Travel

A Little Backstory

I was still in diapers when I took my first international flight. As a granddaughter of a German and Spanish immigrant, I have close ties with family overseas. While most kids had summer camps, my family had summers in Germany and Spain.

From road trips across the US to little excursions in Paris, my parents ensured that their children had rich experiences. We didn't have the hot, new items, but we had trips planned every year.

I'm also a dual citizen of Spain. As a child, I spent two half-semesters in a school in my Yayo's hometown of Algemesí, Spain. My dad hoped that me and my siblings would pick up Spanish. He'd often read our bedtime stories in Spanish and was fluent himself.

However, the school taught in regular Castilian Spanish and in Valenciano, the regional dialect. It was difficult for us to comprehend both at once, and none of us became fluent speakers as kids.

With the pandemic still roaring, I took it upon myself to really feel like I earned my Spanish citizenship. I enrolled in the acclaimed University of Salamanca's Language and Culture Course, studying Spanish at the B1 Level.

I was finally able to have painless conversations with my Spanish family members. Plus, I had the certificate to prove it. However, studying abroad reignited a bug in me.

A travel bug, to be exact. I had enough in my savings to make the jump. Additionally, my mom had traveled around Europe when she was my age. Following in her footsteps was an easy decision.

In 2022, I traveled to 17 European countries and Costa Rica in a span of six months. I stayed in hostels and hotels, commuted in sleeping cars and crammed buses, and traveled solo and in tour groups.

With all this experience, I've gathered loads of tips and tricks. Things I wish I would have known before I traveled solo. I wanted to share them somewhere, so this little corner of the internet will do.

I may not be the most traveled person you know. Heck, I'm not even the most traveled person I know. But, it's something I absolutely love to do. I'm going to share it as excitedly as a kindergartner shares their favorite toy at show and tell.

My Favorite Travel Apps

Rick Steves Audio Europe - Your Pocket Tour Guide

This app changed the game for me while I was traveling. Learn about the history and highlights of your next destination while you relax on the train. Rick Steves will walk you through a guided tour of the Roman Forum, Uffizi Galleries, and much more without you having to pay a dime for a tour guide. I highly recommend this app for people who care about history and culture and are on a budget.

Xe - On Demand Exchange Rates

Not knowing the ever-changing exchange rate of your destination's currency is scary. This app constantly updates the rate and can give you a snapshot of what multiple currencies look like. It's simple, effective, and accurate. I'd sometimes familiarize myself with my next destination's currency before I went. This prevented me from feeling caught off guard when $20 = 2,788.66 Icelandic Crowns, for example. I highly recommend this app for smart spenders.

MAPS.ME - The Offline Maps of your dreams

Service is no guarantee when you travel, plus it can be super expensive. MAPS.ME allows you to download multiple maps for use on-the-go. It somehow keeps track of your location even without service or on airplane mode, which is only slightly scary. It also shows you hiking and trail routes for those who love outdoor exploration. Highly recommend this app for outdoorsy types and people who need a reliable map.

SpanishDictionary.com - Never Lost in Translation

Spanish varies from country to country, even from city to city. This app will tell you the regional uses of certain words and can help you understand local slang that you've never heard before. I found it incredibly helpful while I was studying abroad and while I was interacting with Spanish speakers from different countries. I highly recommend this app for people going to a Spanish speaking country whose dialect they aren't familiar with.

Whatsapp - Stay Connected

This one is a bit of a no-brainer, if you've ever traveled internationally. Using your phone's messaging app will eat up your budget, and Whatsapp is free to use. Plus, your international friends and colleagues will probably only contact you on Whatsapp anyways. You might as well just download the app now and get your profile picture up before you fly. This app is recommended for everyone.

An E-Bike/E-Scooter App - Get Around E-asily

I can hear the groans already. Listen, I know E-Bikes and E-Scooters are annoying in some cities. However, they can be a tremendous help when traveling. I had a wonderful bike ride in Copenhagen and navigated Lisbon easily on one of these. Sometimes, it's the most reliable transportation you have, depending on the city. I won't recommend a specific App. There are so many competitors, and the best and most available will vary from country to country. I ended up with three different apps by the time I went back to the states.

PayPal - Because you can't use Venmo

I will save you from the shock I had. Your European friends won't use Venmo, and you can't make them use it. I used PayPal much more often while traveling, than I ever did in the US. Make sure you have an account set up, if you don't already.

Tips on Packing Light

I promise you don't need that much stuff.

Your Suitcase Matters

Bigger is not better in other countries. American carry-ons are larger than European carry-ons. Most European flights will make you check your American-sized suitcase. If you've ever heard a horror story about lost luggage, you know to avoid checking your bag. To guarantee smooth traveling, invest in a standard European suitcase with four wheels and some sort of identifier (sticker, tag, etc).

Try your best to keep the weight under 10 kg. Lots of airlines will make you check your carry-on suitcase past a certain weight. Plus, you'll most likely be carrying your suitcase through cobble stone streets and up narrow staircases. All that extra weight adds up. Save yourself from the judgement stares and extra hassle.

Don't get caught Naked

Towels aren't guaranteed at hostels, and renting a towel can add up. My quick-drying travel towel was a life saver when I was hopping from hostel to hostel.

