Budget and Safety tips in Solo Backpacking Central Europe

France-Switzerland-Luxembourg-Belgium-Netherlands-Germany-Czech Republic-Austria-Italy
October 10 to November 02, 2013

Central Europe Hostels and Dormitories I checked-in

Europe solo backpacking is very, very expensive. This was the most ultimate and extreme budget deficit I ever had in my traveling life. Imagine for just Schengen visa processing, I spent more than $600 for total combined cheapest round-trip tickets, hostel accommodation, travel insurance, and other visa fees. By the way, read and understand travel insurance policy. Bring the original copy and have a scanned copy just in case as this might come in handy. In addition, I decided to travel in Autumn season because of the off-peak treatment aside for the major reason of 1st time travel with Foliage and not-so chilling ambiance. Off-peak season is from October to March while peak season is from April to September. Peak season fares and prices (train, accommodation, food, service, etc) can boost to almost 50%. 

In terms of security, what was mostly being reminded in all crowded tourist spots especially in Paris and Rome is BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS. Though I always bring my important stuff with me at all times, I constantly checked its presence at least 20 times a day . This was my first time being so much attentive to my things, I'm not like this before. Although there were no gut feeling of suspicion and people here are more smarter, I have to not lower my guard at no time. Even when I'm sleeping in hostel, I hug my important things with me in bed.

In terms of kindness, everyone is absolutely accommodating and willing to help. Though I experienced a little pissed-off moment in Paris and Vienna, most of the time I was overwhelmed of their kind attitude, especially Belgians and Dutch. Embrace the adventure, feel the local way of living. I asked mostly the local resident to challenge my social skill and adapt local language.

1st time collection of cheapest ref magnet comprising of the 9 countries of Central Europe

Central Europe Hostels and Dormitories I Checked-in

France-Switzerland-Luxembourg-Belgium-Netherlands-Germany-Czech Republic-Austria-Italy

October 10 to November 02, 2013

Train travel experience and tips in roaming Central Europe last part

* 5 star is the highest, 1 star lowest. Recommended means the hostel/dormitory passed my overall qualification based on satisfaction stay.
* All booked accommodation have 10% reduction in their actual price during payment on arrival. This is due to the 10% payment did on hostelbookers website.
* Italy requires 2 Euro city tax for every night stay.

Friends Hostel, Paris (booked) Oct. 10-13, 2013, 3 nights for 54 Euro
- just infront of barbes rochensuart metro stn, very cheap & walking distance away to souvenir items and red light district
-somehow rude staff, only 1 outlet for 6bedroom dorm, very narrow bathroom, scheduled wifi(9am-6pm) & lots of bystander blacks infront
- somehow recommended (2.5 stars)
 
St. Charles Train Station, Marseilles Oct. 13-14, 2013.
- I intentionally sleep inside train station due to the ff;
1. I must exchange my booked online ticket to the SNCF counter (opens at 0500h) due the machine does not accept Mastercard intl, only Mastercard europe
2. I finished roaming around the city by almost 11pm and my etd was 0506h the next day. Its a waste of money for approx 5hrs sleep.
3. St. Charles stn is very clean and safe. I slept discreetly (on seating postn) behind the stores inside.

Hotel Glocke Backpacker, Bern

Train Travel Experience and Tips in Central Europe last part

France-Switzerland-Luxembourg-Belgium-Netherlands-Germany-Czech Republic-Austria-Italy
October 10 to November 02, 2013

Train travel experience and tips in roaming Central Europe 1st part

NETHERLANDS (HISPEED)
- booked tickets were Brussels to Amsterdam and Amsterdam to Cologne, both valid only on booked date but open time.
- no power outlet, no upper bank and no wifi onboard. Seats are comfortable, even the toilet.
- IC train bound to Amsterdam was stopped to more than 1hr due to technical problems
- though I booked in Hispeed website, most trains assigned were not their owned.
- my supposed to be night train sked from Amsterdam to Cologne has stopover of more than 5hrs in the middle of the night. Thus, sleeping outside station again.

GERMANY (DBAHN)
- booked tickets were all domestic trips (Cologne to Hamburg, Hamburg to Berlin, Berlin to Fussen and Fussen to Munich)
- credit card is required to show on inspector onboard together with print-out eticket
- no power outlet, no upper bankand no wifi onboard
- train seats are less comfortable compared to the SNCF, SBAHN and HISPEED.
- no english translation onboard audio announcements
- mini led display for the route reservation on that particular seat. If none indicated, these means that seat is open to anyone.
- no human/machine inspector for the metro tickets. When I purchased my ticket to a vendo, there is only one small validation machine nearby the platform. 
- Tickets bought are valid only on the date and time it was purchased. All details are included in the online eticket, ensure you understand accordingly.
- Berlin to Augsburg stop-over was delayed by 30mins, good thing the stop-over duration is 35mins so I still have time to analyze the station on the next destination.
- very stunning vivid meadow views on the left side of the train from Augsburg to Fussen, prepare your camera.
- in Munich, I have a sudden changed of plan due to boredom. I bought Bayern Bohmen ticket for 25 Euro which entitles for 1day unlimited ride in Bavarian region (RE/RB/CN trains only). I went for a short visit in Nunsberg. This is very, very economical knowing that I can immediately hop to any trains I want despite of peak periods.
- no wifi onboard and no 220v outlet. Trains are comfortable, even the toilet.

