Couchsurfing reviews. The Whole Truth About Couchsurfing: What Is Often Hushed About Couchsurfing Lions

Traditional travel no longer attracts tourists. Increasingly, they travel in atypical ways. They do not stay in hotels, but look for other places to spend the night. An alternative was couchsurfing (from the English. CouchSurfing - literally "traveling on sofas"). This is an online guest network. On a special site, people post information about themselves - who they are, where they come from, where they travel. And they make requests to other users - is it possible to stay with them for the duration of the trip. A community of couchsurfers shares a place to spend the night with each other for free. In addition, people have the opportunity to communicate with local residents and exchange experiences. Currently, the couchsurfer community has over two million people and continues to grow.

Igor Rozdobudko is a couchsurfer from Kiev. I started doing this recently, at the end of 2010. Then he needed to stay for a few days in Los Angeles, and did not want to stay in a hotel. True, then no luck. “This is the mistake of all beginner couchsurfers. At first they think the main idea is just to stay overnight for free.” Igor believes that this is only a small part of what Couchsurfing has to offer. “The most important thing is that you can exchange ideas and meet new people from different parts of the world.”

Before you go somewhere couchsurfing, you should first receive a few visitors yourself. Igor, for example, accepted several couples - from Russia, Germany, France. Most stayed for two or three days. He says that at first he was worried, paid a lot of attention to the guests, organized excursions around Kiev. Having already gained some experience, I decided to travel on my own. “I went to Israel, where I stayed with different people. One sixty-year-old woman even left me the key to the apartment, while she went somewhere. And I lived with her for a whole week. The woman said that she hosted more than 60 couchsurfers.

After that, Igor stayed with a family that lived between Israel and Palestine. From them, Igor learned a lot about the local "pitfalls". The hosts told him about where it was safe, about places worth visiting. Igor says that this is how he managed to see the most interesting. Otherwise, I would just stay at a hotel and visit well-known places.

“It's nice that people really appreciate what you do,” says Igor. - The people I received invited me to their place. I also invited my guests to Kiev. This is how a community of friends is formed. When you go somewhere, even where you have never been, you already have some acquaintances and you know that you will not be yourself. This cultural exchange is just the main idea of ​​couchsurfing.

Pole Irmina Jablonska agrees - this is how you can see the country from the inside. For a month she lived in Lviv on couchsurfing. The owner, with whom she was staying, offered her to stay with him for the whole time. Thus, Irmina did not have to move from place to place. “So far this is my best couchsurfing experience. The owner showed me the city and was very friendly. And yet - it was like at home, without grueling moves and searches for new housing. Irmina says: "It leaves a very good impression of the country, and there is a desire to return there again."

Ukrainian Natalia Vorobieva perceives couchsurfing as a lifestyle. “CouchSurfers are a separate nation that perceives the world and people in a completely different way, simpler and more relaxed. I have found some good friends (not just acquaintances who have left good reviews on my page), with whom I constantly communicate and even visit them. Natalia says that new people with different worldviews and cultures energize her. “I myself began to think in a new way. Plus, I constantly practice English with foreigners.

However, Natalia warns about the risks of couchsurfing. “You need to carefully study the profile of the person who wants to stay with you. As well as the reviews that others have left about him. Igor Rozdobudko agrees. He says that when they wrote about a person: a good guy, then this is just a courtesy. Just a formality. Because when you really like someone, you will write a lot more.”

All in all, couchsurfing is a good opportunity to look at traditional travel in a new way, and not just save on a hotel. This is especially attractive to young people who try to get as many emotions as possible from each trip. And the fact that hundreds of Kievans happily host tourists indicates that couchsurfing will take root in Ukraine.

Couchsurfing is the largest guest network for tourists. More than six million people from 246 countries of the world have already reached her. Members of the merezhі without cost help us to come from some little piece of light better to know a new country and give them a place for the night. A student spoke to Studway about priceless information, unforgettable travel, awareness of couchsurfing and traditional hotel-valley tourism Anastasia Marshanina.

– How to correctly post the siteTooutreach?

