An Art Teacher’s 12-Day Visual Diary: Wandering Through Central Europe
I treated myself to a long-overdue 12-day summer vacation in Central Europe. Here are some "unprofessional" notes on walking and photography from an art teacher’s perspective.
Usually, I teach art at a school in New Taipei City, spending my holidays sipping coffee and exploring shops in Taipei—a pretty laid-back life. This summer, I finally took the plunge and planned a 12-day getaway to Europe, traveling through the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary. Because of my job, I’m naturally sensitive to visuals and color palettes, and by the end of this trip, my camera’s memory cards were absolutely packed.
I’ve put together some thoughts from my journey to share with anyone planning a future trip:
🎨 The Beautiful Spots
📍 Charles Bridge, Prague
I visited this bridge twice. Once at sunset, when the golden light hit the old stone bricks and statues, dyeing the entire bridge in warm, glowing hues. The layers of light and shadow were truly moving to witness in person. The downside, however, was that it was as crowded as New Year’s Eve. The second time, I made an effort to get there early—around 7:00 AM. The crowds were gone, replaced by a few joggers and street performers setting up. With the crisp morning air, it was a much more pleasant experience.
📍 Old Town Square, Prague
This is the place from the Jolin Tsai song, surrounded by medieval buildings rich with history. Seeing the Astronomical Clock strike the hour is a must, but remember to arrive 10 minutes early to get a good spot. Also, I highly recommend saving some energy to climb the Old Town Hall tower. Looking down at the dense sea of red roofs offers incredible visual impact and makes for great photos.
📍 The Blue Church, Bratislava
This was a lovely little surprise while passing through Slovakia. The exterior of the church is a very soothing "macaron" pastel blue. Under the bright sun, it looks like something pulled straight out of a fairy tale. The color scheme is truly enchanting.
📍 Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna
The summer residence of the Austrian royalty, this Baroque masterpiece features their signature "Schönbrunn Yellow," a very elegant color choice. The Royal Gardens in the back are massive and will definitely test your stamina. If you have the time, I recommend hiking up to the Gloriette on the hill for a panoramic view of the entire city of Vienna.
💡 Practical Tidbits (Transport, Weather & Food)
1. Weather and Clothing:
I visited in August. The direct European sun during the day is quite hot, but as soon as you step into the shade or when night falls, the breeze can get chilly. The temperature difference between day and night is significant, so always keep a light jacket in your bag to avoid catching a cold.
2. Transport and Visas:
Traveling across three countries was seamless thanks to the Schengen area. The train and bus crossings were very smooth. For independent travelers, I suggest booking your train tickets between cities online in advance; buying them on-site is usually much more expensive.
3. Souvenir Shopping:
Souvenir shops near major attractions are overpriced. If you want to buy local chocolates, herbal teas, or snacks as gifts, I strongly recommend going to local supermarket chains (like Billa or Lidl). The prices are much friendlier, and you get a glimpse into the daily lives of locals.
4. About the Food:
Local European food tends to be quite salty, heavy, oily, and meat-centric. To be honest, after a few days, I started missing Taiwanese bento boxes and braised pork rice. I suggest using Google Maps to find local bistros in the alleys with good ratings. Even if the menu is only in the local language, the food is usually better and more unique than the chain restaurants on the main tourist streets.
Twelve days isn't exactly long, and walking over 10,000 steps every day left my feet aching for days after I got home. But looking back at those historic buildings and rich colors, it was worth every step. If you're thinking of taking a long break, I highly recommend exploring this Central European route.