A friend and I are planning a backpacking trip for 6-10 weeks to europe in 2009. Any advice?

I'd like some tips from experienced travelers peferably. This will be our first trip, so any good advice is welcome! Thanks!A friend and I are planning a backpacking trip for 6-10 weeks to europe in 2009. Any advice?
don麓t do the ';Europe Amusement Park Tour'; (you know, one day the France ride, the next the Germany ride...)





Choose a few cities and a couple of smaller areas, more rural, that is, and concentrate on them. Don't try to do too much in too short a time.





Try to get the flavor of the places you go to. Even meet people.





Don't get burnt out. Try to mix it up. I spent about two weeks doing all the museums and monuments and ancient buildings, and then got toe Vienna, and couldn't enjoy much of what I wanted to, because I just couldn't look at another painting. Mix in a little hiking and nature, too.





If you're on a budget, don't eat so terrifically all the time, maybe do one good meal in every city, or one thing that is typical, like sausages in the German country, Quiche or pate or crepes in France. Eat bread and water, and some butter or cheese, but don't spend too much on the food, because you're going to want it for other things.





Don't carry too many souvenirs. Send a box home about halfway, and then another at the end of your trip (or as often as you must to lighten your load).





And take LOTS of photos. You won't remember ten years from now, what you did, or even where you were, without photos, and with digital, you can take TONS!!! (oh, yeah, don't let your mother throw away your journal ten years from now. I have no records whatsoever, can't remember where I was, when, because my mom moved and tossed that box.)A friend and I are planning a backpacking trip for 6-10 weeks to europe in 2009. Any advice?
have a GREAT time!!! skip buying lunches now and save them for your lunches in europe :)





i hear its best to fly out there, then take the train where ever you want to go.
The best and cheapest way to get around Europe is by rail: http://www.thetravellerslounge.co.uk/get鈥?/a>





you'll struggle to find official rental accommodation in London for under 6months. Your best bet is to try and find a flat-share through Loot http://www.loot.com
That sounds awesome!





Here's a few:





1. Familiarize yourselves with the transportation system (bus routes, trains, international railways) inluding the routes, rates and coach classes if any.





2. Plan the travel agenda - which country do you stop by first, get to know the points of interest per country so you can plan which ones you visit and try to get the entrance rates (some places have entrance fees, the Louvre in Paris has a fee but I believe we got in for free because it was on a Sunday). Maybe you can buy travel guides too.





3. It's going to be a bit difficult to ask questions or move around in a city where the natives dont speak much english so I would highly recommend you print out translations for simple phrases like ';Please help me!';, ';What time does the train leave?'; or ';Bring us to the following address/Bring us to the Louvre..'; in the languages of the countries you are about to visit. You can use the phrases as flashcards or something like that. I did this in China =)





4. It will be good to know too where your country's embassy is in each of the countries you will be visiting just so if anything happens, you'll know where to ask for help.





All this preparation may seem like alot of work, but it will definitely help things go smoother, and you'll have more time to enjoy the entire trip! have a great one!
I have done 2 backpacking trips around Europe. The one where we had a route in mind, but just kind of took it day to day was much more fun than the very planned trip.





If you are going to be staying in hostels, the Generator in London is the most fun ever. Balmers in Interlaken is also a great one.





Try to pack as light as possible and make sure you have a good backpack with a strap for around your waist.





Get a eurail pass.