Backpacking Europe by myself and for first time.
Apr 14th, 2016, 07:00 PM
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Backpacking Europe by myself and for first time.
Hey guys I am 21 year old guy, and I am backpacking Europe for my very first time and by myself in 40 days 
. I am going to Europe for 43 days and only staying in hostels. I am planning on visiting 6 countries and 12 cities in 43 days. I am taking a budget of around $5,300 american dollars . All my flights and hostels will be taking care of and also my train passes hopefully. I am not really much into art or doing a lot of museums planing to do a few only like in Berlin and Italy. I am planning do a lot of sightseeing and going out to clubs and stuff and also drink a few, specially in Berlin with the Germans. Anyway these is my rough draft can y'all please tell me what y'all think of it. I need a lot help, is stressful specially planning by yourself. Since I want to do so much..
1. Barcelona ( 4 days )
2. Ibiza/Formentera (5 days )
3. Paris ( 2 days )
4. Amsterdam ( 3 days )
5. Berlin ( 4 days )
6. Venice ( 2 days )
7 Florence/Pisa ( one whole day and night for both)
8. Manarola (Cinque Terre towns) ( about 1 1/2 )
10. Rome ( 2 days )
9. Athens. ( half a day )
10.Mykonos ( 5 days )
11. Madrid ( 2 days )
12. Pamplona ( 5 days ) ( for running of the bulls )
13. Barcelona ( 3 1/2 ) fly back home.
Can y'all please tell me if I am trying to do too much? Or if I am staying too long in some places? Taking about 6 flights in Europe so that could save me some time. The reason I am staying couple of few more days mainly in Ibiza and Mykonos is because I love the beach and I could be in the water all day. But do y'all think if i cut some of the days in the Island I could add them to some other cities or maybe even a new country ? I was thinking about maybe Prague or even Switzerland . Also is their a train that you can take from Paris to Amsterdam that will stop kind of close to Normandy beach? will love to go there for half a day at least. Please tell me what I should change or anything. Like I said I need all the help I could get . Thanks
. I am going to Europe for 43 days and only staying in hostels. I am planning on visiting 6 countries and 12 cities in 43 days. I am taking a budget of around $5,300 american dollars . All my flights and hostels will be taking care of and also my train passes hopefully. I am not really much into art or doing a lot of museums planing to do a few only like in Berlin and Italy. I am planning do a lot of sightseeing and going out to clubs and stuff and also drink a few, specially in Berlin with the Germans. Anyway these is my rough draft can y'all please tell me what y'all think of it. I need a lot help, is stressful specially planning by yourself. Since I want to do so much..1. Barcelona ( 4 days )
2. Ibiza/Formentera (5 days )
3. Paris ( 2 days )
4. Amsterdam ( 3 days )
5. Berlin ( 4 days )
6. Venice ( 2 days )
7 Florence/Pisa ( one whole day and night for both)
8. Manarola (Cinque Terre towns) ( about 1 1/2 )
10. Rome ( 2 days )
9. Athens. ( half a day )
10.Mykonos ( 5 days )
11. Madrid ( 2 days )
12. Pamplona ( 5 days ) ( for running of the bulls )
13. Barcelona ( 3 1/2 ) fly back home.
Can y'all please tell me if I am trying to do too much? Or if I am staying too long in some places? Taking about 6 flights in Europe so that could save me some time. The reason I am staying couple of few more days mainly in Ibiza and Mykonos is because I love the beach and I could be in the water all day. But do y'all think if i cut some of the days in the Island I could add them to some other cities or maybe even a new country ? I was thinking about maybe Prague or even Switzerland . Also is their a train that you can take from Paris to Amsterdam that will stop kind of close to Normandy beach? will love to go there for half a day at least. Please tell me what I should change or anything. Like I said I need all the help I could get . Thanks
Apr 15th, 2016, 12:44 AM
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After your trip, you will be expert of European airports and train stations.
And you need a vacation to recover from your trip.
Way too many destinations. 2 days in Paris, 2 days in Rome, 1 day for both Florence and Pisa, 1/2 day in Athens is ridiculous.
Do not underestimate travelling times. A flight between two European destinations will eat up at least half a day if not a full day (with transfers to and from the airports).
And you need a vacation to recover from your trip.
Way too many destinations. 2 days in Paris, 2 days in Rome, 1 day for both Florence and Pisa, 1/2 day in Athens is ridiculous.
Do not underestimate travelling times. A flight between two European destinations will eat up at least half a day if not a full day (with transfers to and from the airports).
Apr 15th, 2016, 02:16 AM
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Hi
I 'did' 12 cities in the US in one month, backpacking when I was 21...
SO it is doable and I had a lot of fun. It all blurred quite fast atually.
However if you know you'll be back soon, just skip the stops that involve less than 3 days.
Enjoy your holiday. Don't expect many of us will tell you that it is sane - we are all oldies here. 1959 is probably a young millesim !
