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    Default Off topic - Has anyone backpacked Europe?

    Sorry for posting off-topic, I'll remove this in a bit, but I was wondering if anyone has backpacked Europe? I'll be graduating in a year and a half. Before I pick up a dreaded 9-to-5 I hope (if I can save the $) to spend a month in Europe.

    So if you have, what should I see, what should I do, how can I save $?

    Thank you.
    We all imagine ourselves the agents of our destiny, capable of determining our own fate. But have we truly any choice in when we rise, or when we fall, or does a force larger than ourselves bid us our direction. Is it evolution that takes us by the hand, does Science point our way, or is it God who intervenes keeping us safe.

    So much struggle for meaning, for purpose. And in the end, we find it only in each other. Our shared experience of the fantastic. And the mundane. The simple human need to find a kindred, to connect. And to know in our hearts... that we are not alone.
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    Senior Member Dharmabum's Avatar
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    Default Re: Off topic - Has anyone backpacked Europe?

    I haven't personally, but my best friend did, he only spent 3 weeks though. What you see depends a lot on how much time you can spend there and how much time you want to spend in each country. The first thing you need is a Eurail pass, it's an absolute must! If I recall, they can be purchased in varying time frames, the longer the cheaper per day. Also, do a Google search on Youth Hostels, they are a great way to save money on lodging, though there are some restrictions. Usually they have curfews (they lock the door after midnight for example) and you have to be under 35 (I believe). Most have communal bedrooms (not coed I'm afraid), and you are expected to share in basic housekeeping while you are there. Still, you can get a bed and a bath and access to a kitchen for as little as $5-10 a night!

    You should plan a rough route before hand, determine where you plan on flying in and out of; my buddy flew in and out of Amsterdam, which I'd recommend. The Dutch are a great way to intro yourself to Europe, not only do many speak English, but Amsterdam is a great place to party! Just be careful if you plan on indulging, my buddy who fancies himself as something of a pot smoker was absolutely laid out cold by some Thai stick!

    Decide what your interests are and plan your route accordingly.

    If you'd like a beach oriented trip I'd suggest Spain, Southern France, Italy and Greece. Spain is a great value money wise!

    If you want a gustatory adventure start in Amsterdam, go through Belgium (great beer), Alsace and the Rhine valley, Bavaria and Northern Italy.

    Cultural highlites again start in Amsterdam, to Paris (rude as hell and expensive as fuck) Berlin, Vienna, Geneva (again expensive as hell), Venice and Milan.

    Architectural highlites: Start in Rome, Milan, Venice, and Greece.

    Don't discount some of the lesser travelled countries, he loved Poland and he ate like a king! After spending $10 for a hotdog in Paris, he was delighted to be eating 5 course meals in Warsaw for $8!

    Fodors has some great travel books oriented towards what you are planning on; I believe it's called Europe on $ 50 a day. PBS has a great series called "Travels in Europe with Rick Steves and he has several books.

    Good Luck!

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    Default Re: Off topic - Has anyone backpacked Europe?

    Read American Cultural Patterns: A Cross-Cultural Perspective, by Stewart and Bennet, take lots of pictures, and tell us all about it :-)

    Lena



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    Default Re: Off topic - Has anyone backpacked Europe?

    Hey there,

    I have traveled to a number of places throughout Europe, and loved them all for very different reasons. In all honesty, I don't know where to start. I would need to know what your interests are...night life, art, theatre, architecture, etc. I don't know much about hostels because I never stayed in one. However, in Austria and Germany they have what are called guesthouses. Usually you find these in more rural areas (not in Vienna or Berlin). "Natives" rent out rooms in their house for something equivalent to $15 a night, which includes a great breakfast. It's an incredible deal. And in Austria, people usually have absolutely beautiful homes. It proved to be one of the best experiences.

    Feel free to send me a message, and I'll respond with more details. I cannot gush about my experiences enough. I absolutely love Europe, and am counting the days when I get to go back.

