Contrary to what social media may lead you to believe if you live on a different continent, traveling around Europe is not always glamorous. While your Instagram might be flooded with cute videos of croissants, cozy city streets and gorgeous views of the Mediterranean sea, European countries are not immune to the difficulties you can encounter anywhere else in the world.
One traveler who knows that all too well is Australian TikToker Rowena Young, or Row.yo. She recently shared a video detailing all of the unfortunate struggles she experienced while traveling throughout Europe, so keep reading to hear all about her trip, as well as find conversations with Rowena and travel expert Alex Miles of offMetro.
After traveling through various countries in Europe, this woman decided to document all of the nightmares she encountered along the way
Image credits: row.yo
Image credits: row.yo
Image credits: row.yo
Image credits: row.yo
Image credits: row.yo
Image credits: row.yo
Image credits: row.yo
Image credits: row.yo
Image credits: row.yo
Image credits: row.yo
Image credits: row.yo
Image credits: row.yo
“Overall, it was the best trip of my life”
We reached out to Rowena to learn even more about her travels through Europe, and she was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda explaining what inspired her to share her experiences. “I wanted to show the other side of traveling which people don’t tend to post about on social media,” she revealed. “Everyone (including me) loves to share perfectly edited pictures and videos that make traveling look like an absolute dream. And it really can be at times, but there are also mishaps, mistakes and unexpected fines!”
Rowena shared that all of these negative experiences happened during one long trip, as she was studying abroad in Copenhagen at the time. And thankfully, the bumps along the way didn’t ruin the whole journey. “Overall, it was the best trip of my life,” Rowena says. “That might be hard to believe after seeing my post, but the good definitely outweighed the bad. I probably wouldn’t go back to Munich because I’m still a little scarred (mentally and physically!) from Oktoberfest. But I did end up having a really fun time overall.”
We also asked Rowena if she could share her top tips for people from other continents who want to travel around Europe. She recommends packing light and avoiding large suitcases; doing free walking tours whenever you arrive in a new city; exploring grocery stores to discover local foods; visiting during autumn instead of summer to avoid crowds but still enjoy nice weather; getting recommendations from locals; always having some cash with you; and saying yes to adventures and stepping outside of your comfort zone. “But not to the point of trying to ski down a slope far beyond your level,” Rowena added.
Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)
“Don’t be scared by uncertainty or the thought of things going wrong”
As far as her favorite place she’s visited in Europe, Rowena told Bored Panda that it might have been Iceland. “I was there over Christmas, staying with an Icelandic girl who I’d met and quickly become best friends with while studying in Copenhagen. It’s unlike anywhere I’ve been – the landscapes are incredible, the people are kind, and the licorice chocolate is divine,” she shared.
Finally, Rowena wanted to encourage others to get out and travel, even though it doesn’t always go according to plan. “Don’t be scared by uncertainty or the thought of things going wrong because you’re stronger than you think and you’ll get through it!” If you’d like to keep up with Rowena’s travels, be sure to follow her on TikTok and Instagram!
We also got in touch with travel expert Alex Miles, a writer for offMetro, to hear his thoughts on what we should prepare ourselves for when traveling. “Oh, the beautiful melody that is traveling to other countries! It’s like setting out on an adventure to find the missing sock in your laundry pile; you know it must be around someplace, but there’s always a chance that you’ll wind up with a few pairs that don’t go together,” Alex shared. “It is quite typical for things to go a little goofy when jet-setting between borders. It is about as common as a pigeon in Venice. It’s almost like a right of passage, if you think about it.”
We also asked Alex for his advice on how we can minimize our difficulties when traveling internationally. “Imagine this: you’re taking a leisurely stroll around the gorgeous streets of Paris when all of a sudden, your phone dies, your GPS decides to take a break for some coffee, and you’re forced to rely on your rusty French abilities in order to ask for directions,” the travel expert says. “How can we avoid this happening? Don’t forget to bring a portable charger! Learn some of the common terms spoken locally, and for heaven’s sake, always carry a paper map with you. It’s possible that you look like a time traveler from the past, but hey, it’s better than not being able to communicate at all.”
