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!

Paris, Je t'aime!

    

    Paris is one of my favorite cities to visit! No matter how many times you go or how long you stay, there is always more to see! Remember these tips the next time you jet set to Grand Paris, and you will be sure to have an affordable visit of a lifetime!

    The most important piece of advice I can give is to plan your stay in advance! The most costly part with be where you stay. If you plan at least a few weeks in advance, you can get a better deal on a hostel or Airbnb apartment.  Also, plan accordingly on how to get there. Since Paris is so centrally located in Europe, you should have an easy and affordable way to get there from most main cities. I have taken trains and coach buses and they have been very inexpensive and pleasant. Taking MegaBus or IDbus is not the most stylish way to arrive in one of the chicest cities in the world, but you will be thankful for the euros you saved! The long ride can be a great time to map out what sights you will hit first!

     A necessity is a metro map! They are very cheap or you can find them online and bring one with you. The metro is a cheap way to travel though the large city; it may be difficult at first, but you will get the hang of it! Just remember, one ticket is good for a single trip, so as long as you do not leave the metro station, you can continue to switch trains until you figure out where you need to be! Buy the book of 10 tickets and get a reduced fare per ride. Do not be intimidated by the metro! It really is a great asset to seeing the city and can save you lots of time and foot pain! 

     Now to the best part- the sights! A great time to plan a trip is during the first Sunday of every month. All the museums (and Paris has plenty) are FREE- as in the best price! This deal is for anyone, so it is a great time to go with a group or the family! If you are not there during the first Sunday, then utilize your student VISA. With it you can get into almost every monument for a reduced price or for free! Main attractions that are free include :

•      The Panthéon: Visit the tombs of Voltaire, Victor Hugo and the Curies, along with many of the country’s other great thinkers.
•      The Louve: Hang out with Mona Lisa, or decipher Hammurabi’s code. You can’t go wrong spending a few hours in the vast labyrinth that is the museum!
•      The Bridges: See the city like a local and walk over one of Paris’ 37 bridges across the Seine River!

•     Notre Dame de Paris: One of my favorite places in the city! Go inside and see the beautiful rose windows and gothic architecture. Then head up the spiral staircases to glimpse the stunning view of the city alongside the famous gargoyles of the cathedral. The entrance into the cathedral is free to all and can be entered through the front; on the side of the building is where you can enter to go to the terrace- this is free with a student VISA!

     Don’t forget the breathtaking views from the Eiffel Tower! You will have to pay to get into this monument, but it is worth the cost! You can get a reduced price by taking the stairs up to the second level, and a further discount for being a student! Then you will have to pay a standard fee to get to the tippy top! It is a priceless view and something you will not regret!

     When it comes to food, Paris is rather costly. Do not be surprised to spend between 15-20 euros per meal if you dine out. The food is definitely something to enjoy, but if you are looking to save on food, make some meals yourself. Bakeries offer fresh delicious breads and pastries for very little. Stop by a market and grab some standard French staples to go with it, such as cheese, escargot, and wine! End your night with a crêpe, I recommend with nutella and banana!

  Finally, you must see the “city of lights” in action! Paris at night is a sight like nothing you have seen before! Each monument lit up in various colors and the shimmering sight of the Eiffel Tower, which sparkles at the top of each hour is something you can’t miss!

     So don’t forget your student VISA or your camera, because your trip will be one you will want to relive many times over!

   

Check out my video blog segment on Paris here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfIn9AVSHM8

     

Zakkenroller = Pickpockets!

Beware of Pickpockets!! 

It is very easy to be taken advantage of while in big cities by many different types of pickpockets. 

1). Seemingly Innocent Petition holders-
We encountered these young girls all over Paris! What they do is ask if you speak English- If they have a clipboard in their hand, say no and walk away quickly. If you do say you speak English, prepare to hear about some charity that they are gathering signatures for, and they will assure you it's free...until you sign it and they hound you for at least 5 Euros. Be cautious for when you say no though, because they will be persistent, and even group up on you. While we were walking near the Louvre, a group of six swarmed us! Make sure to watch your purse and pockets, because when they were asking us to sign, they reached into our pockets!

2). String Men-
These are usually men in their 20-30s. The ones I have encountered have a few different types of tokens, but always the same tactic. They will offer you their token (string bracelet, figurine, rose, bird seed) for free, if you accept it they will follow you around begging for money until you give them some. But still be cautious, because even if you say no thank you, they will try to put it on you somehow and claim that was you accepting and still ask for money relentlessly! 

3). Your typical pick pocket-
These are the ones you can't describe, because you never notice them- until your stuff is gone! The best advice for these is to be smart. Usually, they are just trying to scope out where you keep your wallet, how much money you have, or if you have credit cards so they can easily distract you and grab your stuff. After all, they are called "pickpockets" for a reason right? If you are in a crowded area, always keep a hand on your purse. If you are somewhere were you can get distracted, by for example taking a picture, don't leave your purse wide open or laying somewhere. If you are staying in a hostel with lots of people, bring a lock, so you can keep your stuff in a secure locker. 

