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As you begin your study abroad experience you may find it difficult to keep in touch with the people back home, and that’s understandable. Busy travel and school schedules mixed with a 6+ hour time difference can make it hard to find time to keep everyone in your life updated in the way you used to. 

Fortunately, there are ways around this dilemma. 

Switch to a foreign SIM card 

Sorting out your phone is a good place to start. The longer you’re in a country the more you’ll wish your phone worked like it did back home. If you’re only around for two weeks you can probably get away with relying on only wifi only but depending on which city you’re in the WiFi access may be slow or limited. 

If you want to keep your US number, look into switching carriers to T-mobile.They offer an international plan that covers data and messaging in over 140 countries. Other carriers have international options as well, but are far more expensive, to the tune of $10 a day. Think how many drinks you’re wasting with that money.

The best option when you’re overseas is to get a local SIM card once you arrive but in order to switch to a foreign SIM card you’ll need to make sure that your phone is unlocked. You can do this fairly easily by visiting your carrier before you leave your home country.

Once you’re abroad you can purchase a SIM card at one of the providers’ stores, like Vodafone or Orange. The process is fairly simple and you’re usually done within 10 minutes but make sure to bring your passport. 

From there you’ll be able to easily select a data package ranging anywhere from 10- 20 euros a month.You can always easily top up your data and your SIM should work across the EU so your phone works even if you’re in Amsterdam for the weekend.

Once you’ve got your new SIM card make sure to keep the package in or to take a picture off it because it will have the code to unlock your SIM if you restart your phone or it dies. 

Figure out a time that works for you 

Now that you’ve figured your phone situation out it’s time to tackle the next communication obstacle: the time difference. Telling someone to just “call me back when you’re free” likely won’t work in these situations because you’ll just end missing each other over and over.

Try to pick a time that works for you and stick to that so you can avoid voicemails and missed calls. The time you choose will obviously differentiate based on which country you’re in and what time zone those you want to communicate with are in.

Use apps to your advantage 

Unless you wanna rack up a large phone bill making calls home, download Whatsapp which has both talk and text and video options. You can create an account with your US phone number and easily talk to whoever else has the app. Most of the world uses Whatsapp, yet somehow hasn’t made its way to popularity in the states yet. 

Facetime is a great way to show your parents that you actually are alive and well. Plus there’s just something comforting about being able to see the person you’re talking to. The only thing to keep in mind when you’re on Facetime is your Wifi connection, if your wifi is shoddy it’s probably just easier to stick to Whatsapp.

Keeping in touch is more than just phone calls

Besides as a way to fill your friends with jealousy of your amazing semester, Instagram is an easy way to keep up with everyone back home and vice versa. Instagram offers seemingly effortless communication through comments, story replies and the every classic sliding in the DMs. 

If your parents, aunts, uncles, whoever, are on instagram make no mistake they will be keeping up with everything you post so while you’re living your best life make an attempt to make it seem like you’re doing something besides partying. 

Speaking of the fam, Facebook is a great place to share the 1000’s of photos you’ll end up taking while abroad. Facebook messenger can also serve as a decent means of communication with your network if your imessage is tweaking or you need to communicate with other friends abroad so you can plan that unforgettable trip to Oktoberfest together. 

If technology isn’t the best medium for communicating with your loved ones,  

Send them postcards from your location

Don’t you get a little excited when you get a hand-written note from someone you miss? Postcards are an opportunity to share a piece of your experience. They’re also easy to find, cheap as, and it takes minimal effort to jot down a few lines about your experience. Even if you don’t end up mailing them they’re fun to collect during your travels.

Still having trouble with staying in touch? Keep in mind that four months isn’t forever. 

While technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected, don’t do so the expense of missing out on what’s right in front of you. You’ll be home sooner than you realize and your friends and family will be waiting to hear all about your amazing adventures so make sure to unplug and actually have some. 

Want to become a study abroad VIP ambassador, so you’ll be too busy being a social butterfly and attending Europe’s coolest festivals to even worry about contacting home, then have a look at this.

 

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Further cementing their status as the flyest playas in the game, Stoke Travel have upped the stakes by improving on their already amazing hot breakfasts, and offering travellers bottomless brunches with endless mimosas at all Stoke Travel destinations – and it’s a part of our all-inclusive packages, so we’re providing this at no extra expense to the traveller.

The breakfasts may come in a breakfast buffet format, with continental selections being offered alongside chef prepared hot plates – with bacon and eggs in all their forms as a feature, smashed avocado alongside fresh fruit, cheeses, ham and cereal. This will be on offer at all Stoke Village events, including San Fermin (formerly known as The Running Of The Bull), San Vino aka The Wine Fight, and La Tomatina. 

At Oktoberfest and Springfest in Munich Stoke will be offering travellers a selection of hot and cold breakfasts that they can fill their plates with, ensuring that everybody is well fed before yet another day spent throwing delicious Bavarian beer down your neck. Scrambled eggs, toad in the hole, bubble and squeak, breakfast burritos, whatever inspires the chefs that day will be served up. Our only proviso is that the meals are hearty and the servings are huge.

