✈️ European Trip May 2025 (Part 1: Days 1–5)
Hi all — thanks for reading my blog. This is Part 1, with at least one more part to follow once I’ve recovered and figured out the rest of the route.
✍️ Day One – London to Brussels
Took the Eurostar from St Pancras to Brussels Midi/Zuid (South), which was surprisingly simple and smooth.
The journey takes around 2 hours — not much longer than flying once you factor in airport security, transfers, and general waiting around.
My hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, is about 1km from the station, making everything very convenient.
After arriving, I went for a walk and grabbed dinner at a local bistro — Belgian stew and frites, which was excellent.
Tomorrow will be a long day: a 09:25 train from Brussels to Munich, with a change in Cologne. Around 7.5 hours in total, but hopefully with some good scenery along the way.
✍️ Day 2 – Brussels to Munich via Cologne
A short walk (1.5km) brought me to Brussels station, which was packed — very similar to major UK stations, though with better food options.
I boarded the Eurostar for the first leg, passing through Liège and Aachen (Hürtgen Forest nearby — one to return for in future).
We stopped briefly in Cologne:
The Cologne Cathedral is one of Germany’s most iconic landmarks — a stunning Gothic structure that took over 600 years to complete.
The remainder of the journey was long but uneventful:
- ~2 hours to Cologne
- ~5.5 hours to Munich
Think London to Glasgow… and then some.
Arrived at Munich Hbf, then took the S-Bahn to Leuchtenbergring — not the most scenic area, about 3.5km from the city centre.
At least the weather is expected to be around 22–23°C tomorrow, so plenty of walking ahead.
✍️ Day 3 – Munich Old Town and History Walk
Left the hotel after breakfast and walked toward Munich Old Town (around 3km).
I detoured slightly to visit the Justizpalast and the memorial connected to the White Rose resistance group.
The White Rose were a non-violent student resistance group against the Nazi regime. Members including Hans and Sophie Scholl were executed in 1943 after distributing anti-Nazi leaflets.
Unfortunately, the building was closed, but I later found a memorial near Hofgarten and the English Garden.
⛪ St Michael’s Church
Not to be deterred by the apparent closure of a number of
places I had earmarked for visiting, I headed to St. Michael’s Church –
It survived WWII bombings and contains remarkable artwork and historical tombs, including members of Bavarian royalty.
⛪ Frauenkirche
My next stop was Frauenkirche – Also known as the
Cathedral of Our Dear Lady, this 15th-century Gothic church with its iconic
twin domed towers is one of Munich’s most recognized landmarks. It was
impressive but, in my humble opinion, not as nice as St. Michael’s. It felt a
bit darker and more subdued.
🏙 Marienplatz and Old Town Center
By the time I left Frauenkirche it had started to rain,
which wasn’t entirely a bad thing as it had been getting a tad warm, around
20–22°C. A quick stop into a nearby shop to purchase yet another umbrella and I
was back on my way, this time to one of the main squares in the ‘Old Town’, Marienplatz
– The central square in Munich’s Old Town, home to the New Town Hall (Neues
Rathaus) and its famous Glockenspiel.
📸 Odeonsplatz
I headed over to Odeonsplatz – A large square
built in the early 19th century in a classical style, surrounded by notable
buildings like the Theatine Church and Feldherrnhalle, and closely tied to both
Bavarian military history and Nazi-era events.
Whilst in the area, I also took the opportunity to visit Hofgarten
and Residenz München – Hofgarten is a peaceful Italian-style
Renaissance garden, while the Munich Residenz is the former royal palace of the
Bavarian monarchs, showcasing opulent rooms and a vast collection of art and
historical artifacts.
One thing about Munich is that the main city center is, like
many other European cities, very compact, so you can squeeze a lot into a day
of walking. In my best attempt to do as much squeezing as possible, I headed to
the southeastern section of the ‘Old Town’ to visit the site of what was the largest
synagogue in Munich prior to the Holocaust – The main synagogue was
destroyed during Kristallnacht in 1938, a tragic symbol of the Nazi regime’s
campaign against Jewish communities. A memorial now marks the site.
