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Picking a Pack

Packing for a trip will take longer than throwing things in a suitcase or backpack the night before. Having all the essentials purchased and packed a week or so before your trip will take the stress out of making it to the airport and last minute goodbye phone calls. In fact the first thing one has to think about is what kind of bag are you going to throw all your stuff into. This decision really comes down to what kind of trip you are planning on taking.

Generally speaking, the choice comes down to two types of "hauling" equipment. 1. A more traditional suitcase that has wheels and a handle to allow for dragging through train stations and airports or 2. An internal frame backpackers backpack that, like the name says, you carry on your back. The first option may be good for the traveler who is flying into Paris and staying in Paris at the same hotel for the duration of the trip. They will only need to move to and from the airport or train station once and can leave the luggage unpacked in the room for the whole time. That being said, anywhere I travel there is little that is more frustrating than trying to run to make a train departure and having to weave in and out of slow moving and disoriented travelers dragging large suitcases behind them as if they were part of a Japanese game show and you were the contestant who will soon fall flat on your face. Then when you get to your train it is invariably these travelers trying to hoist their overloaded suitcase up to their travel partner in the train, who already has two or three other suitcases around them, that are blocking any movement or entrance to your car or seat. All of this only makes the hilarious scene of these travelers trying to maneuver a suitcase on two small wheels over the cobblestones and uneven walkways of Europe more enjoyable. So...by now you may have guessed my choice in luggage.

On every trip I have taken, whether it is 7 days or 40, 1 country or 6, an internal frame backpack is what I use. This type of pack allows you to move about hands free so you can keep an eye on that all important map and is for all intents and purposes just an extension of yourself. This means that you can hop on a train and find your seat or climb the stairs to your hotel room without the struggles of carrying a suitcase. Being hands free also has its advantages when trying to walk down a moving train car in Italy...it may just save you the embarrassment of landing in a local's lap. New suspension systems on these types of packs relieve a lot of stress on the back and make carrying one of these quite comfortable, especially when you consider everything you own is inside it. If you are going to visit several locations and use public transportation to get there, this is the way to go.

Purchasing a pack that has easy access to its contents is important. Some people prefer a bunch of outer-pockets for separating one's belongings and others like one big "sack" like pack that everything fits into. In any case you want to be able to get to your clean socks that are at the bottom of your bag without taking everything out of it and having to re-pack every time. In terms of size I have found that 4500-5000 cubic inches (that's how the capacity of these packs are measured and noted at the store) has been perfect for short or long trips. All-in-all I pack about the same for all trips (see the packing check list I have put together) and this size allows for a little extra room for souvenirs but not so much that I end up buying stuff just to fill it and end up overloaded. In fact 4500-5000 cubic inches really makes it hard to over-pack and that can make your trip much more comfortable. In addition, a pack this size usually falls within the carry-on limits for international flights making the whole disembark and find your bag fiasco a thing of the past (just watch what you pack or you may loose your Swiss army knife or fingernail clippers. Buying these things once you land is worth the benefits of getting to your hotel quickly right after an 8 hour flight).

As for what one should spend...this can vary because of any number of factors; not the least of which is how much you can afford. That being said, I see no reason one should spend more than 300 dollars on a backpack like this. $200-300 will get you a pack that will last for many many trips and years and several models now have the option of adding extra storage by attaching supplemental pockets if the need arises.

No matter how much you decide is the right amount to spend try the pack on in the store and ask the salesperson to fill it with weights. This will allow you to see how the pack fits and if it is the right size and shape for you. Most camping supply stores that carry internal frame backpacks will have large beanbag type sacks that can be put into the pack to simulate the weight of your clothes and travel items. Try to find a specialty store in your area as these will have knowledgeable staff who understand the products and genuinely love what they do. This of course translates, usually, into a willingness to help you through the sale by answering all your questions. REI, Trail and Ski and Bass Pro shops (outdoor world) have always been my favorite stores to shop in for packs or other equipment.

Lastly you may be asking why an internal frame pack and not the good old external backpacking packs. Simply put the external packs are outdated. They do not stay as close to your body and therefor put more strain on your back and tend to be much broader which makes moving down plane or train isles difficult. The internal frame pack tends to be much more comfortable and maneuverable and with new designs you don't have to worry about airflow to your back on hot days. Taking the time to find the right type and a size of pack is as important as getting the right pair of shoes. This thing is going to essentially be your home and best friend for a couple weeks and you need to likewise feel comfortable in it and want to keep it around.

Seeing the Sites

First things first; one needs to know where to go for information. Whether your at home planning for your trip or sitting in a Swiss hostel spending way to much for Internet time you will no doubt need to know which websites to use when booking the next leg of your journey. Over the years I have used many sites and companies to book reservations, find train schedules (because that little book you get with your rail-pass falls apart after 2 weeks of travel) and get flights to my destinations. Generally I have found the following sites the most reliable and helpful. Of course there are other sites out there and many blogs will endlessly list them. I for one like to keep things simple and just give you the tried and tested basics. Here are all the essential sites you will "need" while planning or experiencing your trip.


