Solo Backpacker

Hello Courtney and welcome to Travelblog!

Good idea to just book the first part of your trip and then other places later on, though I should forewarn you that during the latter half of July and August Europe's travel sights are very busy (far busier than we experience in Australia) as that is summer holidays.

My recommended itinerary for anyone travelling to Europe is the Italy-Austria-Switzerland-Czech Republic-France-Spain-Portugal route (or vice-versa). It does take a lot of effort to reach Portugal, so it may not be possible, but Spain should be on everyone's itinerary - fantastic country.

In Europe the main cities are also the main attractions for architecture, history and nightlife - Rome, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Prague, Berlin - it is difficult to list five better cities than these. However, you will find that your time in Europe will pass quickly, so you need to decide whether you want to see a lot of places with a short amount of time at each, or spend longer in fewer places. I tend to prefer the latter, but for your first trip it may make sense to see a bit of everything. Reply to this

Madrid is a must for me - I know that most others prefer Barcelona to Madrid, but for me it is the other way. Both are great cities, but different. If you can, head to Granada to see the amazing Alhambra - both by night and day - well worth the journey. It is the only palace I've visited that matches (in a different style) the Palace of Versailles near Paris.

You hear a lot of stories about the beach resorts in Spain - my suggestion would be that if you are looking for nightlife, they might be fine, but for quality of beaches, you will be disappointed.

A week in each place is a great plan - places such as Rome and Paris are worth a month, but it is not really possible with your time frame. One week will give you a chance to soak and relax in the city instead of racing around trying to cram everything in and then burning yourself out after a few weeks.

If you are booking accommodation a week or two in advance, you should be okay. When I travelled around Europe during that time I generally didn't have a problem, but then I had the luxury of a car and tent, and camping grounds weren't as popular.

My favourite places in Europe are this:

Madrid and Paris - my two favourite cities in Europe - culture, architecture, fantastic art galleries, food - they have it all. The Sainte Chapelle in Paris is my favourite church in the world.
Prague - the old city was the most beautiful I had ever seen until I visited Sana'a in Yemen.
Bernese Oberland) - the mountain area of Switzerland is fantastic. Interlarken is a great base, and try to see the Jungfraujoch (the train station is at an altitude 3454 metres), but only go if you can see the mountains from Interlarken, if you cannot, save your journey and money for another day.
Rome - Roman ruins, fantastic food, and the Vatican - so much in one city.
Tuscan Hills - Florence and the surrounding towns such as Pisa, Siena and my favourite, San Gimignano, are wonderful to behold.

Not sure have you are planning to get around, but consider the Eurail Select Pass where you can take trains for between 5-10 days of travel in a two month period within 3-5 countries. I'd use it for Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain and one other - these are the best value rail passes and since you intend to stay a week in each place, they make more sense than a normal Eurail Pass that only becomes beneficial if you travel to a lot of places in a short time. Train travel in Europe is an absolute joy.

If you have any other questions, I am happy to answer them! Reply to this

Unless you are going to or from London, the Olympics shouldn't impact on your budget.

I'd recommend a journey to Venice, it is a great city to get lost in and you'll regret it if you don't go. I based myself in Verona (as in the city of Romeo and Juliet fame) and travelled there for a day visit, but wish I'd stayed there for longer.

I hadn't considered the flight option and that does make a lot of sense. Worth taking at least one train trip though, just for the experience.

Would love to participate in the La Tomatina festival, if you do head there it is sure to make a great blog! Reply to this

Hi D MJ, I'd really like to go to Paris for a couple of nights, did you stay in a hostel? I'd be backpacking and my budget is around $1000 AUS per week, and I've heard Paris is quite expensive so if I don't go there this year then definitely next year. Reply to this

In response to: Msg #157318
Wow that's awesome that'd be so interesting! Okay thank you I'll keep that in mind when I book for Italy and London. I think I'll definitely be going to Spain everything Ive heard sounds amazing 😊 Reply to this

Don't forget to spend some time in Athens. I hope you aren't planning to just fly in and out.... I love Athens....I know most people don't but I loved the energy and the kind people.
The islands are amazing. You will have a wonderful time.

Please blog. Can't wait to read about your adventure and see your photos.

Reply to this

I'm going to try and see as much as I can in Athens in my first two days, but if I feel like I want more time there I might book a couple more nights after the islands. Ive heard a lot of great things about Spain and Portugal, especially the food, so I think I might head there before I consider France, I'm not a huge fan of wine, but I've always wanted to take a walk along Champs Elysees ave and see the arc de triomphe it looks beautiful! Reply to this

Hi Courtney, there are so many amazing places in Europe to see.

