During the 10 days before I arrived in London, I traveled to Lisbon, Seville, and Madrid. With each new city I visited, I became more filled with spirit, curiosity and joy. Now, this is not a story about ritzy hotels and fine dining, though, but one of a “budget traveler” who fell in love with different cultures, communities, and cuisine.
1. The Hostels
I LOVE HOSTELS, and trust me I was very nervous at first. I was scared that the rooms would be unsanitary, and the facilities average, but this was anything but true. Hostels are the best thing about “budget travel”. The staff who work at hostels are always friendly and accommodating, and usually plan activities for travelers to participate in, such as a €10 6-course all-you-can-eat-and-drink meal. When I arrived at my hostel in Seville at 5:30am, my room wasn’t ready, but the manager gave me a couch to nap on and stored my luggage until I could check into my room. Another bonus: they provide free breakfast in the morning, and free sangria at night! I can only hope that my other “budget travels” are as successful as this one, but I guess we’ll have to wait for the verdict on that one…
2. The People
In each city I visited, I felt truly welcomed by the people and embraced by the culture. I asked over 100 strangers for directions – map reading in a strange language is harder than you think – and everyone was extremely helpful. One woman even walked me to the subway stop I had been attempting to find for 20 minutes! I also met other students on walking tours, got advice about what to see and where to travel, and bonded with them over common experiences and shared curiosities.
3. The Food
At no point during my 10 adventure did I spend more than €15 euros on a meal. Moreover, at no point did I have a real plan on where I was going to eat. After getting recommendations from hostel staff and locals, I walked around to different restaurants, read menus, and decided on the spot if I wanted to eat there. This strategy was perfected during my 10 days doing this and in doing so, it ultimately allowed me to experience local cuisine and the best tapas in Seville and Madrid. Additionally, it allowed me to refine my palate and try some amazing new delicacies.
4. The Views
Climbing 34 ramps to the top of a cathedral, taking a 10-story lift to see a castle that overlooks the entire city, and scaling across a “mushroom” monument are all activities that cost less than €5, and are moments that I will cherish forever. There is something so serene about standing above a city and being able to look down at the hustle and bustle of the city below. On multiple occasions, I found my mind wandering off and focusing on the beauty of what I was seeing.
5. The Free Walking Tours
A walking tour is arguably the best way to get to know a city. As a self proclaimed “history buff”, these 3-hour tours were the perfect way for me to learn about the a city’s past, its current political and economic climate, the resilience of the people who live there, and the significance of the squares, monuments and cathedrals.