Don’t put it past me. Jetsetting could include a girlfriend getaway/backpacking trip across Europe with the girls.
Who hasn’t fantasized about leaving behind the mundane and trivial aspects of daily life for a trip across the European countryside? Who also isn’t sort of freaked out and intimidated by this idea? alone would be a daunting and even dangerous prospect for worldly women, but taking this trip with your best friend – or a whole group of girlfriends – can make the experience a lot less intimidating and a lot more fun.
If you and your BFFs are thinking about taking the plunge and going on an exciting European adventure, get ready with the following four tips.
1. Get on the same page
You might have no problem roughing it in hostels and living on PB&J sandwiches, but do your friends feel the same way? Have a long talk before your trip to make sure everyone’s on the same page about everything from where you’ll be staying to your daily itinerary. For example, some more adventurous friends may love the idea of going mountain climbing in the Swiss Alps, while the more reserved part of the group might prefer to sip Chianti at an Italian winery.
2. Protect yourself
Backpacking across an entire continent takes time – too much time to go without insurance coverage. You may have health insurance, but it won’t necessarily help you overseas. Purchase travel medical insurance before your European adventure, so you don’t have to worry about what would happen if you took a nasty fall or succumbed to food poisoning and needed medical treatment. There are plenty of short-term policies available for these kinds of scenarios, so be sure to look for plans that cater to your needs before you commit.
3. Plan for some alone time
No matter how much you love your best friends, you’re going to want to rip their heads off if you spend every waking moment together for weeks on end. Although the point of traveling with others is to have a support system when the going gets rough, you’ve got to enjoy some alone time during your trip as well. While creating your itinerary, make sure to set aside blocks of time for everyone to do their own thing.
4. Have an itinerary
Too often, young travelers make the mistake of going out with a “carefree spirit” – a.k.a. they don’t have any plans whatsoever. Although there can be a romantic aspect to this approach, it typically ends in disaster. Wherever you’re headed, have a full list of things to do to stay busy and cross a few items off your bucket list. Discuss it with your friends – they might want to see some different sights that you may not have known about. No matter where you’re headed, make sure your list includes more than enough activities to fully experience each country.
Backpacking across Europe will be one of the most cherished memories you’ll have with your best friends, which will further strengthen the bonds you have with one another. Although this experience is pretty much guaranteed to be unforgettable, you can make it go a lot smoother by planning ahead and taking precautions. These four simple steps will have you ready to brave the European countryside together in no time.