7 ms·

My wife and I travelled through Europe around the same time as you (most of 2007 and some of 2008). We managed to spend about $25000 for both of us for a year's

My wife and I travelled through Europe around the same time as you (most of 2007 and some of 2008). We managed to spend about $25000 for both of us for a year's travel. There's really a ton of ways to travel cheaply if you do your research. One resource that was invaluable for us was HelpExchange (http://www.helpx.net http://www.helpx.net). Basically the idea is that you exchange helping out someone (usually for about 4 hours a day) in exchange for room and board. On it's own, it's not the greatest deal in the universe, but you can find some really interesting places. During our stay, we did help exchange at: - A farm in Sweden, where we helped out at the market, got to see some amazing countryside with super friendly people. - A pub / hostel in a small village in Yorkshire, where our "job" was really just to chat with the locals and pull the occasional pint. - An absolutely beautiful chateau in Normandy, with 4 other helpx people, including a chef who made the most amazing food ever. - A camel farm in Austria, where we actually learned to be pretty good horseback riders in 4 weeks (due to dressage lessons every day after we took the camels for a walk)

peterwwillis 13y ago
There's also a lot of hospitality exchange groups that'll help you meet people and hopefully find a place to stay. Here's a list: http://wikitravel.org/en/Hospitality_exchange http://wikitravel.org/en/Hospitality_exchange
spiek 13y ago
I'll add a +1 for HelpX. I worked for an English couple in Normandy, and an Irish woman in New Ross, Ireland in the summer of 2009. It was a fantastic way to see a different side of the country you're traveling to, as well as a great experience. My hosts in Normandy told us stories about people who travel through Europe just bouncing from HelpX spot to HelpX spot, all they need is money to travel between spots. If you pick your destinations right, you get a built in tour guide. It's not the same kind of relaxing as laying on a beach somewhere, but if you find a good helpx, it's rewarding, and can be a lot of fun.

peterwwillis 13y ago

There's also a lot of hospitality exchange groups that'll help you meet people and hopefully find a place to stay. Here's a list: http://wikitravel.org/en/Hospitality_exchange http://wikitravel.org/en/Hospitality_exchange

spiek 13y ago

I'll add a +1 for HelpX. I worked for an English couple in Normandy, and an Irish woman in New Ross, Ireland in the summer of 2009. It was a fantastic way to see a different side of the country you're traveling to, as well as a great experience. My hosts in Normandy told us stories about people who travel through Europe just bouncing from HelpX spot to HelpX spot, all they need is money to travel between spots. If you pick your destinations right, you get a built in tour guide. It's not the same kind of relaxing as laying on a beach somewhere, but if you find a good helpx, it's rewarding, and can be a lot of fun.