Backpacking in Europe

[Phanuthier]

RE: $$ some parts of Europe are still pretty cheap. Slovania and Poland are less than 1:1 to Canada (Recommend Ljubljana, Gdansk, Krakow) and for the good deals, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro are still dirt cheap like SE Asia and South America. Slovakia and Hungary were good deals, and of coarse, Albania, Romania and Bulgaria are dirt cheap as well. Just watch out for things like land mines, live munitions, maybe civil/political unrest, but I went there this year and I'm still alive and kicking.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

I did a search a saw a few related threads with some good info, but I also had a few specific questions:

1. How long is long enough? Is 3-4 weeks good enough to see lots of sights and visit lots of cities? Or is it THAT much better if you're able to do 2 or perhaps even 3 months?

2. How much planning should you do in advance? For shorter trips I normally I like to research quite a bit to maximize the time I have available, but for something like this (more of a relaxing, culture/sightseeing trip), should I just map out specific places of interest, and perhaps some rough travel timelines?

3. Any tips on when is the best time of year to go (i.e. low season, cheaper airfare, less busy, etc.)

Thanks

Ideally, you want 6 months+ if possible.

My advice is to pick 3-5 countries and do them properly. Don't do like 14 and then rush in each city and not properly experience the sights of Europe. Its a tremendous place.

[simmer2]

Originally Posted by Berger_4_

I didn't backpack around Europe (went on an school thing then with the family) but I cannot recommend Prague enough. Absolutely loved that city. If you want to go to a cheaper but still really really nice country, go to Slovakia. The countryside is just beautiful, and lots of cool stuff to see there. Hotels that would cost upwards of 500 bucks a night were maybe 100 in Topolcany. Poprad and Bratislava were a little more expensive but not as bad as everywhere else I went.

Croatia was really nice as well but portions of it could be very expensive (especially in the harbour areas). If you go to Croatia, make sure you take the time to go to Splivice Lakes. They are absolutely incredible. Every lake is just like this...

I've been there....it is absolutely beautiful.

As for advice, I wouldn't try and do a European trip in 3 to 4 weeks. You can see a lot, but you miss out on a ton of stuff too. Like the lake above for example. I would never have made it there had I not had the time. When you are drinking in the hostel pubs and find out about this amazing place to go see, you want to be able to go there.

I would recommend you take at least 2 months, figure out a rough route (one big circle) and then go with that. You don't necessarily need to know the exact dates but have an idea so you can make sure you see the important spots but as well stop off at the out of the way places.

Just try not to rush the experience, too many folks want to see everything and it's just not possible in Europe. It is better to see less and get a chance to meet some locals, drink some beer, relax.

PS. If anyone is going to be over in Munich this year, I'll be at Oktoberfest.

[WesternCanadaKing]

Originally Posted by CGYTransplant

That's odd- I was there two years ago and I just walked in. I remember the audio tour costing $, but the church itself was free.

Buckingham Palace, however, was over 20 pounds to get into, if I recall.

Really? I just remember my friend and I walking in and being shocked at how much it cost to get in, I guess they had changed it for some reason...?

Sorta annoys me because I had been looking forward to seeing it, but didn't have enough money within the daily budget.