introduction to Europe

Europe presents an irresistible challenge to the budget traveller. A potent mix of culture, landscape and history on the one hand and a cash-gobbling monster on the other, sticking to your daily allowance can prove tricky. But learn to zone out the “Spend! Spend! Spend!” siren song of its myriad restaurants, bars and shops and you’ll find that this compact little continent is simply the world’s greatest labyrinth. From London’s Royal Parks and Amsterdam’s canals to İstanbul’s Grand Bazaar and the Berlin Wall, just getting tangled up in its sights is a huge draw – you can do the Algarve, the Alps and the Arctic, all in one trip. There’s time travel here too: with Stonehenge and Ephesus, cathedrals and castles, châteaux and palaces (not to mention statement-making modern architecture), Europe’s man-made structures zoom you through millennia of civilization, a tumultuous history that scars and bejewels the continent by turns.
With its cultural kaleidoscope shifting not just from one country to the next but between towns and villages, relatively short distances can mean profound changes – bang for your backpacking buck, in other words, especially with the average gap year trip getting shorter. And you needn’t miss out even in some of the world’s most sophisticated cities, with many iconic European experiences mercifully light on the pocket: think of aperitivo time in Rome, blini in Moscow, the freebie wonders at London’s British Museum and bargain lunchtime concerts in Paris or Dublin. You will have to spend a few bob, of course. Accommodation and travel are bound to devour a fair chunk of your funds; the glass-halffull response is, “What do I spend the rest on?”. Start by giving your taste buds the ride of their lives, be it in a Lyon bouchon, a smoky Turkish ocakbaşi, at a market or on the hoof. Don’t be tempted to skip breakfast, either – an oven-fresh croissant or calorie-jammed “full English” is not to be missed, and all the more important in a morning-after-the-night-before context, especially since Europe lives for the wee hours.

Whether it’s Berlin and London’s hipster dives, flamenco in Seville, Budapest’s ruin bars, or the enotecas that celebrate Italy’s rejuvenated wine industry, there are countless reasons to stay up till sunrise. For fun en masse, check out the continent’s festivals – both traditional and modern – and the outdoor pursuits that animate its wide open spaces, from horseriding in Bulgaria’s Rila Mountains to surfing on Portugal’s gnarled Alentejo coast. One advantage of budget travel is that it makes splurging all the sweeter – for a little flashpacking guidance, keep an eye out for our Treat Yourself tips throughout the guide. But for a few exceptions , red tape won’t be an issue thanks to Europe’s unique “open borders” policy – you can travel hassle-free between countries that were once fierce enemies. To bolster your funds, consider working, which can be a great way to meet people, immerse yourself in a country’s day-to-day life and improve your language skills. But a word of caution – while you’ll come across sleepy corners where things seem unchanged since some distant “Once upon a time” era, there’s an atmosphere of unrest in others. The Eurozone financial crisis is rippling across the continent, having already brought down governments from Ireland to Portugal and Slovenia. 2013 saw Spain’s unemployment reach record levels, while Athens and İstanbul have experienced violent scenes. When planning your trip and before you set off, keep an eye on the news and scour Twitter, which is also invaluable for up-to-the-minute reviews of new openings and off-the-beaten-track recommendations. The disaffected mood does have one upside: with its citizens so politically engaged, this is one of the most interesting times to travel in Europe for decades, and you’re bound to have conversations and encounters that define your memories, whichever road you take.

Where to go

Europe has it all: sprawling cities and quaint villages; boulevards, promenades and railways; mountains, beaches and lakes. Some places will be exactly how you imagined: Venice is everything it’s cracked up to be; springtime in Paris has even hardened cynics melting with the romance of it all; and Oxford’s colleges really are like Harry Potter film sets. But others will surprise, whether for their under-the-radar nature or because they’re stuck with an old-established, out-of-date reputation – but then, isn’t tweaking your mental map all part of the fun? Budget travellers are best off combining practicality with stick-a-pin-in-the-map impulsiveness. If you’re flying out, look for where the cheap fares will take you and start from there – try our Itineraries section for inspiration. Those getting around by train – still the best option – should note which countries are accessible with an InterRail Global pass and the equivalent Eurail pass . Depending on your time and budget, choose one corner of the continent then consider a budget flight for that unmissable experience elsewhere, be it a foodie pilgrimage to San Sebastián, a cultural splurge at the Edinburgh Festival, or St Petersburg’s White Nights. Great Britain maintains a certain psychological distance from its neighbours, and yet for many it’s a European must-do, with iconic sights ranging from Big Ben and the Tower of London to Bath’s Royal Crescent. North of the border, the Scottish people’s decision in their 2014 independence referendum could bring about Great Britain’s biggest constitutional shift since the Act of Union in 1707. London has been feeling rather pleased with itself ever since the 2012 Olympics, and their legacy endures in the shape of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. A reuse of the Games site, it’s close to the hip, budget-friendly buzz of the city’s East End. A quick flight away, Ireland’s west coast is an altogether more dramatic slice of the great outdoors, while DerryLondonderry’s artistic vitality saw it crowned UK City of Culture for 2013. With steep fares in Great Britain especially, this is one region to really milk an InterRail card. Those without one should book tickets far in advance, or get ready for some very cosy long-distance bus rides; note that the Eurail Global pass did not include England or Scotland at the time of writing. The English-Scottish rivalry runs deep but it’s not a patch on the Catalan-Spanish equivalent, so be alert to the touted 2014 Catalonia independence referendum – Catalan capital Barcelona might just become even more electric than it already is. From there Madrid and clubbing hotbed Ibiza are within easy reach while, away to the north and east, France and Italy could exhaust your rail pass in one fell swoop, with some of the world’s finest cuisine, architecture, landscape and museums. Marseille in the south of France might not be on the traditional must-see lists, but it has renewed vibrancy of late – following a spectacular shake up, the Vieux-Port is studded with gleaming modern architecture quite at odds with the city’s gritty reputation. Out west, Portugal is relatively easy on the purse strings; its beautiful Douro Rail Route will make a veritable golden ticket of your rail pass, and even the Algarve has a thriving hostel scene these days.