Did you travel to Europe before college/ after high school?

Question

If so, will you answer these questions:
1. Where did you go?
2. Were you ever afraid?
3. How difficult was it to plan/ travel places?
4. How much did it cost you?
5. What did you gain from the experience?
6. Any advice?

Answer 1

I went there right after my Freshman year of college, so I hope that counts.
1. We (I went with my brother who was 16 at the time) flew to/from Paris and did a loop by Eurail through Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden (I had a penpal who lived there), The Netherlands, Belguim and back to France.
2. Yes, we were afraid. It was 1986, just after the airport bombings. There were machine-gun armed guards on many of the street corners in Paris. The bombings had been directed at American tourists, so we did everything we could to not look like tourists.
3. It was very easy to go the places we wanted to go. The Eurail system is wonderful.
4. We used frequent flyer miles, so that was free. We bought Eurail passes (I think the going rate 20 years ago was about $200 American each), youth hostel passes (I don't remember how much that was) and we each had $200 to spend on incendentals like food. It was enough, but largely because breakfast was always free at the youth hostels.
5. It was an extremely valuable experience that I would never trade. I learned so much about the history and culture of the different countries that we visited. I learned a lot about my brother. I learned to appreciate other cultures. And I had a lot of fun!
6. Youth hostels are great. Eurail passes are great. Do your homework and decide exactly where you want to go and what you want to see before you get there. Enjoy!

Answer 2

When I finished highschool I went to school in Germany for my first year and then traveled around Europe when school ended.

My and my boyfriend at the time went to:

Salzburg - fun and pretty
Schladming, Austria - Skiing for one week
Vienna - Beautiful
Budapest - Fun and very cheep
Prague - Pretty and Cheep
Venice - Well expensive but good to see once
Florence - So beautiful
Rome - Amazing (book ahead though for hostels
Nice - Relaxed on the beach and went to Monaco

I have been to back to Europe since though (actually I live in Denmark now) so I also traveled around Spain and have visited Norway, Amsterdam, London and of course Denmark since, oh and Turkey.

I don't remember being afraid, ever, but I was living in Europe and so I kind of knew how things worked and I was traveling with my boyfriend who had traveled before. I saw other people getting scamed though. Mostly Americans. Just don't trust anyone, ever.

As for planning I think you should have a plan but be flexable enough not to have to stick to it if you can't get the train or something. Back then you could hope on and off the train but now I think you have to book a lot more often but like a day before.

I don't think it cost much back then, I think I spent like 2000 for one month including the train pass food, attractions and lodging. My parents had bought my ticket as a grad present and paid for my schooling in Germany. That was about 10 years ago though and things are a bit more expensive. By a lets go Europe book and have an idea where you would like to stay in different places. I often just find something when I go to the train station. People come up to you with rooms to rent or are reps from small cheep hotels. That is usually the best deal.

I gained so much. Living in Germany and back packing around Europe showed me how much more the world was then Canada and how many more ways of thinking and doing things there is. It really effected the rest of my life too. I never stopped traveling. I have lived in 4 different countries now.

My advice is that everyone should backpack around Europe before they start College so that they know whats out there and have some experience in life before commiting another 4 to 6 years to school. Plus then when you are older and you go back you will know where you want to go and it feels so good to stay in the 3 star hotel rather then the youth hostel once you know the differents.

You have to do it!!

Answer 3

I went as an exchange student when I was 16 and stayed in the central northern part of Italy.
I went again my Junior year in College to Provence, Florence, Pisa and Venice.
I was only afraid the time I was accosted by Gypsys, all I had to do was yell "no" at them and they left me alone. I am not sure how much it cost me but I do reccomend using a credit card for everything you can as it gives you the best exchange rate available.
I gained a lot from both experiences and would do it agian in a heart beat!! I love europe and went over the second time to study art. There is no better place for that!
My advice is go and have as much fun as possible. I reccomend learning a little of the language of the primary country you are going to. It seemed to help me in not having people look at me as the "stupid American". They seem to respect you more even if you bumble through your questions then ask if they know english. IMO.

Answer 4

Yes. In high school I went to Spain. I also went to England, Italy and France while I was in college. I read as much as I could about each county. I read about places to see and places to avoid. I read about safety concerns and etc since I was a female in foreign countries. I was nervous, but I was with other people and took the precautions that I could. I gained a lot from the experience. I learned a lot about each country, saw amazing things and ate very yummy food. I would do anything to do it again.