Backpacking in Europe; What you should know before you go.

Going on a trip is always fun and exciting; backpacking through Europe isn't an exception, it's a great adventure. You will see many different places and meet plenty of fellow backpackers. As with most trips, careful planning and some research of the areas you are going to visit is a must.

If you decide to backpack your way through Europe, you need to decide whether to do this by train, flight or a mix of both. You need to decide where to go, and roughly how long to stay. Make a list of must-do things and places to see. It's important to realize that Europe is a large continent, and that every country is different.

Before you go, look at a map of Europe and decide on a possible route. Your destinations might decide your way of travel. For example, if you are staying on mainland Europe, the train might be the best choice, but if you want to visit Ireland or the UK, you might consider flying or taking the ferry. There is a great rail pass called the Interail for European citizen, and Eurail for non-Europeans which make train journeys cheaper and a lot easier.

Once your route is decided upon, it's a good idea to read about the countries that you plan to visit. Most countries have some level of English, but as it wouldn't be their native language, it is important to understand that you might not be able to make yourself understood at all times. However, in most guide books there are small dictionaries with simple phrases to use.

A good chapter in the guide books describes dangers and annoyances. Here you can read about places to avoid, and what lever of crime an area has. It's important to know that every place might have its bad spots, and it would be wise to avoid these. If you follow the tourist trail and don't go off the beaten track, you should have no worries though.

A good thing to do is to check out what various accommodations there are on offer in different countries. Some would have hostels, motels and hotels, whereas other countries only have hotels. In the latter cases you are likely to be offered a bed in someone's home for a fee. Make sure that you don't go alone with someone, but join up with other solo travelers.

When it comes to money, most EU countries use the Euro, but there are still those that don't so it is important to know what currency you need in order to pay for yourself. In most places, a debit or a credit card is widely accepted. Don't let them walk off with it though, as they could potentially copy your card and collect your details.

Before you go, you should write down emergency numbers and phone numbers to your embassy in the various countries. That way you know where to call if something were to happen.

Apart from that, keep an open mind and you will meet lots of friendly people who will help you find your way around.

Related posts:

• Backpacking in Europe - what to pack?
• Tips for using E-tickets.
• Top 10 cities or towns to visit in Europe.

5 amazing countries to visit

Most of us have favourite places which we return to frequently, or places that we dream of going to. What make a town, country or even a continent special to me, might be exactly what you hate about that place. It is very individual and it is a perfect subject to start a debate here on the blogg. Below I will start off by listing my top 5 countries and explain why they made it to my list. I will of course love comments on the matter and perhaps get your input as to what countries should be in the top five.

1. Sweden - it has to be up there as it is my home country and in all honesty, isn't too bad of a place to be living in. Naturally, the weather could be a bit milder, the winters a lot less dark but on the whole, it is an easy life, that feels rather secure. There are plenty of things to see and do, many of which I'm sure I will be mentioning in other posts. The people are friendly and it isn't at all as expensive as you think it is.

2. New Zealand - the land of the Hobbits, the Maoris and the amazing nature. If ever there was a heaven on earth, I would like to think it is here. Whether you go glacier walking, canoeing or sailing the Marlborough Sound, you will love this place.

3. Thailand - a favourite beach retreat when the European weather just doesn't do it for you. Miles of miles of sandy beaches, cocktails, Thai food and friendly people is all you require. If you feel a bit adventurous, there is always the potential to go trekking and sightseeing up north. The list of sports that you can enjoy is endless and it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg to try it either.

4. Australia - what a country and what a continent. You will find most of what you need down under. The people of OZ are friendly and good natured, the climate variable depending on where you are and there is always an adventure around the corner. This is a place to go sightseeing, do trekking and canoeing or why not try the outback for a while.

5. Ireland - as I currently reside here, I could not leave it off this list. I came here because I was fascinated by the history, the scenery and the people. Although it has changed a lot in recent years, there is a beauty here that is hard to forget. The weather makes it hard to see through the grey, cloudy curtain that hangs over the islands more often than not, but if you do, you will be surprised at it's beauty and tranquility.

Related posts:

• Where to go in Thailand.
• What to do in Poland.
• What to see in Ireland.
• Top 5 destinations in Australia.
• Top 5 capitals in Europe.

Road trips; why is road tripping so great?

Image by tricky ™ via Flickr

Road trips conjure up a feeling of freedom and adventure. It is not something you do everyday, but plan for and anticipate for months. Great road trips are the ones that you have dreamed of driving, talked about and read extensively about. They are roads that have been driven before, but will still feel new and exciting. To go on a great road trip is one of lives best moments.

Road trip planning:

Before venturing out on a road trip you need to plan the trip. There are plenty of great road trips around the world and the first step is to decide where to go. The most famous ones are the great American road trips, but there are a lot of other drives. Narrow your search down to a specific country and a specific area. Depending on the duration of the trip, more than one area can be included.

Read up on the route, the sight and the possibilities of accommodations, car rentals and the weather. Even though one of the best things about road tripping is that you don’t need to plan too much ahead, it is still advisable to plan an itinerary and to book a few nights accommodation from home. Don’t over-do the route, you will find sights along the way and you probably won’t have as much time as you think.

Before you go, let people at home know where you are going and give them a rough plan of your trip. It is always comforting to know that you will have family and friends looking for you if you get lost.

Hitting the open road:

The road is yours, take it. There is no greater feeling than hitting that open road and knowing that you have made it, that you are on your very own road trip. Be aware that as a road tripper, you are in charge. The car will take you anywhere you want to go and you will be experiencing impulses as you pass interesting sights and smaller roads that lead off the beaten track. Go with flow, enjoy it to the fullest and don’t follow your pre-arranged plan too rigorously. A little detour is nearly mandatory.

Give yourself time to take in the sights. Driving all day isn’t great and you will miss out on so much if you pass out on all the stops along the way. Take a break for a day and do something else before you head back to the open road. Sometimes the unplanned stops will be the most memorable.

Why is road tripping so great?

Once you have been on a road trip, you will know the answer to that question. It truly is an experience of freedom. You are one with the car and together you will venture out on a long adventurous journey. As you drive along the planned route you will have plenty of time to soak up the surrounding atmosphere, scenery and sights. If you change your mind, there is no hassle. You just pick up your map and re-route your trip a little or a lot.

One of the greatest American road trips has to be Route 66 and perhaps there is no greater freedom for a road tripper that to cruise along this historic land mark. All other road trips around the world have a hard act to follow. Wherever you decide to go though, you will nevertheless be one with the car and steer your own adventure in the direction that is of your liking.

Related posts:

• Amazing road trips; Las Vegas to Grand Canyon