What are the necessary things you must bring before backpacking?

Backpacking trip, ideas and tips?

• two of my friends and i are planning on going on a backpacking trip across europe sometime in the next few years (preferably during may/june for about a month or two). we're trying to get together a loose plan of where we want to go, certain places we want to see, and what to bring. so far, we've narrowed our list down to france, switzerland, greece, england, italy, the netherlands, ireland, scotland, and germany (probably just a two day trip for the last three). we don't want to have to rush around too much, though. i'm not sure if we can fit all that into a month and a half. what countries would you say are a must, and which could probably be left out? we're planning on staying in hostels along the way. are there any you would recommend? there would be three girls going. what are necessary things we would have to pack? any input will be appreciated. thanks in advance!

• Answer:

  you are traveling to very civilized countries which are also in turn very westernized/americanized. not much of an adventure if you ask me. Germany you should devote more time to, they have a lot of solid history pre WW2 that would be very beneficial. Also you have to see how you are getting to certain places transportation wise, you cant hitchhike to an island. Also being girls, hitchhiking will be very dangerous, now theres the adventure haha, invite some male friends along lest youd be raped or killed. or both. This is quite serious by the way.