By now it was approaching noon and I had been walking for 3
hours, so I figured it was time for lunch. When in Munich, at least for me, you
have to visit Hofbräuhaus at least once. It is the definition of iconic
German beer halls – Established in the 16th century, it's one of Munich’s
oldest beer halls and is famous for its traditional Bavarian beer, hearty food,
and lively atmosphere. At 12:15, it was packed with people singing and
drinking. I found a table and ordered a house beer and schnitzel.
Lunch was pleasant. I met a young couple from Nuremberg—he's
a footballer who will, no doubt be in the EPL, and she's about to start law studies
at university. They were friendly and checked out my blog. Thanks for the chat!
😊
Leaving Hofbrauhaus with a full belly, I headed away from the ‘Old Town’ aiming to visit Englischer Garden which is a large park to the Northeast that runs along the river Iser.
S| -Englischer Garten 3/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
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| Pagoda-Englischer Garten 3/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
I really only wanted to get some
steps in as I have been pretty sedentary recently and need to get back into
walking. The park was nice but what made the detour worthwhile was finding the
Archaologische Staatssammlung, a nice little archaeological museum…and I like
all things old so it was a nice find.
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| Archaologische Staatssammlung-Roman Statue 3/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
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| Archaologische Staatssammlung-Bust 3/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
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| Archaologische Staatssammlung-3rd/4th Century Roman Mosaic 3/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
✈️ Day 4 – Munich to Istanbul (Travel Day)
The 4th of May was a travel day. Up early for
breakfast in the hotel then caught the S-Bahn to Munich Airport. I was, a bit,
surprised at the price of the ticket, 14.3 Euros, but attribute that to the ‘Holiday
Inn Markup’.
Pretty uneventful trip if I were to be honest. One Traveler
Tip though and that is, if you are returning to Munich, use the Service
Center to store any luggage that you don’t want to drag around. I decided to
just take my laptop bag and one day’s change of clothes and to leave my
backpack. One of the reasons is that I was flying Ajet and Pegasus both of
which are budget and I had never flown on them before. I did not want to risk a
huge charge when it costs 4 euros per day to leave the bag at the airport.
Comfortable and uneventful flight to Sabhia Gokcen (SAW)
airport. Now, here’s the thing, there are two airports that service Istanbul,
the other being IST. It is important to know that SAW is on the Asian side of
the city, approximately 42 km from the center. You can take the metro, bus or
taxi. As it had been a long day, I opted to take a taxi. Be prepared, it will
be around £40 if they take the highway (with tolls but quicker).
⚠️ Traveller Tip
Check passport stamps. Mine wasn’t stamped on entry — only noticed later.
✍️ Day 5 – Istanbul (Hagia Sophia and Bosphorus)
🕌 Hagia Sophia
Busy day on the 5th of May as had to get out early to be
back to take a call at noon….so, up early, no breakfast (could do without it
anyway TBH) and out the door at 0830. The first stop, and one of the main
reasons for the trip, was to Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Originally constructed
in 537 AD under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, this architectural
masterpiece served as the world’s largest cathedral for nearly a thousand
years. With the Ottoman conquest in 1453, it was transformed into a mosque,
adding elegant minarets and Islamic calligraphy to its already rich Christian
mosaics. In 1935, it became a museum, symbolizing Turkey’s secular turn, and in
2020, it was reconverted into a mosque—yet it remains open to visitors of all
backgrounds.
Stepping inside feels like walking through a living museum
of empires. Light filters through countless windows, illuminating both
glittering mosaics of Christ and Mary and vast medallions bearing Arabic
script. The mix of Byzantine and Ottoman elements tells a story not just of
conquest, but of cultural fusion. Whether you’re a history buff like me, an
architecture lover, or a curious traveller, Hagia Sophia offers an
unforgettable glimpse into the soul of Istanbul—where East meets West and past
meets present.
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| Interior of Hagia Sofia 1, 5/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
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| Interior of Hagia Sofia 2, 5/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
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| Me with courtyard of Hagia Sofia behind me, 5/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
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| Exerior of Hagia Sofia, 5/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
Definitely a must for people’s bucket list!