Czech Republic (CD) Train

Salzburg City Tour at Night

Central Europe 8th part; 2-days sightseeing solo in Austria

October 26 to October 27, 2013

Dachstein Ice & Mammoth Cave 

 Arriving around 2000H at night on Salzburg station coming from Dachstein bus trips, I hesitated initially if to continue the night shots because city center is around 2 kilometers away and I'm lost and tired to pursue it. Thinking the motto of "Don't waste the opportunity of being here", after dinner from the train station, I walked myself away and just navigate the streets. My train estimated time of departure going to Venice is 0140H, I timed myself to stop strolling and go back at 0000H.

Salzburg is a city in central Austria, near the German (Bavarian) border. If you have seen the movie The Sound of Music, you may think you know all there is to see in Salzburg. Admittedly, it is difficult not to burst into songs when you're walking along the Salzach River, or climbing up to the Hohensalzburg fortress which looms over the city. But there is a lot more to this compact, courtly city than Julie Andrews and as Mozart's birthplace.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Salzburg

Salzburg City tour at night (Domplatz)

Dachstein Ice and Mammoth Cave

Central Europe 8th part; 2-days sightseeing solo in Austria

October 26 to October 27, 2013

Vienna City tour

How to go to Dachstein Caves;
There's a direct train ride from Vienna and Salzburg and 2 bus transfer from Salzburg. What I did was I used train transpo when going there and going back is bus. Travel time from train is around 1.5 hr while in a bus is around more than 2 hours but bus fare is relatively cheaper than train fare. Dachstein combo ticket for Ice and Mammoth Caves costs 34 Euro including roundtrip cable car ride and scheduled guide tours. Free wifi at the entrance above and souvenir items are available. Please take note of the information provided at the Schonbergalm - here you need to register and obtain tour number. Tours meet right outside the cave. tours run continuously from 0920H until 1600H, plan to travel up the mountain by 1530H at the latest.

Please take note that advance registration is required for all trekking tours as well as warm clothing and robust shoes. Overalls, helmet and head torch provided.

Dachstein offers everything your heart desires ad promises days packed with nature experiences and lasting memories. Discover the fairytale world of Ice Caves and follow the of the cave researchers through Mammoth Cave and Koppenbruller cave. Whatever you decide, Dachstein is sure to captivate you with its magical charm.

Dachstein Ice Cave

Vienna City Tour

Central Europe 8th part; 2-days sightseeing solo in Austria

October 26 to October 27, 2013

Train ride from Prague, Czech Republic to Vienna, Austria

After checking first my backpack to hostel far from city center, I roam the city again by self-guided through a free map provided starting from Schonbrunn palace then going to city center. 

Schonbrunn palace is a former imperial 1,441-room Rococo summer residence in modern Vienna, Austria. One of the most important cultural monuments in the country, since the 1960s it has been one of the major tourist attractions in Vienna. Entrance fee costs 11.50 Euro, photography and video is not allowed inside. As for me, this is not worth it for its price. Votive Church (Votivkirche) is a neo-Gothic church and was dedicated in 1879 on the silver anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Empress Elisabeth. St. Stephen's Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna and the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna. Vienna Donauturm, opened in April 1964, is the tallest structure in Austria, at 252 metres, and among the 75 tallest towers in the world.

Schonbrunn palace

Central Europe 8th part; 2 Days Solo Sightseeing in Austria

23-days Autumn Experience on my 1st Schengen Visa Escapade
October 26 to October 27, 2013 

"When I am traveling in a carriage, or walking after a good meal, or during the night when I cannot sleep; it is on such occasions that ideas flow best and most abundantly." - Wolfgang Mozart

My 25th country to visit, 25th solo backpacking trip, 5th visa application for tourism on entire single page, and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

Austria (German: Österreich, literally "Eastern Empire") is a landlocked alpine German speaking country in Central Europe. Austria, along with neighboring Switzerland, is the winter sports capital of Europe. However, it is just as popular for summer tourists who visit its historic cities and villages and hike in the magnificent scenery of the Alps.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Austria

Maria Theresien platz

23 Days Solo Autumn Experience in Central Europe

France-Switzerland-Luxembourg-Belgium-Netherlands-Germany-Czech Republic-Austria-Italy
October 10 to November 02, 2013

"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return." - Leonardo da Vinci

My 3rd continent to visit (1st was Asia then 2nd was Africa).

Schengen Area guarantees free movement within territory of 26 countries. As of 19th of December 2011, Schengen Area consist of 26 countries (of which 22 are EU states): Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Being part of the area without controls at internal borders means that these countries no longer carry-out border checks at their internal borders and have stepped-up controls which must meet clearly defined criteria, at the external borders.

From country of 1st world to continent of 1st worlds, budget backpacking beyond after accomplishing the Land of the Rising Sun during its summer season last June 2013.

9 sovereign states and 1 observer state visited in Central Europe

4th OFW vacation; Ultimate Solo Trip from Central Europe to Promised Land

an autumn to winter self-guided overwhelming solo backpacking escapade

October 10 to November 16, 2013
36-days longest vacation ever as an OFW

1st OFW vacation; Come back to my homeland
2nd OFW vacation; Pinoy backpacker China invasion
3rd OFW vacation; summer solo trip from Malaysia to Japan 

"A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking." - Earl Wilson

"A study published in the Applied Research in Quality of Life journal, showed that the highest spike in happiness came during the planning stage of a vacation as employees enjoyed the sense of anticipation.."

4th vacation as an Overseas Filipino worker for almost 21 months of stay in State of Kuwait. The image below shows the converted jpeg from pdf of calendar of events on my entire 36-days vacation journey. Most of this were in Central Europe and Israel with Philippines, my hometown, as my last airport to depart.

my 36-days vacation plan mostly in Central Europe

sightseeing the global wonders... 30 days...27 cities... 10 countries...