But the biggest change at all events will be the bottomless mimosas. We’ll have bottles of cava, prosecco or champagne on hand, depending on what’s available and affordable, and will be serving it up with orange juice. This is confirmed by studies to be far and away the best way to start any day, seamlessly blending fancy with healthy and always ending up being more fun. 

This move is bound to make every other tour company, hotel chain and Airbnb tremble in their boots, with their boring hard boiled eggs and soggy corned flakes. When it comes offering weary travellers and committed party animals the best possible fuel to take on Europe’s best festivals and experiences – plus to do it in a manner that can only be described as being “opulent”, “delicious”, “noice”, “fancy”, “too good for us” – everybody else in the travel biz will be left feeling plum inadequate. 

When this is considered alongside Stoke Travel’s open and unlimited beer and sangria bar, live music and DJs, art and performance installations, the field of mayhem, with beer pong, flip cup, and Wheel of Misfortune, wine and cheese tasting, exceptional and beautiful guides… all of a sudden those shitty little tents aren’t looking so bad after all. 

Book your bottomless brunch tour now with a risk-free €1 deposit, available until the world makes sense again. 

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Your first week or two abroad in Europe is a whirlwind. Everything is new and exciting, and you find yourself wanting to do everything all at once. Jam-packed days of  wanderlust and nights full of adventure. Once things start to slow down and you settle into a routine that feeling can come creeping in.

Homesickness. 

Feeling homesick is totally normal. Homesickness can come in a variety of forms, like missing a friend’s 21st birthday, craving food from your favorite takeout place or longing to cuddle on the couch with your dog. It’s going to be different for everybody. Whatever the reason and no matter how intense the feeling is, it can really put a damper on your study abroad experience.

So what can you do to make sure that you don’t get caught in a homesick funk?

While there isn’t a one size fits all cure for homesickness or some kind of instant fix, there are ways to help you shake that feeling and get back to living your best life. 

Be mindful of how often you’re calling home 

Facetime and Whatsapp are great for keeping in contact with the most important people in your life, but you don’t want to find yourself in a situation where constant communication only makes you feel further away. 

Limit your time on Social Media

Social media has made it easier than ever before to keep track of your friends’ lives, simply by scrolling through your timeline. Group messages that are constantly updated allow you to still feel “in the loop,” even when you’re an ocean away, but FOMO is real and sometimes it can be really difficult to see your friends continuing life without you, getting together and having the type of fun that you were always a part of. So limit your time on social media and try your best to stay present where you are. 

Distract yourself by making a bucket list 

Who knows when the next time you’ll be in Europe is? Take full advantage of the opportunity right at your fingertips. Cheap flights and open borders make exploring Europe a breeze. Research different attractions, museums, parks, and other hotspots in the cities you want to visit and make a list of what you’d like to see and do during your time abroad. 

Just relax  

Take a break if you need it. Give yourself permission to take the day off and indulge in things that just make you feel good. Whether that’s eating chocolate in bed or drinking wine on the beach. 

Stay positive and always ask for help if you need it

It’s a lot easier said than done when it comes to keeping a positive attitude when you’re feeling down. The assignments are piling up, your phone’s been stolen and you can’t seem to find a normal sleep schedule, it’s all a bit overwhelming. However, staying positive is the key to having a great experience.

If you  find that you are  worried about your studies, finances or you just can’t seem to shake that feeling of homesickness then be sure to reach out for help. Most Universities have counselors who can offer assistance, whether it be to work through a serious problem, or just to talk about how to adjust to your new environment. 

Remember, home is going to be there for you when you get back.

Go out, try new things and make friends. Explore the countries that you’ll probably never have the time to again. Embrace the newness around you and most of all  remember to just enjoy it, you don’t want to look back on your time abroad with regrets that you didn’t do or see more. 

 

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By KP, Stoke’s resident Barcelona food critic

When you think of Barcelona you don’t think of curry… or do you? With thriving Indian, Pakistani and Thai communities, there are plenty of world-class curry joints that can satisfy your hungover cravings. The curries in Barcelona are spicy, the servings are generous, and they’re much better priced and more authentic than much of the tourist fare found in the city centre. You got a hankering for something with a bit of fire (Spanish food is never spicy), then this is where you have to go. 

Best Indian curries in Barcelona

Nothing beats dipping your crispy cheese naan into a bowl of  steaming hot, creamy butter chicken on a Saturday night with friends. That along with some crunchy onion bhajis & samosas, you have a winner on your hands. See below our list of favourite Indian spots in Barcelona:

• Swad (€€): I asked my local corner shop owner what his favourite Indian in town was (being Indian, I knew he would know the goodest of the good spots). Swad was his recommendation to me and boy it did not disappoint. Located in PobleNou, Swad is a tiny family run restaurant. It only seats about 30 people so we recommend you making a booking if you wish to venture over! This is not your regular shopping mall take out style Indian restaurant – it’s fancy! But doesn’t have the price tag to match, don’t worry. All of the entrees are to die for! Get them all, share a curry or two and call it a night. Do it, I dare ya its friggin amazing.
• Baby Jalebi(€€): New in town, Baby Jalebi are owned by some of the coolest food dudes in Barna (the same guys that brought us The Fish & Chip Shop). It is innovative Punjabi street food and wicked! The bunny chow is the show stopper here in our opinion! 
• Massala 73 (€€): These guys rock, located up town in Eixample, they have some of the funkiest Indian food on offer at the moment. Fusion (my chef boyfriend hates this word) style dishes like roast duck with biryani, prawn pakoras, classic dahi puri, pork madras tacos and their famous KFC (Kerala Fried Chicken) burger are all must haves. Go with pals, get everything & rub your tummies with contentment once finished.

