Travel Oct 2012 Europe

This was one of my longer travels, the whole month of October 2012 was dedicated to visiting new places and some familiar places. This time around I wanted to try to stick to a strict budget; "10 Cities For 10000 NOK", but without needlessly restricting myself. In the end I only overshoot the budget by 25%.

1. - 3. Oct Edinburgh

Sleep

• Caledonian Backpackers - Friendly, good large beds, free breakfast, wifi, good common bar hangout area, at the edge of new town, recommended, 15EUR/night 12 person dorm

Eat

• Rapido - Deli/cafe with a good selection of freshly made take-away dishes, cool online order-and-pick-up-system, Piadina with roast vegs and mozzarella, side salad 5.15EUR
• El Falafel - A small snack bar on a side street next to the university, good lunch options, fairly large freshly made falafal wrap with your choice of vegs and drink (tea) for 3.95EUR

Do

• Regent Gardens‎ - On top of Clinton Hill, offering a nice view over the entire city, forget about shelling out 15EUR for Castle Rock, this is much better
• Royal Mile - Long street streching from Castle Rock, the main attaction and early city fort, down to Palace of Holyroodhouse where the queen lives when in town
• North Bridge - Perpenducular to Royal Mile, going over the trainstation with a good view of the cross between old and new town
• Holyrood Park - Huge vulcanic crest reaching 120m over the city, entire area only covered with grass and lots of hiking trails, perfect for a afternoon picnic during sunset
• Starbucks - Throughout the city, great atmosphere and free wifi, excellent place to hangout when it starts raining

See

• Forbidden Planet - Fairly large selection of scifi, manga and anime , must for any fan of comics or fantasy
• Scottish Parlament building - Strange abstract modern architecture and design, apparently looks like a tree when viewed from the sky
• National Gallery of Scotland - Holds much of Scotland's fine artwork and carries exhibitions that change seasonally, fascinating presentation, free

3. - 5. Oct London

Sleep

• The Green Man - A bar-style hostel, with the rooms on the first floor, large 18 bed dorm, spacious, breakfast lacking, lost my laptop charger, nothing special

Eat

• Hummus Bros - Two university guys specializing in excellent hummus dishes, pick different toppings, side bread, great food
• Beatroot - Vegetarian restaurant close to Hummus Bros in Soho, recommended by my brother
• The Rock and Sole Plaice - Fish and chips, freshly made and large portions, one of the best in central London, try the green pea mash

Do

• Science Museum - An entire building dedicated to science and technology, each floor presents a different topic, the space section is especially well done, free

See

• Hyde Park - Stroll around the multitude of paths and around The Serpentine lake, refreshing

5. - 6. Oct Cologne

Sleep

• Weltempfänger Backpacker Hostel - Just ouside the city park, friendly reception, clean small rooms, 27USD/night

Eat

• Osho's Place - Delicious Dahli every friday evening, make sure to make a reservation else the place is packed, 12.90EUR

Do

• Breite Straße - Stroll down the busy but quiet pedestrian street in the middle of Köln

See

• Kölner Dom - Just next to the main train station, possible to take the stairs up to the top