Planning Extended Trip through Europe - PLEASE HELP! Need LOTS of ADVICE!!

As I mentioned above, this will be both my first solo trip & my first solo trip abroad, so I would really appreciate it if those who are familiar with travel in Europe could give me some help with my questions.

I'd like some advice on:

1.) What are the best months to go which countries (with an estimated travel range between January & August of 2009, as I have to finish up my travel and be back in the US by the end of July or beginning of August 2009 at the latest) - I was thinking of starting out in the southern area of Europe (like Spain, Italy, etc) at the beginning (since it would be warmer), and then later going to the northern areas (like Poland, the Baltics, Russia, and the Scandinavian/Nordic countries, etc.) towards the spring and summer?

2.) What are some the best & safest, yet most reasonably priced hostels, inns, or hotels? If I am staying more than a few days in any particular city, is it cheaper to stay in a hostel/hotel/inn, or to just rent an apartment? If so, is it possible to rent an apartment on a weekly or monthly rate, or does it have to be on a nightly rate? Would it be cheaper if I rented it on a weekly rate, or a monthly rate? Which cities are better to rent apartments, and which cities are better for hostels/hotels/inns??

3.) What are the best and most safest ways to get around within a particular city/town and between local cities, without having to drive yourself (as I currently don't drive - though by the time I travel I may have my license, but still may not feel comfortable driving in the unknown setting of a foreign country)

4.) What kinds of clothing, toiletries, and other supplies should I pack and what stuff can I leave behind & just buy there?? For example, do I need to pack enough tampons/pads for the WHOLE 3-5 months or can I just take enough supply for a cycle or two, and buy the rest there??

5.) What kind of storage facilities are available in Europe? For example, at Eurorail stations, hostels, or other places are there lockers or other facilities, where excess luggage can be stored for a few days or so? Like if someone who wants to visit another city for a couple days (like 2-3 days) just taking a backpack and/or small bag, and leaving their main luggage behind until their return, can they leave it in a Eurorail locker? I mean obviously with an apartment rental it wouldn't matter because they can just lock it in their apartment. But in cities where one will be staying in a hostel or hotel, is there a better/cheaper/safer way to store the luggage without having to pay for a room they aren't staying at for those few days?

6.) What about taking food?? Although I will be taking maximum advantage of the trip to experience new tastes and cultures of the various regions, to save money, I will be staying at hostels whenever possible, and though from time to time, I will be eating out at local regional food restaurants (but never (or very rarely!) at international restaurant "chains" like McDonalds!), the rest of the time, I will be cooking or getting my own meals together myself wherever I'm staying. So what is the groceries & other shopping system like in Europe? What kinds of items (such as common American food items like peanut butter, cheese, cereal, crackers, drinks, etc.) do they carry, and what things would I need to bring with me from the US?? For example, I was thinking of taking packets of powdered soups & drinks, those boxed tuna/chicken salad "kits" (the ones with mayo packets, relish, crackers, etc.). I also read somewhere online to bring ketchup from US because the European variety tastes bad. What other kinds of grocery/food items would I need to take for the 5 months I hope to be there??

7.) Because of a number of various reasons, including the extended length of the trip, it is IMPERATIVE that I take some type of portable Internet-accessible computer with me. Since it is ESSENTIAL that I have reliable and convenient Internet access at any time I need it - day or night (without having to find and travel to an Internet cafe) I've been thinking of taking the "Vista Business Sprint EV-DO" sold on the SkyMall website (http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=102594866&c=14300#moreinfo) through TigerDirect, because it is so small and lightweight (It only weighs ONE POUND!!) and yet, it is a full-powered Windows PC with all the programs (like Windows Office & other applications) of a regular PC as well as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Sprint EV-DO (for the time when there is no suitable Wi-Fi spots)
However, though this is so small & lightweight (1 pound) since it is still pretty expensive ($1,699.99, not including delivery & warranty)
So since it doesn't have a CD/DVD drive, I was thinking of taking this in my travel vest or purse, so that it is with me, on my body at ALL times, and then taking another lightweight (under 4 pounds) laptop with CD/DVD (such as the Asus Eee, or the Windows equivalent) which is MUCH CHEAPER (under $500) so that I wouldn't have to worry as much about it being lost/damaged/stolen,etc. and which I could use the rest of the time (for example, to watch movies in my room at night or while in the plane, train, etc.) I would be keeping this laptop in my backpack.
In other words I would be wearing my 1 lb pocket PC at ALL times either in my travel vest or in my purse, and I would have my slightly larger & heavier travel laptop in my backpack. Is this a good idea??

