Backpacking Europe alone this summer - who's done this? Tips?

[NomNomNom]

Definitely appreciate all your input guys. I'd reply to all of you, but that will just clog the hell out of this thread. But just a few notes:

- I would love to hit up the Scandinavian Countries, as I've thought about studying abroad in the future in either Sweden or Finland - just depends on my time/money/time spent in other Countries.
- The couch surfing idea is awesome, I completely forgot about that possibility and will save me a ton of money. I want to meet tons of people, so maybe I'll do both hostels and couches.
- The EURail pass is something I'll most likely do. I had a few friends who did this when they went over, but they ended up not using it as much as they expected and it actually cost them more money than had they just bought single fairs every time they needed to train somewhere. So I'll need to kind of plan that out. As flylock mentioned, it will take some pressure off, which I can only imagine will be a bonus.
- I already have my backpack, it's 75L I believe. Plus I have my camera bag that I've been able to attach to the back of it. The camera bag also doubles as a day pack, which is good because I know many people leave their backpacks in their hostel in a locker during the day and they just walk around with a little & smaller backpack.
- I do want to have some flexibility, but I don't want to have a set schedule. If I fall in love with a certain city, I want the freedom to be able to stay there, you know?
- I will certainly try to learn some local languages. I can say "library" in French, so that should come in handy.
- I'm planning to have around 10K for the trip, I'm thinking that will be a decent amount? Of course that depends on what I do with it...
- Separating your cards makes a lot of sense, that sucks you got jacked.
- Water proof folder is also something I wouldn't have thought about.
- Getting an unlocked phone with different SIM cards is a great idea, so I'll definitely be looking into that.

Thanks again guys, definitely keep the replies coming if you can.

[worth]

In my opinion 75L is way too big to be carrying around. I always had a good laugh at people carrying that much gear. Learn to pack light. I travel with a 32L pack and it has everything I need.

If you qualify, get an International Student Card

http://www.isiccanada.ca/en/section/31

[NomNomNom]

Originally Posted by worth

In my opinion 75L is way too big to be carrying around. I always had a good laugh at people carrying that much gear. Learn to pack light. I travel with a 32L pack and it has everything I need.

If you qualify, get an International Student Card

http://www.isiccanada.ca/en/section/31

Funny, because that was my sisters backpack when she went over last summer, and I have around 70lbs on her. It also saves me $200 from having to buy a new pack. At least I think it's 75L? Maybe what I'll do is get everything together that I'll need for my trip while traveling as light as possible and put it into that pack and go from there. Obviously I'd like to travel as light as possible, so a smaller/lighter backpack would be nice. And I do qualify, so I'll definitely look into that as well.

[SeeBass]

If you can remote access your email, scan your passport/documents and email to yourself.

You should always have a copy handy.

[SeeBass]

Originally Posted by worth

In my opinion 75L is way too big to be carrying around. I always had a good laugh at people carrying that much gear. Learn to pack light. I travel with a 32L pack and it has everything I need.

If you qualify, get an International Student Card

http://www.isiccanada.ca/en/section/31

do a dry run pack then whatever you have cut out another 30%

dont worry about toiletries as you can get the same anywhere but always pack a sheet for hostels

buy some Calgary Flames buttons or pins they go a long way as a thanks

zip lock bags are your friend

[4X4]

A little extra space in your bag will come in handy if you buy a few things along the way. Some of the stuff you'll ship home, and some of the stuff will replace stuff you brought with you. And if you have lots of extra space, you can put your small backpack in your big backpack while travelling instead of having to wear one on the front and one on your back.

[Minnie]

If you have any prescription meds that you need to take with you, be sure you get all the proper documentation to carry with you - all your meds will need to be in their original containers, for example.

Get some ridiculously good travel insurance.

Buy extra SD cards for your camera. Download your pictures to some sort of online service as often as you can, just in case. You don't want to lose anything.

[Table 5]

Just don't be the guy who puts a giant maple leaf patch on his bag so everyone knows where he's from. I've back packed through Europe back in the day, and these people were definitely the ones to avoid....always some fat annoying chick or drama student.

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Just don't be the guy who puts a giant maple leaf patch on his bag so everyone knows where he's from. I've back packed through Europe back in the day, and these people were definitely the ones to avoid.....

On the school trip my daughter was supposed to take last year (and which she had to forgo due to being hospitalized/ill), they told them the same thing. A small Canada pin, maybe, or something like the Flames pins someone else suggested but nothing overt.

[FlamesAddiction]

I'll also add that if you are tempted to take in tourist attractions, try to do self-guided tours. Official tours are such a big waste of money and they are often slow and you don't get to see everything because of all the "in the way" people. There are numerous resources for self-guided tours at the book stores, libraries and tourist information kiosks.

