Hi everyone, this is my first post here so.. Just to introduce myself.. My names Sam. I'm 20 years old and currently working full time in NZ saving up for my OE starting 1st September 2009.
I booked my tickets last week and have bought a 70L travel pack and down sleeping bag. Needless to say i'm pretty excited and can't wait to go! Only 4.5 months left :P!
At this stage my plans are looking like this :
September 01 :
NZ to Santiago
- make my way overland to Venezuela by the 5th Jan 2010
Janurary 05 :
Caracas to NYC
Janurary 12 :
NYC to Stockholm
- make my way overland to Italy
No date set to leave Europe yet but most likely looking at 90 days
(Rough idea of date)March 12 :
Rome to Hong Kong
March 19 :
Hong Kong to Beijing
May 19 :
Beijing to NZ
So depending upon how well my money holds up... I'm looking at
4 months South America
3 Months Europe
2 months Asia
Unfortunately due to that fact that I have to go round the world in a certain direction I will be visiting Europe smack bang in the middle of Winter... But there doesn't seem to be much I can do about that.
Has anyone else travelled Europe around this time? Is it enjoyable?
I'll be going on the trip alone - what are my chances of meeting other travellers to hang out with?
Anyone have any ideas / advice on what to take and pack? Any countries/cities that I should definately stop by and see? Any hostels I should stay at? Any foods I should try?
Any comments / advice much appreciated!
Thanks,
Sam
Reply to this Hi Sam and welcome to the Forum!
I moved this to the Independent Travel Forum as you are more likely to get response here.
I'll start by commenting on winter in Europe - I did it many years ago and found it to be fine. As long as you layer your clothes for the weather and bring gloves, it will be easy. Sometimes winter conditions may disrupt transport, but apart from that there is no issue. All the buildings are designed with cold weather in mind and the big bonus is that you get very few tourists.
As an idea, I took my mum to see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre in early July and she had to join a long queue just to see the painting, but when I visited it in January, I walked straight in and there were only two people in the room - one other visitor and one guard! I looked at the painting for a few minutes before I turned to see that I was the only person in the room with Mona - the others had walked out. Alone with the Mona Lisa - an impossibility in summer!
Reply to this Hi Travel Camel
Thanks for the quick reply - I know what you mean about the huge lines! Last time I was in Paris I only had about 4 hours to look around the city and wanted to go to the louve but the line was at least an hour or 2 long 😞
I'm just hoping there will be other tourists around at that time for me to meet!
Has anyone travelled to North Korea from China? I would be really interested in doing a short 2 - 5 day trip to NK whilst im over there - has anyone done anything like this? I've read it is possible - but the only company I could find was offering trips at prices slightly (rediculously) above my budget (arond 1200 euros)
Cheers
Reply to this Hello again Sam
I am visiting North Korea in September this year. For a group tour of 3 full days in North Korea you are looking at about 700-1000 Euros (including trains or flights in and out). I'm doing a individual tour for 7 full days in North Korea and this is under 1700 Euros. The cost of getting into the country is quite high, so the longer you are there, the lower the average daily cost becomes.
To enter North Korea you must book via an authorised agency, there are only about a dozen in the world. I would not recommend you book any tour with a US or South Korean agency - their prices are too high as they reflect the extra charges imposed on US and South Korean passport holders. The European agencies are cheaper, and there are also a couple based in China. I hope that you are not a US passport holder, otherwise your prices (regardless of who you book with) will be higher.
If you go to the North Korea page in Wikitravel, it will list the companies you can use. If you wish more info on my research on the companies that travel there, please send me a Private Message using the Travelblog system. I too found some ridiculous prices, but eventually discovered two or three reasonable ones, and I going to book with one of them.
Reply to this you must visit croatia.
i've been on bike tour last year with my girl in dubrovnik.
it's amazing city specially old part.they in dubrovnik call it grad-means town.
we did tour around walls and booked excursion to mostar.
first we booked on website this fantastic
(very good price and value for money)!!!!
it's big apartment 60 m2 overlooking to the old town and bay in front,same view like from postcards.it has private parking for bikes !!!!
owners are very friendly and helpfull people,24 hours dailly available and fluent english speakers.this is best apartment i've stayed.
also if you' re coming you may check choice of apartments on website and book excursion on page (they have best choice and reasonable prices)!!!!
Reply to this Hello Sam 😊
Has anyone else travelled Europe around this time? Is it enjoyable?
I live in Europe so am there most Winters. I have also travelled in some countries here in Winter. Unless you hate the cold, it is also nice to travel in Winter. You get to see what places are like and what people are like when there are not many tourists around. And there are lots of cosy places to sit, cafes, bars.... And if you are in Budapest you could go to the Turkish baths to get warm.
I'll be going on the trip alone - what are my chances of meeting other travellers to hang out with?
You will meet lots and lots, especially if you stay at hostels.
Anyone have any ideas / advice on what to take and pack?
Travel as light as possible. A heavy backpack can become a real chore.
Mel
Reply to this Never been in Europe and I really admire on Sam's Travel Plan for 2009. Good luck Sam!
Reply to this Europe in winter would be a different experience to Europe in the summer. Not necessarily worse. The 2 main points I'd raise are:
1. Many tourist attractions, especially smaller ones in little towns, tend to be closed or not open so often off season, so if you're going for sight seeing you might not see as much as you do in summer, though what is open will be more empty. If you're going mainly to explore people's cultures however then you're in for a treat. The general cost of travelling (i.e. accommodation) is bound to be far cheaper off season.
2. Make sure you dress well, and remember that your distance from the sea will usually affect how cold it is drastically more so than your distance from the north pole. Basically - Budapest in winter, you need a good coat. Paris, despite being further north, you just need a good umbrella 😊
Reply to this hello pilnikjezerobota,
Thank you for your reply.
I also got idea from this.
Have a blessed day ahead!
Reply to this Thankyou all 😊
Only 7 weeks or so till im off.. im getting scared! so much to go and get ready and I havn't even got a list of what I'm going to take yet! - I have to take clothing for 2 different climates.. might try and buy most clothes while i'm away!
I'm worried about how easy/hard it's going to be for me to meet people...! I don't wanna end up alone the whole time.
Reply to this 
