At 18-years-old, I had a thirst for adventure. I had spent the year sitting in my new dorm room, looking at concrete block walls and dreaming of all the places I wanted to visit. So, I made a list in a little notebook I called “My Travel Diary” of all the foods I wanted to try, all the skills I wanted to learn, and where the best sunsets would be in cities across the world.
And then, one day, I took one of those places off of my list and turned it into a reality. At 18, with a fresh and ferocious sense of independence, I planned my first solo backpacking trip to the place where pizza and pasta are hailed by gods and tourists alike.
Have you guessed it yet? I went to Italy.
Now, planning a trip and actually experiencing the trip are two very different things. I have to admit; I was naive in thinking the photos that were beautifully edited and showcased pristine weather were what I would experience 100% of the time — I mean, it’s Europe! It’s the most magnificent place where every photo is worthy of an Instagram post.
Through the occasional lows and extreme highs, here is how I planned to thrive alone in a foreign country and the one thing I wish I’d done differently.
- Budget for your wallet’s sake
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The best thing I could have done was to give myself a budget for food and activities each day. If you are like me and want to try everything and go everywhere — our wallets can’t catch up, especially as university students.
I was willing to sacrifice a nice meal here and there for a good baguette and some local cheese. As long as my meal had a view of the city, I was satisfied (and so was my wallet). Giving yourself a budget might seem restrictive, but it actually gives you the freedom to take control of your trip and not spend all your money in a matter of days.
- Your hostel bunkmate may become your new best friend
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I remember being terrified of travelling to a new country alone. The idea of having complete control over what I was doing was exhilarating and freeing, but it also led to the thought of… who am I going to talk to for the next three weeks?
Don’t worry; staying in a hostel means you already have friends before you check into your room. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals who shared my adventurous spirit was a new experience that made me realize I wasn’t actually alone. Whether you go out for coffee or find the coolest bar in the city, having a friend or two makes a new city seem less big.
- Just wander
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The best day of my entire backpacking trip was in Florence when I had nothing planned and walked around the city for the entire day by myself.
I peeked into small cafes and watched as a family took their dog for a walk through a big park in front of an old library. I sat on a bench that occupied a busy street and watched as tourists and locals navigated paths around each other.
It was a beautiful day where I appreciated where I was and how lucky I was, and it was the moment I fell fully head over heels in love with exploring the world.
- Bring a backpack
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Technically, you can bring a suitcase and still call it backpacking, but bringing a backpack was life-changing for me.
Not only was I able to avoid cobblestones, but it provided me with the freedom to do activities without the hassle of dragging around a suitcase. It had a multitude of pockets so my possessions were neatly organized and convenient, and the best part — my hands were free to eat gelato!
- Allow yourself time to adjust
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My biggest mistake was booking a gallery tour on the day I arrived in Florence. I was so excited when planning my trip that I wanted to hit the ground running and waste no time. It actually worked out in the opposite direction, and I wasted more time than I had wished.
I don’t know about you, but I get a little travel sick… okay, I get really travel sick.
When I arrived at my hostel exhausted, sweating, and dehydrated, I fell sick. My body was not agreeing with the time zone or the weather, so pushing myself to go to a gallery was a no-go.
My advice is to give yourself the first day to do nothing. Maybe you wander around your new city or have a drink at a local bar, but don’t push yourself to do activities. You’ll give yourself time to adjust and start the trip out on a good note.
When you prepare your body and mind for a trip, it becomes less daunting and more enjoyable. Make sure to try out these tips on your next adventure!