Has anyone actually backpacked through Europe?

MMM

What did it cost approximately--the whole amount, or what you averaged monthly, weekly, or even daily?

Did you bring a significant other and/or child with you? If you did bring a child, how young? If you didn't, do you think it is feasible?

What kind of places did you stay in? Hostels?

Did you mostly hike? How much are train trips or ferries? Can you get bicycles there?

If you don't want to answer every question, I would very much appreciate any info or links to relevant information. My husband and I are seriously considering just selling everything and going rather than stay here and struggle during this horrible recession (our respective careers have been hard hit by layoffs, lack of available work, and reduced hours). If we stay here and struggle, we will end up spending all our savings and have nothing to show for it. If we go, I'm figuring our expenses will be very much reduced and we will be able to leave the majority of our savings in the bank. I want to live life and be positive rather than be oppressed by a financial crises. This would be a huge adventure for our family--we are experienced travelers, but we rarely vacation for longer than a week or two. I want to go long term--6 months to a year. We do, obviously, want to bring our son, who is 4. He is big, sturdy, healthy, athletic, social, and fearless.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Answer
I backpacked through Europe and spent about a year living there. I made a website on how to save money while traveling based on my experience.

http://hubpages.com/hub/10-Easy-Ways-to-Save-Money-While-Traveling-In-Europe

I do not have kids, but I can tell you that it will significantly increase your cost because you can not stay at a hostel with your son. 90% of hostels require all people who stay there to be over 18. They usually do not have private rooms or locks on the doors and they can not be responsible for a child. You will have to stay at hotels which can be much more expensive for the same quality you will get at a hostel.

I took the Eurail everywhere and walked when in the cities. You can rent bicycles in just about any city, but again many companies are hesitant to allow a young child to ride a bike in a busy city street or off terrain.

Good luck :)

Child Harness?

pawys1111

Does any one know where i can buy a harness for my five yr old for when we are in busy places.
I got one of the monkey backpack ones but just takes it off when he wants too.
Thanks
I dont see how putting him in a stroller will help him to learn to walk next to me.
And i dont beleive there is anything wrong with using a harness i like to keep my child safe thank you. With two children the harness was the best thing i have ever used it keeps him safe i know where he is and he likes it too. Just that he can take it off when he feels like it is the problem.
There like a seat belt in a car you might not need it but one day you will and can save his life.
Thanks for your comments and links but i think the ones shown are ment for smallet children and with the chest clip at the front he can still see it to undo it. And some are just velcro i can see that lasting 5 mins. I was hoping for something at the back of him.
I cant beleive people say becuase a child has a harness there treated like a animal. There a child they are still learning right from wrong do and dont.

Answer
I use harnesses but I don't like them. I have to use them because I have a seizure disorder and I don't want them running off if I have a seizure (yes the thought of them being tethered to their seizing mother haunts me). The problem with getting a better harness is that you make a better escape artist. I saw a really good one at Toys R Us with a chest clip. I would also try "Stay with me training". Taking small trips without a purpose (don't tell him that) to teach him the rules. Going to the library without the harness and if he steps out of sight, it is straight home and into time out. If he doesn't hold your hand through the parking lot, straight home and into time out. Three little trips a week and I bet the harness is just a precaution before you know it. (If he removes the harness, straight home and into time out.)
He will be going to school soon and needs to build some personal responsibility for his own safety. Make sure that you have hard fast rules that you can write down about going out in public and that the basics don't change (do not leave my side, do not talk to someone without me, do not touch anything, do not eat anything, always hold onto mom (mom's coat, the shopping cart) when in or near a road or parking lot, etc)
It is hard to do, but ultimately your FIRST job is to teach the boy to be a man. Teach the boy to protect himself, not just keep the boy protected.

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