9 Reasons For 20-Somethings To Travel Now Instead Of Later

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Traveling internationally is such an eye-opening, growing experience that I believe everyone should do it at least once in their lifetimes, and in their 20s if possible. If you're considering traveling in your 20s but still haven't booked your flight, here are nine reasons that will hopefully give you that final push.

1. You have time

You're young. You want to go. Go now. Maybe you're still in college. Maybe you have a job. But there will be breaks or time off eventually - use those breaks and plan your travel accordingly.

2. If there's a will, there's a way

The top two excuses for not traveling are 1) time and 2) money. They say you have either have the time to travel but no money to do so, or have the money to travel but no time. Trust me when I say that if there's a will, there's a way. If you want it bad enough, you will make it happen. Yes, you may have to make sacrifices, or set up a tighter budget, but if you truly prioritize travel, you will make it happen. Period.

3. You have a number of options if you're still in college

Studying abroad is one of the most unique ways to travel. You get to live in a foreign country, take classes, have a routine, travel on the weekends, and have a home base to come back to. You'll meet new people, make new friends, and have a much different experience than if you went there on vacation with family or with a group of friends.

If you don't study abroad, take advantage of all the time you have off: spring break, summer break, and winter break are all great times to travel abroad. And those three-day weekends? Well that's enough time to explore your city, do a quick road trip, or spend a weekend somewhere new.

4. You have even more options after college

After college graduation is the only time you're not tied down. This is the perfect time to travel and/or work abroad prior to settling down to an apartment, bills, job, etc.

Krka waterfalls swimming

5. Because you can change the world

Well you can change the world at any age,  but what better time than now? Look into Peace Corps, Jesuit Volunteer Corp, or other ways to give back abroad. Who knows, maybe it'll change you for the better, and I haven't met anyone who has regretted something that changed them for the better.

6. Because your job will still be there when you get back

If you have free vacation days, use them! That's what they're there for.

7. Traveling will give you life experience that will make you wiser beyond your years

By exposing yourself to new cultures, you learn a lot about the world and how the world works. You become more open-minded and tolerant of other people. These are all qualities that we hopefully all possess as we get older with time, but by traveling to foreign places, you'll realize these qualities sooner.

8. You'll learn a lot about yourself

...And in your 20s, which are arguably our most identity-making years, it's a good thing to know who you are and who you want to become.

9. Because you want to

That travel bug will keep bugging you until you take action and just go.

Bone-Chilling Berlin - Remembering The Past

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While I was only in Berlin for a few days and was working during most of it, we got to get out and explore the city a little. I really liked Berlin - the people were friendly, the food was great, and the city was clean and beautiful. During our time out and about, we visited both the Berlin Wall and the Holocaust Memorial. It was a chilling experience to literally be standing where so much history happened during and after World War II. It was interesting to see all the designs on the wall and take a walk through the memorial, which had a much different feel than the rest of the modern city. I'd definitely recommend a visit to these two places if you find yourself in Berlin.

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holocaust memorial berlin germany

Traveling Solo: 5 Questions Answered

Never did I ever think I'd travel on my own somewhere, by myself, in a foreign country, for fun. Though I had a great travel opportunity come up for work where I'd be able to make my flight dates flexible and could travel on my own before/after. This was a last-minute gig, so friends or family weren't able to join me because of jobs, expensive flights, etc.

I didn't let that stop me. I knew that if I wanted to do some extra travel, I'd have to travel solo.

Originally I was looking into planning a couple weeks in the Balkans/Southeast Europe: Romania-Bulgaria-Bosnia & Herzegovina-Croatia-Slovenia. That would've been too expensive at the time. Then I looked into Portugal-Spain-France-Belgium-Netherlands. That was too expensive too. So I settled for a weekend in Paris, and I'm glad I did. It was my first visit to the city, it held a high spot on my bucket list, and according to my research it was considered very safe for tourists.

Even though I was a little overwhelmed before I flew out of the airport, I felt more confident than I had in previous trips abroad. I was a little nervous to be all "alone" and by myself, but I had a feeling that it would be worth it. And it was!

I questioned a few things before I left, because I was nervous - traveling by myself was way out of my comfort zone. Here are the questions I had before I left, and my answers now that it's over:

1. How do I get photos of myself if I'm not with someone to take it for me?

The best way is to just ask! There were plenty of tourists in Paris, and especially if you're at a touristy spot (like the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, etc.) there will be tourists taking photos. Sometimes you'll see a group of people attempting to take a selfie - this is the perfect opportunity to offer to take a photo of them, and then you can ask them to return the favor to get a photo of you. Win-win!

