tisdag 13 oktober 2009

How Much Does it Cost to backpack in Europe for 30 days?

Summary:
$500-$2000 pretrip
1350-2025 (Euros) for 30 days, currently this is about $1900-$2800


Pre Trip Expences

Airfare: $250-$1000 – This can vary greatly depending on where you’re going from and if you can score any deals.

Backpack: $30-$250 – A good backpack is key to a good trip, it has to be able to hold everything you have and not tank your back after a few hours of carrying it.

Travel Documents: $0-$200 – All the documents you’ll need on your trip (Passport, Visas, Student Identity card etc.) Depending on what you already have, you may not have to get very much.

Guide Book: $20-$50 – The backpacker’s bible. The thing you’ll probably spend the most time on your trip looking at, so make sure you get the right one.

Various Travel Accessories: Varies – Everything from a sleepsheet to sturdy shoes to flashlight to digital camera. This part varies greatly depending on what you want to bring.

Rail Pass: $300-$1000 – If you decide on getting a rail pass, a decent one will cost anywhere from $300 to over a thousand depending on how long it is and where it’s valid.

So before you get to Europe you’re already looking at dishing out anywhere from $500-$2000, Yes it’s not cheap. But it’s worth the money you spend.

On the Road Costs

It would better if you count your expences in euro ‘couse most european country use it.

Sleeping: Accommodations at hostels €15-€35 per day (prices tend to be at the higher end of this range in large cities like London and Paris, but considerably cheaper if you go to cities in Eastern Europe like Prague and Budapest). Also hostel prices are higher in the summer high season and lower in the off season.

Eating: Food €10-€20 per day (this of course depends on how much, what, and where you eat). You could buy food at local grocery stores and limited yourself to two meals a day (breakfast and a late lunch and occasionally a snack or two) for saving money. If you plan to do most of your eating in restaurants, then expect to pay a minimum of $25 per day (restaurants prices in Europe are outrageous!).

Transportation & Fun: Unless you plan to walk 20 miles a day, you’ll probably be using local buses, subways, and/or renting bicycles to get to the attractions of the town you’re visiting-once you get there you then have to fork over more money for entrance fees, etc. Cost depends on where you go and what you see, but you can expect to pay about €10-€30 per day more or less depending on how extravagant you are. If you plan to do a lot of drinking this could easily double.

On the Road Expenses TOTALS: 10 days=€450-€675

måndag 12 oktober 2009

Travel Europe

When should you avoid shopping in Southern Europe, where can you find a 350-year-old restaurant in Rome, whose birthday can you celebrate in Scotland this fall?

The U. S. Tour Operators Association -- whose member companies send 11 million people annually on vacation -- asked its members for insider tips to various parts of the world. Below are quick tips for visiting Europe destinations from destinations around the globe, from Ireland to India.

Southern Europe:

When should you avoid shopping in southern Europe?

Stop before you shop. In some parts of Southern Europe, shops and restaurants close for siesta in the afternoon, reopening in the evening and remaining open late. Travelers should plan accordingly so they are not disappointed. (Avanti Destinations)


Italy:

How should you dress for Italy?

The climate in Italy can vary from fifteen to twenty degrees in all seasons. So it's wise to bring a sweater, clothes that can be layered, and an all-weather jacket, plus comfortable walking shoes. For cruises, informal dress is the general rule, though on formal nights a cocktail dress for women and a suit or coat and tie for men is required. In addition, some religious sites in Italy may require modest dress to enter, meaning no shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless tops. (Gate 1 Travel)

Where can you dine at a 350-year-old restaurant in Rome?

La Cisterna, one of Rome's oldest restaurants, is located in the city's Trastevere section. Run by the Simmi family for over 75 years, the restaurant's origins date back to 1630. (Tauck World Discovery)

Ireland and Scotland:

How can you see Ireland on your own terms?

Choose an open voucher program that provides the first night's stay at a pre-booked hotel, and remaining nights where you will. In between explore on your own. (Celtic Tours World Vacations)

Whose 250th birthday is Scotland Celebrating?

To mark the 250th anniversary of poet Robert Burns' birth, now through November 30, Scotland is hosting numerous commemorative events. Events include the first annual Homecoming which focuses on visitors with Scottish heritage.

måndag 5 oktober 2009

Why Take a Backpacking Europe Trip?

