first timer

[jas_the_ripper]

Hey this might be a little long but It's my first time backpacking so i have a lot of questions. I'm a European but i've lived most of my life in Canada so I'm taking a gap year to see Europe fromanother perspective, i've never done the tourist things, i've only been to see family and gone with family/friends.
Firstly what do you guys recommend aremost worth seeing? countries/cities/etc
What kind of budget should i expect?
How long do you recommend I go and back to the last question whats your estimated budget for such a time? (note: i'll be on a gap year so i'll have 9 monthes time)
What do you recommed i bring?
and whatever other random bits of advice you might have, like what you plan to do, what you have done, etc. Sorry i know this is long and demanding but i'm a firsty.
PS i have no restriction on where i can go or anything, i won't be able to conjure a HUGE budget but a substancial enough one i think.
Thank you so much for your help

[space virgin]

First of all: Welcome. Second of all: you're a lucky brat!

My very first recommendation is rather than just taking someone else's word for it (although that's good too), go to the library or bookstore and start perusing guide books for different places and get an idea for what appeals to YOU. For example, I could tell you that Paris and Barcelona are absolutely wonderful-- and so will a lot of people-- but I also know at least 5 or 6 people who despised Paris and were bored with Barcelona. After you have a general idea (read: a big list), start probing that further. But also don't limit yourself JUST to that: when you get over there you can pretty much do whatever you want! And with a 9-month time window, shit-- the sky's the limit, man.

Also, since you're Canadian, you can apply for a Working Holiday Visa for the UK. If you're planning to be gone for 3 months or more, I HIGHLY recommend getting some work over there for cash to spend on your travels. Being a US citizen (and not a student), I am seething with jealousy. Hostels seem to be a popular working destination.

As far as budget goes, well, I'm not really EXACTLY sure how much you're going to want to bring but I would say that shooting for about $75/day CDN would be a good place to start. If you get work and your room/board is included (as it would be in a hostel), so much the better.

For what to bring: Well. Besides the essentials -- clothes, a few toiletries, passport, etc.-- I would say a camera would be the number one accessory. I prefer digital myself. Also bring a book or music player of some sort for the plane and train/bus trips. And don't forget battery chargers for anything that needs it, rechargeable batteries (preferably NiMH), plug adapters and *possibly* voltage converters. If you can, try to get devices that have dual voltage so you can avoid the hassle of dealing with a voltage converter. North America runs on 110-120 volt, and Europe runs on 210-220. And remember that the UK & Ireland have different plugs than the rest of continental Europe (and they're ALL different from ours). But plug adapters are dirt cheap-- don't worry about that.

I'll try to think of anything else I've forgotten or someone else will be along to add to the list.

[jas_the_ripper]

Thanks that was very helpful i appreciate it, I am British citizen so I can work, Although i would love to use all 9 monthes i don't think i can because i'll need to get ready for university also i need to work my butt off for the money to fund my trip, my mum'll pay for some of it butnot much prolly just the plane tickets.

[TERI]

Welcome to the boards!

There's no question, you can't get answered on this site. Try looking up the packing lists for starts. Also, how are you planning to travel around europe? And do you plan to stay in hostels? or camping? Those can effect what your budget will be like.

And 9 months is awesome!!!!
When I go next year, I'm going to work for sure.

[beergal]

ok personaly i prefer eastern europe and also being from Britain there are definately a few cities you should consider visiting here in your birthpplace ha ha

With 9 months travelling time you can pretty much cover all major cities in europe without rushing around on those crazy one month trips. Are you travelling through europe mainly by train or a combination of rail bus and flights? If its the last option try looking for flights early that way you will save mega bucks you can get flights for £25 return inc tax all over europe.

[MeTurk]

If you do come to Ireland go west or south, I tell every to avoid Dublin. It's just another European tourist trap as far as I'm conserned.

[ZachJ]

Hey, sounds alot like what im doing. I am in Sweden right now but on the 17th I will be leaving to backpack for 8 months. You should see much of eastern europe, its great. And another thing I am doing is picking up small jobs here and there for like a month since ill be backpacking for so long. This lets you really get to know the culture and people and not just as a tourist. Look into it. I have jobs in Munich during Oktoberfest, and teaching enlish in Budapest and Warsaw. And I am also working in Stockholm for amonth while I am back here for xmas. Its all baout what u make it.....fun times!!!

[jas_the_ripper]

Ok me again so far i've got
Potugal
spain
france
U.k.
italy
Switzerland
Austria
germany
Belgium
Amsterdam
Ireland
for those who have been to these places before which cities did you enjoy? or would you recommend or what other countries are in you opinion worth seeing?

[ZachJ]

You really need to see more of eastern europe. Prague, budapest, Istanbul, etc