through the heart of the district and are the only form of public transport able to navigate the tight turns and steep inclines of Alfama.

Just 45 minutes outside of the city you’ll find Sintra, a UNESCO world heritage site made up of Moorish castles, monasteries and old fortresses. The sights in Sintra will keep you busy for a whole day with ancient palaces and castles hidden amongst exotic gardens and greenery. 

If you’re looking for a night out head to Rua Cor de Rosa, the pink street. It’s not just an Instagramable street, it’s home to some of the best bars in Lisbon too. 

copenhagen, Denmark

The best way to describe Copenhagen is with the danish word hygge—which roughly translates to a cozy feeling. Think dim lighting, lots of candles and sharing a drink with friends.

The most photographed spot in Copenhagen is Nyhavn, the iconic harbor lined with colorful buildings. The best way to enjoy this sight is to grab a few beers and people watch. Copenhagen is also home to the little mermaid statue which may be the most overrated attraction that you’ll probably end up going to see anyway. 

You can’t visit Copenhagen without a trip to the small hippy commune of Christiana which is most famous for it’s ‘Green Light’ district named for the open cannabis trade that has taken place for 50 something years. Besides a steady supply of the devil’s lettuce, Christiana is home to cafes, street food, bars, restaurants and a ton of fantastic street art. 

Budapest, Hungary 

Budapest is one of the most underrated cities in Europe and should be on every list of spots to check out. While the Szechenyi Thermal Baths may be somewhat iconic, Budapest is a place that has so much more to offer than a spa day. 

One thing that makes Budapest so dynamic is its mix of Western and Eastern Europe, thanks to its years under communist rule. After World War II many of Budapest’s buildings were destroyed. Years later these buildings were converted into the famous ruin bars we know today. Inside these techno hotspots you’ll find the walls covered with communist memorabilia and a vibrant array of artwork. 

You can’t leave Budapest without tasting the country’s most popular street food: langos! We’re talking deep-fried dough that’s topped with sour cream, cheese, butter and whatever else the vendor decides to treat you with.

Before your weekend comes to an end make sure to grab some snacks and wine to watch the sunset on the banks of the Danube River which gives you the perfect view of the iconic parliament building.

Dublin, Ireland 

Thanks to its large student population, lovable accents, and steady supply of Guinness, Dublin is usually a top destination for study abroaders in Europe. Dublin’s pub scene has a reputation to uphold, with the oldest pub dating back to 1198. The plethora of Dublin bars range from lively and rowdy to traditional and intimate. 

Whilst out you’ll inevitably end up in Temple Bar. Not just the name of a  bar but a whole neighborhood made up of cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs. Ireland has a long history of folk music, so keep your ears out for a pub playing traditional Irish folk music because there’s nothing more fun than dancing terribly with drunk Irishmen. 

The best way to combat your hangover is with a classic Irish coffee. If spending the entire day getting drunk and learning about 250 years of brewing Ireland’s favorite pint at the Guinness storehouse isn’t your thing there’s still a ton to do in Dublin. Visit St. Patrick;’s Cathedral or Trinity college, located right in the heart of the city home to the Book of Kells, an Irish national treasure.  

Pro tip: there’s a reason the Emerald Isle is so green, it constantly rains so bring a rain jacket and  make sure to brush up on your craic or you’ll be a gobshite.

Amsterdam, Netherlands 

Unless somehow you’ve been living under a rock, you know weed is legal in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is home to countless coffee shops, each of which have their own vibe—there’s always something for everyone. 

Psychedelics can also be purchased in most of these ‘coffee shops’, located in the red light district, an area notorious for its abundance of escorts. Amsterdam also has museums you’ll want to visit like, the famed Van Gogh Museum and the newly opened MOCO featuring infinity mirrors and Banksy artwork. There’s also a sex museum because, you know, Amsterdam (and its live sex show is more hilarious than erotic… we recommend).

