One of the best parts about being on a different continent is Israel’s proximity to other countries.  It is so expensive to travel from America to anywhere, but within Europe and the Middle East, you can fly country-to-country for much cheaper.  So when I decided to spend the semester in Israel, my parents told me that they would also pay for a few side travels.  I’ll be spending Christmas in London, and I spent most of last week in Vienna with my best friend, Lee and my significant other.  We walked all day, toured the museums and palaces, enjoyed the Christmas markets, ate the local food, and took a day trip to Bratislava, Slovakia.  It was an amazing week, and I’m so grateful for the experience.

Lee soaks in some culture at the Leopold Musuem.  I found a new favorite artist there, Kokoschka.

Our first palace of the trip, Hofburg Palace in City Center

Lee and I on the steps of Parliament.  Half of the buildings in the City Center are covered in Greek mythology.

Lighting a candle at the Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial

Gorgeous evening skies in the City Center

Freezing in the quaint city of Bratislava

Some graffiti is good!

At the Castle in Bratislava overlooking the city

Back in Vienna, at the beautiful Hochstrahlbrunnen Fountain

Enjoying the nightlife

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

In the Schonbrunn Palace Gardens

Schonbrunn with my best friend

I can totally see why people want to live in palaces

The two best travel companions a girl could have

Auf wiedersehen for now!