• Surya (€): They have a couple of locations in town, we frequented one of their locations many a time when our office was just a stones throw up the road. I have only been here for their Menu del Dia (set lunch deal between 12pm-3pm on weekdays) but it is soooo good I couldn’t not list it! 11€ will get you a curry, rice, naan, drink and desert. It is a very bueno price and they have super trendy locations. Go here for lunch!

• Tandoori Nights (€): Look i’m not gonna lie, this place looks like a dodgy kebab shop from the outside. but do not let this deter you! This is some of the tastiest Indian in town. Their special tandoori chicken plates, butter chicken and cheese naans are among my favourite. They do a really nice prawn bhuna also for the non chicken munchers.

• Gandhi Hindu (€€): I love me this place, I love the price and I love the food. The best thing about Gandhi is that you can buy their menu deals at any time of the day AND they have a nonstop kitchen. A two person deal consists of two curries, rice, naan, a mix of entrees, desert and two drinks. It will set you back about 30 bucks!! So good. I love bargains and great food as you have probably noticed through these recommendations.

• Maharaja (€€): Classic Indian spot, located just off Rambla del Raval this curry house has some of the tastiest Indian food in town. They have plenty of outdoor seating for those sunny midday meals, a reasonably priced menu and super authentic food.

Best Thai Curries In Barcelona

Thai has to be the best cuisine in the world in my opinion (biased I know). Being from Australia, I always took Thai food and its authenticity/accessibility for granted at home. This was made apparent to me when I first moved to Barcelona and couldn’t find a decent authentic Thai curry for the life of me. They were SO hard to come across! Luckily times are changing and the Spanish (Catalans) are catching on to why Thai food is so goddamn good. See below my list of favourite Thai places in town:

• Bangkok Cafe (€€): Probably my favourite restaurant in Barcelona. I love this place so much I could cry (note I am writing this in week 3 of isolation and have not eaten takeaway in about a month which is a HUGE deal for me). This is one of the OG Thai restaurants in Barna. Their dishes are SUPER authentic and tasty (the salads are so hot they’ll blow your wig off – get the duck one!). It is a tiny venue, so be sure to make a reservation before you head over. It’s also a bit of a mission out of town, but worth the hike! Red curry with duck, say it with me.
• LAM Thai Street Food (€€): Sister restaurant to Bangkok Cafe, these guys are more centrally located just off Plaza Universitat. Similar menu to their big sisters at Bangkok Cafe and delicious food. The chicken panang is off the charts good.
• Petit Bangkok (€€): These guys have three locations and have only recently won me over when they moved into my barrio. They do an amazing job, their Massaman curry is super tasty and I could eat it all day every day. You’d be silly to go past their Pad Thai also, it’s so good. You’re welcome.
• Boa Bao (€€€€): These guys only opened their establishment last year and they have to have one of the nicest Asian decor restaurants in town. Originally started in Lisbon (Lisboa in Spanish) it is where they get their name from. It is not specific to Thai food (more of an Asian selection) but they do a damn tasty seafood curry soup. Located in one of the fanciest eating spots in town, their menu is priced to match but it’s perfect for a nice date night or birthday meal.
• Thai Spicy (€€): Classic, tasty, authentic (being the keyword with so many crappy Thai places in Barcelona) Thai food. They have all the classic dishes you would expect to see on a Thai menu, nothing out of the ordinary here. Their red curry is my favourite, grab it with chicken or prawns depending which way you swing!!

Not your typical Barcelona cuisine, but the perfect way to wash away the sins accumulated on our Barcelona Boat Parties. You’re going to want a curry once you get the party started on our Mediterranean floating fiestas. Check them out here.

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San Sebastián has often been hailed as the gastronomical capital of Europe – that is until our froggy friends over in Paris nicked the title off them a couple of years ago. Still, coming second to the city of love is nothing to be ashamed of, and it’s a hard task trying to find a bad bite to eat in Donosti (that’s San Sebastián in the local tongue, Basque).

But while Michelin-starred restaurants might occupy the minds of the world’s gourmands and other feckers, the average Stokie baulks at the €300 and up price tag. Thankfully for us, the city is absolutely rammed with pintxos bars that draw on the gastronomic culture of the region and serve it up in a manner that won’t kneecap your budget. But before we begin to countdown our (in)definitive list, first we must define:

What exactly is a pintxo bar?

Pintxo (Basque; n.) literally means thorn, or spike, but hereby is used as a term to describe a small Basque tapas, often, but not always, with a wooden cocktail stick stuck through the middle.

Bar (English; n.) a venue in which one can imbibe alcohol to the point of intoxication; due to the Coronavirus lockdown, we haven’t been thrown out of one of these in a while.

