Why students shouldn’t travel in Western Europe

There are a few important reasons why this might not be the best destination for students
A summer backpacking trip to Europe is something of a cliche, and that's only one reason why it's not ideal for a student's first major solo trip abroad.

We recently discussed the reasons why students should travel as their first option, but of course for every point there is a counter-point. The most obvious answer isn’t always the best answer, and there are plenty of compelling reasons to start somewhere else on your first solo journey as an adult. Here are some of those reasons so you can decide for yourself:

Been There, Done That
If you asked 10 people who’d just returned from a summer trip to Europe to describe their itinerary, chances are at least 8 of them would sound virtually identical. People stay in the same hostel in London England when they arrive and meet up again at the same hostel in Paris. They are surrounded by English-speaking travelers and tend to travel in groups, insulating themselves from the outside culture as much as possible. Trips like this can be a lot of fun, but when you look back afterward you’ll tend to remember the people you met from your hometown or that great party at the hostel instead of things about the places you actually visited.

Prices

Western Europe is extraordinarily expensive. Backpackers will find their budgets - and options - extremely limited. Unless you are the trust fund-type, you’ll probably actually have to constantly make sacrifices while traveling just in order to afford to eat a couple times each day. Many people set out on a big trip with a medium sized budget and are shocked when the little things like internet access and local transportation keep adding up to so much every day. Going on a vacation is supposed to be fun, but living on cheese sandwiches for dinner half the time gets old pretty quickly. You could head to Latin America and live very nicely on the same budget, or head to Central Asia and live like a king on those same funds.

Too Easy
Some travelers have complained that Europe is 'too easy' and too closely related to being in their home country. You have to try it for yourself at least once to see how you feel about it, but taken the road most traveled can be a disappointment for adventurous types. It can actually take a lot of effort just to break out of the English-speaking student backpacker bubble, even when you are in one of the lesser-known cities. If your main goal is to challenge yourself and expand your horizons, then Europe is the little league.

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Why Students Should Travel in Western Europe

Important reasons why the best place to start the adventure is across the Atlantic

There are cheaper places to visit than Western Europe, but for most Americans and Canadians it's hard to find a better place for a major adventure. Here are some reasons why this is still such an excellent destination for younger folks.

Traveling through Europe is almost a rite of passage for young adults, at least those from families with the means. The most common trip is half or more of the summer immediately following graduation from college, but people taking it to a higher level might spend several months as part of their “gap year” before joining the workforce for good.

Western Europe has a lot going for it, and it tends to be almost everyone’s first choice for international travel, not counting spring break trips to Cancun and the like. Starting in London is the most popular, partly because it’s the cheapest to reach from North America, but it’s also great that it gives travelers the feel of a totally new environment without having to deal with a potential language barrier, as long as you can sort out the accents.

After London it’s usually a blitz through the major capitals of Europe, like Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague,
Vienna, Rome, and Madrid, but of course there is plenty to see in between and in smaller cities.

Here are some reasons why Western Europe is the ideal destination for the first major international trip for young adults:

Good Introduction to Travel

Travel through Western Europe is a great way for young adults to start to explore the world on their own. The variety of cultural diversity between countries allows them to experience differences, yet underlying similarities throughout the developed world does not introduce overwhelming culture shock. They are able to practice other languages when speaking to the front desk at hostels in Paris, Berlin, and Barcelona (among others) or when ordering food.

Accepted by Parents/Society

Europe is a commonly accepted by parents and society as an 'acceptable' place to travel for young adults. Students in Western countries have grown up learning European history - what's better than seeing the sights first hand? Some parents are also more willing to finance a trip that it to the civilized world - they prefer to ignore the drinking you'll be doing in your hostel in London.

Historical Nostalgia

Travel through Europe is, admittedly, tradition for many in the educated middle and upper class. Eurail has been around for a number of years now and many students like the idea of taking the same route their parents did in the 70s and comparing how things have changed.

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8 Tips for Eating Well on a Budget When Traveling

Just because you've got limited travel funds doesn't mean you can't eat well. In fact, in many cases eating cheaply means you'll eat better.

No matter what your travel budget is, it's likely that you will end up spending way more on your trip than you originally intended when you were planning it. It's the nature of the beast - your airline tacked on a bunch of last-minute fees and they're still charging you for a meal, the only hostel room left in town is about twice what you had set aside, your traveling companion absolutely cannot leave without taking a hot air balloon ride (or whatever the most expensive local tourist attraction is), and the one piece of art you really want to see is in that part of the museum that requires not just the regular admission but a "special exhibit" fee. It all adds up.
Of course, while many of those travel expenses can be avoided (you skip the hot air balloon ride or special exhibit, for example), one big money sucker you can't avoid is eating. But luckily, there are lots of ways you can reduce the amount you spend when you're eating on vacation - and you can do it without resorting to eating badly! In fact, in many ways, eating cheaply means you'll be eating better. Use these tips to help you eat better on a budget, and you'll never want to go back to spending more on your meals.

