"Travel is the only thing you buy, that makes you richer."

There's nothing quite like that moment. You're tumbling through a busy strip, making your way to the next point of interest. You stop for a moment, look around you and feel that wanderlust taking over your being - a foreign city, a thousand beautiful sights you never dreamed of seeing, you feel more alive than you ever have. Present, mindful, happy.

They say you shouldn't wish away your time to the next holiday, instead you should create a life that doesn't need to be escaped. But sometimes the pressures around us become all to much, and for a person suffering with a mental illness - it only seems that much worse. When you become so accustomed to a way of life, it can be difficult to shake off habits that only excel a mental illness. Travelling lets you see the world from a new perspective, it interrupts your negative thoughts - there are far too many beautiful things around you to enjoy!

Whether you are looking for culture, food, art - Europe has it all. Here are two of my favourites.

Barcelona, Spain

A city full of mind blowing artwork by Gaudi, beautiful places of worship, and so many hidden gems down the winding side streets like St Joseph market.

Bridge of Sighs

Sagrada Familia

The Gingerbread Houses, Park Guell

     

Some of my favorite memories were made here. I'll never forget strolling through the city, so colourful in the summer sunshine, trying to find Sagrada Familia. When I turned a corner, I was in awe of the size (yet unfinished!) and complexity of this magnificent Roman catholic church. For the four short days I came to Barcelona, I barely had time to think of much beside the sights.The beautiful bright colours of the Gaudi houses are a bliss, and all I could think of was how lucky I am to be able to see it for myself.

Krakow, Poland

I loved Poland so much the first time I visited, I went again within 5 years. Both visits were during the winter months and the snow only adds to the magic of the Gothic 14th century architecture.

Jewish Quarter

St Mary's Basilica, Krakow Square

Auschwitz I

In between enjoying the breathtaking Old Town, Jewish Quarter and ghettos, I visited Auschwitz. 

Visiting this memorial let me experience, as best I could imagine, the harrowing and devastating lives that were short lived here under Nazi Germany. Seeing the ordeals faced by 1,100,000 people in this camp alone made my own troubles irrelevant and unnecessary. The vast scene of Birkenau camp is incredibly eerie and peaceful, and the saying is true - you can't hear a bird sing. I will undoubtedly visit again. 

In the square you will find a mix of beautiful restaurants and cafe's which are cheap! And a cloth market where you can buy gorgeous souvenirs. As well as one of my personal favorites: St Mary's Basilica. Krakow is a city where you learn the suffering of others, and celebrate lives and culture.

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It doesn't always have to be abroad. Travelling anywhere is rejuvenating for your mind, embracing the desires and opportunities to have new experiences has such a positive impact on your mental health. And when we view the world from another perspective, such as the tragedies that have happened elsewhere, we may start to appreciate what we have at home. So do it now, book that once-in-a-lifetime Thailand/Bali tour, because I bet you won't regret it.



Alice

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Note: Sorry for the short blog post this week. Finals are ongoing, lots of family things happening, trying to stay sane! Summer is around the corner, and I have so much left to tell you all :) see you soon, x