Question by Cas: Tips on backpacking Europe?
I made a map of major places I want to visit backpacking (I’ll check out other places from these “bases”).

I have no problem with lack of luxury (hostels, occasional camping) or missing sleep.

We want to spend a few days in each place. I realize I should stay at least a few weeks in each place to really experience it but if I really love a place I can just go back to it on another trip.

Any idea how long this whole journey might take?

Thanks in advance everybody!! I’d appreciate any tips (at this point you all know more about it than I do, lol)!!

The Map: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26372372@N06/3832698140/
Thank you Willeke! Those are great tips. I never thought of that. I was thinking of doing a 6 month backpacking trip. After a few years I was hoping to go back and do just France, Ireland and Greece as a separate trip. I may just cut those three out of this trip…
whoa thanks pank! i had no idea it was illegal! hmm i am definitely going to cut this trip down. that budget is really helpful, i think i was overbudgeting so that amount works well. how long ago did you go? what were your experiences with couchsurfing? thanks again!

Best answer:

Answer by Willeke
I think your plan is way to ambitious.
Even if you only stay two to three days in each place, you need more than 3 months for all of them. And if you travel to so many places you will not remember them later on, as they all blur together.

Better cut down to 3 countries, pick 3 places in each, like a city, a smaller town and a village or national park or two cities and a beach resort and so on. Stay at least 3 full days in each city, and at least 2 nights in the smaller towns and villages. Plan one more day for the first city after you arrive, so you have time to get all practical things organized. And if you have London or Paris on your list, stay there for a week at least.
That way you will experience Europe.
With the plan you have now you will be able to make a photo series of European capital cities, but when you are back home, only the date on the photos will tell you where you took them, as the memories have all blurred together. And while there are distinct differences between the cities, they are also rather alike. It is in villages, landscapes and meeting the local people that you can see the differences in Europe best.

Besides. unless you are rich, you will run into money restrictions too.
You can count on needing at least $ US 75 per day for most of your destinations, and that is going to the supermarket to get a cheap dinner and not experiencing the local food in restaurants.
To be on the safe side I would say do not plan to travel unless you have $ 100 per day available.

What do you think? Answer below!