Image credits: Leah Kelley (not the actual photo)
“It’s not all rainbows and unicorns, but are those strange occurrences unfortunate turns of events?”
We were also curious if Alex believes Europe is too often romanticized by travelers from other continents. “If you’ve ever watched a romantic comedy, you already know that the streets of Europe are like the set of a beautiful love story,” he shared. “The path to truth, however, does not always present itself with a bed of rose petals.”
“Here’s the deal: Share the less-than-magical experiences you’ve had in Europe, because let’s face it, sometimes the bathrooms in European countries are as cramped as a sardine can, and the Eiffel Tower could be obscured by a layer of fog,” Alex says. “It’s not all rainbows and unicorns, but are those strange occurrences unfortunate turns of events? They are the spices that give flavor to your international travel narrative and make it come alive.” If you’d like to hear more travel tips and stories from Alex and his colleagues, be sure to visit offMetro!
We’d love to hear your thoughts on Rowena’s experiences in the comments below, pandas. Do you have any similar stories from traveling internationally? Feel free to share, and then if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article, we recommend reading all about these unfortunate vacation fails!
Image credits: Brett Sayles (not the actual photo)
"Inexperienced Traveler Lacking Situational Awareness Fails to Plan Trip Through Europe, Shares Completely Predictable Things That Went Wrong"
Exactly what I was thinking.
Perfect title!
I'll admit, some things she should have planned better for. But if you're saying, "She should have known people are racist trash," "She should have expected a crowd crush," and "She should have expected to be stalked," then it's you. Hi. You're the problem it's you.
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You need to reread this entire thread: there are 11 things mentioned and only 2 are preventable. She cannot plan ahead for: *a train mate jumping over her bed, *the heat waves that come with climate change, *having 2 weird old men as hostel mates, a stalker in Rome (can you plan ahead, just don't go to Rome or you might get kidnapped?), *racists in Denmark (we all know Denmark doesn't like anyone who isn't white, so just plan ahead and know which countries are overtly racist), Vueling smashing her luggage, getting a stomach bug can be prevented by planning (/s), if you plan ahead you won't get hurt while skiing ( more sarcasm), and she should have known that Oktoberfest is full of German drunkards that will crush others to get to alcohol (sarcasm?). Or maybe you can logically explain how she could have avoided all nine of those with PlAnNiNg. 🤦🏾♀️😒🤦🏾♀️😒🤦🏾♀️😒🤦🏾♀️😒
well just to pick one... if you dont want weird old men as hostel mates 1) book an HOTEL 2) book an all female dorm.
I was going to say this! And they were just there existing - they weren't creeps
well he could have flushed
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Idiot bp commenter is grossly out of touch with reality and clearly didnt read the article.
Please don’t visit Europe without research and if you do, don’t make posts like this. Europe is very different compared to Australia, America, Asia etc. . Finland here, Yes we have beautiful nature and the norther lights, it is also very cold and windy and wet. So don’t be surpised if you come here and it rains in July. This person shares everything that went wrong, not a single thing that was good. If you are sick in Europe, you can just walk to a hospital and they will take care of you.
If she told the truth, then why shouldnt she post it? Im Portuguese, we need tourists here, but we have a problem with pickpocketing. Im not going to get mad if somebody mentions that happened to them.
If she had done minimal preparations information-wise, next to nothing of this would have happened.
I dont know why that matters either way. She is sharing miserable things that happened to her on her social media account. Whether or not they are her fault doesnt justify defensiveness from Europeans. Like, who is she? Just some random tourist out of millions every year, shes allowed to have her own experience.
Thank you! Posting an experience shouldn't carry the burden of being an ambassador. Some trips are great, some suck the life out of you. She didn't indict the continent. She even mentioned being sick after Ibiza, likely because she was admitting to being hungover.
