Welcome back guys,

Finally, my summer break has started as well, but I decided to continue my English Studies during the summer.

Therefore I chose the BELS Junior’s Summer Programme, which I have a few things to say about now, since it is my last day here.

I’m laying in my bed in the hotel room and waiting for my friends because their bus is delayed.

Anyway, although Malta has its beautiful sights and can be cheap, I personally think that there are better destinations. Especially for studying English. Most people speak Maltesian here and I didn’t learn many new things in the advanced lessons, except some vocabulary.

The accommodation, the hotel called Santa Marina Hotel was pretty bad. The rooms are old and many things are broken and dirty. But it’s ok, I didn’t expect luxury.

(That’s Malta in general oops, e. g. it smells bad outside, the buildings are old, the roads dirty and the drivers are crazy. Be careful!)

Food at the buffet is terrible. BUT the rooms are relatively big and there are many things supplied like a fridge, AC, TV…

The activities on the other hand were amazing, usually enjoyable and something for everyone. I liked that we also had the opportunity to go out on our own (with friends)

Some places I would like to recommend:

• Comino Island/ Blue Lagoon Perfect for a swim through caves. The water is super clean and clear. A MUST!!
• Valletta
• Golden Sands Beach

The leaders were very kind, helpful and I felt safe and supported, if something should happen.

All in all I thought it was awesome, I met loads of interesting people and now I have more stories to tell.

H&M, Zara, Topshop… Every city has these big brand shops.

But you didn’t come all the way here just to buy stuff that you could also purchase at home (from your couch even), did you?

So here I have a few suggestions for my favorite shopping spots. Brand new as well as vintage treasures.

1. Konen

This shop is located at a corner between the Sendlinger Tor and the Marienplatz. Especially the display of accessories on the bottom floor is always beautifully arranged which makes it a very pleasant shopping experience overall. While they also have international brands like Ted Baker, Zadig & Voiltaire, Guess etc. they also carry clothes designed in Munich.

2. Ludwig Beck

You can’t possibly miss this store because it is right next to the Rathaus at the Marienplatz. They offer most things that Konen also has but I advise you to check out the Beauty and Stationary department here. Also if you want a dirndl or lederhosen as a souvenir, you can look there as well. But beware! Everything is a bit pricey there.

3. Pick & Weight Store

If you go on further from the Ludwig Beck, you will come to the Tal. On the left side is this second hand shop with a little twist. As the name already says, you pay for the weight of your clothes. Overall a trendy spot for the younger crowd, really. I don’t know many people from Munich who have NOT been here…

4. Second Hand Maier-Spitzbarth

So this is one of my favorites. Yes it is a bit expensive, but you have to consider that they sell designer items and the clothes don’t smell AT ALL. I have found so many gems here e.g. a Sandro blouse for just 40€, a Dolce and Gabbana dress for 80€ and so on. Next to this store is another little vintage shop aimed at the younger crowd ( love the selection there as well)

Summer has already begun for most people. Not for me. Actually, I still have to survive two and a half weeks of school before I can finally take my well deserved break. Also this week has been cold and rainy so far, that sucks.

What better way to distract yourself than write a summer bucketlist to look forward to?

Maybe you’ll find a few ideas that you haven’t thought of yet.

1. Go on an ice cream date
2. Start learning a new language
3. Try out some new form of exercise (e. g. Pilates)
4. Go to an open air cinema
5. Read a book📖
6. Go swimming in a lake
7. Visit a city nearby
8. Learn to sew clothes
9. Visit a museum
10. Try out new cafés or restaurants
11. Bake something. AT NIGHT.
12. Take lots of photos and make a photoalbum 📷
13. Get a job (could also be baby- or housesitting)
14. Visit your family
15. Have a sleepover
16. Learn how to cook a fancy dish
17. Make new friends
18. Go to a concert
19. Watch an entire tv show
20. Declutter your room
21. Go on a picnic
22. Sleep outside
23. Have a selfcare day
24. Go shopping (with friends)🛍
25. Go to parties
26. Explore a neighborhood you’ve never been to
27. Catch up with an old friend
28. Get tan
29. Film a YouTube Video
30. Have brunch
31. Kiss someone 😉
32. Start/Work on your blog
33. Dance in the rain
34. Journal/ Read your old diary
35. Try meditation
36. Volunteer
37. Go stargazing🌃
38. Have one “no technology” day
39. Make a gift for somebody
40. Go to a drive in movie
41. Go to the market
42. Create a summer playlist
43. Write a poem/short story
44. Prepare yourself for the next school year
45. Go hiking
46. Visit a castle
47. Learn the lyrics to some songs
48. Learn to draw something
49. Write a letter (could also be to your future self)
50. Pull an all-nighter

Let me know if you want to try out any of these things.

I’ve seen many blog posts and videos about this. Surprisingly nobody mentioned all this stuff that I had to figure out on my own. Now I can proudly say that I can fall asleep on almost every long haul flight. Over time I have established this routine that works perfectly for me.

Before you board

Make sure you are wearing comfortable clothes like a pair of leggings and an oversized tee. Tie your hair up in a bun. Bring a carry on item that you can store under the seat. (A rucksack would be great, I wouldn’t recommend a handbag)

Why? Because you don’t want to get up everything you have to get something, I find that can get a bit claustrophobic even.

So what shall you bring then?

Firstly, a pair of cozy socks or slippers. This avoids your feet from swelling.

A sweater jacket. You don’t want to catch a cold.

Electronics. Make sure they’re all in a smaller bag so you don’t have to dig around. Bring your phone (download lots of music and Netflix episodes), charger, powerbank, headphones etc.

sleeping masks and lavender oil help you sleep like a baby.

Liquids like facial cream, handcream, handsanatizer, toothpaste, deodorant

Toothbrush in case they don’t give you one on the plane.

Books, Paper and Pens cause duhhh. In addition to that you also have to fill out immigration papers so a pen really is useful. Consider making a travel journal so you can look back on all of the lovely memories.

On the plane

Congrats! You made it. You had to run before the gate closed but hey! You didn’t miss your flight.

First things first, look for your seat and place your items e.g. book in front pocket

Then go use the restroom so you don’t have to later. This is also an opportunity to freshen up a bit.

The next step that I would personally do is select a movie and wait for the first meal. Make sure to drink enough water to avoid dehydration and swelling. Please stay away from soda.

Now that your stomach is full get in your comfortable sleeping position (I lean my upper body to one side, lower to the other, feet on the seat.)

And this my friends is how I can sleep for HOURS.

Sooo… Let’s start at the very beginning. Basically I’ve been traveling ever since I was in the womb – quite literally. Now, I’m a teenager and like my peers, I want to become a bit more independent and start my solo-traveling journey.

The idea for this Blog came up when I was sitting in a cafe in Myeongdong, Seoul, while sipping my Bubble Milk Tea. I looked up from my book “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt (which I do recommend btw) out to the busy street and felt so small amongst all the grown-ups and the sky-high buildings that invited customers to either shop or taste their coffee.

Actually, this was my first time exploring a city all by myself and I felt like I wanted to share all of my experiences with you guys on how to become independent and learn to enjoy a meal by yourself and so on. (Instead of giving my friends unwanted advice about what libraries they should visit in Vienna. I’m really keen on books.)

Also, It’s a fun way to look back on old memories…

I hope to create guides that will help you with traveling comfortably (on a budget), with cool trendy spots to visit and all the crazy stuff I witnessed on the road. Let’s take this journey together. So why don’t you get ready and buckle up!