I plan on backpacking my way around western europe w/ mr. travelbug and our respective 17 year old brothers. We have been to various places in Europe on several occaisions, while the brothers have not...

Looking to do the backpacking thing this time... I'd like to book a flight to the U.K and literally just go from there...

Is there anyway that I can book a one way to the UK and then book a return flight somewhere further south (probably Italy) without being stuck there and w/out spending too much money...we'd like to keep the final destination flexible if at all possible

Any other tips for future backpackers like myself?

Some Fodorites may have the answers you need, but you might have more luck if you post your query on the Lonely Planet travel forum, called the Thorn Tree. That website seems to draw lots of posts from backpackers.

Also, Eurotrip.com has lot's of info and message boards for backpackers.

I'm sure you can book a flight like that. Arriving in one city and departing from another is called "open jaws".

STA or Council Travel is a great agency for backpacker type travel.

Oh, also keep a daily journal of what you do on your backpacking adventure.

15 years from now you'll love re-reading it.

The "open jaws" tickets are often a lot more expensive than a regular roundrip ticket on sale.

What you might do is book roundtrip London - usually a pretty cheap ticket - then fly back to London from Italy with a cheapie airline like Ryanair or Volereweb.

(Seems like you can get some feedback on your questions right here on this site. Backpackers carry their stuff differently, but the stuff and the traveler still go on an airplane. I always travel with a backpack, and so do a number of other Fodorites. What kind of "backpack" tips are you looking for?)

This site is great, even for backpackers, but I definitely second the suggestion for eurotrip.com's message boards.

By backpacking, do you mean that you will be hostelling it as well? If so, my one tip is to read the hostel review section of eurotrip's board. There are some hostels which are to be avoided, and if you manage to miss those, it should be a pleasant trip!

Also, ziploc bags or stuff sacs make life so much easier. A lightweight cable lock comes in handy. And always watch out when you turn abruptly so you don't smack someone with your pack!

Oh, and one last thing. Lots of people on this site believe that carrying less is more. That goes tenfold for a backpacker. Leave the 3 pairs of shoes at home!

Lonely Planet as mentioned has a great BB with a Western Europe branch. Good guidebooks too.

It's no offense to this board, but there *are* many more posters there who are well versed in this style. Also you can get good links to other websites specifically about backpacking travel.

Rick Steves' website and guidebooks are a good resource.

Sometimes "open jaws" - which means into one city and out of another are no more expensive than a normal round-trip ticket. Check out into London, and out of Rome, or something like that. To get a good price you will probably have to commit to that final destination though.

PACK LIGHT!

I agree that you are probably better off by getting your round trip to London and then taking Ryanair or other cheap airline.

While Hostels are interesting places to stay (I wrote an article on them for a cycling magazine 30 ! years ago), I think if there are 4 of you travelling together, an inexpensive hotel/B&B will be almost as cheap and alot more convenient

Other good sites are http://www.guideforeurope.com and http://www.bugeurope.com . Both sites have forums.