My brother and I are backpacking through Europe and we were wondring if anyone has any tips, places to go, people to see. WE have most of the trip planned but we just want to see what other people recommend. Thanks

I recommend that you stick with your plan most of the time, but occasionally, try something else just because it looks good.<BR>

Rather than such a vague open-ended question, why not post your basic plan here and then ask us all to add or comment to it, offering suggestions for the places you are planning on, or offering alternatives? Why should I give a lot of details about Finland if you've already decided not to go there, for example?

hello--I often backpack and my advice to you is to pack as light as possible. it really makes a world of difference if your pack is light weight. who cares if you have only a few items of clothing--just do laundry every once in awhile. let me know if you have any other questions.

My best friend and I backpacked through Europe and had a blast. If I were you, I would just keep your schedule open. You will be surprised at the community spirit of most back packers. When you get to a hostel, you will meet a number of other people, who will sit around and recommend places to go and things to do. We met some people at a bus stop in Dublin, who recommended we go to Cork for a jazz festival.. we ended up having the time of our lives.. meeting tons of other backpackers. Just be open minded and free wheelin' you will have a wonderful time. And yes, the pack lightly thing is THE most important.

For backpacking advice I highly recommend www.lonelyplanet.com and their bulletin board called Thorn Tree with a Western Europe branch.<BR><BR>Also travel guides like &quot;Europe thru the Backdoor&quot; by Rick Steves and his website www.ricksteves.com<BR><BR>Both of these sites are more specific to basic travel, backpack, budget style than Fodors.<BR>

Don't overplan your trip. Be flexible so if you run into bad weather in one area, you can hop on a train and get to some good weather.

The single most used item in our backpacks last year was a smaller day-pack that meant we could ditch the big packs in a train or hotel/hostel locker for the day and travel light. (oh yeah and the ATM card...)

Along with the Lonely planet forum already mentioned www.eurotrip.com also attracts a lot more backpackers thanhere.

If you can, take along old t-shirts, socks, underwear etc that you would throw out anyway. Wear them once, toss them out and you don't have to do laundry and have space then for souvenirs! Also handy to take a small travel clothesline, you don't need pegs with them and you can hang the clothesline in the bathroom overnight.<BR>Also take one REALLY comfortable pair of shoes you can wear all day and one other pretty comfortable pair you can change into to give your feet a rest. It's amazing the difference just putting on a different pair of shoes makes to tired feet.<BR>Kay