- The skin is guilty of understanding that the profile is the whole business card. Therefore, it is extremely important to complete the questionnaire as much as possible. The more you tell yourself about yourself, it will be easier for others to know your language, even if the KS is based on splintering, and not on "a no-cost lie". Therefore, be an active participant in the merezhі. The more you know, the more you know, the easier it is to know new friends. He does not need to take part in the discussions, to give advice to the mandrivniks, to go to the selection of kauchivs. For example, in Kiev there are such brats, so everyone knows that they have strong hostility. Demonstrate that serious attitude to sleep - and you will not be blamed for everyday problems.

- When did you get to the couch surfers?

- I found out about about three-chotiri roki to that. My friend, having received guests at his place, we walked together around the city. As for me, it’s a wonderful opportunity to get to know foreigners and expand your knowledge about culture, based on the traditions of other lands, and it’s also a good opportunity to practice in language. I knew that Kiev had a great number of couchsurfers, so if I had planned my price for the cordon earlier, then I also tried to surf.

- What kind of evidence did you take away after traveling abroad that meeting with new people?

– I visited several places: Oslo, Copenhagen and Hamburg. I realized that all people of different ages are the same at the same time. The CC does not guarantee that you will become friends with the host/guest forever, but just come in, trust me, don't forget. I don’t know, how hostile the tourists were about that place, where I was, ale, like on me, without leaning on me - it’s necessary to get to know the local inhabitants. Through їhnє stavlenya to singing manifestations, especially character, temperament can be understood much more. I don’t sound like a native of the nation before knowing one person, but if you know one local resident, you can tell me more about the guide.

- Chi is not afraid to raise the price yourself?

- No, adje ti bachish, to whom you yourself go. Terrible, maybe more expensive, but not a host. Leather can register with tags your interests, favors, vimogi - like a host, so a guest. So you clearly see, you go to shibaigol-clubbers and to the family wager of cyclists.

- In what minds did you live?

- Once I slept on a bed, and the other time - in an open room. I look through the profiles of the hosts, there you can find the descriptions of the place of residence. Everything is deposited according to the character and the sound of the owners of the life. So, for example, the Swede deprived me of the keys to the room in the dress coat, and the Norwegian asked me to turn back home before 21.00, even if she went to bed early.

- It seems that the Misholovtsi has less koshtovny ser. Why is the secret of the CS?

– There is no insurance against the fact that a person is not worthy of you. But reliability is guaranteed, even if everyone can go through the registration and fill in the profile. You can pay for the verification of the place of residence, all participants will be informed about the safety rules and behavior of shakhraiv, as well as the feedback system, where guests and hosts write their comments about the koristuvach.

– Do the couchsurfers have a facilitation in the capital? Aje іsnuє dumka, scho on the right is less for young people.

- A full-time leather can be a participant in rubber. I lingered in people of age 50+, and life in them is not less cicave, believe me.

– What are the difficulties of life as a couchsurfer?

– Minuses are used for those who do not share the idea of ​​the COP. I respect quiet people, like to love traditional hospitality-valley tourism, to value comfort and tranquility. I'm more like useful.

- Is the mother of a successful couchsurfer to blame?

- Povaga to foreign culture and manners always cope well with hostility. It is not necessary to grow up in people, like in the country. My pleasure: be schirim that original, and you will be taken / to come to you. Ajeti is not a guide, but the one who lets in new acquaintances from the world of power.

- How did you find those who found you, who allowed you to spend the night in them?

“Nothing wonderful, but the Norwegian deputy of housekeeping was small handed a brochure with rules for guests, as I knew at my room. There were the rules of order, koristuvannya with sing-song speeches, a map of the way too thin. For the most part it was silent, but on the other side it was so good, and I will explain everything to new couchsurfers.

“What is the fault of the buti always ready couchsurfer?”

- Until the host does not work out (in the minds of living in a conspiracy). Before the host can advise. To the point that the country cannot be countered with a splurge. Ale, even so so-so in advance, in advance, then it’s not enough to raise the price of the sensation.

- Which season is the best for breaking the cost of the COP?

- The season of "non-seasons". Influence on the holy foreigners will themselves go where they can, as soon as they accept someone. Prote є th akі hosts, zdebіlshoy senior vіku, yakі often priymayut guests, and аnіzh themselves rise in price. Plus, don't forget that during the season there is a large number of tourists. Also, do not be surprised, as if on the grass is holy on the Charles Bridge in Prague, you will be a little Russian ice not on your skin.