We travelled from the North to the South of Italy last year for our honeymoon and we enjoyed every part. I think Verona and Florence were probably my favourites.

Italy is VERY expensive though, when you go in to any restaurant or cafe you pay for your food or drinks and then have to pay if you want to sit down to enjoy them.

We also visited Paris, Reims and Epernay last year and really enjoyed our time there too visiting all of the champagne houses in the champgane region and visiting the sights and museums of Paris.

If you can plan your trip so that you hit Spain in late August you could go to La Tomatina, the world's biggest food fight. I haven't been yet but we will one day. San Fermin, another fesitval, starts in the next few days so you will miss out on that but I loved running with the bulls.

As for London, what can I say, it's my home. I could probably write an essay of an answer on what you should see in London lol.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about our trips feel free to send us a message or take a look at some of our blogs. Reply to this

As requested by TravelBlog legend, Aspiringnomad, a bullet point-ish essay "What you should see in London"

Top sights.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, a short walk from here is 10 Downing street, although you can't get a good picture nowadays through the gates it still worth a visit.

Buckingham Palace isn't too far either, now it is summer the changing of the guards takes place every day, I would recommend arriving around 10am to get the best view. To see the actual guard change stand near the gates but the best part of the guard change in my opinion, is the several different guards marching back and forth at the top of The Mall.

Trafalgar Square, although I think this is best enjoyed at night when there are less crowds and you can take some amazing pictures of the National Gallery.

From Trafalgar Square take a walk along Northumberland Avenue and you come to the River Thames, again you can take some amazing pictures at night. If you cross the bridge in front of you and head West you come to the London Eye, although not a historical sight it will always hold a place in my heart as I proposed to Nikki here.

If you don't mind a walk, head East along the Thames and you will eventually reach The Tate museum and the Millenium Bridge, aka the wobbly bridge. Another great place to take pictures, especially from the South side as you can use the bridge to create a leading line to St Pauls Cathedral.

You are now in the City of London, there are loads of historical sites here. Da Vinci code lovers can go to Temple Church, built in the 1100's by the Knights Templar as their English head quarters.

You can visit places like, where The Great fire of London started, The Old Bailey (London's biggest court) and the last remaining parts of the old London wall which was built around London by the Romans, but there isn't really much to see so I'd only recommend them if you have a lot of time.

The iconic Tower Bridge, not London Bridge like most people think. Although if you go to London Bridge you are now greeted on the South side by Europe's biggest building, The Shard, which is very impressive.

I can think of other sights but believe it or not I'm trying to keep this brief lol.

Top museums

Victoria & Albert
National Gallery
Natural History Museum
British Museum (my personal favourite, great for taking pictures)
Churchill's War Rooms
The Wallace Collection

Fun experiences

Soho late at night (not my cup of tea but an experience if you have never been).

A medieval Banquet, St Katherines Dock. Not only a very beautiful place to visit but good food and good entertainment and something a little different.

Ride a cable car over the Thames, I'm yet to do this myself but have heard it is pretty cool.

See a show at Shakespeare's Globe, near the Millenium Bridge. It can get very cold if you're not dressed correctly as it is outdoors.

Go shopping on Oxford Street and Knightsbridge (again, not my cup of tea but some people like shopping for some reason lol).

See a show in Theatre land, a friend of mine is currently in 'Thriller live' and other frineds that have seen have recommended it.

Watch the street entertainers in Covent Garden and Leicester Sqaure.

Near the bottom of The Shard is borough Market, a vibrant market selling an amazing variety of food, I love it there.

A very 'touristy' question I used to get asked a lot is "where is the best place to buy a traditional fish and chips?" and the answer is, no where near any of the tourist sights. Another delicacy, if you can call it that, is the cockney favourite, pie and mash with liquer, being a cockney I love this but the wife doesn't think much of it lol.

Sorry to have waffeled on a bit, to be honest I could go on and on but I'll stop there before I bore people, if I haven't already lol. Reply to this

Hello Courtney!!

I'm 20 and I'm traveling around Europe. I'm from Berlin.

Now I'm in Valencia (in Spain with mediterranean beach) in home Backpackers hostel, you can find nice young european people in this hostel. <snip>

And in London I stayed in St'Christophers hostel.

I choosed all my hostels from Europe Famous Hostel there is a list of the best hostels for young backpackers in europe. <snip>

I hope in helps!!
Reply to this