Amsterdam isn’t quite a foodies dream but you’re missing out if you don’t at least try Stroopwafel. This tasty treat is a layer of caramel syrup sandwiched between two waffles. And if there’s anything you can find easier than a coffee shop in Amsterdam, it’s Dutch cheese. Gouda is the most famous but there are a bunch of other types of lesser-known Dutch cheeses to choose from as well.

Amsterdam is a relaxed city and not just because everyone’s high. One of the best places to witness this laid-back lifestyle first hand is at Vondelpark, the prime place to chill out, have a picnic or people watch.

Munich, Germany

Munich is full of warm people, hearty Bavarian cuisine and beer so delicious there are two month-long celebrations dedicated to it. 

Yes, Munich is home to Oktoberfest, the larger than life beer festival that takes place in the fall, where delicious lager is served in giant mugs called steins. Travelers and locals alike dance on tables fully decked out in lederhosen and dirndls until they can yell Prost! no more. 

Although Oktoberfest only happens once a year, Germans will drink steins all year long, so if you can’t make the festival in the fall, give Springfest a visit instead—it lines up perfectly with the end of spring semester. At both Springfest and Oktoberfest you’ll find the world famous Stoketoberfest campsite and pre-party/after-party. It’s a beer festival, where you stay has to be lit, and we host 1000s of travelers from all over the world during both beer fests.

The main square, Marienplatz is buzzing with shops, tourists, and the New Town Hall, which  hosts the famous Glockenspiel. Every morning at 11 a.m. sharp through figurines and bells the Glockenspiel tells the history of Munich. Munich is also home to the English Garden (one of the largest city parks in the world) with green space, beer gardens, and a permanent man-made wave on the Eisbach that’s perfect for surfing or spectating. 

Keen on some of these weekend trips when you’re studying abroad? Sign up as a Stoke Travel VIP ambassador and get free upgrades, trips and hookups for your buddies. 

 

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Actually, to anyone who works in healthcare, we’ve got your Oktoberfest COVID (get it?)

Where would we be without you through these extraordinary times? If it wasn’t for the nurses and doctors and administrators and everybody* who is working on the frontline, this coronavirus crisis would be so much more horrible than it already is – and it’s already pretty horrible. For the most of us all we have to do to play our part in squashing this virus is to stay at home, to become at one with our couch, and keep up our Oktoberfest training (while staying within government alcohol consumption guidelines). 

But those on the frontline? You’re going to work every day, working super long hours, in a hectic environment, exposing yourself to the virus, to a potentially scared and irrational public, and doing so for, frankly, nowhere near enough money. 

We don’t know when this will be over, but we do know that when it is you will have deserved one helluva party. And we just so happen to know of a party that’s likely to go ahead, and that will be ab-so-fucken-lutely just what the doctor (theoretically) ordered for the doctors (actually, and their colleagues). 

Oktoberfest. 

It’s the world’s biggest and best and original and greatest and most wonderful beer festival, and Stoketoberfest, our accommodation/pre-party/kick-on is the biggest group of the best travellers, that’s mostly original and we really think it’s great and wonderful. 

So to say thanks for all your hard work, we want to invite you along for free. Just shoot an email across to info@stoketravel.com and we’ll book you in. 

And give you VIP treatment while you’re with us. 

Because if it wasn’t for healthcare workers we’d all be fucken fucked; the least we can do is get you nice and fucked up as a way to say thanks.

Check out our Oktoberfest packages here.

*There are so many people working on the frontlines through this. If you can prove to us that you’ve worked in healthcare through this pandemic and have been involved in slowing the spread of COVID-19

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Yep, like the rest of the travel industry, everything is a-ok for your pals at Stoke. 

Finally experiencing a bit of long-waited-for good fortune, Stoke Travel is happy to announce that everything is just fine, despite the inevitable incoming global recession, grounding of basically all flights, lockdown of the entire planet, near total decimation of the travel industry and no perceivable end in sight. 

