Backpacking the Rhine (and several questions) - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

supernovafsx · 09-18-2007, 05:55 PM

So this January, maybe a little later than that, my wife and I want to backpack down the Rhine river. We want to start in Amsterdam, and go through Germany, France, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. We'll have 14 days to travel. That's about all I know about this trip, backpacking in general, etc. I know the basics... hostels are good, eurorail is good (Though I know nothing about it), summer months are bad for travel (We are going between christmas and new years).

So I have a few questions...

1) Does $4000 sound like enough for the whole trip, including air fares? I dont really care what city we land in, as long as we can explore the region, but it will still be expensive for the flight from Louisiana. I can possibly save up more and bump it up to 4500 or even 5000, but thats the limit.

2) Does anyone else have experience with this region and tips to give my wife and I for our first travel experience?

3) Would you get a travel agent? Because we are highly considering finding one. How much do they cost, and do you think it would be worth it?

4) How long does it take for your passport to come in, because we want to get started on that ASAP.

5) Should I take my $2000 digital camera? I was warned against taking expensive things, but I would LOVE to capture the moments that I experience.

6) How are the drugs in amsterdam?

thanks!

**Elizabeth** · 09-18-2007, 07:35 PM

welcome to travelpunk

my first piece of advice is to keep reading around the forums because there is a wealth of knowledge here that will help you plan your trip

but to answer your questions...

1) more than enough. to reduce airfare check out travelzoo.com, they run some good specials. also check out aerlingus.com, they fly into dublin for pretty low prices and you can try to pick up a ryanair flight to your final destination. for example I spent an average of 66.7 dollars a day and that included everything (plane tix, eurail pass, backpack, etc, etc). your 4000 dollar figure breaks down to $142.86 a day per person

2) Been to Germany and Paris, but never been to the Rhine region

3) no - if you are going in January after xmas its low season so you can plan everything on the fly, spend a few days browsing travelpunk and you will be able to outsmart the travel agents

4) passports are super backed up right now, I think like 12 weeks, because you now need one to travel to mexico and canada, so everyone and their mom is getting one, thus its taking longer than usual, $60 bucks extra plus overnight mail will help speed things up. I would go ASAP

5)I don't know on this one. I brought one worth $150. I would not bring it, but then again I'm not a hardcore photographer.

6) never been but I'm sure others will chime in =]

basically keep reading around the forum and u will get some good info

**Legitikick** · 09-19-2007, 01:20 AM

I used to live in the area, in Wiesbaden, in fact I'm visiting again right now. . . . and travelled quite a bit so I probably answer all your questions.

1. Yes, that's enough money. But if you're sticking to the river, you're going to be staying in some places that don't have hostels so you'll be paying much more than the usual "backpacker" would prefer.

2. It can be done, but I think you're trying to cover too much in two weeks. I can give you more advice if you tell me which cities you're thinking of. One big thing though, is the time of year. Its going to be cold and miserable in Dec/Jan, and it really is true that you might not see much sun in Holland and Germany. If you're a skier/snowboarder, definitely get some Alp-action in there in Switzerland. Hopefully mother-nature will bounce back this winter, because last winter barely had any snow.

3. I think a travel agent would be a waste of money. Everything's easier, and more fun, to do yourself.

4. Yeah, I've heard it takes forever to get a U.S. passport right now.

5. I would take the camera anyways. Other than in some hostels, theft is almost non-existant in Europe, except maybe Amsterdam at 1am.

6. The marijuana and hash are world-class. If you plan on doing all-day smoking adventures, do some research as to which types are sativa and which one's are indica. It makes a difference, start the day with sativas and end with indicas, otherwise you'll just be tired and lazy. Wow, I really sound like a pothead. I can't really recommend the best shops, I've been to Amsterdam many times but never really smoked much there, most of my smoking was in Maastricht. Mushrooms are safe and legal, and loads of fun. But be smart about your mood/setting/relationship-issues/etc. before making that decision. I wouldn't touch any other drugs on the street.

supernovafsx · 09-19-2007, 06:33 AM

I wasnt planning on taking anything but the marijuana there, and yeah, I know about the sativa vs. the indica, so no need to worry about sounding like a pothead. It IS very interesting that there are magic mushrooms there and that they are legal. I will definitely take part in it becuase its something I have wanted to experience for a long time now.

