Farewell European Phantom Trekkers!

It has been a fantastic 28 days for our European Trekkers.  And today, the Trek returned to London's Heathrow airport to bid farewell to out well traveled Trekkers.  From castles to beaches, city streets and quiet pastures the Trekkers have toured England, France, the Netherlands and Belgium in two wheeled style.  We wish all of the Trekkers the best as they safely Travel to the countries of Canada, Germany and the USA.

London

Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England

Normandy region, France

Rouen, France

Paris

Bruges, NL

Ghent, Belgium

Ghent,Belgium

Amsterdam

Rural Holland

Rural England

Along the River Cam, England

European Phantom 2013

Oh, the places you've gone!  Teen Treks hopes the rest of your summer is as exciting as the past five weeks.  Bon voyage, merci and cheers!

European Phantomers Ready to Move to Belgium, by Jordan

It is safe to say that Jordan's view of Belgium is shared by the whole group:

A note from Jordan, Trekker:

"As we leave the greatest country in the world and venture to a country known for its tulips, it is a proper time to reminisce and remember the glory and beauty that is encapsulated in brave little Belgium.

While we only stayed in Ghent and Brugges for two nights total I can 100% say that I'm hooked. We got into Ghent on the 16th and I was astounded by the center of Ghent, which surrounds a river.  ALL the people that we spoke to in Ghent seemed friendly and laid back, even the natives, who are called called "free boaters" or Ghentians(?). This fact, multiplied by the amount of bikers, waffles, chocolates, french fries, castle in the center of the city, amazing hostel, and lack of *bike thieves, made the medieval-looking Ghent one of my favorite places on the trip. It was a bittersweet departure from Ghent, but I was able to contain my tears.

I was skeptical that anything could live up to the paradise of Ghent, but after a confusing and easy bike ride, we arrived to the just-as-medieval-looking city of Brugges and I was pleasantly surprised. While Brugges is a little more touristy, it is just as awe-inspiring and has even higher cathedrals. The city seemed out and about the whole night, but it still maintained a quaint placid feel that was cool. (The only critique I had was that the restaurant we ate at made us pay for water.) The departure from Brugges was even harder as this was our last day in the beauty of Belgium.

Goodbye, Belgium. Cya soon.

Love,
Jordan

PS. Sean snuck out during the night to stay in Belgium. We don't know where he is now, but it is rumored he married a nice Belgian woman and has 6 chubby babies. Good luck Sean. May the odds be in your favor.

PPS. Don't worry, Mom of Sean, I'm just kidding."

*Jordan has the immense misfortune of having his bike nicked in Paris.

Summer in Ghent, simply amazing!

Bruges, Ghent's more popular big sister

Off to the Netherlands!

We can confirm that the group has safely arrived to their hostel in Amsterdam.  Dinner and exploring await!