It’s that time of year where nosy individuals like myself wonder, How tf are all these people affording trips to Europe? Then I take a step back and remind myself that I did that, so it is entirely possible. Have you ever wanted to spend a weekend in a mediterranean destination, on the Amalfi Coast, perhaps dipping your feet in the water on a Greek beach, or maybe laying topless in the South of France? Or have you ever wanted to sight see across Eastern Europe? Now before you sigh and say, that is way too expensive! Allow me to shift your mindset. Last year I had the incredible privilege and joy of backpacking across Europe to 7 countries (Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Czechia, Greece, and Italy), following that I went to the South of France and Monaco. Most people believe they can’t travel to other countries because of the cost and the hassle, but really it’s because they are looking to vacation; a vacation can be far more costly that traveling- and they’re different! Vacationing, in my opinion, is the act of relaxing. When you want to spend your days lounging by a pool or on the beach, sipping cocktails, maybe shopping or eating at fancy restaurants. Vacationing typically involves a hotel or airbnb, maybe an all inclusive if you're going all out; or if money is no object to you, your vacation could look similar to the Tarte trip in Bora Bora. However, if you’re looking to get out of town and explore a multitude of places, traveling may be more your speed. For me traveling is fast paced, lots of walking, street food that is inexpensive, and staying in hostels with strangers who range from 18-55. Prior to my travel experience I dreaded hostels, I thought they were a breeding ground for psychopaths and murderers because of the movie Hostel that I watched as a preteen (that was not the case, however I will say you need to be aware of your surroundings in any unfamiliar situation). I will not sit here and say that traveling on a budget and staying in hostels will be cheap by any means, but I will say if you have an itch to explore the world it is possible- you just have to plan and be smart. So today we are going to be breaking down traveling, specifically on a budget, and how you can make that dream a reality.
When my friend Kate and I were planning our European extravaganza last spring I was hesitant to the idea of hostels- I was just being uptight- I promise they’re not that bad. With hostels you have the choice, for the most part, of the type of room you’d like to stay in: a 6, 8, or 10 bed mix (men and women), a 6 bed all female or male, a private suite, and so on and so forth. I highly recommend Hostelworld for further exploration, rooms can range from $15 a night to $100+. This is not to say hotels or Air BNBs are completely off the table, there are affordable options out there. Personally my favorite were the mixed dorms because it was fun to see strange men in the wild. So I have made a small list of things you’ll need for an enjoyable stay at a hostel:
A sleep mask (cover those peepers because other guests may need to turn the lights on while you're resting).
Earplugs (strangers snore… and so do I).
A lock (you typically get a locker or drawer near your bed, and you should lock that jazz up because someone may be a swiper).
A towel (sometimes they have free ones, but most of the time you have to pay to borrow one).
Portable charger and adapters for respective countries (UK has different outlets from the rest of Europe).
Shower shoes (cover those dogs in the shared shower).
Reusable water bottle (water can’t get $$$).
The best rooms are those that have a curtain on the beds for privacy, but only a few we stayed in had that luxury.
For a more detailed list here are a few resources: Laidback Trip, Sumeeta Seeks, Reddit
Accommodation is clearly necessary for any form of travel, whether you choose to ball on a budget or stay in a lavish Love Island villa, the most exciting parts of traveling is exploring new places, foods, and culture. Public transportation is a real life saver, there are a lot of student discounts for purchasing rail cards or train tickets. Flights were also significantly cheaper on airlines such as Ryanair or Easy Jet. If you are interested in traveling with a group there are plenty of tour groups where you pay in increments and they take care of all the planning for you; try your best to research all of these factors to avoid tourist traps. But first you have to acknowledge that the number one tourist trap is the belief that you can't travel. I myself am not a museum, or tourist trap kinda girl. I like to pretend to be a local, even though I stick out like a sore thumb with my loud American accent. What I found to be the most exciting was wandering around, eating at hole-in-the-wall spots, drinking at dive bars, sitting in a park, or going to the club. Being able to travel in any capacity is a real gift, to see and experience different cultures, so be respectful of other traditions and societal norms wherever you are. The best memories I have from my trip were small moments that happened unexpectedly, some things may not go as planned and that’s okay. Be safe, be aware of your surroundings, and be open to experiencing new things beyond food and drinks. Don’t forget there are lots of free things to do when traveling; walking around parks or sitting on the beach and people watching is one of my favorite pastimes. All of this is to say, when you are traveling, take every opportunity to encounter excitement. One of the most exciting things for me was a slice of street pizza in nearly every country we visited. Our last stop on our backpacking voyage was in Lake Como where we stumbled upon a wine tasting festival, 10 euros for 10 tastings. The little unexpected moments are the ones that make traveling so fulfilling and rewarding, traveling is not easy and you should be proud of yourself for exploring what the world has to offer. The worst part about traveling, in my experience, was coming home and wishing I could go back. Here are some words from my dear friend, travel companion, and editor Kate:
Sometimes when I am too existential and I think about being abroad for nearly half of 2023, I worry that the rest of my life will just be reflection and nostalgia for those months. This is only the beginning of the intrusive thoughts I get when thinking about how fabulous that time was and how quickly it flew by. It’s hard for me to grasp the reality that I had that opportunity to study and travel all over, all while at 21 years old. At my now much wiser age of 22, I try to think more realistically about the challenges I also faced abroad, finding peace in the necessity of bad days among the great ones. This is starting to feel too ‘fake profound’ with a stereotypical message of ‘you can’t appreciate the good times without having bad ones’, but as someone who now feels a bit lonesome in her post-grad life, it does help cope with daily living when you don’t feel like you’re doing all that much. I have to remind myself that I also felt down, existential, and lonesome when I was abroad, and that it’s not a diagnosis of me-postgrad-living-at-home-itis. I think this is my personal calling to start journaling more or scrapbooking so I can look back at my day-to-day and appreciate the variety.
-Kate Lillemoen
There is no time limit on anything you seek to experience in your life, I don’t agree with the idea that you have to settle down in your thirties. So travel now, travel later, never travel at all, follow your own path and dreams without constant fear that you're falling behind. Life is not a race, stop trying to catch up to those around you and focus on your own pace. I am so lucky to have traveled around Europe at 21 but I also am aware that doing so is not possible for everyone. I have always wanted to live and study abroad and college was the path that made that dream a reality. Allow yourself the freedom of exploration and discovery. DOn't be so scared to exit your comfort zone; a hostel is a great place to dive right in... cautiously. Don’t be so hard on yourself, if you weren’t ready for something you wouldn’t be given the opportunity. So explore what’s around you, or what’s around the globe, take advantage of any and all opportunities to learn, try, or taste something new! Write it all down, take pictures, buy a keepsake, afford yourself experiences and memories to last a lifetime. Life doesn’t stop until you’re dead, so live each and every day with gratitude. You can have bad days and still appreciate the gifts you’ve been afforded in this lifetime, and what a gift it is to travel this weird planet we were all put on for whatever reason. Till next time stay thirsty, stay flirty, and stay nosy about other people's travels!
See you soon,
Paige B.
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