In some places, you can also go to a tourist information place with a few friends and they can set you up with local guides that can take you places for a reasonable price and they usually have more inside information.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Segway Tours!
Walking or biking is so 90's

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Just don't be the guy who puts a giant maple leaf patch on his bag so everyone knows where he's from. I've back packed through Europe back in the day, and these people were definitely the ones to avoid....always some fat annoying chick or drama student.

I found my Flames hat usually did the same trick without screaming "I am from Canada"

[Jbo]

NomNomNom - I should mention that flying is cheap when you are traveling light. If you care carrying lots of gear (75 lbs) flying becomes much more expensive.

The cheap flight carriers ding you huge on weight og bags. I remember seeing travelers in both Rome and Athens throwing there stuff in the trash to make weight restrictions.

[driveway]

One thing that's an easy, effective way to get a handle on a city when you first get there is the "walk-on-walk-off" bus tours. Most big european cities will have at least one, if not two or three companies doing these.

Basically, you buy a ticket and the company branded buses will take you around a route which will show you the major touristy sights. You'll get some good information about the sights and you're free to jump off the bus any time it stops and then re-join later in the route.

Good combination of guided-information with independence and they give you a great idea of the layout of a town, how close things are, and what you'd be interested in going back to and feel fine missing.

All-in-all, a very useful thing to do on your first day in a city where you'll be spending a few days.

[killer_carlson]

Spend some time in the gym and lift a few weights. Never hurts in advance.

Go ahead and put a flag on your pack. The only people who get pissed about it are drama queens in my experience. If you want to o it, then do it. I did it and never got much in the way of grief, aside from a few Canadian drama queens - like maybe 2 or 3 ever.

Spend they money on a good pack. It's worth it. Next is a good pair of shoes. Dont be afraid to spend some money on new socks or shirts while on the trip and dont be afraid to throw stuff out as you go. Dont cheap out on laundry. The worse you smell or more dirty your clothes are, the less likely anyone will want to hang out with you if there are any other people they could hang out with instead.

Always keep $100 US or euro on you stashed away in a sock. This is the "oh crap, i need to get help" fund. Ive only had to use it twice, but the one time was a medical evac on a remote hike. Everywhere will take USA $. Even the most remote regions where they don't even have electricity will still take USA$. Keep it in bills under$20 though.

Ive hit all 7 continents and stayed in hostels or lodges for a lot of my travels. Most important thing is to keep an open mind and be yourself.

[Hi-Psi]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Just don't be the guy who puts a giant maple leaf patch on his bag so everyone knows where he's from. I've back packed through Europe back in the day, and these people were definitely the ones to avoid....always some fat annoying chick or drama student.

You couldn't be more wrong. I've traveled all over the world and have always had a nice seized Canadian flag patch on the back of my backpack. You would not believe how much friendlier and more helpful they are when they see the patch. Plus I have found it's a lot easier to meet other travelers with it, people will talk to you everywhere you go.

I don't know if it's because everyone loves Canadians or because then they realize you're not American...

The only thing I don't like about the patch is that it draws more Canadian travelers to you which is not really what I'm looking for when I'm backpacking in other countries.

[Hi-Psi]

As for some places to check out, definitely hit up the major cities for their history such as Berlin, Paris, London, Rome, Athens, etc but also hit up the other less traveled countries like Slovenia, Croatia, Portugal, Romania, Turkey, etc.

If you're into partying then def hit up Ibiza, Croatia and Greece. Yacht week in Croatia is supposed to be insane and pretty much all the Greek islands are insane over the summer. Check out the Pink Palace in Corfu, Greece if you want to get laid more times in a week than you have in your life...

I'm not going to lie though, with 8 weeks you're really not going to get to see a ton. My first time through Europe was 6 weeks and was very fast paced, the second time was 4 months and I still found it very fast paced. Even with 4 months I didn't see everything I wanted to.

Jason

[worth]

Maple leaf on the bag screams inferiority complex. I've had conversations with people all over asking why Canadians do this. No one can understand it and no other nationality does it.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Hi-Psi

I don't know if it's because everyone loves Canadians or because then they realize you're not American...

See this belief is part of the problem....people who wear the flags are always hell-bent on others knowing they are not American, and have this belief that Canadians are considered some sort of special people. We're not special, and to most people around the world, we're just an extension of the US....and you know what, that's not the end of the world.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Table 5

See this belief is part of the problem....people who wear the flags are always hell-bent on others knowing they are not American, and have this belief that Canadians are considered some sort of special people. We're not special, and to most people around the world, we're just an extension of the US....and you know what, that's not the end of the world.

I just don't know why any traveller would want to advertise personal information like that. Advertising that you are a Canadian in Europe is like asking to be ripped off.

I mean yeah, once you talk to someone, they will know you are not from Europe, but why point it out to everyone before hand? Also, depending what countries you are in, some people can't tell Canadian/American accents from other English speaking accents. I have been asked if I am from Australia and England before. And sometimes when I reply that I am Canadian, they say something like; "Oh, America!". Honestly, people don't care.