Pintxo Bar (Spanglish/Basque; n.) a bar. That sells pintxos.

So now we know what a pintxo bar is, let’s have a look at some of the best.

 

Atari €€ – We’re kicking things off with one of the most-loved pintxo bars in the city, and not just by Stokies. The carrillera de ternera, or beef-cheek, is a pintxo eating rite of passage. Many have been known to order several plates of the carrillera, back to back, one after the other, devouring them instantly, like one of Joe Exotic’s tigers, polishing off the arm of a G.W. employee. 

Situated right on the doorstep of the Parroquia Santa María Basilica, even if the meat doesn’t tickle your fancy (you go Team Vegan) sitting on the church steps in front of Atari with a glass of Basque sidra is a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

 

Sirimiri €€ – With the same owners as Atari, and located just round the corner, the ‘Atari Academy’ comes off as the fun, sexy younger brother, a place where up and coming chefs can experiment to great effect. The cordero, or slow-cooked lamb, is one of the best pintxos in the city, and the arroz de temporada is a silky smooth risotto with no meat, that will please the belly of nearly any vegetarian punter.

Come to Sirimiri on a weekend, and you’ll find bangers blaring out the speakers till the wee hours of the morning, and it’s tasty array of custom and classic cocktails usually brings out a bit of a younger crowd. Maybe it’s just the name, but we’re a fan of the Sirimiri original, Donosti Traveller.

 

Polka €€€ – A relatively new venture, opened less than a year ago, but a place that many locals have already fallen in love with. On the corner of Plaza Sarriegui, the large outdoor seating area is a rarity in San Sebastián’s Old Town, and a perfect spot to enjoy a pintxo and a beer with some friends – or a full on meal if your pockets are feeling fuller than your belly.

Whilst you can’t actually order them as a pintxo, the croquetas de calabaza (pumpkin croquettes) are another veggo’s favourite, and can be ordered as a sharing platter (hence why it’s best to come here with a few friends). The Polka take on a classic Kalimotxo (bottom of the barrel red wine, topped with ice cold Coca-Cola) is definitely worth a go too – we’re not exactly sure what’s in it, but it definitely tastes boozy as hell.

 

Bar Desy € – A bit off the beaten track if you’ve only got a few days in San Sebastián, Bar Desy is located over the bridge from the Old Town in Gros. On the outside, it’s as non-descript as you can get, looking the same as a thousand other bars across Spain. 

But inside, you’ll find a ridiculous array of craft beers, and a surprisingly good selection of pintxos considering the size of the place. It’s not exactly a Basque speciality, but the albóndigas caseras (homemade meatballs) here are incredible. Plus, have a chat with the owner Gorka (friendliest guy in all of Donosti) about your favourite style of beer and he’ll be sure to pick out something tasty for ya.

 

Gandarias €€€ – Another in the cluster of establishments surrounding the Santa María Basilica, Gandarias is not only a hot spot for bar pintxos, but also a ritzy fine-dining institution. And as anyone who’s watched foodie series Parts Unknown will know, Gandarias holds the claim to fame of being the go to eatery of the late, great Tony Bourdain.

With that being said, it’s a pain in the arse trying to get a table reservation, plus the average price of a plate is enough to make the Queen blush, so we’d recommend kicking it at the bar and ordering a Txuleta pintxo. What’s a txuleta, you may be asking? You might want to have a read of this.

 

Mendaur Berria €€ – After years of being an infamous Stoke haunt, a dive bar known for the dance floor being constantly ripped to pieces due to the sheer quantity of shapes being cut, Mendaur decided to hit the straight and narrow. These days, it’s a sleek, minimalist gastropub, located on one of the busiest streets in the  Old Town, Fermin Calbeton.

There’s always a huge range of bar pintxos here, but to really enjoy the place, you need to be ordering off the menu. There’s nowhere in town you’ll find a better Taco Talo, a Basque wrap filled with begihaundi (baby squid) with a kimchi dressing, washed down perfectly with an icy glass of Basque sidra.

 

Bar Piñudi € – It’s only right that we finish up with a bonafide Stoke classic – Piñudi’s. A bar so steeped in history with the company, so intertwined with the Stoke story, that there’s a pintxo named after one of our former staff members – The Jimmy. A bed of ox steak, topped with a slice of foie gras, and with a drizzling of sherry balsamic vinaigrette just might be the best pintxo we’ve ever tasted.

And we’re not just saying that ‘cause we’ve been mates with Big-Oscar for years – his hole-in-the-wall sports bar has been featured on foodie shows and best bar lists a countless number of times. For us, this is a place that encapsulates everything you want in a pintxo bar; great company, cheap beer, and damn good food.

 

If, like us, this article has got your taste buds tingling, why not come along on a pintxos tour with us at the San Sebastián Surf Camp? Open all summer long from June 1st #fuckcovid-19

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When will we get back to normal after the lockdowns lift and social isolation only applies to when you’re hungover?

Anything you read about the state of travel – in fact the state of the world – post COVID-19 is pure speculation. Nobody knows what’s going to happen when lockdowns are lifted; nobody knows even how they will be lifted, or when. But being in the travel business we’ve had to consider the various possibilities and make plans. We’re not experts in epidemiology, but we do know the European travel business, and this is what we’re planning for (and why we’re offering €1 deposits on all our trips). 