Getting There-


http://www.kayak.com This site is great to look up plane tickets too and from Europe. It actually searches all the other sites, expedia, orbitz, etc and all the airline sites. Hands down I have found this site to be the most comprehensive search when looking for a inexpensive flight.


http://www.sidestep.com Pretty much the same as the one above.


http://www.statravel.com I haven't necessarily found the cheapest flights here but if you are a student you may be able to find a flight that allows for more flexibility on changing return dates or departure airports when you realize you just don't want to come home yet.



Getting Around Once Your There-


Planes

http://www.ryanair.com This is a budget airline over in Europe. If you book a flight in advance you can often get the flight for a cent plus tax...usually around 40 bucks or less. This would be a useful site if you decide to fly from place to place in Europe and plan your trip out in advance rather than city hop on a whim. The flights usually fly into secondary airports a little bit out of the main city your trying to reach but for the most part the airline has a bus that will take you into the city or it is a quick subway ride (usually connected to the airport) into town.








http://www.germanwings.com http://www.easyjet.com These two companies are just like the one above but fly to different places. Germanwings tends to be a bit more pricey but nicer.

Trains

http://www.raileurope.com Here you will find information on rail passes, train timetables, maps and bookings. I prefer to make bookings in person at the train station but if your planning a trip that will utilize a rail pass check this out.


http://www.bahn.de A German site but you can put most of it into English . In any case it is fairly self-explanatory. This will be the most up to date listing of timetables for trains.


http://www.eurostar.com This site will give you info on the chunnel train from London to Paris or Brussels. If you fly into London this would be the quickest, not cheapest, way of getting to the continent. The raileurope.com above also has info on this and the eurolines.com below has another cheap but overnight alternative to this which I used that last time. They put an entire bus on a train and take it under water! Yeah, it is that cool.


Automobiles

http://www.europcar.com For those who want to do some driving overseas. I have rented cars from this company several times and like in the US there is often an upgrade in the type of car they give you when you show up. Several times I was pleased to find a GPS navigation device that really helps when your trying to find a way around cities like Prague.

http://www.eurolines.com If you decide to take a bus from place to place, this site is where you would want to book it. They are essentially the greyhound of Europe.


Sleeping Around


http://www.venere.com This is a website that I found and used last time I was over there. If you want to stay in budget hotels (don't let the name fool you they are nothing like a super 8, and often have their own balcony. The bathroom being down the hall is just part of the charm) or fancy 4 star places you can find them here. In general budget hotels are cheaper and nicer than hostels if there are more than one of you traveling together. This site is great for finding, comparing and seeing hotels you would not normally find. I never had any problems with bookings through it so it seems very trustworthy and reviews are accurate.

http://www.hostelworld.com Great site for finding a listing of any type of accommodation with reviews, pics and prices. Booking through the site is easy and it is well known. If you are planning on staying in Hostels this is the site to use.

What I'm doing here why you will want to come back

Welcome fellow Travelers! First things first, my name is Christopher Michael and based on the fact that you are reading this you, like me have a great fondness for traveling around Europe or are planning on going. Over the years I have traveled and lived throughout Europe and although I currently live in the US I return as often as possible. Since much of my traveling has been as a student working on Graduate Degrees I understand that usually the most inexpensive trips take the most planning but can bring the most rewards. At the same time, I am beginning to understand the...shall we say, "benefits" of traveling with a bit more money too spend. That being said my heart still lies with the budget traveling experience and this site will reflect that while at the same time offer useful information to everyone.

My goal for this site is to share my experiences, tips and information on traveling Europe in the hopes that you can put together the trip you are looking forward too. If your already there, then I hope to have posts that can guide you through the city or country you are in. I will do my best to cover planning for a trip, what to expect when you arrive, where to go, what to see, where to stay and what to avoid. Of course each person has their own ideal on what makes a good trip but at least you'll know what worked for me and the others I have helped through the process.

Every trip is a learning experience and for me that is half the fun. In fact, a great deal of the enjoyment I get out of a trip actually starts with the planning. As I see it, this site will probably take shape pretty much the same way a trip to Europe would. Early posts will deal with planning, packing, flights etc and eventually include country specific info then city and all with unexpected hiccups along the way. All in all I just love to travel and want to help you all have the trip of a lifetime....really what else would I do with my time as I sit in my office all day at work? At least this way some of you may tell me stories of the trips I've assisted with to help pass the time while I wait for my next Europe trip.
Of course this site is brand new but check back regularly as new info will be posted often.