European Extravaganza

Hello forum this is my first time here but I need some advice on what my mates and myself plan to do on our summer trip to Europe next year. There are going to be around 8 of us and we plan to be there around 4 weeks. We will each be taking one large backpack.

The countries we want to see are: UK, France, Netherlands, Germany, and Italy. Also the cities we want to go to are: London, Paris, Amsterdam (we are all in our young 20s), Holland, Berlin, Florence, Venice. We plan on landing in Germany and then getting a Eurorail pass to reach the other countries. How much time will be lost in travel? Because we are all young we need to do this cheap so we will be staying in hostels. A big question is are hostels readily available like rooms at a motel 6 or do we really NEED to have a reservation in order to get a room? Also are we allowed to bring girls back to the rooms because my mates and I (fingers crossed) will be partying and picking up girls. I don't mean to sound rude but hey we are young and are just looking to have a great time.

So this all comes down to pricing. I know my friends and I won't be able to get slammed every night because that costs a lot and we will want to go sightseeing after dark but we want to go to clubs/pubs and meet with the locals. At the BARE MINIMUM how much do you think is necessary to have. Currently everyone seems to be able to commit to about 5000 dollars which would also have to cover air fare and the eurorail. For 4 weeks with living in Hostels and doing some minor partying this would be possible. Airfare and Eurorail would take out about 2000 dollars so we would have around 3000 for 4 weeks. Is this possible or am I crazy?

Lastly, this is our first time going to Europe. I have been looking into tours such as contiki and they seem really awesome. The month tour goes through most of the countries we want and even into some that we weren't planning on going on. It is a little more expensive probably would be around 6,000 dollars but if we have never been to Europe would it be best just to have it all planned out for us in advance? There is still a lot of time to go out on your own and do what you want to do so I am really considering this. It is extremely touristy but it just looks really good.

Also the cities we want to go to are: London, Paris, Amsterdam (we are all in our young 20s), Holland, Berlin, Florence, Venice
Holland is a region in the Netherlands. And what do you mean by "London, Paris Amsterdam (we are all in our young 20s)"? - These cities offer something of interest for anyone between 0 and 100 years of age.

How much time will be lost in travel?
See [www.bahn.co.uk]. This is the website of German Railways, but it has timetables for about every route on the continent.
Add at least 1-2 hours to times shown in the timetables to allow for travel to/from the train stations, waiting time, delays enroute etc.

are hostels readily available
Summer is high season, so it's wise to call a head a day or 2-3 in advance. If you show up somewhere and can't find a place to stay, there's usually a tourist office inside or near the railway station that can help you out for a small fee. This may be a bit more expensive than staying at a hostel, but it's better than sleeping in a park.

Also are we allowed to bring girls back to the rooms because my mates and I (fingers crossed) will be partying and picking up girls
In general, hotels never allow visitors after a certain time of the night. It's safe to assume hostels have the same policy. That said, whether or not you get caught if you bring in a visitor is a totally different matter.

At the BARE MINIMUM how much do you think is necessary to have. Currently everyone seems to be able to commit to about 5000 dollars which would also have to cover air fare and the eurorail
First of all, you don't mention what type of dollars your budget is in, and either way it's more practical to calculate your budget in the local currency. Prices in euros tend to be more stable than the euro-dollar rate.

Bare minimum for survival would be around €50 (that's in euros) per day for a bed in a hostel dorm or shared double without bathroom, supermarket food or the cheapest sitdown meal you can find, one or two bus/tram/metro rides and entrance to one tourist sight.
Long-distance transport and booze all cost extra.

if we have never been to Europe would it be best just to have it all planned out for us in advance?
There's no reason to go for an organised tour unless having it all planned our for you is your major priority. The major downside of tours, as far as I'm concerned, is that you don't get to choose yourself what places you visit, how long you stay, what time you leave your hotel etc.

P.S. assuming you have 3000 US dollars, that's currently € 2080; if you travel around for 28 days, that comes down to €74/day - doable, but still quite tight.

P.P.S. make sure you check in advance what extra surcharges apply for Eurail pass holders on the routes and trains you plan to take, by the way. London-Paris is not covered under the pass, for example.

Like many, you are consistently using a term Eurail or Eurorail or similar and propose using a rail pass. Strongly suggest you read this - http://tiny.cc/cy3y9 and this - http://tiny.cc/b45ix

as usual, way too much to cram into a month, you'll spend all your time moving from place to place which means no time to see anything, let alone picking up the local tarts:-) If you do get lucky, keep the noise down.

cut down the itinerary to four stops. If you just want drinking and sex, don't waste your money on airfares!

the more blokes in a group, the harder to find accomidation in the same place. Sounds likle super expensive pub crawl. with accidental museum visits. Save your money and just go to the buncha, in Sydney.

I know it is a lot to fit in but we want to do it big the first time so we won't feel like we missed out on the hot tourist attractions. I laughed at the accidental museum visits @gawkabout that was hilarious. And the currency figures are in US dollars. I think I want to just do a planned trip because honestly I don't know what I want to see besides the big hitters like the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, The Louvre, and all that stuff. Maybe after this trip my pals and I could do it by ourselves.

