BackPacker Info

Backpacking around Europe is an unforgettable experience, one that will change the way you see the world forever. Europe is a small continent, compared to America, but you can find here a huge variety of cultures and people. From the Mediterranean countries in the south, like Italy and Greece, to northern countries, like Denmark and Norway, you’ll encounter a huge variety of climate zones, sceneries, foods, architecture, languages and traditions. There are lots of things to see, from great cities to rural areas that look like they are from another century, from ultramodern buildings to ancient ruins.

Planning a backpack trip through Europe it’s not an easy job. Even if you take two or three months to do it, you won’t be able to see everything. You should carefully create an itinerary for you, to make sure you don’t miss the places you really want to see. The good news is that backpacking through Europe will probably be much cheaper then you estimate. Europe has a very good railroads network. You can travel by train, fast and comfortably, from one corner of Europe to the other. The prices of train tickets vary from one country to other, but they are generally affordable. You can check the sites of railway companies from the countries you want to visit, for more details and prices. Also, in most Europeans towns you can find hostels – places where your people can check in and spend the night at very affordable rates. Hostels are not luxurious, and you will have to share the room with other people, but they are clean, comfortable, usually located downtown and, more important, really cheap.

The perfect itinerary for backpacking through Europe trip should start with Great Britain. You can find a lot of direct flight form United States to London. You can visit London, an amazing city, with lots of museums. You can visit almost all museums from London for free, so it really worth spending here a few days. You can then take the Eurotunnel train to France – it’s a really short trip. While in France, you can’t miss Paris, of course, but you should also visit Loire Valley and the castles here. From France, you should take a tour through southern countries – Spain, Italy and Greece. There are so many things to see here, that it’s actually impossible to talk about them in an article. However, you shouldn’t miss Madrid, Barcelona and Alhambra while in Spain; Rome, Milan and Florence in Italy; Athens, the Acropolis and Crete in Greece. Other thing you shouldn’t miss, in France and the southern countries, is the wine. The cuisine is also amazing in all those countries, but very different form one to the other.

From Greece, you should go in Bulgaria for the beautiful beach of Black Sea and the spectacular Balkan Mountains. Romania is the next stop from the itinerary. You cant’ miss Transylvania, with outstanding landscapes, beautiful, medieval cities and castles. From Romania, you should go directly to Hungary and visit Budapest, then Austria to enjoy Wien and Czech Republic and amazing Prague – the golden city. The next logical step is Germany, for even more medieval castles and modern, vibrant cities. While in Central Europe – Romania, Czech Republic, Germany – you should definitely try the beer. It’s amazing, way better than any beer you’ll ever find in any other corner of the world, and there are hundreds of different beers. The cuisine is quite similar in those countries, tasty and a little rugged, compared with the light Mediterranean cuisine. You’ll have the opportunity to eat a lot of sausages and pork specialties.

From Germany, you have two options: Croatia and Switzerland or the northen countries: Poland, Holland, Norway, Denmark and Baltic countries. Of course, that’s not the entire Europe, but it’s a good itinerary, which will help you see as much as possible in a short period of time.

Backpacking is a historic term which has gained much popularity in modern times. It is now no longer considered to be the monopoly of the rich. The terms backpacking and vacationing are used interchangeably. Now backpacking has grown into something more than tourism and business. The term backpacker has evolved through out the times. So it is very difficult to provide a clear cut definition for that term.

It is different from vacationing as it depends on a preplanned budget.  Someone backpacking stays in a hostel as he can’t afford luxury hotels .Hostels provide exposure to the outside world than hotels. The traveler will also get an opportunity to study different cultures because there will be people from all over the world. There are hostels which meet international standards. They provide a clean and well organized environment to the travelers. Private rooms as well as dorm rooms are available in the hostel Super hostels can be great for party lovers. Farm stays are also a very good option because you can stay close with nature and go for a riding course if you are interested. If you need privacy then you can stay in a guest house. Home stays can help you to learn the basics of the local language.

What you should eat and what not to is a question which most of them find very difficult to answer. Budget should be kept in mind before you try to satisfy your taste buds. Buying food from a street vendor can give you a chance to experience the authentic taste of that region. No one can offer you a more economical rate. Some hostels provide access to kitchen so that you can improve your culinary skills if you wish.

Adventurous trips can take you to places which are not in your original plan. So it is always better to go to the tourist office and collect information. Tourist maps can be extremely helpful .Internet has made the planning of such a trip very easy. Luggage which you carry should be extremely light. You should not stuff it with unnecessary items as you may have to carry it on your back during the journey.

They often depend upon public transportation for sight seeing. Many of them even prefer to set on foot as they can study many things including the flora, fauna and even lifestyle of the people.

Backpacking is the activity of hiking while carrying a backpack containing clothing, food, and camping equipment. It’s important that the traveler decides which items should be taken and which items should stay. However, there are some backpacking essentials that have to be included in your pack for emergencies; they shall make your trip more comfortable and pleasurable. These essentials might be multi purpose items, or they might be items that you haven’t recalled but shall be very helpful on the road. The backpacking essentials are intended to protect the welfare and health of the traveler in the wilds and during the whole trip.

The following list includes the items that might not be recalled by first-timers, but is considered quite necessary for experienced backpackers and budget travelers. First, navigation items such as a Map, Compass or GPS. The map should elaborate the area that you’re about to visit. It is important to carry a map that is suitable for the area in which you will carryout your activities and to know how use it. Moreover, the compass is an essential, but you should know how to use it as well. The compass that you shall bring should include; 0 to 360 degrees, and in 2 degree increments, a base plate that is 3 to 4 in length, a changeable declination to consider the differences between Magnetic North and True North, a mirror that is fold out for sightings, and a clinometers. It should also be filled with liquid to protect the magnetic needle and reduces fluctuations.

Second, a Flashlight or a Headlamp, as you may never recognize when you will have to stay out after sunset. It is important that the lights include the following features; be resistant to water, include extra bulbs, have a rotating head, and accompanied with a bright beam bulb. Third, extra Food and Clothing incase of emergencies or getting lost. Fourth, Sun Protection items such as a Sunglass and a Sunscreen. These items shall protect you from the mountain skies’ intensity, ultraviolet rays, and light reflected off snow. Fifth, First-Aid Kit as it includes the essentials for small injuries. Sixth, pocket knife and tools such as a Wenger “Master” Swiss Army Knife that includes a blade that can be locked. Knives can be used in many tasks such as first aid, food preparation, moleskin strips cutting, and rope cutting.

Seventh, waterproof matches that should exist incase of emergency circumstances. Eighth, a Fire-Starter as it can be used to start a fire easily and quickly. Ninth, it is essential to carry sufficient fresh water. You should plan enough water to be used along the trip until the spot that has an available water source. Tenth, a Whistle, which can be used whenever you’re lost or whenever you’re searching for someone. Eleventh, repellents that will be protect you from the biting flies, and mosquitoes. Finally, it’s important to carry an emergency shelter such as a tent or a reflective blanket.

For all of our loyal visitors we want to apologize for the current state of the site.  We are undergoing a major redesign and are working tirelessly to bring our little site to great new look that will be more pleasing to the eye and just as, if not more, informative.

So we thank you for your patience and invite you to come back very soon as we should have things moving along very quickly and approaching completion within a few days!