Confused

[Beth]

I have a couple different questions and I didnt know where to post them so here I go. First what kind of shape should I be in when I go. I am planning on going in July. I am not in the best of shape now, but I am young and I can whip myself into shape, but walking 10 miles everyday seems scary to me. Also, what is it like traveling in July? Is it to hot? As of right now I am traveling alone. I am a girl, going to be 24 and pretty petite. Do you think it is safe for me to go alone? how are the hostels? are they shady? hmmm..... Oh yeah I am planning on going for 31 days and i am averaging about $100 a day. So about 3100 for the whole time, but i know for sure that I will want to go out to the bars a lot, so i dont know if that is sufficient. Ok i think i am done. Sorry about the length. Any suggestions?

[WillTravel]

I'm older and I'm definitely not petite, and I can manage 10 miles plus more per day without any problem. So I'm confident you can too at your age . But I'd suggest starting a walking routine now. Walk a few miles every day (or at least a couple), and then on weekends walk a few more. It wouldn't hurt to practice with weights either.

I think it will be safe in general. Some places and times are best avoided. For example, on another forum I read recently of a young woman who went to catch a train at 5 AM in the morning in Marseilles and she was robbed and stabbed. But that is known to be a high-crime city and a particularly high-crime area. There aren't any guarantees of perfect safety anywhere, so we just have to do the best we can and use commonsense. I'm sure if you post your itinerary you'll get some tips of places to avoid.

As for going to bars, I guess it will depend if they have a cover charge and how much you drink. I think you should be okay with your $100 even so, if you economize on food expenses.

[Beth]

Thank you! All of that information is very helpful. I panicked last night, so i was just rambling off questions!! ;D

[me]

i agree that walking with weights (to mimic the weight of a backpack) would help.

as for safety: generally, northern Europe has a better rep for crime (or, lack thereof) than Mediterranean areas.

and, is that US$100/ day? that ought to cover everything other than transportation, if you don't splurge too much.

[Beth]

Yeah that is 100$ us. So you think i should bring more for train expenses and so forth??

[LHR02]

You should keep your transportation expenses seperate from your daily 'living' expenses. That is, your airfare and rail pass should be not included in any daily funds. Local, public transport...ie metro or bus or taxi, whatever can be part of daily costs, but planes and trains need be paid for prior to leaving anyway and should be a different category.

[jennifer]

Hi!

Well, for weight and shape, don't worry about it. The first few days may be a little rough and it will take some getting used to, but once you do, it's all fun!

I'm not a skinny person and totally not in shape at all, and I got along fine. Of course you have to be able to walk without problems, but just walking around, wandering around, doesn't ask for such a great shape. Of course you'll be tired at the end of the day, but it will be worth it, and if you're like me, travelling will make you lose weight!


xoixo
jen

[me]

actually,my last euro-trip (the only one where i checked it out) was cheaper to buy point to point tix than a railpass. but, i'm now too old for the youthpass options.

check out www.RailSaver.com and plug in where you think you'll want to go. it should tell you the best way to do it.

- d

dustoffmom said:

That is, your airfare and rail pass should be not included in any daily funds.