Preparing for Your Trip Backpacking Europe - Apply early for your passport and, if necessary, any visas: Passports are required to enter and/or depart most countries around the world. Apply for a passport while planning for your Backpacking Europe trip as soon as possible. Some countries also require U.S. citizens to obtain visas before entering. Before Backpacking Europe make sure you learn about the countries that you plan to visit. Before departing on your backpacking Europe adventure, take the time to do some research about the people and their culture, and any problems that the country is experiencing that may affect your travel plans. Make sure that before your Backpacking Europe trip to check for Travel Warnings and Public Announcements. Travel Warnings recommend U.S. citizens defer travel to a country because of dangerous conditions. Public Announcements provide fast-breaking information about relatively short-term conditions that may pose risks to the security of travelers. When Backpacking Europe you can often discover different obstacles or problems. Find out the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you are Backpacking Europe and plan on visiting remote areas or one that is experiencing civil unrest, find out the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and register with the Consular Section when you arrive. If your family needs to reach you because of an emergency while you are Backpacking Europe, they can pass a message to you through the Office of Overseas Citizens Services. Before you start planning on all of the wonderful things that await your Backpacking Europe adventure, and you begin committing yourself or your finances, do your research!
Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visas, if required. Also, before you go, fill in the emergency information page of your passport!
Read the Consular Information Sheets (and Public Announcements or Travel Warnings, if applicable) for the countries you plan to visit while Backpacking Europe.
Leave copies of your itinerary while Backpacking Europe, passport data page and visas with family or friends at home, so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
Make sure you have insurance that will cover your emergency medical needs (including medical evacuation).
Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, while Backpacking Europe, you are subject to their laws!
Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas and never accept packages from strangers.
While Backpacking Europe, avoid using illicit drugs or drinking excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages, and associating with people who do.
Do not become a target for thieves by wearing conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of cash or unnecessary credit cards.
Deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money to avoid violating local laws.
When Backpacking Europe, avoid demonstrations and other situations that may become unruly or where anti-American sentiments may be expressed.
Hiking
Hot Air Balloon
Jungle
Kayaking
Links
Mountain Bike Trails
Planning a Vacation
Photography
Rafting
