I’d been planning this trip for almost three years when I arrived at East Midland Airport on 9th July 2009. On my back was possibly the world’s largest rucksack – my plan to pack light hadn’t really worked out – and in my hand was my one way ticket to Barcelona, the starting point for my European Adventure.

My parents were, understandably, extremely worried. Their little girl was going away for her longest ever trip from home, and although I had traveled without them before, this was the first time there were no supervising adults. It was just me and Eva.

Eva has been my best friend ever since primary school and it was with her that I had spent nearly every weekend pouring over articles and maps deciding where our travels would take us. We had been planning for such a long time not only because the summer after our A-Level exams was the first vacation long enough to allow us to leave for a whole month and a half, but because saving up for such a huge adventure takes a considerable amount of time when working at a local supermarket. But none of the work, the overtime on bank holidays, or the tolerance of stuffy store managers mattered anymore because we were packed and ready to go! And as I waved goodbye to my slightly tearful parents and walked through the departure gates I could barely contain my excitement…