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General Travel Tips and Advice Have you traveled before?- Please share your tips and advice with fellow Tpunks!

Raileurope.com: See Europe by train
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Old 11-04-2003, 09:52 PM   #1
phishmarisol
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I have been planning to do some (possibly extensive) traveling in Europe. I think just looking around this site will help me out a lot, but I just really don't even know where to start. I do know they I am at least interested in an extended stay in Britain most likely. Basically I want to be a travelpunk for a while and get a job to raise money when I need it. At the very least this post should give some veterans a good laugh.
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Old 11-04-2003, 10:12 PM   #2
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This simple 6 step program can be used for your situation:

Step 1. Buy a plane ticket to the cheapest place you can find in Europe
Step 2. Get on the plane and fly there.
Step 3. Enjoy yourself
Step 4. When you find another city you want to go, go.
Step 5. Learn to live as frugally as possible
Step 6. Tell us all about it when you get a chance.

I've yet to leave the country, but I would love to just plop in a city and go with the flow with as little of restriction as possible. From what I have read here you can live rather cheaply if you really want to. I don't plan on living as low as I can, but I am also not staying at the Hilton. My plan is up to 7 months now and I am budgetting $13k for all my needs. Which really isn't too bad compared to average US living expenses. I am sure you could do it cheaper. I know I will look for some work while I am over there, even if just for a few days, just to help extend my trip as much as possible.
Alright, enough of my pointless babble.
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2009-2014: February - Mexico (Cancun x 3, Cozumel x 1, Mazatlan x 2

2014 : Europe: Norway, Denmark, Hungary, Czech Rep, Germany, France, England

2015 : US:Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Joshua Tree NP, Salton Sea, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Mt. Rushmore. 20 states. Europe: Stockholm, Barcelona, Madrid, Prague, Krakow, Warsaw, Ireland (month driving around), Northern Ireland, Edinburgh.

2021: Europe?

Need a Railpass for that Trip to Europe?
Or Maybe a Hostel Reservation?
Frog Creek Brewing -- Upcoming Microbrewery

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Old 11-05-2003, 01:15 AM   #3
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phishmarisol- WELCOME TO THE BOARDS!

Sijuki has gotten right down to the bottom line! When it's all said and done, that's what it comes right down to B)

I checked some online airfares from Los Angeles (LAX)to London and found round trips air fares for under $300! Damn, doesn't get any cheaper than that!

The problem is, you want to have an extended stay in England, which of all countries in Europe is probably the most expensive! For every US dollar you'll get about .66 cents in Britain, as of this posting .

Should be easier to get a job "under the table" though, since it's an English speaking country, but I can't confirm that first hand, just a hunch.

For finding work abroad, Cdude gave us something to think about with this post on bartending. It's makes sense since you can apply that trade in any city around the world. Something to think about.

Eastern European countries are generally cheaper than their Western counter parts. Your money can go much further there. I will say that after transportation and accommodations, drinks and entrance fees can take a bite out of your budget- if you're not careful! In Madrid, drinks can cost $7-$9 on the average at good clubs! Thats up to double the cost of drinks in a Los Angeles night club! Ouch!

Food is cheap, if you are easy to please, and many budget travelers have learned to stretch their dollar(Euro) by shopping at grocery stores and putting together their own sandwiches, etc...You'll definitely save money in the long run by doing this.

As for where do you begin? Hmmm....that will depend on your interests. Do you want to experience as many cultures as possible? Do you like beaches? Are you a skier? Want to find the city with the best nightlife? Wish to visit the ruins of medieval castles littered throughout Europe? Love art? Etc...

One of our team members, WorldWideMike, has a very nice site detailing his trips to many countries world wide. His site has lots of photos and from his descriptions and experiences, you may be able to strike an affinity with some of these countries, leading you to add them into your ultimate backpacking itinerary.

Check out his site here- World Wide Mike

Of course, you can just get settled into London, and catch super cheap round trip flights to many European destinations on the fly. There's always specials coming out of there because it's one of the busiest airport hubs in the world.

If you peruse the boards in depth, you should find many tips, experiences, and suggestions, from our members that may intrigue you.

Hope it helps
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Old 11-05-2003, 09:36 AM   #4
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Thanks for the replies. I'll try to narrow some stuff down a bit.

I don't care for beaches or skiing, don't care about the best nightlife. Basically if I can do it in the states I am not looking to do it in Europe. Now, that doesn't apply to all things of course but I just mean I am not going to go out clubbing! And I really have no problem not drinking for extended periods, especially at those prices! (I'm cheap). I am really mainly interested in experiencing other cultures, and seeing lots of art and old buildings! I really just want to hit the road, meet some cool people and see the world.

One more specific question for now: I was planning on going next year around this time originally but I have been told that the weather is anything but ideal at this time. I don't want to be there in the heat of summer with all the other tourists but certainly don't want to be in the freezing cold either. I am done with college next summer so I won't have anything holding me back. Basically, I can split whenever I decide but just need to decide when it is smart to go.
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Old 11-05-2003, 10:07 AM   #5
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Well Dmac's post in the Yo Yo Yo thread said it was 70-75 in Florence, Italy right now. I have been looking up average temperatures around Europe to get an idea of where I want to be and when.

I know I am hitting Scandinavia before winter sets in because I don't want to be in the dark the whole time. So I am getting there mid July
Afte that I am just going France, Italy, and Spain. Since those are the countries I woud prefer the nicest weather in. August through Sept is pretty nice it looks for those. Although August may still be a little touristy but I guess that is my trade off.
Then I am going to Oktoberfest in late Sept. figure I can't pass that up.
Then it's just the rest of europe from there, no real plans. From what I have read it doesn't seem to get too terrible anywhere. You get your cold days and such, but it doesn't seem like the arctic.

Hope this helped a little at least.
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2009-2014: February - Mexico (Cancun x 3, Cozumel x 1, Mazatlan x 2

2014 : Europe: Norway, Denmark, Hungary, Czech Rep, Germany, France, England

2015 : US:Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Joshua Tree NP, Salton Sea, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Mt. Rushmore. 20 states. Europe: Stockholm, Barcelona, Madrid, Prague, Krakow, Warsaw, Ireland (month driving around), Northern Ireland, Edinburgh.

2021: Europe?

Need a Railpass for that Trip to Europe?
Or Maybe a Hostel Reservation?
Frog Creek Brewing -- Upcoming Microbrewery

Sijuki@gmail.com
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Old 11-13-2003, 02:30 AM   #6
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phishmarisol dont come to England this time of year, its sooooooooo cold at the moment :-(
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