My friend, who lives in Indonesia, and I, from Detroit, are trying to figure out how to organize everything for an across-Europe trip over two weeks. However, in short, do you guys (who have been on these train trips) have any suggestions what to do, types of places to stay at(Hostels or hotels?), what to avoid, what are the best ways to save money, what my overall budget might be for two weeks? I would appreciate it. (btw, we might be backpacking it, we are having trouble figuring out if we can keep our luggage somewhere or take it with us to each city) We are planning this route: arrive in Amsterdam > places in Germany > Venice > Spain(Madrid + Barcalona) > Porto, Portugal > Paris > then back to Amsterdam.

Since you're gonna visit a lot of places, there are TONS of information you can gather.

First, my general tips are:

1. In terms of the actual traveling I recommend train, though you need to get Eurail passes. For moving around inside a city, stick to walking as much as you can, to save money.

2. Avoid peak season. Summer is hell in most of these countries. Travelling costs are much more expensive and everything is crowded. It's probably best to travel in Spring/late Spring or early Fall.

3. Padlock your bags! If you have an expensive camera or phone, avoid flashing it around too much as that could draw the attention of possible thieves. And if you take public transports, always keep your bags in front of you, and keep your back pockets (if any) empty.

4. Try to look for hostels with a communal kitchen, whenever possible. Or if you're staying at a hotel, check to see if breakfast is included.

5. You should definitely pick up some basic words and expressions, specially in French and Spanish. If you try to communicate in English, they'll be less likely to want to help you. What you should do is ask, in their language, if they know English, or if they know enough English to help you. Even if you sound terrible, they'll appreciate your effort to try and use their language.

City/Country tips:

PARIS

1.Unless they've changed it recently, the Louvre museum has a free entrance on the first Sunday of every month, from October to March, if I'm not mistaken.

2. If you want to get anywhere near the Eiffel Tower, arrive much earlier than the time you plan to see it because the lines are endless.

3. Eating in restaurants can be expensive though, to be honest, expect everything to be more expensive here. It's Paris.

PORTO

1. Definitely go for a hostel; about 10 to 20$ per night (same price range for a meal at a typical restaurant).

2. If you have your luggage with you, don't take a cab because the fees are expensive.

BARCELONA

1. Accommodation is kinda expensive because it's a major city (it's cheaper outside).

2. Food costs about the same as in Portugal, though in restaurants dinner is more expensive than lunch.

3. If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, get a city pass. It gives you discounts in tourist attractions and transport (bus and metro, I think).

VENICE

1. Rather expensive accommodation, I'm afraid. You could try to find a cheap hostel for about 30 to 40$ per night but, for Italy, if you're comfortable with the idea of staying at someone's house, check out the couchsurfing link below.

2. Don't waste money on bottled water; public drinking fountains are fine and they're pretty much everywhere. And the good news is that pizza is cheap :P

3. Definitely go for a gondola ride!

GERMANY

1. Hostels are about the same price as Portugal, give or take.

2. Do not take the trains here! Very expensive. You're probably better off taking a bus. Bottled water is expensive too.

And here are some websites that might help:

http://www.hostelworld.com/ http://www.tripadvisor.com/ (great for restaurant reviews!) https://www.couchsurfing.com/ http://www.raileurope.com/index.html -the-app">http://www.ulmon.com/-the-app

Hope that helps, but you can always Google search for more tips :) Good luck ~

• Find a grocery or a convenience store near where you're staying. Buy a large container of water and use it to refill a reusable water bottle that you can carry. A collapsible one will be the lightest.

• If either of you are students, research and use applicable discounts whenever possible. I got into the Louvre for free on a Friday evening because I showed them my student ID.

• Keep your valuables in the hotel or hostel safe. Make a copy of your passport.

• Budget yourself. Make an estimated daily spending limit and be aware of how much you'll want to spend on meals, travel, and other necessities like tickets for entry into attractions. Have expendable cash for things that catch your eye. Don't buy anything that you can get at home.

• Pack light. You'll want room to bring back things and you won't want to deal with a heavy bag if you do end up backpacking. 10 Days in a Carry-On and The Flight Attendant’s Guide to Packing Light have helpful tips.

• Invest in good sneakers and overpack socks and underwear. Have one of those lightweight rain ponchos and an umbrella. Bring flip-flops for the hostel shower! You're both going to want outlet adapters so you can charge your electronics. Having ziplock bags stashed in your luggage will be useful.

• Amsterdam: Eat the frites in cones (I still think about these all the time) and check out the Rijksmuseum. If you're going to partake in the local fare, only do so in coffee shops with products purchased from there. Be safe and responsible.

• Paris: Père Lachaise Cemetery is gorgeous and it's free. Take the train on a day-trip Versaille. The Arc de Triomphe is a good alternative to the Eiffel Tower if you need one.

• I stayed in hostels while I was in both cities with no problems.

I actually just went to Spain a month and a half ago. The dollar to euro inflation is at an all time low at the moment. Spain is a little less expensive than France and Italy. I would highly recommend seeking out tapas meals. They are several smaller platters of different types of food and they are rather inexpensive and they will still fill you. I personally really liked the the cold potato salad and Spanish omelets. A lot of restaurants will also include sangria with the tapas or at a low price (I think the most I paid for a glass was 5 euros). They also only serve water from bottles there.

Spain is pretty safe but always use caution (don't walk alone at night, don't leave drinks alone, don't get in unmarked cars. I almost did because it was the same type of car as the taxis and as I was climbing in, I realized it wasn't a taxi and I jumped out and ran. There are parking areas specifically for taxis, so if you need one, go there.)

I would also suggest talking to a travel agent. They maybe able to get you some deals and offer good advice.

Enjoy your trip! I'm jealous!