Take my journey to Santiago de Compostela, for example. I walked without preparation from the south of France to western Spain, 850 km in 35 days. Sounds extreme? If you have the time and are in good health, anyone can do it. All you need is a pair of uninjured feet and some determination. Sure, you’ll get blisters after a few days – I had more blisters than I thought was physically possible – but you get used to the pain. And what do you get in return? Stunning landscapes with mountains and deserts, charming villages, major cities untouched by mass tourism and incredible encounters with people from all over the world.
And my budget for this? Nothing extra. I simply used the money I would have spent on food at home. That covered my meals, the occasional glass of wine in Rioja, and a place to sleep. I did the trek in autumn (mid-October to mid-November), the perfect season. There was plenty of free fruit – apples, pears, grapes – and nuts to keep me going. And I discovered some truly breathtaking places.
What else have I done? I hitchhiked from Belgium to Dubrovnik in Croatia and back – single trip 2,000 km. But really, you can hitchhike anywhere. A bit of courage and knowing how to read people can get you across Europe, or even further if you're up for the adventure. In southern Croatia, I met a 19-year-old girl who had hitchhiked all the way from Sweden and was heading to Istanbul. Nothing is impossible.
Another time, I simply walked out of my front door in a village in the north of Belgium and hiked with my tent and backpack 415 km to Echternach in Luxembourg, covering a small part of the route through the Netherlands and Germany. But you don’t need a set destination. You can just walk anywhere. And along the way, you’ll have encounters and experiences that no luxury can replace. Plus, you get to do it all at your own pace.
If you’re just a little creative, the possibilities are endless. A backpack, sturdy shoes and a small tent are enough. Speaking multiple languages helps, but it’s not essential – you’d be surprised how far you can get with hand gestures and a few words of English. Many times, I ended up with a free place to sleep just by meeting the right people along the way. If that doesn’t work, there are always websites where you can find a couch to crash on – a great way to travel and swap stories with like-minded people.
What’s next on my list? Maybe a cycling trip. And my ultimate dream? I’m already living my dream – every day I can travel is my hapipiness. Who knows? Maybe I’ll run into you somewhere along the way. Cheers!
Hanan
I travel the world to find unexpected stories.
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