Adventures to go forth with...

[Colasanto]

So after reading http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18320115 - I myself already know what I'm doing, But i've done it on a considerably small scale so far. Taking all the 'travel, see the world' posts from the thread, inc my own post.

I've been on two adventures myself (being 20 now), 2 years ago I went on a month long adventure (all by myself), starting from London; I went through france (via paris all the way upto strasbourg stopping along the way) through to Germany, bordering the black forest (alpine, lovely sights! best thing ever) and baden württemberg up-to Basel, switzerland and flew back from basel.

All in all, I spent around 2k GBP for the entire month... that was living on quite a few luxuries as well as sneaky first class train tickets for my journeys. (I went by Train/Bus the entire time apart from my flight back from basel) - I suspect the reason I chose to fly back from basel was security, It was my first adventure, not speaking any foreign language in France or Switzerland and barely enough to communicate in Germany as well, top that with being by myself. I was nervous so before I went, picked up a flight back from basel for peace of mind.

1 year ago I went on my 2nd adventure, this time touring the main parts of Germany only. Again another month by myself but in Germany only. Used flights there and back, So essentially a loners long-period holiday.


Now I've not gone anywhere this year as my cash has gone into technology replacement / purchases. But next year I really want to go somewhere for a bit longer, But I'm a bit out of touch with where to go, Do I do another euro trip to another european country. Do I take 3months in USA (Max limit on 'easy-to-get' VISA)? I was thinking maybe take less money, test myself a bit and try to survive and take jobs as I travel from town to town in the USA. But again my own security scares me a little, being able to speak native english is a huge advantage in the USA no doubt, But relying on any jobs you may run into whilst out there travelling, is it enough to warrant my survival whilst i travel?

This is all leading upto my East-Asia trips in the next 5-10 years and my 1-2year trip to Austrilia before Asia. Thanks for reading and hope anyone can offer some tips, advice and security reassurances.

 

[Rroff]

Might find a Working Holiday Visa for Canada a bit easier and in the past theres been good demand for English speaking people doing seasonal work in western Canada.

On that timeframe in the US you may struggle to find work, especially with the economy atm they are somewhat reticent to employ non-US citizens (this depends a bit on place to place tho).

 

[Hank_Marvin]

I done 3-4months touring europe in a motorhome, excellent time.

 

[Colasanto]

Might find a Working Holiday Visa for Canada a bit easier and in the past theres been good demand for English speaking people doing seasonal work in western Canada.

On that timeframe in the US you may struggle to find work, especially with the economy atm they are somewhat reticent to employ non-US citizens (this depends a bit on place to place tho).

The only reason I state 3months is 90days maximum under the visa waiver program, which I would enter the states for business or pleasure. Mostly pleasure but the 'business' side would be the odd job i'd do. Literally walk into a shop or upto someone who you think could offer you a days work or two in turn for cash in hand. Both my adventures so far have all been funded pre-start and didn't take any jobs once I started.

I done 3-4months touring europe in a motorhome, excellent time.

Thats great, I'm sure it also gives your own personal space on the move which is nice, along with being more money friendly. However I lack the driving skills to do this. Did you go by yourself and was it all over the EU?

 

[Hank_Marvin]

Arrr yes that would be a problem for you.

Was with my gf, we done France>Lux>Belgium>Netherlands>Germany>Austria>Croatia>Italy>Switz>France>Home

Having a van is good, save a lot of money by cooking for yourself, campsites can be cheap and it's flexible.

 

[yer_averagejoe]

I've been inter-railing in Europe twice for five weeks each time and twice for two weeks. These weren't really "adventurous", though and I consider it pretty commonplace now-a-days.

My only real "adventure" was camping and hitch-hiking up the east coast of queensland for 3 months, living on £200/month. That was really awesome and I think about doing something similar again all the time. However, I'm now a working man and can't see myself taking another 3 month gap for a long time, unless I get made redundant.

 

[Colasanto]

I've been inter-railing in Europe twice for five weeks each time and twice for two weeks. These weren't really "adventurous", though and I consider it pretty commonplace now-a-days.

My only real "adventure" was camping and hitch-hiking up the east coast of queensland for 3 months, living on £200/month. That was really awesome and I think about doing something similar again all the time. However, I'm now a working man and can't see myself taking another 3 month gap for a long time, unless I get made redundant.

Sounds so great. For me, the EU (outside of the UK at least) and inter-railing around the EU fills me with that great sense of adventure. But all my trips have been pre-funded as I say, just stock piling enough cash to last me for months. The real challenge is one you've already done, living on 200-300£ a month in a foreign country, any tips on how to do this etc? Love to get an insight from someone who has been on this sort of adventure.

Regarding the jobs, I don't think I ever want to put myself in a position where a full time job commitment will stop me from doing the things I enjoy. I see life as such short time, you can't worry yourself about being tied down with jobs or other stressful things. I however admire and understand people whos choice is to stay at home, dedicated family man with a job and family etc.

When in queensland, Did you go with anyone? I consider myself a loner for the best part (lol) But i've heard from old work colleagues that australia you meet like minded people all the time. Do you ever spend long periods of time in places like brisbane or something similar?

 

[[TW]Fox]

Do NOT work in the USA on a Visa Waiver! The business aspect is for people attending trade shows etc etc. If you get caught working without the correct Visa you can kiss goodbye to ever visiting the USA again.

