Budget and Safety tips in Solo Backpacking Central Europe

France-Switzerland-Luxembourg-Belgium-Netherlands-Germany-Czech Republic-Austria-Italy
October 10 to November 02, 2013

Central Europe Hostels and Dormitories I checked-in

Europe solo backpacking is very, very expensive. This was the most ultimate and extreme budget deficit I ever had in my traveling life. Imagine for just Schengen visa processing, I spent more than $600 for total combined cheapest round-trip tickets, hostel accommodation, travel insurance, and other visa fees. By the way, read and understand travel insurance policy. Bring the original copy and have a scanned copy just in case as this might come in handy. In addition, I decided to travel in Autumn season because of the off-peak treatment aside for the major reason of 1st time travel with Foliage and not-so chilling ambiance. Off-peak season is from October to March while peak season is from April to September. Peak season fares and prices (train, accommodation, food, service, etc) can boost to almost 50%. 

In terms of security, what was mostly being reminded in all crowded tourist spots especially in Paris and Rome is BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS. Though I always bring my important stuff with me at all times, I constantly checked its presence at least 20 times a day . This was my first time being so much attentive to my things, I'm not like this before. Although there were no gut feeling of suspicion and people here are more smarter, I have to not lower my guard at no time. Even when I'm sleeping in hostel, I hug my important things with me in bed.

In terms of kindness, everyone is absolutely accommodating and willing to help. Though I experienced a little pissed-off moment in Paris and Vienna, most of the time I was overwhelmed of their kind attitude, especially Belgians and Dutch. Embrace the adventure, feel the local way of living. I asked mostly the local resident to challenge my social skill and adapt local language.

1st time collection of cheapest ref magnet comprising of the 9 countries of Central Europe

Brussels City Tour by Day

Central Europe 3rd part: 3-days in Benelux States: Luxembourg

October 17 to October 19, 2013

Brussels signature landmark; Atomium

After visiting the Atomium which is approximately 10km farther from the city center, I went back using the tram transportation. I roam the city again by self-guided walk by a free map starting from Grand Place-Grote Markt which is the nearest landmark for other tourist spots and souvenir shops. Even the Brussels Central train station is just 300 meters walk away from this places.

Brussels is the capital city of Belgium. It is entirely surrounded by Dutch-speaking Flanders and its constituent Flemish Brabant province. As headquarters of many European institutions, Brussels might also be considered something of a capital for the European Union. Being at the crossroads of cultures (the Germanic in the North and the Romance in the South) and playing an important role in Europe, Brussels fits the definition of the archetypal "melting pot", but still retains its own unique character.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Brussels

Brussels city tour by day (Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula)

Brussels Signature Landmark; Atomium

Central Europe 3rd part: 3-days in Benelux States: Luxembourg

October 17 to October 19, 2013

Brussels city at night

I went here via tram #51 for 2.5 Euro fare. Admission fee costs 11 Euro up to the highest sphere which has a viewing deck sightseeing also the entire Mini-Europe just beside the park.

The Atomium is an iconic building in Brussels originally constructed for Expo '58, the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. It stands 102 m (335 ft) tall. Its nine 18 m (59 ft) diameter stainless steel clad spheres are connected so that the whole forms the shape of a unit cell of an iron crystal magnified one billion times. Tubes connect the spheres along the 12 edges of the cube and all eight vertices to the center. They enclose escalators and a lift to allow access to the five habitable spheres which contain exhibit halls and other public spaces. The top sphere provides a panoramic view of Brussels. CNN named it Europe's most bizarre building.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomium

Atomium

Brussels City at Night

Central Europe 3rd part: 3-days in Benelux States: Luxembourg

October 17 to October 19, 2013

Afternoon train from Luxembourg to Brussels

Since I arrived late and after walk-in search for cheapest available dormitory/hostel for a night, I walked in the streets for some night shots with my wingman tripod. One of the best places in Brussels for night shot concept is the Grand Palace that comprises a central square and harmonious ensemble of surrounding buildings that represent the culture of this mercantile city from the late 17th century.

Brussels city at night (Grand Place-Grote Markt)

Brussels city at night

Central Europe 4th part: 3 Days in Benelux States: Belgium

23-days Autumn Experience on my 1st Schengen Visa Escapade
October 17 to October 19, 2013 

"The lake and the mountains have become my landscape, my real world."- Georges Simenon

My 21st country to visit, 25th solo backpacking trip, 5th visa application for tourism on entire single page, and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

Benelux is a union of states comprising three neighboring countries in Midwestern Europe: Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal monarchy in Western Europe. The name 'Belgium' is derived from Gallia Belgica, a Roman province in the northernmost part of Gaul.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium

Atomium

23 Days Solo Autumn Experience in Central Europe

France-Switzerland-Luxembourg-Belgium-Netherlands-Germany-Czech Republic-Austria-Italy
October 10 to November 02, 2013

"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return." - Leonardo da Vinci

My 3rd continent to visit (1st was Asia then 2nd was Africa).

Schengen Area guarantees free movement within territory of 26 countries. As of 19th of December 2011, Schengen Area consist of 26 countries (of which 22 are EU states): Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Being part of the area without controls at internal borders means that these countries no longer carry-out border checks at their internal borders and have stepped-up controls which must meet clearly defined criteria, at the external borders.

From country of 1st world to continent of 1st worlds, budget backpacking beyond after accomplishing the Land of the Rising Sun during its summer season last June 2013.

9 sovereign states and 1 observer state visited in Central Europe

4th OFW vacation; Ultimate Solo Trip from Central Europe to Promised Land

an autumn to winter self-guided overwhelming solo backpacking escapade

October 10 to November 16, 2013
36-days longest vacation ever as an OFW

1st OFW vacation; Come back to my homeland
2nd OFW vacation; Pinoy backpacker China invasion
3rd OFW vacation; summer solo trip from Malaysia to Japan 

"A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking." - Earl Wilson

"A study published in the Applied Research in Quality of Life journal, showed that the highest spike in happiness came during the planning stage of a vacation as employees enjoyed the sense of anticipation.."

4th vacation as an Overseas Filipino worker for almost 21 months of stay in State of Kuwait. The image below shows the converted jpeg from pdf of calendar of events on my entire 36-days vacation journey. Most of this were in Central Europe and Israel with Philippines, my hometown, as my last airport to depart.

my 36-days vacation plan mostly in Central Europe

sightseeing the global wonders... 30 days...27 cities... 10 countries...