Graduating from the 2 week vacation to an adventure

Not sure what you mean by this... is this in terms of planning or something else?

In 2004 we spent four weeks in Eastern Europe. This was somewhat demanded of us. My husband's former prof from University called him and asked him to present some research at a Conference in Poland. She arranged places for us to stay, and some (unpaid) work for me -- just informal stuff through her many contacts in Poland. We didn't even know where we would be staying right up until she met us at the airport in Warsaw (in fact we think she didn't know herself until later that day). Her research grant covered one of our airfares. It turned out to be the best experience of my life.

We then opted to go to Prague and Vienna on our own while we were in the neighbourhood.

We had the good fortune of having friends that had purchased a new home that wasn't ready in time. They needed somewhere to stay for that very month so they moved into our home and took care of it and our pets.

For me the hard part is crossing over to the shorter trips!

Dianna,

I'm not quite sure how to respond to your question?

There's nothing I really do to "cross over" from shorter trips to longer trips. I have more vacation time than the "the typical 2-3 weeks", so my trips are usually no shorter than a month.

I plan the same regardless of whether I'll be travelling for three weeks or two months. I consider ALL of my trips to be an "adventure", whether they're in Europe, Hawaii, other locations in the U.S. or elsewhere.

Cheers!

If I can guess by what you mean, I would suggest renting an apartment if you are staying in a city of an extended period of time. You'll save money over a hotel and the best part you'll have the opportunity to part of the community or neighborhood, do your shopping, frequent the same restaurants, etc.

Dianna, plan for as many weeks as you can afford. I would suggest you decide where you want to go and go from there.

No cross over for me. I started off with an 8 week trip to 8 countries.

I read Rick Steves’ book Europe through the Back Door in the early 80’s. At that time I learned one did not have to go first class to see Europe. My dream was not a reality until I retired. We have watched all his TV shows throughout the years and learned so much. Rick Steves’ inspired us to see Europe.

I believe it was before the Travelers’ Helpline when I started planning our trip for my daughter and me. The Graffiti Wall and The Thorn Tree were my only source for gleaning information and asking questions. I could not have planned each day of the 8 weeks without their help.

By the time we left we knew where we were going on what day, a printed copy of the train schedule for each travel day, printed copy from the home page of the hostel or hotel where we were staying and much more info on the places we would visit.

We knew exactly which travel day we would use the Rail Pass or purchase a PTP ticket.

Our trip was flawless. Everything went according to our original plan.

Go for it and enjoy!

That's simple.

You just budget more money. A LOT more.

Hmmm. I think I'm reading the question in a whole different way. I think the operative word is "adventure". Some people don't want to be limited to being their "true selves" for only 2 weeks per year. They want to expand travel/exploration/cultural-discovery and make it a lifestyle. But most of us can't jump in all at once... most of us have to ease into it. How to do it? That's my reading of the question. Am I near the mark, Dianna? I switched from U.S. mainland suburbia to full-time Europe-living-the-adventure via the following route: 1) constantly dreaming about it; 2) constantly reading about european travel/history/culture/arts. Both fiction and non-fiction. 3) Got a job that is pretty much universally needed (bean counter), 4) weaseled my way into a U.S. position at a firm with lots of overseas offices, 5) In the meantime, tried to make it to Europe at least once a year --usually February bargain-basement fares. Dianna might think about focusing on Asia since she is 24 hours of travel away from Europe. 6) Also transitioned to occassionally renting a gite in France for a few weeks to see what life was really like over there. 7) Constantly --obsessively-- applied for jobs in Europe. 8) Bingo! Cinderellas dream came true! Point is: If I can do it (trust me, I'm nothing special), anyone with determination can do it. Update: Am living in Vienna, but yesterday did a interview for a job in Rome... a job that will move me beyond beans. Life is short! It truly is. Dare to chase your dreams. They are possible. Mine is not the only route. Find your way. Do a Habitat-for-humanity volunteer project in Romania for a month. Teach English at a summer camp in Europe. Become a Santiago de Campostela pilgrim. Maximize any relatives/friends you have in Europe. Live and breath it! (Sorry if I'm a bit of a fanatic on the topic.) ----On the other hand, maybe I am misreading the question. In any case: good luck and happy travels to all.

1) Have a job or living arrangement that will allow a month off.

2) Gather the financial means and set up your bank and credit accounts so that you can function via the internet. For money, count on using a bank check card at ATMs. Of course credit cards are accepted many places, but I prefer to minimize their use.

3) Choose an area for your language focus; learn as much French/Italian/Greek (whatever) as you can before leaving, and carry a phrase book.

4) Research. Learn about places you want to visit. Learn about how to get around. Learn how to read a train schedule. Talk to people who have traveled.

5) Find a travel partner if you want one. Finding the right one is even more critical than finding the right tennis partner. Arrive at some agreement about plans.

6) Buy a railpass if that makes sense. For my first trip to Europe I bought a railpass and hopped on and off trains as the mood struck. This was 40 years ago; I never made a train reservation. Things are different now.

7) Decide where to fly into and out of. Open-jaw may be best. This means you will need a rough idea where you want to travel. I recommend making sleeping arrangements for the first night, at least. On my first European trip I flew into London and out of Amsterdam. I traveled thru half a dozen countries.

8) Know that you can travel with the same amount of luggage for two months as for two weeks. Light-weight and carry-on will make your trip so much easier. You will be more flexible and won't feel like a pack mule.

I have traveled in Europe for two weeks (most recently), 3,4,5,6 and 8 weeks. The main difference was that I took more pills for longer trips. If a change of seasons or climates is involved, such as traveling from Britain to S. Italy, extra thought needs to go into the wardrobe. I sometimes buy clothing there if I need extra warmth. The Kindle deal, which I barely understand, can help with weight. You load travel books and save on weight.

I don't know if you need to spend a lot more money, or need to spend more time. To me, the statement says "I want to try something beyond the ordinary and to expand my comfort zone"

The Trans-Siberian Railway takes about 8 days.
A bicycle tour through France or another European country.
A hiking trek through the Alps from France to Austria.
In a smaller boat, trip around the Greek Islands.
If you regularly stay in hotels in comfort, try staying in hostels and spending very little money.
Travel way off the beaten track in Europe to Belarus, Moldova etc.
Walk one of the famous paths in England.

If you position it this way, sadly, I have sunk from 6 months residence in Germany to 4-week vacations in the UK and then Greece, to nearly three-week trips to UK and France, to a ten-day trip to Scotland. ; ) But in reality, I found that I can turn a shorter trip into an adventure. That said, if I had 4 weeks or longer again, I would look for a place where I could either study--a language, some history, cooking, photography--or volunteer. There are programs with Historic Scotland where you work on dig or other support for their research. I'm sure that there are other similar opportunities. To me the advantage of these types of programs is that not only would I be learning something new and maybe giving back, I'd be meeting new people. Pam

Thanks everyone who took the time to reply...
But Thomas,,have to say you got it!
maybe becuase I am a "bean counter" too we talk the same language..
So I am doing 1-3 of your list. At this stage in my life aiming for 3 months of a year adventure is more realistic.
Love to hear personal experiences from anyone who takes extended trips, especially to France.