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You might want to start by sitting down with your boyfriend and working out what in Europe you most want to see. After that head down to a library or bookstore and peruse European travel guides (I'm partial to Lonely Planets myself.) For first time visitors London and Paris are good places to start--they're both spectacular, iconic cities with lots to do, and with major airports that allow you to get there easily from overseas. London is also a good first destination for people who have never been overseas as you don't have to deal with a language barrier. (The two cities are a couple of hours apart by highspeed train, called the Eurostar.) I'm also extremely fond of Italy--Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples/Pompeii/the Amalfi coast are all must sees and you can cover them quickly and easily by rail. I've also been to and very much enjoyed the Interlaken region in Switzerland, the French Riveira and Barcelona.

A few thoughts:

You'll need a passport, of course. They're good for a decade, and take a while to process, so make sure to apply in advance. If you're American, get a passport book, rather than a card.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.htm...

If you're an American you shouldn't need a visa to visit the UK or most of western Europe. Many but not all European countries are part of the Schengen Zone (a group of countries that agreed to reduce their internal borders with each other) and you can visit the schengen zone for 90 days without needing a Visa. I believe the same terms apply for the UK but double check. If you wish to stay longer you may need to apply for a tourist Visa. If you're traveling in Eastern Europe do check Visa requirements.

As far as getting around is concerned, you'll have plenty of options. Train travel is generally more efficient in Europe than in the US. Many countries have highspeed rail systems and trains can get you pretty much anywhere. Eurrail passes are worth looking into, but they aren't always cost effective (the passes themselves are expensive, and there are often additional fees--you need to be covering a lot of ground for them to make sense.) Flying is also an option. Ryanair and Easyjet are noted low cost airlines--however they both charge quite a lot for luggage, so don't automatically assume they're the best way to get around.

Check out STA Travel (statravel.com) for tours and transportation deals--they're a travel agency that specializes in student/youth travel. My parents have also really enjoyed Rick Steve's tours, but I think they tend to be used mostly by older travelers. I haven't taken a tour in Europe, but I did one in New Zealand which on the whole was enjoyable, and simplified the difficulties of getting around.

If you're trying to travel on a budget youth hostels are a good option--hostelworld.com and hostelbookers.com list virtually every hostel on the planet, and are useful for making reservations. Note that because these websites exist, you can't simply show up in town at 10pm and expect to find a cheap place to stay, especially in summer and on weekends. Much as I enjoy making my travel plans up as I go along, having reservations at least a few days in advance during peak tourist season is a very good idea. In general hostels are a great way to meet people and generally are more fun to stay in that a hotel. And if you're in Nice check out the Villa St Exuperry.

In general Europe gets cheaper as you head south and east. Norway, Switzerland and the UK are very expensive. Italy, Spain and Greece less so. Note also that exchange rates and gas prices can significantly change over time--keep an eye on them when deciding what you want to do and see.

I'd suggest that you don't try to cram all of Europe into one vacation--especially if it's a short vacation. Trying to see a whole continent is exhausting, and you can spend nearly as much time in trains or airports as you actually do in the places you've come to see. Pick places you really want to see and spend a few days in each rather than trying to see all of Rome in a day.

Anyway, hope some of that helps. Have fun!

You can try a travel agent for your first time. That will give you insight in how to go about this for the next trip.

Also check Rick Steves' travel site. Very extensive.

I should mention that you must take your own washcloths. This sounds odd, but believe me, you will be glad you took the cheap ones. European hotels do not have wash cloths since this is a personal item.

1...Get a passport. Takes time so apply early

Look up Schengen visas. UK is not in the Schengen Agreement so you need a separate visitor visa.

US Government website.

http://travel.state.gov/

http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html

2..Get any meds you need up to date.

3...Book a cheap flight. Check the airlines own sites and sites like Travelocity for months ahead.

One period will be cheaper than dates before and after. Prices start high, dip, then rise again.

Now you know the time period for booking your own flight on that route...two months ahead, three months, whatever it is.

Cheapest destinations for flights across the pond are Madrid Paris Amsterdam Frankfurt Manchester London.

4...Get a travel insurance policy from a local broker in town.

5...Book the first couple of nights in a backpacker hostel through Hostelbookers, Hostelworld or Hostelz.com. before you go.

Small deposit up front, balance on arrival. Never a single problem on five continents so far.

Example...hostels for New York. Check out your local towns for fun or stay at a local hostel to find out what it's like.

In the box top left of the home page,select country, then a city from the drop-down list. All the hostels and hotels are clickable .

http://www.hostelbookers.com/results/loc/dd/dst/16...

Example 2...Cambodia. $3.60 a night

http://www.hostelbookers.com/property/prp/78209/ar...

If you have an address then immigration will be happy. You're not a suspicious character with nowhere to go then.

Keep them happy or risk going straight home on the next flight....oh nooooooo.

Tough, but play the game. It's easier.

Book the next hostel from the one you're in when you've found out where you want to go. They all have internet.

No complicated planning before you go. It's a total waste of time and effort.

Broad plan, overall idea of the trip is all that's needed.

Stay flexible and learn when you get here. You'll be much better off.

You'll know more after three days here than you ever knew before.

You're in it, not dreaming from maps and books. You'll be a genius compared to three days ago

:))

6...Overnight travel by train or coach saves a night in a hotel or hostel. Not too often though. Stay healthy.

A Eurail pass can save money...sometimes. You have to get it before you leave. They'll post it to you.

Allow plenty of time.

http://www.eurail.com/eurail-passes

Long distance modern comfortable buses run all over Europe. Safe and reliable, fairly cheap.

Budget airlines...Easyjet, Ryanair, Wizzair, Air Berlin, Flybe, loads more

http://www.etn.nl/lcosteur.htm

If you can't make it to the hostel, phone them so they can keep the booking open for you.. European cellphones work on 1800MHz

7...When it's time to go home (booohooo. I don't wanna gooooo....) get to the departure city the day before for safety..

No last minute rush on the big day getting to the airport that's still 300 miles away when you get up.

Have an easy time without worries. Don't spoil it.......get home happy.

Then start saving. You're hooked.

8....$60 a day absolute rock bottom survival rate. $75 you can eat more, see a show at times, still a tight budget

.$90, Ahhh, livin'. Easy time, no worries.

Traveling isn't cheap if you want to eat OK, see local attractions, see a show or concert every week or two and have a good enough roof over your head.

Save money by cooking your own meals in hostel kitchens...they all have one, with very few exceptions.

Share the food with folks you meet...go shopping together.

Learn different ways of cooking from round the world.

It's fun.......and you make friends quickly that way.

9...65 -70L pack, not too much in it. Big packs get more stuff in and more stuff gets heavier and harder to sort.

Buy stuff there as you go round and you'll have an interesting wardrobe when you get home.

Whatever you really want to keep and don't need, post it home.

Everywhere you go people live there.

If I came to your area backpacking could I buy stuff?

Same all over. Don't pack a whole load of useless weight.

Go empty...come back full.

10..info for lodgings

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=201105...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=201103...

Tell your bank to expect foreign transactions on your cards so they don't block it.

Use a money belt for cards,cash etc.

Use ATMs same as home. You'll get the best exchange rate that way.

Take normal care as at home, and you'll be fine.

Most countries have so many good places to see you'll need to re-locate.

Don't rush round everything. Enjoy a few and stay happy.

In over thirty trips into Europe from the UK I've hardly started

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=As... .

Have a wonderful time.....xxx