Transylvanian· SkillBoosters · 3 min read
Team 1: Arts & Literature — Vienna, Venice, Rome, Milan, Lake Como, Budapest
Our very first SkillBoosters team set off on August 3, 2024 — five young women on a 12-day train journey across Europe with a focus on arts and literature.
Team 1: Arts & Literature — Vienna, Venice, Rome, Milan, Lake Como, Budapest
Our very first SkillBoosters team set off at dawn on August 3, 2024 — five young women embarking on a 12-day train journey across Europe with a focus on arts and literature. Led by Nagy Blanka-Beáta, the team planned their route through Europe’s greatest cultural capitals.
Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹 The first destination offered plenty of experiences. During their walk through Schönbrunn Palace, they gained insight into the history of one of Europe’s most influential dynasties, the Habsburg dynasty, and their everyday lives. The palace’s surrounding gardens, parks, and labyrinth also amazed the team. The numerous city walks revealed Vienna’s true, everyday face, contrasting with the palace’s historical grandeur. Their Vienna visit concluded with a stroll through the Belvedere Palace gardens and a delicious coffee.
Venice, Italy 🇮🇹 (3 days) Venice was where the team spent the most days during the trip. During their three-day visit, they explored numerous museums, gaining insight into the city’s rich cultural heritage. While discovering the Venetian streets, they immersed themselves in the city’s unique atmosphere and tasted local flavors in Italian restaurants. Beyond the restaurants, to save money, they handled their meals using the facilities offered by the hostel’s kitchen. One afternoon, they took a boat trip to the islands of Murano and Burano, where they marveled at the famous glassblowing craft and the colorful houses. They ended the last night with a fun karaoke evening — the perfect conclusion to their three-day Venetian adventure.
Rome, Italy 🇮🇹 The team began their Roman program with an evening city tour after settling into their accommodation. During their time in the city, they visited numerous landmarks: the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Spanish Steps. In the afternoon, they had the opportunity to visit the Vatican and its museum. The Roman trip concluded with an Italian dinner.
Milan & Lake Como, Italy 🇮🇹 The team visited Milan between August 10–12. After Rome, their next destination was Milan, where the impressive Duomo greeted them at the metro exit. Following a quiet city tour, the next day they took a train to Lake Como, where they also had the chance to relax on the beach. After a pleasant day combined with beautiful views and landscapes, in the evening they visited the interior and the roof of the Duomo, from where they could see the entire city. Then they set off towards their final destination: Budapest.
Budapest, Hungary 🇭🇺 The girls’ adventures ended in Budapest, where they started their morning at a famous pet café, Zoo Café. Here, they could pet various animals while enjoying a delicious coffee. Afterwards, they continued their journey to the Libertine bookstore, where they learned about the history of the bookstore and publishing house, as well as the team’s reading promotion project. They ended their day with a long walk through the streets of Budapest, passing by the Parliament, Heroes’ Square, the riverbank, and Margaret Island.
Group Leader’s Reflections: Nagy Blanka-Beáta later shared: “The SkillBoosters DiscoveringEU project opened up paths not only for exploration but also for personal growth. As a group leader, I spent 12 days with young people I had never met before. I had the chance to support them as they dared to challenge their own limits, step out of their comfort zones, and gradually grow more confident. It was an exciting learning journey for me as well. I recommend the group leader role to those who are not afraid of challenges and who find joy in helping others achieve success.”