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What do I need for backpacking around Europe?

I want to go to Europe on a backpacking trip, what do I need to know?

  • I'm 27 and I've never been outside of the United States and I only speak English. I don't know a lot about Europe but I've always wanted backpack there, especially Spain, but I know nothing about how things work there. What do I need to know before I consider going to Europe?

  • Answer:

    Start doing research. Allot an amount of time and start making a list of what you want to see/do/visit. Then start assembling transport options. An interrail card is an interesting option. http://www.interrailnet.com/ IF your main focus is Spain then see about getting some lessons. A few hunderd words would help tremendously. Start saving. Even with a backpacker's style of travelling you'd still need quite a bit of money to support you. Get a lonely planet guide or two. Not the ultimate fountain of knowledge but decent enough and written with the backpacker in mind. Don't pay too much attention to stories about hate for foreigners. Most Europeans dislike America but are always willing to give the individual American a chance. Any backpacking tourist will be a tempting target for pickpockets though

Jeremy Roller at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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How long are you going for? How much money you have or are willing to spend? What kinds of things do you like doing? Despite there being a LOT of places to go to, do NOT overcommit yourself to go to too many places. In larger cities spend 3-5 days eg Paris, Rome and 1-2 in smaller places. To give you an example In Italy I had about 2 weeks - I had 1 night in Verona, 2 in Venice (in retrospect I would have reversed this), 1 in Montepulciano (not that I saw that much as I arrived after 12hrs of travelling and left the next morning!), 3 nights in Rome (included a full day tour to Pompeii), 3 nights in Florence (with a day trip to Pisa and Lucca) and 1 night in Bologna (arrived 3pm and left 7am so saw very little). The pace was ok, although due to the extra hold ups in travelling etc I did not see some places as well as I wanted, which is why you need to go at a much slower pace than you think. I speak only English, well 1 year of Frence and German was all I had. Paris was probably the most challenging in finding English speakers but you just try someeone else or do it yourself (get good maps of the main cities, they are worth it). But at the tourist sites there is no language barrier as they speak English. I suggest you find 2 or 3 countries that really interest you and look at what they have to offer. I can't recommend places if you don't like touristy things or you want to go out drinking all the time or laze on a beach. Believe me RESEARCH is important.Do that first and then ask for more help.

mareeclara

don't say your american... i've heard they hate us hah, also its a backpacking trip, your not supposed to know things before you go, the best part is in finding out everythingg

Katie

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