Europe Trip

My 25 day backpacking trip through europe was wrought with danger, muggings, incredible views and great friendships. I tried to update just about every day even though time didn’t allow for it. In addition to the daily log there are plenty of insights for new travelers and prospective backpackers.

Europe Day 1: Getting to Spain

Europe Day 2: Madrid, Spain

Europe Day 3: Madrid – Lost, lost and goodbye

Europe Day 4: Barcelona, Narbonne and 26 hours of trains later…

Europe Day 5 – Reims, the home coming

Europe Day 6 – Vacation in Reims

Europe Day 7 – Road trip to Caen

Europe Day 8 – Le Mont St Michel

Europe Day 8-2, Castle in Caen

Europe Day 9 – Paris, I’m a terrible guide

Europe Day 10 – Paris and the Catacombs

Europe Day 11 – Versailles, Le Vésinet and Paris

Europe Day 12 – Why you don’t ever bet on the street

Europe Day 12 – Belgium and Holland

Europe Day 13 – Church and Amsterdam

Europe Day 14 – German Efficiency

Europe Day 15 – Jackets

Europe Day 15 – WW2 Bunkers

Europe Day 16 – Leaving Germany

Europe Day 16 – Sleeping in Switzerland

Europe Day 17 – Venice, the beautiful, Train to Hell

Europe Day 17 – Switzerland to Venice

Europe Day 18 – Never go to Napoli

Europe Day 18 – Sicily!

Train Ride to Hell

Europe Day 19 – Sunday in Sicily

Europe Day 20 – Stick Shifts and Saftey Belts

Europe Day 21 – Never goto Hollywood in Sicily

Europe Day 22 – A Morning in Rome

Don’t Ever Fly Ryanair

Europe Day 23 – Get us out of here

Renting in Catania, Sicily

Mikemolin

RACIST! How dare you make these blatant racist and totally false remarks about Sicilians and Sicily? I am a Sicilian American who has been to Sicily a few times and foundit to be a wonderful, clean, lovely place populated by fine, intelligent, honest, educated folk, I am a Sicilian American and have been to Sicily and Catania and crime is very low especially car theft. Merchants do not "steal" anything from tourists and in fact the people are super friendly and helpful.. I am always very leery when Americans and especially Anglo types-- or pseudo Anglo types--go to Sicily bringing with them over three centuries of racial hatred baggage. Racism is an evil and you should be totally ashamed of yourself/
Sam

I agree with Mike. Getting ripped off in another country is very racist of you. Come get ripped off in America and let's see if you complain about THAT!
Dan

What are the false remarks and what does race have to do with anything?

I met some really great sicilians in Sicily. Some very helpful and good people. I also had my friends held hostage by thugs and the police wouldn't help. If the crime rate in Catania is very low then provide evidence to that effect.
Mikemolin

According to crime statistics published by the Italian Notional Police, Interpol, and many EU law enforcement agencies, Catania and Sicily as a whole has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. This is fact. Americans has been brainwashed for over three centuries that Sicilians and Southern Italians are criminals and have criminal tendencies. I find your racist remarks not uncommon amongst those of your race. We, Sicilian Americans and our fellow Southern Italian American brethern have kept totally silent and have thus allowed this ugly racist ranking to proliferate and to be nurtured by all those "Mafia" films and crap. We are totally fed up and demand that racists like you be exposed for what you are. Racism and racist hate are destroying our planet. Shame on you!
Dan

I never thought Sicily was a dangerous place or that crime was pervasive there until I went there and was the victim of insurance fraud. Also, having a mafia enforcer threaten me and my friends or a prostitute kicking my friend in the face, or being ignored by the police after robbery and assault. I never assumed it was a race problem.

Your stats sound awesome, do you have a link that I can look at?
Mikemolin

Racism does exist and in fact even with an African American President is rampant in America. Meditate and come to terms with your racism and racist hatred that is so embedded in WASP's and other Northern European Americans. It is part of your "Id". Just because you had a "bad" experience does not give you to right to make racist slurs and racist remarks. But from you obstinate comments , it may be too late for you to "repent". You are a virulent confirmed racist and bigot. I suggest you join the KKK and especially David Duke's hate group, where racists like you will be so at home since he considers Southern Italians and Sicilians as some sort of "negroid" inferior sub-humans.
Dan

rofl, yeah I'll get right on that.