8.) What about visas? Since I will most likely be staying between 3 - 5 months, do I need to get an extended visa as a US citizen? If so, can I be get it before I leave, or do I have to just get the tourist visa, and then just extend it once I am in Europe??

9.) Also, except for a 3 years of high school Spanish & a semester or so in college - a lot of which I have now forgotten, I do not (yet!) speak the language(s) of any of the countries I'll be visiting, so I will be taking along a talking translator with languages for most, if not all the countries I'm going to. But would the translator be one-sided? I mean if I put what I want to say in the translator, and they translate it, how will I get the response of the person I'm speaking to?

10.) What is the best & yet cheapest cell phone I can get to use in Europe. Because I will be taking my laptop & MagicJacks, I will be using MJ to make calls home to the US for free. But since some of my family (like my mom) may be in India, I'll need a cell phone in case I need to call outside of US/Canada. What reasonably cheap cellphone, which I can use THROUGHOUT Europe to call not just the US but also elsewhere (like India) do you recommend??

11.) What kind of luggage do you recommend? I don't think I'd be able to get by with only just a backpack for 3-5 months - regardless of its size. So I was thinking of getting the big RS Convertible Backpack, and then taking a VERY STURDY wheeled/rolling foldable luggage cart, to carry the lightweight HARD-side checked-in suitcase,in which food, toiletries (so that I don't have to deal with any of the hassle of TSA's liquid/gel carry-on restrictions) and the remainder of the non carry-on items (stuff only allowed in checked baggage) will be packed. In certain places, I may rent an apartment as a "home base", therefore I won't have to lug the suitcase around, and can just leave it at my apartment while traveling, taking only the convertible backpack with only enough stuff for a few days visit. Would that be possible??

12.) Are there any other tips, ideas, suggestions, advice you could give me??

Thanks SO much for all your help! I REALLY appreciate it!!

Wow! Planning a trip like this is pretty overwhelming. I can't answer many of your questions, but I urge you to first go to onebag.com and read that thoroughly. You may think you need that second piece of luggage to hold extra clothes for the different seasons. Just budget to buy a few things as you need them-an extra sweater or skirt, etc. You'll pay sometimes to check that bag on the budget airlines in Europe (and to store it in lockers) so the money would even out. If you still think you need that other suitcase, then fill it with clothes and full size shampoos, put your backpack on, and walk a mile in your hometown.

Next, before you plan your itinerary, look up all info on the Schengen country rules. They limit the amount of time you can spend there before you must leave. If you plan carefully you should be ok, but you should PLAN.

Then, pare down your list of countries. You've listed 42! In 20 weeks, that's 3-4 days in each country. You'll spend a lot of that just getting from place to place, and you wont' enjoy it as much.

Sounds like the trip of a lifetime!

Take some time to learn about the Schengen agreement. It is a list of countries you may visit without a visa for up to 90 days. When your trip is more than 90 days, you either need to spend some of your time outside of Schengen countries or apply for a visa.

Ami, this will be quite an adventure. I urge you to enrich your trip by reading about travel and some of these destinations and thinking about what you'd like to see and do. Otherwise your trip will be informed mostly by the tastes and preferences of other people.

