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Terrassa Youth Completes European Tour with One Euro

A young man from Terrassa has achieved an ambitious personal adventure: traveling through all European countries with an initial one euro, returning home after eight months.

Young adventurer contemplating a European city at sunset.
IA

Young adventurer contemplating a European city at sunset.

A young man from Terrassa has culminated an ambitious personal adventure: traveling through all European countries with one euro as a starting point, returning home eight months and eight days after its commencement.

At 18 years old and with one euro in his pocket, Gerard Alvaré Lucas began a journey on September 15, 2025, through all European countries with the goal of completing it in nine months. Last Saturday, now 19, he set foot in Terrassa again, having achieved his feat in eight months and eight days.
The idea arose spontaneously, seeking an experience similar to an Erasmus but extended to the entire continent. "Every day I woke up not knowing where I would end up," explained Alvaré, who covered much of his travel by hitchhiking and stayed with locals to minimize costs.
To cover unavoidable expenses, such as plane tickets for island nations like Malta, Iceland, or Cyprus, the young man had to find creative income sources. Primarily, he sold sweets on the street without a fixed price, letting people pay as they wished upon hearing his story. He also took on occasional jobs, such as in a cafe, although constant mobility didn't allow him to stay in one place for long.
Alvaré highlights the generosity encountered during the trip: "I have discovered all the generosity in this world and that there are many more good people than we are told." He recalled how some individuals offered him financial help for no apparent reason, such as the 150 euros he received while hitchhiking.
Another of his goals was to make a friend in each country visited. "I can proudly say I have a friend in every country in Europe," he asserted, showing an "amicari" (friend-book) with dedications from his new European friends.
A particularly touching anecdote was the welcome he received from an Italian family in Trieste, who hosted him during the Christmas holidays, making him feel "like one of the family."
Alvaré attributes his survival and success to "mastering social skills," learning to connect with people spontaneously, a capability he developed despite his initial shyness.
Despite completing his grand adventure, the young man is already thinking about the future: "I will have more adventures, I will do more things, and this is just the beginning, as I am only 19 years old," he stated, although he now wants to rest and spend quality time with his family.
His parents, Tau Alvaré and Marilà Lucas, experienced the adventure with initial concern but trusted their son's resilience. They acknowledged tense moments, especially when Gerard found himself in conflict zones like Ukraine or Russia, without prior notification of his location.

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