When the lockdowns first lift: limited movement around your area

Don’t expect these lockdowns to miraculously lift one day and allow you unlimited movement around the world. As soon as governments and health services feel confident that they have new infection rates slowing, and that they have the resources to identify and contain any flare ups as they may arise, lockdowns will slowly lift. At first you might be able to go to work again, if you still have a job. Bars and restaurants will likely remain closed, but parks might open up. You might be able to hike, or go to the beach. Governments will be playing a balancing act between restarting the economy and letting people get out of the house for the sake of their physical and mental health, and not wanting to rush into lifting restrictions and risking another spike in infections. 

Travelling during this time will be mostly symbolic. Things that you used to take for granted will become grand acts of discovery. Take a trip to a different supermarket. Take your shoes off and walk on some grass. Sit under a tree two metres away from everybody else. Visit a friend at their house – these simple acts will make you feel like an intrepid adventurer. 

When: depends on the country, obviously, but we’re thinking by late May/early June most European countries will be at this level. 

If there are no new spikes in COVID-19 infections, countries will open up

The oft-arbitrary (and in Europe mostly obsolete) lines that delineate countries will define the next stage of lockdown alleviation. As bars and restaurants open in our areas, and we flood them for a bender of apocalyptic proportions, nations will open up again for trade and even travel. This will be an attempt to return to normalcy within the country, allowing families to visit again, and for workers to get back to trading freely on a national level, but as travellers it opens up amazing opportunities also. While many of us are looking abroad for our travels, these restrictions might force us to seek out opportunities closer to home. As soon as governments are confident that infections rates are at a manageable level, regional and rural destinations – as well as city hotels and experience providers – will be desperate to welcome out-of-towners. This will be a great chance to explore regions that have always been on your radar, but perhaps put on the back burner because flights abroad are cheaper and the lure of the exotic more appealing, or to start doing your research NOW and discovering new regions, towns, attractions, and experiences that are accessible without leaving the country’s borders. 

This is the stage that Stoke Travel is looking forward to. Our Surf House in the hills behind San Sebastian is the perfect place for Spanish residents to explore a beautiful village in the mountains, as well as the bustling cosmopolitan and gastronomic hotspot that is San Sebastian, get to know the unique and stunning Basque Country, and to obviously spend plenty of time in the sun, on the sand and amongst the waves learning how to surf. 

Similarly, we’ll be opening up our Barcelona Boat Parties for people in Barcelona, or visiting Barcelona, who are in dire need for a bit of a party and some fresh air – which will be absolutely everybody. Both the Surf House and Barcelona Boat Parties will remain open as we move through the next stages. 

When: a couple of weeks after the first stage, so long as there aren’t any new spikes in infections. Start planning for this stage now, with €1 bookings on both the San Sebastian Surf Camp and Barcelona Boat Parties.

As we start to see COVID-19 infections plateau around the world

Europe will open up for business again. One of the main principles of the European Union is the free movement of people and goods between member states. EU leaders will be keen on getting the project back on track as soon as is reasonably possible. Budget airlines will start rebuilding their itineraries, offering cheap flights with flexible fares across Europe and travel agencies and tour operators and accommodation providers will be desperate to get some business again. 

We’re expecting this to be around the time our Spanish festival season kicks off (San Vino The Wine Fight, San Fermin in Pamplona and La Tomatina in Valencia), and we can guarantee that when these events happen this year, they will go off in a hedonistic manner never before seen. We’re actually scared that, despite being absolute party monsters, we might not be prepared for the onslaught. San Sebastian Surf and Barcelona Boats should be busy through this period too, as travellers from around Europe seek some Spanish sun.

When: soon after domestic travel opens up, Europe will open up too. There may be restrictions from countries that haven’t properly contained their cases. This is a phase you should definitely start planning for now, with €1 bookings across all Stoke Travel products.

And then the world will start to get back to normal

Once leaders are confident that they can keep on top of identifying and tracing new infections the world will slowly begin to open up again. Travel restrictions will be lifted for people coming from countries that have infection rates under control, and tourism will slowly begin to pick up as the world moves back towards its pre-coronavirus state. Temperature taking measures in some airports will remain for the foreseeable future and people might be expected to travel with masks, but a world where people can move around for business and leisure is one that the global economy relies on, so getting back to that situation as soon as possible is desirable to leaders and businesses. This won’t happen in a cavalier fashion, but what we can use as a guide is the manner by which the travel restrictions began before the whole world locked up. Travellers from areas that we’re seeing high levels of infections and likely unfettered transmissions were specifically banned from entering certain countries. The comedown from this will be the similar to that, perhaps with more caution due to coronavirus lessons that were learnt too late, but the blanket travel bans will lift eventually and the world will start travelling again, and while we may be more cautious with our personal hygiene, eventually we’ll be travelling around the world again and everything will be back to normal – or as close to normal as it can be in the post COVID-19 world.