I really don't want to think about having to conserve money though. Aribo said €74 a day is tight and I don't want that to be a factor. So perhaps I should shorten the length of the trip to maybe 3 weeks in order to be able to do everything we want because money isn't to much of an issue

Brad, 74 euros a day is tight. An example in Paris: Hostel accom - 25-30 euros, Metro - 5 euros, Food - 10 euros (self serving meals), Eiffel Tower - 15-20 euros, Louvre - 15-20 euros. I'm not too sure on the museum/tower fees. But as you can see a day/night in Paris on a budget is tight. With only seeing 2 attractions half your budget is blown. Add your accom and then you've only got about 10-20 euros for food and drinks. These places can be done on a budget but if you want to actually go and visit these attractions (most cost at the minimum 10 euros).

If you shorten the time period up, like you said, you still need to cut down on places to go to. Its still a cramped trip. Spend the 3 weeks going around Italy. You can do the big hitters (Rome, Napoli, Firenze, Venezia) in 3 weeks. Trains are cheap (if you take a regional train) and accom is a fair bit cheaper.

As far as a rail pass goes, head to seat61.com and there is a brilliant article on point to point tickets vs a rail pass. Sometimes its better not to get a rail pass and to just go point to point. If you have a detailed itinerary - then buying point to point is generally cheaper if you book well ahead.

Thanks Trent for the train site I will for sure check it out! Time to show my mates these comments and make a decision! Thanks everyone!

As I said, generally point to point is good if you have a good detailed itinerary and can book it well ahead. Don't book with rail europe but with the countries own rail websites (rail europe charge ridiculous fees).

Passes are good if you want more freedom.

I live in Seville Spain. That's next to France for those who don't really know why they're going anyway.
:)

I go to an Irish Pub for breakfast every morning. (well hippy morning, 11am. They let me in early and gimme coffee till really open.)

I see lots of travel groups. They only+- talk to each other and about home.
The Europe location doesn't seem to matter to them. Its all just changing background for the same bs. And vulnerable to pickpockets/snatchers, who only need a split second of diversion to ply their skills.

DON'T POOL YOUR MONEY!

In Shengenland there's a strict policy/law against violence. So like catching a shark on light tackle...once ya got 'im.. whaddya do with 'im? Its your responsibility. Police reports are only good for insurance claims.
Said snatcher hands of the goodies to a henchman, so nothing can be reteaved or proven.

BOOGIDY BOOGIDY BOOGIDY

Smaller group is easier to wrangle. If you really want to learn something about Europe, talk to locals. And folks from different cultures.

They're just folks. And happy to tell about it and their customs and expressions to travelers (as opposed to blitz tourists who won't listen anyway.)

If you just want a quicky visit to the long line, overpriced famous spots. Rent a video and stay home.

because honestly I don't know what I want to see besides the big hitters like the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, The Louvre, and all that stuff.
There's really nothing more that's particular worthwhile given your travel philosophy.
So four weeks will do.
Play it by ear.
Just go.
Otherwise it will be a boring trip.

Given what you've said your looking for I think a Contiki tour would be perfect for you.
- you don't have to worry about where to stay, what to see, how to get there... someone else can do all that for you
- you'll have paid for many expenses such as transport and accommodation so you know how much money you have to spend on stuff like booze and food
- you're after a trip to party and sleep around - with the occasional sight-seeing. That's what a Contiki tour is. If you want to see what Europe has to offer don't do a Contiki tour but to just booze around Europe it's perfect.

After all you're not actually going to Europe to see the place - just to have a good time in foreign countries so might as well go with the easy option. As you say when you're a bit older and you decide you want to visit Europe you can do a trip independently.

May as well go to Miami and drink up for 4 weeks.

Contrary to my usual advice, in this instance I suggest going with Contiki tour. It will suit your requirements as Toad says and makes figuring out finances relatively easy. It also eliminates the problems that a group fo 8 would entail.

Just remember, drinking in Europe is relatively expensive compared to the US. So bring lots of money for that.

Genius - Contiki. This also has the advantage that you'll be travelling with and staying in places with like minded people, so no one will mind you getting roaring drunk and yelling all night, no-one will think you an idiot for going all the way to Europe to do this and you may also meet the kind of girl who will think you are attractive.

main benefit is it keeps you and your mates out of everyone else's way. Win-win!

#14 Just remember, drinking in Europe is relatively expensive compared to the US. So bring lots of money for that
True but it has also to do with quality.

And just remember, girls in Europe are relatively hard to get compared to the US.
To do with quality? Style? Or they don't like all-the-way (coming for that)?

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Edited by: arizona

Though I wouldn't say Contiki have a quality control on drinking.

just remember there's always carton wine, and replica spirits.

Wasn't the title of this thread "European extravaganza"?

#20: Good to remind, aribo, in due time the theatre season will restart and there's something with the element extravaganza:
Better prebook.

I think this is more the style of extravaganza they are looking for but.

If a girl is that easy, better wonder who's been in there b4.

and leaving what.

Contiki tours will suit you down to the ground. Their (unofficial) motto is:

"It's Tuesday so we must be in Belgium".

organist - I thought their unofficial motto was

"It's Tuesday let's get drunk"