Planning a Euro Trip
After years and months of wanting to travel to Europe, I finally decided to make it my first SOLO trip; like I traveled alone – to different countries- didn’t know anyone in those countries, didn’t know what to expect. All I knew was, I would be fine. It was my first Euro Trip – Backpacker style too!!
Travel addicts will agree with me that traveling is fun, but planning the trip can be very hectic, especially for travelers like me who are on a budget. It took me about 2 months to decide the countries I would visit in Europe. After 2 months, I came up with a list of about 15 countries. Then planning the trip became more stressful, I couldn’t decide where I wanted to go with only one week of vacation days. I had to narrow down. I used this map of Europe to make my final decision (my friend said she customized this map but I don’t believe her *LOL*). After months of planning, I decided to travel to Spain, France and Italy.
Planning sounds easy?? Yeah right. I had sleepless nights planning this trip. I had to figure out my itinerary: flights, accommodation, train, bus, etc, and of course, planning a trip on a budget doesn’t make it easy either. Thanks to so many travel sites/tools, and word of mouth from people with experience, I was able to come up with a great itinerary for my first backpacking trip. ( I will discuss more on the travel sites and resources, and deciding on travel destinations in another post) Tip: if you don’t want to be stressed out planning your trip, plan ahead of time but not too far in advance – you don’t want to miss out on last minute deals either.
I called this my first trip because this was the trip where everything I did was out of my normal travel routine. I backpacked for the first time in my life – well with a suitcase – but I did stay in hostels. I took public transportation everywhere -from one country to the other – ALONE!! I finally accomplished something. This was the best traveling experience of my life; I learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of. EUROPE, HERE I COME!!
you should tell them who finally convinced you to travel alone and go have fun. lol
Haha
I’ve been “planning” a Euro trip FOREVER!!! Waiting on these friends…*side-eye* but I’m not sure if I can go solo. Kudos to u for doing that. And this!!
Xx
Waiting on these friends…..you will never make that trip. Maybe try one or two places solo and see how you like it!! Not as bad as you think
LOL@ customized map ! Hahaha : I forgot about that
That map is best thing that ever happened to planning a trip to Europe LOL
Why aren’t u coming to Dublin? 😦
let me know when u’re this side though…
HauwaB love, I was actually supposed to come for St. Patty’s but work schedule got messed up. Don’t worry I’m coming and I’ll let you know
Really cooooool!!!
Thanks Jojo…..more posts coming
Yea I think it’s time for me to start planning my first solo trip.
Bisi O. Yes take that first solo trip!!!
Shallah to u my shawty.So glad u r finally doing it.Wow I am too chicken to travel like that.I can tell u had a blast love.love d post.I need to be more adventrous
Thanks seunmaduka for your support. And yes at more adventurous: Just Do it!!
Jojo shared this link,am glad I checked it out. Been dreaming of travelling,that’s why I feel you;you did that alone?wow
Thanks shebaka. I’m glad you liked the post. Yes I finally traveled solo and I tell you it is the best experience ever. If you want to travel, just go for it.
I need the guts to start traveling alone….but until then, I’ll be living vicariously through you. It sucks that none of my friends are crazy enough about travel to just get up & go, the way I want to. Maybe i just need a new set of friends :p. Love your blog already! xo
Thanks Damisiwaju. If you want to travel, you can’t wait for friends. You just have to go – SOLO hahah. It’s not that bad, i promise
I wrote a post about traveling solo and as you point out, “you can’t wait for friends” or anything else for that matter. Especially if you go for a long period of time, most people can’t afford it and/or they can’t take the time off. I can think of about a dozen reasons why you should go alone, but the most important reasons are:
1. If you make mistakes, they will be your mistakes. As I describe in my blog, let’s say you go to a museum which is closed on Monday (not far fetched – since this exact thing happened to me yesterday in Athens, Greece) . . . If you go solo, you wont have a partner blaming you because you chose to go to a museum that was closed. Grin.
2. Likewise, your successes will be yours alone as well. It is so exciting to make a discovery or come upon a unique experience when you travel. Sometimes, this happens each day that I travel. For example, years ago while doing the river walk in San Antonio, I decided to go up the stairs from the river walk and came upon . . . The Alamo. Ta Da! Sure, I was going to go the the Alamo eventually, but it was such a surprise to all of sudden discover it by mistake.
3. You will meet plenty of people. Unless you’re a monk or serial killer or some other type of introverted weirdo, you will meet plenty of people. Equally important, you will be approachable because you don’t have a wingman (or lady) accompanying you.
I could go on and on, but you get my drift. Traveling solo is exciting and sometimes scary, but never boring. Thanks for posting!
I totally agree with you on all 3 points. Deciding to travel solo was the best decision I made. You pretty much make your rules and live by them. I’m glad to see that other travelers feel the same way about traveling solo. It is such a wonderful experience.
I’m thinking of traveling alone to Barcelona & Amsterdam for a week but I can’t decide! I really want to go but everyone keeps telling me it’s weird to go alone. I just feel like if I wait for someone to go with me I’ll end up never going. You’re blog makes me want to just do it but my friends and family keep trying to talk me out of it. What should I do!?
I took my first euro trip solo and I had a great time. My advice- don’t wait for anyone, just do it. I can almost guarantee you no regrets #thankmelater
I booked my trip. Can’t wait to go thanks for your advice, I love your blog so much!
Oh how awesome. I’m sure you’ll love it. Let me know how it goes. Thank you so much Kate.
I would like to plan a trip to travel by car from Scotland sight seeing 4 or 5 counties in Europe returning home to Sydney nsw in November 2015.
I will be leaving Greece late October.
l look forward to your reply
Regards
Bill
Do you plan on driving around the UK or Europe in general?