Hi,
I have been reading/searching through this forum for ages & I would like say that this really helpful & participative forum, unlike many others
I am a 28 year-old (female), and I am planning for an first evertrip to Europe in April - May 2007, a dream trip...

I have planned a short backpacking trip-solo-around 20 days trip - around few key cities of Europe:

- Vienna (Fly in) - 3 days
- Salzburg - 2 days
- Venice - 2 days
- Rome - 4 days
- Florence - 2 days
- Paris - 5 days
- Amsterdam (Fly out) - 2 days
I do realise this is packing a bit too much, but I dont have the heart to chop down further (I had originally included Switzerland & Brussels!!)...the question 'what if I never come back??' haunts me!

I needs tons of advice, but my specific questions are below. I welcome any feedback on the itinerary duration etc as well:
Doubts
1. I am thinking of taking a 4 country Eurail pass and I wanted to know whether it makes sense or should I just
take point-to-point trains? (Not sure I want to fly around)
2. Accomodation: Im thinking of staying in B&B's instead of hostels that I had initially planned on, since I
would need quiet & privacy after the hectic schedule!
I have researched out a few alternatives, but some suggestions would be much appreciated my budget is preferably 20-40 euros(finances are bit tight!).

Thanks a million....

For Florence, Venice, Rome, and Paris, your hopes of a good-quality private room, or one at all, for 20-40 Euros per night may be dashed. Although I think I have seen some Florence options in that price range - like this one:
www.ninnanannabeb.it/


For Venice and Rome, I think you are out of luck in that price range. Even for a hostel dorm in Rome, you are likely to need more than 20 Euros per night.

In Paris, a private room might be possible in that price range, but the quality is not really assured (although someone might have some recommendations).

Maybe if your budget is so tight, you can alternate between hostels and private rooms.

thanks WillTravel for your prompt response...yes I did think it be difficult to get a private room in my budget, I was hoping on an off-chance there might be some options...i guess your idea of alternating between hostel & B&Bs makes sense...
Thanks again...

If you are going to DO this itinerary then STOP apologizing for it. If some people think it is "too much" let them stay home fantasizing about traveling.

Now...as to your railpass question: you can find out if point-to-point tickets are better than a pass by inputting your proposed itinerary at www.railpass.com

WillTravel's advice posing an interesting possibility of your being FORCED to cut back on the itinerary to improve the "quality" of lodgings?

Is it worth it?

You may be looking in the wrong forum for true budget accommodation advice..have you tried Lonely Planet?

Thanks, Dukey
I put my question on Eurail in Lonely Planet Forum(thorntree), but unfortunately got no clear response on it...I had tried estimating the fares from the individual country railsites, but gave up in frustration...hence the qtn
Shall check this site out.
I shall post back on the Lonely Planet for acco recommendations
Thanks again...

Your itinerary includes some long train journeys which are best done overnight so that you don't waste days travelling. Couchettes (with six bunks in a compartment) are a fairly economical form of overnight accommodation and some trains have ladies-only compartments. Another advantage of travelling overnight is that you arrive in a new city in the morning when it's much easier to find accommodation - places fill up later in the day.

Hi S,

>...the question 'what if I never come back??' haunts me. <

I exorcise thee. I exorcise thee!

No you don't have to worry about being haunted.

Of course, you will go back.

I suggest that you stop in Florence before going to Rome.

1. Enter your itinerary at www.railsaver.com and click "only if it saves money". If it tells you to buy ptp tickets, you can be assured that a pass won't save money.

Keep in mind that you pay extra for seat reservations and for tickets on ES* trains in Italy.

You will also have to pay for sleepers between Salzburg/Venice and Rome/Paris.

2. I don't think that you are going to find 20E rooms.

In Salzburg, you might want to consider www.ammoos.at/

We will be staying there on our upcoming trip. They are usually 27E for a single, but have one 21E room.

My best recommendation for you in Florence is www.bedinflorence.it, but it is 41E.

Try www.venere.com for accomodations.