In exactly 12 days, I will embark on a journey. It’s not a typical journey, and it’s definitely not a typical journey for a 19-year-old girl. But, alas, this is why it is mine and not any other’s journey.

It is a trip that is entirely off the beaten-path, land-based, and ambitious. In 30 days, my friend and I will attempt to conquer 19 cities in 10 different countries. We are doing this all on our own with no help from guides or travel agencies, but much help from hours spent researching on the internet. We will attempt to travel as cheaply as possible, avoiding all flights (minus the transatlantic departure and return), spending nights in hostels, and surviving on nothing but cheese, bread, and wine. By “surviving,” I mean happily consuming.

Our plan is ambitious, adventurous, and borderline-insane. But, the most important idea of them all: when else in our lives will we ever get to make a trip like this? It’s bound to be the trip of a lifetime.

So much will be seen (through my new GoPro!), and so much will be felt. 12 days could not come sooner. Read below for a list of the countries (in the order that we visit) and sights we’re planning on visiting!

Note: These are all part of our plan, and much of that will likely change once we get over there. But hell, that’s what travel’s all about.

Switzerland: Street-strolling in Zurich, followed by canyoning and hiking in Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen
Nice/Monaco: Strolling along the beautiful riviera
Italy: Hiking, pizza, and gelato (life’s 3 best things) in Cinque Terre
Slovenia: Exploration in Ljubljana & paragliding in Bled
Croatia: Hiking in Plitvice Lakes National Park and beachy exploration in Split and Dubrovnik
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Taking a look into the country’s war-torn past in Mostar
Montenegro: Hiking and standing in awe of the amazing Bay of Kotor, followed by the glitzy lifestyle in Budva
Albania: Exploring the cultural towns of Tirana and Gjirokastra
Greece: Venturing through amazing monasteries in the north with a friend, eating our way through Athens, and sunbathing, relaxing, and celebrating on the island of Mykonos

Check back on the blog for details as our adventure ensues. See you soon, Switzerland!