Everything you need to know about Transnistria

MOLDOVA

An unrecognized breakaway state, Transnistria is technically part of the country Moldova but has its own government system and currency. It’s also known as Pridnestrovian Moldova. Visiting this “country that doesn’t exist” was like stepping back in time with statues of Lenin, classic cars, and the sickle & hammer symbol everywhere — a quasi-Soviet state even after the fall of the USSR thirty years ago.

HOW TO GET TO TRANSNISTRIA

It’s easiest if you stay in the capital of Moldova, Chisinau, and take a day trip to Transnistria. I stayed at the Amazing Ionika Hostel, which offers a day trip for a reasonable price, much cheaper than other options and takes you to both Bender and Tiraspol.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Hostelworld.com for more options in the area.

Border Crossing

You will have to do customs to enter Transnistria; all you have to do is show your passport and they give you a slip of paper with your information in Cyrillic. DO NOT lose this paper! You must turn it back in upon exiting. If you take a bus from Chisinau to Kyiv, you will have to go through customs three times: entering/exiting Transnistria, exiting Moldova, and entering Ukraine.

Currency

Yes, Transnistria has its very own currency! The coins are famously plastic, but are rare to find. It was fun going on hunts around all the different markets to find them! I’m still missing a couple, so hopefully one day I can go back to find the rest.

Bender

Personally there wasn’t much to see in the border town of Bender, but there was a really interesting flea market where you could purchase the famous plastic coins from locals. The country is very poor, and you’ll see people selling all sorts of home goods just to make a few bucks.

Tiraspol

The capital of Transnistria, Tiraspol, is absolutely fascinating. Check out the USSR Canteen for a bite to eat, an underground classic Soviet restaurant with traditional dishes and regalia.

How to visit the Rila Monastery, Bulgaria

I had a tight schedule since I was trying to make a flight to Cyprus (it was $8 for a specific day, and I was not about to give that up), but I had one bucket list item I really wanted to see in Bulgaria: the Rila Monastery.

How to Get There

There are tour buses that can take you for the day, but I found the easiest method was renting a car for $20 for the day. It was an easy two hour drive, and absolutely beautiful with the changing autumn trees. Plus you can stop at the “Unofficial Junk Museum,” a collection of items from the Soviet Bulgarian era, which is extremely unique!

The Rila Monastery

You have to pay about $5 for parking in front of the monastery, but you’re free to wander as you like! It’s fascinating since it’s still in working order. Of course I use my tripod to get my photos but the security guard kept shoo-ing me away. I found a nice corner to be able to take my photos quickly and get out of there since the guard was getting extremely upset. Sometimes I find it annoying that having a tripod to take photos of yourself upsets people; I’m extremely picky about how I compose my shots so I can’t just give my camera to a person to take a photo! Anyways, photography is something to be aware of if you’re a solo traveler like myself trying to get your shot.

The People

I don’t think I met a single person who spoke English, which is totally okay, but I didn’t find Bulgarians to be that friendly. This translated over to an incident I had; I had a flight at 4 AM, which meant I needed to be at the airport around 1 AM, so I decided I was just going to sleep in the car in a McDonald’s parking lot until my flight. Well, the car battery died, and it was 11 PM. I knocked on the door of the McDonald’s and they wanted nothing to do with me. Eventually, a girl took pity on me (mostly because I wouldn’t leave the drive through window) and called a mechanic to jump the car. Moral of the story, don’t sleep in your rental car in Bulgaria in autumn when it’s starting to get frigidly cold.

Cyprus on a Budget

CYPRUS

CYPRUS ON A BUDGET
Is it possible to experience the magic of Cyprus without breaking the bank? Absolutely! With its picturesque landscapes, fascinating history, and vibrant culture, Cyprus offers a plethora of affordable options for travelers on a budget. Whether you're a sun seeker, history buff, or foodie, this Mediterranean gem has something for everyone. Here are some tips for enjoying Cyprus on a budget:

Flights

I flew into Paphos on a $8 flight from Sofia, Bulgaria on Ryanair, which is an absolute bargain. The thing is, they usually get you on the return flight; so I decided to fly out of Larnaca, which is much cheaper. The next thing to figure out was public transportation.

