Everyone needs a fun vacation. We came back a couple of weeks ago from our awesome family vacation across the pond. It was a mix of historical sites, amazing food, and a lot of football. I am thankful for my family, who are very supportive of our adventures. I am forever grateful that we are lucky enough to have these privileges. This blog is solely based on my opinions and experiences.
This blog post isn’t long enough to detail all our adventures, but here are the highlights:
🇩🇪 Germany
First stop: North Rhine-Westphalia. We split our time between Düsseldorf and Cologne, which are basically the “sibling rivals” of German cities.
Düsseldorf: This city is sleek. We spent a good amount of time in the Altstadt (Old Town), which people call “the longest bar in the world.” I had my first glass of Altbier from Uerige, which was remarkable—especially paired with a schnitzel.
Cologne (Köln): Just a quick train ride away, and man, the Cologne Cathedral (Der Dom) is an absolute unit. You step out of the train station and it’s just there, looming over you with centuries of history. I also grabbed a Kölsch here, as is tradition. It wasn’t my first time in Cologne, and I always enjoy exploring the city.
We also caught the Bayer Leverkusen vs. Wolfsburg game, which was awesome.
🇳🇱 The Netherlands
Crossing into the Netherlands felt like stepping into a postcard—if that postcard also featured a thousand people on bicycles trying to politely run you over.
The Dutch have figured out the “cozy” lifestyle (Gezelligheid) better than anyone else. We spent the day wandering through downtown Venlo, taking home tons of cheese and stroopwafels.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
There is a specific kind of energy in London that you don’t find anywhere else. It’s a massive, sprawling mix of “this building is 900 years old” and “this building is a literal glass shard.”
I did the classic tourist circuit because, honestly, how can you not? Big Ben (the Elizabeth Tower), Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace were all on the list. Most importantly, I also found the TARDIS.
- The Tube: It’s the lifeblood of the city. Mind the gap, stay to the right on the escalators, and you’ll fit right in.
- The Parks: I was surprised by how green London is. Hyde Park is huge, but St. James’s Park has the best views of the palaces.
The Main Event: The primary reason I came to London was Chelsea Football Club. I really appreciated the staff and personnel at Stamford Bridge, especially in the Canoville Suite. As a Chelsea fan since I was a child, doing “everything Chelsea” was a very important moment for me.
Trip Verdict?
10/10—we shall do it again.
Total Miles Walked: Too many. Total Pastries Consumed: Never enough.