We are very confident that Oktoberfest will be going ahead in the post-COVID world, so much so that we’re offering all doctors, nurses and healthcare workers free Oktoberfest trips, and obviously for the rest of you who will need a beer and want to party alongside the heroes of this virus we’re offering €1 deposits until the world makes sense again.

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Far from being a tourist-focused beer-a-thon, Oktoberfest is deeply traditional event, an almost sacred occasion to the local Bavarians and Muncheners, who eagerly await September and October each year so they can get together with their friends and family and celebrate their culture. And while they are very welcoming of outsiders, you should be aware of the traditional going ons, so that you don’t offend your beer-loving hosts.

The festival is opened by the mayor of Munich

At midday on the first Saturday of Oktoberfest the mayor will hammer the tap into a beer keg (with as few blows as possible), letting the beer flow and proclaiming O’zapf is! He’ll hand the first beer to the Bavarian premier, a 12-gun salute will go off to inform the other beer tents that Oktoberfest has begun, and away we go! But not before…

The traditional getting drunk the night before the festival starts

This is a tradition less held by Bavarians than it is by Stoke Travel. The night before Oktoberfest begins our campsite is swelling with beer lovers from all over the world. They are excited to be there, to get to know each other, and so it’s inevitable that there’s a bit of a party – all fuelled by our open and unlimited beer and sangria bar. This inevitably leads to…

The traditional hangover while waiting for the first Oktoberfest beer

You have to get up early on the morning of the opening ceremony and make your way to the beer hall of your choice before the opening time of 9am. Then you can wait in line, so that you can get a table, at which you will have to wait until the keg is tapped by the mayor – so you won’t be having your first beer until after midday. There are some miserable faces in the crowd during this wait, which without exception improve as those first beers start going down.

If you don’t look Germans in the eyes when you prost you’re guaranteed bad sex

Cheersing is serious business, and a great way to ingratiate yourself with your new-found drinking buddies. But if you don’t make eye contact with everybody in the cheers, then you’re in store for some subpar nookie in the future. That said, some might say, at least you’re guaranteed any sex at all! 

The traditional buying of more beers than you need

Oktoberfest beers come by the litre, and you better believe that they are stronger than your average beer. Generally speaking, by the end of the first beer you’re properly tipsy and talking to everybody, by the bottom of the second your drunk and dancing on tables. You’ll go missing once you’ve finished your third beer, and at the end of the fourth you don’t know your name or who you are, but somehow you’ll make your way back to camp to drink from the open bar. It’s a miracle.

The traditional outfits of lederhosen and dirndls

The traditional Bavarian drinking suits are the lederhosen for men – and an increasing number of women, 2020 yeah – and dirndls for women (men don’t think about it, they won’t let you into the beer halls). The humble lederhosen is a leather peddle-pusher style long shorts (or are they short longs?), matched with a plaid shirt and long socks. You’ll look like an uncomfortable medieval lumberjack. For the ladies the dirndl is a low-cut dress that looks like every medieval lumberjack’s milkmaid fantasy. The dirndl is exceptional at amplifying and enhancing the wearer’s breasticles. You kind of have to wear the outfit when attending Oktoberfest, because it’s tradition and you’ll feel pretty left out if you don’t. 

The hairier the hat the wealthier the wearer

Another traditional piece of garment to be worn at Oktoberfest is the old Bavarian forest hat. While we can just pick up a smart number from one of the clothing stores around the fairgrounds – or even inside from a kiosk, or from hat sellers who walk around the beer halls – the real deals are family heirlooms that cost in the 1000s of euros, and which are adorned with giant plumes. The bigger the plume, the wealthier the family, so they say. You know how the saying goes, Big plume, big… (wallet).

The traditional riding of the rides when you have no business riding rides

There is a huge fairground surrounding Oktoberfest, which is where you’ll find the Stokies after far too many beers. The rides range from merry-go-rounds and ferris wheels and kiddy attractions, to fun houses, and full on, adrenaline and vomit inducing, hardcore rides. Also, if you go on Tuesdays the rides are half price. Happy days! 

The traditional snorting of the Oktoberfest cocaine

Ok, let’s just say right now that drugs are super, duper extra illegal in Germany and that the German police and Oktoberfest security guards are really good at detecting people under the influence of anything other than beer and/or Jagermeister, and will pee test you then and there and issue pretty hefty fines/ban you from Germany/arrest your high ass. So you may be wondering why the beer halls are full of people, young and old, snorting lines of white powder off the tables, off the back of their hands, off each other’s titties… Well, they’re snorting Oktoberfest cocaine, or Wiesn Koks or Wiesn Pulver, a harmless mix of glucose and menthol, that neither gets you high, nor is it illegal, and as such you can live out all of your German Scarface fantasies without fear of falling afoul of the law.  

Oompah music and chicken dances

So each beer hall has a bandstand as its centrepiece, and the guys up there absolutely pump out the tunes – but always the same tunes on repeat. There’s the ubiquitous German cheersing song, Ein Prosit, the 80s German classic, 99 Luftballons, DJ Otzi’s hit, Hey Baby, and John Denver’s Country Roads, among other songs played on repeat. 