- Will you go up in price with a big bag or with a small backpack? What are you putting shoes on, virushayuchi in mandrivka?

- I'm a backpacker. Those who do not fit into a backpack may be left at home. I take documents, pennies in local currency (due ryatu), hygiene items, change of clothes, equipment, a notebook. I try to bring something smaller, but more symbolic, from the skin at a higher price. For example, at the Polish airport, I knew a small plastic toy dolphin that made a new embellishment. I also love picking up presses there.

- Where do you plan to destroy in the next hour?

– Or maybe on the island of Iceland, even if I adore the cultural middle ground.

"Studio" hopes Anastasia has a happy road and more miscarriages. We hope that soon new couchsurfers will reach the lava, more suitable drivers will be available. Do you doubt? Register on the site and rob yourself, where you mandruvat. Adzhe, as it seems, the road can miraculous building winikati under the feet of the one who is going.

Pardon in the text? You saw її, push Shift+Enter or click.

The solvency of Ukrainian tourists this year, for obvious reasons, has significantly decreased - it's time to look for cheaper travel and accommodation options. One of the answers to this question is couchsurfing. It is interesting and cheap to travel with him both in Europe and in Ukraine.

What is Couchsurfing?

From English couch surfing translates as "tour of the sofas."
Short for CS.
Initially, it was about one online service, and now it is a common name for the very principle of organizing travel, when people in different cities and countries, agreeing in advance via the Internet, share a place to sleep with each other for free, organize joint trips and develop cultural interchange.

The core network at www.couchsurfing.org launched in 2003 and had over 5.5 million members from 250 countries and territories early last year. Thanks to couchsurfing, you can spend the night for free in almost 100 thousand settlements.

Couchsurfer slang
entry- free overnight stay by arrangement
Host- one who accepts a traveler without paying for an overnight stay
Surfer- the one who is looking for "inscription"

The history of couchsurfing began in 2000. Then the founder of the site, a young American Casey Fenton Bought a cheap plane ticket to Iceland. But the young man did not have enough money for a hotel, and besides, he wanted a more fun trip. Casey sent around 1,500 letters to Icelandic students asking for shelter and company.

So Fenton found his first "hosts", who agreed not only to give an overnight stay, but also to show a real youth Reykjavik. After an unforgettable trip, Casey realized that you can’t stop - you should involve as many people as possible in such a travel scheme, and he began work on an online service. For everyone, Couchsurfing.org opened in January 2004.

Most couchsurfers are registered in the USA - about 20%. At the same time, Paris is the largest couchsurfer city.

"Shuffle" should help destroy the mythical barrier between the East and West of Ukraine"

In addition to the basic international project, there are also individual national couchsurfer initiatives. Thus, in Ukraine, Shuffle.in.ua is developing - “The First Ukrainian Hospitality Network”.

Couchsurfing in Ukrainian has its own characteristics: it is focused exclusively on domestic Ukrainian tourism and is simpler and more affordable than its international counterpart.
“Don’t know where to spend the night on a trip to Ukraine?Create an application, and you will be invited"- such is the slogan "shuffle". Its initiator and developer is Andriy Yaremich- an ecologist by profession, who, in parallel with studying at the magistracy of the Kiev-Mohyla Academy, works as a geoinformatician.

“Couchsurfing.org also makes it possible to travel around Ukraine, but it should be noted that this site specializes mainly in traveling between different countries. A convenient opportunity to find an overnight stay or create an invitation to spend the night within the same country without introducing a bunch of separate settings on Couchsurfing.org is not provided, says Andrey Yaremich in an interview with Taste of Plantain. - Shuffle, in turn, we orient as a network for traveling and finding friends between different cities of Ukraine. Shuffle should help break down the very mythical barrier between East and West that still sometimes exists in our country.”

“The prospects for domestic couchsurfing are very big,” the initiator of Shuffle is convinced. “After the recent turbulent events, our fellow citizens began to treat their country differently, and I am sure that over time the number of invitations will only increase.”

In general, on various tourist forums on the Ukrainian Internet, you can find a lot of messages on the topic “accept to spend the night”, there are many specialized communities for searching for “inscriptions” on VKontakte. Therefore, it is logical that there was a desire to combine these requests and offers in one service.