I 'did' 12 cities in the US in one month, backpacking when I was 21...
SO it is doable and I had a lot of fun. It all blurred quite fast atually.
However if you know you'll be back soon, just skip the stops that involve less than 3 days.
Enjoy your holiday. Don't expect many of us will tell you that it is sane - we are all oldies here. 1959 is probably a young millesim !
Apr 15th, 2016, 03:13 AM
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$5,300 for 42 days is a $126 per day, and that is before deducting expenses for 6 flights and at least 5 trains. You'll probably have something like $4,000 left over after paying for transportation. This will leave you $95 per day for everything else. Let's call it an even $100/day.
Super cheap hostels will still run you $40 a night, leaving $60 per day for food, transportation within the cities you visit, bars, miscellaneous toiletries, and the museums and other sites you want to see.
I think the budget is just barely feasible with little room for error. Paris, Berlin, and Switzerland are really expensive. You won't find $40 beds there. Minimize your time there in favor of cheaper cities (usually southern Europe or small towns) or your budget will get destroyed.
Super cheap hostels will still run you $40 a night, leaving $60 per day for food, transportation within the cities you visit, bars, miscellaneous toiletries, and the museums and other sites you want to see.
I think the budget is just barely feasible with little room for error. Paris, Berlin, and Switzerland are really expensive. You won't find $40 beds there. Minimize your time there in favor of cheaper cities (usually southern Europe or small towns) or your budget will get destroyed.
Apr 15th, 2016, 03:29 AM
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Sorry - you need to start with a map of europe and at east see where things are.
Normandy is to the west and south of Paris while Amsterdam is to the north - so while you can get to Normandy by train you would have to allow 3 days to get there, see anything and they head on to Amsterdam (going back through Paris).
And you are spending way too much time in way too few countries. You need to remember that each country has a different language, different culture, different customs/meals times/transit systems. You are not allowing any time to accustom your self to your new country/city before racing off to the rest.
My 19 year old DD went to europe 2 summers ago with 2 friends and in 6 weeks they stayed in 8 places (versus 13 for youe) - and felt they really needed more time in several of them. And she spent about $8k, which did not include shopping or any but student nightlife. (Yes, student pubs/clubs can have cheap beer or wine - but hard liquor or mixed drinks are VERY expensive - as are soft drinks - high price and teeny cans.)
If you do this trip I think you will have an exhausting blur of airports and train stations when you return home and will probably run out of money before you get home.
DD and friends met two young american women in Barcelona who were very poor at managing their funds (since they had little concept of the rates of exchange) and they ran out of money 3 days before their flight left for home. My DD and her friend had to pay for a night's lodging for them and food for the day before they could contact parents to have more money put into their checking account. (The penniless women had gone to the US consulate for funds and were astonished that the US government does not provide that service - although they will facilitate contact with home to someone who can provide funds.)
Normandy is to the west and south of Paris while Amsterdam is to the north - so while you can get to Normandy by train you would have to allow 3 days to get there, see anything and they head on to Amsterdam (going back through Paris).
And you are spending way too much time in way too few countries. You need to remember that each country has a different language, different culture, different customs/meals times/transit systems. You are not allowing any time to accustom your self to your new country/city before racing off to the rest.
My 19 year old DD went to europe 2 summers ago with 2 friends and in 6 weeks they stayed in 8 places (versus 13 for youe) - and felt they really needed more time in several of them. And she spent about $8k, which did not include shopping or any but student nightlife. (Yes, student pubs/clubs can have cheap beer or wine - but hard liquor or mixed drinks are VERY expensive - as are soft drinks - high price and teeny cans.)
If you do this trip I think you will have an exhausting blur of airports and train stations when you return home and will probably run out of money before you get home.
DD and friends met two young american women in Barcelona who were very poor at managing their funds (since they had little concept of the rates of exchange) and they ran out of money 3 days before their flight left for home. My DD and her friend had to pay for a night's lodging for them and food for the day before they could contact parents to have more money put into their checking account. (The penniless women had gone to the US consulate for funds and were astonished that the US government does not provide that service - although they will facilitate contact with home to someone who can provide funds.)
Apr 15th, 2016, 03:41 AM
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I disagree about Berlin : quite cheap to sleep. Spain is also cheap. Amsterdam is quite expensive, Italy probably too, greece I don't remember.
And I understood that hostels are taken care of - thus outside the 30 000 RMB's.
As for Paris, I just did a research on june - got lowest prices at 26 €. a dozen under 40 €/night.
And I understood that hostels are taken care of - thus outside the 30 000 RMB's.
As for Paris, I just did a research on june - got lowest prices at 26 €. a dozen under 40 €/night.
Apr 15th, 2016, 05:56 AM
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Ah, I missed the part where hostels and train expenses are somehow taken care of. If that's the case, then his budget should be workable but still not much room for error.