    I would also recommend the Lonely Planet travelling books. They are incredibly resourceful.

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    Default Re: Off topic - Has anyone backpacked Europe?

    Please let everyone know how it goes. I was thinking of saving up over the summer and spending winter break backpacking in Europe.
    The dumb kid is back!

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    Veteran Member ChadW's Avatar
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    Default Re: Off topic - Has anyone backpacked Europe?

    The Lonely Planet books are ace, and a must read before you go and when you go. If you are going in winter be prepared - some of those countries have nasty cold weather, so backpack hostels might not be a great option then.
    Chad Weston
    Male Stripper / Dancer / Entertainer



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    Default Re: Off topic - Has anyone backpacked Europe?

    Rick Steve's Guidebooks are absolutely indispensable. I was in Great Britain, France, and the Netherlands for five weeks and I got so much GREAT information from his guidebooks. My trip wouldn't have been nearly as good or inexpensive without them.
    "Are those real?"
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    Default Re: Off topic - Has anyone backpacked Europe?

    A Eurail Pass is great. Don't waste your money on the First Class pass, Second Class is very nice. The Second Class seats are almost as roomy as First Class on the airlines. Don't buy food on the trains. You can bring your own and it's cheaper. The Pretzels in Germany are great. Eat them with butter.

    The Youth Hostel in Munich is close to the main train station and is a bargain. They even have some coed rooms! When I stayed there, all the coed rooms were rented, but no one complained about me and my boyfriend. You can rent bicycles at many big city train stations. A bike is a great way to move around Munich, Dreseden, Berlin or Paris.

    Speyer is a beautiful city, but is going to be packed with race fans the week before August 3. If you're going to the German Grand Prix, the Youth Hostel in Speyer is the cheapest accomodation around. Heidleburg with its' castle is an easy daytrip on the S-bahn or Regio-bahn. Lots of rich and shameless show up for the Grands Prix. So the people watching is fabulous.

    One of the greatest and most overlooked destinations is the former East. Dresden is a beautiful city with lots of castles and museums. Erfurt is a college town but has lots of historic buildings and museums downtown. You can walk out of the train station and into one of the most historic downtowns. It's actually right across the street! Weimar is another pretty little city in the former East. It's about a half hour train ride from Erfurt. More really pretty chruches and historic buildings. Berlin is worth a trip if for nothing else to see the zoo which is across the street from the train station. That's the main train station if you come from the West. If you come from the East you'll have to take the S-bahn across town. Also, outside of the zoo is the famous Berlin 100 bus route. Take the 100 bus and it goes to all the sights in old West Berlin and then up the Linden Strasse.

    August is vacation month in Paris. Lots of stuff is closed. Lots of Parisians are at the beach. It's prime time to crowd around the French beaches. That means no bargains on the Riviera. But hey if it's beaches you want, South Beach in Miami is nicer than most of the Riviera and trendier too.

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    Default Re: Off topic - Has anyone backpacked Europe?

    i was there last summer

    my brother has spent a few summers there

    if you need advice or a bit of info etc feel free to hollar



    PS i am going back this summer starting in the UK and heading east and north any ladies like to come along ???
    The sex was so good that even the neighbors had a cigarette
    a clear conscience is a sign of a bad memory

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    Default Re: Off topic - Has anyone backpacked Europe?

    Thank you for all the great advice. I'm thinking about a year from this June (when I graduate). I'll keep all of you in mind and may pm some of you. Ugh! I'm just itching to go!!! Thanks again!
    We all imagine ourselves the agents of our destiny, capable of determining our own fate. But have we truly any choice in when we rise, or when we fall, or does a force larger than ourselves bid us our direction. Is it evolution that takes us by the hand, does Science point our way, or is it God who intervenes keeping us safe.

    So much struggle for meaning, for purpose. And in the end, we find it only in each other. Our shared experience of the fantastic. And the mundane. The simple human need to find a kindred, to connect. And to know in our hearts... that we are not alone.
    Heroes

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