Lessons learned from a 30-day Europe backpacking trip
Photo by Mathilda Khoo on Unsplash
One of the best travel adventures I’ve ever had was backpacking through Europe for 30 days. (Ok, it was more like rolly-bagging through Europe, but you get the point). It.was.epic! I went to 7 countries in 30 days! My backpacking adventure afforded me experiences that have impacted me even to this day. I highly recommend back packing to anyone who has the time to do it, because it will change your life.
Here are some lessons I learned from my backpacking trip:
You don’t need a big budget. Budget is probably one of the most intimidating things about long-term travel. If money is no object, then it’s not an issue for you. For everyone else, there are several ways to make the trip more budget-friendly.
Stay in hostels. Europe has some pretty nice hostels, some with private rooms or shared rooms with 2 or more people. Book in advance to make sure you’re staying in a place that meets your standards, is clean, has good reviews, etc.
Eat cheap. You don’t need to eat at fancy restaurants to experience local cuisines or have a great dining experience. Sometime the mom and pop shop with great reviews will surprise you.
Stay in or close to the downtown area or “centro”. This way you can walk to most things you want to see and don’t have to pay for a cab or transportation
Book a walking tour. One of the best ways to see a city or town is on foot. These tours are typically free, but be sure to tip your guide!
You don’t have to completely rough it.
You can’t see and do everything. Having a plan and some sort of itinerary is the best way to maximize your time. I only spent 3-4 days in each country and in each city I visited, there was tons to see and do. You want to feel like you’ve done the key things that will make you feel like you’ve experienced that place. I had done extensive research on each city before I left for my trip and I created a list of must-dos or must-sees or foods I definitely wanted to try and pretty much stuck to it, unless I got a better recommendation from a local. Just remember, you can always come back to see more.
You’ll have stories and experiences you’ll recount for a lifetime. Some of my favorite travel memories come from my backpacking trip. I saw so much of Europe, I learned a lot about local cultures, I got to experience local food and most importantly, I meet so many amazing people. This was my first time backpacking and when I feel like I fell in love with solo travel. It’s honestly so liberating to take the time to see the world on your own terms and to be able to explore and take it all in. Try to be present, take lots of pictures and savor the moment.
Don’t be afraid to make friends. I met so many people while traveling, many of whom I am still Facebook friends with today. I met people on the train, at my hostel, on excursions and at bars and restaurants. Let me caveat this by saying that you have to be smart about who you talk to. You’ll meet genuine people everywhere you go, but don’t be naive about the fact that some people might want to take advantage of you. Just use your best judgement and trust your gut.
Europe is relatively safe for solo travelers, but watch your bag. This is my number one Europe safety tip. I’ve lived in Europe and I felt relatively safe traveling as a solo traveler. But some countries have a reputation for pick pocketing. It’s best to travel with a bag with a zipper, and avoid leaving your bag on a chair or on the table because someone can snatch it the second you turn your head. And the last things you want is to lose your money or documents on a backpacking trip with no means to return home.
Backpacking will forever change you and help you see the world differently. I have a soft spot in my heart for Europe because we’ve spent so much time together. Hope to go back there soon.
Here are some items you’ll need to be prepared for your backpacking trip:
Travel backpack
Toiletries holder set
Portable power bank
Collapsable travel bottle
Money belt/passport holder
Quick-dry travel towel
Tide travel pack
Travel adapter Europe plug
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