One summer, I finally said yes to the dream of exploring Europe. With 44 countries on the continent, narrowing it down was no easy task. I went with the most budget-friendly option, flying into the cheapest country I could find and let spontaneity take the wheel from there. Spoiler alert… it worked out beautifully. I started and ended my adventure in France, with stops in a few incredible countries along the way before heading back to the U.S.

For any of you fellow jetsetters wondering if a European trip is possible on a budget, it absolutely can be.

Now, let’s talk about planning or in my case, trying to plan. I’m naturally a last-minute type of traveler. I attempted to stick to an itinerary, but I quickly learned that scheduled days and tight timelines just aren’t for me. What worked better? Wandering, exploring, and discovering things on my time.

One of my biggest challenges? Navigating public transportation vs. the convenience of ride shares like Uber or Bolt. I missed my stop more than once and even ended up walking 30 extra minutes to my hotel. Not exactly glamourous with a backpack and carryon in tow. Not knowing where I was going definitely shook my confidence at first, but each time I asked for help, I learned more and felt braver. With every city, it got easier.

My journey took me through France, Sicily, Italy, Croatia, and Greece. And let me tell you… Google Flights became my best friend. I chose my next destination purely on flight prices. Sure, booking at the last minute can get pricey, but when you’re already in Europe, many flights are surprisingly affordable. I gave myself a personal goal to not spend no more than $100 on a one-way flight. If you can book a week or two in advance, you’ll likely save even more leaving extra cash for gelato, museums, or a sunset cruise.

Whether you’re a planner or a go with the flow traveler like me, just know this. You can make your travel dreams happen, even on a tight budget and with zero itinerary in hand.

Follow along here on Jetset with Lo as I share stories, tips, and lessons from the countries I’ve explored. Have questions? Drop them in the comments. If I know the answer, I’ll share it. If not, I’ll be honest about that too. And if you’re the itinerary type, ChatGPT might just be your new travel buddy.

Everything can feel overwhelming the first time, but with each new stop, it does get easier.

Let’s start exploring. Let’s get inspired. Let’s jetset.

XoXo – Lo 💋