It seems surreal! I was so excited when I confirmed I was actually going to backpack across Mediterranean Europe. I did some things way in advance out anticipation, like get gear and pack. And of course, there were some things that waited until the last minute, which made these last few days confusing as I wasn’t sure if I was anxious for the right or wrong reasons! But now that I’ve set off, here are a few things you should know about my trip:
- This will be my very first time in Europe. I have been to Peru and the three main nations that make up North America, but this will still be the furthest distance I’ve traveled!
- For safety reasons, I will not be posting about where I am at any point in time. By the time you read about a specific location, I’ll be in another one. But I will be posting throughout my trip as much as I can!
- Even though I’m no longer in the United States, I can still accept sponsors! I probably won’t be able to deal with any gear sponsors since shipping will be tricky (although I’d be happy to review the product once I return in the fall). I am looking for accommodations, attractions, restaurants, and other non-physical resources. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, click here!
- Although sponsors help a lot, at this point in time my trip is mostly self-sponsored. How will I make ends meet while on the road? I’ve spent the past year saving up for this by working several jobs and cutting back on indulgences. I’m traveling cheaply by staying in hostels, riding trains and buses between cities, traveling by foot within a city, going on picnics for at least one meal per day, not buying beverages, and volunteering. I will also do a bit of travel writing and reviews to earn money along the way. Do you have any suggestions for paid writing opportunities?
- Since I’ve been denying myself some treats and experiences over the past year, I will still be living it up a little in Europe. I won’t skip a city I want to visit just because it’s expensive. I’m going to pay admission for my dream attractions like the Acropolis, the Vatican, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Eiffel Tower. I even bought a ticket for a day trip to Disneyland Paris!
- There is no checked luggage on my trip. That means limiting liquids and packing everything into a carry-on. It actually wasn’t that hard to meet size limits, but I have been practicing walking around my neighborhood to get used to the weight!
- I’m not sure how much detail I’ll be posting while I travel. After all, I want to spend as much time as possible out experiencing! (Plus, writing will take longer as I’m only bringing a phone and not a laptop.) But if you’re interested in visiting a place that I visit, or doing something that I did, stay tuned! When I return home, I will be writing more detailed articles based on what readers want to hear about.
- I’m excited for this adventure. But you already knew that, right?
Jessica Lippe 