Amsterdam

As lot of travelers almost every year storm to Amsterdam, sometimes resembles a monumental summer camp. People are tolerant and hospitable, acomodations are plenty. Drugs are sold openly and prostitutes are everywhere along the Nieuw Maarkt, Damrak.
You may find a Tourist Information in the Centraal-Station, where you can fing useful information like map of the trams and buses to start your adventures.
Amsterdam is most pleasantly seen on foot, Eating out in Amsterdam is offering a lot variety food from all over the world. The best values are pizza, Chinese food, Indian food and Indonesian food.
Avoid to eat in Damrak areas, they usually charge an overpriced for both restaurants and hotels.
Try the Indonesian Rystafel, if you get really hungry, where rice will be accompanied by dozens of variety hot sauces like shrimps, chips, nuts, curry, soup, and shewed meat barbequed in peanut sauce, called sate.

Getting around

You may consider using Eurailpass, since this is the most convenience transportation in Europe and relatively cheap as well. It is valid in Western Europe except the UK.
For more information regarding Eurailpass, ask your local travel agents. You might also travel by car that frees you from the hindrance of travel schedules, but consider the rising up of gasoline price, this is not advisable anymore for the moment.

Hotel room prices are getting expensive from time to time, so for backpacker consider to stay in a hostel or pension.
Hostel in Europe are usually run by the IYHF ( International Youth Hostel Federation ), are a great places to meet travel partners, change experiences and tips with people from allover the world


Most of them are usually open to people for all ages, though most of the travelers are between 17 and 30. Remember that every hostel has its regulations that may make people feel inconvenience, like curfew and a lot of rules that make little privacy.

Packing

Travel light is the best you can choose if you plan to explore Europe, because it will make you feel ease and comfort. The general principle is true ,i.e prepare everything you think you need for your trip and cut it by only half. Why ?
Well, you will find more convenience by traveling light because you're mobile, move easily from place to place, therefore you should travel with backpack. So, impromptu luggage will not be advised. Using a walking shoes are a must, since you will explore all the beauties here in Europe by walking mostly. Passport, money, and credit card will be necessary, put a necklace pouch underneath your shirt, it make safe place to avoid theft and criminal.

The payment

It would be very risky and funny if you carry a large amount of cash. You may bring travelers cheque or using credit card, either visa or master card.
Please watch out with your card, one may take advantages to your negligent.
So, erase the last three digits in the back of your card i.e the Card Security Code (CSC) but always remember those numbers and keep in your mind. Do not let anyone to write down or copy your personal data i.e user name and password.
Still, you have to have some small currency of Euro to make simple transactions, like to buy a newspaper, drinks, stamps etc . In either UK or Switzerland you have to provide small money of Poundsterling or Swiss Frank.

The documents

Since Schengen States had been declared before entering the 21st century, to make a trip in the Schengen States i.e Western Europe has become easier, because you do not have to apply a lot of visas, except for UK and Switzerland.
You must have a valid pasport issued by your country in order to enter Western Europe.
Please check the visa regulations before you apply, because it may change from time to time.
Especially to all of you who are not either American or Canadian citizen. Visa could be applied
to the Embassy or Consulate of one of the Schengen States.
After you got visa, please write down and remember and keep in your mind your passport number, and the date and place of issuance, this will make you easier to get your new pasport if you lost it or stolen.

Plan your fly and fly according to your plan

Before you decide to make a trip far from your home, of course you have to plan you trip wisely, according to your time and financial limitations, so you will not got serious problems.
Where to go ?
What about West Europe or people used to say Northern Europe, it is wonderful, but with the hard currency they have i.e. Euro that goes higher and higher against US$, your budget could be affected very badly.
So, again plan your trip wisely and accordingly.
Well, West Europe where transportation is more efficient, wide knowledge of English and easy access to societies are several factors that people love to explore Europe.
With the Euro continue upswing against US$, you may consider to choose to be a budget travelers.
You may take alternatives by staying in the Hostel Network instead staying in a hotel or you may choose an in expensive pension or private home. You might consider to visit some big cities in West Europe which are landmarks of Old Europe i.e. London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Rome.
If you still have enough energy, and of course money and times a well, you still could enjoy the grandeur of old Europe in Berlin, Madrid, Wien, and Zurich.

enjoy (short)life

We do not have our past since yesterday is already gone, we do not know whether we could enjoy our future, since the future might not come, so the only time we have is just NOW,
enjoy your life accordingly, for life is too short.
Ce'st la vie !

Wonderful people in a beautiful world.
We have a lot to see in our world, but we have a very limited times, since life is so short, why do not try to visit West Europe, be a world traveler, though you do not have a lot of money, still you can realize your dream.
First time traveler are greedy, their aim is to conquer and plant their flag of their presence in every big cities in Europe and every coast as well.
Just take a break, wondering either Paris or Rome in a couple days is mistreating your body and confusing yourself.
So, spend more times away from the crowd and major tourist centre, take your time to explore the daily life environments, where you can enjoy closer to the local people and their life style.
Travel alone, maybe, in many ways be more rewarding than traveling with others. Why ?
Well, because you will, obviously, meet a lot of people from all over the world.
It would , of course, will make you less alone then one who join a group or friends. You'll enrich your experience if you break away, make some discoveries, and make yourself be a part of local community and interact with them.
For your information, there is no more effective means to study and understand the local people of a country then live and interact among them.
So make yourself comfortable, study local daily language for instance, will help you interact with them.
Enjoy your trip !
Bon voyage !