Europe just keeps making it easier and easier to ride the rail. For the first time this past month, I rode on Spain’s rail system, the Renfe, and I have to give Spain some major props! Those people on Spain’s rail system definitely know what they are doing.

Here are 5 reasons why the Eurail (particularly Spain’s Renfe system) beats flying, any day.

1. Very. Comfortable. Seats. – Forget “Eurotrip” seats of awkward Mi-scuzi’s, these seats, more roomy than a plane, are incredibly comfortable and built large enough to avoid any awkward pants-less encounters.

A Renfe Train in Malaga

2. Popcorn Anyone? – Every Renfe train I have been on has had a recent movie shown, such as Quantum of Solace, Made of Honor, Marley and Me, and What Happens in Vegas. Of course, since it is Spain, the language is dubbed over in Spanish, but if you are wanting to brush up on your Spanish skills, it can be more entertaining than discovering how many spit-wads you can land on the opposite side of the train.

3. Food… YES! – All Renfe trains come equipped with a cafe with reasonable prices, in case you get the mid trip munchies.

4. Time is on your side – With train travel, you don’t have to spend two hours after check-in waiting or 1 hour passing through the security trying to decipher the 3-1-1 rule. Yes, they scan all baggage, but they do not have the tedious rules that the aviation industry sets about. I recommend being at the train station 30 minutes before your train departs if you have a reservation (usually the trains only arrive about 15 minutes before departure anyways). Instead of spending time at the airport waiting, you could be traveling and be there, in the same amount of time.

5. You arrive in the <3 of the city – How many times have you arrived at an airport only to find out that you have to pay 20 Euros and an hour worth of your time just to get from the airport to your destination city? With the train system, you arrive at a train station in the middle of the city and go on your way. In Europe, many times it just makes sense to travel by rail.

No overweight baggage fees, no credit card fees, no carbon offsetting fees, no check in fees, no lost luggage, no lost time. With a Eurail pass, train travel is super cheap!

And the best part? You see the country like you have never seen it before.

So grab your Eurail pass before you cross the pond, get out there, and get traveling!

Follow the rest of my travels on my travel blog.

Photo Credit: Terry Wha on Flickr

Greek dancing is something that every person needs to experience once, if not 20 times in their lifetime (and I am not talking about some show at Epcot.) Now granted, I have seen my share of some pretty amazing dancing (Jabbawockeez anyone?), but never have I felt so apart of the culture without speaking the language!

Photo Credit: alexdecarvalho on Flickr

Zeimpekiko, or the drunkards dance, is probably the most entertaining you will ever get to watch! The rhythm is 9/4 as to allow an extra beat for the “drunkard” to have an extra beat to stumble around. One person is in the middle dancing on their toes, tapping their hands on the ground, doing kicks over people’s heads, and even sliding on the floor for the duration of the song.

The rest of the crowd gathers around the person (including you – the beginner – if you feel so inclined!), kneeling and clapping their hands to the beat. As my friend John says, “It’s a chance for a Greek to prove he’s a man,” (though I saw a few women dancing solo too). Now granted, the music played is that of that of traditional Greek guitar and singers singing about their long lost love, so don’t expect any MGMT or “Single Ladies.” Finally, it’s not a true Greek dancing place if there aren’t any napkins, broken plates, or broken glasses littering the floor.

The other dance that you will see quite often is the Syrto. This is the line dance that goes around in a circle and moves to the right. The pace is quicker and it’s a slow-quick-quick-slow in a left-right-left sort of fashion.

After watching for a while, feel free to join in at the end of the line (the right end is the leader, so join at the back) or if someone invites you in, join there and learn from them. Just don’t break the line if not invited to join in at that place if you’re not experienced. The good thing is that everyone is always willing to lend a hand to a newbie, and again, don’t forget that napkins probably will be thrown (apparently the less wasteful form of plate and glass breaking).

Luckily, dance is an international language so you have no excuse not to join in!

Opa!

Follow the rest of my travels on my travel blog.

While most students are consumed with cramming for finals, our two interns are preparing to traverse the globe, down some local grub, and dive off the tallest bungee jump in the world!

Rather than telling you about our two interns, we figured it would be best to just show you. Check out their vids to see what really makes these two wickedly awesome and incredibly rad.

Get ready. They will rock you.

As you all know, it’s our birthday and you only turn 30 once! The truth is everyone loves a good party, so it’s time to let loose, have a “yagabomb” and check out some of the best party cities in the world!

1. Ibiza, Spain - This Spanish Island is notorious for its debauchery. Home to a number of foam parties and bars, including Privilege, the largest club in the world (it can hold ten times the number of people that went to my high school) how could we not put it at number one?

“Hear no evil, speak no evil - and you'll never be invited to a party” - Oscar Wilde

2. Florianopolis, Brazil – Less known than its amigo Rio de Janeiro, Florianopolis is the epitome of paradise. 42 beaches, check. Beautiful people, check. Awesome nightlife, check plus.

3. Ios, Greece – The island of Ios is MADE to party. When they don’t even serve breakfast until noon, you know it’s a good time.

4. Hvar Island, Croatia – With a number of waterfront bars for the night owl and beaches to explore during the day, Hvar Island is one underrated party destination that begs to be experienced.

5. Koh Phanang, Vietnam – Full moon party is what you get when you add gallons glow in the dark body paint, one beach, buckets of booze, and 20,000 people from all over the world. Just don’t mistakenly get literal and expose your backside.

6. Istanbul, Turkey – Istanbul offers a range of party options for any student on holiday. Check out the clubs on the waters of the Bosporus during the summer that don’t stop till 4am or later.

7. Prague, Czech Republic – With pints for around a euro, the city of Prague is the one of the cheapest places to get silly. The party goes on till 4 am so plan to stumble around until the wee hours.

8. Melbourne, Australia – Hands down, the best partying I have ever done has been with a group of Aussies. With a lion’s share of pubs, chic lounges, and raving clubs, Melbourne reminds you that Oz is more than koalas and Fosters.

9. Beirut, Lebanon – Beirut has become a decadent spot for merry making. Just be sure to check the local guides for the best places to go, as sentiments on party palaces change almost daily.

10. Shanghai, China - Frequented by many famous DJ’s, Shanghai has many districts that have awesome clubs all within stumbling distance: great for the expat who can throw back a drink or five.

Let me know your take on the best city to get schwasty face in!