Backpacking around Europe.

[roxie_09]

I was thinking of going around Europe in a year or two (once I have finished uni), but just a few things to consider and wondered if anyone could give me a bit of insight, for example, where to go? I really only know of the well known places, but maybe someone could suggest nice places that are less well known? Would I need a year to fully appreciate itt? How much it cost roughly? I wouldn't know where to start! LOL . Any help would be greatly appreciated xx

[Mosaic]

The question is too broad. You need to do some research and decide what interests you. European train travel is fantastic and you can get travel cards that give you discounted travel if you are under 25 (I think).
Costs will depend on how you travel, where you want to stay, how much you spend on recreation. If you intend staying in europe and travelling for a year you'll need to plan for all kinds of weather conditions.
Will you be tavelling alone or with a friend? Lots of planning that you need to do first to sort out what you want to ask. LOL.

[bednobs]

personally i would say a year is too long to see 1 continent, especially if you aren't going to work

[Andyvon]

Hi Roxie,

My younger brother and his girlfriend travelled around Europe in the mid-1980s. They caught the train to Dover then crossed to Calais as foot passengers. From there they just travelled in whichever direction they found themselves going and happenstance took them.

The two left with a small tent, two rucksacks and about £100 in cash. My mother and I thought we'd never see them again, but they eventually arrived home after almost three months having visited 13 countries. We often received post cards from different places they'd been. They arrived home with a whole load of stories of places they'd visited and people they'd met. They travelled around by hitch-hiking and many people took them home, fed them, did their washing, let them stay the night, gave them breakfast then saw them on their way the next day with a packed lunch. They often asked bakeries and other shops if they had any food they couldn't sell and they often got food that way.

Hitch-hiking sounded dangerous even then and I wouldn't recommend it now but that's what they did. Asking for food is also the sort of thing you can get away with when you are younger. I know it was a few years ago but hopefully things haven't changed too much. I would say don't plan a definite route. My wife and I often enjoy one-week City Breaks and after visiting the usual hightlights of the guide books we like to just walk and get lost. It's amazing what you discover when you do that. I would suggest you just travel as luck takes you and you'll discover so much and have a great experience you will remember for the rest of your life.

Good luck and have fun!

[sitges]

Buy a book listing youth hostels. This is the cheapest way to find lodging at a reasonable price. They used to run anywhere from a few euro's up to maybe 14euro's a night. Many offer cheap dinners for helping with the dinner such as setting up tables or clearing dishes etc. Keep you university cards that say you are a student as you can usually get discounts with it.

[mungbeanz]

It also depends on your budget. Most of the European landmarks are in Western Europe, but it can be extremely expensive to stay in the major cities. I would recommend seeing more of Eastern Europe. It's still quite cheap for the traveller and there's so many interesting places and people. Get a copy of Lonely Planet's 'Europe on a shoestring' or check out
http://www.wikitravel.org to get some ideas. What do you mean by nice places? Are you interested in architecture, museums or nightlife?

[roxie_09]

Thank you all for your inputs, I know the question is really vague, as although it's something I would love to do I just don't know where I would start with it! haha... I would be going for to architecture, for example I went to Rome earlier in the year and absolutely loved it! I would probably be going on my own (or if my boyfriend wanted to come with him), he doesn't seem keen at the moment but that may change. I have read about train passes that I can buy and some advice about travelling during the night etc. xx

[mosesg]

www.seat61.com this is quite a good site when looking at rail travel abroad

[Ankou]

i agree a year is too long. try 3- 6 months for starters.

[roxie_09]

Thanks all :D xxx

[strip]

First contact any local travel agency to get more appropriate details..& then plan your vacation according it

[sandyRoe]

If you have lots of time consider The Camino Santiago. It's an 800 Km pilgrim trail from St Jean Pied de Port in Southern France to Santiago in Galicia in NW Spain.
Every year tens of thousands of people walk it. There are pilgrim hostels dotted along the way where you can stay for €5 a night.

[roxie_09]

Thank you Sandy, that sounds like great fun, and an achievement at the end of it :D xx