Eager to travel but don’t know where to start? The following pages will help you learn more about this patchwork continent and beyond. Practical information on how to get there and where to stay, even for those travelling on a shoestring budget. Whether you are visiting a country, moving there for a couple of months (to study, work or volunteer), or living there already, these pages will show you where to start to
find the information you need.
Travel guides
Backpacker’s travel guide
Whether it is Europe, Australia, or the USA that you want to discover, this site presents you with travel options. Download its European Hostel and Travel pdf guide. Or keep yourself up to date on backpackers’ news by subscribing to the monthly newsletter.
http://www.bakpakguide.com [EN]
BUG backpackers’ guide
For all you backpackers, this is the ultimate guide to Europe. Check out transport, destinations, festivals and hostels in Europe.
http://www.bugeurope.com [EN]
EU at a glance
This page provides basic facts about the European Union and links to more detailed information: the history of the EU, key figures, and treaties. Don’t forget the maps!
http://europa.eu/abc/index_en.htm
Let’s Go
A brief overview of Europe, with a summary of Europe’s hotspots. Select a country to discover all you need to know. Check out the related links. http://www.letsgo.com/travel/destinations [EN]
Lonely Planet
An international, online travel guide. How to get there, how to get around and what to visit when you arrive. Search facilities by country and very useful maps. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/europe/ [EN]
Rough Guide
An overview of countries worldwide. Why not join its community; share your travel experiences and earn some air miles at the same time.
http://www.roughguides.com/website/travel/default.aspx [EN]
Travelling in Europe
Detailed information on documents you will need while travelling in each European country. A lot of details about communications, staying healthy, cultural activities and emergency numbers.
http://europa.eu/abc/travel/index_en.htm
Visit Europe
Not only is it a gateway to quality sites about Europe, it also presents an overview on each country. If you still can’t decide which country to go to first, check out the events calendar, which may help you make up your mind!
http://www.visiteurope.com [ZH][EN][FR][JA][ES]
Where to go
World Travel Guide
A country guide where you can find a brief overview of travel information, airports, cruises, attractions, social life, maps, sports and activities, health, etc. Information on Europe and the rest of the world.
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/7/countries/Europe.html [EN][FR][DE][ES]
The Nations Online Project
A portal to the countries of the world designed to improve cross-cultural understanding and international awareness through global information. Through this gateway, you can discover completely unknown places and visit legendary sites. You only need to click on the world map to begin your journey!
http://www.nationsonline.org [EN]
Tourism office sites
A reference directory and an electronic magazine to the official tourist boards of European, American, African, and Asia-Pacific countries.
http://www.towd.com [EN]
European vacation rentals
Wide choice of offers for your next vacation. Just prioritise your criteria: self-catering, Bed and Breakfast, guesthouses, villas, castles, apartments, etc., in the mountains or at the seaside. Also check the practical information and tips.
http://www.europeanvacationrental.com/ [EN]
Let’s explore Europe!
Full of facts and colourful illustrations, this website guides you through an exploration of Europe – a beautiful continent with a fascinating history – its great scientists, inventors, artists and composers, as well as popular entertainers and successful sportspeople. Each chapter links to an online quiz. It is aimed at children (roughly 9-12 years) and tells the story simply and clearly.
http://europa.eu/europago/explore/chapter_details.jsp?chapter=1&page=1
Just Landed
Whether you are an exchange student, a professional or just a tourist, this useful site can help you make the most of your life abroad. It offers information, products and services to make survival easier, cheaper and more enjoyable.
http://www.justlanded.com [EN]
Spend & Save
Campsites
Camp in style across Europe. Detailed information about European campsites. Search by country, region, place, campsite name or facilities.
http://www.eurocampings.co.uk/en/europe/ [DA][NL][EN][FI][FR][DE][EL][HU][IT][PT][ES][SV]
Camping in Europe
Camping and hiking advice for countries all over Europe is available at Interhike. Click on a country to see the campsites in there.
http://www.interhike.com [ZH][EN][FR][DE][IT][JA][KR][ES]
European Hostels
Where do you sleep when you get to Europe? Search for a hostel, some of which can even be booked online before you take off. Discover the cheapest way to get to your destination. Useful tips on travelling.
http://www.europeanhostels.com/ [EN]
European Hostel Guide
A guide to hostels in Europe, with photos of the hostels themselves to give you an idea of where you will be staying before you get there. The summaries lead you to the actual hostel websites.
http://www.europeanhostelguide.com [EN]
Belodged.com
Worldwide accommodation opportunities for free, when you offer your home to other members of the network. You have to register and become a host member.
http://www.belodged.com/1000_Home/1000_1000_Home_en.asp [EN][FR][DE][ES]
Hospitality Club
Interested in finding accommodation for free wherever you travel? You first have to become a member and be prepared to welcome guests from other countries in your home. Specific country requests available in other languages.
http://www.hospitalityclub.org/index.htm
Hostel World
For the organised traveller, you can search by date to check availability.
