Europe backpacking trip

My 4-week backpacking trip through Europe is over and all I can say is what an amazing experience. I am so glad to have gone and planned this by myself, and to be able to share this trip with not only my travel buddy, Fatima, but also with all of you.

Click below to see recaps of each individual city:

For more photos from my trip, check out our trip hashtag #FLeuro2016.

This backpacking trip is part of one of my biggest personal achievements thus far. After graduating university, I was able to pay off all my student loans in one go and have $5,000 left over. This $5,000 was my budget for this trip and it was certainly well spent.

Traveling on my own was scary, but with Google maps and a friend (a real one), I felt like I could do it. We walked through unknown streets and stayed in unfamiliar beds, but we also got to see sights I’ve only seen through the internet and we got to do and eat things that were out of our ordinary.

I knew nothing about backpacking. I’m not exactly a minimalist so even the thought of having everything in one backpack seemed impossible, but through this experience I’ve learned how to pack efficiently and travel efficiently. Backpacking is way faster, no check-in luggage and it actually wasn’t that exhausting. The backpacks are fitted for your body and torso so that the weight is shifted onto your waist, not your shoulders and back.

I think this is the beginning of many more backpacking trips to come. This trip has definitely opened my eyes to all the wonderful places I want to visit in the world. I did miss home in certain points, but mostly I was excited to be where I was.

Sincerely, Loewe