first backpacking trip

[Bessil]

Hello Everyone,

I want to packpack across Europe next year. Do I need to plan this trip? What are the essential things I need to organise? How easy is it to find accomodation in Hostels? How do I go about organising a job in a pub in London?

Thanks for your help,
Bessil

[Canadian Dude]

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY Bessil!!!

Its great your going to be going on your first trek through Europe, I may be able to answer some of these questions, but the nice thing about these bosrds is that you will get lots of differect options from a whole lot of great people!

Do I need to plan this trip?

Well yes, you have to arrange for your ticket over, decide whether you will by you ticket in advance, or wait last minute to get a smashing deal...you have to keep you eyes open for sales on the internet and at travel agents in ur area. You will have to decide if you wnat to go into and out of the same country or you might want an "open jaw " ticket which allows you to travel with out back tracking, IE fly into London, Fly home from Rome.

What are the essential things I need to organise

You need to fiqure out when your going...winter, fall , summer, spring??? everyu one of these seasons will inpact the way you pack you bags. You wanna carry enough things to get you buy but you dont wanna carry the weight on ur back...bottom line...PACK LIGHT!!! We have all made the mistake of packiong to much and we have all paid for it in the end.

How easy is it to find accomodation in Hostels?

Well Hostels are not hard to find in Europe, there are thousands of them. Major cites they will jump out and bite you, but in small towns and what not you will have to look a little harder.
Booking Online is a great way to secure a room, and will give you peace of mind knowing you will have a bed to sleep in that night. Or you can just walk up and take ur chances on getting a bed. I have had to sleep in train stations because of the second option, so be prepared.

How do I go about organising a job in a pub in London?

Never had to do it, but I would say through word of mouth, keep your eyes peeled at hostel and in the news paper for jobs, or if your in one area for a while befriend some folks at the local pub and see what happens.

Hope that helps some!

[omisan]

When you get to London, grab a copy of TNT magazine, which should be in any hostel lobby or antipoedean pub - they'll have job listings and placement agencies for travelers.

[Bessil]

Gee, thanks for the welcome!

I suppose I should be a bit more specific with my questions! This is my first time on a message board like this, so I'm still feeling my way around.

I suppose I want to know how likely it would be that travel plans would change while over there. If I'm backpacking, should I book all my destinations and accomodation in advance, or is it more realistic to go with a couple of destinations and see what happens from there? People have told me stories of when they were backpacking, they met people along the way and ended up taking adventures together and going to countries they initially didn't plan to. Some recommend planning, others prefer to be flexible, leave it up in the air.

Can you tell me a bit about your first backpacking trips and how they turned out?

Cheers,
Bessil