Backpacking Trip Across Europe

Ok, most of you know the idea behind this already, but this is just going to be the general thread.

A friend of mine and I are going to be backpacking across Europe in 2 years(after his contract with the Army is up). Money is not an issue here, by that time, collectively, we both will have saved close to $30,000 for this trip, mainly him though. XD

We don't want to be tourists here, we are going there for a minimum of three months and no maximum. We're going to be starting in Dublin, then make our way over to England, chunnel to the mainland, and go wherever the hell we want to from there.

We want most of this to be on foot, and we understand that some will have to be done by plane or car.

Right now, we each have good hiking gear. Personally(from what I can remember), I have a really good pack, 2 man tent, water-proof bags/gear, sleeping bag, first-aid supplies, knife, cooking supplies, and heavy-winter gear.

I'm starting a lot of our research now and that's why I've come here, to get everyone's opinion.

I'm trying to figure out:

-What kind of phone(for emergencies) should we bring? Satellite? Wi-Fi?
-Laptops?
-Any other supplies you feel I've missed.

Seriously, this is the real deal for us. We've been planning on doing this for about a year, and now we're putting it into action, starting with the research and planning.

I plan on keeping this thread going for a long time, updating it with whatever and maybe when we're finally there, I will post in the GR whenever I can, detailing my travels.

1. Check on visas in advance. You don't want to hike your ass up to a border then get turned back.

2. If you plan on genuinely hoofing it, laptops and such are going to be a real drag. Plenty of internet cafes in Yurp, I'll bet.

3. Sounds like fun. Make sure you actually do it before you get old, married, and tied down.

Yeah, fuck the laptops. If you're somewhere you can't get internet, a notebook (the pen and paper kind) will do just as well; if you can, then just use an internet cafe.

You were talking about protection in the other thread:

Do you remember that thread you made AGES ago about beating some guy up cos he called out at you or something? Don't do that, and you should be fine. Don't be a dick, and you shouldn't have any trouble.
Knives over either 3 or 4 inches are illegal to carry. I'm not sure about carrying knives generally, because I know there's been a crackdown in London, but when I was younger my friends used to carry them all the time, just because they were shiny, and to generally carve twigs etc when they got bored, but I'm not sure how illegal that was. If you get scared, there's always the key between your fist mode, and inanimate objects around. Don't fight to kill unless they're fighting to kill.

Don't be paranoid, but obviously exercise caution.

I don't really know where you think you'll be camping (with need for fire i mean) to be honest, western europe is mostly city, you won't have stretches of countryside.

Oh, and look up inter rail , apparantly it's a really good and cheap way to travel.

Good point! My old Commander + hubby (while stationed in Germany) was traveling around via train. All you need in the European Union (Italy, Austria, etc) was a military ID card. But they could not go to Switzerland without a passport - they are not part of the European Union.
BTW it takes a couple weeks (at the very minumum) to get a passport.

I would echo Dan's point about the knife. However, once you are inside England you can easily go to a hardware store a pick up a stonking great carving knife, or at the right shop, a hunting knife. Upon purchasing please then make your way to Lincolnshire and castrate Dan so that he will not cause anymore illegitimate sprogs to be born. Once that is done I recommend making you way down to London so that we may partake in a celebratory pint!

It would amaze me if anyone objected to a standard, good ol' folding pocket knife, with a 3" blade, a screwdriver and bottle opener.

Then again, it's Europe.

Also, he's an American - guilty until proven innocent.
I've seen how German courts railroad Americans, so I would imagine other countries are similiar.

^Is that the same railrod Hitler got to run on time?

No, nobody would object to that. D'oh.

Good advice all around. As for visas, remember that you only need to check what the requirements are for the point of entry. Once in you're free to move around the Schengen area. However, not all EU countries are Schengen members, most notably the UK, and not all Schengen members are EU states (Switzerland in 2009). I'm rather sure that in 2010, most eastern European countries will be in too.

My friend and I both have passports, but as far as Visa's, what all will I need to do to obtain these?

Or is a passport good enough?

Also, as far as laptops, I'm not sure whether we're going to bring them or not. My laptop won't be that much of a burden, unless of course we get mugged. It's a small 14" iBook and I may be getting an even smaller 13" MacBook.

