Backpacking

dt123
Thu, 28 Sep 2006 08:24:11 +0000

I did the train pass/youth hostel-camping thing several times as a college student. I liked it so much then that when my kids got to be high school and college age, I did it again with them several times. Hostels are the way to go travelling in Europe in a party of five - mom, pop, 3 teens. Then, last summer my two college boys went to Japan on their own, travelling by trains and staying in hostels.

The state of the world has never been better for travelling, at least in Europe. The time to go is June, when they are fully geared up for summer travelers but there are few, since school is still in session most places. The dollar has taken a beating against the euro in the last few years, so American tourists are rather rare now. Last summer in Paris, the waiters were not only polite, but actually grateful for us being there.