College Backpacking Trip: Europe
- LoAroundTheGlobo
- Mar 4, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 21
Summer 2015
Summer between sophomore and junior year of college: probably the best summer of my life. Around Christmas the year before, my best friend and fellow travel bug, Schyler, floated the idea of backpacking around Europe. And so the planning began. Our friend Sam joined in, and we built a few reunions into the trip—meeting up with Marta, our high school’s Spanish exchange student, in Barcelona, and my mom in Berlin before wrapping things up in Prague.
We flew into Athens first, where we navigated narrow streets and climbed the crumbling steps of ancient landmarks. As we ascended the Acropolis, we learned about civilizations long gone while weaving through the bustling Greek crowds of the present day. During our stay, Greece held the referendum in which they voted themselves out of the EU, so the city was filled with protests by day and what sounded like riots by night. We didn’t necessarily feel unsafe, but let’s just say “uneasy” was the common mood—among us and the locals. The Greeks are intensely proud of their heritage, and the civil unrest was palpable.
From Athens, we ferried to Mykonos—a place straight out of a dream. White stucco, blue shutters, pink blossoms, ocean air soaked in the smell of grilled perfection, crystal water, cliffs, sunsets melting into the horizon. Pure magic. We rented ATVs one day (best decision ever) to zip around the island, then hit the beach clubs at night with people from all over the world.
Next up: Venice. A fantasy. A floating pastel maze with no cars in sight—only boats and wandering feet. Canals packed with gondolas and water taxis, alleyways slowly sinking into the sea. At one point we watched a water ambulance try to wedge itself under a low bridge, reversing again and again until it lined up just right to pass under.
After a few days of eating, shopping, and exploring Venice, we melted into the heat of Rome. We survived on fresh fruit and DIY sangria as we wandered through history at every turn. We joined a three-hour “skip the line” Coliseum and Roman Ruins tour led by Donatella—an absolute gem who was so passionate and knowledgeable that the tour lasted six hours. Only two Cuban students stuck it out with us, but she was worth every sweaty minute.
Then came Nice, France—a Mediterranean dream. We took a day trip to Monaco, the tiniest, richest sovereign state in the world, where yacht clubs, fancy cars, and waterfront cafés coexist with locals who genuinely enjoy welcoming visitors. We lounged on pebble beaches, wandered charming streets, and soaked in the Riviera glow. Schyler’s distant relative invited us to celebrate Bastille Day in a smaller seaside town, where we perched on rocks as locals waved flags, fired off fireworks, and cheered into the night. It felt like we’d stumbled into a movie.
From France, we headed to Spain to meet Marta in Barcelona. She showed us all the classics—La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, the waterfront. Barcelona is gorgeous, but also one of the most fun cities I’ve ever been to. People really dance until sunrise. Culture by day, chaos by night. Choose your adventure.
We then hopped to Lisbon, Portugal—possibly the most adorable place I’ve ever visited. I still wish we’d had more time there. The whole city feels like a sun-soaked village covered in murals and color. We braved steep hills, wandered plazas, and took a day trip to Sintra to explore Portugal’s famous castles. The people were as relaxed as the landscapes. One night out, we lost Schyler’s passport at a club on the water, found it the next morning, and made our exit from Portugal with our dignity mostly intact.
Leaving Portugal was sad—we’d made new friends and found good energy—but next was Paris. And no matter how many books or movies you consume about Paris, nothing compares to actually being there. Romance is everywhere—in the croissants, in the metro stations, shimmering on the Seine. We hit every major landmark and met a group of locals who invited us to a rooftop party overlooking the city. At one point the French police banged on the door, refusing to believe we couldn’t speak French. Through chaotic hand-gestures and broken translations, we somehow talked our way out of trouble.
Somehow, we also managed to be in Paris during the 7th Leg of the Tour de France. We stood in the rain at the Arc de Triomphe watching the world’s best cyclists fly by in near silence except for the almost whisper-like “zoom” of their tires. It was surreal.
Then came our biggest travel mishap: missing our flight from Paris to Berlin due to miscommunications, a forgotten time change, and… let’s say mild hangovers. After some shameless pleading with the Hertz worker, he finally agreed to rent us a car even though we weren’t technically of age. And just like that, our 12-hour road trip began—detouring through Brussels at midnight and Amsterdam at sunrise before reaching Berlin. I drove the whole way (the only one who knew manual), bravely cruising the Autobahn at a cautious 80 mph as German cars rocketed past us.
In Berlin, we met up with my mom and stayed in our nicest Airbnb yet—bless her. Berlin is fascinating: historic yet modern, grungy yet friendly, incredibly bike- and pedestrian-friendly. We explored the Wall and all the major sights before hopping to our final stop: Prague.
Prague was a beautiful, bittersweet finale. Old-world charm meets modern vibrancy with orange rooftops, cobblestone plazas, and winding riverside walks. We explored markets, cathedrals, overlooks, and even hit the Ice Pub and a seven-story themed nightclub. The city stole our hearts just in time to wrap up the journey.
Ten countries, fourteen cities, six weeks, and countless memories later, we were homeward bound. We’d danced, flown, swum, laughed, cried, and hugged our way across Western Europe.
It was one of the funnest and fullest trips of my life. Beyond the adventures, I learned so much about myself—what I value, what I enjoy, and how I want to show up in the world. Those jam-packed days, the late nights, the strangers turned friends, the laughter, the chaos—it all shaped me in ways I still struggle to put into words.
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To Do or Not To Do?
Yes, definitely. You can replicate this itinerary, put your own spin on it, or just cherry-pick the cities that call your name. Whenever people asked me my favorite place, I could never choose—every city kept a different piece of my heart.
Whether you're after museums, churches, beaches, clubs, or a little bit of everything, these European countries truly offer the world. My advice: have a plan, know your general route, book some accommodations, and lock in the essentials—but stay flexible. Be open to extending your stay somewhere magical or adding a new destination when life (or a missed flight…) nudges you in a different direction. The cultures, food, sights, and people will win you over no matter where you land.
And don’t stress about money. We were broke college kids armed with spreadsheets and hope, and we still pulled it off. With some research and smart decisions, it’s absolutely possible to travel Europe on a reasonable budget and come home with memories that last a lifetime. You’ve got this!
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