In normal times, Canadians are able to enter the European Union’s Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days. As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has rendered these times anything but normal. Due to the ease of transmission with which the disease spreads, government officials across the globe, including those in Europe, shut down their borders back in March of 2020 in order to stem the spread of the virus.

The London Underground has served Londoners since 1863. Since its opening, up to 2 million people ride the tubes every single day on their daily commute. It is no secret that it has become part of London’s identity and an invaluable part of its people’s daily lives. I personally use the Underground at least 10 times per week for various journeys around the Capital and with the joys of the 16-25 Railcard, it becomes the cheapest method of transport in London by far, even beating the London Bus in price and speed, but I think I will save that for another post.

Victorian London was renowned for its prisons and places of correction – Dickens vividly portrayed the harsh conditions and inhuman treatment of prisoners. Read more on the history of prisons in London. While there are no more Victorian buildings, it is possible to visit the sites where they once stood, which will also take you to London's fascinating areas.

It is unlikely that vast crowds will be travelling to see lights turned on across London this year, which makes them even more appealing than ever.

Aachen is a city located on North Rhine-Westphalia, at the crossroads of Germany's borders on Belgium and the Netherlands. Famous for being an important spa city historically, Aachen is a precious city as it is the place where the crown ceremonies of the German kings of the period were held.

"There's nowhere like London." Indeed, London is many things: it is history and culture, it is dynamic and diverse, and it can be damp and dusty. But mostly London is larger than life, and so are the myths about the capital.

Glasgow is home to three vibrant and well-established universities, the University of Glasgow, the University of Strathclyde, and Glasgow Caledonian University, and this fact makes it a major student city in the United Kingdom. As of the time of writing this article, Glasgow’s student population amounts to 185,000 from 140 countries around the world, in a total of about 671,020 people living in the City of Glasgow (or 1,800,000 living in the Greater Glasgow metropolitan area).

Before the pandemic hit, I traveled through Europe with my boyfriend. We were really lucky, his company was holding a conference in Katowice, Poland. After his initial work week, I got to come up and we had two weeks of vacation. Due to the fact that we were Americans who had grown up in poorer households, this was the first time we traveled out of the country. We both had to get passports and brush up on a few common phrases in French and German. When I think back to my time abroad, my initial thoughts have to do with stereotypes and language. The second thought deals with how awful travel can be.

Tucked away in the mountains of Gubbio, Italy is a gem that many are not aware exists. Il Turista is a charming and beautiful restaurant just minutes away from a 12th-century castle hotel with views that will leave you breathless.

When you first move to London, Ignorance is bliss. Living in London is a blast. You've made some new friends at work, you now know the area where you live, and you spend most weekends out with your camera, exploring all the hidden London treasures that you didn't even know existed. London nightlife is great (at least before the pandemic). What shocks you is the numbers on the receipts that come out of your pockets in the next morning.

To say the least, this birthday wasn’t like any other I’ve had before, or how I envisioned it would be. Nonetheless, it was a weekend to never be forgotten. I mean, I went to Paris with my best friend, what more could I ask for?

A Bustling City Full of Life They say that the party never stops in Madrid. Madrid is a bustling city full of life and a great atmosphere. In the heart of Madrid, the streets are lined with restaurants, pubs, shops, hotels and so much more. The metro system is easily accessible, therefore you need not rent a vehicle to get around.