Backpacking Insight wanted :)

GreenHell

Hi Guys, planning to get away for a few weeks this summer, trouble is I've no idea where to start planning all this, so if anyone has done anything like this, input is welcome.

Looking to fly into toulouse, head down towards the coast and travel towards the Appennies, cross into Spain, go along the alantic coast/head inland aim for Lisbon anyway and fly home. Thats the basic idea.

Redleslie

Sounds fun. Instead of having a firm plan, take each day as it comes and you'll enjoy yourself more. I've gone around Europe like that. Try and explore the beautiful Languedoc region and Montpellier a little bit.

comet

First buy a good travel book for the region. I like Lonely Planet. Next thing is get your flights. Once you have these, book your first night or two accomodation and after that it should be easy enough to get it on the fly. Get your E111 form. Get photocopies of your tickets, passport etc. Sort out money, credit card is easiest if you have one. Pack your bag and off you go. Meet interesting people, see wonderful places and feel the satisfaction of being able to do it all yourself.

peeps

its always a good idea to email yourself you ticket/passport/insurance/travellerchecks etc details so that even if you lose your photocopies you still have the info online.
theres a good site for women travellers but it also has some general handy tips on what to bring with you and how to reduce the amount of stuff you bring, its: www.journeywoman.com
another good site is www.travellerspoint.com

GreenHell

Thanks guys, might be going on my own, don't really care if anyone wants to come or not, so are there any places I should stay away from or stuff like that.

rodney.redneck

backpacking tips:

bring small padlocks for tent, rucksack etc.
be practical with clothes, you will find you wont need that much.
if you are on a tight budget and camping it is handy to have the essentials for cooking your own food- plate, spoon, knife, small pot, small gas canister with ring (optional).
other useful items to bring are a small rug/mat, piece of string or thin nylon rope to make a clothes line, lonely planet guide, penknife.

I would recommend camping, particularly in france, there are some really good camp sites with fantastic facilities and they are often more craic than staying in other forms of accomadation not to mention much better value.

the languedoc region was mentioned but if you have time check out the provence as well. aix-en-provence is beautiful with an amazing campsite called camping chante clerc. you can pitch your tent on top of the hill with complete coverage from the trees and the view is the best you will ever wake up to, it has to be seen to be believed, its the ideal spot to polish off a few bottles of wine read your book and watch the sunset. the nightlife isnt bad either. if you venture to the cote-dazur check out antibes its a great spot and there is a sandy cove/beach (most beaches are stone) in the town and there is great snorkeling if you swim out around the rocks.

if you are travelling from alot and spending a short time in each place, then take the train the whole way. but if you want to explore a particular region then hire a car to give you a bit of flexibilty to reach out of the way places.

im harping on a bit but check out the camargue if at all possible. its situated at the estuary of the rhone i think and its the same idea as a national park but is completely unique. the landscape is marshland and fields with black bulls, white horses and flamingos.

thats enough for now i think

Matfinn

Heres what I think you should do.

If you have the time in the summer, ie: 3 - 6 weeks, then go inter railing around eastern Europe. Visit countries like Croatia, Czec Republic, Italy, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia, for example. Eastern Europe is alot cheaper than Western Europe in alot of respects, so your money will get you alot further.

Trust me its the best thing you can do You get an inter railing ticket for about 200-300 euro and accomodation can cost as little as 15 a night, but these prices may go up.

Matt

Dave!

Just thought I'd bump this thread since it's interesting...

Do you guys prefer to stay in hostels with other travellers, or in a tent on your own/with whoever you're camping with? Does there tend to be alot of other travellers at camp sites at the same time, or is it just a case of the camp site is there for anyone passing through (which isn't often) ?