We are two 21 yr old Canadians who want to go to Europe Nov. 2004. We want to hit Scotland, Greece, Italy, Ireland, and possibly France (or anywhere else that you may suggest). We want to make the most out of our holiday adventure and want some advice on what to see and do. Any suggestion is welcome. We have an entire year to save but dont want to exceed $6000 CAD including airfare. We have 3-4 weeks to complete this once in a life time journey. We are willing to stay in hostles if they are known to be safe, but nothing shady please. If you have any experience, good or bad, we would truly appreciate it if you would share it with us!
Thank you.
Cheers

bws, if you tell me how long you want to dedicate to Scotland, why you are coming here and hown you will travel once you get here, I'll cobble something to gether for you. And I'll avoid any hostile hostals

Hey Sheila,
We want to be in the UK for 4 days to a week. I'm not too sure how we are going to travel once there, but we are trying to keep costs down. While we are in the UK we want to see the country side, Stonehenge and a few castles. We also want to pop over to London and see Big Ben and ride the Tube. Is this too much in that little time?
Any thoughts are welcome.
Thanks

Hi bws,

Good to see that you are planning your trip early. That will allow you to trim it down to something manageable.

Is your budget per person or total?

I suggest that you limit yourself to one country/week. Why not the British Isles, Ireland and Paris?

You will take other trips to Europe. Save Italy and Greece for the next time.

Hi BWS...

A great place for hostels is the hostel message board at eurotrip.com. You'll be traveling in the off season, so you can pretty much walk up and get accommodation in most place.

I definitely think you should forgo Greece this time around. The weather in Nov probably won't be what you imagine when you think of Greece. Plus if island hopping is what you envision, most of the islands will be dead after October. Getting to Greece, unless it's via a cheap flight, can be really expensive.

I think the previous suggestion of Ireland, Britain, and France would be best. You could possibly hit Italy, if you have an open jaw ticket and are able to find a cheap Ryan Air type fare England/France to Italy.

bws: If you haven't already, post & read on the BB at Lonely Planet's website called Thorn Tree, Western European branch. More folks of your age, budget, experience with hostels and budget hotels, and mindset on that site than Fodors. Also Rick Steves website and guidebooks such as "Europe thru the Backdoor".

Why is this a once in a lifetime trip?

If you know this for certain, please excuse me for being crass.

But unless one of you really is terminally ill, Europe and both of you are all likely to be around, and in reasonable shape, for the next seventy years. And unlikely to cost more than a couple of days' wages to get to.

Think of this as an opportunity for an introduction to someone you're likely to be seeing a good deal of for most of this century. Do you really want to spend all four weeks on trains or in departure lounges?

Spend all four weeks in Italy. Assuming you've reasonable French, you'll be able to pick up the language. You'll be exposed to a country where most food is still edible. A couple of weeks in, say, Rome or Florence will begin to scratch the surface. And Italy's beaches and mountains offer you a sensible place to relax if all that culture gets overwhelming.

flanneruk - you're absolutely right and well said!

Hi Flanneruk...

I noticed that too. I think that when you are 21, lots of people think it's a "once in a lifetime journey".

But to be fair, after 21, and when you get a job, it's tough to take off for Europe for 4 weeks! I do think that going to Europe for that long, learning how to work with such a tight budget, hosteling, IS often a once in a lifetime experience.

I'm sure BWS will have other once in a lifetime journeys as well.