Backpacking 101: Travel for the Long Haul

Now, we all know about the Eiffell Tower, the Big Ben, and Stonehenge. But what about the little cafe that all of the locals know that actually has the best food in town?

Usually the places that the locals love the best are loved for a good reason.  With the dollar being weaker than the Euro, don't you want to get the most out of your trip? I found when I was travelling that most of the places that targeted tourists were more expensive than those that locals used.

Get off the beaten path, get out of the tourist trap stores, and have an authentic European experience, without breaking the bank. 

Fodor's will help you map out your course, and return to your home with some change in your pocket.

     By far, the easiest way to travel in Europe if you are constantly on the move, is the Rail Europe pass.  They are available in different amounts and types, from just a few days in one country, to the entirety of Europe over three + months. 

    The only time that the Rail Europe pass may not be the easiest and cheapest way to go is if you are planning on spending all of your time in one concentrated area - say Tuscany for just a short period.  Then, renting a car to get to the out-of-the-way places is probably the best way to go.  But if you are looking for an easy way to see multiple countries, go for EurRail. 

I found that the timetables were pretty reliable, but if you did have some kind of deadline you had to meet, don't rely solely on the timetable book that comes with your ticket.  Check with the ticket office at least a day ahead of time for both destinations and timetables. 

The trains themselves were usually wonderful to ride in.  The most luxurious we found were in France and Germany - and they are also the most expensive.  Some trips do require a small fee, but most were pretty cheap, if not free.  You can even get very inexpensive overnight tickets on the ferry from Greece to Italy, which is great when trying to do the whole continent.

All in all, Rail Europe is definitely the best way to go for the budget traveler.

Looking for Culture & Sightseeing? Browse thousands of cultural tours and experiences around the globe and book online with isango!

Don't visit Paris only to find out the tour you had your hear set on is sold out!  Isango is a wonderful website for the person who wants to experience Europe via tours.  This company will do it all for you - short of packing your own bag, of course!  They have tours all over the world, even in the US - for everything from sightseeing to restaurant and barhopping tours.  If you have the desire to do it, the Isango most likely has a tour for you. 

There are a ton of options available in their packages - from short 1 hr. tours, to 4 hr. hop on/off tours, and 4 day + extended tours.  Some are just basic walking tours, others are pretty much all-inclusive. 

Plus, Isango really strives to pass all of their savings on to the consumer.  They have a low price guarantee.

So, if you are truly set on sightseeing, or even adventure - Isango!

Here are some tips to travel happily and safely along your journey:

• Avoid dressing as an affluent tourist
• Travel light, and plan places to hide valuables
• Make copies of your passport, credit cards, and drivers license.  If they are stolen, these copies can help them be replaced much quicker.  Leave a copy with a trusted person at home.
• Bring any medication in its original container as a carry-on item
• Try not to carry cash, use travelers checks and credit cards instead
• Get a telephone calling card to keep in touch
• Give your family members a (tentative at least) itinerary in case of emergency

So you wish that you could stay in the Ritz, but you would rather not have to live on bread and water alone, right? 

Well here are some great links for finding safe, comfortable, and clean hostels in the area you will be traveling.  Hostels can range anywhere from 5-35 Euros per night depending on the Country, City, and Location within the city.  Also, you will usually pay higher rates during the busy season from May-August.  Remember to also look in your travel guide for reviews and information!

• Hostel World
• Hostel Bookers
• Hostels.com
• STA Travel
• Hostelz
• HI USA

And, if you do have the budget for something a little more expensive, there are a lot of great smaller hotels and B&B throughout Europe.  To find these, I would recommend Hotels.com.  They can book at over 30,000 hotels, B&B, and Inns in over 400 locations worldwide.  This is probably your best bet to find something on a budget other than a Hostel.