Europe is a popular destination for students between semesters in college, or those young adults needing a break from the real world. If you want to get in one last great adventure before you start in on the adult world, backpacking Europe is one of the best ways to do it. You'll be able to see a lot of new things, meet new people, and experience new cultures - and have an absolute blast while doing all of the above.

A backpacking Europe itinerary has been traditional for many years. Well-off young men used to take a tour of the continent in their last years of school. The popularity of backpacking Europe rose in the 1960s and 1970s, too, with people traveling all over with a relatively small number of possessions. Now, people of all economic classes do the same. It's a wonderful way to learn and find some new experiences. You are guaranteed to make some new friends!

Generally, student travelers choose to backpack - which means living out of a small travel bag or backpack and sleeping mostly in inexpensive hostels and other budget accommodations. That's because they get the most out of their money this way and extend the time they can travel. After all, staying in hotels can get very costly and thus restrict the time you can spend on the road. You'll also see more of the real Europe by spending nights in a youth hostel, instead of just being stuck in quiet hotels or on tours and seeing only the touristy side of things.

People from all over the world choose to backpack through Europe, so you'll meet a wide variety of others looking for the same things you are. You may find that you don't speak a common language, but it's surprising how well you can communicate anyway. You'll probably learn a little of the local languages while you're traveling, as well. When in doubt, almost all young backpackers speak English these days anyway.

Just remember to interact as much with locals as you do with other backpackers if you really want to learn about the countries you're staying in. Politeness and open-mindedness are extremely important, too. The local rules will be different than you're used to, and it's a good idea to follow them. You'll get a lot more out of the experience of backpacking Europe if you put in a little bit of time and effort to get along with and understand the locals, no matter where you end up.

Backpacking Europe is an incredible experience, and if you have the chance to do it, don't pass it up. You'll be amazed at all the new experiences you can have, what you can see, and all the things you can learn. It's a lot of fun, and an extremely valuable experience. Check out the logistics of a backpacking Europe itinerary soon.

fredag 2 oktober 2009

Backpacking Tips

People all over the world from very different backgrounds, regardless of age, find backpacking a fun, rewarding and life changing experience. Most consider their first experience backpacking as being like birth into the world.

Without constraints or firm schedules, backpackers are completely free. With only your pack on your back, there are no limits to what you can do or see. Experiencing different cultures, overcoming language barriers, and making new friends (locals and other travelers) are all part of the adventure.

Backpacking across Europe can be confusing, exhausting and possible dangerous. Therefore, preparations need to be made. However, no matter how much you plan for your travels, adjustments will need to be made. Therefore, you should plan for these adjustments and set backup plans when possible. This web site is provided as a guide for those planning to set out on the adventure of a lifetime.

torsdag 1 oktober 2009

Thailand: 3 Top Destinations

With several sights to see and surprises to offer, Thailand could be one of the best locations you should not miss to visit. Culture, beaches, people, and heritage sites are some of the things you can expect when you travel to Thailand.

Bangkok - Traveling Thailand wound not be complete without visiting Bangkok. As the nation's capital with an estimated population of over 10 million (including the neighboring provinces), this city is by far the largest in the country. The city is divided into 50 districts or khet but for tourists and those who are new in the place, 6 divisions would be more useful. These are Ratchadaphisek in the northeast section of the city, Sukhamvit in the southeast, Silom in the south, Thonburi in the west, Rattanakosin in the central north, and Phahanyothin in the north. The whole Bangkok district would give you a diverse taste of culture, history, religion, modernity, and fast-phase life. You can actually witness how all these blend together to comprise the whole Bangkok package. Buddhist temples, historical museums, towering buildings, contemporary restaurants and hotels, shopping centers, canals and rivers, and food make Bangkok a one of a kind city in Southeast Asia.

Phuket - Down south, Phuket features magnificent beaches, tropical sunsets, white sands, blue seas, and breathtaking sceneries. No wonder it is the most popular vacation destination in Asia beating every beaches of the neighboring countries. It has several beaches like Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Patong Beach, Kamala Beach, and Surin Beach. The island showcases several water sports and activities including parasailing, jet-skiing, and scuba diving. By day, Phuket is alive with beachgoers and shoppers and by night, lights, sounds, and party people dominate the whole island.

