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 year (preferably during may/june for about a month). 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:

  Your trip sounds ambitious but certainly fun! I have been backpacking around Europe (not continuously, of course!) for more than 20 years and also teach a college seminar for independent travelers in Europe. It is good you are planning well in advance, and May and June are great times to go, as not all the tourists have arrived, and Europeans don't start their own vacations until later in the summer. When planning, I always start with four tools: 1) Calendar: make a bunch of copies so you can change, scratch out, etc. as you plan. 2) Train timetables: Rail is the easiest way to get around Europe with the least amount of fuss. Visit www.raileurope.com to learn about the many different railpasses available. Avoid using an unlimited-use pass. It is too tempting to try to go everywhere and see everything; you can't do it! You'll just have to return. Budget airlines are good if you want to go a real long distance. Visit www.whichbudget.com to see which cheap airlines serve the cities you want to get to and from. Otherwise, use German Rail's Web site, www.bahn.de, which lists all the trains in Europe, as you plan your trip. 3) Guidebook: use a good guidebook to see not just where to go, but to find out interesting places nearby. For example, I always wanted to see Salzburg, home of "The Sound of Music." (You must see it! It's gorgeous!) But I never realized until I started planning that Berchtesgaden, where Hitler had his vacation home and headquarters, was close by. As I am interested in World War II, I jumped at the chance to see both places. I love "Let's Go: Europe," but Rick Steves' "Europe Through the Back Door" and the DK "Eyewitness" travel guides are great, too. 4) Planning map: European info agencies in the US send them out for free. Also get them at AAA. Hostels are indeed good budget places to stay. In Switzerland, you must stay at Balmer's Herberge in Interlaken, one of Europe's oldest independent hostels in one of the most beautiful, fun places in Europe. However, I prefer pensiones, kinda like B&Bs, as you tend to meet more Europeans there, whereas in hostels you'll meet lots of Americans, Canadians and Asians. Also, consider taking overnight trains to combine your travel time with your sleeping time. Allow a major splurge or two, such as staying the night in a centuries-old castle overlooking the Rhein River in Germany. And don't cut Germany, Ireland and Scotland short with "just a two-day trip." You're really cheating yourself out of a great experience. If I were you, I would save Ireland and Scotland for a subsequent trip (once you do one you'll be hooked, I promise!) and concentrate on the core countries. Keep your packing light. Remember, everything has to be toted on your back. Get a "conversion" backpack, that looks like soft-sided luggage but when you unzip the back panel, the shoulder straps pop out. Some models also come with wheels. Adopt short haircuts so you don't need a ton of hair stuff. As young travelers you won't need fancy evening clothes and bunches of shoes. You will be forgiven if your practical hiking shoes don't quite match your sweater or sweatshirt. Two pairs of jeans, underclothes for about a week, swimsuit (you'll love those Greek beaches!), jacket/pullover/sweater/sweatshirt, should about do it. You can do laundry in Europe. Many hostels have laundry facilities. Don't forget your camera, extra memory cards, and also a small notebook to use as a journal. It will help you remember what you're taking pictures of. I love reaching my journals and remembering the great stuff I saw, good stuff I ate, good friends I made and the happy memories of traveling at my own pace and on my own itinerary. Have a blast!