Marching bands and massive horses

So you might be in the beer halls, and you’re drinking and you’re dancing and you’re having a merry old time, and then you decide to walk outside, to leave or to hit up another beer hall, and you’ll come across dozens of Clydesdale horses pulling huge  and elaborately decorated carts and there will be poop everywhere and you will probably get stuck because they’re taking up so much space, and you’ll think, “What is this?” and the answer will be that it’s just another Oktoberfest tradition. We once saw a drunk person eat a poop that had literally just fallen from a giant horse’s bum, so maybe that can become a tradition too. 

There’s a crossbow tent

We’ve never been in there, but there is one where people drink beer and shoot crossbows. Safety! There’s also a tent where they roast oxes. There are also plenty of tents devoted to swilling beer and general merriment. Choose your own adventure, we guess. 

 

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One of the greatest deterrents when deciding to start studying abroad in Europe is that it can seem expensive. Costs can be a major factor in deciding which program to attend. Keep in mind the cost of the study abroad program greatly varies based on the type of program that you choose. There are also factors like the study abroad city you’ve chosen, the country you’re in, the type of program and the length of time you spend abroad.

We won’t lie to you, some financial investment is required when it comes to studying abroad. There are flights to book, food to try and cities to explore. Studying abroad can seem like an expense you can’t afford so the biggest expenses to consider when studying abroad are airfare, tuition, housing fees, and food. 

The good news is if you’re smart about it you probably won’t end up spending more than a semester back home. Unless of course you find yourself at the club until 5 a.m. and end up missing your flight to Rome the next day.  

So how much should I budget for studying abroad?

Usually once you, or your parents, write that tuition check your program or college will deal with all the tuition and housing expenses while you’re abroad so you don’t have to worry about that. 

The first thing to figure out is how much you want to spend on traveling while abroad. In Europe it’s easy to travel to different countries on the weekend so you’ll probably find yourself planning three out of four weekends of each month to go somewhere new, if not every weekend. Thankfully, travel between European countries isn’t typically expensive (especially when using sites like Student Universe or Skyscanner, or the beautiful Study Abroad schedule of Stoke Travel). 

 

Keep in mind transportation costs both in your host city and the cities you travel to. Once you arrive in a new city a lot of airports are at least half an hour to an hour outside of the city center. Trains, shuttles or buses from the airport to the city center can be a better travel option for the bank account. Taxies aren’t typically the cheapest way to get around so be prepared to make public transportation your new best friend.  

When you’re not in your host city you’ll need somewhere to rest your head. If you don’t have a friend’s place you can crash at the cheapest options for your budget will always be hostels. In most major cities You’ll have your pick of hundreds of hostels that range in size, quality, character and price (with hostel beds varying from €5 to €50 per night, depending on which city/country and quality of the establishment). Hostelworld is a good tool to use when trying to find a good fit since hostels can be a hit or miss.  

Airbnb is an option to consider if you’re traveling in a group and can split the price but be careful. The cheaper ones are usually farther from the city center so then you end up having to spend more time and money to get where you want to be.

Food ends up being one of the biggest expenses when traveling. It’s tempting to eat out for every meal especially when you’re in a new city or to order McDonald’s every time you’re hungover. It doesn’t help that there is so much delicious food to try. 

Then there are the gifts you want to buy for family and friends, late-night gelato cravings, and there’s always someone’s birthday to celebrate with bottle service and sparklers. 

By the end of your time abroad, depending on how much you traveled, you can easily rack up a bill of anywhere between $5,000-10,000. 

So what are some ways to save money when studying abroad? 

Save money on flights by booking two one-way trips instead of a single round-trip. This is not always true, but it’s sometimes the case that two one-way flights are cheaper than a single round-trip flight. Consider flying a discount airline for cheap flights to Europe. This can be a good option If you don’t have much luggage. 

Another way to save money on your flights is to try flying into a different airport and then catch a bus or train to where you want to go. It’s usually a lot cheaper to fly into big metropolitan cities like London, Paris or Rome. 

Be smart about taking money out from an ATM. You’ll have to usually pay a fee to get cash so take lots of cash out at once. Be careful about using your debit or credit card as you may get hit with conversion fees. 

Become a Stoke Travel Ambassador and travel for FREE. No really, If you want VIP upgrades on your trips, free travel to Oktoberfest and the best hookup while you’re studying abroad. Sign up for the Stoke Travel ambassador.

So is European study abroad worth the cost?

The important takeaway is that the study abroad cost is worth it. Every penny. You don’t know the next time you’ll be spending 3 months in Europe so take full advantage of it. The experiences you’ll have will stay with you long after you leave and who knows it could change your whole life. 

 

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Take a historical meander through Oktoberfest Munich’s boozy and not-so-boozy origins

We know that you probably wouldn’t come to Stoke Travel for a history lesson, but you know what! You’re going to get one anyway, because we’ve been coming to Oktoberfest for long enough now to think that we know a thing or two about the festival. So pour yourself a litre of beer and sit tight, because this is a very Stoke Travel history of Oktoberfest. 