Yaremich says that the activity of Ukrainians on Couchsurfing.org is not as high as it could be, because you can only use CS for free in guest mode - when you ask someone to stay overnight. But the possibility of creating a request, they say, is paid - you must confirm your identity by paying 12.33 US dollars. On Shuffle, you don’t have to pay anything either for creating an invitation or for choosing a “list”.

However, in fact, paid identity verification on Couchsurfing.org is an additional option. It is possible to register and completely free of charge - for example, using Facebook.

So far, domestic tourism in Ukraine is quite localized - the Black Sea coast, Lviv, Carpathians, Kiev. However, this year, due to a change in the geopolitical situation, many vacationers began to look for new places to stay.

Now Lviv is in first place in terms of the number of requests and offers for Shuffle. “This is due to the city's reputation as a 'tourist mecca' and the music festivals that are scheduled for August,” Jaremic says. “But I am convinced that after the situation calms down in Ukraine, the opposite trend will be observed - there will be many applications in eastern cities.”

“I believe that thanks to Shuffle, Ukrainians will open up a new dimension of tourism,” says Andriy. “Couchsurfing will help get rid of the stereotypical idea of ​​many cities in Ukraine, and on the same level as Lviv and Odessa, young people will start going on vacation to Cherkasy, Donetsk, Huliaipole or Grebenka.”

"Not a ball", but a lifestyle

It is worth noting here that the mission of couchsurfing, according to the original plan, is much broader than the opportunity to just spend the night for free. Couchsurfing is a lifestyle. Members of this community are trying "create experiences that inspire."
It is believed that free travel without paying for an overnight stay awakens a natural interest in a person to learn something new, expands the scope of perception of the world, and ensures continuous cultural exchange.

Traveling freely and communicating with local residents, you can better understand the internal life of the country, learn interethnic tolerance and, of course, find true friends.

Are our compatriots open to "traveling on other people's sofas"?
“I would not say that Ukrainians are afraid to host strangers at home or stay overnight,” says Andriy Yaremych. - In confirmation of this, there are many thematic groups on social networks where people invite to visit or ask for an overnight stay. If there are any security concerns, they are dissipated through communication with a person in the same social network. Usually, much more information can be obtained from communication about a person than from dozens of questionnaires ... In the end, the nature of a person is such that we are always cautious about something new, and having tried it, we understand that our fear was in vain and interfered with us get bright new impressions and emotions. I myself have repeatedly used the shelter of complete strangers, so my faith in the hospitality of Ukrainians is also confirmed by practical experience. There were pleasant stories, there were not very good ones, but in general, memories warm the soul.

In its ten years of existence, Couchsurfing.org is known just one very bad case: in 2009, the owner of an apartment in the city of Leeds in the UK raped a female guest from Hong Kong. The man was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Tips for potential couchsurfers

If you want to use couchsurfing while traveling outside of Ukraine, Be aware of the following rules, customs, and requirements.

First follows register on Couchsurfing.org. You need to specify your first and last name, email, username (this name is needed for login), password, indicate the city of residence, gender and date of birth.

You should agree to the rules couchsurfing: respect other members of the community, do not spam, do not seek dates, do not ask for money for housing, do not allow anyone under the age of 18 to use the site, do not create more than one profile on the site.

To enjoy all the features of the service,verification required your account (confirmation that you are a real person and agree to contribute to the development of the project).
However, if you registervia Facebook, the service will verify your identity andwithout having to pay $12.

After registration, you should fill out your form- this is really important, because potential owners of "lists" and your guests will judge you by it.
No less important later will be

In the last article, we discussed in detail , where any traveler, if desired, can find accommodation for even a few days and a good company in almost any even the most expensive city in the world, and absolutely free. But how do we know theory without practice is dead, especially when it comes to traveling to unfamiliar cities to visit strangers, there should be at least some experience and confidence before you dare to set off

Couchsurfing experience

Svetlana already has enough experience, because during her short acquaintance with couchsurfing, she sheltered in her apartment absolutely free of charge more than a dozen travelers unknown to her, from more than 10 countries of the world. And during this time she herself managed to live for her own pleasure in more than one exotic country.

