I need tips! My cousin and I are planning a trip to Europe in the spring. I'd like to go for a couple of months if possible (that's only going to happen if I sell the beast), otherwise it'll just be 3 weeks or so. We're hoping to hit up England, Scotland, Ireland, France (hopefully meet some relatives and see the village where my mum was born!), Italy, and Malta to visit family. We've both spent some time in central and eastern France and I've been around South Western Germany... so I kind of know where to go around there, but otherwise Im lost. We are looking into Contiki Travel... anyone used them before? We would only go on a shorter tour with them. I'm just worried about now having the time to hang out in an area for longer periods of time, etc because we'd have to stick to a scedule. I think I'd prefer to backpack and stay in hostels. So... anyone done this. Any tips on books I should read or anything? I'm super stoked ... too bad it's so far away!

I've been here for 13 months or so. Unfortunately, the real world is catching up to me, and I'm headed back home in a week (AHH) to go back to all the responsibilities that life throws at you once you start getting older... That being said, I would REALLY reconsider the hostle thing. I stayed in a few this year (Prague, Krakow, Budapest, Bucharest, a bunch of cities in Germany, etc.) and seriously, with the exception of the one in Prague (that cost €40/night anyway), they were all pretty gross. When I was in Paris last August, we found a SUPER cute hotel room that was comparable in price to a nice hostle. As far as travel guides go, The Lonely Planet makes some really awesome guides. I'm sure you can find them on amazon...

Well first off, if you don't have passports or need to renew, apply for them NOW. There is a serious backup due to new passport regulations causing a large number of applications. I have heard of it taking up to 5 months for non-expedited passports.

As hostels go, I would say do your research and talk to others who have stayed in them to make sure you find good ones. They can be hit or miss. I stayed in one in London that I really liked (Astor Hyde Park Hostel) and it also had smaller rooms available... my friend and I had a private room just for 2 of us. We stayed at another one in Manchester that was basically some guy's house and was pretty creepy.

Hostels aren't the end of the world. I stayed in one in Naples that was odd, but the guy was nice, let us use the internet for free and cooked for us. We had really good experiences with places that were called "camping" but were really just nice cabins, and Hostelworld.com lists hotels as well as hostels in the lower price ranges. I'm jealous though, I didn't get to travel nearly as much as I wanted to. Ireland and Scotland are the two I'm the angriest I missed out on.

As far as traveling in Italy, be careful in the south, especially Naples (I hear Rome can be wild too, but never got to go). I had someone try to pick my pocket twice and was attacked by a group of gypsy girls. If you have long/blonde hair, wear it tied back. You will get hit on a lot in 90% of Italy, especially if you are blonde and obviously American. The northern areas are tamer but more expensive. Anyone who is in the business of dealing with tourists speaks at least rudimentry english. Venice is out of control expensive. None of the local bus systems anywhere are reliable or timely, the trains are usually better.

We always stole guides from the library at school so I couldn't tell you what to get, but definitely have a plan before you go anywhere. As far as tours and such go, they aren't such a bad idea in some places, (especially the really big touristy ones) backpacking and going on your own can be fun, but it can also be scary and overwhelming when there's just 2 of you in a foreign country and nobody around to help you out.

If you have any questions about specific things/places about Italy, let me know, I was there for 4 months.

PS: Malta should be amazing, I had friends that were there over spring break and looks gorgeous. The money deal there is kinda a pain though.

thanks guys! I found an awesome website with lists of hotels as well as ratings.. so if we choose to go that route we'd probably just use the website and stay at the highest rated ones :P. We'll still consider contiki.
I wasn't even considering Malta but I have family there and my mum thinks I should go... I guess it would be really neat to see and I'd have aplace to stay! I am just reallly wanting to see Ireland and Scotland, if I make it there, everything else is icing on the cake!
Also anyone done Spain?? I met this guy last week thru a friend who is in town to learn english.. but he dj's in spain and would be able to show us around, etc. Is it worth the trip??

Spain is one of my favorite countries in Europe ... in fact the next time I go, it'll probably be to spend time traveling around just Spain ... personally, I wouldn't skip it.

thanks
K well we've got some serious planning to do!!!! I'm so excited. Any fav. places would be great!

You should come and visit me. I will be moving to Germany in January, possibly February. ill spend two weeks processing, then Ill get my actual duty station, so i should be moved into my new place no later than the end of Feb. You should deffinately visit though