“Yeah this is fine,” explained Stoke Travel CEO Toby Paramor, “we’ve had to cancel all of our spring trips due to coronavirus and summer is very much up in the air. Because of the uncertainty nobody is booking trips for the future – because nobody has any future – and those amongst us who are optimistic about coronavirus-based travel restrictions lifting in time to do some summer travels around Europe are now in a position of massive financial insecurity, probably having lost their job, and everyone’s more concerned about how they’re going to live in the foreseeable future, than they are about booking frivolous travel.

“But of course we’re fine. We’re still open for business, and when restrictions finally do lift we’ll be doing our bit to help people make up for the lost time in lockdowns. Plus we’re all healthy – self-inflicted party ailments aside – and are able to do our bit for the community by just staying inside. So yeah, while this did start out as a tongue-in-cheek April Fools’ joke about how much we’re struggling, when you look at it like that, we’ve still got a job, a roof over our heads, our health and enough to eat and drink, so yeah, we actually are just doing fine. Cheers.”

Stoke Travel are doing fine, and to help you do fine too we’re offering €1 deposits on all our trips for the upcoming 2020 season. Nope, we don’t know when we’ll be travelling again, but we want to enable you to start planning while you’re in lockdown to give yourself something to look forward to. 

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Everyone knows Europe is the place to study abroad, but it can be hard to decide what country, let alone city, you should spend the next few months in. To help you out with this huge life decision, we’ve gathered the research and consulted our travel experts to put together our recommended list of European hotspots. Whether it’s a semester or a summer abroad, get ready for some of the best months of your life. 

How do I decide which country to study abroad? 

Year after year the most popular study abroad destinations seem to be Italy or Spain, two of Europe’s most iconic countries, which given their vibrant culture, tasty dishes and breathtaking cities is no surprise. Culturally Spain and Italy are similar in many ways being family-centric and each has a lot to offer in history and cuisine. Compared to the U.S. you’ll experience a more relaxed way of living in both countries. If you are struggling to pick between the two powerhouse’s here are some things to keep in mind.

Italiano vs Español: The Languages

If you’re planning to study abroad to work on your language skills, it shouldn’t be too hard to choose. If you want to practice your Spanish, head to Spain and If you’re itching to learn Italian, Italy’s the place to be. Keep in mind that each country has regions with different dialects, and this is something you should look into further once you select your country.

Paella vs Pasta: The Cuisine

If you’re a foodie, Italy never disappoints with a never-ending opportunity to pizza, pasta, and gelato your way around the country–If you’re already dreaming of carbonara and cannolis, Italy’s waiting for you. Paella and sangria are just the tip of what Spain has to offer, and tapas culture is pretty rapidly making its way around the world. Spend a few months in Spain and you’ll be craving patatas bravas, chorizo and all the other yummy tapas and pintxos in no time. 

Festa Or Fiesta: The Parties 

Nobody comes close to throwing a better fiesta than the Spanish. You’ve heard of San Fermin, the infamous running of the bulls and likely have heard of La Tomatina, the tomato fight. Have you heard, however, of San Vino the whole festival the Spanish have dedicated to throwing wine at each other? Parades, fireworks and partying in the streets until dawn are staples of Spanish holidays and you’ll love every second of how unbelievable they are. Of course, being Europeans, the Italians know how to throw a festa or their own, but we think that Spain is going to leave you with more memories and a bigger hangover than their trans-Mediterranean neighbors.

If you find yourself drawn more to one country than the other, whether it’s the language, culture, sites to see, things to do, or just a feeling, go for it–both Italy and Spain have amazing cities to choose from so you’re probably wondering which city is right for you so you can live your best life.

Spain It Is! Should I study abroad in Barcelona or Madrid?

The rivalry between these two cities is almost as old as time itself. Madrid and Barcelona are both home to delicious food and passionate football fans. They each host their fair share annual festivals and events and quirky neighborhoods to explore. 