Therefore, I will try to interfere as little as possible in her presentation, especially since I know that Svetlana is a very creative person and is able to motivate with her example no worse, and sometimes much better than me. I just asked Svetlana to leave her impressions about the couchsurfing site and reviews about those people who have already experienced her hospitality for themselves.

Coachsurfing Reviews

“I learned about couchsurfing from my Odessa friends, and the very first experience of meeting this phenomenon was at their home. In the same month, I registered myself and in less than a month my first guests arrived: two friends from Denmark. I still remember these guys, what they said and their unusual life experience, after that I had many more couchsurfers (more than 20), however, the life of one of these guys is still the most unusual and interesting for me, but this it's a completely different story.

And since I could not learn about the world by traveling, I had to satisfy my curiosity and learn about the world only by receiving guests, besides, it was a great opportunity to learn English, and even help good people. Armed with the motto: if you can’t travel around the world, invite him home”- I became a frequent visitor to kachusurfing.

Couchsurfing in Ukraine

At first, I carefully prepared for the arrival of guests from another city, felt responsible for them, provided them with the most comfortable living conditions, and spent all my free time with them. I did excursions and was such a mother-mother, but then I began to take it a little easier, and there were people who simply left things with me and made the tour themselves.

Usually I like to stipulate all this in advance, so that a person understands where and under what conditions he is going. But in any case, I try to spend some time with the couchsurfers, show them how I live, answer all their questions, and make the stay as comfortable as possible.

I always try to find out if a person likes company, if he loves then I invite friends of whom I have a huge number. And if the couchsurfer wants to relax on the contrary, then naturally I choose those days when I am alone at home, I process photos, and a person can sleep off in silence.

I also always wonder about the usual sleep schedule of visitors, and I warn guests in advance about early rises or late going to bed when due to work I can't come back sooner.

Of course, I try to receive guests on my free days, but there were a couple of times when guests stayed on weekdays. And I still don’t trust people enough to leave them the keys on the very first day, so we usually come and go together, but there were exceptions twice when I left the keys to people whom I had already begun to trust in a short time of our acquaintance.

But mostly I like it when couchsurfers follow certain rules adopted in the couchsurfing community, then my reviews and impressions about them remain the best. For example, I can note the following rules from memory:

couchsurfing rules

The first rule of couchsurfing is not to stay longer than the agreed date, and not to ask for an extension, as it is embarrassing to refuse such a person. if he asks for another day, even if he really wants to. It is quite another matter if you were offered to stay by the owners themselves. Because such a moment can create some discomfort for the owner, if you turned out to be definitely not kindred spirits or he just had personal plans for this day.

It is natural to bring someone else with you, about whom it was not agreed in advance, incorrectly. Don't be overbearing in someone else's house unless given the green light. Every house has its own rules. But everyone I met was polite people and always asked what was possible and what was not. Half even offered to help me around the house if they stayed at my house for more than 1-2 days.

I, in turn, always first of all offer a shower, a clean towel and tea, these are the most long-awaited things after the road, and it’s more pleasant for me if a person sits clean, relaxed and happy with me in the kitchen.

When I decided to travel myself, I began to follow the same rules that I want to be followed at home. For example, I have a rule, if I didn’t bring at least some gift with me, then I need to help around the house ( wash the dishes, cook something, clean the house, of course, if the owner does not mind).

In general, to somehow thank for the hospitality, many couchsurfers do this, although this is not a rule, of course, not everyone does this, but most travelers do.

Couchsurfing Gratitude

At the same time, it makes no sense to count on some kind of gratitude, because couchsurfing is not for profit, but for your own interest, because no one forces you - if you want, you accept a person, if you want not, no one owes anything to anyone. It is difficult to talk about any other code, mostly ordinary human norms of behavior and politeness.

Plus, it’s also important how far you are going, if I’m going not far - to Lviv, of course, I’d rather buy something for dinner or help a person clean up, how can I surprise him? But when I went to Indonesia, I brought buckwheat, pearl barley, halva, all sorts of local Ukrainian products, which are really difficult to get there. And when I was in Singapore, I even carried real Balinese tea with me.

That is, it all depends on how many days you are traveling and from which country to which, I think so. But often in my experience it is enough to buy food for dinner in the nearest supermarket. My gratitude is always individual, I do not have a single rule. Sometimes you get off with a small keychain, sometimes you carry a bag of gifts. And I don't even know what it depends on.