Back to the travel part though... Yeah, I understand it might be hard to cover all of the rhine. In that case, I'd like to stick the north half of the rhine, and possibly end my trip in Zurich and start it in Amsterdam. Those two parts of my trip are the only thing I am set on. Anything that happens in the middle is up in the air for me right now, so I need a little help planning. What are some neat places to visit in the rhineland? I am not even sure if I want to stick to france side or germany side. I know that I can get the cheapest flight into Frankfurt international airport for 860 dollars.

Any ideas on what cities I should hit up?

**Legitikick** · 09-19-2007, 07:09 AM

What are you interested in?

I really like Maastricht, in Holland. Its not on the Rhine, but it'd fit the itinerary. Cool, laid back atmosphere, not as touristy as Amsterdam.

I really like Luxembourg, not so much for the people or culture, although they claim "Culture Center of Europe," bullsh*t, but the setting is very fairy-tailish, cliffside castles, cool parks in canyons slicing through the city, etc.

Wiesbaden and Mainz are really cool cities, especially Wiesbaden although its expensive and I don't there's any hostels. They're both the capitals of their states, right next to each other, with the Rhine going between, and dividing the states. Many castles on the river just northwest of the cities, can take a boat tour (not sure about in the winter, probably though). Too bad I'll be gone, I could be a tour guide around here. Wiesbaden's famous for the old Roman baths. Mainz is famous for Gutenberg. The river's a big cultural divide, although I dunno if you'd notice if you're just passing through, you have to get to know the people. Several cool Irish pubs, live music, great nightlife.

Ummm . . . . lots of WWII history around here. Worms too, cool little city.

Good cake down in the black forest. And good wine up here in the Rhineland. Ummm . . . loosing my ideas, but give me some questions and I'll have something for you.

**Legitikick** · 09-19-2007, 07:13 AM

And I would definitely opt for German cities instead of French . . . but maybe I'm a little biased. I've found the people to be friendlier, better food, Germany just has a cozier feeling I think. Try the gluhwein, its a seasonal spiced wine, you'll see it at all the holiday markets. Don't bother buying any bottled gluhwein, go for the homemade stuff.

supernovafsx · 09-19-2007, 07:38 AM

I would love to see and visit the castles, especially the ones you mentioned in Luxembourg. I hear that castles are commonplace along the rhine and I would be very, very interested in exploring them. I'm a big country-guy, but that will probably cost me more because I want to visit less-populated areas that have amazing sights and destinations to offer. The winter cold might be a little tough though.. how cold DOES it get around Luxembourg in january?

**Esterina** · 09-19-2007, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legitikick

I've found the people to be friendlier, better food, Germany just has a cozier feeling I think. ...

It's the first time I hear that german food is better than french... maybe you are a little biaised. Geschmäcksache eigentlich !

Ok, seriously now, the only thing I'd add to the previous posts is to be set for cold days. I was in Germany in early January, and the temperature was -15 Celsius. Although it was uncommon weather for the country, you better be prepared for this.

And... welcome to travelpunk !

**Legitikick** · 09-19-2007, 07:54 AM

I've never figured out why French food is supposed to be good. Maybe it is if you're on a bigger budget, but the cheaper options, and even some not-so-cheap options are crappy I've found. They love rough, stringy meat, small portions, and bland flavoring.

German food gets old quickly, but I think there's more international options in Germany. I could be wrong.

There's castles everywhere in Europe, but the Rhine is especially known for them from Mainz/Wiesbaden up to Dusseldorf. You can make that trip by boat as well.

There's plenty of small-town, old fashioned towns along the way. But plan to pay at least 40 euro/night for both of you for a B&B, if not much more.

It'll be cold, really cold. Freezing at night, and sometimes not much warmer during the days. But who knows, the winters have been strange lately. I should have expected it, but I'm still shocked at how cold it is here right now. But I just came from India, kinda a drastic difference.

**freakypete** · 09-21-2007, 06:55 AM

I am probably a bit biased, but if you're flying into Frankfurt id stick to the area between Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, and Trier on the Moselle river. there are plenty of beautiful places around there, such as cologne where I am living now, Koblenz, Trier, Bonn, as well as smaller towns and villages along the rivers.

Germany can still be quite cheap, if you avoid the tourist areas. Like here in Cologne there are great restaurants where you can get great meals for under €5, while in the tourist areas you'll be paying at least 2 or 3 times that. you can get lucky with accomodation as well. When i first moved here looking for somewhere to live we turned up at the tourist office to get a hotel for the night and got a beautiful room in a nice hotel right in the centre for just €40 for 2 people. but maybe at the time of year you want to go that might not be possible

Like someone already said, it can be freezing at that time of year, so bring lots of warm clothes.