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[Urist McScoopbeard]

So for the last few months or so, having recently gotten out of depression and spending a lot of time pondering the world I decided that I wish to travel the bulk of Europe, preferably by foot. Of course, I've considered the idea a novelty for many years, but recently this feeling of wanderlust is occurring so strongly that I am compelled to go.

Unfortunately i'm a bit lost on how to begin my venture. Im heading in to university, so I won't be starting my journey for a few years at least, which should hopefully give me enough time to put financial, social, and security plans in place before then, but to restate myself: where do i begin?

To ask some more specific questions:

Is this feasible?
I would like to spend some time between 6 months and multiple years out in the world, hopefully travelling between all the major cities and various other locations in Europe. Mostly the mainland, around the countries of Spain, France, Germany, Austria, and Italy, to name a few.

What kind of skills do I really need?
Besides a plethora of languages and camping/survival skills, should I be taking self-defence lessons? Or any other lessons for that matter???

What kind of cash are we talking?
You know, for supplies, a passport, and slew over other expenses.

Anyways, thats a lot expressed right there in not too many words, so if you need to know something to help me out please ask!

Any and all help appreciated!

[ragman le bon]

Where are you from? (doesn't really matter). Are you intent on WALKING everywhere, from Barcelona to Vienna to Amsterdam etc. Are you up to it, and doing it all with a heavy pack on your back (this is what kills these long distance hikes for me). Anyway, if you're fit yes it's feasible but I would be open to taking a train/bus sometimes, to save some time and give yourself a rest!

You don't need self defence lessons, though depending on where you plan to camp you might get into some interesting situations. Where did you expect to be camping? Some places have campsites but if you're planning on finding an out of the way place where you can get away with staying every night, this kind of thing can take a lot of your time. And in the major cities this is pretty much out. Sounds like you're not the type to worry too much about an itinerary, what's so helpful now (and even more so in a few years) is if you've got a smartphone, tablet or whatever you can plan and book things as you go.

Languages, most young people speak enough English to help you. Older people not so much but knowing a bit of French or German (depending where you are) is very common. I would strongly recommend not spending all your time in Western Europe, I go on holiday to Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Serbia, Romania and love these places. Southeastern Europe has a great climate and is not as expensive as most other places. Also Britain is nice (I have to say that).

Money is hard to say, obviously you can't have too much. If you're time rich and cash poor you can do some work on your way, seasonal farm work tends to done by non-locals, ie. grape picking, apple picking. A month of that, a caravan to stay in and no expenses, you could make a big difference to your funds that way. In Britain these workers get more than our minimum wage and get to do some real work, while the unemployed locals don't want to get their hands dirty. Off topic!
Anyway, a recent holiday in Croatia cost me and my girlfriend 50GBP each per day, including flights (from Britain) and accommodation (apartments costing 20-35GBP per night. Very little restaurant eating, mostly bread and cheese etc. from the market, travelling on buses.

Long story short, you can do it!

[sneakey pete]

Biking is quite possible in Europe and probably not a bad idea to cover ground quicker. I can see the attraction of taking a slower approach to travel, one thing that turns me off about bus tours of Europe is that you don't spend any time between the attractions, being able to check out little towns and the country side on the way would be a big plus.

[Urist McScoopbeard]

Where are you from? (doesn't really matter). Are you intent on WALKING everywhere, from Barcelona to Vienna to Amsterdam etc. Are you up to it, and doing it all with a heavy pack on your back (this is what kills these long distance hikes for me). Anyway, if you're fit yes it's feasible but I would be open to taking a train/bus sometimes, to save some time and give yourself a rest!

I'm from the US! I'm intent in walking most places, i'd be willing to take transportation when I get in to the colder climates, but I'd like to walk.

Languages, most young people speak enough English to help you. Older people not so much but knowing a bit of French or German (depending where you are) is very common. I would strongly recommend not spending all your time in Western Europe, I go on holiday to Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Serbia, Romania and love these places. Southeastern Europe has a great climate and is not as expensive as most other places. Also Britain is nice (I have to say that).

Well that's good to hear at least! and as far as eastern Europe goes, I'll at least be making a few stops there.

