Hi,
I'm a 26-year-old female from the UK planning a three-month trip around Europe in Jan 2005. I'll be travelling predominantly by train, but flying to Paris to start the trip. I'm looking for any general handy backpacking or money saving tips (I have the Lonely Planet Gap Year book among others) and advice on places that should not be missed - particularly jaw-dropping scenery or sights in general as I'm an amateur photographer! My itinerary (so far) is as follows:
- Fly to Paris;
- Travel round France;
- Then on to Italy;
- Through Austria;
- Hungary;
- Czech Republic;
- Poland;
- Germany;
(then possibly Denmark)
- The Netherlands;
- Belgium;
and then getting a cheap flight back to the UK.
Please advise if you think it would be easier (or cheaper) in another order?! I'm also after advice from any women who have travelled alone on how to reassure family left behind - and how to stay safe en-route.
If there are any girls who are interested in sharing the journey/experience I'd love to hear from ya.
:0)

Hi Chickyboo!
I don't know if you are aware of the organisation Women Welcome Women World Wide (5W). It has a website - not sure of the address but if you search you'll find it. It's an organisation for females who want to experience other parts of the world and get to know other women who live there. When you join you get a list of all the other members who live all over the world including the countries you mention. You can then contact them to strike up a friendship. You might be able to go stay with them or atleast get some moral support while you're in their country! This is great for putting your families mind at rest cos it means you have someone to contact in case of emergency so are not entirely alone.

Good Luck and enjoy your trip!