Hey everyone, it’s my first time posting here, actually my first post on Reddit ever. I’ve been a lurker for ages, but hey, gotta start somewhere, right? So, here’s the deal – I’ve always had this burning desire to travel the world, and finally, the stars have aligned. I’m in the Navy, and let me tell you, getting a month off is like finding a unicorn. But hey, when opportunity knocks, you answer, am I right? So, I’ve decided to seize the moment and embark on my first international vacation, not counting those work-related trips.
I’ve set my sights on Europe, and let me tell you, I am pumped! For my maiden voyage across the pond, I’m going for a backpacking adventure through some of the big Western cities. I figure this way, I can dip my toes in and figure out what really tickles my fancy before going all-in on specific destinations. Here’s the game plan: first stop, London, from the 14th to the 19th of October. Flying out from my humble abode in San Diego on the 13th, landing in London on the 14th. Next up, Paris from the 19th to the 24th of October. Surprisingly, a flight there is cheaper than other options, so why not, right? Then, it’s off to Amsterdam from the 24th to the 29th of October, taking a train from Paris for what I hope will be a picturesque journey. Finally, wrapping it up in Rome from the 29th of October to the 4th of November, with a quick flight.
I don’t have a ton of specific questions, just wanted to shoot the breeze with you all. I’ve seen some pretty cool advice floating around this sub, so I figured why not throw my itinerary out there and see what sticks. I’m budgeting around 6k for my escapades, not including accommodation and travel costs. I’m open to splurging a bit on hotels, but for Amsterdam, a hostel it is. Planning to lock in most of my bookings now to snag those sweet prices I’m seeing, especially for flights.
Oh, and I’m going full-on backpacker mode, so if anyone’s got tips on the best backpack for a trip like this or some killer packing methods, hit me up. Appreciate y’all in advance for any advice you’ve got.