Spending a month abroad, anyone done it

DCFC79

flutterbyuk25 wrote: »

I did it round the US. Stayed in hostels and used cheap bus companies or budget flights to get around.

Hostels are great as they provide everything you need (bed/sheets/showers/internet) so no lugging camping equiptment etc, and there is a social side if you like that. You can get private rooms sleeping 1,2, 4 or 6 depending on group size for a bit more £ per night. In the US I was paying $20-$30ppn for hostel - dorm room, I am staying in one in Belfast in July over a weekend for £15ppn - 4 person private room ensuite. Look on www.hostelworld.com for inspiration.

x

i think hostels are out of the equation as 1 of the group had a friend who had his documents stolen while sleeping

flutterbyuk25

DCFC79 wrote: »

im think hostels are out of the equation as 1 of the group had a friend who had his documents stolen while sleeping

Every hostel I have stayed in for last 2 years (around 10 different ones in UK, US and NZ) have either had safety deposit boxes for personal items in the reception or a locker in the room where you can put your own padlock on it so no-one can open it.

HTH

x

mrscruffy

I went round Europe by train as a start to my year out. That was a while but I presume the Inter-Rail scheme is still running - One ticket gets you access to most of Europe's rail network.

Some nights we arrived and all the hostels were booked out. Not a problem thought as we stayed warm and dry drinking all night in various bars. Once we'd made it to first light we got on the first train out of the city, had a couple of hours sleep and then got in the next train back in to do some sightseeing!

It was a great holiday - Enjoy!

isplumm

I would look at interrailing - did a smaller version of this about 20 years ok - there are lots of excellent train systems in Europe.

Mark

laurel7172

I went around Europe by train when my children were 7 and 4...all our stuff in one backpack and a child on each hand. So packing-no problem. Just be organised and prepared to visit launderettes/wash things in the bathroom if allowed (many hostels don't allow it, but I wrung things dry and hung them in the wardrobe when we were out, at a push.)

We had a vile hostel in Prague with hostelworld. I mean so vile that we stopped off at McDonalds to use the loo on our way home, and got up and used the loo where we were eating breakfast in the morning. We showered at the spas. I only use hostels.com now, which has a cleanliness feedback rating, and if it isn't over 90%, I don't book...

Go for it. You'll have a fantastic time

travelgran

It's very easy. We've done this with a motorbike(s) and camping since our kids were small and now do it with just 2 of us. We've also now got a small campervan for added comfort but will still be on the bike in France in July.
You don't have to book, especially off-season. Just turn up. Be aware that many sites are not open all year. Easter is a popular start date, as is May or even June 1st.
Don't try to go too far or, as knightstyle says, you'll spend all your time in the car. When you've decided some key places that you all agree on, get a decent camping book. Michelin is good for France giving loads of municipal sites. These are not necessarily posh but usually cheaper and perfectly adequate. Initial prices may look cheap but don't forget to add up the different charges. It can be per person (OK) but then plus pitch, number of tents, vehicle etc. The ACSI book (try Google) has a good range and you get a cheaper rate for 2 people off-season. Any extra person just pays the usual rate. Tourist offices in UK sometimes have lists and maps. (I love planning!) You don't have to be rigid but I find it nice to know the location of at least some camp-sites in the area. The busiest are likely to be cities eg Paris (the only site I've ever booked in advance!), Rome etc or on the coast or near popular lakes.
Be aware that smaller sites in particular may not be staffed by English speakers so brush up any bits of 'school' languages you may have studied (and now forgotten!).
Northern Europe and Scandinavia tend to be more expensive but to be honest prices in Euroland tend to be evening out.
Go for it! As long as you're fairly relaxed and compatible, it's one of the best ways to spend a month of your life.

DCFC79

isplumm wrote: »

I would look at interrailing - did a smaller version of this about 20 years ok - there are lots of excellent train systems in Europe.

Mark

yes ive been to europe and know about the rail network

DCFC79

flutterbyuk25 wrote: »

Every hostel I have stayed in for last 2 years (around 10 different ones in UK, US and NZ) have either had safety deposit boxes for personal items in the reception or a locker in the room where you can put your own padlock on it so no-one can open it.

HTH

x

like i said im just passing on what i was told, maybe there was lockers available and 1 wasnt used

DCFC79

I think I need to sit them down and see if theres any places they want to see and start from there

Pee

When I go abroad, which is never for a month, I always use trains and stick to urban areas. I live in the country so I like to visit cities in my holidays. Hostels are usually located away from the centre, maning what you save on a bed you might waste in time getting there or the taxi there. I am not sure that they are any more prone to petty crime than hotels, but hostels are great if you are on your own, a hotel is an option if there are two or more.

If I was going for a month, I would probably look to drive and take camping gear just because of the cost saving, and that would mean that I wouldn't be going to Rome or Paris or any big cities.

I can't predict what would suit you, but I think I'd research a trip down France taking in a few historic battlefields and then go across for a bit of coast and then up to Normandy for the cider and Agincourt.