Travel news: 17 in Slovenia, 18 in Spain - A backpacker’s guide to Europe
From tourist attractions to embarrassing mistakes, Travel News Blitz’s Abbie Latymer reflects on her month-long bildungsroman journey that transitioned her into adulthood.
Backstory
In the summer of 2025, my friend and I set off on a month-long backpacking trip through Slovenia, Italy, France and Spain.
Both of us left the UK at 17 and returned home as adults.
We became more independent, more confident and far more aware of ourselves and the choices we make.
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Just going for a paddle
If you combine the movies ‘Camp Rock’ with ‘Into the Wild’, you find Slovenia: friendly, green and affordable.
Lake Bohinj, Slovenia’s largest but less appreciated lake, became our base for six nights.
We stayed in the Hostel pod Voglom, a youth hostel that overlooked the lake.
It provided an extensive buffet breakfast, free internet access, a lakeside terrace, games rooms and a long list of bookable activities.
For less than £400 each, we packed our week with kayaking, canyoning, swimming and hiking.
After Bohinj, we hopped off the bus at Lake Bled for Festival Bled, an annual summer festival with live music, street food and entertainment.
Within our five days in Bled, I turned 18.
I remember sitting around a worn wooden table, playing card games and sharing beers with other backpackers during the early hours of my birthday.
That day we visited the Vintgar Gorge.
The tour cost less than £15 and provided a historical and inspiring narrative of the area.
It was obvious how passionate local people were about their friends, family and area.
Other must-dos in Bled include: hiking to Bled Castle, rowing to Bled Island, waking up early for a sunrise horse ride, going to bed late after a sunset climb, completing Europe’s longest zipline, taking a stairlift up Straza Hill, completing Pustolovski Park’s high rope on the top of the hill and enjoying the famous toboggan to get down.
If you’re chasing bucket-list thrills, Slovenia delivers.
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Verona
If you are interested in Roman history, a follower of Shakespeare or a head-over-heels romantic like myself, Verona is perfect
Juliet’s House is the city’s most famous attraction and can be enjoyed in the courtyard for free.
I know some people value the chance to see the house inside, however I personally believed it offered little extra for the price.
During our stay, we joined a guided walking tour to learn about Verona’s history and architecture, bought souvenirs and ended the evening dancing with white wine in hand atop Colle San Pietro.
The view of the sunset was spectacular and melted into Verona’s Adige River and Arena.
Milan
Milan was both the midpoint and obstacle of our trip.
We had booked to stay in the city for three nights but left after one, after discovering a bed bug infestation.
Still, Milan’s fashionable centre made the chaos worth it.
We window shopped through designer stores and experienced a rooftop view of the Duomo.
For me, the city caters to weekend tourists who are prepared to spend the extra cash.
If I were to visit again, I would:
Stay in mid‑range accommodation in Zona Tortona or Cinque Vie
Visit De Montel thermal spa or QC Termemilano’s cinema pool
Spend an evening in Navigli for canals, cocktails and atmosphere.
Milan may look cheap from the UK, but it’s best enjoyed in luxury.
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Toulon
This maritime gem surprised us with its affordability and charm.
We caught seats to see a free jazz concert, went swimming, bought crepes and croissants for near to nothing, hiked Mont Faron (584m altitude) and admired the art, science and history along the harbour.
It was the perfect place to restore our energy after the previous week of chaos.
Prats-de-Mollo
Prats-de-Mollo is another underrated treasure. Nestled in the Pyrenees just 13km from the Spanish border, Prats-de-Mollo offers history, humour and hiking in equal measure.
Tourists can enjoy a comedic pantomime at the Fort Lagarde, play petanque til 3am and consume local homemade food and beer.
If you dare to take the challenge, I recommend hiking Camí de la Retirada, a 14km hike that roughly 100,000 republican exiles took to find refuge at the end of the Spanish Civil War.
This is one of the many hikes the region offers.
Driving in style
Finally, we were taken from Prats-de-Mollo to Barcelona in a technicolour Citroen 2CV.
It was the perfect entrance to a city bursting with colour, culture and chaos.
You won’t be bored - Barcelona offers so much.
My top recommendations to make the most of the city include:
CosmoCaixa Science Museum
Barcelona Zoo
Cathedral de Catalonia
Antoni Gaudi’s Sagrada Família
Park Güell
Beach day
Old Town and Gothic Quarter
Eat and drink like a local: Pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato), Calçots with Romesco Sauce, paella, patatas bravas, tapas, horchata (rice based drink), cava (Catalonian sparkling white) and sangria.
Nightlife
I engaged in philosophical conversations, sunbathed on sandy beaches, battled the coastal waves and soaked up the scenes of the City.
It was the perfect finale to an unforgettable trip.
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Smart about food
If you are in a self-catering hostel, I recommend abusing the right to use ‘free to take’ food and making packed lunches.
Alternatively, fill up on free breakfasts and choose to dine out at lunch over dinner.
A final food-saving hack is the app ‘Too Good To Go’. It helps you save the planet and your pocket.
Don’t book buses in advance
This is something that we learned the hard way.
Booking buses in advance limits flexibility and can result in you losing more money from last-minute changes and cancellations.
Most routes can be booked only hours in advance.
Final checks before boarding
Have you got your passport?
Do you need a Visa?
How are your language lessons going?
Keep valuables attached to you - a bumbag underneath your clothes works wonders.
And above all, have fun!
You only live once.
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