DiscoverEU adventure

I love being a European and I love taking advantage of what Europe offers. #DiscoverEU was no exception. I was eagerly waiting for my 18th birthday just so I could apply and was soooo happy to hear the good news!

My friends weren’t as lucky yet I could not waste the chance, so I decided to give solo travelling a chance. I had just wrapped up my first year at uni, packed my bags and embarked on an epic journey with quite an itinerary: Vienna-Munich-Zurich-Milan-Nice-Monaco-Genoa-Pisa-Florence-Rome.

I came back with a crying bank account but my heart full of joy and my head buzzing with incredible memories and hilarious stories. Just thinking about it now makes me smile. Vienna’s rich history, Zurich’s eye-watering prices, Monaco’s insane cars, Florence’s art literally everywhere – each place had its own vibe that I now carry with me in my heart.

My best advice: plan a little, go with the flow a lot. It helps to scroll TikTok an evening before and mark your must-visit places in Maps, but don’t turn it into a checklist. Let yourself wander, watch the locals go by, chat with (non-creepy) strangers, make friends in hostels, eat from random food spots where no tourist would dare to go and definitely take way too many photos.

A few more practical thoughts of wisdom:

• Book early. Last minute deals are rare, especially during summer time. Planning ahead will save you some money and give you a chance to visit the most popular places (some museums are booked months in advance).

• Do not overpanic but be safe. Most people are lovely and chatty, but creeps are out there as well. Share your location with someone you trust, stay away from sketchy areas, especially during night time, and don’t let your belongings out of sight.

• Keep calm. Things will go wrong - cancelled hostels, transport strikes, terrible weather - you will figure it out. Keep a bit of extra cash for the unexpected and channel your zen energy.

Whether you’re off on a solo soul-searching trip or finally having the trip that made it out of the group chat, it’s going to be unforgettable. Celebrate your youth, enjoy being European and go make those memories! <3

Updated on Πέμπτη, 15/05/2025