I can't think of a better place to start than with Rick Steves' book, Europe Through the Back Door, which is a sort of startegy-and-skills book.

Good luck!

Dear Ami,

I sincerely suggest that you spend a good 4-5 hours reviewing the search feature of this board, where you will get about 90% of your questions answered. Come back later to clear up any lingering issues. Good luck! Your trip sounds fantastic!

1. Weather-wise, your plan makes sense. However, if you've never been to Europe before, you may wish to start with someplace like England which is a little more "normal" for Americans than Italy. I adore Italy, but it definitely is a completely different cultural experience than what most inexperienced American travelers are used to. If you enjoyed India, though, Italy will be no problem.

2. As a solo traveler, an apartment is probably not as cost-effective unless you intend to stay in one place for a long time (i.e., a month). If you do that, you will probably end up crossing out several places on your wish list. Save research on indivdual lodging until you've pinned down an estimated itinerary.

3. Europe has far better public transportation than the USA. Most cities have metros (subways) and busses. Busses and trains connect cities, as do short-hop flights on European budget airlines like Easyjet and Ryanair. If you are not an experienced driver in the U.S., I would not really recommend trying to drive in Europe.

4. Europe generally has all the same stuff as Detroit. If there is something you can't live without or if you have particular sensitivities/allergies, pack those products. Pack contact solution if you wear contacts. Otherwise, buy there.

5. Depends on the city. Most large cities have a bag check at the train station or airport, but I'm not sure how long you can leave your bags there. This is better asked after you've got an itinerary.

6. Peanut butter is hard to find in Italy, not sure about elsewhere. I wouldn't bother with 'common American food items'. Eat that when you get back. Go to the markets in Europe and buy whatever looks good.

7. I wouldn't carry 2 computers, but that's maybe just me...perhaps you could take the pocket PC and an ipod and listen to audiobooks/music rather than watch DVDs?

1. This should really be #1. As another poster mentioned, many of the countries on your list belong to the Schengen Zone. You get 90 days (3 months) in ALL of these countries, and then you have to spend 90 days out. That means you can't stay in Italy until your 3 months expire and then go to France. England and Switzerland and Russia (maybe a few others I'm forgetting) are not part of the Schengen Agreement. If you plan your trip carefully, you can probably manage to not need a visa, but it will require a lot of research. You can try to obtain an extended visa, but generally it is difficult to obtain long-term stay visas and you'd have to again do a lot of research.

2. That's the problem with translators. Take a phrasebook, take lessons, learn the basic phrases (please, thank you, hello, etc.), and take a good attitude. Patience, pointing, gestures, and politeness will carry you a lot further than a talking translator.

3. Can't help you there. Sorry.

4. Figure out how much stuff you need to pack and then decide how much luggage you need. You probably don't need as much as you think you do...

5. As others have said, take a weekend, sit down at the computer and do some research. Go to the library and get some guidebooks. Map out a realistic itinerary so you know where you want to be and when. Once you have a clearer idea of what you are doing, come back with specific questions about your plans and we will help as much as we can. CHECK THE VISA REQUIREMENTS CAREFULLY! This is probably the most important. Under no circumstances do you want to overstay your visa.

Have fun! Half of the enjoyment is in the planning. (If you don't like planning, consider a tour which is planned for you)

Do a google search of the cities you plan to visit for sights in each one. Then determine which ones interest you.

Make a list of cities you want to visit. Then get a good map of the area you want to see. Research the miles between cities so you can estimate travel time.

Make a spread sheet showing columns of activities across the top and dates down the left side. Activities should include travel, meals, local tours and any others you think will require time.

Then complete the worksheet with activities for each day of your trip. I think you will find that you have started by planning to visit too many countries.

Use the advice travelers have given you on this page.