As the second largest city in Spain, Barcelona is known for its laid back beachside lifestyle contrasted by lively sporting events, rambling city streets, vibrant energy, and a wild club scene where you can dance your heart out until the sun comes up. 

The Spanish Capital of Madrid is a modern yet elegant sprawling city. It’s unlikely that you’ll run out of museums and palaces to visit, and history and culture to immerse yourself in.

Walking the streets in Barcelona you’ll find yourself surrounded by stunning architecture and tasty tapas and of course you can’t talk about Barcelona without mentioning the man himself: Gaudi. The architect responsible for the magnificent but unfinished Sagrada Familia and other mystical landmarks such as Parc Guell and Casa Batllo. 

Though Barcelona has many museums, they pale in comparison to the big three in Madrid; the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Madrid is also home to the Parque de Retiro, 350 acres of green space in the city where you can rent paddle boats, picnic and just wander amongst the sculptures. In Barcelona, outdoor enthusiasts can get their fix hiking just outside the city limits or exploring nearby vineyards.

Let’s be real Spain has something for everyone so whether you choose Barcelona or Madrid the other is only a short train ride away. 

I Want Italy! Should I study abroad in Rome or Florence? 

The good news is that these cities are located within a couple hundred miles of each other so you can travel quickly and affordably between the two. 

Rome is the bigger of the two cities and has more of a traditional urban vibe while Florence has a small-town vibe.  Rome is a better option if you prefer a big city with public transportation and unique neighbouhoods to explore. 

Florence doesn’t have a metro system so the best way to get around is on foot. If you want to complete all the exercise rings on your Apple watch, and navigate your way around the city Florence is the perfect fit. 

Rome is full of famous landmarks, art, and architecture from all periods of European history. With history on every street corner, Rome is an easy choice for anyone studying history, art, design or architecture.   

Known as the birthplace of the renaissance Florence is home to the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo and Piazzale Michelangelo also provides some of the country’s best views.  Florence is also a center of Italian fashion and is where many luxury brands like Gucci, are headquartered. 

Both cities are full of art, music, architecture, and history and are great locations for trips to other parts of Italy and neighboring countries. 

No matter where you decide to spend the semester

You aren’t going to regret your decision to study abroad and it’s unlikely you’ll regret your choice of destination either. Once you get settled into your new home you’ll have an amazing time and make some lifelong friends and memories along the way. If you really can’t decide, look at multi-city programs. 

The hardest decision? Choosing when to book your flight home. 

Want to get VIP upgrades, free travel and hookups for your buddies while you’re studying abroad? Sign up for the Stoke Travel ambassador program. 

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When you’re hammered, dirndl’d, a little emotional and a whole lotta lost, this is your guide for finding Oktoberfest. 

You’re in Munich looking for Oktoberfest and you’ve overindulged on the old confidence juice.  You’ve forgotten that you’re in a foreign land, a new city, somewhere completely unfamiliar, and your SIM card doesn’t work, which is concerning because you rely on Google Maps to get from your bed to the bathroom at home. You don’t speak German so you can’t confidently ask for directions, and even if you had the address, all the streets look the same to you.

You’re up schiesser creek without a paddle. 

But don’t worry, we’ll get you there with our foolproof guide on how to find Oktoberfest. 

Follow the lederhosens

So here’s what we know. We know that you should be in Munich. If you’re not in Munich then you’ve cooked this even harder than we ever could have thought and you need to have a long, hard look at yourself. So seeing as though you’re in Munich, during Oktoberfest, and practically everybody bar the worst tourists dress traditionally for the ‘Fest, surely all the people wearing lederhosen (three-quarter leather pants with a kinda bib) or dirndls (traditional dress that emphasises the… oh you’ll see) will be heading towards the festival itself. Brilliant! Foolproof! But, with more than seven million visitors every year, there’s as much chance that people will be walking away from the beer halls as there is a chance they are walking towards them, so you could be following people in the wrong direction. 

