Like many other juniors at UMass Amherst right now, I am preparing to study abroad in the spring. What might these preparations entail? you may ask. Well, to put it in one word: lists! Lists, upon lists, upon lists, upon lists. But the most interesting one of all — and the one I’m sharing today — is my List of Places I Will Go. It includes more than five destinations, but I have selected the five I am most excited by, and ones that I think others will be excited about, too.
- Lagos, Portugal
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Oh, sunny Lagos! Between the expansive cerulean sea, its beautiful cliffs, and its infinite beaches, Lagos seems like the perfect place for a weekend getaway. Located in southern Portugal, Lagos is close enough to Lisbon and Porto (accessible by car, plane, or train) that I will be able to stop by these more tourist cities as well, yet far away enough to provide a beautiful respite from the hustle and bustle that are part of many European cities.
- Füssen, Germany
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This cute Bavarian town seems like something straight out of a movie. Which, actually, it kind of is! In fact, King Stefan’s castle from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty was modeled after the Neuschwanstein Castle, which is located on the outskirts of Füssen. Additionally, it is said that later, King Stefan’s castle, in combination with Cinderella’s castle, was the inspiration for the iconic Disney logo castle. Apart from this stunning landmark, I will also definitely be visiting the actual town of Füssen, which boasts quaint cobblestone streets and colorful houses. I hope to hear some yodeling too!
- Bruges, Belgium
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I imagine myself strolling in Bruges on a gloomy day, a hot drink in hand as I wander through the medieval buildings of this Belgian town. Just based on its pictures online, it seems like nothing I have ever seen before! The beautiful beiges, reds, and oranges make Bruges look like the perfect wintery destination. It’s a city with canals too, though I didn’t know about that until I looked it up myself. I can’t wait to see them in person!
- Interlaken, Switzerland
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Okay, I know this one isn’t that niche, but I think Interlaken is worthy of an exception, as well as the stunning, neighboring Grindelwald. This beautiful resort town is located in Switzerland between lakes, mountains, and vast forests. I’m particularly drawn to its natural beauty and all of the fun that comes with that, such as hiking, paragliding, and skiing. Hopefully, there is still snow in February!
- Stimigliano, Italy
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IYKYK. This one is for the Normal People fans. For those who have watched the show on top of reading the book (I highly recommend both!), the episode set in Marianne’s Italian villa (episode 9 is filmed in Stimigliano, which is about an hour away from Rome by car. I particularly want to visit the little square where Marianne and Connell enjoyed their ice creams, as well as the overlook spot where they talked about Connell’s emails to Marianne. I am so, so excited about this one.
Because this article is getting me even more excited about my study abroad experience in Spain, I want to include an honorable mention, which is not located in Europe: Fes, Morocco. The architecture, the elaborate mosaics, the food — what more can I say?
I can’t wait. For any of them. I’m ready.
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