My daughter and a friend of hers would like to see England,France,Amsterdam and possibly Prague. Is there a budget way to see these places or a tour company that specializes in young adults? Or is Rick Steve's Europe through the Back door the best way to go?

Rick Steeves is the way to go. Those are very easy places for novice travelers to see on their own (I haven't been to Prague yet but everyone tells me it's easy, I'm going there next summer). Between travel guides and the internet they can plan a great trip of what they want to see, not what some tour thinks they want to see. If you say what time of year they want to go and how long they have you'll get tons of suggestions here.

Let's Go is the guidebook to use for budget travel. Their books are more comprehensive than Rick Steves' books and you'll find lots of budget accommodations and restaurant suggestions. Let's Go gives info on budget transportation as well.

There are also threads on this board giving suggestions of how to curb expenses in Europe.

The places you mention are rather far apart (England...Prague). The transportation to all of these places will impact (increase) their budgets. If they truly don't have much money they might consider concentrating their sightseeing in a smaller area.

Generally, Eastern Europe is less expensive than England and France (especially with the Dollar/Euro exchange rate. Also, cities are more expensive than countryside.

I do hope they're not planning on doing all this in 2 weeks!!

If I did the link correctly this should take you to a post that offers suggestions on budget travel. Search around...there is lots of info here on budget travel.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...3&start=50

Best way for a couple 25-yr olds to inexpensively explore those cities would be on their own. Rick Steves' books can certainly offer suggestions, however the prices for his tours aren't as cheap as doing it independently. I'd also suggest you check out the Lonely Planet website --- http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com. Overall, you'll find more younger visitors & posters on the 'Thorntree' as well as folks who are seeking a greater 'budget' (a/k/a VERY inexpensive) level of travel.

Tell her to check out
www.letsgo-amsterdam.com

Oh, I did forget to mention that Contiki is a tour company specializing in tours for 18-35 yr olds --- www.contiki.com
Another source for checking tour companies is the website www.affordabletours.com
If you do prefer the tour option (over doing themselves), then may consider option of using one of the major tour companies and selecting an "independent" or "hosted" tour versus a "escorted" tour.

I would suggest she read the following sites with their associated forums:

http://www.guideforeurope.com
http://www.lonelyplanet.com
http://www.eurotrip.com
http://www.bugeurope.com