Follow the signs to Oktoberfest

If you think you might be in central Munich the good news is that Oktoberfest isn’t far, and that you can walk there from pretty much any part of Munich city. Munich is flat, and the Theresienwiese fairgrounds, where Oktoberfest is held, are well signposted and about a one kilometre walk from the central train station, or Hauptbahnhof. But we’re writing this with the assumption that you’re stein-eyed and pretty much hopeless, so how will you know that you’re in central Munich? Well, do you see a huge castle thing with a giant cuckoo clock on top of it? That’s the Rathaus, the city’s town hall, and you’re in Marienplatz. It’s an easy walk from there. Are you surrounded by naked old dudes in a city park? Then you’re in the English Gardens, and it’s an easy walk from there, too (keep an eye out for river surfers – true story). If you’re by the Nymphenberg Palace then you’re not really near Oktoberfest at all, and it might be better for you to jump on the metro. 

Taking public transport to Oktoberfest

From the Stoketoberfest campsite taking public transport to Oktoberfest is easy: take the 164 bus five stops to Untermenzing; jump on the S2 train headed to Erding and get off at Hackerbrücke; walk across the bridge to Oktoberfest (don’t get lost at this point, or you’ll have to follow the advice above). If you’re somewhere else in the city, though, you’re going to have to negotiate the public transport to one of the following stops:

• Hackebrücke (S-Bahn lines S1-S8)
• Hauptbahnhof (the main train station listed above, you can stumble from there)
• Theresienwiese (the train station of Oktoberfest itself, often very busy, accessed from U-Bahn lines U4 and U5) 
• Schwanthalerhöle (if you miss the stop at Theresienwiese)
• Goetheplatz (on U-Bahn lines U3 or U6)

Got it? Look to be fair, if you’re lost in Munich and can’t find Oktoberfest, the world’s biggest and best beer drinking festival, then you’re probably not going to remember these metro instructions, in which case.

Get a taxi to Oktoberfest

This one’s easy, jump in a cab, book an Uber, whatever, and tell them “Oktoberfest”. They’ll know where to go. It’ll be expensive, depending on where you are, really, but you’ll be assured of arriving at the beer halls. 

Then once you get there it’s just a matter of finding your friends, somewhere amongst the 30 different Oktoberfest beer tents, hosting seven million beer lovers. Yeah, we think you’ve got a better chance of just making new friends – look out for people with Stoke Travel wristbands, they’re guaranteed to be legends. Book your Stoketoberfest stay now!

 

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If you’re searching for information on the late 90s Tobey Maguire Oscar-winning film, then I’m afraid you’ll have to look elsewhere. But if you’re wanting to find out what exactly goes on in a Basque cider house (sidra in Spanish) – a heavenly, border-line mythical Shangri La for any traveller with eyes bigger than their bellies – you’ve come to the right place.

ANY CIDER HOUSE IS A GOOD CIDER HOUSE

Okay, while this statement isn’t technically correct (there are some real stinkers in the rest of the world), as a rule of thumb it holds true for the majority of the Basque Country. There are the larger, world renowned places such as Petretegi and Saizar, or the smaller more, intimate settings of Satxota or Arizia. Most will cater for groups big or small, but in my book it’s best to support your local. We like to kick it at Satxota.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN APPLE CIDER ONSLAUGHT 

A visit to the cider house is not something to be taken lightly. Preparation must begin the day of, or in fact, the evening before. It is important to have a good night’s sleep, and to wake up with a clear head. A hungover cider house visit is possible, but you’ll never be able to truly appreciate the unlimited cider (more on that later) without tackling proceedings with a clear head. 

Furthermore, it is important to monitor one’s food intake before entering the cider house. Eat too much food, and you’ll never make it to the final course. Eat too little, and you’ll fill up on table bread before the meal has even begun.

