motis

i've been popping in on this site for awhile, but with my travel date fast approaching, i figured it was time to start talking with everyone.

i'll be heading to europe for the first time from chicago, illinois in september. (passport application in - starting to shop for a pack!) my lady friend and i are planning something of a wandering trip of adventure. the rough plan is a few months traveling (northern europe first, heading south as winter approaches) with a stay with some friends in berlin for awhile. if all goes well, we'll be able to stay the winter in spain - maybe even find some work.

we'll be traveling simple and laid back. our country list is about a dozen strong (Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland) - some of which will just be a few nights in the big cities - others we plan on going a bit out of the way and spend time wherever we fancy. i'm trying to figure out rail passes this week. you all seem pretty split on whether the big passes are a good deal or not. having a flexible itinerary is making it hard to decide the most cost effective approach. the return date? emergency funds for a plane ticket back to the states when travel funds are low. we'll pretty much be closing our affairs in the US before we go and trying to stay as long as were able.

i've switched from guitar to mandolin playing and plan on bringing that little guy along for the trip. i don't need to pay my way with it, but i figure an afternoon planning music outside is a decent way to get some drinking money.

any input on the idea (however vague i described it) is always appreciated.
up front i want to say how helpful all the threads and advice are and i look forward to hearing more stories from the road and more advice on my trip as i start making new threads. you're an incredible group of folks - hopefully i'll see some of you on the road!

cheers!

DC_Jessica

Hey, welcome and congrats! Sounds like you have a super spontaneous excellent trip planned (or not, rather!).

Love that you switched to mandolin. I've never done long term (not yet) so when you get down to country- and not method-specific traveling, I can be more of help, but we'll all be pitching in once you start asking those questions!

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"I set out alone, finding no companion to cheer the way with friendly intercourse, and no party of travellers with whom to associate myself. Swayed by an overmastering impulse within me, and a long-cherished desire to visit those glorious sanctuaries, I resolved to quit all my friends and tear myself away from my home."
---Ibn Battuta, CE 1325

Latest travel crushes - Arizona, Morocco, The Baltic States, Tunisia, Portugal, Mexico

marc873

Hey! Welcome to the boards... My wife and I travel in a very similar style. We have hit a lot of the countries you are heading to - Belgium, Netherlands, Greece, France, Italy, Spain... Feel free to hit us with a PM for specific info. I keep transportation, hotel/hostel, etc.. info.
Anyways, your plan sounds badass. Can't wait to hear the stories from the road

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When an adventure ends you can never go back, never relive it, never hope to feel the same emotion. The secret is to not try and go back but to keep searching for new adventure....

Esterina

Welcome aboard ! I' more of an eastern europe girl, so can't help you much with your destinations, but your plans sound great !

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aliz

welcome! what you plan on doing sounds awesome, I'm sure you'll find plenty of people to help you here, and anyway, after a few weeks of travelling, you'll be an expert yourself!

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beergal

Welcome!

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expatben

Welcome aboard!

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I have been to: Canada, USA, Iceland, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Germany, Sardinia, Switzerland, China, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Morocco.

Do to list: [color=blue][color=black] Australia, New Zealand, Austria India and Bolivia.

[color=blue][i][font=Verdana][color=black]"I'm just another stranger lookin' for the promised land"

offhegoes03

Welcome! I'll have been to 4 of those countries by July, so I'll try to help you out after I get back from my trip. I'm flying out to Barcleona, Spain on Tuesday and then I'll hit up France, Germany, and Switzerland as well.

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freespiritz

Just wanted to say welcome to tpunk! You guys will have a great time...I just spent 4 months in Europe and hit Italy, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands and had the best time ever. :D

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expatben

Germany is certainly a great place to back pack. I found most people there to be very friendly.

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I have been to: Canada, USA, Iceland, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Germany, Sardinia, Switzerland, China, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Morocco.

Do to list: [color=blue][color=black] Australia, New Zealand, Austria India and Bolivia.

[color=blue][i][font=Verdana][color=black]"I'm just another stranger lookin' for the promised land"

aki

i'm the lady friend as indicated above. we leave in a little over a month. OH MY GOODNESS! so i thought maybe in fact it was time for me to drop in and say "Hi" before i begin to drown you all with panicked last minute questions.

if i have any, that is.

feeling pretty chill still. =)

offhegoes03

I'll have to agree with expatben... I found the people in Berlin to be some of the most helpful I encountered. Especially when you're trying to figure out the public transportation.

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Life's a garden, dig it - Joe Dirt

Barcelona and Beyond, My 2008 European Blog:
http://www.travelpunk.com/blogs/offhegoes03

Esterina

Welcome to you too ! Don't hesitate to ask any last minute questions. :D

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people are people

raoulduke

Welcome to you both

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One of God's own prototypes. Some kind of high powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die -HST