Larizah on Location: Weekend Trips and Travel
Finding the Balance Between Planning and Spontaneity
One of the most exciting parts of studying abroad is how accessible travel becomes. Suddenly, places you’ve only seen in pictures are just a train ride or short flight away! It can feel like there’s pressure to see everything, all at once, but one thing I’ve been learning is how to approach weekend trips with both intention and balance.
When I first arrived in Madrid, I had a long list of destinations I wanted to visit. While it’s tempting to pack every weekend with trips, I’ve realized that planning thoughtfully makes the experience so much more enjoyable. Not every weekend needs to be filled, sometimes staying in your host city and continuing to explore can be just as meaningful, if not more. However, one place I knew I wanted to visit during my study abroad experience was Paris, France! I had never been to France before, and it was one of my personal goals I set for my study abroad experience.
Managing Travel Abroad
When I plan trips, I like ask myself a few questions:
- How far is the destination?
- What’s realistic for a weekend?
- What do I actually want to get out of the experience?
Keeping travel time manageable has also been really important. For shorter weekends, I’ve found that nearby cities are the best option because you spend less time in transit and more time actually exploring. Especially in countries like Spain, you can get something out of every local city! Transportation is another big factor. Buses have been one of my favorite ways to travel, since they’re convenient, comfortable, and give you the chance to see more of the country along the way! Booking tickets in advance has also saved me both time and money, especially for popular routes.
I’ve also learned that you don’t need a packed itinerary to have a meaningful trip. Instead of trying to see every major landmark, I try to pick a few things I really care about and leave room for spontaneity. For example, I knew I wanted to go to the D’Orsay Museum in Paris since I love impressionism and artists like Claude Monet. However, some of my favorite moments came from simply wandering, finding a local café, or stumbling upon something unexpected. Especially in a city like Paris, it seems like there is so much life on every corner.
Budgeting is another important part of weekend travel. Setting a general budget before the trip helps me prioritize what matters most, whether that's experiences, accommodations, or gifts for my family. This also required me to make decisions based on what I wanted to do. In Paris, I knew I wanted to go museum hopping, so purchasing a museum pass to gain access to over 50+ attractions was worth it for my trip. Finally, it helped me reduce stress, so I could focus on enjoying the trip instead of worrying about expenses.
Making the Experience Your Own
One of the most valuable things I’ve realized is that weekend trips are about the experience! Whether you are traveling with friends, navigating new places, or solo traveling, learning to adapt along the way is what makes studying abroad so special.
As much as I love exploring new places, I’m also learning to give myself time to rest and recharge. Finding that balance between travel and routine has made my experience abroad feel more sustainable and more fulfilling. Which means it’s also different for everyone! Some of my classmates enjoyed travelling every free weekend, while others carefully crafted their itineraries for places they knew they wanted to visit.
Overall, studying abroad isn’t about checking off as many places as possible. Learning how to make the most of where you are is one of the best skills you gain while you are abroad. And sometimes, the best trips are the ones you plan without intention, and leave just enough room for the unexpected!
You can keep track of all of my adventures on the Larizah on Location webpage!
