A Quick Recap of My Europe Trip
After nearly four months of traveling around Europe, my adventure has finally come to an end!
Here’s a quick overview of the route I took.
Route Overview
The journey kicked off in late September at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. From there, I traveled overland to Hungary in Eastern Europe. After that, I left the Schengen Zone for a while to explore the Balkans, then continued through Italy, Switzerland, France, and Spain, before reaching my final destination—Portugal!
Best Spot for Digital Nomads
The best place for digital nomads? Kosovo!
As the newest country in Europe, Kosovo has a super affordable cost of living, and its cafes and co-working spaces are well-equipped for remote workers. I worked from a few cafes there and saw tons of young people who looked like digital nomads (probably not from Kosovo themselves).
Also, I’m a Cold Brew fan, and the ones I had there were amazing. Definitely give them a try!
eSIM Experience
I tested these three eSIM providers and switched depending on which one was the best deal at the time. I mostly ended up using MobiMatter.
- BNE eSIM
- MobiMatter
- Global YO
Souvenir List
Here are the souvenirs I picked up along the way! Hope this helps if you’re looking for travel gift ideas.
Austria 🇦🇹 Hallstatt Salt
The name "Hallstatt" actually comes from a Celtic word meaning "salt town." Makes sense, right? A great local souvenir!
Slovakia 🇸🇰 Tatratea
It looks like tea, but it’s actually super strong alcohol! Originally created to keep mountaineers warm, this Slovakian liqueur is perfect for those who love a good drink.
Hungary 🇭🇺 Embroidery & Paprika Powder
Hungary is known for its beautiful embroidery! Another thing I discovered there was paprika powder—a key spice in traditional dishes like goulash and paprikash. It comes in different levels of spiciness!
Albania 🇦🇱 Embroidery & Albanian Brandy
Balkan souvenirs tend to be quite similar across countries, but in Krujë, I found some amazing embroidery that I couldn’t resist! I also picked up some Skënderbeu Brandy, made from locally grown grapes and aged in oak barrels.
Montenegro 🇲🇪 Plazma Cookies
These Plazma Cookies are everywhere in the Balkans! To avoid them getting crushed during travel, I went for the chocolate-coated version.
Croatia 🇭🇷 Licitar Heart Ornament
In Zagreb, I got a Licitar heart—a traditional Croatian decoration originally made as a gingerbread cookie. Now, they’re crafted as ornaments and even recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage!
Slovenia 🇸🇮 Pumpkin Seed Oil & Piran Salt
Pumpkin seed oil has a nutty flavor and is great for salads, soups, or even desserts. The Piran sea salt, harvested using traditional methods on the Adriatic coast, is another must-buy souvenir!
Italy 🇮🇹 Lemon-Flavored Olive Oil & Lemon Soap
Italy has tons of amazing souvenirs, but I went for lemon-infused olive oil (in a spray bottle—super convenient for salads) and lemon-scented soap, which smells incredible!
Switzerland 🇨🇭 Toblerone
When in Switzerland, Toblerone is a must! The classic triangular chocolate bar comes in different flavors, so of course, I bought all three.
France 🇫🇷 Lyon’s Praline Sweets
Pralines Rouges (red pralines) are a specialty from Lyon—almonds coated in caramelized sugar with a bright red color. They’re often used in brioche and tarts!
Spain 🇪🇸 Turrón (Traditional Almond Candy)
Turrón is a traditional Spanish almond candy, especially popular during Christmas. It comes in two main types: hard (Alicante) and soft (Jijona). I got a pack of four for 10 euros at a Barcelona market! Just be careful—it can get a bit crushed in your bag.
Portugal 🇵🇹 Card Holder
At a weekend market along the Douro River in Porto, I found this super stylish cardholder with traditional Portuguese patterns—for just 1 euro! Instant purchase.
Keychains from Each Country
To keep memories from every place I visited, I started collecting keychains. By the end, my bag was pretty heavy, but it was totally worth it! (Also, keychains are an easy souvenir choice—no need to overthink.)
Looking back, this trip was definitely worth it! Now I’m already thinking about where to go next!