Money is hard to say, obviously you can't have too much. If you're time rich and cash poor you can do some work on your way, seasonal farm work tends to done by non-locals, ie. grape picking, apple picking. A month of that, a caravan to stay in and no expenses, you could make a big difference to your funds that way. In Britain these workers get more than our minimum wage and get to do some real work, while the unemployed locals don't want to get their hands dirty. Off topic!

Well thanks for the employment tips, I'll consider that!

Thanks for all your advice and encouragement!

Biking is quite possible in Europe and probably not a bad idea to cover ground quicker. I can see the attraction of taking a slower approach to travel, one thing that turns me off about bus tours of Europe is that you don't spend any time between the attractions, being able to check out little towns and the country side on the way would be a big plus.

Yea, like I said, my preferable route would be going through mostly small towns in between larger cities. I'd probably stop by some historical sites too, and of course the ocean in the warmers climes. I'm not a big fan of biking though! Although, I will consider it once I've nailed down at least a basic route.

[Meph]

I have been to 114 countries, including ALL european countries but one (Belarus). I usually bicycle, which I would recommend several times over hiking, but I also do have hiking knowledge.

Yes, people on Bay12 know me for my mod, but my actual profession is travelling. I dont like to boast, but I am really, really good at it.

I do AMA's on reddit now and then, here is the latest one: http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycletouring/comments/1uydcc/ask_me_anything_im_a_bicycle_tourer_with_over_100/

You can find a lot of info in there, but I would like to ask you to write me up on Facebook. A chat will be much better than a forum thread. I always love to get people out there and doing things. You can find my contacts in my signature, the link to my website is right there.

EDIT: These are the countries I have been to. Ask anything you want about those. About the rest I do have first-hand reports by other travellers, or know people from there.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[ragman le bon]

I have been to 114 countries, including ALL european countries but one (Belarus).

I notice the Republic of Ireland is not ticked off on the map?

[Meph]

Sorry, my mistake. Ireland comes in August, flight is already booked. Mentally I am already at a "only Belarus left" state of mind.

[Sergius]

I seem to remember a site called Couch Surfing where people met others who were willing to let you crash on their couch, all over the world. Apparently that's a thing. I don't really know much more than that, so well, there's that if it's your kind of thing.

[Sheb]

Hitchhiking works great for bigger stretches too. Feel free to PM me when you get to Belgian, I'll pay you a beer!

[Meph]

I seem to remember a site called Couch Surfing where people met others who were willing to let you crash on their couch, all over the world. Apparently that's a thing. I don't really know much more than that, so well, there's that if it's your kind of thing.

Couchsurfing.org and Warmshower.org (for cyclists) is the one you are thinking of. I have used both now and then, and its always a nice experience, because you meet people in the country that know their way around. And yes, its free.

But the results are extremely random. A friend of mine from Bulgaria once used Warmshowers.org to literally just hop in, take a shower, and cycled on. While I heard other stories of Couchsurfers that ended up staying 6 months at the same house. Its often fraternities, or larger houses with roommates and a free room for a bit, and generally quite easy going if you write the right people. For example I had a blast staying at a fraternity of the MIT in Boston, or on a small island near Rio de Janeiro where no one locks their door and no cars are allowed.

[Comrade P.]

Sorry, my mistake. Ireland comes in August, flight is already booked. Mentally I am already at a "only Belarus left" state of mind.

I wonder how much Russia is Europe. Geographically, something like one third part of it is European, everything to the west from Ural mountains. But that is georgaphically.

[Meph]

Thats why the highest mountain of "Europe" is the Mt. Elbrus, not Mont Blanc. Always depends who you ask. The country is asian officially (Russia), but the region in the kaukasus is geographically speaking still Europe, or at the very least the border. Or you just call it Eurasia.

[Comrade P.]

The country is asian officially (Russia)

Really?

Ah, nevermind. Eurasia. Just fine like that.

[Meph]

Yeah, its like Turkey. 4% of it is "in Europe", while the rest is "in Asia". Of course they want to be european, to join the EU, but geographically speaking they are almost exclusively in Asia. But if we now add ethnicity (turkish people are asian, what?) and religion (Its a muslim country), then it gets super confusing. That being said, I really like that place.

[Sheb]

If we add ethnicity, pretty much all of us are asians. :p (Indo-European, right :p)