Having done a 1 year solo round the world trip myself, I can tell you from first hand experience:

1) 42 countries in 3-5 months is not leisurely. Even if you cut that number in half, it is still more of a city to city whirlwind that will become a blur in your mind and be physically draining. As a rule of thumb, 7 to 10 days in 1 country is the absolute minimum amount. Even then, it is a city hop, especially for a non-driver (i.e., 10 days in Italy for a first timer means 3 in Rome, 3 in Florence, 3 in Venice, 1 free day).

2) Factor in time lost when you change locations (usually 1/2 a day for short distances, a full day for long distances). Include time it takes you to pack up, check out of your lodging, get to train/bus station or airport, time spent on train/bus/plane, time spent finding location of next lodging, time spent checking into lodging, unpacking and getting your bearings once you arrive in your new "neighborhood".

3) You aren't being realistic about the amount of luggage you want to bring or the weight. You can definitely do 3 to 5 months with one backpack (and a detachable daypack). I did 1 year with 1 pack (look over the Eagle Creek website - they make a great product) and had to pack for multiple climates/seasons. Do a test-run in your hometown and pack everything you think you need in the bag(s) you plan on bringing (including the food, 2 computers and 5 months worth of toiletries you mention) - now go walk around with your luggage for at least one hour and be sure to walk up and down multiple hills, flights of stairs and over cobblestones. I like my shoes, hair products and makeup, but think twice before packing that hair straightener and Costco-sized bottle of shampoo.

4) Disagree about 2 computers. I survived without a laptop for a year by using the computer at the hostel, library or internet cafes. Fellow travelers will often let you borrow their laptop. 5 lbs will feel like 20 after a few months.

(cont'd from above)

5) Forget packing American food or seeking it out in grocery stores. Eat what is local and fresh. American foods in European stores are pricey. Shopping groceries, farmers markets and getting takeaway from delis and ethnic eateries in non-touristy parts of the cities you visit is the best way to eat on the cheap.

6) With the exception of prescription meds, bring travel-sized toiletries and buy the rest over there as you run out. This includes tampons, soap, shampoo, laundry detergent...

7) You can get by in most countries with just the basics of a language picked up from phrase books. Many Europeans (especially those 40 and under) speak at least some English if you are in a large city or town. In more rural parts, you could have some problems (especially in a country like Russia). For first-time solo international travel, you might consider travelling only to countries where English is widely spoken as a second language (i.e., Belgium, Sweden). You really can't rely on a talking translator...most locals will be rolling their eyes as you try to type phrase after phrase into it and you don't understand what they are saying.

8) Cell phone plans vary from country to country - look over the roaming charges carefully before you commit. If you are insistent on bringing your laptops with you, why not at least use SKYPE to contact home? Otherwise, you may consider just purchasing a local phone card for each country you visit and use a public pay phone to make your call.

9) Definitely use the search feature as previously recommended. You'll see lots of advice from others.

Good luck planning. If you have any specific questions or concerns, you can feel free to send me a private message.

Let me add a bit of info about some of your non-Schengen destinations.

For Russia, you need to apply for a visa from the Russian embassy in Washington, or the nearest consulate. This, however, is not the end. There's a fairly Byzantine process that you have to go through once you arrive. I still don't understand what it was all about. And if you visit more than one destination within the country, you need to provide a detailed itinerary, with addresses. I doubt the Russian government is less restrictive than the Schengen countries, so don't expect to chew off 90 days here so you can re-enter the Schengen zone. Also, getting a visa for the Kaliningrad Oblast is a separate process and somewhat more difficult. I'm not sure if casual tourists are even permitted to enter. Bottom line- If you want to go to Russia, contact a travel agent who knows the ins-and-outs of the red tape. But its still a fascinating, if somewhat challenging place to visit.

Belarus: To put it bluntly, don't go here. The visa process is even more laborious than for Russia, there's a steep customs fee for entering the country, and the border officials have been known to shake foreigners down for every last cent. Spend your hard earned money in a country with a less corrupt and less autocratic government.

