Europe from a Backpack: Real Stories from Young Travelers Abroad

by Mark Pearson (Editor), Martin Westerman (Editor)

If you've ever wanted to backpack in Europe... If you want to relive your adventures... If you love good travel writing... Better than guidebooks, these first-person accounts paint vivid pictures of a traveler's experience in Europe. Like familiar music and favorite scents, they'll awaken a taste for adventure in those who have yet to travel, and bring back memories for those who have. Romance, surprise, discovery and wisdom all bubble through these authors' inviting pieces. At last, a collection of first-person eye-witness adventures that will keep you laughing, wondering, and walking with the well-traveled story tellers who take you inside Europe's must-see places. Billy Anderson stares down death at the running of the bulls in Pamplona. Lisa Cordeiro takes a "will work for food" approach to travel as a waitress at a Paris restaurant. And Mike Riley's desperate search for underwear in a Portuguese market... well, that's another story.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2004

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Travel literature left in the hands of some of the most uninspiring writers I have ever read. Don't bother.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

To go along with our "Have Book - Will Travel" summer reading program, I read several travel memoir-type books the last few months. I picked this book up because I wanted to read stories from travelers, and this one covers cities on and off the beaten path. If you've done any traveling, reading these essays will cause you to think back on your own memories of figuring out train schedules, meeting travelers from all around the world, and immersing yourself in another culture. Or, if you haven't traveled, or are thinking about/planning a trip in the future, reading this book will really inspire you to *go somewhere.*

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of travel memoirs. They filled me with a mix of excited wanderlust and realistic caution. Some of the stories were full of fun and life changing adventures that inspired me to travel the world. Others provided cautionary examples of dangerous situations and the perils of inadequate preparation. It was a fairly good balance of positive and negative travel experiences. I read the book to gain some insight before a trip to Europe and I believe the first hand stories were both more interesting and informative than a traditional travel guide.

[Stephanie Duffield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the first hand travel experience submitted. The stories, both good and bad, only make me long to become a true backpacker and explorer all the more. A nice read to prepare you if you're interested in traveling this way and a great resource to connect with other backpackers and websites. Also a nice, relatable read if you've been to anywhere in Europe or are just interested in other's adventures.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've begun planning possible route for my backpacking adventure and this book provided some cities/places I'd like to see which I've never heard of before now. The stories were good, pretty humorous and laid back. If you're looking for useful backpacking tips, this book isn't it. It's basically a bunch of party stories rolled into a book. But it was still a good read for those like myself who love travel literature.

[Micaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining, humorous collection of stories by young travelers, detailing their adventures across Europe.

[Treesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories and personal accounts of experiences abroad. A good guide if you're traveling for what to do/or not do and where to go.

[Avi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that is a damn good travel book!

[Henrique · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of short stories, some uplifting and some reminding you that things can go horribly wrong. All in all, a very good read!

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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