Around Europe

Two groups, one Istanbul and stories without borders

Sometimes the most important thing about a journey is not the place you reach, but what you discover along the way — about the world, about others and about yourself.

For the participants in the Around Europe project, run by the Future Without Borders association with the support of Erasmus+ and DiscoverEU, Istanbul was a place for exactly these discoveries. Two groups visited the city at the same time, each with its own programme, routes and experiences. And between their separate journeys, one shared story gradually took shape.

Different routes, shared moments

During the day each group followed its own programme. That meant different sights, encounters and impressions — and even more stories to tell when we met again.

We shared meals, visited some sights and museums together and compared what had struck us. The same place sparked different reactions, and it was exactly these conversations that made the experience richer.

The evenings brought us together again. Between laughter, photos and stories from the day, friendships began. Each group kept its own path, but now we also had moments that belonged to everyone.

A journey full of firsts

For some participants the project brought experiences they will remember for a long time: a first trip outside Bulgaria, a first train journey, or a first encounter with such a different cultural environment.

Behind every such "first time" there is curiosity, excitement and a step outside the familiar. The unknown city gradually becomes closer, and the shared experience helps participants feel part of the group.

These are the moments that give youth travel opportunities their meaning — when discovering a new place goes hand in hand with discovering your own courage to try something new.

Istanbul as a lesson in diversity

Among the city's landmarks, museums and everyday life, history and culture took on a concrete shape. There was plenty to observe, to ask about and to discuss afterwards.

Istanbul became a lesson in history, tolerance and diversity. Meeting a different environment gave us a reason to look beyond our own habits and pay attention to other ways of life.

Everyone noticed something of their own. When we shared our impressions, we also saw the city through the eyes of the others.

The photos bring our stories together

In the gallery of this article we are collecting moments from both groups. Different routes and points of view, connected by the shared experience of Istanbul.

Behind the photos remain the conversations, the new friendships, the first impressions and the small incidents that often become the most precious memories of a trip.

We thank all the participants who were part of Around Europe and shared this adventure with us.

Two groups. Many personal stories. And memories we now share.