It also matters to me which country you are traveling in, somewhere a hotel costs $10 per day, somewhere, for example, in Singapore, the cheapest option is $35-40 and then you need to look, then I try and thank you more.

I have had cases when they promised to accept, but didn’t accept yet, but I heard that this is quite likely, so just in case it’s better to prepare some kind of fallback Everything can be in life. And even more than everything :))) — this is what makes it beautiful, this life. It is with its unlimited number of possible options and space for improvisation.

Couchsurfing experiences

You can also summarize everything with a phrase from the site: C ouchSurfing is not just a free hosting tool; this whole system is organized not only and not so much because of economy, but for a deeper penetration into the life of a given city, country, culture.

Couchsurfing for me is also a great way, when traveling alone, not to be alone living without getting out in one city, and also to encounter cultures of different countries and cities, to learn them from the original source, and not from the stories of half-educated guides.

My impressions and reviews about couchsurfing are by far the best, for me every trip turns out to be a personal growth training. It seems to me that coachsurfing teaches you to find a common language with people who are different not only in character, but also in worldview, even if you hardly speak any common language. Couchsurfing teaches you to trust and believe that there are many interesting, kind people in the world.

Couchsurfing opinion

Couchsurfing helps to make the heart wider, because when there are a lot of people in the world that you miss, and they are all scattered in different countries, you are energetically stretched. But the most important thing is that thanks to him I decided to travel myself, I realized that this does not require a lot of money and a big company.

All this can be easily found along the way, and if this is not there, but you want to go, then this is far from a reason to give up your journey and the possibility of self-development. It's just incredible, all these people who have become my acquaintances thanks to Couchsurfing, conversations, meetings, and much, much more, it all gives a feeling - how small is this planet. After all, I have only one piece of advice, just get in and go, hitchhike anyway, and it is not necessary for this to prepare for a trip to another state for 5-6 years, as I did before and as many people still do.

And no matter how much money you have, even a million, the impressions from an independent trip will always be brighter than from a sightseeing tour in the company of a herd of tourists of different ages and interests. Which at a frantic pace are always driven along the same standard attractions.

Just imagine, it’s much more interesting to walk around the night cities, even in the rain or fog, to ride a motorcycle on the island at night on the first day of arrival, instead of taking a taxi to an empty hotel. Boring to sit alone in a cafe on Gogol Street, or wander around the God-forgotten old Odessa courtyards.

Instead of a boring sightseeing bus ride, get into a multinational apartment building or spend the night in an Israeli hostel, or even get to the top of a bald mountain in Lviv at sunset. It’s so beautiful, you just won’t believe it… It all gives a billion times more emotions than a map in your hands, a bus under your ass and a tired voice of a guide in your ears.”

Continuation of the story about and the practice of their travels around the world, read in the next article. And also on our website you can find separate articles with practical recommendations about, and, and of course, I hope they will help you in your independent travels.

How to travel to Berlin on a budget? Hitchhiking and Couchsurfing Reviews

What to take on a trip?

So, what should you take with you when planning a trip to Berlin, or to other countries?
Firstly, I advise you to stock up on a large portion of positive. You can’t do without it, especially when you plan to hitchhike.
Secondly, you need to have a comfortable backpack, personal hygiene products, clothes - to a minimum, and most importantly, comfortable shoes. We also took a sleeping bag, which was not needed (I'll explain why later), road maps of Europe and money - euros. It is also desirable to have some funds on a bank card.
Thirdly, I recommend getting a diary. For example, I described everything in it.

Start of our trip to Germany

Our trip to Germany started early in the morning. The starting point was the railway station in the city of Lviv. First we got by train to the border with Poland (Lvov-Shegini). After passing the control, we ended up there - abroad. Why Shegini? Yes, because we had to get to Krakow by 22.00 - and this is the shortest road. According to the map, we went to the main road, where we started our "stop". They did not stay long, because two beautiful girls always have a great chance to stop the car.

