File: 1338884937426.jpg-(4.5 MB, 6972x3880, Rough Travel Map.jpg)

I’d like to do this trip all in one go, from Departure this summer July 2012, to Arrival sometime in March/April 2013 or earlier. I’d like to avoid Olympics btw.

I’d be backpacking, using hostels and couchsurfing as places to rest my head. I’m very outgoing and can live on the very bare minimum. Can slum it if need be. Be walking and hitchhiking as much as possible. Flights only when necessary. Public transit in cities. Etc etc. I have ~$11k (Canadian) banked and will have/hope to have around 20k by mid/end of July. I have 1 Credit Card, TD Green Visa.

EU - Mid/Late July to End of Sept/EARLY October. 2012
NZ - Hopefully all of October and all/most/some of November. 2012
OZ, South America, Hawaii, California - Anytime after NZ til March/April. 2013.
New Years in OZ would be pretty sweet.

Pic Related, rough travel scheme.

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Now you know a little about me. What I’d like to do. How I’d like to do it. Now for my questions and your help/advice.

>Can I do this trip with the funds I have?
~$1400 from home to London, unknown for travel around, after Germany and such gotta go back to London to get to NZ for $1300-1700, based on Kayak. Those are the big main flights, rest are relatively cheap. London-Amsterdam ~$100-120.
>Will my standard issue debit bank card and credit card be enough? Is there something else I need? I will most likely have travelers checks.

I’ve read: the-backpacking-site.com travelindependent.info and wouldn’t mind taking part in wwoof.co.nz (while in NZ after my friend returns home after his venture), I’ve also read a few of the blog sites about backpackers and travelers forget which but any other links are appreciated. I’m a member on Couchsurfing.org if anyone is interested.

The question of Visas. Pic Related. No criminal record what so ever btw.
>Is it better to apply (unsure how at this point, advice there appreciated) in advance for visas in all countries of my trip?
>Just show up and get one upon entry? If so can someone explain (summarize) the process?
>Can I as a Canadian get a working visa in the countries I chose upon entry? I think I’d like to get one for each just so I am allowed to work here and there if need be.
>I need a working visa for New Zealand to participate in the WWOOF program, can I attain one while showing up? I read you need a company willing to hire you and proof that they’ll hire you via letter before NZ will issue a working visa.
-They may deny entry if you don’t have an onward ticket. I do not know when I will leave exactly, so I won’t have one.
>Will having $2500 in a separate bank account from my main everyday use one help in that^ situation, just to show that I can sustain myself/go onward?
Offer any other advice pertaining to Visas please.

>Insurance? What kind is best? Do I need?

>What to pack?
I kinda have the just of it and know what I will be bringing. Just offer any advice from personal experiences and what have you.

>What to do?
If you know something interesting or a must see, must eat, must try, please feel free to share.

If I left out any pertinent information please let me know. I’d love to see this trip/plan become a reality.

>The question of Visas.
You don't need a visa to enter any of the countries you listed as a tourist (and you can't apply for something you don't need).
Working is another story, you need to arrange it beforehand and that means you need a job invitation, at least in Europe, South America and the USA. Apparently Australia has some sort of working holiday visa, don't know how that works.

>>599738
>I will most likely have travelers checks.
Why? Are you afraid that time will suddenly turn back by 20 years?

>>599745
Ok, makes sense. Still need info on NZ Working Visa though.
>>599749
So the debit and credit card will suffice?

>>599739
I don't know what's common in Canada, but at least in my country "Full year" travel insurance ony covers 90 days of actual travelling.
So you might need to talk to your insurance company.

>>599751
>So the debit and credit card will suffice?

Yes. And will give you a better exchange rate as well.
You might want to check with your bank that they aren't blocked for use in other parts of the world, just to be safe.

If Canada doesn't give up some giant reparations to injuns or you're not a trust fund baby you're pretty much fucked holmes. Airfare between continents is going to be a few thousand alone.

>>599752
I will look into it.
>>599754
Sounds good, thanks.
>>599755
Right around 20k not enough?

Sounds amazing man, hope you can pull it off. I did something similar when I was 19. It may sound like a cliché, and maybe it is, but it really changed me into a better man. 18/19/20 is the best time to travel. You'll learn so much.
If you have any questions about the Netherlands (where I live), Belgium, Germany or Peru (been there a couple of times), feel free to shoot.

