It can be said, that every traveler worth his weight in luggage, dreams of backpacking to Europe at least once in their lifetime. The folklore, the pop culture associations and the movies glorifying Europe have only heightened the charm of this beautiful continent, which is diverse enough to comprise of 50+ countries, and yet small enough to allow you to visit those countries in a rather short time. A lot of people compare the entire continent (sans Russia) to India where the states just become different countries.
But more often than not, the Indian passport (and associated VISA formalities) and the dismally low rupee vis a vis the Euro ( €1= ₹81) doesn't hold too well for such lofty travel ambitions for us Indian folk.
Though, for me the dream is a little closer as I have just found an incredible deal on a return fare from India to Italy and wasted no time in booking me a return ticket!
So woohoo, come Sept 17th I'm finally off to that dream Europe trip!
Since it's still a good 3 months away, I have lots of time to plan my itinerary (even though I have already booked 5 flights, 2 trains and 2 buses within Europe given how cheap things are when you book in advance. So that my trip so far looks like this
Phew! sounds too much in 21 days? Maybe, but one doesn't travel to Europe everyday so even if I get to have a taste of each of these cities, I'm good!
Also, booking overnight trains or buses to some of these places helps me save on the number of days available for exploring a new city.
Also, booking overnight trains or buses to some of these places helps me save on the number of days available for exploring a new city.
Being a foodie, the things I'm looking forward to the most in that order are
Pizza in Italy, the wine in Bordeaux, the waffles in Belgium, all downed with the beer at the Oktoberfest in Germany! (yeah, my trip coincides with the annual Oktoberfest)
And of course 'stuff' in Amsterdam to work up an appetite for all ;)
I hope I'm ready- financially, mentally and most importantly physically, as this trip would mean a lot of walking around.
And of course 'stuff' in Amsterdam to work up an appetite for all ;)
I hope I'm ready- financially, mentally and most importantly physically, as this trip would mean a lot of walking around.
Meanwhile came across this slideshow of 50 European Experiences One Must Experience in A lifetime. Hopefully I would have checked off at least 15 of them post October 5th.
Did I mention, I'm gonna be literally backpacking to Europe, with a small 10litres rucksack I have just acquired for the trip.
This is going to be my longest and I guess most straining trips as yet, and I do hope it will be worth all the effort. If you have any tips for me or specific suggestions on things to do/see in these particular cities, please do share in the comments.
Likewise, if you have questions and need help in planning your own trip, I'm a comment away.
BRB, diving back into the mad research and VISA application formalities that follow.
Did I mention, I'm gonna be literally backpacking to Europe, with a small 10litres rucksack I have just acquired for the trip.
This is going to be my longest and I guess most straining trips as yet, and I do hope it will be worth all the effort. If you have any tips for me or specific suggestions on things to do/see in these particular cities, please do share in the comments.
Likewise, if you have questions and need help in planning your own trip, I'm a comment away.
BRB, diving back into the mad research and VISA application formalities that follow.