And good advice all around.

Well, I don't know how it is now for US citizens. There was a time when there was no visa requirement between Austria and the US, but after 9/11, the EU responded to the new American requirements (biometric passport or visa). Can change, two years are a long time in such matters.

And visas are available at embassies. Every EU embassy can speak for every country in the Union as far as I know, so if you want to go to Germany first but a French embassy is closer, they can issue the paperwork. But again, two years. That's forever.

As for the laptops... I wouldn't, honestly. Useless weight. Maybe get a smartphone with WLAN.

A few good rules/tips:

Always be polite and courteous

The French are not as rude as people say (at least they weren't pre-Bush)

Take Dan's advice on where to go. There is some beautiful countryside in the Isles.

Don't eat the sausage from the street vendors in London. It looks and smells delicious, but do not be fooled.

Don't waste your trip getting drunk/high. Go see stuff, take lots of pictures.

Don't go to any strip clubs. Your American accent will give you away as an easy mark.

The weather in Belgium sucks everyday, several times a day.

Don't keep your wallet in your back pocket, especially when you're around busy tourist areas or red light districts.

You will quickly get sick of castles.

Order a beer at McDonald's.

If you go to Scotland, find a small Bed and Breakfast in a small sheep town, run by some old scottish sheep herder. Stay there. Listen to old scottish man stories. I did that in a little place called Glen Coe. Beautiful scenery and great company.

Put aside some money to spring for a true French dining experience.

Don't waste your time looking around for absinthe.

I'm very polite and courteous...generally. XD

I'm looking forward to all the beautiful shots I'm gonna get.

I hate sausage.

I probably will be drunk/high quite a bit, but not as much as I will be sober.

Strip clubs are a waste of money anywhere.

When traveling, my wallet stays in my backpack or in my inside pocket of my hoodie.

I got sick of castles when I was in Ireland.

I will definitely order a beer at McDonald's and take pictures of it.

I did the Bed & Breakfast thing in Ireland, and it was amazing. I will not miss out on it anywhere else.

Keeping some money for that is a great idea, thanks!

I've had absinthe, no thanks.

You must brave your hatred in Germany!

Wimp

Take that back and I will introduce you to good value strip-pubs!

Jean dront pocket or inside jacket pocket. Nowhere else, IMO.

We have better ones

Not in Britain you won't.....

Good man.

Agreed, I bought a bottle from Paris last October. Evil stuff.

Go and buy it in every grocery store (at least in Austria).

Kinda global. But you won't get shot here for being rude

Nope. And they do speak English when you show a tiny little effort to speak French first. It's a respect thing.

And don't miss the Alps while you're at it. And Italy, all of it.

Don't eat anything in London that's not either foreign or a fast food chain.

Might wanna plan in a day or two in Amsterdam, tho. I've been there a thousand times but it's always cool to simply go and buy some pot openly

That's global too. Watch your wallet whenever you are in a crowded place, no matter where.

Unless there's a Blackmore's Night concert on

And don't forget: the Quarterpounder is called a Royale with cheese here.

And take a translator.

Definitely also dine in one of Rome's rooftop restaurants in summer. Unforgettable.

We're planning(whenever we get there in our trip) to spend a week or so in Amsterdam, a week in France, and a week or more in Italy.

I love Venice.

I want to buy pot in the open so badly. I also want to have that crazy european sex!

Rome rooftops are overrated IMO, but that is because I think that Rome generally is crap for food and you really do have to go out of the city to get some proper Italian grub.

As for french grub, I find that the local frenchman only eateries are the best as they know that the French public don't tolerate substandard bullshit but also won't pay through the nose for it. Much better than the tourist trap overpriced places that Time Out creams their jeans over.

Oudezijs Vorburgwaal

Cass? Mini-borg? How bout it?

Let's see:

1. Count your change, and if someone asks you for a smaller bill make sure you get the larger one back.

2. Railpasses for someone your age can be really cheap. An overnight train is also a cheap hotel.

3. Don't know about visas. I didn't need one to enter Germany in October. That should leave all the Shengen area open. Switzerland didn't require a visa when I was there ('99), but you do have to pass through a border control.

