School Groups and other questions...

[blondiexc]

Hi- Im new here, my friend and I are planning on a Europe trip for 3 weeks this summer, which will be a first. We are avid backpackers, and decided that we needed something a little farther away than good ol' USA.

Before I launch some questions, I just want to thank everyone for all the help reading prior queries and responses has provided. THANK YOU.

I am sure more questions will follow- but here's a start

*It seems to me that clearly backpacking across Europe is slightly different than backpacking in Montana or the Sierras...trains, planes, hostels, and cities obviously clutter the Europe that tourists like us want to see. I was wondering if anyone actually does any backpacking, or is it mostly day hikes, and day trips from the "base camp" of a hostel or otherwise?

*I have also noticed the large amount of references to school groups- what ages are these groups? my friend and I are both in college, would we be able to interact with them, or not?

*The last question (for now ) is in regards to whether it is better to reserve in long term advance for hostels (ie. NOW for travelling in june-july), or is it better to play-it-by-ear and reserve 2 or 3 days in advance based on where we are and how we are enjoying ourselves? Is is more important to have a strict itinerary, or is it generally considered more enjoyable to just wander more freely? As backpackers, we would be content to just have a bed- though we likely do not want to stay in real seedy locations or the like...any help would be GREATLY apprecited...

Thank you in advance for any help, and Kudos to those hard at work on this site- your help is not unnoticed!


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[nitsansh]

Yes, there is "true" backpacking in Europe... but it's mostly done by Europeans rather than overseas travellers... the latter don't have to fly to another continent to go out in the countryside... most overseas tourists are attracted by the culture and history of "the old continent" which is found in the cities...
Europe is criss-crossed by a network of foot-paths, which can stretch for thousands of KM... but more popular are the national long paths for a week or two... the popular mountain regions are dotted by huts to cater for the hikers... you'll find them in the Alps, the Pyrenees, in Norway, in Slovakia, in Greece... just name it!

Whether you make reservations or not depend on your style and personality... are you spontanous or organized?

[blondiexc]

As far as reservations are concerned, we are both very laid back and spontaneous, but seeing that we are traveling in June and July, the main concern is whether that type of frivolity will result in not finding suitable places to stay...I guess the actual question is: would you recommend reservations, even if they get cancelled, or will we have more of a problem trying to find a place to stay without making them?

[nitsansh]

It depends on the place and the time... and your tolerance, and willingness to "waste" time on search for accomodation...
2-3 days notice should be enough in most cases...

[Kim]

You can always try to make reservations (as long as they don't charge you a deposit), then cancel them if you don't need them.

Often they asked us for a credit card which we said we didn't have and most were OK holding a reservation without one if you promise to call 2 days ahead and confirm.

Worked for us as we didn't want to give out our credit card but still wanted the security of reservations.

All in all, if you are just wanting dorm beds, like Nitsansh said 2 or 3 days is fine. Just call from one place when you arrive to the next.

There are places I would reserve for though, such as Amsterdam (major flight hub, everything fills up all year round) and Venice (accommodation is very expensive, if you don't book budget accommodation you will be stuck with something outrageously expensive).

As far as the "school groups" thing, these aren't older students-they are elementary school/jr. high aged kids. Schools in Europe seem to do a fair amount of field trips-you will only find this at the Hostelling International hostels. Can be annoying-screaming in the halls, condoms blown up, that sort of thing. Although in the summer, I'm sure you won't find many of these groups.

Kim