anyone backpacked through Europe?

[AFC-911]

Ok, so I graduate by the end of this year and am looking at information/advice from people who have done this before. Preferably would like to stay over there for more than 6 months (the majority of the time would be in France).

I would love to hear from those who've already done it...What should I expect? I'm just starting to seriously plan for this.

[svandamme]

Europe sucks man...it's full of Europeans...


EDIT enough mucking about...

i'm from Belgium , not Dutch , i just live here
little Town called Ypres, which was very big battlefield in WW1

be sure to put that on your list... trust me on this one... it's worth it... it ain't a theme park, since it's a place wich was truly hell on Earth for 4 years straight

www.inflandersfields.be
www.lastpost.be
check out my thread on the WW1 bomber recently discovered


WW1 bomber identified

the English pretty much consider the place Holy Ground
i rate it educational at the level of perhaps Birkenau /Auschwitz
( which i have on my own to-visit list )

not to far from Ypres there's Eperleques, le Blockhaus, one of the biggest WW2 Bunker complexes ever built, used for V1/V2's and LOX manufacturing plant... 5 ton bombs only made dents in the roof...

http://www.atlantikwall.net/museums_fr_blockhaus_eperleques.htm




coming from say the UK , you could ferry over from Dover to Calais, swing by at Dunquerques, via to Eperleques, to Ypres, then off to Ghent...

from Ghent you could take the train to Amsterdam,(perhaps via Rotterdam if you like modern art modern architecture, but i hate living here, so fraid i'm biassed against doing so. don't like museums either.) Amsterdam Germany , Germany Poland(Auschwitz), back to Vienna, via Zwitserland to Italy...Italy Spain , back to Paris..

or something like that...
little round trip of sorts

depends on what you want to see really...

[Joeaksa]

Did it but way back in 1969 and on a bike, not hitching. Stayed in Hostels everywhere. We rode around about 100-150 miles a day and went from town to town this way. Saw the real country and not on a air conditioned bus or the like from a highway.

There is an extensive network of Hostels in Europe and you might look into it. I went over a boy and returned a man, and ended up loving Europe in the process. Have since returned and lived in two different countries over there, Denmark and Germany. In my work I end up spending about 3 months a year in that area, and was in London and Paris about 10 days in December.

If I was going to do it again I would go over there and buy a used motorcycle and tour the area this way. That way you are not limited to such a short range (150 miles is about your max on a bike with bags) but would still take back roads and visit the smaller towns for the most part. That way you see and feel the real country and people.

After living there and visiting Europe for years I would highly recommend: London and all of Scotland/Ireland, Amsterdam and Holland, Kopenhagen and most parts of Denmark, around Hamburg (but the city itself is not that exciting) down to Berlin.

Might cross over into Poland and spend some time there. The Poles are nice and cost of living there is cheap, so you can stay for a reasonable price. Try to get to Bavaria then on to Budapest (must see) and Prague. Then might head to Switzerland and on through Italy (driving would be interesting in Italy) then the South of France on to Spain and Portugal if you have time. Personally if I never go to Paris or that area of France again I will not miss anything but you may feel different.

Its a very nice and interesting part of the world. Enjoy!

[svandamme]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
If I was going to do it again I would go over there and buy a used motorcycle and tour the area this way.

FYI you would need a motorcycle permit , car licence won't do
and young drivers are now limited to 400CC bikes, can't get big bikes till you hit 24 or several years experience with a 400CC

second problem is getting it registred, you would need a fixed adress, official domicile or you can't get insurance and registration on the bike done...might be easier to have it shipped over from the US ...

+1 on Budapest & Prague.. forgot about those 2 gems... great girls, food ain't bad either...

[fingpilot]

Eurailpass. I'll still buy a months' pass and bum around to this day from time to time. See a nice little town, and get off.

Except that now I stay in nicer hotels. And have a small (quieter) roller for the luggage, and a laptop with a wireless GSM card.

Buy the pass here in the states, it's cheaper than buying it there.

[Joeaksa]

Forgot about the Eurailpass. Good call there. More and more there are hotels like the Marriott Courtyard and we try to stay there. Free internet and they take care of you very well.

