ArthurIdyllicVoyages : Travel Diaries for Budget Travellers

It is so much easier to travel now and with websites like Airbnb, lodging is readily available anywhere and everywhere at very reasonable prices.

Airbnb is an online marketplace which was created in 2008 and has since then expanded into an international organisation with many known partners. Its main goal is to connect hosts with travellers looking for a place to stay. In recent years, the platform permits you to do even more than booking accommodation on the website and you can now do other things like booking tours, planning trips, reading their magazine and more.

If you are preparing for long term or even short term stay in a country, Airbnb is one of the best options out there as it allows you a unique and authentic experience with a host family that you wouldn't get on sites like: Hotels.com, Trivago or Expedia. If you however prefer to be alone in a quiet space, you also have the option of staying in a room, villa or apartment separated from others.


There are many benefits to staying in an Airbnb property including:

- Price

- Location 

 - Uniqueness

- Privacy

- Security 

Locations, hosts and travellers identities are verified in advance so don't be surprised if you are required to scan a form of identity like your passport.  In addition, most lodgings are in very secure areas.


If you are looking for a place to stay that isn't the usual hotel room, bed and breakfast or the hostel bed but rather a place that feels like home away from home, Airbnb is the right choice for you with its range of accommodation types and affordable prices for you to choose from.

Deciding to spend the New Year in Munich was neither the best nor worst decision of my life. It was simply an unforgettable experience and for those of you like me who have experienced the unique style that the Germans have in celebrating the New Year, you can understand when I say "Wow, that was scary!" and for the others, you will learn in just a few skims of this page.

As most people know, travelling around Europe is maybe one of the easiest things to do when you arrive in a city within the Schengen Zone. (An area of an approximate 26 participating european states which abolished passport and border control in 1985). The signed Schengen Agreement makes  country hopping in Europe super easy to do.

Schengen Zone Map

Nonetheless, people should remember that random spot checks are legal and may happen at any moment so your documents should be in order especially when planning to pass through Germany. Authorities there tend to be still very strict about who comes and goes through their country.

It was about 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. when I was awoken from my light slumber by tall, robust border control officials who were checking passports and travel documents. Although not surprised by this (the random spot check), the appearance of the officers was still very intimidating to say the least so I think I let out a huge sigh of relief when they returned my passport to me without thinking twice.

On the other hand, the lady and her travel partner who were sitting 2 or 3 rows behind mine in the bus was not as lucky. She spoke minimal English and no German so that did not help her situation. She, along with her travel partner were asked to disembark. They did not get back on board so I guess ... well I have no idea what I guessed at that moment. Everything was a huge blur except for her hitting me with her hips as she squeezed through the passageway on the way out and spewing some words in her native language which had the tones of swear words but I will never know what she was truly saying. I assumed they were detained and possibly deported or maybe their situation was straightened out and they took the next bus. Who knows? It was quite unfortunate for them but I was happy to have had my 'get out of jail free card'.


Finally arrived in Munich and the weather was nice. I think that the wind reciprocated my every emotion. Excitement, sadness, hunger. It kissed me softly on the cheek one minute and bit me on the derrière the next and at other times, it was completely still. It was also sunny too so I guess that was the best part of it all.

The city was very beautiful and as I took a walk around the city with a group of other tourists like myself learning about the history of the country, the city, the buildings, the streets and their names and even the people, the city seemed even more like a hidden treasure. It was a gem much like the many statues and monuments 'hidden' in plain sight and if you weren't paying attention, you would very easily miss them.

Maxilmilianstraße

The people there were friendly and helpful even at 2:00 a.m. when I had some early morning junk food from KFC. Don't judge my eating habits! Most of the restaurants that served healthy meals were closed and if they weren't, they were over-crowded with partygoers and families. It was the New Year after all. The streets were full and festive.

Nevertheless, it wasn't very difficult to find what you needed in the crowd as fireworks lit your way in every direction on some streets. It was like a battle zone of exploding colours and loud people which seemed to be quite normal. It was sheer amusement for the masses.
Personally, I was mortified in the beginning and I couldn't understand what was going on around me. Were there no laws prohibiting fireworks and firecrackers from flying in all directions within close proximity of the buildings and cars? Were these people not aware that these things were hazardous? Was that an ambulance I heard? Was it coming for me because I think at some point my heart stopped with the BANG, POP, POW, BOOM and FIZZLE that I heard around me.


There are things in this world that are best left alone and this scene was one of them. It was better not to understand it especially since you can't even imagine that a few hours earlier on the 31st of December, the environment was a "civil" one. The contrast between the day and the night bordering the New Year was really incomparable. A paradise by day and a fun-packed warzone by night.

The truth is though that it was all very exciting as an experience even though it was borderline dangerous and scary. It was amusing to see people lighting fireworks and firecrackers and then running for cover as their fire hazards lit up the streets and the night sky in an explosive display of loud sounds and vibrant colours.

Max-Joseph-Platz

Now, if you are visiting Munchen and prefer not to be there during the New Year because your heart can't take such excitement, I recommend that you stick to activities during the day like participating in one of the many walking tours that is offered in this city and many others around Europe. You are sure to learn something new even if it is that your body is not as young as it used to be.

On the other hand, if walking around cities for a few hours isn't a favourite activity of yours, maybe sitting in a pub or restaurant may be more amusing or visiting one of the famous beer halls in the city used during the Oktoberfest celebrations. You may even want to consider taking a Hop-on and off sightseeing bus tour of the city on a nice sunny day or stick around to see the Rathaus-Glockenspiel Clock display in Marienplatz that uses figurines to tell a story of the town's history. (It is best if you bring a tripod as the skits may take a while and holding your phone up is definitely not ideal. Additionally you should prepare mentally for the crowd of tourists even in the early morning.)

