All right, so I have about 10 days to backpack in Europe. I don't really want to go east of austria, and I don't want to go to France, Italy, or the U.K., or Ireland (going to the UK and Ireland later, in France now, and will be studying in Italy next semester.) Any ideas of fun places to go, and cool things to see for a college student on a budget? It will be from about December 17 - 26/27

I tend to like the big picturesque landscape views, and historical places rather than art museums or night clubs...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Hi KL,

Czech Rep, Germany and Austria.

5 days each in Prague and Vienna.

Or, you could add Dresden.

Or Switzerland. Lots and lots of hiking, river-rafting, and para-gliding to be done there.

http://spaces.msn.com/members/goflah...wner=1&_c=

Hey Katis i am backpacking in europe around the same time for 15 days. so far my plans are amsterdam, cologne, munich, salzburg, geneva and maybe paris then back to amsterdam. Look for me i will be the way to old lady for a backpacker!

Switzerland would be great for 10 days

If you choose to go to Prague look into staying at U Melounu hostel. I stayed there with friends and it was great. It is on a quiet street not too far from Wenceslas Square.

Thanks to those who have responded I've definitely settled on Vienna, and thanks for the hostel suggestion in Prague kateny. I'll look for you, lostmymind, I'll be the girl looking too chubby to be backpacking!!

I'd like to go to Switzerland but am having trouble deciding on where. Geneva would be nice because of the scenery, but all the hostels I've looked for seem pretty spendy. Anyone know of any other good places that offer drives or trips into mountainy regions? or medievaly towns?

Check out Ingo's Engadin Thread. Scuol, Guardia, etc. are certainly medieval and the scenery is beautiful.

Another nice, super quaint little village to see is Brand in Brandnertal. Close to Lindau on Bodensee, the hostel/hotel might pick you up at the trainstation. Very inexpensive area although not medieval.

The best hostel I ever stayed at was in Gimmelwald, Switzerland called the Mountain Hostel. 20 francs per night. It's right in the middle of the Bernese Alps. Don't know what it's like in winter.

http://www.mountainhostel.com/

Vevey is only 1 hour by train outside Geneva and has a well-respected hostel right on the lake, off the town square. I'll try to find the name for you. The towns of Lausanne, Vevey, and Montreux are wonderful to visit and IMO easier than Geneva because they are smaller. Geneva's a large city one I think of more for business then pleasure.

www.rivieralodge.ch
30CHF 22euro