2. Should I eat at restaurants alone?

To be honest, I barely ate in Paris. Haha! This was the first leg of my trip and the jet lag made me really nauseous, and food was not appetizing at all. I was also major budgeting because I had two weeks of travel ahead, plus I was moving when I got back to the States. I ate at a couple cafes by myself, and I was fine. Nobody gave me weird looks. I didn't feel embarrassed to be by myself or anything, since there were other people by themselves too. At one cafe the guy working there was excited to find out I was from Seattle, because Grey's Anatomy is his favorite show, and was asking me all kinds of questions. As far as nice restaurants though, I didn't experience any...because the food in Paris (well, most things in Paris) was so expensive!

3. Will I be safe walking by myself at night?

There was never a moment I didn't feel safe by myself in Paris, day or night. I will note that it was "high season" for tourists, as well as summer, so there were a ton of people out and about on the main streets. I didn't stray into any dark alleys, or anywhere that seemed "sketchy." I just kept confident and knew where I was going, avoided the scammers, and navigated easily. I was fine!

Wherever you go solo, make sure to do your research beforehand. I was fine walking by myself in Paris in the areas I was in, but in other areas (or other cities) I might have not been. If you're ever in doubt, find an area with a lot of people around or take a (legit) taxi.

4. What if I get lonely?

I only spent about 3 1/2 days solo before I met up with the staff I was working with for the rest of the trip, and with so many things to do, I never felt lonely. There were plenty of other people walking around, so I was rarely "alone." And I met new people - something I wouldn't have done, had I gone with a friend.

5. What if I get lost?

I've never had the best sense of direction, so when the hotel guy handed me a map and pointed the route on how to get to The Louvre, a wave of fear washed over me as I stepped out onto the streets for the first time. Surprisingly, I kept the map in my bag and navigated my way to The Louvre easily. Getting around Paris was much easier than I thought, and since I was by myself and actually paying attention, I had no trouble finding my way.

Having a physical map, a phone with GPS (download maps to use offline), and the address and phone number of your hotel/hostel/accommodations are always smart to have on hand in case you get lost. If you're still stuck, then it doesn't hurt to ask someone to point you in the right direction - most people are friendly and will be happy to help you out!

Why A Weekend In Prague Is Never Enough

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I love Prague. I was lucky enough to spend a weekend there last winter and a day and a half there just last week. There is so much to do in the capital of the Czech Republic, but it's tough to do it all on a short amount of time. I've been lucky enough to skim the surface of the city with just a few days total, but there really is plenty to do. If you have the opportunity,  I'd recommend more than a weekend in Prague, and here's why:

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There's more to see beyond the walking tour

Don't get me wrong - the main stops along a typical Prague walking tour are amazing: Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, etc. It's the side streets that spark my interest though: the little alleys lined with shops, cafes, or just even graffiti that deserve a walking through. Unfortunately with just a weekend, there isn't as much time to get lost.

The nightlife is crazy

If you like to go out at night, there is an endless supply of places to go. Prague is known for nightlife, and with just a weekend you won't have the time to experience it all.

Things are cheap (ex: beer is cheaper than water)

If beer is your drink of choice, then you'll be able to afford plenty with meals or when you go out at night. (One beer at a bar came to about $1.20 USD). This also means you'll have some leftover cash to spend on food, shopping, entertainment, etc. With my day and a half in Prague last week I spent a total of 500 Kc ($25 USD) on food and drinks. Had I had more time, I would've used this opportunity to go shopping and save some cash!

Quick Money-Saving Tips For Paris

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It's no secret that Paris isn't cheap. Even hostels can be in the three digits for a mediocre place to stay. Eating out at restaurants could be a splurge too if you eat out often. As a 22-year-old with limited funds, I had to make a few sacrifices in terms of budget during my weekend in Paris. I'll have to go back again later in life to experience some different/expensive things, but if you're looking to save a few euros during your stay, here a few tips I found helpful:

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1. Going up the Eiffel Tower: take the stairs instead of the elevators

This is both a time-saving and money-saving tip. If you take the elevators, the line is much longer than the one for the stairs. Most people say the stairs are fine for an average person, and you'll still need to take an elevator from the second floor up to the top. You have time to stop and go to the shops or restaurants on the first and second levels if you'd like. The stair route is cheaper than the elevator route.

2. Choose which viewpoints you want to see Paris from

Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Sacre Coeur are just a few places to see fantastic aerial views of Paris. However, they all cost money to climb to the top, so choose one or two as your main viewing places. I loved the top of the Arc de Triomphe because there are viewpoints of all the tree-lined streets going out of the main circle, views of the Eiffel Tower, etc. Of course they all have great views, but you could say that the view is similar all around (just from a different angle).