There are countless ways to be scammed out of your money, especially in large cities in foreign countries. Basically the best tip I can give is to try to blend in! People who are usually targeted in these scams are unaware tourists. Also, do not be afraid to be rude. Usually if you show you aren't scared to speak up, they won't mess with you, since you could easily cause a scene and possibly them getting in trouble. After all of my times abroad, I have just started to firmly say no, and they will go right on to the next person. If you hesitate or slow down any, they will not stop bothering you, and possibly have some of their posse join to pressure you! 

As my dad always says, keep your wits about you! 

London

Baxter! You are my Little Gentleman- I will take you to Foggy London Town! 

     You have no idea how many times I sang that while in London! But to get the more important stuff, here are some tip about the beautiful city of London! 

     London has a very high cost of living, so it can put a dent in your wallet! If you want the full British experience while saving some pounds, find a Weatherspoons Pub. If you are there over a weekend, make sure to go on Sunday; They have a special where you can get a Sunday Roast complete with all the trimmings for 8 pounds! That means your choice of roast (chicken, beef, pork or vegetarian), with fried potatoes, veggies, Yorkshire pudding, gravy and a drink. I could hardly finish it all! 

     Another restaurant famous in England is Nando's Chicken! Nando’s chicken is affordable and an authentic British restaurant. They serve chicken from a quarter to a whole, marinated in their specialty sauces. And when you are missing fountain drinks and ice, look no further! Nando's has free refills and unlimited sauces to try on your chicken and chips (aka fries)!
     Last but certainly not least, make sure you get some fish n' chips! But be careful, they are addictive! A typical meal will cost you around 10 pounds in London; but the meal includes a huge fillet of fried Cod or Haddock and a generous portion of fries! Don't forget to cover it in salt and vinegar, and you will be eating like the locals!

     For transportation, I suggest buying an oyster card! It is re-loadable and has a set ceiling cost, meaning it will only charge you up to a certain amount even if you ride the metro all day long! The card is usable for any mode of public transport in London. You can pick one up at any train or metro stop! And when you leave you can sell it back and get 5 pounds back! This way you can travel quickly to highlights you want to see, like Buckingham Palace or Big Ben, and not be restricted by time limits or just one view because of a bus tour! 

     For a night on the town, look for student specials at pubs and clubs. There are over 300 clubs in London, so there are student nights every night, except for Saturdays. Shoreditch in the east of London, and Camden in the northwest are known to have cheaper costs than the heart of London! Never pay more than 5 pounds for entry as a student; Look for signs around town advertising for student specials, or just ask a local!

     So don't forget your student ID and an umbrella, and you will be ready for an affordable and unforgettable time in London!

Check out my video blog here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2StLUtRC-g

Scotland

     When I first arrived in Leuven, my pal Karli said we had a free place to stay in Scotland if we wanted to go. My response: DUH! We went onto RyanAir.com and found a 28 euro round trip! Jackpot! 
     When packing, you have to be sensible, RyanAir allows a small (I mean minuscule) carry on, or a more substantial sized backpack (they usually never even check the size). I wore my heaviest items like my jeans, sweater, leather jacket and boots. Then I packed lighter options, like tights, leggings, a cardigan and skirts. And it is just like a normal airline (besides the prices), so you have to keep liquids in a quart sized bag, with all containers under three ounces. 
     
     You may hear rumors that there is nothing in Scotland but rain and mosquitoes- Don't listen to those people! When we arrived in Scotland, I was exhausted from the trip to Charleroi and the flight to Scotland after that. But even in my haze, I could tell how beautiful the country was! I stayed in Stirling, which is nestled at the base of the highlands and more beautiful views than my eyes could handle! 

     So here are the important things you MUST DO while in Scotland, and how you can do them on a budget: 

1. Drink Irn-Bru! It is a typical Scottish soda, and in Scotland, coke isn’t the highest selling soda like in most countries; Irn-Bru is. The famous Scottish soda can be found in restaurants and stores! I suggest you go to pound land, where everything in the store is just one British pound!
2. Visit the Highlands! Although the hike is difficult, it is worth it! At the top awaits a spectacular view of Scotland! And the best part is, it’s free!
3. See a Rugby Game! Professional rugby games can be pricey, so look up if there is a community team! I attended a game of the local county team and I got in with a student discount! 

     When it comes to food, you MUST try Haggis! When in Scotland, right? I absolutely loved it! Also if you can, try fish and chips (doused in salt and vinegar of course), mushy peas, bangers and mash and finally a fried Mars Bar! 

     Don’t forget your student card to get your great discounts at Balmoral castle, national museum of Scotland, and the Royal botanical gardens!

     Look for a cheap bus or train to places like the Loch Ness or the Highlands, where you don’t need to pay for a great view! 

Check out my video blog here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcsrVBK-rYQ