I'm going to plan a little trip for myself after I graduate, before I hit the real world. Destination: Europe. Wondering if I could get any input as to what you did, where you went, where to go, where not to go, what not to do, etc. I'll be going at this alone. I want this time to just do something on my own. Plus, I'm not looking to stay in nice hotels or ghetto motels... youth hostels, bed and breakfasts... just whatever you have advice/thoughts you'd like to share with me.

Thanks!

 

I don't have any advice for you, I wish I could have done it myself, but after college the resources weren't there at all. I'm quite jealous actually, so all I can say is, go to a Formula 1 race while you are there...somewhere, just find a way. I'll end up going one of these days!

 

aah!! the ever-great post-graduation european backpack trip!
Every summer you see "them" wandering the streets of paris, exhausted by the weight of their enormous bag, wearing those weird velcro sandals, socks, beige shorts and baseball hats with oakley shades, holding a MASSIVE book in their rugged hands, usually something like "Europe in 5 days"...
OK, enough stereotypes.
SpaceNeedle, you should do it, but I suggest trying to limit the number of countries you visit, after all you can always come back later in your life.
What you MUST see :
- paris (sorry, french pride)
- the alps (I suggest switzerland)
- italy (beware of the infamous cultural shock, I've heard about americans ending up in lunatic asylums after witnessing the sheer beauty of Firenza)
- greece (my country of origin is the most beautiful one in the world, IMO )
- and maybe some northen europe (amsterdam, stockholm, berlin), to get a taste of how the future looks like. Going back to the USA after seeing these towns will make you feel like entering a 3rd world country (technology wise), and you will also get a taste of the REAL "land of the free", a.k.a. the netherlands.

good luck

 

Ok, I spent the good part of a year in Europe for school so I have to agree with your decision. I am glad I did it and as Le Car stated, don't plan on doing everything. Paris is a must if you want to absorb the culture, I am sure Le car can also point you in the direction of some of the more "revealing" beaches in the South of France. Switzerland is great for hiking and mountain climbing trails. Since your going after graduation, I expect that to mean the summer months, so you'll experience these 18 hour sunshine days. Lugano in Switzerland has a Jazz Festival in the summer that's right along the lake in the Piazza. Italy, although Venice in the summer has a funky smell. Has anybody else ever experienced that? Milan and seeing the Duomo was unique as are the beautiful woman. Netherlands, of course but that is something you will definetly have to experience on your own. I never went to Spain although I hear it's nice. Germany was fun during Octoberfest but I'd imagine you'd miss that.

 

Pick up some of the books by Rick Steves. He's very big on low-budget, off-the-beaten-track tours of Europe.

Prepare before you go, know where you're going and what you want to see when you get there, but also why you want to see something, and always be flexible. My vote would be for longer periods in fewer places, rather than the 10 countries in 10 days approach.

My European travel has been limited to a week in Germany, Switzerland, Lichenstein and Austria, a week in Paris and a week in London, but my personal favorites: Paris, the Swiss Alps, driving the Romantische Strasse (Romantic Road) and the castles in Germany.

Rick Steves Web site: http://www.ricksteves.com.

 

You really shouldn't visit Europe without dropping by England to see a few things. At least they speak English there! I don't know how you intend getting around, but nearly everywhere is drivable in Europe, if you're brave enough. I would suggest renting cars if that's financially possible for you; otherwise you can always get bargain rail passes that will let go virtually anywhere in Europe at amazingly cheap rates. And you can get the passes and check the prices on the internet.

One thing - you cannot do Europe in a week, or on $5 a day (any more). It's also not going to be cheap if you're paying for hotels, and food every single day. May I suggest you first work out where you'd like to go, and then do a post, here, asking if anyone would like to accommodate you for a few days during your travels. I'm sure other owners would be only to glad to see you and show you their hospitality.

Having been to most major areas of Europe at one time or another, I'd recommend: London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt or Berlin, Luxemburg, Geneva, Rome, and Athens. There are other areas I could recommend (because they are so beautiful) such as the south of France, the countryside in England, and many areas of Italy and Greece, but you're not going to have time to see everything.

If you'd like, you can email me with your travel dates (or length of stay), how you intend getting around, ideas on where you want to go and what to see, and I'll try to make up an itinerary for you (maybe with le car's help or anyone else over in Europe).

 

This trip will mess up my S2000 timing, but **** the car! For now.

I genuinely appreciate all your suggestions. I'm really excited about this trip. I've never done this before. I've only been to Asian countries, but those are kind of familiar to me so... man. My friends tell me the French women are incredibly beautiful... and snooty! haha

Less countries sounds great. Any sort of accommodations would be awesome, too! Even getting to see an S2000 in Europe. Maybe the blue?

In the next few days, I will narrow down what I want to see and check out Rick Steves' guides. In the meantime, share and share more!

 

I will no more live in paris by then (london), but you should definitely send me an e-mail before coming over...
And yes the women are beautiful, especially in Italy, France, and scandinavian countries. London is the worst.

 

Been to Europe a bit. Best cities: London, Paris, Berlin, Athens, Rome and Prague. Best overall cultural/educational experience: Italy and its cities, FLORENCE, Rome, Venice and Milan (daughter loved Amalfi, Naples and Pompeii but I haven't been there) and Greece from the Greek islands to Mt. Olympus, Delphi and Athens. Best to tour areas like Scandanavia in one trip. Airfares are generally more expensive so you should consider landing in Amsterdam and then head north to Copenhagen, Stockholm and by ferry to Helsinki. St. Petersberg is within reach if you so choose. In the summer, the countries north of the Alps get a lot of rain. Amsterdam was interesting. Daughter loved Madrid and the rest of Spain. She's a backpacker. She's in Thailand now and then five months in Nepal.

Don't bite off too much and you'll be better off.Italy is a separate trip. Friendliest people are the Italiens. Had bad experience with the Swiss at Zermatt. Prague and Florence are a time warp experience. Edinburgh and Vienna as well as Luxembourg and Belgium are interesting but to me a step below the other cities and countries in terms of my interests.

 

SpaceNeedle, you make me weep... I was supposed to do a trip exactly like what you have described with a friend back in October, but about 3 weeks prior, circumstances beyond my control stepped in and prevented that.

Have a great time, and we all expect pictures!