Unlimited Days, but Limited Dollars! Help me plan!

Hi,

Do you still want to see Mozart and Beethoven "stuff' even you though you're lost with them. If so, go to Bonn near Cologne foe Beethoven Museum, and to Salzburg for both his houses, the Mozarts Wohnhaus (residence ) and Mozarts Geburtshaus (birth house). Coming from the train station, you'll run into the Wohnhaus first. There is also another Mozart house in Linz/Austria in the Zentrum but that is not museum. I've been all three recently.

You're not going to Vienna for the Beethoven and Mozart museums?

For this trip I would stay primarily in hostels, the private ones. The HI hostels are used by school groups. Krakow has the one of the best and popular private hostels, located a few mins from the train station.

I would make this my broad plan, starting on the Med in early Spring...
April - Greece Croatia
May - Italy
June - Spain Portugal
July - Kraków Prague Berlin Amsterdam Paris London

Have you considered walking parts of the Camino in Spain as well as in Portugal? Very budget friendly and a unique thing to do. Scenery and architecture to knock your socks off.

Berlin has so much to see and do, am rather surprised that all you wrote was "maybe" and Holocaust Memorial?
This is one of the most budget friendly cities in Western Europe. Lots of art and music available as well as lots of history. Go spend a couple of days in Potsdam too and add Dresden to your list.

A few reality checks here -

Are you out of work now?

March is 6 months away. Can you support yourself for that long, plus a 6 month trip, plus however long it takes you to find a job after you return? I ask because it seems that you are already shortchanging your daily costs, especially in Europe.

How will you get around? Rental car? Bus? Train? Have you added up how much all that travel will cost you, both long and short distance?

It seems that you have done little basic research. Blogs are good but proper book research is better. If you had done many of your questions would have been already answered.

If you have been to Paris and London "years ago" but you're only 28 you must have been a teen or younger the first time? Seeing them with adult eyes they may be quite a lot different to you.

Are you aware of the 90 day limit in the Schengen Zone?

Are you aware that WWOOFing requires a work visa?

Perhaps instead of asking a lot of basic questions - happy to help with those as the plan develops - if you were to share a bit more of your suggested itinerary and what you already know we could help fill in the holes.

Have you read Europe Through The Back Door?

Agree with Nigel that wwoofing and volunteering in Schengen area countries require work visas - that means Italy. It's ok in Thailand and Philippines as far as I know. That could put a crimp in your plans.

Hi,

I would suggest doing a repeat visit to Paris. On my second visit to Paris I was close to your age, 27 , spent close to a week there and solo too, not so the first time at 23. Paris has certain attraction and is captivating...C'est ça Paris.

You might want to consult "The Rough Guide Europe the First Time"

Do you still want to see Mozart and Beethoven "stuff' even you though you're lost with them. If so, go to Bonn near Cologne foe Beethoven Museum, and to Salzburg for both his houses, the Mozarts Wohnhaus (residence ) and Mozarts Geburtshaus (birth house). Coming from the train station, you'll run into the Wohnhaus first. There is also another Mozart house in Linz/Austria in the Zentrum but that is not museum. I've been all three recently.

Thanks Fred! I do still want to get lost, in their residencies!
I do have noted Cologne, Germany: Museum Ludwig, Picasso, Warhol, Lichtenstein
Also, Vienna, Austria: Beethoven Residence and Mozart Residence.
So, they're on the list!

Hostels: interesting. I haven't looked much into hostels yet, I was going to try and nail down an itinerary first.
I appreciate your response! Thanks!

I would make this my broad plan, starting on the Med in early Spring...
April - Greece Croatia
May - Italy
June - Spain Portugal
July - Kraków Prague Berlin Amsterdam Paris London

Thanks David for your response. This was actually quite perfect. Basic start to what I was looking for!
I appreciate your response! Thank you!

Have you considered walking parts of the Camino in Spain as well as in Portugal? Very budget friendly and a unique thing to do. Scenery and architecture to knock your socks off.
Berlin has so much to see and do, am rather surprised that all you wrote was "maybe" and Holocaust Memorial?
This is one of the most budget friendly cities in Western Europe. Lots of art and music available as well as lots of history. Go spend a couple of days in Potsdam too and add Dresden to your list.

Thanks for your response Ms. Jo.
I haven't considered that yet, but I will!
Berlin, the Holocaust was a must see, but I wasn't sure exactly if it was a day stop on the way to the next city or not. I'll have to continue my research for Berlin and will look into Potsdam and Dresden!

cpowell, I would like to re-emphasise one point Nigel made "Are you aware of the 90 day limit in the Schengen Zone?".
Unless you are an EU/Schengen citizen (you don't say), you are limited to 90 days in any 180 in Schengen countries. That is all countries you have listed in Europe except Croatia and the UK. 90 days in total in all these countries (not each one), and no matter how many times you leave and enter. The days just keep adding up. Even your 5-6 days in Iceland count towards the 90 limit. 90 days is a lot less than the 6 months you have planned.
And, you will not be allowed to work in any European country.