THE BEST CIDER IN TOWN

Upon arrival at the sagardotegi (that’s cider house in Basque), you’ll be given a glass. Make sure to guard this glass with the ferocity of a mother wolf defending her cubs – for it is not just a vessel in which to hold your booze – it is so much more. It is a vessel that will carry you throughout the night, away from the pits of sobriety, along the river of tipsiness, and deep into the depths of drunken delight. 

Plus, if you lose or smash your glass, the staff get really angry.

Before the first course is served, you’ll be led out through the restaurant and into a cellar. Some cellars are small, others are massive – depending on which Sidreria you go to – but all will contain cider barrels. The owner or manager of the cider house will shout “Txotx” before opening the tap of the barrel, to allow fresh non-carbonated cider to shoot out, ready for you to meet it with your glass.

Keep your glass as low to the ground as possible, and ensure the cider hits the inside rim. This aerates it, and is the only real way to drink Basque Sidra. “Why do you need to aerate it?” you might be wondering – Basque cider is pretty different to your average drop, uncarbonated and made solely with apples – hence the famous long pour. Fill your glass to two or three fingers, and then knock it back quick smart, like a Scotsman drinking whiskey after his wife just left him.

A GOOD OLD FASHIONED SAUSAGE

Once you’ve had your fill of cider, head back to your seat for the first course, which will likely be there waiting for you – sizzling chorizo, soaked in cider, best served in true Basque fashion, alongside a hunk of bread.

In between courses feel free to wander back to the barrels to get your fill. As mentioned previously, the cider is unlimited, and you’ll only ever be denied another drink if you’re being a belligerent bastard.

IF YOU DON’T LIKE FISH, YOU CAN COD OFF

Next on the menu is a cod omelette. You may have noticed there’s not been much mention of vegetarian options so far at the cider house. It’s not because they don’t have vegetarian options – it’s just because they’re comparatively shite. The omelette, however, is the only exception, where fish is substituted with pimientos, or green peppers. Either will beat any scrambled nonsense you’ve ever made hungover for a Sunday fry up.

After this we’re getting to the real shit – the delicacies. Next up is more cod – Bacalao in pil pil sauce. A Basque speciality nearly as old as the ancient people themselves, the sauce is created when the oil emulsifies when combined with the fish. And it tastes really fucking good. 

BEST. BASQUE. BEEF. PERIOD.

Then we hit the crown jewel of the cider house menu. The crux of the course. The pick of the crop. Txuleta. Slabs of rib cut steak so soft, so tender that it’ll ruin all other meat for you until the end of your days. 

If you like your steak medium or well-done, keep it to yourself. Txuleta is cooked rare, charred on the outside and bloody on the inside. To ask for anything else is to be doing yourself a mischief. Plus the chef’s will likely tell you to eff off.

CHEESE PLEASE

Lastly, if you can even contemplate more food, locally sourced cheese, quince paste and uncracked walnuts will round out the evening. Tradition dictates there is only one way to crack open the walnuts at the end of your meal – with your forehead. I’ve a funny feeling this tradition has been completely made up by one of our Basque mates who’s been looking for a chuckle, but it’s still a perfect way to finish up a completely debaucherous night.

By this point if you can still stumble in the right direction of the bus to take you home, you’ve just about survived. Bonus points if you stay awake for the whole journey home. Then again, if you’re still coherent at this point, have you really been following the cider house rules?

 

Looking for a place to crash after you’ve staggered out the Sidreria doors? Look no further than the Stoke Travel San Sebastian Surf House. Check it out HERE.

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1. In your own home, you dingus.

Social distancing matters. Stay away from each other and we’ll see you when this pesky virus pisses off.

€1 deposits on all trips until we’re sure that coronavirus is gone. Reserve your post-CV travel now. We’re guessing it will be done by summer, but every day is different, the situation is forever evolving, and while it’s still lurking around threatening our elderly and immunocompromised peeps we all just have to stay home. Imagine the party we’re all going to have when it’s done! 

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