I honestly think the pace of his itinerary is fine. Trying to squeeze Greece in might be a bit too much, but remember that 21 year-olds have an energy level and thirst for the new that is inconceivable to 50 year-olds like me. And train travel is fun! Airports, not so much. Regardless, it's all a big adventure. Young travelers should try a whirlwind see-it-all trip at least once.
I honestly think the pace of his itinerary is fine. Trying to squeeze Greece in might be a bit too much, but remember that 21 year-olds have an energy level and thirst for the new that is inconceivable to 50 year-olds like me. And train travel is fun! Airports, not so much. Regardless, it's all a big adventure. Young travelers should try a whirlwind see-it-all trip at least once.
Apr 15th, 2016, 07:10 AM
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I had the time but not the money. So I slept half my nights under bridges, at airports and here or there. I guess at that time it was possible - is it still now ?
I remember trying to sleep under a bridge where construction works were taking place. I stil lhear the beep-beeps of the bulldozers.
I remember trying to sleep under a bridge where construction works were taking place. I stil lhear the beep-beeps of the bulldozers.
Apr 15th, 2016, 07:15 AM
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I assume you are timing your trip to arrive in Pamplona when bull running takes place, which I believe is 6-14 July. Stay safe!
One suggestion for Greece: consider Ios (with an upper case i) rather than Mykonos if beaches and partying are your priorities — it's less expensive than Mykonos, and attracts younger partygoers. The beaches are just as good.
One suggestion for Greece: consider Ios (with an upper case i) rather than Mykonos if beaches and partying are your priorities — it's less expensive than Mykonos, and attracts younger partygoers. The beaches are just as good.
Apr 15th, 2016, 09:18 AM
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There are other towns in Spain which do a bull-running aside from Pamplona. I have not attended or researched any so my knowledge of them is minimal, but I bet they are a lot more affordable than the Pamplona festival. It might be worth looking into.
Apr 15th, 2016, 09:49 AM
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>There are other towns in Spain which do a bull-running aside from Pamplona<
Yes, there are several, but none quite the same, the closest in excitement being the festival in San Sebastián de los Reyes, north of Madrid, but the fiesta is at the end of August.
Yes, there are several, but none quite the same, the closest in excitement being the festival in San Sebastián de los Reyes, north of Madrid, but the fiesta is at the end of August.
Apr 15th, 2016, 11:12 AM
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Ibiza and Mykonos both have the same party atmosphere and I would cut one of those islands out. If you want to go to Mykonos and spend 2-3 days in Athens instead of 1/2 day. There is plenty of nightlife in Athens too and way more cultural venues.
I also noticed that you are spending almost 9 days in Barcelona. I like Barcelona but are you budgeting your travel time to get from place to place because it takes several hours to get to train, travel and get to your hostel.
I would take 3 days from Barcelona and use them to bulk up your stay in other cities like Paris or Rome (which is worth way more than 2 days in each).
I also noticed that you are spending almost 9 days in Barcelona. I like Barcelona but are you budgeting your travel time to get from place to place because it takes several hours to get to train, travel and get to your hostel.
I would take 3 days from Barcelona and use them to bulk up your stay in other cities like Paris or Rome (which is worth way more than 2 days in each).
Apr 15th, 2016, 11:46 AM
#17
I think it sounds OK. And your budget is ample since transportation and hostels aren't coming out of that amount.
While I'm a fan of Venice, since you are spending so little time in each place (Venice/Florence/Pisa/Rome), I might even eliminate Italy completely and divvy up those 5 days to put a little more time in the other places.
While I'm a fan of Venice, since you are spending so little time in each place (Venice/Florence/Pisa/Rome), I might even eliminate Italy completely and divvy up those 5 days to put a little more time in the other places.
Apr 17th, 2016, 12:20 PM
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I hope you already booked your hostel for Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls if you're still planning to do that. The hostels there sold out a long time ago. Looking at Hostelz to check the various booking sites, it looks like all that's left now is camping that's actually located in a nearby town.
Apr 17th, 2016, 12:42 PM
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When I was your age, MANY years ago, I got as far as Deià, Mallorca and didn't want to leave, same with Mykonos.
I would leave Italy for another trip and add time to Paris, Amsterdam and the islands.
You will be spending a lot of time and money on travel in Italy with very little time in one place, really, why bother with Pisa and Florence with just one day allocated to see both?
Also, your call of course on the running of the bulls but 5 days of it? As you're a beach person, split that time with San Sebastiàn (Donestia) which has two beautiful city beaches, great nightlife and lots of cheap hotels in the old town. It's maybe 1-2 hours from Pamplona.
I would leave Italy for another trip and add time to Paris, Amsterdam and the islands.
You will be spending a lot of time and money on travel in Italy with very little time in one place, really, why bother with Pisa and Florence with just one day allocated to see both?
Also, your call of course on the running of the bulls but 5 days of it? As you're a beach person, split that time with San Sebastiàn (Donestia) which has two beautiful city beaches, great nightlife and lots of cheap hotels in the old town. It's maybe 1-2 hours from Pamplona.
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