Hey there! So, a while back, I had this awesome chance to jet off to France for a summer study program. I decided to add some solo travel before and after the course. Let me tell ya, it was a month packed with some of the most unique experiences of my life. I feel like I’ve grown a ton from this trip – it’s like I see everything in a whole new light now. I’ve totally fallen head over heels for exploring and can’t wait to hit up more countries in the future. This adventure has really boosted my independence and made me appreciate all the little things around me.
A little about me: I’m a 19-year-old Canadian gal into art, mythology, anime, and reading. While this was my first solo trip, I’d been to the Netherlands and cruised around the UK with my fam a couple of years back. Oh, and I’m a third-year university student – part of my trip was a business management course in Rennes as part of a study abroad deal with my school.
Here’s the lowdown on my journey:
– I spent a total of 36 days on the road.
– Started in Paris for 4 nights, then off to Rennes for 11 nights.
– Next stop was London for 4 nights, followed by 6 nights in Florence.
– Headed back to Paris for a final 7 nights.
Now, let’s talk money. I dished out about 5.5k CAD on this trip (not counting tuition), which worked out to around $150 a day. My school hooked me up, letting me pay regular fees for the course instead of the hefty international student rates. I made sure to see as much as I could, skimping a bit on food (grocery store runs for the win!) and hunting down budget stays. Paid for stuff with leftover cash from a past family trip and Apple Pay. Since fancy credit cards weren’t in my student budget, Wealthsimple was a lifesaver with no FX fees and 1% cashback.
Apps that saved my bacon:
– Hostelworld and Booking for stays.
– Apple Maps, AT bus in Florence, Citymapper, and more for getting around.
– SNCF Connect and Trainline for train/bus trips.
– Wealthsimple for finance management.
Highlights from my journey:
– Japan Expo in Paris was an anime lover’s dream.
– The Gustave Moreau Museum in Paris was a hidden gem.