mackerous

Since I've gotten my tax return, the path to adventure was cleared. It officially pulled me out of debt, so now is the time to start saving. My original plan was Europe for 3 months, but that can easily be cut to 2, as well as putting $2000 of it on my credit card if need be. The only real requirement is I need to leave by Sept/Oct. Why? Because I need this in my life soon. Also, I want to catch Octoberfest.

From lurking here and reading multiple sites, I've definately got most of the basics down. For the most part, I'm a minimalist, so packing shouldn't be too bad. Here's a few queries for the pros (apologies in advance for the length of this post):

1) Since I'll be going in Sept/Oct, I know that's moving into the off-season. Other than the obvious less crowding/less things being open deal, what are some of the pros/cons of traveling off-season? That only true thing that would worry me is less people to meet in the hostels, though there should still be plenty, right?

2) I want some recommendations for specific places to go that aren't in my Europe on a Shoestring. I'm doing your basic 18 country Eurail thing (no Britian), so that's the only real limitation. While I do expect to see a good deal of the sites, most don't seem to truly be my cup of tea (The thought of the Eiffel Tower doesn't excite the hell out of me). I'd prefer the more subtle, possibly more secretive places. A hill where you swear you can see heaven from. Even something as simple as a certain shop in Ireland where the owner's friendly dog runs free, greeting all visitors.

3) And speaking of Ireland, I adore Irish drinking songs. Anyone know where I can walk into the chorus of Finnegan's Wake?

4) Let's talk money belts. I remember someone on here swearing by the Eagle Creek leg belt. This seems like a much more comfortable choice to me. Any comments on it versus a waist one? Is it big enough to hold my passport?

5) Once you got the sink stopped up and filled with the soapiest of water, what exactly is the best way to go about things? Just move the garment around and rub it against itself?

6) About how much would a bus to the Czech Republic and/or Poland cost and do you think it's worth it?

7) The thought of having a raincoat is pretty intriguing as a whole, but they're fairly expensive. Anyone have pros/cons on raincoat vs. poncho?

8) And lastly (for now): Any comments on this towel.

Thanks guys. >=)

-Mack

__________________
-Mack
(Newly impassioned traveler)
(Couchsurfer)

bluepea

The weather is still nice, there will still be plenty of people, just not the hordes you'll find in the summer. I'm sure there'll still be plenty of people to find in the hostels, you'll just eliminate a lot of the annoying tourists. There are also a lot of cost benefits to going off season. Accomadations and travel will be cheaper.

Ah, see, these are the things you'll want to find on your own. The little places that mean something? What means something to someone will be something else to a different person, you know? The best way to do so is to go off the beaten. Hop a train and then get off in some small town where you never would have ended up had it not been for your decision to get off right there. Everything will be new and exciting and you will carve your own attractions.

dont' know about this specific one, but if you're going to be out for awhile/sitting a lot, anything is more comfortable than a waist one! But, they're effective.

Pretty much. Might want to let stuff soak for about five minutes first. Do a little under water squeezing (that sounds dirty). At a camping ground in Tarragona, Spain, the sinks were made for hand washing clothes.

DEF-IN-IT-ELY! Once you hit the border of Central Europe, getting around is cheap. I think we paid about 80-90 Euro a piece to get from Idar-Oberstein, Germany to Krakow, Poland. It was an overnight train too, so we saved on accomadation. We took a bus back for about 60 dollars (equiv I believe). It's so beautiful over there (Czech is just gorgeous) and cheaper.

The all rubber things are ungodly uncomfortable. They're sticky and hot and just don't feel good. I picked up a Columbia lightweight waterproof spring jacket for about $40 (can be found cheaper if you look for off brand/off season). That was my multi purpose jacket. Came in handy in Poland and Ireland I tell ya! Umbrellas are so much trendier in Europe anyhow.

Looks good. I absolutely hated the pack towels. I can't stand not having my biiiiig towels... Such is life.

Oh yeah, welcome! Congrats on getting out of debt.

__________________
~~ Jamie ~~
You give me the most gorgeous sleep That I've ever had And when it's really bad I guess it's not that bad




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Somnambulation

Im sure there are still people out staying in hostels in Sept/Oct. You may get a sighty different crowd though, as most of the college kids are back in school during that time. The towel I dont recommend. Those travel towels are nice in theory, but really dont get you that dry and is useless for those times you want to go to lay out on the beach.

tumblezweedz

I really can't think of a con to travel in Sept/Oct. The weather's still good, the school crowds are gone and the real people are back where they really live, all the "seasons" (cultural) are getting underway - you really should check out a concert, play, opera or ballet, even if you couldn't care a whit - the experience is worth it.

We met plenty of people in hostels in February in Sweden, so I really don't think you'll have any issues in September...you're more likely to meet the long-termers and more experienced travelers.

Definitely get away from the major centres to find your own "unforgettables", these really are too personal for us to recommend, but they're almost always in the wacky random places you discover by fluke.

As for clothes washing, you've got the idea; maybe scrub is a better verb than rub. A bar of Ivory soap is usually a good one for washing, suds up well and isn't smelly or a weird colour. Shouldn't give you a funky rash or anything, either. Remember some fabrics don't dry overnight, so unless you want a cold jolt first thing in the morning, give them a couple of days to dry - or at least 24 hours. If you take along a couple of bungee cords, you can braid them together to make a no-pins clothesline.

In addition to whichever money belt you choose, it's generally easier to carry a little bit of money in your front pocket - and maybe your hostel card or an ID for getting discounts - so that you don't have to constantly dig inside your clothing when you want to buy something.

Definitely go east. It's amazing.

The problem with rain coats or ponchos is storing them when wet. If they're wet when you put them away, and they sit for a couple of days, they can get all moldy and nasty. A mini umbrella is not any more bulky than a poncho, though it does take up one of your hands. Unless you can work out a clever way to attach it to your pack while extended. You can throw a poncho over a pack, which is handy if you've got stuff attached on the outside, but hopefully your pack is a little water resistant to begin with.