Backpacking Advice.

Gonzoie - Luclin · Post by **Gonzoie - Luclin** » June 2, 2006, 11:51 am

Ok, so ive done a little bit of research and gone to an STA Travel store, but im wondering what any of you backpackers that have gone backpacking in Europe would suggest about books to buy that would tell me where the good Hostels and the kind of ways you come across odd jobs to make some money while traveling Europe. Im not looking for someone to tell me a starting point and ending point. Most likely ill start in London since ive been there before and have relatives who will let me stay with them while i get my bearings overseas for a week or 2.

My plan is to start in the middle of August and return home back to the states in the middle of December. I thought about starting off in London and ending south for the climate difference in the winter, but that is just an option as of now. If anyone who patrols this forum has done some backpacking across Europe, or really anywhere and has knowledge on the matter, could you please help me out with respect on some of the neccesitites for preparing, and reading i should do?

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » June 2, 2006, 12:25 pm

I lived in Germany for 3 years and change and the same for Italy, but my backpacking was all military. The only advice I can offer is that August in Europe is fun ebcause the whole bloody continent seems to go on vacation simultaneously, and this makes room availability suck

Swiiter · Post by **Swiiter** » June 2, 2006, 12:38 pm

I backpacked for 2 months back in college (6 yrs. ago or so). I started out in London as well (spent a week in Scotland as well), but I wished I would've started out in Amsterdam and skipped the UK. I really enjoyed my time there, but it was a long as bus trip from london>dover>ferry>cologne to get to Amsterdam. We worked our way all the way to Greece, but it really felt like my entire backpacking experience was riding on busses/trains, not really enjoying the country(s) I wanted to visit. Get a good train schedule and you should be set. Wherever you purchased your Eurorail should hook you up with one. Try to stick to a small area as well, it will make your trip much more enjoyable.

Skogen · Post by **Skogen** » June 2, 2006, 12:58 pm

Kylere wrote:I lived in Germany for 3 years and change and the same for Italy, but my backpacking was all military. The only advice I can offer is that August in Europe is fun ebcause the whole bloody continent seems to go on vacation simultaneously, and this makes room availability suck

Fuckin A' on that one! I was in Poland last August, and hell yes, the whole damned country was traveling. I've never seen a worse traffic snarl than on the road from Krakow to Zakopane. Christ, I almost killed myself sitting through that one! Once we got there, all the hiking trails were jammed with hikers, even some of the more remote trails that take 12+ hours to go through. It was unbelievable.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » June 2, 2006, 1:35 pm

I spent a year in Sardinia which is an island off the coast of Italy. It's considered a resort type place by Euros (it's not all that though) and in the month of August it was insane...dudes walking around in speedos everywhere. The nice thing for Americans was that the entire population went on siesta for an hour or so in the middle of the afternoon which made for wide open beaches. There was a purpose to the siestas though as the parties lasted until 3am or later each night.

I'd stay away from Europe in August. Permanent damage can be done to your retinas if you are exposed to the flash of white light emanating from the pasty skin of a newly arrived Scandinavian down from the north.

Gonzoie - Luclin · Post by **Gonzoie - Luclin** » June 3, 2006, 12:50 am

I don't plan on spending any time at the beach in August.. Since id be going mid august id probably be staying with my uncle in london until late august or september. I just want to start out in august so i don't convince myself i don't want to do this.. the sooner i start the better, the longer i wait the more i won't want to do it... So i start when i get back from North Carolina, and then end before christmas.. should be one hell of a time if i can get all the information im looking for!

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » June 3, 2006, 1:15 am

Almost 2 years ago now I sold just about everything I owned and backpacked Europe for 2 1/2 months... was a great time. I found the Lets Go! Europe book the best guidebook, and then I got advice from people in Hostels as to where to stay.

If you make it to Budapest, go to Backpackers Hostel... best place I stayed at

Make sure you spend your first day or so in every country figuring out the currency and what things should cost... that way you dont get taken anywhere. Also, dont end your trip in Iceland... great place, but DAMN its spensive!

Xorian · Post by **Xorian** » June 3, 2006, 7:33 am

Lonely planet books are not too bad i my opinion ! And yes...avoid the south of europa in august....best time to go down south is september. everyone here travel down south during july and august

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » June 3, 2006, 11:44 am

Gonzoie, I agree you should. EVERYONE should tour Europe. Go for it, look on Eurorail pass costs, because they ARE worth it, BTW.

You will not want to walk from southern germany to Italy, but the train trip is OMG cool.

MooZilla · Post by **MooZilla** » June 3, 2006, 12:43 pm

Don't forget toilet paper...

Sirensa · Post by **Sirensa** » June 3, 2006, 3:15 pm

I used the Let's Go! guidebooks when I was over there too. I bought a eurail pass and used the guidebook to find places to stay. I did a semester of school in London and then just sort of wandered about afterwards for a couple of months.

I thought this thread was going to be about the backpack

Make sure it's a good one and comfy when stuffed. Otherwise life will suck! Good walking shoes is the other necessity.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » June 3, 2006, 6:21 pm

http://www.hostelfilm.com/

Skogen · Post by **Skogen** » June 4, 2006, 1:19 am

and don't forget your Imodium AD.

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » June 4, 2006, 1:15 pm

heh of course im biased but make sure you hit the south of spain, great food, great people and a very good experience, of course if your single and looking for some intense partying, Ibiza is top notch...try to make it to the scandinavian countries too, love those danish and sweedish girls

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » June 5, 2006, 3:30 pm

As an European I don't really know the books heh.. but great idea you're having! Travelling around Europe is seriously fun and interesting and I always highly recommend it!

Abelard · Post by **Abelard** » June 5, 2006, 6:46 pm

There is this one hostel company that has hostels in Berlin and London called Generator Hostels. One pound for a pinte of beer and cheap prices to boot. I highly recommend it after staying there last January.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » June 5, 2006, 6:49 pm

I can't remember which I stayed in when I was in Berlin, but I remember that it was at the end of the tracks and was scary as hell. The one I stayed at in Frankfurt was much more modern on the inside, but it looked like a freakin' prison on the outside. I met some really cool people in both places. There was a large group from Brazil in Berlin and Russians in Frankfurt that I remember spending a lot of time with.

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » June 5, 2006, 7:40 pm

I didnt like the Generator in London.... I prefered the smaller hostels I stayed in....