Ami,

Some excellent tips so far, and I have a few thoughts as well.

To begin with, I'd highly recommend that you read Rick's Europe Through The Back Door, as it provides a wealth of information for many aspects of European travel including planning, languages, currencies, customs and especially rail skills.

Visiting 42 countries in a time frame of about 150 days is FAR too ambitious, especially as this is your first trip on your own. "Doing the math" means you would be able to visit each country for about 3.5 days, with no allowance for travel times. That is just not a realistic plan! I'd suggest following Rick's advice and "assume you will return" - therefore your "wish list" will need to be reduced significantly. I'd suggest that a good start would be to eliminate Russia and the former Soviet-bloc countries due to the onerous and complicated travel requirements. That will reduce your list by at least 8 countries.

In addition to listing the countries you want to visit, you'll need to determine which cities to see in each country, in order to plan transportation links. Some cities definitely deserve more time (esp. London, Paris & Rome, which should ideally have at least 5 days each allocated). Also, you didn't mention what kind of budget you're working with? That will need to be considered in the planning. Some countries are more expensive to travel in.

As the others mention, the Schengen Visa is a very important consideration. There is provision for extensions to the the 90 day limit, however I believe these are very rarely ever granted just for "tourists" (if you were enrolled at University or whatever, it may be different?).

I'll try to provide a few comments on your "numbered questions", but will need to spread this over several posts due to the text limit here:

1.) Your plan of starting in the south is a good idea, as it will be warmer in that area in January.

cont'd.....

Ami,

Part 2.....

2.) We won't be able to provide Hostel or lodging suggestions until you have a list of cities to work with. Generally Hostels are a good option if you don't mind the "communal living" aspect. I tend to alternate my stays between Hostels and budget Hotels listed in Rick's books, as the cost is not that much different in some cases.

3.) Especially on your first trip, DON'T even consider driving! The public transit in Europe is excellent, both for getting around within cities, and for getting between cities. For a trip of that length, a Rail Pass would probably be a good idea, along with P-P tickets for some routes. If you need to get to a particular location (ie: visit Neuschwanstein Castle), there are local tours that will provide all transportation.

4.) I usually pack enough toiletries for a couple of weeks. You can buy just about anything you need there. Often the packaging and of course the language is different, but most of the brands we use here are available in Europe (I'll defer the last part of your question to the ladies on the Helpline).

5.) DON'T take "excess luggage" - PACK LIGHT! Rick's guidelines are to pack the same for three weeks as for three months. Especially with the more restrictive weight limits of the budget airlines, it's a good idea not to pack too much. The luggage storage options are usually well detailed in Rick's books. I normally base myself in a particular city, and take day trips just using a Day pack. The main pack stays at the Hostel or Hotel.

6.) My advice would be NOT to take any food items! Part of the fun of travel is to experience the local foods in each area, and these will differ as you travel around. You'd need another piece of luggage to carry all the items you listed! If the food tastes different or "not as good", don't worry about it (I never noticed any problems with the Ketchup?).

cont'd.....

Ami,

Part 3....

7.) If you want to take a compact Laptop for E-mail where Wi-Fi is available, that's your choice. I prefer NOT to travel with a Laptop, as it's just one more thing to haul around and it would be a disaster if it was stolen or damaged and I lost all my photos and files. I find that an I-Pod Touch works well with Wi-Fi networks, although it's a bit clumsy working with such a small screen.

ONE IMPORTANT POINT - the Sprint EV-DO that you mentioned is a CDMA format and WILL NOT operate in Europe, which uses the more widely available GSM cellular format. I wouldn't bother spending any money on that! Even if you had a similar GSM product, it's still not a good idea to travel with it, as the data roaming charges could bankrupt you if you don't have a plan that covers that!

