Context
This travel blog is part of NUS’ BT4212 Search Engine Optimization and Analytics Course, showcasing some of the best sites in Europe from my time as a Singaporean Exchange Student (SEP). Traveling through Europe allowed me to explore cities that left a lasting impression on me, with each destination offering unique experiences.
Note: All photos are taken unedited with my Pixel 8 Pro's phone camera!
Main European City of Stay: Lyon
Known as France’s Food Capital, Lyon captured my heart with its breathtaking architecture, rich cultural atmosphere, and warm, welcoming locals—dispelling any stereotypes I had. For any Singaporean SEP student, Lyon is a great city to explore French gastronomy and soak in the local way of life.
Getting into Lyon
Upon arriving, I quickly learned that navigating Lyon’s transit system is easy and affordable. An insider tip: instead of the pricier Rhonexpress, try taking Bus 47 to Meyzieu and then the T3 line to Part Dieu, saving nearly 18 euros on the journey!
Parc de la Tête d’Or: A Lyonnaise Gem for SEP Students
Lyon’s Parc de la Tête d’Or, or "Golden Head Park," is a massive green space offering peace and relaxation. I was fortunate to be placed at INSA Lyon for my SEP, a short walk from this stunning park. This is one of the best spots for a Singaporean Exchange Student to unwind, explore, and connect with nature. It includes wide fields, a free zoo, botanical gardens, and even row boats—all of which made my visits after school a real highlight.
Parc de la Tête d’Or, or the Golden Head Park, is an expansive green space that left a lasting impression on me, especially coming from the small city of Singapore. The park is so vast that it took me more than three visits to explore its entirety.
This park, located in Lyon, is a must-see for anyone traveling through Europe. It offers vast green spaces, a free zoo, and a botanical garden, making it one of the best spots to visit in Lyon for nature lovers.
Main Features:
- Free Zoo and Botanical Garden: One of the park’s highlights is its free zoo and botanical garden, offering a delightful experience for nature and animal lovers.
- Wide Green Fields: The park boasts wide green fields perfect for relaxing, picnicking, and enjoying the outdoors.
- Row Boats: Certain sections of the lake offer row boats, providing a serene way to explore the water.
- Mini-Golf Area: For those looking for a bit of fun, the park also features a mini-golf area.
It was common for us to visit the park after school to explore, take pictures, and participate in various activities. The park’s diverse attractions and serene environment made it a favorite spot for students and locals alike.
La Confluence a Lyon
An iconic and scenic area where the Saône and Rhône rivers meet, La Confluence offers beautiful sunset views and opportunities to capture the city’s stunning natural and architectural blend. It’s also home to the famous Musée des Confluences, a natural sciences museum that SEP students can visit to learn more about France’s natural history and architecture.
La Confluence is another iconic part of Lyon, a perfect example of how European cities blend nature and modern urban life. Known for its stunning rivers and wildlife, La Confluence is a great place for sunset photos and exploring Lyon’s scenic side.
Beyond the museum, La Confluence is a haven for wildlife, particularly swans that live, sleep, and feed on food given by locals. The area is famous for its stunning pink sunsets, making it an ideal location for capturing breathtaking sunset photos and stargazing.
Favorite European City: Interlaken, Switzerland
Prices
Among all my European travel experiences, Interlaken stands out as my favorite. This Swiss city offers breathtaking landscapes, and it’s an ideal destination for anyone who loves nature and adventure. Despite being rather pricey (about 180 euros to travel from Lyon to Interlaken and back), there are affordable grocery stores with decently priced eatery outlets (about 20 francs, which is reasonable for Switzerland).
City History and Context
Interlaken, known as the city "In Between Lakes," was my favorite destination. As a nature enthusiast, I found it to be one of the best sites in Europe to experience Switzerland’s mountains, lakes, and forests. While Switzerland can be pricey, Interlaken has affordable eateries and grocery stores. My journey from Lyon to Interlaken was worth every euro, with scenery that’s unmatched in other European locations.
Nearby European Towns: Grindelwald and Iseltwald
Nearby, the towns of Grindelwald and Iseltwald add to Interlaken’s charm. Grindelwald is known for Jungfraujoch, the "Top of Europe," which is Europe’s highest peak and offers skiing and sledding. Iseltwald’s picturesque port is famous for its appearance in the Netflix series "Crash Landing on You".
Most Desired European City: Venice
Venice, the city of canals, captivated me with its unique beauty and historic charm. Exploring the canals, walking across the city’s many bridges, and enjoying the incredible food make Venice one of the best sites in Europe for Singaporean Exchange Students. Staying just outside the main city made visiting Venice both affordable and accessible, with frequent trains and buses into the city center.
During my European travels, I conducted most of my research while in Europe, often in the cities themselves. However, Venice captivated me the most. I was eager to visit and soak in its unique atmosphere, especially with the popular saying, “Visit Venice before it sinks.” Surprisingly, even on a weekend, Venice was not crowded. We stayed just outside the city, which is a more affordable option, and enjoyed convenient express train and bus services to and from Venice.
What fascinated me about Venice was the extensive use of boats, which essentially replaced cars in the city. Despite this, there are ample bridges and walkways, making it easy to explore Venice on foot. Although Venice is a popular tourist destination and can be quite expensive, similar to Switzerland, I was pleasantly surprised by the many free exhibits available throughout the city. While Venice has its share of paid attractions, like Doge’s Palace, it also offers free exhibits and scenic spots perfect for students on a budget. And of course, it’s an ideal destination for capturing unforgettable photos of charming canals, gondolas, and colorful architecture.
Conclusion
As a Singaporean Exchange Student, my time exploring Europe’s best cities—from the culinary capital Lyon, to scenic Interlaken, to the iconic canals of Venice—has been incredibly rewarding. Each city offered experiences unique to Europe and broadened my perspective on culture and lifestyle. If you’re planning an exchange, I highly recommend adding these destinations to your travel itinerary.
These all are the beautiful and best cities but I really like the Chicago, and last year i visited there and saw the different places and give the bus trips from chicago. We saw the different places, museums, parks, and enjoy the outdoor activities and captured the beautiful images.
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