4. Renting a car from the U.S.--especially as part of a rail pass--is cheaper than renting a car over there.

5. Paying the fee to pick the car up in one country and drop it off in another is often worth it. Backtracking is a waste of time.

6. In England (probably all of Britain), eat in the pubs. It's good, it's hearty, and it's cheap.

7. Aurora's advice about sticking to foreign fare (Thai, Indian) in London is pretty good, but there is an exception: Porters (in Kensington) which serves delicious traditional English food.

8. Stay away from nightclubs that don't have prominent entrances and exits, or that promote sexy women as an attraction. Many of these clubs will serve you grocery store champagne and then hand you a $600 bill for the "entertainment." The door will not be forthcoming until you pay.

9. Pickpockets abound. I suggest carrying your wallet in your front pocket. I also suggest a money belt.

10. You and your friend should exchange copies of passports, carry a couple of passport-sized photos (you can get at any train station kiosk), and keep $40 American cash handy...if you need to get a replacement passport, having a copy, a new photo, and the $40 will make the process much easier.

11. Don't carry large amounts of cash. Cash machines are everywhere and the exchange rates are pretty decent.

12. Europe's pretty safe, but don't take that as a given: avoid being isolated in big cities, particularly at night.

13. When in Britain: for God's sake look to the RIGHT before you step off a curb. Traffic comes at you from the opposite direction.

14. Driving in Britain can be a little stressful. You're on the wrong side of the road and wrong side of the car. Be prepared to shift with your left hand.

15. Many cars in Europe are DIESEL. And, yes, a gas station's REGULAR GASOLINE spout will go right into a diesel car's spigot with no problem. And, no, one won't run on the other. Diesel in a gas car will make lots and lots and lots of smoke. Gasoline in a diesel car makes for a car that won't idle and can't be restarted. (I'm the voice of experience on that last one.)

16. Everywhere you go, they'll probably speak English; still, ask first in the local language. If you don't know any of the local language, ask this way: "English?"

17. When you walk into small shops, acknowledge the person working the counter with a greeting or a nod.

18. If you buy a train ticket, remember to validate it at the machine before you get on the train. The conductor is apt to be upset with you if you haven't (it looks like you're trying to get more than one use out of a ticket).

19. European countries have a VAT (Value-Added Tax) on goods that is quite high. Since you're going to be there an extended amount of time, save your receipts: since you are not a resident, you are entitled to a refund of some portion of this tax.

20. Most places you go will use the euro as the currency (the UK being a big exception). Remember that a euro is worth almost $2 and that they use coins for large denominations. A pocketful of American coins is a few bucks; a pocketful of euros can be a pretty large sum of money. USE THEM.

21. On motorways, autobahnen, autostradi, etc. please remember: the left lane is FOR PASSING ONLY. If you cruise in the fast lane, you're liable to have an irate driver in a Mercedes come up on your bumper at an alarming rate of speed.

22. The shortest distance between two points is the autobahn. But you need a sticker--called a vignette--if you use it in Austria.

23. German toilets have a little "poopy shelf" that your, uh, droppings will land on so they can be displayed proudly above the water line. Do not inquire about this.

24. If you're in a hotel, remember that they probably want you to leave the key when you leave (unless it's a Marriott or something with key card/code access).

25. If you visit Munich but fail to have a beer at the Hoefbrauehaus on a busy night, you are a failure as a human being.

26. Use the Tourist Information offices (TI). They really can be very helpful.

27. Tipping varies from place to place but remember that service is included in most (all?) European restaurants; as a general rule, if you were happy with the service, round the bill up a bit. (e.g., if the bill is 10.4 euros, give the waiter 12) Dining is done at a slower pace in Europe, so keep in mind you will probably not get the bill until you ASK for it.

28. I don't care what anyone says: McDonalds (and Burger King) are EXACTLY the same in Europe as they are here, the only difference being you won't get ice in your drink.

29. If you want to see several attractions in a city, see if there's a special pass that you can buy that will give you a discount on seeing all of them. Paying for them individually is more expensive.

30. Have fun. Learn stuff. Bring home great memories.

I've driven a RHD car, not that different. Step-dad owns a German Spec Porsche.

I do that now anyways. And if someone is in the left hand lane when I'm trying to pass, and they're slow, they will get all kinds of light flashes from me.

