First time solo traveler to Europe - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

byler · 02-22-2004, 04:36 PM

I'm 19 and I'm going to Europe on my own for two weeks. I'm on a budget, so any thrify tricks would be greatly appreciated. I'm going to Spain and Italy for sure. I'm not really sure what else I'm doing. Originally I wanted to do London and Paris too, but I just don't think that 2 weeks is good enough to do it all, and it may cost too much.

Anywhere in Spain anywhere besides Madrid and Barcelona that anyone suggests? I've been dying to see Barcelona and Madrid. I've taken 3 years of Spanish and have begun taking more in college, so I think I'll be okay with the language.

What about Italy? I know I want to see Rome and Venice.

Anything and everything is appreciated.

Thanks!
Nicole

**Fedfe** · 02-22-2004, 10:37 PM

hello! when are you heading over?

you certainly found the right site for finding information about being a cheap-ass traveller....j/k...hah.
no, this site is great for info. I have yet to do my own solo backpacking thing (only two months to go!) but i have read it enough times that wherever you go i'm sure you'll have a great time. people like to go to all the big cities and famous landmarks, but i really don't think you can go wrong hitting up small villages and towns for the rich culture! but yeah, obviously, the big cities are going to expensive, so its your call!

**worldwidemike** · 02-23-2004, 04:01 AM

In Spain, my favorite city is Segovia. If you're into history at all, this is the place. Its most famous sight is a 2000 year old Roman aqueduct marching through town, but there are tons of churches, castles, etc., all throughout it. You can do it as a day trip by train from Madrid.

In Spain, I also enjoyed Grenada -- the Moors' last holdout in Spain. The castle/palace of the Alhambra looms above the town, and you see all kinds of intricate Moorish details to the architecture. And the surrounding villages in the Alpujarra Mountains are really cool, too!

Italy is great, but definitely not cheap. I love Venice, but staying there will definitely put a hurt on the budget. Maybe plan on arriving early in the day, spending a night (or two) and leaving late your final day to squeeze in as much Venice time as you can in your expensive nights' lodging. I tell everyone, "Venezia e la piu bella citta! (Venice is the most beautiful city)."

In Italy, I also recommend the south. If you base yourself out of pleasant Sorrento, you can see the ruined cities of Pompeii and Herculanaeum, the gorgeous Greek style temples at Paestum, and the drop dead stunning sea coast of the Amalfi area (especially Positano). I really have to get my picture of that up on my Italy page of my website!

worldwidemike

**Carisia** · 02-23-2004, 05:18 AM

Hi Byler! I agree with everything WWM said.

One more thing, if you have 2 weeks to work with, then you may want to limit yourself to geographically close cities. If you're in Italy, then you could do Rome, Florence (on the way), and then Venice. The only thing is you would have to head back to Rome or to Milan to get your flight to Spain.

Then you'd probably fly into Bar or Madrid. They are pretty far apart (I think some 10 hrs or so...), unless you're flying. There's so much to see in these two cities alone... But if you want to squeeze one more city, then I'd definitely say Granada.

byler · 02-23-2004, 08:38 AM

Hey thanks for the replies! I'm heading out the first two weeks of August. I hear August is the worst time to visit Spain, but economically, that's the only time I can go. I also heard it may be hard to find plane tickets because of the Olympics being in Athens in August.

Where are some great places on the coast besides Barcelona to see?

**blinkchick2134** · 03-08-2004, 03:12 PM

Toledo is beautiful and it's about an hour from Madrid. It's like a little fortess. The streets are so small that they don't let cars in. They also have a nice shopping area. Pretty cheap too. Spain is the one of the cheapest country shopping wise so if you're interested it that.

**worldwidemike** · 03-09-2004, 05:48 AM

It may be cheap, shopping wise, but I've been pricing hotels in Barcelona...yikes! A three star hotel that I normally pay around $30-$40 elsewhere in Europe is more than $100!

I looked and looked, and guess what I ended up doing? Using Travelpunk's very own hostel booking service! I found a load of them listed, and booked a bed in a 2-Bed Dorm (not much of a dorm, eh?) in The Rambla's House. I haven't stayed in a hostel in years, so this will be interesting!

Now, if I could just find something for Andorra...the only ones on the site are outside of the capital.

worldwidemike

luisfc1972 · 04-07-2004, 02:44 PM

well id like to add a couple of things. Visit Sitges beach while in Barcelona. It is only a half hour train ride.
A very nice charming beach town with plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants. Very clear and clean blue water, no fishy or salty smell at all, white sandy beach (unlike Nice). Lots of water sports like renting canoes, wind surfing, etc. There is also a church with an old cannon used to fend off pirates long time ago. This is the best beach ive ever been to in my life. Look into it you wont be disappointed. You could also hit San Sebastian for another awesome beach experience. But yes, i also vote for Granada just because of its history. From Rome you can hit pompeii, the cinque terre is also great just to relax.