Packing Cubes are your friends

Staying organized through multiple locations is a challenge. Packing cubes make it easier. I don't use them for small trips. However, any trip longer than a week will alert my organization demon to whip out these bad boys.

Keep it Travel Sized

Packing a full size anything is too much trouble for what it's worth. I have refillable travel toiletry bottles that are super helpful.

Go Minimal with the Makeup

My makeup routine completely changed because of my travel experience. Lugging around so many products gets incredibly annoying after a while. I narrowed my products down to primer, concealer, foundation, bronzer (doubled as everyday eyeshadow), blush (doubled as everyday eyeshadow), eye liner, mascara, powder, setting spray, and my favorite lip gloss (for special occasions only). If I wanted to feel fancier, I knew I could easily find a place that sells makeup anywhere.

Calm down on the Clothes

I promise you don't need that many clothes, and you won't wear some of them nearly as much as you think. My method is to pack two pairs of shoes - one athletic pair, one cute pair (NO high heels, unless you can handle cobblestones), shower shoes (for hostel stays), jeans and a neutral pant, one workout outfit, a few cute shirts of varying lengths, a jacket, a simple dress, and one swim suit. Make sure you have a couple of outfits that are 'conservative.' You might not be allowed to tour famous churches in certain outfits.

Your reason to buy an E-Book

I prefer physically turning my pages just as much as the next gal. However, packing a ton of books is the quickest way to add weight to your suitcase. An E-Book keeps your reading 'light.'

Fall in Love with your Fanny

You need to be watching out for pickpockets in European countries. They are everywhere. Keep nothing in your back pockets. In my opinion, the best solution is a fanny pack. It's always on you, and it's harder to steal than a loose purse.

My Favorite Travel Services

Get Your Guide

Perfect for Day Trips and Guided Tours. This is my favorite service to use when I want to visit a nearby historical town but don't want hassle with planning. They offer great tours of historical sites as well.

Plus, Ghost Tours! You can really get to know a place when you learn about its dark side. Most Ghost Tours are less about the ghosts and more about the crazy events of a place's past. Highly recommend if you want an in-depth view on the place you're visiting.

G Adventures

There are lots of travel companies out there. I certainly haven't tried all of them, but my favorite so far is G Adventures. They can be hit or miss when it comes to tour guides, but I love that accommodations and transportation have already been thought through. Plus, they give brief introductions to each location, then let you roam free.

Rigid schedules work for some people, not me. Everyone's travel pace is different, and their travel priorities are different. For example, I like to pack as much as I can into one day and move quickly and strategically. You won't catch me spending much time shopping or relaxing. G Adventures' free schedule allows me to go at my pace and do what I want to do.

My 12 Extra Tips

Save Money, Plan Ahead

In most cases, the earlier you book, the cheaper it will be. Schedule your flights and accommodations well in advance to save you money.

If you know it's popular, book it now

You want to see the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona? Enjoy a show at the Moulin Rouge? Guess what? So does everyone else. Some popular sites limit guests and can sell out a month in advance. Check the popularity of your 'can't miss' opportunities, and get tickets ASAP.

Learn the language basics

No one is asking you to be fluent, but greeting people in their native language establishes trust and respect, in most cases. A simple hello goes a long way.

When in Rome

Blend in as much as you can. It's easy to revert to frustration when a culture is so different from your own. Conversely, listening to the locals and doing as they do can be enriching, if you're open to it. You can always revert back to your own culture when you go home.

Every scam is different

Learn the common cons and scams of the places your visiting. You'd be surprised how much it can vary from city to city. Some are very discreet and clever, while others are quite obvious. Do your research!

Cash or Card?

Cash is king in some countries, whereas others prefer being cashless. Best to learn ahead of time which method of payment your destination prefers.

Patience is a Virtue

The trains are timely in Germany, and variable in Italy. Always be aware of the punctuality of the places your visiting.

You represent your country

You didn't run for an election, but when you travel, you suddenly become a representative of where you're from. In my experience, people would ask a lot of questions about the US and Texas. My advice is to stay informed on the laws and current events, so you can articulate them clearly. Be prepared to hear lots of negativity about your home from people who have never visited it. If that happens, getting defensive won't help. Just cheekily remind them that you as an individual can't magically change your home overnight.

What the **** is a kilometer?

I love that meme. But, seriously, you have to get used to military time, the metric system, and celsius. The quicker you get used to it, the easier your experience will be.

Keep the volume down

Americans have a reputation for being loud. Many people find it rude and obnoxious, so don't be surprised if an elderly person tries to shush you. Eat some humble pie and study up on the other negative American stereotypes. Save yourself from being labeled as another "stupid American."

Know what you're going into

All of these tips are variants on a theme of "do your research." It surprises me how many upset people I've met while traveling because they didn't know what they were going into. You're going to walk a lot, the country won't have your favorite food, the customer service is not as friendly, the stores close earlier, etc. Stay open to the experience and know what to expect.

Stay curious

I really do think that travel exercises your curiosity muscle. You come to question things about your own culture that you never thought to question. Your perspective broadens. Your knowledge deepens. And, ideally, your compassion grows. If you stay open to the differences, if you actually interact with people outside your culture, if you ask more questions about this place your visiting, your experience will be enriched. Be brave, and dive in.