Euro Backpacker

You won’t need tonnes of cash because getting thereis remarkably cheap. You can either fly with a low-cost carrier thentravel by bus or if you’re in a group, consider ‘road tripping’. Youcan get across to France cheaply on the ferry or using the Eurotunnelthen you’re free to roam from hostel to campsite.

Here are a few things not to miss on any trip to Europe.

Near Bordeaux on the French border with Spain you’llfind Hossegor, the perfect location for a week-long surfing break. Thescenery is amazing the area has some of the best surf beaches inEurope. There are plenty of hostels and campsites in the area too andtoo many surf schools to count on your fingers.

For another board sport that is more commonly enjoyedin winter, head to the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier in Austria for some summersnowboarding. At 3000 metres above sea level you’ll find a tip-topboard park where local rippers hit the kickers and rails pretty muchall year round. Just beware of the panda-eyed goggle tan that afflictsall summer snowboarders.

To celebrate the longest day of the year, head northto the land of the Vikings. In Sweden, midsummer is a national holidayand a time to party. Being so far north of the equator, the night ispretty short and so the festivities are particularly long. A good placeto head for is Gotland, and island off the east coast that throws someof the best parties in the entire country.

The small town of Buñol near Valencia in Spain hosts La Tomatina everyyear, on the last Wednesday of August. This giant tomato fight takesover the town and thousands of people cram the streets to pummel eachother with tomatoes. A massive, town-wide fiesta and a chance to dancewith the locals instead of hurling tomatoes at them, follows the event.

Finally, don’t just rely on your European Health Cardto get you out of difficulty if you have an accident. Get yourself theproper insurance. As a backpacker you are probably going to be doingmore than just your run of the mill sunbathing activities so gettingthe right insurance for your level of activity is essential.