Rathaus-Glockenspiel Clock

The Devil's footprint is something not to miss when visiting and should definitely be added to the list of things to do and see in this city. You could also take a walk down Maxilmilianstraße, visit the Residenz Museum or Odeonsplatz. There is a profusion of activities that can be done here so whether you are visiting for the fun and festivities or the history and horror stories, remember that you are going to a different city and should keep your mind open to the endless possibilities that could make you trip to Munich one that you could never forget even if Alzheimer's decides to creep up on you.

P.S. Take lots of photos, they will be worth collecting.

They say New York is the city that never sleeps but maybe you should go to Amsterdam.

I arrived there at about 6:00 in the morning in the cold of winter only to be approached by some random man who was more drunk than the Irish on Saint Patrick's day or the Germans during Oktoberfest (Fun fact, the Germans are some of the less likely in the world to actually "be drunk" contrary to popular belief). He reeked of alcohol, you could smell it from a mile away but he was so nice to strike up conversation with me at  6:00 a.m. when all I wanted to do was sleep after my long journey.

It was the holiday season so I guess I could understand why he was in such a cheery, inebriated state but I didn't trust him nonetheless. I was in a foreign country after all. In my travel experience, you trust no one enough to walk into a dark alley with them in the wee hours of the morning. So I stuck to the light and he disappeared shortly after talking some gibberish, little of which I understood but somewhere in the midst I think he asked if I spoke Dutch. I believe that I replied yes but maybe I was just too tired to follow exactly what he was saying or maybe I just wanted a quick escape from the smell of alcohol so I agreed with everything he said and moved on.


Ok, so maybe Amsterdam sleeps a little bit because walking around the city at 6:00. a.m was silent and relaxing. That was until we arrived at the Red light district at about 6:30 a.m. and some man hollered something from across the bridge in Dutch. I can't tell you how Usain Bolt was to be dethroned and my travel companions and I became the fastest sprinters in the world at that moment. Hey, I'm kidding, we didn't sprint but we sure did put some 'pep in our step'. We ended our early morning stroll after that and chilled out in McDonald's restaurant until the sun came up.

I wouldn't recommend having McDonald's for breakfast on any other day  but I admit that it was quite nice in Amsterdam and a great start to a full fun-packed day.


A little after maybe 7:00 a.m in the morning when the streets were much busier with last minute Christmas shoppers, the city was once again 'active' and you wouldn't have imagined that a few minutes earlier only the drunk and insane roamed the streets. (We were the insane... because I have no idea why we thought roaming the streets at 6:00 a.m. was a good idea).

Stepping out of McDonald's, the air was frisky and fresh and my nose burnt a little from the cold but that was nothing as the scenery was just superb and I quickly forgot the little pang of pain. The architecture was simply magnificent and some buildings were even decorated for the holidays. This went beyond the standard European minimal store-window decorations and it felt like Christmas to me.


Forgetting a little about Christmas and talking a little about the city, let's discuss the fact that people often forget that Amsterdam is much more than cannabis and prostitutes. Of course that exists but some of the most gorgeous buildings, talented street performers, great museums and shopping can be found in this city along with its' many bicycles on every corner.

Nonetheless, you're probably thinking, when is she going to get to the weed right?
Well, honestly the weed got to me before I could get to it. (No further comment, your honour! I plead the 5th.) You thought I was going to tell you the entire story? Ha ha...Of course not! They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, well...what happens in Amsterdam should definitely stay in Amsterdam. At least this part should. :-)


Diamonds though should be shared with the world. Not many people are aware that some of the most gorgeous diamonds in the world can be found in Amsterdam.  The Gassan Diamond Experience tour is worth checking out when you visit Amsterdam and the best part is... it's completely FREE!  Well the tour is but guys you may not want to take your fiancé(e) unless you are prepared to empty your wallet and sell your house. 😉


On the other hand, if you are trying to rekindle your love or just experiment a little, Amsterdam has all the toys and gadgets that a big kid would need to play around in the dark. There are so many shops with a variety products that you would feel like you're in BDSM heaven or like a little kid in a toy store for the first time. So many colors! So many sizes! So many styles! So many options!

Christmas was in the air and like many others, we were gift shopping. I think we stopped in every little shop and saw every little furry handuff and every small, medium and human-sized "love doll".



That in itself was an adventure and at the end of the day we made our way through the Red Light District once more (on our way home) but this time it was buzzing with activity.

Admittedly, there was some disappointment when I found out that you could literally be fined for taking pictures of the "show babies" who were now sitting or standing in their "show windows" awaiting the 'highest bidder'.  The Red light district was a whole stop sign. It was so commercial, I couldn't resist feeling a little bummed by the lack of authenticity. I guess it is to protect the identity of the ladies but they were so made-up that you couldn't tell who they were in any case. Oh the wonders of make-up and wigs.

I can't imagine why the major would want to shut down the brothels in this area because it is quite interesting to see and after all. How dare he stop so many tourists from being disappointed when they find out that they can't snap a photo with their favourite 'girl of the night'. (You could but if you're caught you would have to pay the price or have some legal permission to do so).

What happens in Amsterdam should stay in Amsterdam. 

Dear Travel Diary,

My experience in Japan has been nothing short of amazing!

As I write this, I'm in a bar with a bunch of drunk screaming people. It's astonishing how Japanese have the ability to be their authentic self around alcohol but very abiding to the basic laws of the society when without.