These are some tips I found quite useful when backpacking around the world, and specifically in Europe:
1. Figure out everything you’ll need while on your trip then reduce that amount by at least half! A common mistake is travelers taking too much stuff with them. Remember to enjoy your vacation instead of carrying around heavy luggage in areas you don’t know. One key thing to remember is as you travel you will find memorabilia that you will want to purchase, and this takes up precious cargo space.
2. When traveling Europe for the first time I brought an ordinary beach towel with me. Needless to say by the end of the trip it was disgusting, so get a camping towel to avoid this. Regardless of how many times you wash it, it will never seem the same. One thing I luckily found out was that you can buy camping towels that are similar to the “sham wow”. These towels dry at an accelerated rate, are anti-bacterial and absorb an abundance of water. I was prepared the second time I went to Europe and it was the best improvement in preparation that I made.
3. Take advantage of accommodation deals on websites. If you are the type of personality that can travel around and book your accommodations with short notice (I know some people like to know far in advance they have a place to stay every night), you can really save a lot of money on hotels. The later you book generally the better deal you receive. You don’t want to be stuck at the last minute and suddenly find Paris hostels all booked up.
4. Be sure to take advantage of the social offerings that hostels can offer. Hostels offer a unique experience you can’t get in any hotel. They offer you the chance to meet people from all over the world that are traveling just like you. And believe me this is a unique chance to form relationships with people you would not otherwise get the chance to meet. Even if they are only friends for a few days they may be some of the best memories of your life.
5. Using the EU rail pass is a great way to travel throughout Europe. Once you’re aboard you’ll save a quite a bit of money. To top it off using the trains throughout Europe is a great way to travel. Be sure to make sure you purchase your tickets before you leave in order to save even more money. Though it takes some research to figure out what pass best suits your needs, it’s a great buy.
6. Another option to look at for your travel needs is discounter airlines that are located in Europe such as Ryan Air or Easy Jet. Due to these airlines not serving all places in Europe they are great to use in order to supplement the EU rail pass. It’s quite common to find flights for $50 and it’s possible to get from locations that are quite far apart quite quickly.
7. One important thing you should do before leaving on a vacation (especially on a lengthy stay) is to register with your embassy as to what countries you will be in. The reasons for this aren’t the happiest to think about but they are in case of disasters or other problems that could leave you stranded in a country. This way the embassy knows you are there and will be able to account for you. Once again, not the happiest item to think about, but a good idea to do when traveling abroad, and keep in mind that the odds of something unfortunate happening to you are incredibly slim but its best to be prepared.
Alessandra S. Llewellyn was born in Switzerland and grew up in Paris. She has traveled all over the world with her family and loves to explore new places and meet new people. She loves to write about her travels and will sometimes review Paris rooms for various travel magazines and websites.
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