Backpacking Europe
- Started
- Last post
- 43 Responses
- Rushmore
I'm backpacking Europe starting May 19. Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions on what to pack, boots to buy, where to go, events to participate in, modes of travel, etc?
- lvl_130
how long for?
- digdre0
Jack Wolfskin? or whats that brand, for boots
- Rushmore0
I'm currently planning 4 months but if I end up in a small town somewhere and can get some honest work under the table then I'll definitely stay longer.
- Rushmore0
For boots I was looking at: http://www.aldenshoes.com/DrawOn… I know they arent the most practical but I want something I can keep for life and maybe pass down later on, plus Indiana Jones is my hero.
- ukit0
Whatever you do, avoid Belgium
- digdre0
I live in belgium, shitcountry.
- kalkal0
Isn't it customary for everyone in Europe to hate their own country? I'm from the UK and I certainly do.
- Rushmore0
I can't say no to anywhere.
- rafalski0
Where do you plan to stay? Hostels? A tent?
- Rushmore0
I've got friends of family in Paris and Nice, other than that I want to do a mix of http://www.couchsurfing.com/ ,camping and some hostels.
- Rushmore0
Is anyone here a member of Couchsurfing.com by chance?
- ukit0
Have you actually found people to stay with through that site?
- Rushmore0
This will be my first time personally using it but it was recommended by a friend of mine with nothing but praise.
- arthur0
This sounds incredible.
This is slightly off-topic, but what is that website that shows houses and apartments to stay in for free as long as you take care of the property while you're there - pets, plants and such. Had a very nice interactive map. Would love to find it.
- gung_hoek0
would be really useful to prioratize a couple of personal interests first. if you´d be into a particular brand of music, say electronica or r`n´r or jazz, you could target the appropriate festivals (loads of them throughout europe, not like in the US) to establish a basic route and time frame. from there you could look what´s going on in the cities on the way of that road.
so are there particular interests (history, cont. art, surfing, etc.) or must-see locations (colosseum, pantheon, knossos, kitkat club,etc.) perhaps?
- epete220
make sure you plan your trip early. preferably 7 months in advance. And never deviate from the course. Always stick to the plan, don't get lured by sexy hookers and pot.
- Rushmore0
So far I've committed my first week to Paris and my second two weeks to Nice, while I'm there I would also like to visit Cassis. After Nice I am traveling down to Spain to meet some family for a couple weeks and after that I'm at the will of the open road. I have promised to visit Prague and see the statue of David in Florence. I would also like to see Bruge and be around to participate in the running of the bulls... I will definitely do more in Italy and I'd like to see whats left of Sparta in Laconia. That's all I have at the moment, I don't want to overplan...
- Running of the Bulls... be prepared to sleep in the woods or in a park. At least try to find accomodation now...pixlpushr
- JG_LB0
pack your bag then cut the contents down by half. you'll thank me later
- Any bag suggestions? Should I go the North Face modern, hiking style or just hit up the local Army/Navy surplus?Rushmore
- Good advice. Go modern as you will spend a lot of time walking to the hostel at the edge of town.DeviceUnseen
- i took this eagle creek pack with me across mexico, europe, uae, australia, fiji. it's a great bag http://www.eaglecree…JG_LB
- The modern bags are probably great but they totally destroy the mental image I have.Rushmore
- +1 JG_LB.
And get a bag with wheels, you don't want to carry a bag around for 4 months...pixlpushr
- DeviceUnseen0
The places I always have the most fun are: Berlin, Barcelona, Oslo, Copenhagen.
- gung_hoek0
if you´re under 27 you can get an interrail pass, buys you 6 weeks of all you can ride train access for a big chunk of europe. cheap way to travel, you´d also meet a lot of other backpackers that way. but not very convenient of course.