Buses

So up until this point, Google Maps has been totally reliable getting around Europe and I was able to catch any bus or train I needed to get to where I needed to go. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case with Cyprus. There was no bus schedule online or anywhere; and even though I read there were direct buses from Paphos Airport to Larnaca, there weren’t. You had to take a bus from the airport to the city of Paphos, then to Limassol, then onwards to Larnaca. It took all day. Had I known there weren’t any direct buses, I probably would’ve just booked my flight out of Paphos to save time and go sightseeing around there.

Where to Stay

Instead of pricey luxury resorts, consider staying in guesthouses, hostels, or budget-friendly hotels in towns like Larnaca or Paphos. These options not only provide comfortable lodging but also allow you to immerse yourself in local neighborhoods, where you can find authentic experiences.

There was only one reasonable hostel I found online to stay at, Le Mat Hostel, but it was completely booked out at the time. I also found an Airbnb which was perfect for the night, and they actually organized transport to the airport.

What to See

Honestly, Cyprus is extremely difficult for backpacking; I think it’s best if you rent a car and drive around the island, see Northern Cyprus and quaint little towns and national parks along the way. Here’s a few other handy tips for exploring Cyprus on a budget:

Cultural Immersion: Take advantage of Cyprus' rich cultural heritage by visiting free or low-cost attractions. Explore ancient ruins, such as the Paphos Archaeological Park or the Curium Archaeological Site, where you can witness the island's history without spending a fortune. Additionally, many churches and museums offer discounted or even free entry, allowing you to indulge in local art and traditions without straining your budget.

Coastal Splendor: One of Cyprus' biggest draws is its stunning coastline, and you don't need to pay a hefty fee to enjoy it. Skip the private beaches and head to the public ones, such as Fig Tree Bay or Nissi Beach. Pack a picnic and spend a day relaxing under the Mediterranean sun or take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear waters - all without breaking the bank.

Savory Delights: When it comes to food, Cyprus offers a range of affordable culinary experiences. Seek out local taverns and street food stalls where you can try delicious Cypriot dishes like souvlaki, halloumi cheese, or traditional pastries. Don't forget to sample the island's famous local wine - an affordable and flavorful delight.

Nature's Bounty: Cyprus is blessed with natural wonders that won't cost you a fortune to explore. Lace up your hiking boots and venture into the Troodos Mountains, where you can hike scenic trails and enjoy breathtaking views. Alternatively, visit the Akamas Peninsula, a nature reserve boasting

Everything you need to know about Caldea Spa, Andorra

Getting There

My final microstate was the country of Andorra, located in the mountains between France and Spain. My uncle and I did a road trip from Frankfurt through France to Andorra, stopping in Toulouse for the night. Early the next morning we made the trek to the capital of Andorra la Vella.

Caldea Spa

We checked out all the main sights, but since it was the shoulder season between summer and fall and it wasn’t skiing season yet, the main thing to do is the Caldea Spa. If you know me by now, I love anything hot spring or spa related, so this was right up my alley. There’s so many different pools to check out, we spent a lovely afternoon just floating around! One of my favorite spas was the outdoor infinity spa with a view of Andorra!

Cost

The Caldea Spa is a little bit on the pricey side, but I highly recommend paying online in advance since it’s much cheaper than paying in person. Plus you can check out specials and deals they have and choose what’s best for you.

How to Visit Liechtenstein

During my quest to visit the remainder of the microstates, one of the few I had left was the country of Liechtenstein! The only way to reach the capital of Vaduz is to either take public transportation or drive your own car. Public transport was easy enough so I decided to go that route!

From Zurich, Switzerland, I took the train to Sargans, Switzerland. Since there aren’t any trains to Liechtenstein, you have to transfer to a bus right when you get out of the station. You’ll see a bright yellow bus that will take you straight to Vaduz.

How to Visit Monaco

Another microstate on my quest to visit every country in Europe, Monaco is known for its casinos and glamor in the south of France!

How to Get There

I actually took trains from Bologna after visiting the microstate of San Marino, which was a pain, but an easy way if you don’t have your own car or don’t want to spend the money on flights. The train stops at Monaco and you can hop off, no problem! The other way would be to fly into Nice, France and take the train over one stop.

