| Backpack in hand, you are ready to head to Europe | | | | this approach will keep you from wasting valuable |
| for some fun and sun. Here is some advice for | | | | daylight hours on the road. |
| backpackers from someone who has done it multiple | | | | One of the key pieces of advice I can offer you is to |
| times and made the mistakes. | | | | use your common sense. If you wouldn't walk down |
| Advice For Backpackers Going To Europe | | | | that alley or into that establishment at home, why the |
| In my personal opinion, spending a few weeks or | | | | heck are you going to do it in Europe? Europe is very |
| months backpacking in Europe should be a mandatory | | | | safe and the people are friendly. That being said, |
| task for every person. Admittedly, it can't really be | | | | every location has its rough spots. Avoid them. |
| called a task since you will love every minute of it. | | | | Particularly in the Eastern European countries. Trust |
| Having backpacked Europe more times than I can | | | | me on this one! |
| count, here are some of the lessons I learned which | | | | To maximize your experience, it is best to get off the |
| can help you. | | | | beaten path. When you visit a city, spend at least a |
| The first piece of advice is to limit the number of things | | | | day in a town outside of the city limits. You will |
| you take. Europe is not located on a far away planet. | | | | discover the real nature of the country. Tourists are |
| If you can buy it here, you can buy it there. This | | | | fewer, so people tend to be interested in talking with |
| includes items such as soap, socks, toothpaste, | | | | you. There are always a group of older men sitting in a |
| disposable digital cameras and guidebooks. I guarantee | | | | café. Join them and you will be laughing for |
| that you will take too much junk with you. Don't. One or | | | | hours. I did this in Austria and ended up speaking a |
| two pairs of shoes, shorts, one pair of slacks [to get | | | | week in a little village called Halstatt. One of the best |
| into museums and churches] and a couple shirts is all | | | | times I ever had. |
| you need. If you need anything else, you can just buy it | | | | When it comes to tips backpackers and Europe, this |
| there. | | | | final piece of advice is very important. Do not try to |
| There is a lot to see and do in Europe, so most people | | | | see everything. Stick to one country for two weeks, |
| want to maximize their time. One way to do this is to | | | | but no less than one week. This lets you get the most |
| travel and sleep at the same time. Yes, I am talking | | | | out of the visit. |
| about the night trains. When moving from one location | | | | Yes, there are other countries, but you will just have to |
| to another, try to take the latest train and sleep during | | | | come back again to see them. Poor you. |
| the trip. You only have a set amount of time. Taking | | | | |