BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello friends. Just wanted to first say these boards are very helpful for a rookie like me.

My situation...I have plans to take a semester off from college this Fall and travel primarily around Spain and West Europe from September to December.

So far, the only thing I have planned is a week teaching English at Pueblo Ingles in Spain during mid-Sept. I have no idea what I'm going to do til December, which is kind of scary, but also exciting to imagine.

My budjet is about 3.5-4k USD for the whole 3 1/2 month period and I plan on staying in hostels and living quite meagerly. Also, I really want to experience the true Spanish culture and countryside while in Spain (not only tourist stuff).

Anyone travelled like this, just randomally on about a 1k/month budget? I would love to volunteer at more places, just to have something to do, but also want time to move about freely, which is why I'm not studying abroad. Does anyone have input, specifically about Spain, regarding places to work/visit/live/volunteer? Or if such a "lack of planning" is a good plan? BTW, I'm 23 and would proabably be travelling alone.

Thanks in advance friends,
Thomas

Hello Thomas pleased to meet you!

No itinerary is the only way I travel. I hate plans and I love to be spontaneous. I go were the WINDS OF DESTINY take me, and the solar winds are good if you have the right kind of attitude.

1k a month, that is about 32 bucks a day... I don't know how you plan on living for that much... I mean wow, that is about 20 Euros per day, and the cheapest rooms cost that much.

You might want to sit down and really think about your budget and if this is even feasible. Sorry to be a downer but that is not a lot of money. Maybe you can pull it off though. Goodluck!

Wow, max. That is nothing, when you mention it. I definetly need more. Crap

I think if you can spend about 30-50% of your time volunteering or WWOOFING (as in, finding volunteer work where you don't need to pay money to stay) or get involved in couch-surfing, you might be able to stretch your money. It will be tight-tight-tight for western europe though... maybe spend some time in morocco to even things out?

Does it have to be Western Europe? You could make that money go a lot faster in other parts of the world. Obviouslly SE Asia and S. America/Central America are the cheapest options, but even E. Europe is significantly cheaper than W. Europe. The value of the dollar certainly isn't helping matters out much.

No itinerary is fine. I agree you need a higher budget. Spain (and western Europe in general) is expensive, and couple that with the falling dollar, you need a little more to get by. You want to be able to enjoy yourself and not live too meagerly.

I think concentrating on one country is good, though. That will help cut down some of your transportation expenses.

Also...does that 4K include flight? Flights are pricey, so make sure to budget for that. You may be able to find a good deal as you head closer to off season.

Remember that as an American, you can stay 90 days without an additional visa. And that it does get cold that time of year, even in Southern Spain.

Yea 4k only for expenses while there. I think the plane is a separate 1200 or so.

I wanted to hang around Spain to really improve my Spanish and learn the culture, since my major is Hispanic Studies. But I'd like to have the option of traveling elsewhere, and I'm in need of an "academic vacation," mentally and spiritually, which is why studying abroad seems somewhat unappealing right now...but maybe later on.

Thanks for the input. I'll do more research about volunteering at places to cut expenses. Looks like I'll need some more cash than expected!

Just know that the Spanish varies wildly from region to region (that was my experience, anyway). I lived in Sevilla, where they spoke Andalu, which sounded like a different language than what they spoke in Madrid (Castellano), and truly a different language than what they speak in Barcelona (Catalan). It is really diverse.

You may want to check out the Camino de Santiago if you're looking for a spiritual respite. It is supposed to be excellent for mental recalibration.

Well, I second the WWOOFing and Couchsurfing, there both great ways to save money, and to really get off the tourist track and get to know locals (or at least someone who lives there) I think you will need a little more money, but if you stay out of the big cities, it'll be a lot better. I live in Barcelona, and trying to travel here on 20 Euro a day would be crazy. (though when I try I can live here for that much.) I think Andalusia is your best option as it's the cheapest, and has the nicest weather while your here. good luck

My boyfriend and I travelled Europe on roughly $1200k/month for 7 months. It is a tight budget, but we did make it work and didn't feel we missed out on anything.

We were in Spain in January and hit Barcelona, Madrid, Granada and Sevilla. Because it was off-season we got good deals on lodging. We stayed in family pensions (without prior reservations) and in some cases, were able to negotiate a lower price if we stayed longer than 3 days.

Hostels are probably cheaper for solo travelers but you can really get a local perspective by staying in family pensions if you're interested in soaking up the Spanish culture.

I think it's great that someone was able to do it. I do think it would be tough but of course anything is possible. It seems like you will have an incredible time and be able to really see the country. I would def. look into the wwoofing. (Not to send you to my site but i have an extensive list on there of volunteering, woofing, etc sites becuase i will be doing it on my trip to save money too, so you can look there if you want. it's under traveler resources). There are quite a few different sites that offer that type of thing. Also, i would check out couch surfing for sure and see what you can find on there. I think you could get away with it but you probably want a little extra to buffer yourself and maybe get some drinks out on the town with new friends.