The Best Thermal Baths in Budapest, Hungary

During my second visit to Budapest, I used the time to relax a bit from the craziness of my Europe adventure. One of my favorite things to do is visit hot springs or thermal baths anywhere I go! Here are some of the best thermal baths in Budapest:

Szechenyi Thermal Baths

The classic and most well-known, it’s the largest park and hosts “sparties” (spa parties).

Gellert Baths

The majority of the pools are indoors but the mosaics and art deco adorning the entire facility make it one of the most beautiful!

Rudas Baths

If you’re looking for a sunset spot while soaking in a thermal bath, this is it!

How to visit San Marino

San Marino is a microstate located within the country of Italy, but it’s actually it’s own country! I never knew much about these micro-countries before my quest to visit every country so trying to figure out the logistics to get to all of them can be a hassle.

How to Get There

If you’re flying into solely see San Marino, the best option would be to fly into Bologna, Italy and rent a car. If you can’t rent a car, you can take a train to Rimini and catch a bus to San Marino. It’s only a two hour drive, so you can easily do it as a day trip.

What to See

Personally my favorite thing to do was the Guaita Tower, and it’s best to photograph it at sunset. You get a stunning view of Italy from the top as well! Unfortunately it was raining when I went, but hopefully one day I’ll be back on a nice day.

The Best Itinerary for 1 Day in Malta

From Belgrade my plan was to fly to Budapest, and I happened to see a full-day stopover in Malta. I wish I had more time to visit friends there, but as I was on a mission to visit every country in Europe, I had to make cuts in my itinerary. One day was actually a good amount of time to explore the capital and catch up with my friends!

The area of Valletta is very walkable and quite beautiful to explore. My favorite things to do in a new place is to just wander and take photos; check out Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens, Republic Street and Merchant Street. I also highly recommend taking the water taxis on a nice day!

How to visit the Tunnel of Love of Kyiv

Does anyone remember the Tumblr days? I think that’s what inspired a lot of my travels for off-the-beaten-path adventurous places. One photo that stood out to me that put Ukraine on my radar was the “Tunnel of Love,” located in the western part of the country. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to venture all the way to that part of the country, but I stumbled upon a photo that looked similar to it, except right in Kyiv!

When to Visit

It’s a beautiful tram ride at any point in the year, but the fall colors really make this adventure really special.

What you need to Know

I got two fines trying to make it there and back so you don’t have to! First of all, before even attempting to make this journey, pick up a Kyiv Metro Pass from an underground subway station office. I tried purchasing from booths near tram stations along with electronic stations but didn’t have any luck; people told me I had to buy from the metro station offices underground. Also, make sure it has a few trips left in it since you’ll be doing a bit of transferring to get to the correct line!

How to get There

You’re basically navigating to the Pushcha-Voditsa Park, and yes there’s a lot of ways to get there. The trick is to get the classic red tram is you have to find the special line that departs from a certain square in Kyiv, called Kontractova-Ploscha. Once you find yourself at Kontractova-Ploscha, you’ll see all the classic red trams coming and going but there’s only one that will take you to where you want to go: Tram 12. Once you’re on, sit back and enjoy the ride because it’s an hour to the forest.

The Best Photography Spot

Take Tram 12 all the way to the first stop of the town Pushcha-Voditsa, right where the tram comes out of the forest. That way you’re only back-tracking a little bit into the forest, but you still have the luxury of catching several different tram lines back to Kyiv. I also read that there’s a really nice spa and resort nearby, and the actual park is beautiful to explore!

Final Thoughts

I was stressed out about the whole journey because of the fines, not really knowing what I was doing or where I was going while being solo, and the locals were quite unfriendly and didn’t want to speak to you if you didn’t speak Ukrainian. I even got approached a third time about getting fined because the police was claiming that my two other tickets were “fake” and I had to Google translate that I haven’t had the chance to go to the metro office to get the proper pass since I was out in the middle of nowhere. Anyways, I put a lot of work trying to find this spot so I hope it saves you the mistakes that I did and you have somewhere new to explore!