Soon, I will be headed to Europe for about 5 weeks. I'm going to start finalizing plans, but I'd be interested in getting some feedback from those of you who have already done something like this.

(1) Travel: Is a eurailpass the best deal for traveling through several countries? I'll start in UK, then I'll probably be hitting France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, maybe Holland and Belgium also.

(2) Lodging: Hostels look like the cheapest option, but I've never stayed in one. Has anyone booked online? I'm looking at hostelworld.com and hostelling international. Is there any advantage to booking with a hostel affiliated with "Hostelling International"?

(3) Any useful tips for someone traveling through Europe for the first time? I've already got a quad-band GSM phone and international SIM card, travel insurance, power adapters, but I always feel like I'm overlooking something.

(4) Anyone interested in meeting? I'll be traveling from about end of October to first week of December.

Thanks!

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I second the vote for Hamburg. I spend a week each May there, and its a great city.

As for advice, its tough for me to give you much since I don't know anything about you. I will say that you should travel light. Unless you're already a really light traveler, I recommend going through all the stuff you're planning on taking, and than make sure you leave 25 percent of it at home. You'll be amazed at the stuff you ended up not using/wearing when you get back home. Its pretty easy to do laundry over in Europe, and it'll be nice not to have such a heavy piece of luggage.

I'm over here in Madrid right now, and then go to Basel next week. I'll also be in Paris the first week of November. If you're passing through Paris, feel free to PM me. Maybe we can meet up for a beer. I know a few decent watering holes!

Have fun in Europe. You'll love it.

I will definitely be hitting Hamburg, I've got friends there. Allgaue looks terrific, I'm going to put that on my list.

I should be in Paris first or second week of November, I've got a friend there too. I'll drop you a line when my plans are more stable.

I liked Madrid a lot, but really enjoyed Toledo and Segovia as well. We don't have 2,000 year old aqueducts and castles over here in the US.

That's good to hear about the laundry. I only want to bring one backpack along with me once I leave the UK, and I imagine it will be full of clothes.

Hitting the WHOLE Hamburg?

Why... congrats mate

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Yes, the WHOLE Hamburg. I will be hitting it early, often, and hard

Wait, what are we talking about again?

Looks like I will be visiting Berlin, Munich, and Heidleberg while I am in Germany also. Can't wait!

^ Be sure to check out the cool bars on the Unterestrasse in the Old Town.

Heidelberg is paradise for Aznlover girls!!!!!!!

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