You need to reread this entire thread: there are 11 things mentioned and only 2 are preventable. She cannot plan ahead for: *a train mate jumping over her bed, *the heat waves that come with climate change, *having 2 weird old men as hostel mates, a stalker in Rome (can you plan ahead, just don't go to Rome or you might get kidnapped?), *racists in Denmark (we all know Denmark doesn't like anyone who isn't white, so just plan ahead and know which countries are overtly racist), Vueling smashing her luggage, getting a stomach bug can be prevented by planning (/s), if you plan ahead you won't get hurt while skiing ( more sarcasm), and she should have known that Oktoberfest is full of German drunkards that will crush others to get to alcohol (sarcasm?). Or maybe you can logically explain how she could have avoided all nine of those with PlAnNiNg. 🤦🏾♀️😒🤦🏾♀️😒🤦🏾♀️😒🤦🏾♀️😒
No, but traveling anywhere and taking public transportation and staying in hotels you will run into many things similar to her experiences. Honestly, I felt most of them were just part of traveling. But, some get more out of sorts than others, and then we get posts like this.
Thank you. People didn't even read.
Getting followed around by strange dudes is because of lack of preparing? Being shut out off a racist nightclub is because she lacked info? Whatever. Everyone always rags on America (I'm not American btw) but as soon as someone points out Europe isn't always sunshine and Roses everyone gets upset. Europeans can give it but not take it I guess.
Absolutly my thought: too dumb to travel. She should have stayed home.
You only read the negative parts obviously as she makes it clear that she overall loved her trip and others should not be discouraged by the bad bits, in her words...it was not all rainbows and unicorns but....
Lol wat. Why should she not make posts like this? That's silly. She shouldnt warn people about racist Denmark? Or creepers in Rome? Your comment makes no sense
I hate to tell you she isn't warning anyone, she is complaining. You will run into these trees of scenarios pretty much any where you travel. If you are traveling the world, you should understand this
You have my upvote! ( I am half American, living in Europe and unfortunately I must admit she sounds very much like a US chick. Alone her arrogance blaming Europe or any country for all her mishaps. Very immature attitude, very inexperienced Traveller or this is all staged for internet clicks. I mean: who really has the nerve to take pictures of an idiotic co-Traveller jumping on train beds? I wouldn’t even be surprised if the dude was American himself. Most Interrailers misbehaving are NOT European. Talking from own experience. And the extra charge for Not validating her train ticket is well deserved. Read the instructions! It’s not like they aren’t written in at least 5 different languages EVERYWHERE!
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You seem white. I guess she should experience racism everywhere then because v it's common? I've traveled extensively and not had a trip like this.
That’s because her post is made up and exaggerated. She needs attention.
I'll admit, some things she should have planned better for. But if you're saying, "She should have known people are racist trash" and "She should have expected to be stalked," then it's you. Hi. You're the problem it's you.
I'll bet she is a blast to go camping with. Honestly, she got some lemons and made lemonade. I have been there and done that. ( had to wear a trash bag for shorts when I arrived without my suitcase on a national holiday and all the stores were closed..Classy, I know. Had a great visit.
Upset the first time anything negative was said about European countries. 🤣 We hear ALL the time through threads and the comments how everyone in Europe finds themselves superior and you're upset someone was honest that Europeans countries have the same undesirable characteristics as the rest of Earth. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
oh are we superior? we're just wondering why she turns all round global problems into European problem, with about half of them her own fault.
I don't see where she said these were specifically European problems. She was just reporting all the mishaps she had while on her trip, which was around Europe. And the reason was expressly to show people how things go wrong on trips rather than posting the typical content curated to appear perfect. She also said it was overall the best trip she ever took.
Many of these were not her own fault.
They're not though. Having lived in the EU, USA, Australia and Asia, some of the issues are EU issues, like the Copenhagen one, or the Rome one. Dudes in some EU countries are creepy. French people tend to be rude. Also case in point, you're very defensive and thin skinned.
