Yes, you absolutely can do it and it can be lots of fun. It can also be trying at times. 10 years ago I did a 10 day UK trip. Started in Inverness. I'd drop a coin on a map and that would determine where I'd go next. I used the Country Rover B&B voucher system and never had a problem. I saw some great places, did crazy/fun things like a "wild west BBQ" in some little-bitty town near York.

Doing hostels and convents you can save a bunch. If you are young, then by all means go for it. Many of us forget the crazy stuff we did on the cheap when we were younger. Like hitchhiking from Miami to Seattle by way of Maine with $100 in 1971.


dave

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions, and sorry for using CAPS in my original post. I did plan to fly into London or Iceland (airfare not included in my budget) to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Copenhagan, then possibly through Germany or Switz. and work my way down through Italy to Greece and back to London. (or maybe stay longer) Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I would love to hear more from experienced travelers so please tell me what you think. Thanks

Yes, if you stay away from Norway and be very careful in London, two of the most expensive destinations in Europe. DH and I just returned from 30 days in Europe and spent $6000 each, but we had rather expensive air tickets (high season) and a side flight to Norway along with their exhorbitant prices, plus a rent car and nearly $7/gallon gasoline. We stayed in B&B's and some 3-star hotels. So you should come in under $5000 easily by getting shoulder-season airfare, using rail passes, staying at 2-star hotels or hostels that offer free breakfast, eating Nutella sandwiches or prepared sandwiches from the grocery or rail station (with some restaurant meals as a treat). You will enjoy your trip far more -- and it will cost you less -- if you have at least a rough itinerary. Otherwise, you will find yourself backtracking and/or missing interesting sights. There are lots of experienced Fodorites who will be glad to help when you have a sort-of plan.

Don't discount staying in convents. If you are female, it is very easy, for males it can be harder to find one. They can be very, very inexpensive, absolutely safe and located in great places.

Consider this...for $925 you can get the 1st class saver Global Eurail pass for 1 month. That's unlimited travel in 18 countries. You can set it up where you do several overnights on the trains.

Let's say that hostels/convents will cost you $30 per night per person average, that's another $900. Many are much cheaper, some more.

$1,800 so far and we have shelter and transportation covered. Add in about $700 in R/T airfare (fly into Cologne or Frankfurt is usually cheapest). Before anyone gags on that, I got our R/t Orlando-Rome for $644 and my NY kids from JFK-FCO for $539 r/t., Christmas week. Anyway, you got like $2,500 so far.

Food can be very good and very cheap no matter where you go. We found this fantastic little pizza joint near our hotel in Rome, $7 for great food, granted it was pizza and something that looked like a giant burrito, but it was great. Lot to be said for sandwiches, fruits and veggies. You could easily get by on a $600 budget for food for the month, and eat well. So you got $3,100.

That's $400 left for stuff. And you can find cheaper ways to do things while there. Far cheaper places to stay and eat.

Last year the wife and I spent $3,500 for 10 days in Rome, Paestum and up to Milan. That was everything and we had a fantastic time.

GO FOR IT!!!!

dave