If you’re tired of the same routine, friends and scenery, then why not take advantage of your budding college independence and enjoy some international travel for your next trip?
One advantage of international travel, especially in Europe, is that the drinking age is 18 and a majority of the countries are tourist-friendly. It can be expensive but if you do it the right way you’ll spend an average amount of cash and won’t regret one penny of it.
Personally, I think Europe is a great place to start if you haven’t traveled overseas before. They are used to Americans coming and being annoying tourists. If you’re scared of speaking or attempting to speak another language, you can always fall back on the language you know best, English, because a majority of the people speak it or at least can understand it. Yes, hand signals always work too.
MADRID: Spain’s capital
Madrid is the heart of Spain and has a lot to offer. With numerous universities, a wild nightlife and an easy to follow metro system, the city is perfect for a college student because there are many other college students there. The 127 neighborhoods create a lot of places to explore.
Among the hundreds of activities to partake in while being there, the top would be to attend a Real Madrid game (the city’s famous fútbol team), take a stroll through Retiro Park on a Sunday and head off to Kapital on a weekend night, the seven level dance club.
Be sure to try tapas, a variety of mini appetizers, because they are extremely cheap. My “must try” is El Tigre. It’s a little off of Gran Via, the main street in Madrid, and offers cheap tapas and alcohol. You get a plate with a variety of appetizers and beer or sidra for 1.50 euro. It’s a small place that most don’t know about, which makes it all that much better because it is swarmed with locals.
Also, don’t feel bad if you are overly tired in the middle of the day from touring, because siestas or naps, are basically enforced as part of the culture.
LONDON: Fast-paced British city
London is a lot like New York City in terms of it being based around the culture, businesses and people in movement at all times.
It’s a very student-oriented city because of the amount of museums to visit, the tour guides available and the transportation system that makes it easy to catch the underground tube or hop on a double-decker bus and be dropped off at almost any location in the city. Also, there are three airports, which make it readily available to get in and out very easily.
If you’re too scared to immerse yourself in another language, this city is a great place to start. There are many extraordinary areas in London to people watch, shop and go out. Be careful on the spending though because pounds are almost double our dollar, so keep a budget or you may get yourself in a little trouble.
The most marvelous activities for a student to do when being there is to go out and explore the many nightlife areas including my favorite, Leicester Square. Go see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and if you’re into theater, see one of the many fabulous productions put on in the city.
ROME: When in Rome, do as the Romans do
Rome is famous for its architecture and food, which are two of the things that attract tourists the most. It’s amazing that you can get an entire delicious Italian pizza for 4 euro.
Taxis are the best form of transportation in Rome but the buses are easily accessible and ready to take students wherever they need to go for a cheap price. I recommend taking a taxi somewhere at least once because they drive like mad men with what seems like no traffic rules and even though it’s scary to envision your death in Rome, it’s a crack up to see how crazy they drive.
There are numerous clubs to party at and hundreds of museums to see during the day. The best places to visit would be the Vatican, Villa Borghese and the Colosseum.
It’s a beautiful city with a lot to see and do and just a note of caution; beware of the rampant PDA that springs up wherever you’re walking. And don’t forget to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, so you can ensure a trip back to Rome.
Best bang for your buck
The best lodging experience a student can have in Europe is staying in hostels. Hostels are budget-oriented and are similar to dorms. You rent a bed and share a room and bathroom with groups of people. You’ll meet many people like you who are there to share the traveling experience and maybe even make some friends out of it. They are mostly college students because the rooms are so cheap, which range from $8 to $30 per night. The best place to book a hostel is on hostelworld.com because of the reviews people provide and the extensive information on each hostel. The website allows you to book hostels in literally any city.
Don’t forget that you need a passport, as it is required to be able to buy tickets and check-in at the airport. You will also need to exchange your money to get euros if you decide to travel to Rome or Madrid, and get pounds if you are heading to London. It is cheaper to exchange dollars for foreign coins in the U.S. than it is when you are already there.
Whether or not you take any of my words of wisdom, you are sure to have an amazing time. Believe me, if you are totally broke and in debt when you get home, you’ll realize how worth it it was.