@Beans, racism, creepy dudes, and rudeness aren't a specific European problem. She never said that (contrary to what some whiny people here suggest), she's just commenting on her journey. She didn't even mention anyone being rude to her, dunno why you added France in the debate (for the sake of using an old stereotype I guess). If you think Danes and Italians are specifically, within the world, racists and creepies, I am not sure you've spent that much time in Europe (not the 'EU', we don't use that term to talk about the region and its cultural aspects btw). If you think Italians are creepy, please do not come to visit, we're not missing you.
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Exactly. Makes me really ashamed to have European roots. (I live in Australia at the moment but have lived all around the world). She is right.
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Did you even read it? Nothing about it talks about rain. Research what? Getting stalked or diarrhoea in the toilet? Her suitcase being busted by a EU airline? I have European ties and I'm not offended about this post. Another bad thing about Europe is that Europeans seem extremely thin skinned.
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And then the hospital will try to make it's annual budget on your bill.
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Yay, when I get mugged, beaten for being brown, or sick from tap water with saltwater contamination in it, I can get health care if I'm in Europe! .... Wait, that happens in the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Uruguay... And US citizens are often expected to pay for healthcare in Europe, it's not like it's free to *us* in every single place. But Europeans can complain about the US having AC when it's normal for us to have summer temps over 35*C. Yes, this person wasn't perfectly prepared, but I've been on triops where there were pros preparing... And stuff went wrong. OK? OK. Humans just suck.
But what does healthcare have to do with this ? And you're right, it's not free for the vast majority of non-Europeans tourists (which is logic)
Why would it “make sense” to get sick after a trip to Ibiza? Also, take skiing lessons if you cannot ski, don’t go down the slope by yourself. It is harder then you think.
Ibiza is often called the party capital of the world so sick after Ibiza makes perfect sense
The “party capital of the world” lol It’s a bunch of nightclubs and bars by the beach for drunk younglings that came here on low cost flights. Getting sick makes perfect sense though.
Been to Ibiza many times and am very aware of the drugs/party scene there. Only saying that Ibiza is also a very beautiful island with nature/beaches, good food places. Partying more than you can handle is a choice. Especially when you have a tight travel schedule that would not allow you to be sick the day after. .. and yes, I am getting old! So sorry for the sour remarks to this oblivious traveler. 🙃
I got sick just off the ice cubes there, although this was 25 years ago lol
If the locals are on bottled water, that's a big hint, wherever you are.
She meant she was hung over or partied out. Wow this thread is really disappointing. Lots of very 'precious' people who think they know better. As for her injury, mcl is super common and happens to top skiers and athletes all the time. I know two people who got a mcl injury, one over rotated getting out of a car, one was in the shower. It wasn't about lack is skill on the slopes.
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Ibiza's tap water is frequently contaminated with salt water, or is inadequately desalinated, just for a start on Ibiza. THat'll get you sick in no time.
"Inexperienced Traveler Lacking Situational Awareness Fails to Plan Trip Through Europe, Shares Completely Predictable Things That Went Wrong"
Exactly what I was thinking.
Perfect title!
I'll admit, some things she should have planned better for. But if you're saying, "She should have known people are racist trash," "She should have expected a crowd crush," and "She should have expected to be stalked," then it's you. Hi. You're the problem it's you.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
You need to reread this entire thread: there are 11 things mentioned and only 2 are preventable. She cannot plan ahead for: *a train mate jumping over her bed, *the heat waves that come with climate change, *having 2 weird old men as hostel mates, a stalker in Rome (can you plan ahead, just don't go to Rome or you might get kidnapped?), *racists in Denmark (we all know Denmark doesn't like anyone who isn't white, so just plan ahead and know which countries are overtly racist), Vueling smashing her luggage, getting a stomach bug can be prevented by planning (/s), if you plan ahead you won't get hurt while skiing ( more sarcasm), and she should have known that Oktoberfest is full of German drunkards that will crush others to get to alcohol (sarcasm?). Or maybe you can logically explain how she could have avoided all nine of those with PlAnNiNg. 🤦🏾♀️😒🤦🏾♀️😒🤦🏾♀️😒🤦🏾♀️😒
well just to pick one... if you dont want weird old men as hostel mates 1) book an HOTEL 2) book an all female dorm.
