I am considering/in the planning stages of taking a trip through Europe during the 2009 year.
Rather than this being a hectic & rushed, short vacation, I am intending for this to be an extended leisurely trip (at least 4-5 months (if not longer) through Europe.
Because this is not only going to be my first "solo trip" without my parents & family (yes, I know, that's embarrassing!!) but also my first time traveling internationally to a foreign country/countries, with the exception of going to India with my family, to visit relatives, I would really appreciate any help, advice or travel tips that I can get from those familiar with travel in Europe.
In addition to the usual/classic European travel destinations (France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland/Netherlands, Italy, Spain, etc.) I am also interested in visiting many "off-the-beaten-path" places like Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Poland and Ukraine.
The tentative list of all the countries I'm interested in visiting on this trip are:
England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Iceland, Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Monaco, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Malta, Italy, Vatican City, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Kaliningrad, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Russia, Turkey, Cyprus
What kinds of clothing, toiletries, and other supplies should I pack and what stuff can I leave behind & just buy there?? For example do I need to pack enough tampons/sanitary pads for the WHOLE 5 months or can I just take a few, or enough for a short time and get the rest in Europe??
I am looking for advice on the best months to go which particular country (with an estimated travel range between January & August of 2009, as I have to finish my travel and be back in the US by the end of July or the beginning of August 2009 at the latest), I also need some tips about finding the best & safest, yet most reasonably priced hostels, inns, or hotels, and the ways to get around within or between any particular locales, without having to drive yourself (as I currently don't drive - though by the time I travel I may likely have my license, but still may not feel comfortable driving in the unknown setting of a foreign country)
Also, I need help, with what to pack for an extended trip to Europe such as this. What clothing should I pack? What about other supplies like toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, etc?? What, and how much do I need to pack of those??
What about food?? Though I will be taking maximum advantage of the trip to experience new tastes and cultures of the various regions, to save money, I will be staying at hostels whenever possible, and though I will be eating out (but NOT at international restaurant "chains" like McDonalds!) at different local restaurants serving regional food from time to time, the rest of the time, I will be cooking or getting my own meals together myself at the hostel, hotel, etc.
What is the groceries & other shopping system like in Europe? What things do they carry, and what things would I need to bring with me from the US??
Any and all help is appreciated
Rather than this being a hectic & rushed, short vacation, I am intending for this to be an extended leisurely trip (at least 4-5 months (if not longer) through Europe.
Because this is not only going to be my first "solo trip" without my parents & family (yes, I know, that's embarrassing!!) but also my first time traveling internationally to a foreign country/countries, with the exception of going to India with my family, to visit relatives, I would really appreciate any help, advice or travel tips that I can get from those familiar with travel in Europe.
In addition to the usual/classic European travel destinations (France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland/Netherlands, Italy, Spain, etc.) I am also interested in visiting many "off-the-beaten-path" places like Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Poland and Ukraine.
The tentative list of all the countries I'm interested in visiting on this trip are:
England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Iceland, Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Monaco, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Malta, Italy, Vatican City, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Kaliningrad, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Russia, Turkey, Cyprus
What kinds of clothing, toiletries, and other supplies should I pack and what stuff can I leave behind & just buy there?? For example do I need to pack enough tampons/sanitary pads for the WHOLE 5 months or can I just take a few, or enough for a short time and get the rest in Europe??
I am looking for advice on the best months to go which particular country (with an estimated travel range between January & August of 2009, as I have to finish my travel and be back in the US by the end of July or the beginning of August 2009 at the latest), I also need some tips about finding the best & safest, yet most reasonably priced hostels, inns, or hotels, and the ways to get around within or between any particular locales, without having to drive yourself (as I currently don't drive - though by the time I travel I may likely have my license, but still may not feel comfortable driving in the unknown setting of a foreign country)
Also, I need help, with what to pack for an extended trip to Europe such as this. What clothing should I pack? What about other supplies like toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, etc?? What, and how much do I need to pack of those??
What about food?? Though I will be taking maximum advantage of the trip to experience new tastes and cultures of the various regions, to save money, I will be staying at hostels whenever possible, and though I will be eating out (but NOT at international restaurant "chains" like McDonalds!) at different local restaurants serving regional food from time to time, the rest of the time, I will be cooking or getting my own meals together myself at the hostel, hotel, etc.
What is the groceries & other shopping system like in Europe? What things do they carry, and what things would I need to bring with me from the US??
Any and all help is appreciated