I'm going to have a beer everywhere.

That's the point of this whole thing. The experience.

Oh, also, not sure how it is on the continent, but you're not really obliged to tip at bars or at starbucks here. You can, if you want, but it's not making the bulk of the pay like it is in America.

Beware of Pubs in Central London. Beware of anything called a "gastro-pub". It's not the hearty cheap fare you'll be expecting, it'll be a rip off.

I went to a pub on oxford street the week before last, and spent £8 on a coke, lukewarm chips, and coldish burger, which I waited 40 minutes for, then couldn't be bothered to complain because I was too hungry - I'd passed on mcdonalds because I wanted a decent meal. Oh, and it was a practically empty pub, so business wasn't an excuse.

Random info: In England, baked beans come in tomato sauce, not BBQ sauce. And "Grape" juice / flavour is called "Blackcurrant" juice / flavour. A friend of mine used to travel to America a lot, and it's those little things that remind you you're in a different country most; they stand out more than you might think.

It all depends on the area. The fact is that most of the pubs, if not all, on Oxford street are absolute shite. Top places in central and centralish London you can still get great pints and grub are:-

The City (usually weekdays only)
Chelsea
Mayfair
Belgravia (again, mostly during the week)
South Kensington (after a bit of a walk)
Gloucester Road
Notting Hill/Holland Park
St. John's Wood
Shad Thames
Greenwich


The trick is to seek out the places that Londoners like to go and you'll usually get a good pint and a nice bit of food. Anywhere frequented by tourists or non-londoners is a warning sign. Areas to avoid for pub use are:-

Oxford street
Soho
Fitzrovia
Tottenham Court Road
Holborn
Trafalger Square
Victoria
Baker Street

Seriously. One of my mother's cousins came to visit from the Old Country when I was a kid. I spent his whole visit saying "what?" He got sick of repeating himself slowly.

I remember he referred to our 10-pound toy poodle as "y'enaaarrmous brrute."

When my nephew and I were in Scotland, we took a taxi ride to the Edinburgh airport. On the way, the taxi driver chatted with us a bit. I didn't have much problem following him, but my nephew said afterwards that he hadn't understood a word.

As I recall, the driver pronounced the "Forth rail bridge" like "Forth real bridge."

1) You don't need 30K.

2) Don't you play guitar? My buddy made enough money for food and beer just playing a few hours along the Hauptstrasse in Heidelberg. Might just be a tourist city thing though.

3) You should pick up a Let's Go Europe book. It was started by a couple students at Harvard back in the sixties as a news letter. Still all student informed. Best info for nightclubs, hostels, grocery stores etc. Check out the Europe Book, then if you like it you can check out the different country books.

4) You should really look at the Dalmation Coast. Cheap, and one of the most beautiful places in the world. I Dubrovnich is a UN World Heritage Site.

Good call! Like the East Coast of Italy, but way cheaper and more exotic.
Also, Slovenia between Italy and Croatia - not very developed but beautiful mountains. Not many people even consider the place, or have even heard of it.

I wouldn't have thought you would need a visa for any western European countries, but best check your own governments foreign office website. That'l tell you requirements for yanks to get into specific countries and how to go about obtaining visas. The only country I have ever actually needed to send away for a visa for was Viet Nam.

Knives, if you need to keep a knife, make sure it is passable as a general purpose camping knife and keep it in the rucksack with all your camping gear. That way it has a purpose and cops will be fine with it. However if you lock all your gear away in a hostel etc, make sure and do the same with the knife. If you get caught walking about with a knife in Britain, just in your pocket for the fun of it with no explanation you are in a whole world of shit these days.

Camping sounds cool, but really you are going to be using youth hostels. Don't worry they can be fun and you will meet some interesting new characters and lets face it thats one of the things that tavellings all about.

McDonalds do give you ice in the drink.

Rome has fantastic restaurants particularly if you stay away from the shiny glass fronted ones on the main tourist streets which will charge you a fortune for crap. Go off into the quieter streets and you will find family run restaurants which are better value and really good. Incidentally Im just back the other day from Barcelona and this information is correct there too. Basically El Chu is speaking out his arse.

Use the train, you will get some fantastic deals across Europe

Wallet in the front pocket of the jeans

Enjoy yourself