3. Walk or take public transportation instead of taxis

My motto while in Paris was: why pay to get somewhere when I have my own two feet? It was warm and sunny the whole time (sometimes a rarity in rainy Paris), and I enjoyed seeing the city by foot. I also found more cute little gems along the way and saw a lot more than if I had just taken the metro or taxis the whole time.

4 Things That Surprised Me About Paris

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Everyone already knows that the Mona Lisa is underwhelming, French bread is delicious, and Laduree macarons are a must. Here are four things that surprised me about Paris that made my trip even that much better. 1. The gardens are large and there are tree-lined streets

When I think of big cities I normally just think of tall buildings, bustling people, and lots of concrete. Especially when I was living in Florence the main city center had no trees, grass, or plants, so I wasn't expecting so much greenery when I went to Paris. Though there are plenty of gardens with flowers, grass, and running paths as well as streets lined with large trees.

2. There are many more places to see art than just The Louvre (though The Louvre is pretty amazing).

Yes, I went to The Louvre, and yes, it was amazing! However there are so many more places to see some of the world's finest artwork. For example, many of Van Gough's works are in an exhibit at Musee d'Orsay (which was worth the visit to d'Orsay for me).

3. The Eiffel Tower sparkles for five minutes every hour on the hour (after sunset)

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Helpful to know if you don't already - I was glad I found out this tip before I walked an hour to the Eiffel so that I could make it there before the sparkles came and went. For some reason I thought it sparkled during the whole night. Instead it lights up as the sun sets (so cool) and then on the hour it sparkles for five minutes. This was one of my favorite things I did during my whole time in Paris!

4. It's must faster to get into The Louvre underground than by entering in the pyramid

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Well, I first assumed that the famous clear pyramid was just for decoration outside The Louvre, but it is actually the main ticket entrance to the museum. What's better is the underground entrance instead - the line is much shorter because less people know about it. Next to the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is a staircase that goes underground to the shopping mall that is below The Louvre. You save time and you get to wait inside instead of outside in the heat/cold/rain/whatever.

You Only Get Ten Years To Be In Your 20s

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I believe everyone should travel to a foreign country at least once in their life, no matter their age. But I don't think you need to (or should) wait until you retire to do so. Society often tries to push the idea that you must "earn your right" to do anything fun by working all day, every day, for years before you deserve to do anything for yourself. When you're in your twenties, you generally have less responsibility and more time for yourself. It's okay to be a little selfish and book that trip you've been dreaming of, even if it's just during your weekend off work. There are ways to travel and still hold a full-time job, but once you get older and have more responsibilities (a spouse, kids, etc.) your priorities will shift. That's okay, however, your priority until you have those responsibilities should be you.

Dalmatian Coast, Croatia

Your twenties are a very interesting decade, often filled with college graduation, truly being out on your own in the "real world," and figuring out who you are.

If there are things you want to do, then do then. Turn your dreams to reality (especially travel dreams!). If there's a will, there's a way. Sometimes you have to think outside the box and get creative. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices. Ask yourself if it's worth it - and in most cases, it will be.

When I was about to graduate, my main goal was to travel after college. My travel bug was acting up like crazy and I tried thinking of ways to go to Europe for a couple weeks with a friend. However, my budget didn't allow me to travel for even a short trip. And, my friend ended up having other commitments and could no longer go. So I got creative - I looked into travel jobs where I could live in Europe and also get paid.

vespas in italy - go seek explore

With hard work, a lot of determination, countless emails, and an interview later, I got a travel job and was able to turn my dream of going back to Europe for a couple of weeks into living in Europe for five months. I had the opportunity to see so much more than I originally planned, got to live in Italy when I wasn't traveling for work, and met a ton of people that I wouldn't have met otherwise.

Instead of being a dreamer, be a do-er. And once you accomplished what you've wanted to do, dream up new dreams and do them too. By pushing yourself out of your comfort zone you will learn and grow so much. By continuing to do this throughout your twenties, you'll gain more life experience than you ever would have had you not at least tried to make those dreams happen.

Krka Waterfalls

Now that I've returned from my job overseas, I'm about to leave in a few days for another quick trip to Europe. I'll be working short-term for a couple weeks at a different company and I am beyond excited. I'll have a weekend of solo travel before I begin work (my first solo trip ever, and man am I nervous). I wouldn't have had this opportunity had I just sat there waiting for my dreams to happen. I had to make it happen! And it all started with a simple job application...

Whatever it is - taking that trip you've always wanted to go on, moving to a new city, or switching career paths to get your dream job - take action! And take action now. You only get ten years to be in your twenties. Don't waste a single second.