We struck up a conversation about the similarities and differences in travel style, comparing our backpacking ten week trip to Europe in 1996 and our present backpacking, with wheels!, seven week trip this year.
Our first packs weighed 40 pounds each and contained tent, sleeping bags and camp gear. By the end of the first week we mailed home ten pounds of unnecessary clothing from each pack. This time, one carry on pack and one day pack! Oh, the simple life style! Mix and match can get us through ten days and our VRBOs have laundry facilities so we start all over for the next ten days! Just kidding, a small load of laundry a day has been areal treat. The machines have a 2 kg max so why not throw your clothes in the machine as you come through the door on the way to the shower at the end of a lovely day of sightseeing?
Same starting point, Gatwick International airport, much easier to keep track of Dave this time as in the past, he would bolt when train doors open, with no idea where he was going.
This time, a preplan with notes, which train, which platform, which connection, so much more relaxed! Especially when it is all laid out the night before, better sleeps that way.
In 96 we head to London and joined our Trafalgar tour, seven capitals in seven days to get the big picture, check out the languages and currency for each country, then follow our nose to the places that looked interesting.
With a BritRail pass and Eurail pass, freedom for direction, time and length of stay at each place was wide open.
This time, we have specific plans for where we want to be and for how long. The currency is all the same and our French and Spanish keep is out of trouble. Cannot believe how much Spanish is spoken in Austria.
In 96 we hit Scotland after visiting friend in Derby and Nottingham, came back to Gatwick to pick up our friends then head to Bristol, Bath etc, staying in adult hostels. Great accom. From there to Ireland, rented a car and spent the week camping, funny memories. From there the ferry to France then Switz, Austria, said bye to our friends and carried on to Italy, Bavaria, Prague and Frankfurt.
This trip was not to repeat places except where we visited friends in Folkstone and Munich. Accomodation is BRBO with full kitchen and staying four,five days each place as a base.
Bookings are a breeze , now with technology , from flights, to rental cars, to accom, to tours.
Everything comes with a voucher you print, present and on your way.
Communication with family and friends is instanteous, text, blog and FB
Photos. Hee hee, remember all those films we got developed when we got home? Keeping a record along the way of what you were capturing!
Eating plan much the same.. Yogurt, granola, fruit for breakfast, small snacks throughout the day..orange, cheese, pepperoni, boiled eggs, almonds, wasa with cream cheese filling etc etc etc. Dinners are big salads with some protein added. Stay healthy, hydrated and have at least one meal typical of the country you are in.
The awesome coffe here is my special treat on this trip. One a day, usualy around 1 pm. So far, I cannot decide whose was better..Munich's or Austrian but let's wait for Italy before we make a decision.
Cost of travel is a nig difference but then again, 20 years have passed. Airfare was half the price to get from Canada to Europe but rail passes, accom and food show big increases.
In 1996, our average over the ten weeks, all expenses in, was just shy of $100 a day.
This time, we are doing a lot more tours and maybe drinking more $5.00 coffees , so daily average up by 60-70 percent.
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