About the motorcycle license. Get one in America before heading overseas, then go to AAA and get a international license. Its valid in Europe. You can then ride as large a bike as you want this way. If you go down and get an actual European license you are limited on size for the first year or two.

[coldstart]

I backpacked through Europe in 2000 after graduating from undergrad.

My route as I remember: Paris, Barcelona, French Riveria, Monaco, most of Italy, a lot of Greece, flew to Munich, Austria, Czech Republic, Amsterdam, Belgium (few cities), Switzerland (Zurich and Interlaken) and back to Paris. I'm sure I screwed up the order and missed places, but it is all fuzzy after Amsterdam.

I have to say that I LEAST enjoyed France. Paris, while beautiful, was dirty (no garbage cans anywhere to prevent bomb drops) and the people were nasty throughout. And I'm Canadian and spoke half-decent French. France was easily the most expensive place too (I didn't visit the UK) as the prices are outrageous and they charge for EVERYTHING.

I loved my time in Italy. I also really appreciated Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and Switzerland. Make sure that you get around and have a flexible schedule as you will love certain places and hate others. I hated France but ended up spending an extra week in the Czech Republic, Munich and Switzerland as there was more I wanted to see and do.

Have a great trip!!!!

[coldstart]

BTW, my trip was before the widespread use of the Euro and was a long time ago (I'm now old). Prices likely have changed....but the French people likely haven't.....

[Evans, Marv]

If you're interested in light duty hiking, you might consider doing the tour of Mont Blanc while you are there. I enjoyed that quite a bit. Easy walking & hiking, beautiful scenery, get to meet people, stay in little hotels & hostles on your way around.

[AFC-911]

Tabernac! The list grows longer everyday!! So far, I definitely plan on

London
Bruxelles
Paris
Lyon
Bordeaux
Mont St-Michel
Stockholm (and wherever else I end up in Sweden)
Milano
Barcelona
Sintra, Portugal
Prague

Would love to make it up to Norway and Moscou also!

Joe,
I have friends in Paris, so I plan on staying in that area longer than the rest of the trip. Using/hearing actual French everyday is another plus, not that there's anything with Quebecois French. Besides, I'd prefer to actually live in the cities rather than being a tourist.

[Joeaksa]

Arvin,

Understand but even though you know some French (possibly fluent) it does not matter. My niece is Danish and spent 3-4 years living in Switzerland and speaking French. She is now totally fluent in 7 languages. She goes to Paris and returns saying that they are rude to me even when I speak their language. They do not like her accent and thus treat her differently.

Do not want this to become a bash Paris thread but just wanted to warn you that you very well may not be welcomed with open arms (except for your friends place) in Paris like you will be in other parts of Europe. Good to have a alternate plan of places to see. Also I have a fiend who has a pension in North France so if you get in this area pls email me and can put the two of you in touch.

If you are going the direction to Moscow, please visit Estonia, Latvia and up along the Baltic. Nice interesting countries and very cute ladies. I like Moscow but really if you are going that far, please make it to St. Petersburg. Its the most "Western" city in Russia and really beautiful there. Again, very nice ladies as well.

Sounds like fun!

Joe

[ejames19]

Portbou, Spain (not exact on the spelling) and the island of Ios, Greece. You will love it while your their but, honestly, you will not remember much after you leave! That's what a camera is for, I guess.... Of course Amsterdam, red light district, many hostels over a bar to choose from. Have fun

[svandamme]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Arvin,

Understand but even though you know some French (possibly fluent) it does not matter. My niece is Danish and spent 3-4 years living in Switzerland and speaking French. She is now totally fluent in 7 languages. She goes to Paris and returns saying that they are rude to me even when I speak their language. They do not like her accent and thus treat her differently.

gotto understand Paris and the Parisians

the real Parisians were not that rude, they were more reserved/business to the point

but everybody wants to go to Paris, and be cool like the Parisians... and they exagerate the Parisian thing to the point where it is posh to be rude... the worst aren't the Parisians, it's those who think they are...

the real ones are usually a bit reserved, might be a bit "off" in the jokes, even sarcastic but in a very subtle way, but not the famous "rude" for which Paris has a reputation


you're niece is right though , even a slight accent will trigger the rudeness, it's all about the accent, and those fake parisians exagerate it immensely


trick is to be rude right back at them which does work best if you speak the lingo, ideally if you can pull it off with a cleaner Parisian accent then them

[coldstart]

Originally posted by ejames19
Portbou, Spain (not exact on the spelling) and the island of Ios, Greece. You will love it while your their but, honestly, you will not remember much after you leave! That's what a camera is for, I guess.... Of course Amsterdam, red light district, many hostels over a bar to choose from. Have fun

I really enjoyed my time in Ios

[JavaBrewer]

Did a 6 week trip with backpack and Eurail passes in 83 and again in 88 so much has probably changed.