1810

On the 12th of October 1819 was when it all began. The crown prince Ludwig married Princess Theresa. They got married at Oktoberfest, which once you’ve been there you’ll realise that it’s not a very royal thing to do. Imagine getting married surrounded by literally 1000s of strangers who have peed their pants. Well, fortunately for the royal couple there wouldn’t be an Oktoberfest like we know if for many years to come. At the end of the royal wedding, held on the Theresienwiese grounds where Oktoberfest continues to be held today, there was a horse race. 

1811

They held another horserace, and in doing so started the yearly tradition that led to Oktoberfest. This was also the year when an agricultural fair was added to the proceedings. Apparently it still happens every four years at the modern Oktoberfest, but we can guarantee you that either a) no Stoke Travel staff member or guest has ever seen it, or b) they’ve seen it, but were so sozzled that they couldn’t tell if they were still in a beerhall or not. 

1813

Napoleon picks a fight with Bavaria! Loses! But in the process causes Oktoberfest to be cancelled before it even really becomes Oktoberfest. He’s a real son of a gun, that Napoleon. 

1816

They introduce carnival rides to the Oktoberfest. These days the rides are wild, full on amusement park quality rides (and they’re half price on a Tuesday). One can only imagine what the rides were like in 1816. 

1818

Food is introduced to Oktoberfest, hurray, and with it BEER is introduced as well, changing the Oktoberfest forever and 8,000,000% for the better. What were they doing before that? Were people attending weddings, horse races, carnivals and agricultural fairs SOBER? The mind boggles.

1819

The Munich council takes over Oktoberfest and moves it to September, for the warmer and longer days. They consider renaming it Septemberfest, but it just doesn’t stick.

1850

The years between 1818 and 1850 are blurry, due to the aforementioned introduction of beer to the festivities. Nothing much really happened. But in 1850 they got their shit together and built the statue of Bavaria, which is still there today. Go and have a chat to her if you’re particularly hammered. 

1854

No Oktoberfest again, this time not because Napoleon is being a pest, but because of cholera epidemic, which is so much more pesty than having Napoleon and his midget army trying to conquer the city. 

1866

Oktoberfest cancelled again, this time due to the Austro-Prussian war. We don’t know much about this war, except that it involved Prussia, which is probably the best place name that doesn’t exist anymore. In this war the Bavarians, so Munich, were on the side of the Austrians. They lost. No Oktoberfest for you! 

1870

Cancelled again, due to the Franco-Prussian war. Those bloody Prussians just couldn’t take it easy. You’ll be happy to know that this time around the Bavarians fought alongside the Prussians and they won, defeating Napoleon the Third. The Prussians, and so the Bavarians, were led by the amazingly named Otto Von Bismark. Following this victory Germany was unified into an empire. You little ripper!

1873

Cancelled again! If it’s not Napoleon it’s bloody cholera. This time it’s cholera. 

1880

Electricity is introduced, marking the first year where poorly prepared travellers roamed the beer halls looking for a power outlet. Also, ugly guys had a hard time picking up at night time after this year (they always had a hard time during the day).

1881

They introduce bratwurst for the first time. This is some shocking information, because we always just thought bratwurst existed forever and was eaten always in Germany. Well, since 1881 it was introduced to the Oktoberfest and joined pretzels and pork knuckles on the list of Oktoberfest food you have to eat. 

1892

They start serving beer in glass. Immediately afterwards enthusiastic prost-ers begin smashing glasses with their good cheer. 

1914-1918

No Napoleon this time, not even any cholera, but Oktoberfest is cancelled due to World War 1. Nothing funny about that. 

1919-1920

They get back into it, but call it Autumn Festival, which is probably more straightforward than calling it Oktoberfest, considering that it’s mostly in September. 

1923-1924

Cancelled again, this time for two years due to hyperinflation. These days most hyperinflation comes about in the Stoke staff’s faces after living the Oktoberfest beer and hearty food lifestyle for a month straight. 

1933

The Bavarian flag is replaced with a new flag, a flag very popular amongst some Germans at the time, a red flag with a white circle and a little right-angles design in the middle of it. You know the flag, and for a while it flew over Oktoberfest until…

1939-1945

No Oktoberfest due to World War 2, during which the people who loved that flag the most are defeated and the blue and white Bavarian flag can fly once again. 

1960

The last horse race, giving drunk gamblers more opportunity to spend their money on beers and delicious beer-accompanying foods. Also this is the first year that dirndls and lederhosen are recognised as the official costume of Oktoberfest, pleasing revellers due to everyone looking way hotter in them.

1980

Just after 10pm on September 29 a bomb exploded at the entranceway, killing 13 people and injuring 200 more. The attack was attributed to a right-wing terrorist dickhead who died at the scene. There is now a memorial at the entry to the festival, and that’s all we’ll say about that. 

2008

Stoke Travel sets up its first ever Oktoberfest camp. We have about 13 guests and one of the staff members catches pneumonia and has to escape from hospital. You know what they say, from little things big things grow. 

2020

We now have space for 8000 beer lovers, and are by far Munich’s biggest accommodation provider. We throw crazy parties with love music and DJs and go through about 30,000L of beer at our all-inclusive bar every year. We’re not as good at Oktoberfest, but we’re pretty close and definitely much crazier. Come and check us out sometime. 

 What more do you need to know? Let’s do this and make some history of our own. Book your Oktoberfest now.

 

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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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