1. Shop at the market.

Eating out in restaurants for every meal will make quick work of emptying your wallet in all but the cheapest countries. And if you think about it, it makes sense that this would be the case - you wouldn't eat out three meals a day at home, would you? A great alternative to eating out all the time is to buy your breakfast and lunch supplies at the local supermarket or, better yet, at an outdoor market. The quality is high, the prices are low, and you'll get an opportunity to see what locals are eating as you shop. Pack your utility knife (in your checked bag, of course) and pick up yogurt, bread, cheese and a fruit you've never seen before. Pair that with a bottle of local wine (if your utility knife has a corkscrew!) or bottled water and you're good to go. Find a public park, spread out a little picnic, enjoy your meal, then stuff the leftovers in your bag for a snack later on.

2. Eat on the street.
Okay, not on the street, but you know what I mean. If you think of food as yet another way to experience a new culture, this one is actually a no-brainer. Eat widely, eat bravely, and eat the goodies on offer at the street food stands. Head towards the stand that’s the most crowded, find out what everybody’s nibbling on, and then point to what you want if you don’t speak the language. Odds are you’ll come away with something delicious and budget-friendly. Or, if you’re proudly presented with a big bowl of tentacles and eyeballs, at least you’ll have a good story to tell.

3. Eat locally.
This is true whether you're eating at home or when you're traveling - it costs less to eat stuff that's grown or produced locally rather than the stuff that has to be brought in from elsewhere. And since you need to spend your hard-earned money on food, you might as well pump that money back into the local economy instead of supporting big fast food chains. Besides, while you might be used to fast food being the cheap option, name-brand fast food is often more expensive abroad than the local eateries. And all that does is lead to the unpleasant discovery that your tiny lukewarm hamburger just cost twice as much as those huge greasy cones of fish and chips available next door. Ask around for non-touristy restaurant recommendations, and seek out locally made products. You didn’t fly all the way to Morocco to drink Coke, so order a mint tea or a fresh orange juice and savor the difference.

4. Cook your own food.
You might think "vacation" means "vacation from cooking," but cooking your own meals can save you money big-time, so it's definitely something to consider when you're traveling on a budget. Most long-term travelers and regular hostel-goers know this, which is why they prefer to stay in places that have guest kitchens. In a hostel, you can even befriend other travelers and create a feast for next-to-nothing by all pitching in ingredients and cooking duties. And if you're not the hostel sort, remember that instead of booking a room in a hotel you can always rent a condo or apartment and have your own private kitchen.

5. Splurge on lunch.
This is another one that, when you think about it, makes perfect sense - any restaurant that serves the same thing for both lunch and dinner is going to charge more for the dinner version. So instead of going out to eat all the time for dinner, go to that expensive bistro you've been wanting to try for their lunch service instead. If it’s your lifelong dream to gorge on truffles at a fancy three-star French restaurant, do so at lunch. A midday meal will still showcase the chef’s talent, but is more likely to lack the astronomical price tag. Besides, eating your biggest meal in the middle of the day is better for digestion, right?

6. Broaden your horizons.
Seek out a country’s ethnic cuisines - and that doesn't mean finding a Thai restaurant in Thailand. That means figuring out what foreign cuisine is most popular, most common, and (often) most inexpensive in the city you're visiting. Instead of focusing only on things like cream tea in London or pig knuckle in Berlin, look for a curry shop serving up a cheap and spicy vindaloo or a Turkish kebab shop. Don't go on a mad hunt for local specialties in Amsterdam or Vancouver when you can eat well and cheaply by digging into Indonesian food or dim sum. The locals are doing it, so why not follow suit?

7. Become a tee-totaller.
Depending on where you're traveling, alcohol can cost as much as an entire dinner at a nice sit-down restaurant. In these cases, you'll want to avoid alcohol altogether - or switch to whatever the locals are drinking. If beer's expensive, check out the wine list. If wine's over the top, see what's on tap. And if you're really on a budget, skip the alcohol completely. Of course, in some places it's the exact opposite situation, where the local wine is cheaper than a can of Coke. So check the menus, and drink accordingly.

8. Exercise moderation.
You know how at home you rationalize paying more for a big meal because you can get lunch out of the leftovers the next day? Well, when you're traveling, you aren't going to be taking home any doggie bags - even if you're in a hostel with a kitchen or renting an apartment, it's less likely that you'll be able to really make use of the leftovers. So instead of trying to force down a huge plate of pasta and then letting the excess get thrown away, split a big plate with friends. And rather than skipping the cool-sounding appetizers to leave room for your dinner, make an entire meal out of a series of starter plates with smaller portions. You'll enjoy your meal more, avoid over-eating, and still have room for dessert. Which is always a bonus.

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