After my exchange in Paris, I couldn’t resist exploring the rest of Europe — just me, my 30-pound backpack and best friend.
Over the course of one month, my friend and I toured 10 cities, one microstate, a city-state and an ancient Roman town. We saw countless famous monuments and buildings including the Eiffel Tower, the Sagrada Familia, the Colosseum and Big Ben.
Our trip began in Paris, where I’d been studying for the year. We then traveled into Spain to visit Barcelona followed by a return to to see Grenoble, a quiet town in the French Alps.
Later, we travelled south to Nice and Monaco, and then Italy, where we spent most of our trip. We then toured Bern, Switzerland, where we were pleasantly surprised by its charm — and not to mention its expensive prices. From Bern we went to Amsterdam, then London and finished off our trip back in Paris.
While I can only write so much about my travels, it doesn’t do my trip justice. Instead, you should experience Europe for yourself. Here’s why.
It’s not as expensive as you think
I hear it all the time, “I’m a university student, I’m broke!” But backpacking across Europe isn’t as pricey as expected.
Europe offers many discounts for backpackers and students. Almost every city, touristy or not, has a hostel that offers travellers cheaper prices for shared rooms. Many places even offer complementary breakfast. For those planning to travel for weeks or months, European railways sell travel es.
The trains are comfortable, inexpensive and quick, unlike the trains we have here in Canada. They also take you straight into the heart of the city so there’s no need to take a cab from an airport located outside of the hub.
And don’t forget your student card. City attractions offer significant discounts or even free entry for students.
Meet people from around the world
Being in a foreign place pushes you to meet interesting people from all over the world. During my month of backpacking I met a variety of people — young, old, men, women, locals, tourists — who I never would have met otherwise. My favourite person I met was a middle-aged Russian woman who ran a hostel in Milan. She had fierce red hair with a cute wiener dog always by her side. She’s the most eccentric, offbeat woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.
Immerse yourself in various cultures
Europeans do things very differently from North Americans. Culture shock is very common amongst backpackers, but that’s not a bad thing. Submerging yourself in a new, unknown culture is extremely fascinating. Since every European country has its own unique background, backpacking allows you to experience a variety of cultures. Every city has its own pace. In places like Paris, city dwellers never sleep, but in others, like Bern, the lifestyle is much more relaxed and quiet.
Indulge in the world’s finest cuisines
From paella in Spain, to pizza in Italy and goulash in the Czech Republic, cuisine in Europe is as diverse as its cultures. To get the best local food, avoid tourist-trap restaurants, instead walk a few streets away and you will find restaurants filled with locals enjoying fresh, authentic meals.
Learn about yourself
Spending a month or two surrounded by unfamiliar sites allows you time for self-reflection and growth. Backpacking alone or with a friend is a challenge. You might end up like I did and spend 14.5 hours on six trains trying to get to your next location due to a miscommunication.
While these obstacles might sound nerve-racking, at the end of the day, they give you strength you never knew you had. Backpacking across Europe in your 20s is a once in a lifetime experience. The people you meet, the cultures you experience, the food you taste, the places you visit and the things you will learn stay with you forever. There’s no time like the present, so start saving up and planning for your very own Euro trip.
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