crazymina, I think you should change your screen name. Is "smartmina" already taken? I envy you for what you did.

Way to go Crazymina! I did more or less the same thing. I wasn't done with one of my trips so I went into a small town Italian post office and sent a resignation telegram back to my boss. That took the pressure off and I went on to Athens, with a romantic interlude on the ferry.

What ever happened to thenathans?

..just a thought re the basic questioned posed..The National Trust (UK) has some work/vacations..you stay in one place for days or weeks and work at one of their properties..it is not free but very reasonable..I always thought it might be fun, but I have never done it. I actually filed an article about it away and then lost it....the story of my travel planning.

Lol Patrick. Unfortunately, most of the time I am far more crazy than smart! :-D

Hello from the Nathans...

I wanted to thank everyone (even Ira) for their opinions and advice, especially the people who said ?go for it.? For the past few weeks we have talked to friends who have done similar trips, looked at budgets for the trip and expenses at home and researched a 'mock' travel itinerary with the help of books and travel guides...AND...we are extremely excited about our upcoming adventure.

We are much less worried about our budget than at first. We have found some friends and family to stay with in various countries and are encouraged by the array of budget options. In fact, my wife?s sister is going to rent our place while we are away ? giving us some budget ?breathing room.?

I?ll post our itinerary as soon as we finalize our route. I?m sure it will illicit even more thoughts, ideas, opinions and advice.

Thanks again!

Hi. I hope the Nathan's peek back into this posting.

I discussed this idea with my husband over dinner and we discussed a bit about we would do if we had three months in Europe.

I decided I would focus on one country, get to know it and the language very well and do some excursions to other countries to add a bit of variety. What an opportunity to learn a language!

I would start with a three week immersion program and live with a family. I'd try to find a 1/2 day study course where the remainder of the time would be open for touring. Then, I'd travel on my own for at least two weeks in the same country. At this point I think I'd check out another place or two or three for a week at each place and then head back to the first country for two more weeks of touring followed by another immersion program... this time two weeks.... maybe in a different city and then follow-up with another two weeks of touring in that country. By that time, I'd have a fairly decent handle on one language and culture and an introduction to some other interesting places. Counting up the weeks, I'd have 9 weeks all in one country. Then, three other weeks of travel.

It might be interesting to go as far as spending the entire time in the same country.

Happy planning! I think you will have a lot of options.

Although my suggestion doesn't answer your specific questions, I do think it's an interesting idea. You could even take a college language course at home before you begin your journey to jump start the learning process.

-Sharon

Definitely look into apartment rentals, much cheaper than hotels and you'll have more space, a kitchen, and some have onsite laundry facilities.