Chiang Mai - The second largest city in Thailand with an estimated population of more than 200,000. This city located in the northern part of the country offers greener and quieter city. Chiang Mai's tourism is becoming more and more popular and permanently settling at this city is very common. When you travel Thailand and visit Chiang Mai, you surely would want to see museums such as Hilltribe Research Institute Museum and the Chiang Mai City Arts.

Travel In Europe

Thinking about travelling around Europe via train? Many students, couples, and groups of friends choose train travel as their main method of getting around Europe, and for good reason. Train travel can be a very convenient, beneficial, and cost-effective method of traversing this wonderful continent.

However, European train travel can get confusing, especially if you don't know where to start. Here are a few tips to help you with train travel in Europe:

First, opt for a train station information desk rather than the ticket window if you need more information or help in planning your trip. The ticket agent is simply there to help you buy your train ticket. Find out if you qualify for any special discounts, or if you can lower your ticket price by taking a different train.

If you're looking for ways to cut down on costs for European train travel, you have a few options. First, travelling by train in southern Europe is almost always cheaper than travelling by train in northern Europe. Second, slower trains are usually significantly cheaper than express trains. Third, travelling overnight for longer trips will help you save money, time, and hotel/hostel accommodation fare. A rail pass or other train pass may also help you to save money, especially if you'll be doing a lot of train travel.

When you do go to buy your ticket or pass at the ticket window, make sure you know the train time or number, whether you'll be travelling first or second-class, whether it's one-way or round trip, and when you'll be travelling. Keep in mind that express trains often require advance reservations and will likely be significantly pricier.

Whether or not you have a reservation for a train seat will affect your train travel in Europe. If you have one, you'll have a number for a car and seat. When you're at the train station, check each track or the wall for the Composition of Trains board, which should illustrate where each numbered car will be when the train comes in. If you don't have a reservation, this means you can sit anywhere-but check to make sure that the seat you've chosen isn't reserved for someone else.

For train travel in Europe, it's quite common for you to have to "validate" your ticket before you can board through a validation machine that will show you which end of the ticket to put in.

The train's eating options is another matter to think about insofar as European train travel is concerned. The longer the travelling distance, the more likely the train is to have a restaurant or café car. For medium distances, expect maybe a cart with a few drinks and snacks on it, but regional trains likely won't carry anything. Consider purchasing a few snacks at the train station before boarding to ensure you'll be fed, and to cut down on costs as well.

Top 7 Money-Saving Tips When Using an Air Travel Finder

An air travel finder can be the best tool you ever use, and with these top 7 money-saving tips you will get the best deals possible on you air travel:

1. Make your reservation
as early as possible. At least 14 days in advance, but aim for at least 21 days in advance. After this time, the air tickets can easily more than double in price.

2. Be flexible with your travel time. Changing the day or the time of day can drastically reduce the price of your air travel. The best day to fly on is Wednesday, which is also the best day to book the flight on. The cheapest time to fly is early morning or late evening.

3. Fly during the off-season. Prices are a direct result of supply and demand. As demand goes down, prices go down as well, benefiting flyers.

4. Shop all the airlines. This is the most possible using a couple of key air travel finder companies that I recommend on my site. Being able to check all the airlines at the same time can get you the best deal.

5. A stopover instead of a direct flight can result in huge savings.

6. Membership in some clubs like AAA can get you discounts. With air travel prices at an all-time low this isn't as influential on the price as it is shopping between the airlines themselves. You get much better deals using an air travel finder to check prices of the different airlines against each other.

7. Look into air travel packages. Purchasing your air travel, hotel, and rental car through the same place usually gives a huge discount. Using a bigger air travel finder will allow you to do all of this on the same website. I have recommendations for this on my site as well.

The prices on air travel tickets are a direct result of competition, inventory, and demand. Competition is the airlines competing with each other. Inventory is how many seats are left open on a given flight. Demand is how many people are looking for air travel tickets. By choosing the least-crowded flights that are the least in demand, you get the lowest price. It's really that simple.

As you can see, there are many ways to get better prices. If you use a major air travel finder and choose the best days and times to fly, you can often get unbelievable deals and save a hefty amount of money in the process.