>>599823
What experiences do you have with travel in the places you listed? Good bad?
Must see of Netherlands?
How was South America? Tell all please.

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>belgium

HAHAHAHAHAHA

No.

>>600066
>What experiences do you have with travel in the places you listed? Good bad?
All good. I love living here in the Netherlands, the cities are quite cool, the nature is so-so.
Belgium has some cool cities as well and on top of that Belgian people are really funny and kind.
Germany is nice as well. Berlin is an amazing city.
Peru has some quality tourist attractions such as the Colca Canyon (twice as deep as the Grand Canyon) and Machu Picchu. Cuzco is a great city for partying.
>Must see of Netherlands?
Amsterdam, obviously. I've been told that there are more canals in Amsterdam than in Venice, but not sure if this is true. Besides the obvious (weed, beer and ladies) there are some great museums in Amsterdam such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House.
Other than that I'd really recommend going to one of the islands in the north of the country. The mudflats of the Wadden Sea are unique. When the tide is low, you can even walk to some of the islands over the mudflats which is sea in high tide, we call this "wadlopen". The islands themselves are beautiful as well.

>>600089

>How was South America?
South America was really cool. The trip I did when I was 19 was to South America. I backpacked there for a while. If you have the chance and the money I would definitely cross the border from Peru to Bolivia, which was my favorite country in South America. In the south-west there is this place called the Salar de Uyuni, they're saltflats. I must say that's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my entire life. Because of a shallow layer of water the saltflats, which stretch out over 4,000 sq miles, become a huge mirror. If you're standing somewhere with "mirror" all around you it looks truly stunning. People and mountains in the distance will be perfectly mirrored, and so will the clouds. This will kinda give you the impression that the people in the distance are walking through the sky. Can't really describe it, must see it to believe it. And that isn't even half of the natural beauty that Bolivia has to offer.
Peru is cool as well, haven't really seen a lot of it but I liked the things I saw. As I said Cuzco is a great city. There are quite a lot of tourists there, but it still feels like you're abroad, if you know what I mean.
Some other highlights for me in South America included Valparaiso in Chile, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil, which are an absolute must if you like wildlife. Saw some crazy animals here including Capybara, Caymen, Anacondas, Monkeys, Macaws, Piranhas Parakeets and a fucking Jaguar.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

>>600075
No?
>>600089
Favorite city/stop in Belgium? Why?
Is there any MUST SEE / TRY spot in Amsterdam that you personally recommend?
>>600092
Wow. Thanks for all the information. Definitely have to put more thought into the latter half of my trip.
While there in SA, you said you did backpacking, how did you get to see all that? Is there a guided tour of sorts, or?

>>600504
>Favorite city/stop in Belgium? Why?
Ghent is my favorite city in Belgium because it's just damn good looking. Antwerp and Brussels are fun as well. Nature wise the Ardennes are great for hiking.
>Is there any MUST SEE / TRY spot in Amsterdam that you personally recommend?
On a sunny, warm day a good stroll through neighbourhoods such as Jordaan, the Canal Ring and Zuid is really something most tourist miss out on. Just walk along the canals and the 17th-century houses, and end it on the grass in the Vondelpark for some good ol' fashion people-watching.
In the winter Ice Skating on the Canals is a really cool thing to do.
>While there in SA, you said you did backpacking, how did you get to see all that? Is there a guided tour of sorts, or?
Nah I did most of it by myself, just a couple of guided tours here and there for things where it really adds value or things you simply can't do without a guide, such as several hikes, the Salar de Uyuni, Pantanal, Machu Picchu and all that. The rest I just did by myself.

You're native, just hunt and gather wherever you go. Free food and shelter.

>>600625
Thanks for all the input man! Really appreciate it.
>>600628
Was debating camping it, not too fond of carrying around a tent everywhere I go. Doubt hunting in EU is as easy or likely or anything even remotely close to Canadian.

If anyone else has anything to offer I'd really appreciate it. Also
>Will I need some sort of physical?
>What shots if any will I need?

germans are obsessed with "native american" (don't you mean native canadian/first nations?) things, due to certain childhood stories and fantasies. on carnival or halloween, they love to dress up in extremely cliched stereotypes (so be prepared for that), and are generally ignorant of any realities of native people of north america.

however, you should be able to get a lot of europussy just by being exotic.