What are the necessary things you must bring before backpacking?

Backpacking europe at 17/18?

• want to go backpacking through Europe after I finish school (Im going to finish it whenI turn 17 so Im not sure I want to go when Im 17 or 18) do you think I would be too young? what are the best places to go to if I stay only for a month or one and a half? how much money would I have to bring?? what should I bring? were should I stay? what sould I avoid? IS IT REALLY FUN?? how to have a lot of fun (like visiting places and parting a lot ..cultural and fun too) having new and unique experiences? and most importantly HOW DO I CONVINCE MY PARENTS??????you see I dont have any money so I was going to ask that for my 18th birthday (or 17) and I know that I will be 18 so they cant stop me if I want to go but still its kind of weird and unconfortable to leave thinking they totally disapprove because I care of what they think but still I really want to go backpacking (with some friends like 3 or so) and I need for them to let me go because they are supposed to pay for it!??! HOW CAN I CONVINCE THEM TO LET ME GO?? please dont tell me to get a job because I dont think minors in Argentina can work and wages here are pretty low too (I dont thinkmy parents like that idea they want me to focus in school). Plus there is really no need for me to work (financially speaking) They can pay for the trip (dont get me wrong I like to be independent) but the problem is I dont think they would want to. I have good grades by the way. And I am responsible, of course I have made some mistakes (not very severe) but I am responsible, I just dont think she thinks I know how to take care of myself (like cooking, washing my own clothes all those sort of stuff, I actually do know how to do this I jjust dont do it very often, because someone else does that for me at home (the maid) I know it sounds really bad but that´s how things are in my house

• Answer:

  Because you are young I strongly discourage you and your friends from going alone. I do not know if you were planning on going with an experienced group, but I got the impression you were not planning on it. Backpacking is a lot of fun, but it is not easy. If you are do not know what you are doing, you will get lost, which is horrible in a foreign country. There are numerous backpacking adventure trip companies for teens out there. These trips allow you go backpacking with the comfort of leaders who will keep you safe and allow you to meet great new people. I do not know of any companies in your country (Although im sure there are many) I am going on a trip this summer from a company based in the US that accepts international students. http://adventurescrosscountry.com/ Their leadership programs are the ones that involve the most backpacking. They also tour several major cities. Going on a program such as this will also ease your parents minds, assuring them you will be with people who know what they are doing. There are a bunch more companies too, just do a google search. I liked this one the best though.