It is not difficult to stop, there is no need to be afraid and think only about the good - there is no place for bad thoughts. Must have an online map and website Hitchwiki() for good places to stop. A man from Ukraine who lives in Rzeszow (Ryashev) stopped. Two or three hours on the autobahn, and we are there. The main thing is to communicate with the driver all the time, you will learn something interesting about the country, about people and certain places. All people advise where it is better to get out, how and how to get there.

In Rzeszow, on the outskirts of the city, a guy of our age stopped us, who had fines for speeding. But, to be honest, you can’t go there in such a cool car less than 160 km / h. We quickly got to Krakow, and still had time to walk around the city and relax.
In Poland it is worth using the services PolishBus() is a company that always has interesting and cheap offers from 1 zl (złoty). It serves major cities not only in Poland, but also in Germany, the Czech Republic and others. Moreover, all buses are very comfortable, and with wi-fi. We took advantage of it, and for only 100 zlotys we got to Berlin.

Berlin: Couchsurfing Experience

Before leaving for Berlin, in two or three days, we found places to live. For this we used the site Couchsurfing (). It needs to be registered. This is a worldwide site for finding free accommodation, and people who can tell you something about the city, interesting facts and tips, take a tour or just to get to know you. The language of communication is English. You need to enter the day, city of arrival, and for how long you plan to stay. Be attentive and look through all the proposed conditions so that there are no uncomfortable moments through which you can end up on the street.

We used the services of two coaches - Alex and Pir. Alex let us in to spend the night, but since he worked until late in the evening, and we had to move somewhere for a couple of hours, we left our things and rested at the Pier. We got to it by metro, which is quite easy to use and at each station you can buy a metro card and a ticket. Tickets cost about 2 euros, I don't remember exactly. But later we didn’t even buy, we went “hare”, and saved a lot on this.

Pir is a wonderful guy from New Zealand who has blood ties to Germany. He has been living here for the last two years. A very friendly and hospitable person. He offered us everything as it should be for rest from the road - warm drinks and a shower. What could be better!? We went for a walk with him to the city center. After a good tour, he left us, giving us the keys to the apartment.

Where to go? It all depends on what exactly you want to see. I never plan to visit all the famous places, see the famous buildings. I always hope that I will come here again and look where I did not have time to visit the previous time. We walked around the center, parks, and just the city, absorbed its spirit into ourselves - because each city has a special one.

In the evening we said goodbye to Pir, and went to our other coach. In Europe, most people have a program for communication whatsapp. It is free for a year, but requires an internet connection. Why am I writing about it, because most of my coaches asked about its presence. It is easy to contact her. You should also have a Facebook page where you can also reset addresses or see your profile, which, on the other hand, indicates security.

We weren't alone with Alex. He also had a girl from France who was traveling by herself for one night. This evening we have a wonderful company. After talking for a while, we went to dinner at an Indonesian restaurant, where we paid about 5 euros for a huge portion of the national dish.

Trip to Berlin - day two

The next day my friend had a holiday and we were advised to go to the lake.

Before that, we decided to go to the supermarket. The cheapest one is Lidl, but there are others like it, where you can find much more goods. Prices in Germany are very low compared to France, Spain and other countries. In the supermarket, we were guided by prices. We bought only food for breakfast - ingredients for sandwiches and water. We took everything else with us - sweets, chocolate, cereals (although we hardly ate them) and some fruits for the first period.

The lake was large and clean. It had a secluded spot for nudists, whom we also met.

Next, we went to the Bundestag, which you can enter for free, after registering on its website. You also need to take into account the time of registration - there is a fairly large queue of tourists. After walking around here, we went to meet Alex. He invited us to their corporate party, on the outskirts of the city.

He and his company rested in a beer bar - a very good place. Then we decided to go to the underground, which was located in the former depot. There were six of us. It was quite unusual there, club after club. We arrived at the coolest. The guard at the entrance - very serious - did not want to let us through, because we were cheerful. It's strange, but this is just such an essence of the Germans - to be serious. After a couple of minutes, to our great surprise, they let us in. True, after we drank the wine that we had with us.

These were two unusual but very interesting days in the capital of Germany. There is still a lot left unsaid from this trip to Berlin, but the impressions of the trip are difficult to convey without the emotions that you feel in those moments.

P.S. After Germany we went to Belgium and Holland. Therefore, if you are interested in learning about our adventures in these countries, be sure to follow my new articles)