Backpacking through Europe is a classic adventure for students and young travelers, known for its mix of cultural variety, affordable options, and the freedom of getting around with just a backpack. The trip connects a wide range of cities, towns, and landscapes, making it easy to go from Gothic cathedrals to modern art neighborhoods, or from small mountain villages to busy city streets, sometimes all in one day. For many, it’s a thrilling experience filled with ups and downs that teaches budgeting, communication across languages, and how different histories and ways of living fit together. Instead of following one predictable path, backpacking through Europe creates a constantly changing setting that inspires curiosity and independence.
Backpacking through Europe sounds like the kind of trip you spend months organizing, but for Spanish teacher Sarah Serfass, it all came together during a two-week fall break from her study-abroad program in Spain through the University of Delaware. In October of 2001, she and a group of classmates grabbed backpacks, hopped on a cheap flight, and landed in Italy ready to explore with only the essentials. They worked their way from Rome to Florence, Milan, and the colorful cliffside towns of Cinque Terre by train, bus, and even boat, staying in hostels that Serfass says “were definitely hit or miss, some were great, others… not so much.”
Since Italian and Spanish are similar, she found herself relying on her language skills more than she expected, explaining that she used Spanish “to get directions, buy food, and basically survive hostel check-ins.” The whole trip pushed her out of her comfort zone, especially because, as she jokingly admitted, “I can be a little high-maintenance,” but she still learned to live with less, washing clothes in the sink, shopping at local supermarkets, and carrying everything on her back. Another staff member at Pennridge, Nickie Marchese, is similar to Serfass in this way. Marchese is a guidance counselor at North Middle School, but also a tour leader for the district. She takes students on tours throughout the world, including different parts of Europe and South America. Similar to Serfass, Marchese recalled in an interview, “I’m a very type A person, but traveling allows me to deal with the unexpected and teaches me to go with the flow.” Through both Serfass and Marchese’s trips, a common theme is found: stepping out of your comfort zone.
Serfass’s favorite memory came from standing in Vatican City and seeing the Pope, which she described as “one of those moments you never forget.” Looking back, Serfass says she “wouldn’t change a thing,” and that the experience made her realize how important travel is, inspiring her to make sure her own kids get the chance to “see the world and understand more than just what’s around them.” Marchese has found a similar theme in her travels. Her inspiration for tours came from “wanting to bring the world to Pennridge, there is so much more to our world than our small town.” In her tours, she has seen the growth of so many students into more mature young adults as they see the world for what it really is. When talking about her tours, she explained how she loves to see how students see the world. “Personal growth of accepting the differences of everyone is so important. It’s very eye-opening to see what other cultures have and don’t have,” she said. Marchese continues to lead tours and help students find who they really are and where they want to be.
In the end, Serfass’s backpacking trip became a lesson in independence and finding joy in the unexpected. Her time in Italy showed her that you don’t need luxury to have an unforgettable experience; you just need curiosity, flexibility, and a willingness to try. Her story is a reminder that travel doesn’t just change the places you visit; it changes you, too.