I spent alot of time in the UK and Netherlands. If you already ride a motorcycle, and you're going in the summer, then by all means tour Europe on a bike. A huge regret for me that I never made that happen. Europe is very motorcycle friendly.

I've been to Paris 3 times in my life and don't ever want to go back. The city is beautiful and there are lots of sights and parks. I couldn't get past the rude inhabitants and general filth. I would wager though that with the resident friends you will have a much better experience.

Youth hostels are the way to go. Sure hotels are more comfy but you don't get the interaction with people like you do in a hostel. It would probably be a good idea to stay in a hotel 1-2x week to get quality rest and clean up. There are also Pension's which are private homes that take in travellers. You eat with the family which in many cases is a huge win.

I second Mt. Blanc, we shopped for bread, cheese, wine, jam, and rode the cable car on a mtn opposite. Unbelieveable views and good food. That's what Europe is all about.

I recommend Holland, Germany, Austria, France (Normandy coast and Eastern borders), Switzerland, Lichtenstein, and Belgium. The UK and Scotland is also great. It gets a little sketchy further South in Greece, Italy, Spain, etc... You may like it there too though.

[gaijindabe]

Originally posted by svandamme

but everybody wants to go to Paris, and be cool like the Parisians... and they exagerate the Parisian thing to the point where it is posh to be rude... the worst aren't the Parisians, it's those who think they are...

Thank you. I have been saying this about New York and New Yorkers for ever... We are really quite friendly.. Just in a hurry...

[AFC-911]

I, too, thought about the NYC stigma...I haven't met a rude Parisian (or a New Yorker for that matter) yet. Although, it could be because they're usually on vacation here in Florida.

I most likely will not make it to Greece this time around (though a lot can change 'til '08). I'll probably bypass Rome, even London if it came to that. It just depends on the finances. As much as I'd love to visit all these places, I'm not made out of gold!!

Which reminds me, would online banking and a debit card be sufficient? Just taking out cash as needed?

Coldstart (and everyone else),

How long did you guys go for and what would you do differently if you were to do it again in the next year?

*Just remembered, where do you go for those tube slider things that I once saw a pic of here on Pelican?

[svandamme]

cheques are no good around here... there simply is no point in taking any with you, we don't use em anymore, chances are people will look at you funny if you whip out cheques..
you can pay with visa or mastercard just about anywhere other then maybe a bakery or butcher shop , but ATM's everywhere, shouldn't be a problem

[Rick Lee]

Try hitchiking! One of my greatest adventures was thumbing it from Trier to Kiev. Once in a while I had to wait around for hours in foul weather. And sometimes I gae up and hopped a train. But several times, people picked me up and took me to stay at their house, fed me, etc. Before I was 25 and able to rent a car there, that's how I got around in Europe. The trains are expensive and usually slower than hitchiking. I met so many fascinating people that way - WWII vets who had been POW's in the US or in Siberia, young East German kids who had never met an American before, some hot girls playing hookie from school and taking dad's Benz out for a joyride and on and on. Best luck I ever had was probably in Poland and Ukraine.

Paris is sooooo overrated. I've been there five times and that was four and a half times too many. Go see some of the real places no one knows about - Plzen, Karlovy Vary, Gyoer, Malbork, L'vov, Weimar, Saarburg, Gmuend, Eisleben, Wasserbillig, Malmedy, etc. So many great hidden treasures out there that get totally overshadowed by all the hype of big names and big cities.

[Sonic dB]

Went to Europe 2 months ago, but on a plane no backpack. God, i want to go back soon, and hope to live there someday. Later this year, I will go back to the Croatian Coast, Greece, up through East Central Europe, then back through Italy again. So much for you to see. I truly envy you. Listen to the advice of these guys who have already done it.