I was going to say this! And they were just there existing - they weren't creeps
well he could have flushed
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Idiot bp commenter is grossly out of touch with reality and clearly didnt read the article.
Please don’t visit Europe without research and if you do, don’t make posts like this. Europe is very different compared to Australia, America, Asia etc. . Finland here, Yes we have beautiful nature and the norther lights, it is also very cold and windy and wet. So don’t be surpised if you come here and it rains in July. This person shares everything that went wrong, not a single thing that was good. If you are sick in Europe, you can just walk to a hospital and they will take care of you.
If she told the truth, then why shouldnt she post it? Im Portuguese, we need tourists here, but we have a problem with pickpocketing. Im not going to get mad if somebody mentions that happened to them.
If she had done minimal preparations information-wise, next to nothing of this would have happened.
I dont know why that matters either way. She is sharing miserable things that happened to her on her social media account. Whether or not they are her fault doesnt justify defensiveness from Europeans. Like, who is she? Just some random tourist out of millions every year, shes allowed to have her own experience.
Thank you! Posting an experience shouldn't carry the burden of being an ambassador. Some trips are great, some suck the life out of you. She didn't indict the continent. She even mentioned being sick after Ibiza, likely because she was admitting to being hungover.
You need to reread this entire thread: there are 11 things mentioned and only 2 are preventable. She cannot plan ahead for: *a train mate jumping over her bed, *the heat waves that come with climate change, *having 2 weird old men as hostel mates, a stalker in Rome (can you plan ahead, just don't go to Rome or you might get kidnapped?), *racists in Denmark (we all know Denmark doesn't like anyone who isn't white, so just plan ahead and know which countries are overtly racist), Vueling smashing her luggage, getting a stomach bug can be prevented by planning (/s), if you plan ahead you won't get hurt while skiing ( more sarcasm), and she should have known that Oktoberfest is full of German drunkards that will crush others to get to alcohol (sarcasm?). Or maybe you can logically explain how she could have avoided all nine of those with PlAnNiNg. 🤦🏾♀️😒🤦🏾♀️😒🤦🏾♀️😒🤦🏾♀️😒
No, but traveling anywhere and taking public transportation and staying in hotels you will run into many things similar to her experiences. Honestly, I felt most of them were just part of traveling. But, some get more out of sorts than others, and then we get posts like this.
Thank you. People didn't even read.
Getting followed around by strange dudes is because of lack of preparing? Being shut out off a racist nightclub is because she lacked info? Whatever. Everyone always rags on America (I'm not American btw) but as soon as someone points out Europe isn't always sunshine and Roses everyone gets upset. Europeans can give it but not take it I guess.
Absolutly my thought: too dumb to travel. She should have stayed home.
You only read the negative parts obviously as she makes it clear that she overall loved her trip and others should not be discouraged by the bad bits, in her words...it was not all rainbows and unicorns but....
Lol wat. Why should she not make posts like this? That's silly. She shouldnt warn people about racist Denmark? Or creepers in Rome? Your comment makes no sense
I hate to tell you she isn't warning anyone, she is complaining. You will run into these trees of scenarios pretty much any where you travel. If you are traveling the world, you should understand this
You have my upvote! ( I am half American, living in Europe and unfortunately I must admit she sounds very much like a US chick. Alone her arrogance blaming Europe or any country for all her mishaps. Very immature attitude, very inexperienced Traveller or this is all staged for internet clicks. I mean: who really has the nerve to take pictures of an idiotic co-Traveller jumping on train beds? I wouldn’t even be surprised if the dude was American himself. Most Interrailers misbehaving are NOT European. Talking from own experience. And the extra charge for Not validating her train ticket is well deserved. Read the instructions! It’s not like they aren’t written in at least 5 different languages EVERYWHERE!
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You seem white. I guess she should experience racism everywhere then because v it's common? I've traveled extensively and not had a trip like this.
That’s because her post is made up and exaggerated. She needs attention.
I'll admit, some things she should have planned better for. But if you're saying, "She should have known people are racist trash" and "She should have expected to be stalked," then it's you. Hi. You're the problem it's you.
