whoa hey advise me on trip stuff

[Greenfuz]

I was gonna say try hopping a train, but I dunno if you can do that in europe

drink a lot of booze, but that goes without saying in any situation

[coldbrightsunlight]

I had loads of fun doing a similar route, my best tip is: no matter how awkward and shy you might feel, MEET PEOPLE ANYWAY. Some of the best people I've ever met have been fellow travellers in hostels, everyone is so friendly and they're pretty much uniformly nice, fun people. If you're in the same place, chances are you'll want to do the same things and everything's more fun with a friend.

Try all the local food you can, there's always somewhere cheap to eat that serves whatever the regional food is. You can even eat relatively cheaply in Paris if you dig around for a small restaurant.

Tips for meeting people... Hang out in the hostel common room if there is one (and there is in all good hostels), be prepared to chat anytime if you see someone who speaks english, when you get talking to people maybe try to decide to go sightseeing together. Some of the coolest times I've had travelling have been meeting people and deciding to team up and do things together for a while.

I kinda hesitate to recommend it because it isn't fun, but I'd say if you're stopping in Krakow, you HAVE to go to Auschwitz. One of the most intense experiences of my life and I'm glad I went, it's a great museum and really hits home.

I totally recommend going to the bars in Prague where each table has its own taps and all the tables compete to see who can drink the most beer, and it's tallied on the wall. Bring other people, it's great fun!

Basically, try to do and see as much as possible, meet people, and enjoy yourself!

[univalve]

Go everywhere in the beergardens. Prague has also great ones (one big one near the radio tower). Prague itself is very nice. You can Walk around everywhere and it is always beautiful. Nice People over there.
I'm One Hour South of Frankfurt by Train. So if you would like to stop by, you are always welcome.

[MaxMaps]

if your an american or otherwise have a back up plan just incase you lose your Passport/Money or get jacked. Give it to someone back home you can trust and have the proper envelope to send it out ASAP. Its also a really smart idea to have a list of places where you are going to be at (or general idea) and the closest embassy. It never ever hurts to be too prepared ( my wife and I are kind of go overboard but thats our thing) There are also cheep insurance packages out there that if you get injured or really sick you will be ok... then spending a life time in debt.

on the sunny side, just enjoy have a lot of fun and bang as many hot euro chicks as possibile.

[dubkitty]

carry as little as possible. if you've got more than three shirts, you overpacked. dress in relatively thin layers you can add or subtract to your outfit. if you're going somewhere chilly, a down jacket is your best friend (if you keep it dry). be certain that your shoes are broken in and comfortable, both in general and when carrying your pack. uncomfortable shoes make it impossible to enjoy anything else. take a music player of some sort...at some point you're going to be tired and/or lonely, and having your best musical friends along lightens the load. similarly, bring a book you actually want to read; at some point you're going to be stuck at a train station for three hours with nothing to do. and bring a hat...if you're cold, something like 70% of heat loss is from your head.

if you smoke cigarettes check the price of tobacco products at your destination vs. at home; it may be cheaper to bring a carton with you rather than pay the tax-inflated prices overseas. e.g. a pack of brand-name cigs goes for $9-$10 in Chicago now.

[tuffteef]

condoms

safety first

[D.o.S.]

As every fan of the HHGTTG knows, a towel is essential.

And, actually, Douglas Adams hit the nail on the head with that one. It's one of those things you wouldn't think of unless you were told, but they're absolute lifesavers when you're out and about for an extended period of time.

[Doctor X]

i'm super akward with new people in social situations which is sort of why i'm forcing myself to go but uhm yeah.

Starting paris then amsterdam then berlin then meeting my parents in places in austria for a few weeks then budapest then krakow then prague then homes through frankfurt . Ums anything i absolutely have to do? Anything to avoid? Any tips for meeting people?

heh, i was going to say don't bother with talking to people, just take loads of pictures ... but there will be a million other people touristing in those places too, so just be friendly and smile and say hello