¡Viva España!

No matter what time of the year it is, Spain is the place to go. Whether the decision is to visit the North, Central, East, or South, you will not be disappointed. Each region is extremely different, and has something unique to offer, stemming from food, traditions, or even dialects. Also, Spain is known for cheap wine and free tapas with every glass, which is always a plus! Additionally, the country is filled with historical sights that are great for tours, and friendly people that are never too shy for a friendly conversation or kiss on the cheek. Though Spain is famous for major cities such as Barcelona or Madrid, there are many other hidden gems throughout the country that tourists don't usually know about, but most certainly wish they did.

San Sebastián is a tiny city that sits on the Northern coast of Spain in a part of the Country called El País Vasco. This area is known for its coastal cuisine and unique "pinchos", which is where the Spanish "tapas" originated from. When you aren't enjoying a glass of wine in the nice sea breeze, there are local mountains to hike, for an incredible view of the cove. San Sebastián is also recognized for its shopping. Many of the skinny, winding streets are lined with high fashion designer stores, hole in the wall shoes stores, surf shops, and a Zara on every block. One of the best things about San Sebastián is that you can walk everywhere. There is a ton to see, whether it be the colored apartment buildings or turquoise waters while taking a stroll down the big boardwalk that frames the beach. This is an amazing weekend getaway, preferably during the spring or summer for beach whether, and much cheaper than the South of France!


Moving to the East of Spain, you find the Mediterranean Sea. Spain has three islands off of their Eastern Coast: Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca, creating the Balearic Islands. Each of these islands provides crystal clear water, small, white sand beaches, and great night life. During the summer time prices inflate (especially in Ibiza), due to the heavy tourism, but it is worth the splurge. The perfectly mild temperatures and refreshing sea water might cost a pretty penny, but the tan and memories you will have when you leave will be priceless. Also, there are great, cheap hostels right on the beach, so don't waste money on a nice hotel, because realistically you won't be spending any time in it.



Granada is one of Spain's oldest cities, and has buildings and traditions that date back to when the arabs settled there. Mostly famous for La Alhambra, Granada has a charm unlike any other city. The palace sits atop a large hill with snowy mountains behind, the best view of the city, and is covered with exquisite gardens and fountains. Walking around Granada makes you feel like you are living in a different time zone, with the clothes lines hanging from window to window, white buildings lining the tight unpaved roads, and outside markets selling souvenirs, clothes and food. Granada is an old and colorful city that is worth a visit. The food is delicious, the sights are beautiful, and the overall character of the city is unforgettable.

Ready, Set, Travel!

The second you arrive in the Country you choose to study in, it is time to plan out your trips for the semester. Everyone always talks about how cheap and easy it is to travel all over Europe, and sadly, they are lying. But remember, the sooner, the cheaper.

Your destinations are endless, so make a list and break it down to the top ten cities you MUST hit before you return back to the U.S. Once that list is complete, check the airfares on every different European airline. Common airlines are Ryan air, Vueling, Easy jet, Lufthansa, and Iberia. Kayak.com shows flights and prices for all of these, but make sure to delete your cookies after hours of searching, as you will notice prices increase, because the website catches on after so many views that you are desperately trying to travel. Also, just a warning, Ryan air always seems appealing, until they charge you 50 euro to print a boarding pass at check in, or 100 euro for your roller carry on. Make sure to always check in and print boarding passes before the airport, as it will save you time, money, and a lot of stress.

Planning out where to stay can be a drag and add up, but hostelworld.com will save your life. The site tells you the best areas to stay in no matter where you are, and there are endless reviews about each hostel listed. Coming from reviews, the site shows the hostels percentages in security, cleanliness, location, and many other categories that help narrow down your search. Never waste your money on a nice hotel, because chances are you will only be in your room to sleep, and if you do enough research and choose a decent hostel, you will not be disappointed!

When it comes to packing for a weekend trip, try and remember that you are only going for a weekend. Meaning three days. You don't have enough pocket change to bring "options", as you will want to save that extra bag fee for something worth while, for example, a tour. If your destination is the Swiss Alps in the middle of winter, layer on as many clothes as possible, including your big coat and scarf, for the flight. Do not even try to pack such large items, because they should not be able to fit if you are bringing the correct type of luggage, A.K.A a small carry on.

If you are traveling within the Country you are situated, especially if it is a last minute trip, always check for train or bus rides. Although the travel time might be slightly longer, the extra hour is well worth it, considering the ride will be a quarter of the price of a flight. The great thing about European countries is that they are small, making cities on the opposite side of where you are easily accessible. Take advantage of the cheap routes offered to get from place to place, because in the end they will save you money to spend on souvenirs!

Being Independent

Now that the decision is made and Europe is currently listed under the "lives in" section on Facebook, it is time to work on that independence. Embrace the solitude of being alone; not having to worry about what anyone else wants to do, or listen to what they have to say. The only thoughts and desires are those inside the mind of the new world traveller, and with endless places to go and and infinite amounts of things to see, the journey begins here.

First off, explore the city. Chances are there is a lot more history there than in the entire U.S. as a whole, so take advantage of it! Enter the gorgeous museum everyone is recommending and spend a couple of hours inside. Check out the artwork, read the descriptions, and maybe even jump in on a tour.

                                              (Museo Del Prado Madrid, Spain) 

When all of the sights are seen and history is no longer of interest, put in some headphones and just walk. Do not plan a destination or time to return home. Just go out alone, bring a little money, listen to the best playlist on iTunes, and get lost. Getting lost finds the best places: hidden neighborhoods, parks, and less popular areas that are rich with culture and away from the tourist buzz.

If there is a local restaurant on the corner, go grab dinner and a drink, and order something that sounds mysterious. If it's gross, just don't eat it, it was an A+ for effort. Also, try to branch out and talk to a waiter or someone else sitting alone at the next table over, it could be the Prince of Egypt for all that is known. Or, more likely, it could be a well-connected local that will make the next four months a lot more memorable, as he reveals the best places to go and brings more friends into the picture.

Since meeting new people abroad is so important, there is never a reason to buy a map. Most of the time, the people walking around on the street know their way around the city and are more than willing to offer directions. So, when completely turned around and lost, ask somebody for help. If the language is foreign, use the most common words of that language or even hand gestures to at least try and communicate. But, if all else fails, there are always cabs...cheater.

And lastly, do not call friends and family every single night. Go sit and get to know the hospitable family sharing their home, or enjoy the roommates in the next room experiencing the same adventure abroad. Remember, there is nothing going on at home that compares to having Europe in arms reach, and all focus should be on the here and now. Put what is going on in the same room first, and let those people at home get in touch every once in a while, if they're lucky. Allow and embrace the independent growth that will occur over the next four months, and do not let anything inhibit the process.