I think maybe the place you want to come to is called Albania. Land of Black Eagle. You may have heard of it, as very isolated, but strange in it’s beauty land.

I suggest maybe you meet other adventurers in Italy. Then, like I’ve written about before, I can send my team of workers to assail you in Italy. With Leopold in Boat and Ibrahim in car, they can get you back to Albania fastly.

quote:I can send my team of workers to assail you in Italy

Priceless.

Kate, there will be thousands of other travelers to meet up with, don’t worry about it. You’ll have to do a bit of research on your own to figure out where it’s cheapest to fly into, we don’t know where you’re flying out of. Scroll through these boards and check out the appropriate posts and forums for further info.

I’d say you should start by having a general idea of what you’re looking for to see. Then, starting from this, try to define a general area. In every hostel, guest-house or train you’ll meet travellers. Ask some of them where they go and you’ll be, probably, most of the time be welcomed to join them for a part of the trip.

All best,
rAdu[url=‘http://www.outdoorholiday.com’ title=‘Hiking in Europe’] Hiking tours in Eastern Europe[/url]

Kate yu see if you have interest in this service me and my teams provide, I think you can go on the &quotUB" section of this site, and you see I have tlaked about it at length.

The fare de passage of 20 in the euro covers

Transport from somewhere in Bari to Leopold’s vessel
ADRIATIC CROSSING*
This crossing come complete with:
Foods
Cigarettes (1 box carton)
Liquors
Ibrahim will meet you at the durres port and speedy you through customs formalities like with the speed that Leopolds clipper jumps the waves of the adriatic.

All of this will get you to the canvas hostel. The prices as I have said before are 5 USD.

And as radu writes, this is true. So many will be interested in travel with you. Radu also probably can tell you about country to which he has patriotism in his heart for, ROMANIA. Also I think there is MOLDOVAN that posts on this board of the frequent

dwop would love to have you…in more ways than one

quote: This crossing come complete with:
Foods
Cigarettes (1 box carton)
Liquors

And pop-tarts. Can’t forget the pop-tarts.

Hi Kate,
I spent half a day reading the messages on this huge forum before I finally decided to post something. I’ve actually just got back from Europe (Britain, Switzerland, Germany), I was there for a month (March) and I went alone and did all the planning myself too, so I thought I could probably tell you some things.
I did meet a fair number of people when I travelled, and they were open-minded and helpful. You shouldn’t have any worries about not being able to meet people. However, because effective travel in Europe does require pretty rigorous planning, most travellers do have a detailed plan of what they are going to be doing, and it is probably uncommon for you to be able to pick up a travel companion for the rest of your trip just by meeting them.
Having said that, spending more than a month in Europe will be very awesome if you bother to research on a few cities and places you really want to go to. That’s important because Europe itself is not only huge, it is so diverse in history, culture and landscapes that there is never enough time. So, since you have from August to late October, you should check up on some of the festivals you might be interested in, and other things. From America, it will probably be easiest to start off at a big city like London or Paris, because flights are accessible, frequent and can be a bargain. I started off in England, and it was good because I didn’t immediately have to deal with language barriers. Many budget airlines and trains also have good connections from big cities, so it should get you to a smooth start.
Well what I’ve said is probably too general to be of a big help, but since you don’t seem to have a detailed plan yet, it’s advisable to first think about that. I hope you do get to travel to Europe because it is such a fabulous place in many many ways. I liked the experience of discovering it myself so much that I am currently planning my second trip there this year (during June and July- Thinking of Hungary and Romania)
Cheers!

It’s probably the cheapest to fly into London, look around there, and then head off to the mainland on either Ryanair or Easyjet.

You don’t need a travel partner bc you’ll meet many people alone the way. I’ve traveled by myself several times and, although there are moments of loneliness, they are often temporary and totally worth it for the flexibility and the opportunity to meet a potporri of people. When you travel alone, you put your agenda and habits first, which is one of the best and most worthwhile for the $$ to go when you’re young.

Kate- I love traveling alone and actually prefer it. Its different though- I am a male. You will have no problem meeting people to travel with if you stay at good hostels. Hostelworld.com is a great resource. I am not sure what you itinery is but I can refer you to some great hostels if you would like. Wombats is one of the better ones. It is in Munich and Vienna. I also love Meizengers in Berlin and the Yellow Hostel in Rome. I have many other suggestions. Anyways get a good hostel, go on a pub crawl or tour, hang out with your roomates and you should never be lonely. Good luck! If its your first trip to Europe you will love it! I cant wait to go back! Anyways if you have any questions please feel free to email me- have a great trip!-Peter

quote: Its different though- I am a male.

Why should that make a difference? This is Europe we’re talking about, not the Middle East or something.

Its different being a male walking alone thru Naples then it is for a female. Especially if you are walking back at 4 am. Dont you think?

I’ve never been to Naples, but I certainly have never had any problems when travelling around solo. I wouldn’t go walking though a bad neighbourhood at 4 am, but I wouldn’t do that if I were a man either.

quote:and it is probably uncommon for you to be able to pick up a travel companion for the rest of your trip just by meeting them.

True. However, the chances are great that wherever you are, you will meet someone heading in the same direction. You probably won’t have a companion for your whole trip, but instead, many companions for different stages of your trip. That is, assuming you’re not an asshole or something…

quote:
Kate- I love traveling alone and actually prefer it. Its different though- I am a male. You will have no problem meeting people to travel with if you stay at good hostels. Hostelworld.com is a great resource. I am not sure what you itinery is but I can refer you to some great hostels if you would like. Wombats is one of the better ones. It is in Munich and Vienna. I also love Meizengers in Berlin and the Yellow Hostel in Rome. I have many other suggestions. Anyways get a good hostel, go on a pub crawl or tour, hang out with your roomates and you should never be lonely. Good luck! If its your first trip to Europe you will love it! I cant wait to go back! Anyways if you have any questions please feel free to email me- have a great trip!-Peter