The Bavarian town of Memmingen, Germany, is worth a peek while you are waiting for your connecting flight to Girona, Spain. Svitlana Tuchynska For those bored with the one-size-fits-all package tour and looking for a unique new experience, self-organized trips are becoming an increasingly popular way to go on vacation. The all-inclusive package tour has dominated the foreign holiday market for years. It was the safe option for many Ukrainians taking holidays abroad for the first time.

But Ukrainians are starting to look for new experiences. Self-planned trips offer freedom, variety and a more direct and raw insight into a country’s culture than the sanitized versions offered on package trips. And they often work out cheaper after budget airlines, such as Wizz Air and German Wings, began flying from Kyiv to destinations across Europe.


Getting there

Having already organized trips through Asia and Europe, I set out earlier this summer for northern Spain and southern France, via a small town in the southern German region of Bavaria.

I came back in awe of the marvelous sea and mountain landscapes, quaint medieval towns and delicious cuisine – and convinced that the best way to experience them is by making your own way there.

I booked my air tickets about three months in advance and chose to fly budget. While a round trip from Kyiv to Barcelona costs around $600 per person on Ukrainian International Airlines, I paid just 135 euros ($170) for a return ticket by two budget airlines.

This wasn’t a direct flight, but that turned out to be a plus. A Wizz Air flight from Kyiv to Memmingen in Germany gave me a couple of hours to spend in this pretty little Bavarian town, before my connection flight to Girona (Barcelona) with Ryanair.

The center of Memmingen is just a 10-minute bus ride from the airport. If you are hungry, I highly recommend the Indian restaurant right in front of the railway station, where 12 euros bought me a huge meal.

The quiet town center is best explored on foot. Make sure to grab a tasty ice cream cone from one of the street stalls.

The flight to Girona – 100 kilometers from Barcelona – lasted just two hours. I was picked up by a friend who rented a car for 16 euros per day. We drove to the villa we had booked in Pals, a village on the Costa Brava, located just 20 minutes from the airport. We found this two-floor holiday home with swimming pool, grill place, five bedrooms via the Internet and booked it for just 480 euros per week – 60 euros each for our party of eight.


Wandering in Barcelona

The next day we made the 100 kilometers trip to Barcelona, the largest city in northern Spain’s autonomous Catalonia region. I was excited to be back in this city, which captivated me on my first visit by instantly making me feel at home.

Barcelona is a great place for walking and taking in the lively atmosphere and beautiful architecture. Go to Placa Catalunya, then walk along the famous La Rambla boulevard to the huge Columbus monument at the harbor.


Park Guell, designed by architect Antonio Gaudi, is a must-see place in Barcelona. (Courtesy)

Barcelona is known for great beaches right next to the city’s business center. Apart from these, make sure to visit the unique Park Guell, designed by the world-famous Barcelona-born architect Antoni Gaudi. Sagrada Familya cathedral – an architectural masterpiece also designed by Gaudi– is also a must-see.

But to really experience Barcelona, don’t just walk the central streets – dive into the narrow fairytale side streets. That’s where you will you enjoy the sight of lovely small balconies filled with blossoming flowers, tiny cozy cafes and shops, and you may even be invited to join locals playing chess right on the cobblestones.

The price of a good lunch varies between 6 and 10 euros. Make sure you try tapas, a Spanish specialty consisting of a variety of cold and hot snacks like cheese, olives, seafood, meat and vegetables. Gazpacho – a cold tomato soup with croutons – is also delicious.


Discovering Dali

The next day we drove to the small town of Figueres around20 kilometers from Girona, the hometown of legendary surrealist painter Salvador Dali. Even if you aren’t an art fan, do visit the gallery located in his mansion. It is filled with exciting arrangements and installations as well as Dali’s striking personal belongings, like his huge bed in the shape of a dragon.

Catalonia is dotted with beautiful small towns and villages – such as Pals – with architecture dating back 2,000 years, and magnificent, well-preserved old churches. The best way to find all this is to simply drive around and follow signposts and tips from locals.

With France just 50 kilometers away, we decided to hop over the border. Although there is a bus and train route from Girona and Barcelona for just 25 or 39 euros, respectively, we decided to hitchhike. In Europe, no one asks for money to give you a ride. Since only a few locals speak English, your conversation will likely be a funny mix of English, Spanish, gestures and laughter.


The magic of Perpignan

After just two hours of hitchhiking we had made it 100 kilometers north to the French town of Perpignan.


Cozy Medieval streets of Perpignan are a joy, as is local wine and splendid cheese. (Svitlana Tuchynska)

We instantly fell in love with Perpignan’s ancient city center, with its tiny streets and massive buildings dating back to the 10th century. When you’re there, make sure to spend a couple of hours at the 13th-century Palace of the Kings of Majorca and the 14th-century Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

We stayed in a lovely two-star hotel right in the city center for just 45 euro per double room. Dinner at a decent restaurant costs from 10 to 12 euros per person, including desert and drink. Try some of the local wine, which starts at 3 euro per bottle, and pick up some French cheese at the numerous markets or supermarkets nearby.


The lovely French town of Cerber is just across the border from Spain, where you can easily walk and enjoy splendid landscapes.


Mediterranean wonders

Perpignan is an excellent gateway to the Mediterranean just 20 minutes away. A comfortable local bus, costing just one euro, took us south along the coast for an hour on winding mountain roads that pass through small seaside towns.

We got off in medieval Collioure, which is quite simply the loveliest small town I have ever seen. I was charmed by the town’s impressive fort, mazy medieval streets filled with flower pots and the old church just steps away from the sea.

Rather than taking the bus or train over the border, we got off at the last stop in France in Cerbere, and walked to the first Spanish town of Portbou, enjoying the breathtaking views of mountains and sea along the way. As both countries are in the European Union, there’s no border checkpoint between them, just a sign as you enter Spain.

The train from Portbou whisks you back to Girona or Barcelona (4 or 8 euros, respectively), and an airport bus will take you to the airport.

We flew home by Ryanair via Lubeck in northern Germany. Like Memmingen, the town’s airport is close to the center, and there’s plenty to see while you wait for your connection, including old Scandinavian-style streets and a huge gothic cathedral.

We arrived back in Kyiv tired but exhilarated by a trip that had allowed us to take in several towns and cities in three countries in just nine days, gathering countless unforgettable experiences along the way.

Trip to Germany, Spain, France for 450 euros:

Flights – Kyiv to Memmingen (Wizz Air), Memmingen to Girona, Spain, (Ryanair); Girona to Lübeck, Germany (Ryanair), Lübeck to Kyiv (Wizz Air)– 135 euros
Double room in a two- or three-star hotel in Girona or Barcelona, Spain – 30-40 euros per night
Villa in Costa Brava (Spain) – from 480 euros (until end of June) to 800 euros (for the rest of summer) per week
Bus from Barcelona to Perpignan, France – 25 euros
Double-room in a two- or three-star hotel in Perpignan – 45-55 euros per night
Menu of the day in a local restaurant in Spain and France – 6-12 euros, including drink and dessert
Total – around 450 euros.


Kyiv Post staff writer Svitlana Tuchynska can be reached at tuchynska@kyivpost.com