As I have quickly discovered, traveling in Europe can get very expensive, very quickly. I definitely have found myself spending more money than I had expected, despite efforts not to. So, from one broke college student to another, here are some solutions that Danielle and I have found successful in dealing with this issue. Side note: these tips probably seem slightly humorous, and yes, they actually did turn out to be fairly entertaining at times :)
1. Don't Eat Real Meals
By this, I mean, don't go to restaurants. It is much more fiscally responsible to go to a local grocery store! We have found that items such as bread (with nutella, if there are small packages), apples, large carrots, clementines, nuts, and the occasional cold cut can be perfectly sufficient to get by for a few meals. There was definitely a learning curve, but I think I am on my way to mastering the art of 2-3 meals for 4 Euro or less. Haha.
2. But, Spend On Food When Appropriate
You're saving money on some meals for a reason! This is best described through examples. In Italy, eat homemade pasta and pizza, and definitely get gelato; these foods can only be truly experienced here. In Switzerland, buy chocolate (which should be a no-brainer, probably). Definitely try to find local markets (such as the market with delicious dried mango in Rome), and buy street food when possible (such as crepes in Paris). Food is a great way to experience culture.
3. Walk- EVERYWHERE!
What, your hostel is on the outskirts of the northeastern part of Paris, and the Eiffel Tower is on the other end of the city? No big deal, your feet can handle it (Or can they? Because mine do NOT feel good right now). But seriously, walking can save you money and help avoid the cost of buying bus, train, metro, etc tickets. When walking is feasible, by all means, walk- good for you, and the environment! I do not think I have ever walked this much in my life- today, in Paris, we were either on our feet (taking pictures or looking at something) or walking (most of the time) for around 12 hours. Yes, I will be the first one to say how painful that is after a week of traveling. But hey, if you want to save money, sometimes extreme measures are necessary- haha.
4. Never Pay For Towels
So you get to your hostel, and realize that towels are not included in the price of the room? Or maybe you booked the hostel knowing that little detail, and planned to rent one there? Well, don't! As Danielle and I have learned, a t-shirt can sufice for a towel, when necessary. And, as a bonus, when you arrive at a hostel that has even a small towel, it will make your day. If you get a full sized towel, it will seem like a luxury.
That's it for now. In Copenhagen now with my host family- they are really nice, we had a great dinner (a real meal!!), and it's good to get settled in a little.
OH- one more update- received my second pat down in Paris today. haha
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