How to Have a True European Experience: Ways to Enhance Your Travels in Europe
Written by Connery December 14, 2015
The countryside in Bulgaria, as viewed by the train ride to Sofia.
A view of one of the canals in Copenhagen. Beautiful city to say the least.
The Jewish Holocaust Memorial in Berlin
If it isn’t apparent by now, I’m blogging for traveling and how to experience Europe as a traveler. That being said, it’s still good to do well at school, especially at CIMBA, where class attendance is mandatory, but that’s not what I’m focusing on. Here is a list of ways that I’ve traveled throughout my times in Europe, and how it’s made the experience so much more fun.
Stay at Hostels: Throughout my 4 months being in Europe, whenever I have traveled, I’ve only stayed at hostels, and of the dozens of times I’ve stayed in hostels and only one was a negative experience (and I expected it to be bad). Building on that, hostels are something that you get what you give, so if you’re not social at all, it’s probably best to get an Airbnb. However if you’re looking to meet new people, hostels are the way to go. I’ve met so many good friends while staying at hostels. One key thing I want to point out is check reviews of the hostel you’re looking to book.
Take the Train: If you go to CIMBA, it’s guaranteed you will take the train at least once in your time there. However if you’re just looking for advice on traveling, especially in Europe, trains are an excellent way to explore the countryside of every country you visit. In fact, you’ll fall in love with many of the countrysides you see while you’re going to your next adventure.
Buy a Eurail Pass: Going off my previous point, a Eurail Pass will give you FREE access to trains that don’t require reservations, and you will be able to not stress about missing a train and how much the next one it. This is especially good when you’re traveling for a longer period of time, because it gives you a lot more room to explore and you can give yourself a larger buffer zone in terms of time. The big thing you need to know about the Eurail Pass is the price tag. For an ideal usage, I picked the Global Pass for 1 month continuous for around $800 USD. That being said, make sure you use the train a lot in order to maximize the value of the pass.
Buy an ISIC: An ISIC (International Student Identification Card) is something that allows you to get a discount on many things around Europe and the world. One big advantage I had was for train tickets (when my Eurail Pass expired). It’s also kind of cheap, depending on how much you use it and how long it’s valid (I think it was about $100 for one year). The only draw back is that you won’t be able to get one once you’re over 26.
Go On Walking Tours: As much as I love to get lost in the cities I visit, it is definitely a good idea to take at least 1 walking tour while you’re traveling, especially if you love the city you’re visiting. For every tour I’ve been on, I’ve learned some good information and history about the country. It’s also a great place to meet new people and to get an idea of where the good places to eat/drink are in the city, plus it can help you avoid the tourist traps.
Hopefully you take at least one piece of advice from my travels in Europe, and hope that your future experiences in Europe are great!
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert
Blogger: Connery, Western Michigan University
