baharehlionpaw

I just came across this website and i'd love to get some feedback from anyone who is willing to share some of their backpacking wisdom.
I am 23yrs old and i live in beautiful Vancouver B.C. I want to backpack around Europe (especifically Holland, France, Spain and Italy) starting mid June 2005. I'm hoping to leave as soon as i graduate from university by mid-late June.
So a few question:-
Is it unsafe for a 23yr old woman to backpack in the above mentioned countires by herself?
I want to travel for about two months, how much do i need to save up?
Are hostels safe and clean or is it better to pay a bit extra and go to a bed and breakfast?
Any info will be highly appreciated

kingcrazylegs

Welcome to TravelPunk!!!

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dttraveler

hey lion paw its not unsafe just go with an open mind and dont look like a tourist, you know with all that stuff they make you think you need but you dont. the only thing you need is a good backpack and a good pair of shoes and other than that it would be like walking down the street in your hometown except 100 times better. for 2 months i would take about 3500 with nothing included or less if you want to rough it. as far as hostels go you'll be alright. just pick the right one

paris--peace and love hostel
amsterdam--flying pig hostel downtown
rome--freedom traveler(free breakfast and dinner!!!)
but all these hostels are subjective because thats where i stayed, but they were all clean and fun, just look around and see whats best for you, thats the fun part. hope i gave you some help.

pinion

Holy crap, another Vancouverite. Welcome to the club, you're now the 3rd TPunk that lives in Vancouver.

Of those countries you've mentioned I've only been to Italy. The only "complaint" I've heard from female travelers in Italy is some of the older Italian men can be persistant. So just a firm "Leave me the hell alone" is enough to make them go on their way.

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worldwidemike

Yeah, you'll be fine, lion paw. You're trodding on a well traveled path...plenty of independent women travelers have done it solo. Staying in hostels will be great for meeting other fellow travelers, too, so you'll be able to make friends while on the road.

You'll have a blast...Holland will be more scenic than you expect, the Spanish will party hardier than you expect and you'll likely sit back in Italy at some point and go, "Whoa...I'm here. This is cool!"

Have a blast, and feel free to post any specific questions you may have about those places -- lots of folks on this website have been there!

worldwidemike

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