Italy

Art. Architecture. Food. More food. Here are some tips for doing and eating as much as you can for as little as you can!

As always, Ryan Air has discount flights to multiple destinations in Italy. Look into flying into one city, then taking a train ride to another city where you can fly out of. We flew into Rome, took a TrenItalia trip to Venice, and then flew back from there. Book your flights online at RyanAir.com, and your train tickets at TrenItalia.com.

In Rome, there are so many cultural hotspots to check out! Use your student ID to get a discount at the Vatican Museum, where you can take a tour and see the Sistine Chapel. After, you can visit St. Peter’s Basilica, which is free to enter. The huge cathedral is full of ornate statues and tapestries. Make sure to stop by the Pieta, sculpted by Michelangelo. The Coliseum also has a discount for students, although it is still pricey to get in, but definitely worth it! A few more cost effective sites in Rome include the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and of course the Trevi Fountain, just make sure you have a few coins to make a wish!

Book a place to stay at AirBnB.com; if you are traveling in a group it is the best way to get a private apartment right smack dab in the city! A group of five of us stayed in an apartment in Rome, right by the metro and within walking distance of the Coliseum.

If you get peckish, stop for some gelato, a cannoli, or a tiramisu. A great and very affordable place is Pompi, which is famous for their desserts!

In Venice, the very city itself is something to see! The first thing you need to do is get a map! The city has canals for roads, and certain walkways dead end in a canal, so a map is very important for getting around, and can save you from spending money on water taxis to get around! Head to San Marco’s square, where you can see beautiful buildings like Saint Mark’s Basilica. If you want to go inside the church, make sure you leave your backpack at your hostel, or else you can rent a locker for an hour. Also check out the Rialto Bridge, which is lined with shops! Don’t miss the intricate and sometimes bizarre masks!

For food, stay off the main canals, restaurants there are overpriced for mediocre food! If you get off the beaten path you can find some hidden gems, like The Taverna del Campiello Remer, a 20 euro buffet. It sounds expensive, but it included all you can eat meats, cheeses, veggies and desserts, as well as a plate of pasta and a ½ liter of wine! It was well worth the cost, since we were full for the rest of the day! Another tip for eating is to stay in a hostel or apartment, where you can cook your own meals! Markets are affordable, and groups can pitch in to make a delicious and authentic meal for a low cost!

So make sure to check out Italy while you are abroad, and with these tips you can get a great experience for a great price!

Video Blog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX9OMbtL5Ok

Barcelona

The city of Barcelona is amazingly bright and unique! The streets are filled with laughter, art and sunshine; The exciting sites and tastes make up for a spectacular experience; although the city may seem affordable, there are definitely ways to save some Euros!


For food, head to La Rambla, a main street in the city and check out the weekend market! Vendors come to sell their fresh produce and creations at a very fair price. Whether you are looking for fresh fish to cook at your hostel or apartment, or you just want a pick me up snack of an empanada or fresh juice, there is something for everyone here! It's always bustling with people, so it will make an authentic and delicious stop on your way!

Also, try out local tapas bars. Tapas are Spanish appetizers that make a perfect meal! Keep an eye out for buy one get one deals, many Tapas Bars have somewhat of a "tapas happy hour"! There are many choices that can please a diverse group of taste buds, and they are filling enough to serve as Lunch or Dinner! 

And for dessert, don't forget churros y chocolate! The fried dough is delicious dipped into the sweet melted chocolate and will be a perfect end to your day's adventures!

For sightseeing, you must check out what puts Barcelona on the map! First, the  Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi's masterpiece! Started in 1883, but still in construction today, the two unique facades characterize the original and the new artist's style. Use your student ID to get a discount into the church to check out the bright stain glass inside! It truly is a sight worth seeing!

Then head to Parc Guell, which is covered with beautiful flowers and Gaudi's famous mosaics!

There is so much to see in this huge amazing city, so save time by hopping on the metro! Get a multi-day ticket, or pass for ten trips, both are more affordable then buying single fare tickets and will help you see everything on your checklist! 

So bring your appetite and sense of adventure and explore the artistic city of Barcelona! 

Video Blog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oONG9-PJmY

The 28th member: Croatia

Croatia was on my list of places I had to go while studying abroad. I saw Pinterest pictures of the beautiful beaches and read articles of the spectacular food, and knew I had to go! Here are some tips to help you put your Kuna (Croatian money) to good use!

Plan your trip in advance; we got a flight to Pula for just 30 euros round trip! We also stayed in a hostel in a good location for under 10 euros a night! It will be cheaper to go in the tourist off-season, like we did, and you will still have a great time!

Food: Be aware that some restaurants and tourist attractions aren't open during these periods. We wandered around looking for a restaurant with great reviews on Trip Advisor, but none in that area were open! When looking for a place to eat, instead just walk towards the city center and check out the menu boards. Croatia uses the Kuna as their currency, so 1 USD = 5.50 HRK, so most everything you find will be at a great price and be some of the best food you will have while abroad or ever! I really think that the

truffle and Prosciutto hand-made pasta was the best meal I have ever tasted! And it only cost me 70 HRK, so roughly 12 bucks!I also suggest seafood, I had the most delicious fried calamari!

Attractions: Croatia has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Most of them are public, so you won’t have to pay to go to them. We went in late October and could still go swimming! The water is so clear that you can see every detail of the bottom while floating in the water! Another great thing is that you can have food and drinks on the beach. We packed a picnic of local olives and wine and discovered what the region had to offer!

Check out the local land marks as well. Croatia has a heavy Roman influence, and there is a lot of spectacular ancient architecture to see! In Pula, there is one of the six largest amphitheaters in the world! It is one of the best preserved as well, and with your ticket in you can experience it in a truly personal way! You can walk around the center stage, in the center, climb on the inner walls and sit in the seats! We got in with a student discount, making our entry cost about 3 USD, definitely worth it!

Transport: Croatia has a great public bus system. Tickets were cheap and could take you to the beach or nearby cities for the day! A one way trip ran about 2 USD. We also took a cab from the airport. There were 8 of us, and even with a big van the trip only cost us a few American dollars. 

So bring your student ID and your sense of afventure, and get to Croatia for a great get-away!