A few reality checks here -
Are you out of work now? I'm not, I still have my office job.
March is 6 months away. Can you support yourself for that long, plus a 6 month trip, plus however long it takes you to find a job after you return? Yes, I have money put away for Present, Europe, and Post Europe I ask because it seems that you are already shortchanging your daily costs, especially in Europe. $100 is un realistic per day? Hostel $35, Food $30, Activity $30. I figured there will be days I won't be participating in 'activities' such as paid museums, or actually eating sit down meals. One way flights look to be under $100. Worst case, I run out, cut my trip short, lesson learned, back to reality in Dallas.
How will you get around? Rental car? no, doesn't seem logical solo Bus? yes Train? yes Have you added up how much all that travel will cost you, both long and short distance? no, that's why we are working on the itinerary first
It seems that you have done little basic research. Blogs are good but proper book research is better. If you had done many of your questions would have been already answered.
If you have been to Paris and London "years ago" but you're only 28 you must have been a teen yes or younger the first time? Seeing them with adult eyes they may be quite a lot different to you. 100% agreed. I may fall in love with the city again, but I just didn't want being there for more time to hold me back from falling in love with the next great city
Are you aware of the 90 day limit in the Schengen Zone? I did. was thinking only 2 weeks spouts anyways
Are you aware that WWOOFing requires a work visa? no, I had just heard of WWOOFing the other day. But a work visa, or a holiday work visa, because I believe I did ready that.
Perhaps instead of asking a lot of basic questions - happy to help with those as the plan develops - if you were to share a bit more of your suggested itinerary and what you already know we could help fill in the holes.
Have you read Europe Through The Back Door? Have not, but I'll check it out

Thank you for your response and giving me my reality check!
Responses are in bold!

cpowell

Are you aware of the 90 day limit in the Schengen Zone? I did. was thinking only 2 weeks spouts anyways

Not sure what you mean by "2 week spouts", but that 90 days is a total allowance over 180 days, i.e. over your 6 months. Unless you are planning to spend 50%+ of your time in Croatia or the UK (or back in Dallas), you will go over the 90 days.

cpowell, I would like to re-emphasise one point Nigel made "Are you aware of the 90 day limit in the Schengen Zone?".
Unless you are an EU/Schengen citizen (you don't say), you are limited to 90 days in any 180 in Schengen countries. That is all countries you have listed in Europe except Croatia and the UK. 90 days in total in all these countries (not each one), and no matter how many times you leave and enter. The days just keep adding up. Even your 5-6 days in Iceland count towards the 90 limit. 90 days is a lot less than the 6 months you have planned.
And, you will not be allowed to work in any European country.

Chris, great information!!! This makes sense. I did misunderstand. I had interpreted as per country, out and in restarted. This is great! So I now have a time line I need to stay within in Europe then off to Thailand to restart my 90 days (which won't be that long) there. -- unless I'm misunderstanding that portion too.

So, who exactly is WWOOFing targeting? European Citizens?

I meant I have 6 months to plan in my original post, not travel 6 months! lol

Headed to the Library for these books!
Any other recommendations??

I would like a little bit of credit for trying to be spontaneous and adventurous! ;) I have many friends who have never left the country, let alone the state of Texas; I have chosen March because my apartment lease is up then, however I have to let them know 3 months in advance. This spontaneous adventure is two weeks in the making; I came across this forum last night and wasn't actually expecting a response!

Thailand to restart my 90 days (which won't be that long) there. -- unless I'm misunderstanding that portion too.

Sorry cpowell, going to Thailand (or anywhere else) does not restart your 90 days, it just stops the clock and it restarts from where it left off when you return to the Schengen Area.
Thou shalt not spend more than 50% of your time in the Schengen Area, measured over any 180 day period. - simple rule, but frequently misinterpreted.

Apart from that you have a great trip planned, and I hope you enjoy yourself.

Edit: Some positive advice: Read the website http://seat61.com/ thoroughly. It is the best and most complete website there is explaining how travelling by train in Europe works, how to find out train times, how to buy tickets etc,

How long have you actually got for this great adventure?

Hi,

Your trip is doable, no doubt, but it needs some amending. The easiest is to keep track of the days in the Schengen zone once entered, then go to the non Schengen countries and fly out form there. At 27 (close to your age) I was on my third trip , solo, (no electronic gear back then) and definitely you can do this. I see solo female travelers or mostly in pairs. I would plan and save days for spontaneity. Doing the trip is a matter of priorities such as saving vs flexibility, comfort vs tolerance, seeing one place over another, etc. Keep in mind if others can put together a trip so can you as far as the logistics are concerned.

If you include the UK and Croatia, then plan for 110 day trip, easily done.

For costs you might look at http://thesavvybackpacker.com/europe-city-guides/
Some of their budget numbers for back packers are:
London £45-£80/day ($65 to $120 more or less)
Budapest $20 - $45 / day
Berlin €33-€45/day ($36 to $50 more or less)
Prague $25 to $50 / day
Amsterdam €40-€80/day ($44 to $88 more or less)
Rome €35-€65/day ($39 to $71 more or less)

If you want to save money or have a more comfortable trip for the same cost, then head EAST (Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine)

Absolutely right...certainly when one goes to Krakow and Budapest, you'll find top notch hostels at dirt cheap prices relative to London and Paris hostels. That's reason enough for me to stay in Krakow and Budapest. I'll stay in the hostel at St Pancras though.