I'll bet she is a blast to go camping with. Honestly, she got some lemons and made lemonade. I have been there and done that. ( had to wear a trash bag for shorts when I arrived without my suitcase on a national holiday and all the stores were closed..Classy, I know. Had a great visit.
Upset the first time anything negative was said about European countries. 🤣 We hear ALL the time through threads and the comments how everyone in Europe finds themselves superior and you're upset someone was honest that Europeans countries have the same undesirable characteristics as the rest of Earth. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
oh are we superior? we're just wondering why she turns all round global problems into European problem, with about half of them her own fault.
I don't see where she said these were specifically European problems. She was just reporting all the mishaps she had while on her trip, which was around Europe. And the reason was expressly to show people how things go wrong on trips rather than posting the typical content curated to appear perfect. She also said it was overall the best trip she ever took.
Many of these were not her own fault.
They're not though. Having lived in the EU, USA, Australia and Asia, some of the issues are EU issues, like the Copenhagen one, or the Rome one. Dudes in some EU countries are creepy. French people tend to be rude. Also case in point, you're very defensive and thin skinned.
@Beans, racism, creepy dudes, and rudeness aren't a specific European problem. She never said that (contrary to what some whiny people here suggest), she's just commenting on her journey. She didn't even mention anyone being rude to her, dunno why you added France in the debate (for the sake of using an old stereotype I guess). If you think Danes and Italians are specifically, within the world, racists and creepies, I am not sure you've spent that much time in Europe (not the 'EU', we don't use that term to talk about the region and its cultural aspects btw). If you think Italians are creepy, please do not come to visit, we're not missing you.
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Exactly. Makes me really ashamed to have European roots. (I live in Australia at the moment but have lived all around the world). She is right.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Did you even read it? Nothing about it talks about rain. Research what? Getting stalked or diarrhoea in the toilet? Her suitcase being busted by a EU airline? I have European ties and I'm not offended about this post. Another bad thing about Europe is that Europeans seem extremely thin skinned.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
And then the hospital will try to make it's annual budget on your bill.
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Yay, when I get mugged, beaten for being brown, or sick from tap water with saltwater contamination in it, I can get health care if I'm in Europe! .... Wait, that happens in the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Uruguay... And US citizens are often expected to pay for healthcare in Europe, it's not like it's free to *us* in every single place. But Europeans can complain about the US having AC when it's normal for us to have summer temps over 35*C. Yes, this person wasn't perfectly prepared, but I've been on triops where there were pros preparing... And stuff went wrong. OK? OK. Humans just suck.
But what does healthcare have to do with this ? And you're right, it's not free for the vast majority of non-Europeans tourists (which is logic)
Why would it “make sense” to get sick after a trip to Ibiza? Also, take skiing lessons if you cannot ski, don’t go down the slope by yourself. It is harder then you think.
Ibiza is often called the party capital of the world so sick after Ibiza makes perfect sense
The “party capital of the world” lol It’s a bunch of nightclubs and bars by the beach for drunk younglings that came here on low cost flights. Getting sick makes perfect sense though.
Been to Ibiza many times and am very aware of the drugs/party scene there. Only saying that Ibiza is also a very beautiful island with nature/beaches, good food places. Partying more than you can handle is a choice. Especially when you have a tight travel schedule that would not allow you to be sick the day after. .. and yes, I am getting old! So sorry for the sour remarks to this oblivious traveler. 🙃
I got sick just off the ice cubes there, although this was 25 years ago lol
If the locals are on bottled water, that's a big hint, wherever you are.
She meant she was hung over or partied out. Wow this thread is really disappointing. Lots of very 'precious' people who think they know better. As for her injury, mcl is super common and happens to top skiers and athletes all the time. I know two people who got a mcl injury, one over rotated getting out of a car, one was in the shower. It wasn't about lack is skill on the slopes.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Ibiza's tap water is frequently contaminated with salt water, or is inadequately desalinated, just for a start on Ibiza. THat'll get you sick in no time.