The ASUS EEE Pc that you mentioned is a reasonable option for E-mail, etc., but these DON'T have sufficient memory for storing photos (12 GB SS memory on the XP version, 20GB SS memory on the Linux version) so an external hard drive with a USB connection would also have to be packed along.

8.) You won't need Visas for most of the western European countries you listed. However, Russia and the other eastern countries are a different story. You will have to check the Embassy sites of EACH country to determine their entrance requirements for US citizens.

9.) I'd definitely not bother with an electronic Translator! This is a cumbersome way to communicate, and not only will the locals lose patience very quickly, but you also won't be able to understand whatever response they provide. Follow Rick's advice - learn a few common words of the local languages to be polite. If necessary, use Rick's Phrase books. I think you'll find that English is quite commonly spoken (although there are exceptions). You might consider taking some basic classes for the language that's used in the country you'll be spending the most time in (I chose Italian).

cont'd.

Ami,

Part 4...

10.) I don't believe there is a "best & yet cheapest" Cell Phone for use in Europe. You might consider picking up a quad band unlocked GSM Phone on E-Bay or wherever ("caveat emptor" of course!). That will provide you the choice to use "travel SIM's" such as those offered by Cellular Abroad, Telestial, Mobal, or others OR buying a PAYG SIM on a European plan when you arrive. The problem with using the European SIM (plan) is that when you leave the country where the SIM originated, you'll be paying higher roaming charges. Look at some of the websites for the firms I listed, but be VERY clear on the rate structure so that you don't get any surprises!

11.) Again, as mentioned above "pack the same for 3 weeks as for 3 months". I "get by" just fine with a Backpack, which has a detachable Daypack. I usually check the larger Pack, as it's a bit large for carry-on and I also have some larger bottles of Gels, etc. I use the Daypack for carry-on. Using a "folding luggage cart" is not a good idea IMHO. Remember, PACK LIGHT! You'll be glad you did. Regarding "renting an apartment", that's not practical at all, unless you're staying for an extended period of time. Rentals would usually be on a monthly basis (although there may be exceptions), and it would take a lot of valuable touring time just to find these places. Use Hostels or budget Hotels!

If you do decide to use a Backpack, it's VERY important that you're properly fitted according to YOUR torso length. Rick's bag might work well, but you might also look at the Eagle Creek line. Decide whether features such as a stowable harness (prevents straps from being torn off by airport conveyors) and a detachable Daypack are important. MOST important, try it out fully loaded to see how it feels. Most of the weight should rest on your hips, not your shoulders!

12.) I'm sure we'll all have lots more tips as your planning progresses!

Cheers!

All the posters have given you excellent advice which you should really base your decisions on. I dont have a lot to add, but here are a couple of tips.
1. Many hotels charge for there wireless usage, but many hotels have a terminal in the lobby to use for free. Otherwise, just go to an internet cafe where you can pay an hourly fee (in Frankfurt it is about 2 euro per hour) Good lord, I would not lug a laptop around let alone 2 of them.
2. Buy a phone card that is specific for calling the US or India and use the phones that are at the internet cafes. This is your cheapest option. You can buy a mobile here for about 40 euros, but you will be charged for calls coming in from other countries. Real expensive. Calling to the states from them is also real expensive. Think about cutting the apron strings just a bit and mainly send emails and limit yourself to one 10 minute call a week.
3.Yeah, you have way, way, way too many countries. Sit down and think about what you really want to see. Also decide, do you like historical stuff, the people, cathedrals, the scenery, what are your main interests? Go from there. Stick with your first classic European tour.
4.Plan to take a walking tour of each city when you arrive, which will give you a good orientation and the guides can usually give you excellent tips on where to go and where to eat, etc.
5.Listen to the other posters about the visa thing. Why not go ahead and plan on just staying 3 months and then come back again some other time.
6. Learn the basic phrases in each language for please, thank you, excuse me, and do you speak English. This is basic politeness and will help you have a better time.
7. Read this website and also make Google your best friend.