http://hostelworld.com
Hostels
International travellers will love this site with information on hostels in countries all around the world. While you’re there, take a peak at the transportation and tours pages. Don’t forget the rail passes and discount air tickets!
http://www.hostels.com [EN][FR][DE][IT][ES]
Hostels.net
Directory of independent hostels in Europe, Americas and Australasia. Details on each hostel, discount guide for each region, maps and online reservations. Get the latest updates in the travel advice section
http://www.hostels.net [EN]
Hostelling international
Youth hostels provide the perfect way to get to know a country at a low cost. How can you resist clicking on the map to locate the youth hostels for your country of interest?
http://www.hihostels.com/openHome.sma [EN][FR][DE][ES]
International hospitality service
Do you speak Esperanto? Well now is your chance to finally use it in this accommodation exchange service. When you register as a host, you can travel and stay in other hosts’ homes.
http://www.tejo.org/eo/ps
International student home exchange forum
The concept of this forum is very simple: another member stays in your home, while you stay in his/her home! What you need to do is to register as a member (for free), search the database and find the accommodation you want, and then contact the owner of this accommodation. An easy way to save money and time looking for hotels! http://www.casaswap.com [EN]
Hostel bookers
Search for hostels worldwide for availability and prices.
http://www.hostelbookers.com
Transport
Inter Rail: the pass to travel in Europe by train
If you are planning on travelling to several different countries, save some money by purchasing a train pass. Identify the combinations that suit your route around Europe best. http://www.interrailnet.com/ [NL][EN][FR][DE][IT][ES]
Eurolines
If you want to travel around Europe by bus, then check out this site! Discover different destinations and timetables. Why not book your trip online?
http://www.eurolines.com [EN]
European Railway Server
A vital site for all you train lovers; a gateway to European national railways websites.
http://www.railfaneurope.net/ [EN]
European travel portal
Whether travelling by sea, air, rail or road, this portal connects you with useful websites around Europe and the world.
http://www.itravelnet.com/transport.html [EN]
Low-cost airlines
Eager to travel without breaking the bank? Check out this site, which presents a list of low-cost airlines in Europe and beyond. Travel facts, including some city guides and links to other low-cost airline search engines.
http://www.etn.nl/lcostair.htm [EN]
Routes International
Useful information about travelling by ferry in Europe. Some helpful tips on travelling abroad for people with disabilities.
http://routesinternational.com/feature.htm [EN]
Share a lift
Offers people travelling locally, nationally or even internationally the chance to share journeys by car with others going your way. You have to become a member first. Create your own personal travel networks. Possibility to translate the page into other languages via an online translator.
http://www.mylifts.com [EN]
World of cheap flights
Select your country of origin (the language adapts to the country) and find out which airlines can offer you a cheap flight. You have to be a resident of one of the countries mentioned to pick up your tickets.
http://www.cheapflights.com/international [EN]
Accommodation
For all young people under 26
The Euro<26 youth card opens the door to reductions on cultural activities, shops, transport, eating out and accommodation, and can be used in 34 European countries. Identify those places where you can get the card and the discounts.
http://www.euro26.org [EN]
For students
The ISIC card is a card for reductions on travel, museums and major tourist attractions worldwide and is an internationally-recognised student ID card. List of reductions and places to get the card on the website.
http://www.istc.org/sisp/index.htm [EN]
Youth Exchanges
AEGEE: Summer university programme
This programme brings together students from different countries. Have a look at the various destination countries and at the application procedure and deadlines.
http://www.karl.aegee.org/su.nsf/Home?OpenForm [EN]
AFS Intercultural Programs
An international student exchange programme. Whether you are a student or a young adult you can find opportunities in different countries.
http://www.afs.org [EN]
International Cultural Youth Exchange
This organization promotes youth mobility, international learning and international voluntary service. Information on how to apply and details of partner countries. Download the pdf newsletter.
http://www.icye.org [EN]
Lions Club
Organization carrying out youth exchanges for young people 15-21 years old, for terms of four to six weeks. Details of district youth exchange and international relations chairpersons are available. Some information is available in other languages, which you can only choose via the home page.
http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/youth_index.shtml [EN]
Youth Action for Peace
International exchanges of volunteers into non-profit initiatives, and links to international youth organizations.
http://www.yap.org [EN]
Youth exchanges through the Youth in Action programme
The Action 1 – Youth for Europe – encourages young people’s active citizenship, participation and creativity through youth exchanges, youth initiatives and youth democracy projects. Read about the benefits of such an experience, details of the projects and the application procedure.
http://ec.europa.eu/youth/youth-in-action-programme/doc247_en.htm [EN]
Youth for Understanding
Have a look at the possibility of spending a year or a summer abroad living with a host family. Select your native country and you will be provided with information about how to become a participant.
http://www.yfu.org [DA][EN][FR][DE][ES]
[Source: European Youth Portal http://europa.eu/youth]