There's always time for a coffee and a croissant in Ian's world 😃
Hagia Sophia is in an area of immense importance with the Hippodrome, also known as Al Meydani or “Plaza of Horse” and its Obelisks. Once the beating heart of Byzantine Constantinople, the Hippodrome was a grand stadium where chariot races, political drama, and imperial ceremonies unfolded. Though little remains of its original structure, today’s Sultanahmet Square still echoes its past with monuments like the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpent Column.
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| Serpent Obelisk, 5/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
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| Egyptian Obelisk, 5/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
A nice little addition to the visitt is theHagia Sofia museum. Traveller Tip: It is very expensive, 40 euros, to enter the museum and a few other sites so be forewarned. I'd also add that, having been to many museums, I felt it was way too pricey!
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| Hagia Sofia Museum-Holy Koran 5/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
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| Hagia Sofia Museum-Christian Icon 5/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
There is , also, the ‘Blue Mosque’. Standing opposite Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque—officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque—is one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Completed in 1616, it stuns visitors with its elegant symmetry, cascading domes, and especially its six minarets—a rare feature that once stirred controversy. At the time, only the Grand Mosque in Mecca had six minarets, prompting concern that the sultan’s mosque was overreaching. To resolve the issue, a seventh minaret was added to Mecca’s Mosque, restoring its unique status.
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| Note: Photo credit to (AA) as appeared in Daily Sabbah 21-4-23 |
After my call, it was back on the trail of more history. This time it was in the direction of the Bosphorus, the strait which separates Western European Istanbul with Eastern Asian Istanbul. What I discovered was that much like Rome or Athens but on a much smaller scale, Istanbul has a lot of Roman ruins dotted everywhere. There is a small archaeological site, IBB Arkeoloji Park, which was closed but I managed to get a photo of. It was a bit of a shame as, despite it being small, it could have been better preserved and available.
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| IBB Arkeoloji Park, 5/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
🌉 Aqueduct of Valens
I, then, headed towards the Bosphorus. The first thing that
I encountered was the Aqueduct of Valens. Stretching gracefully across the
modern streets of Istanbul, the Aqueduct of Valens is a striking reminder of
the city’s Roman past. Completed in 368 AD during the reign of Emperor Valens,
this massive stone structure was part of a sophisticated water system that
served Constantinople for over a millennium. Its arches once channelled fresh
water into palaces, baths, and fountains—an engineering marvel that kept the
imperial capital thriving.
Today, the aqueduct stands proudly above Atatürk Boulevard,
seamlessly blending into the rhythm of a bustling city. Though cars now pass
beneath its arches instead of water, the Aqueduct of Valens remains a powerful
symbol of Istanbul’s layered history—where ancient innovation meets the present
day.
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| Aqueduct of Valens 5/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
Passing beneath the Aqueduct, I discovered a bustling market
street. Given that it was now 2pm, I figured I’d find a restaurant for some
lunch. I decided upon one that had the most locals and that was the Sur
Ocakbasi. The lunch was fantastic! It was tasty and inexpensive coming in
around 450 Turkish Lyra (about £8.75) which was much less than any food I’d had
since starting my trip!
🌊 Bosphorus
I managed, after lunch, to make it to the Bosphorus. In the
end, it wasn’t to accomplish anything other than to be able to document the
place where East meets West…box now ticked and it’s back towards the hotel.
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| View of the Bosphorus from European side 5/5/25 (Ian Thompson) |
Had a bit of a detour...found another museum! There are quite a few scattered over Istanbul so, if you are into such things then you'll be happy!
By the way...these guys are everywhere. I am not a cat fan, more a dog person, but these guys are pretty cute. They even have machines where you can buy food to feed them!
That’s Days 1–5 done — a mix of cities, trains, long walks, and way too many station platforms.
I’ve been trying to see as much as possible in a short time, but I’m curious how others would approach it.
Would you do a fast-paced trip like this, or would you pick one or two countries and explore them more deeply instead?
Some cracking photos, and solid info. Trip looks like it's been great thus far.
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