Andy
I am planning to take go backpacking in Europe alone this summer starting in early august for about 5 or 6 weeks on a $4000 budget. I plan to go to these cities (in order): Madrid, Barcelona, Marseilles/Nice, Florence/Rome/Venice, Dubrovnik, Athens, Istanbul, Budapest, Lucerne, Munich, Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris and end in UK.
i plan to spend just a night in most cities and 3 or 4 nights in a few select ones. I'm wondering if this is feasible based on my time and budget. the rest of the famous cities i've already been to so i want to go to the ones i've missed except london, berlin, munich, venice, rome, florence and paris which are must sees.
good night spots? backpack type? eurorail routes? climate info?
thanks in advance
Answer
If you spend one night in each city, you will spend all day on the train in many cases.
Keep your schedule a bit more flexible, realize that you may have to drop any city on your list if you run out of time.
I personally try to have at least two nights in every second destination, this is mostly because travel is so time consuming and when you arrive in a city late afternoon and have to leave in the morning you have no time at all to see anything of the city, and because it is easier on you while traveling.
You can not see all of Europe in one travel, better realize that and not try to do everything, Less cities gives more time and enjoyment and in the long run let you 'see' more of Europe.
You might consider a few overnight trains as part of your travels, but do not expect to arrive well rested, as many people do not sleep well in trains.
Use a good rail planner to work out your schedule before you even leave for Europe:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en?newrequest=yes&protocol=http:&
And get more information on traveling by train in Europe on this website:
http://www.seat61.com/
He has several pages on rail passes, and many routes to places when you start from the UK, but often those routes are also useful when you travel only part of the way.
For a backpack, a small one. The best is a day pack that you can easily carry on your back all day.
This will safe you loads of time and worries about finding places to leave your pack.
If you have limited time you do not want to track back to your hostel to collect your pack before leaving the city, nor do you want to spend time and money on left luggage office or lockers in every city.
You will have summer weather, which is hot, all the way from Madrid to Lucerne, from there is can still be hot but it can also be mild and wet. From 40's C in the south to 15 C if you are not lucky in Berlin and London, but western Europe can have warmer weather in summer too.
Count on shorts and T-s for the first part of your travel and add a pair of long trousers for the second part, carry a light weight rain jacket and a thin sweater for when you have bad weather, if you hit the bad weather jackpot you might want to go shopping locally for a second/warmer pair of long trousers.
Your one night per city plan does not leave you much time for practical things, like laundry, but you will find that traveling light will safe you time in the long run. Hostels often have laundry facilities available for low costs.
Being on the move much also does not allow you to find the cheapest options in each city, so expect to spend more on food and local transport than you would when traveling a bit more slowly.
As I have not traveled most of your southern destinations I can not be sure of budget there, I would expect that $US 75 to 100 per day will cover you there, western Europe is more expensive, $100 per day for most destinations there, London and Paris at least $125 per day. More if you go drinking each night.
Hostels are likely your best bet, with your tightly planned and overfilled schedule you will want to make train and hostel reservations a few days ahead, still try to talk with people traveling the other way round to get recommendations. Hostel booking sites with reviews will help you too. You can book everything before even leaving home, but in that case, one missed train or a strike or something like that will leave you a paid for travel you can not use, or a very expensive flight to catch up on your schedule.
Booking about 3 days to a week ahead should do well and allow you some flexibility, and the option to change your plans if you feel the need.
If you spend one night in each city, you will spend all day on the train in many cases.
Keep your schedule a bit more flexible, realize that you may have to drop any city on your list if you run out of time.
I personally try to have at least two nights in every second destination, this is mostly because travel is so time consuming and when you arrive in a city late afternoon and have to leave in the morning you have no time at all to see anything of the city, and because it is easier on you while traveling.
You can not see all of Europe in one travel, better realize that and not try to do everything, Less cities gives more time and enjoyment and in the long run let you 'see' more of Europe.
You might consider a few overnight trains as part of your travels, but do not expect to arrive well rested, as many people do not sleep well in trains.
Use a good rail planner to work out your schedule before you even leave for Europe:
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en?newrequest=yes&protocol=http:&
And get more information on traveling by train in Europe on this website:
http://www.seat61.com/
He has several pages on rail passes, and many routes to places when you start from the UK, but often those routes are also useful when you travel only part of the way.
For a backpack, a small one. The best is a day pack that you can easily carry on your back all day.
This will safe you loads of time and worries about finding places to leave your pack.
If you have limited time you do not want to track back to your hostel to collect your pack before leaving the city, nor do you want to spend time and money on left luggage office or lockers in every city.
You will have summer weather, which is hot, all the way from Madrid to Lucerne, from there is can still be hot but it can also be mild and wet. From 40's C in the south to 15 C if you are not lucky in Berlin and London, but western Europe can have warmer weather in summer too.
Count on shorts and T-s for the first part of your travel and add a pair of long trousers for the second part, carry a light weight rain jacket and a thin sweater for when you have bad weather, if you hit the bad weather jackpot you might want to go shopping locally for a second/warmer pair of long trousers.
Your one night per city plan does not leave you much time for practical things, like laundry, but you will find that traveling light will safe you time in the long run. Hostels often have laundry facilities available for low costs.
Being on the move much also does not allow you to find the cheapest options in each city, so expect to spend more on food and local transport than you would when traveling a bit more slowly.
As I have not traveled most of your southern destinations I can not be sure of budget there, I would expect that $US 75 to 100 per day will cover you there, western Europe is more expensive, $100 per day for most destinations there, London and Paris at least $125 per day. More if you go drinking each night.
Hostels are likely your best bet, with your tightly planned and overfilled schedule you will want to make train and hostel reservations a few days ahead, still try to talk with people traveling the other way round to get recommendations. Hostel booking sites with reviews will help you too. You can book everything before even leaving home, but in that case, one missed train or a strike or something like that will leave you a paid for travel you can not use, or a very expensive flight to catch up on your schedule.
Booking about 3 days to a week ahead should do well and allow you some flexibility, and the option to change your plans if you feel the need.
Suggestions for New Backpack?
I am a male high school student who is looking for a backpack that is durable, spacious backpack that could possibly fit a laptop and could be used for day hikes. I currently have a Jansport Big Student, but it is not a good backpack for hiking. I was thinking of the North Face Jester, but there have been several reviews saying that it ripped on the seams. The backpack should have good organization.
Here are a few questions I had about the Jester for anyone who owns it:
-Is it durable?
-Could it fit a laptop?
-How large is the main compartment (it would be awesome here if you could give me dimensions!)?
-How effective is the waist belt and are the back/straps comfy?
-When jostled around, do the small items stay in their organizer compartments?
I am open to any other suggestions for a good backpack. My only other requirement is that it should be under $100.
Thanks,
Alex
Answer
The IBEX Computer Backpack from Swiss Gear Wenger® combines functionality and portability allowing you to carry your laptop with style. It features air-flow back padding and extra durable material.
The IBEX Computer Backpack from Swiss Gear Wenger® combines functionality and portability allowing you to carry your laptop with style. It features air-flow back padding and extra durable material.
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Title Post: Best Eurotrip backpacking routes? need help, please.?
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Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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