If you want to do the work abroad thing get a Working Travel Visa for Australia or New Zealand. Do NOT try it in the USA!

 

[Skillmister]

When i get a car im going to spend a week or 2 going round france to places i havnt had the freedom of going to while with parents. Also next summer spending a week wild camping in the lake district hopefully, should be fun

 

[Colasanto]

Do NOT work in the USA on a Visa Waiver! The business aspect is for people attending trade shows etc etc. If you get caught working without the correct Visa you can kiss goodbye to ever visiting the USA again.

If you want to do the work abroad thing get a Working Travel Visa for Australia or New Zealand. Do NOT try it in the USA!

Very good point and thanks for highlighting it out, Thats the problem; I have zero experience with how things work outside of the EU in regards to this stuff. I know the easiest way to travel and see places around the USA is to just stock pile cash and essentially go on a long holiday, 90days.

When i get a car im going to spend a week or 2 going round france to places i havnt had the freedom of going to while with parents. Also next summer spending a week wild camping in the lake district hopefully, should be fun

It's great, but once I kept failing my driving test; I realised you don't need freedom to visit these places. Where was driving is great, and the motorhome from the above poster is a great idea. It's not needed to make it happen, plus running costs of a car etc are beyond my reach, as well as affording other things. Europe rail system is really easy to understand, It's daunting at first, but I'll tell you; So worth it!

 

[yer_averagejoe]

I went with my best friend, but i have been to europe on my own. I think for the trip I did in Australia, I wouldn't want to go on my own. The idea of the trip was to avoid hostels and partying and have a real trip living close to nature and meeting locals rather than other travellers. Plus, there is added security in hitch-hiking with an extra person. You can travel alone easily in europe, when staying in hostels as its super easy to meet people.

I think my tip for travelling cheap would just be to put faith in the kindness of others. There were countless times we turned upto a campsite and pitched our tiny tent in our ragged clothes and people took pity and gave us food (even though we'd have noodles to eat or something). Once, someone even offered a 50 dollar note, but I couldn't accept as while we were travelling poor, we were by no means actually poor (parents could always help out etc). Made $30 each one day too, by painting the outside of someone's house! Accommodation was largely campsites and camping in national parks, though we did spend quite a bit of time in people's houses from invites etc. We also arranged to stay with a couple of "alternate communities" along the way, and did our bit at each of these doing chores (I learn't how to heard cattle for instance!) and travel was soley on foot or by hitch-hiking. Didn't touch a train or bus.

We didn't stay anywhere for any length of time really. On the road on average every 3 or 4 days. We had to stay somewhere for a week once, due to an injury I had on my foot.

Theres so much more I could tell you but wouldn't know where to begin! I'm happy to answer questions!

Re. the job thing, luckily (for now, maybe!) I'm in the games industry, so it's not uncommon for companies to fold. In that scenario, I'd be able to take a break before finding a new job.. Just gotta have a decent buffer in the bank!

 

[[TW]Fox]

It's great, but once I kept failing my driving test; I realised you don't need freedom to visit these places. Where was driving is great, and the motorhome from the above poster is a great idea. It's not needed to make it happen, plus running costs of a car etc are beyond my reach, as well as affording other things. Europe rail system is really easy to understand, It's daunting at first, but I'll tell you; So worth it!

I'd bin the US then until later in your life. It's a car-country. Everything is by car. Public transport outside of major urban areas is poor at best and even in some urban areas its hardly great. Wait until you can drive.

It is perfectly feasible to do Australia without a car, though - infact most gap-year students who fill the place every year don't bother with a car. There is a good network of Greyhound buses (Yes, I know the USA has these as well but its not really the same) which will be filled with other people doing the same thing you are doing.

Obviously its better with a car - I did 6 weeks in Australia in 2009 and drove the whole thing - but its fine without one as well. The same cannot be said of the USA.

 

[Skillmister]

It's great, but once I kept failing my driving test; I realised you don't need freedom to visit these places. Where was driving is great, and the motorhome from the above poster is a great idea. It's not needed to make it happen, plus running costs of a car etc are beyond my reach, as well as affording other things. Europe rail system is really easy to understand, It's daunting at first, but I'll tell you; So worth it!

I'd want to be going snowboarding along the way and also bring some wine back from various places so a car would be quite necessary

 

[Richie]

Like most people, it's the funding that stops me from doing this. I have my own place so I cannot just up and leave as I couldn't keep the mortgage going without money. That and the fact my friends are not interested in doing this kind of thing... I would love to go around parts of Europe and South America (Peru etc) in the manner the OP is describing so I would have to go myself....

It's actually very frustrating for me that, unless I come into a fair bit of money or something else drastic happens, I won't have a chance to do this

 

[Skillmister]

Like most people, it's the funding that stops me from doing this. I have my own place so I cannot just up and leave as I couldn't keep the mortgage going without money. That and the fact my friends are not interested in doing this kind of thing... I would love to go around parts of Europe and South America (Peru etc) in the manner the OP is describing so I would have to go myself....

It's actually very frustrating for me that, unless I come into a fair bit of money or something else drastic happens, I won't have a chance to do this

Just up and leave, racking up the debt like this guy