My European Backpacking Journey

Welcome ladies and gents to a unique experience that has already begun… now I’m just documenting it. This is, however, a big crossroads in my life as I will soon be venturing across the pond (a.k.a. Atlantic Ocean) to explore the continent known as Europe. I’ll be exploring new countries, cultures, languages, and people. You [...]

I just wanted to give you all a brief overview as to how my site is set up. The picture menu below the main title links you to my main 5 pages (this refers to my original travel layout). About (Now the Origin of HoboDrifter)- A brief summary of how I fell into this nomadic [...]

Just around 3 years ago I packed up my things (similar to a week ago) and drove out to San Diego with a car full of shit and a prayer.  It was tough then, but boy was I in for a treat when I decided to take on this new challenge.  These first three days [...]

Sometimes it’s easy to put your head down, make sure not to stray from the beaten path, and do what is familiar.  We all know that familiar = easy.  But what did it take to get to familiar?  The unfamiliar.  The unknown is undoubtedly scary at times, but what it can unlock is glorious. I’ve [...]

The Gear page is slowly coming, but it’s been updated with some new info about my gear and some financial travel tips. London Pics are coming soon! I’ve been slacking on the videos, enjoy the ones I have for now, but I am working on putting some together as we speak. New Beard Pics are [...]

Here’s my review of all the forms of transportation I’ve taken so far. Included are the price as well as the starting points and destinations. Please feel free to comment with any tips or advice you may have from your travels. Airplane Denver, CO to New York, NY (3 hours) Southwest Airlines Cost: $2 So [...]

A very large city, home to roughly 7.5 million people, London has tons to do.  So much in fact that there was obviously no way I was even going to try and fit it all in in 6 days.  I’ve outlined what I accomplished with my time in London.  First and foremost I would like [...]

So I leave for Brussels, Belgium tomorrow with a quick afternoon in Luxembourg (if all goes to plan).  I know it’s been so fast already, but I have seen the sites I want to see and taken some great pics and even made a few videos you should definitely enjoy.  Those pics and vids should [...]

When you’re on the road (especially in a foreign country), life comes at you fast. These last couple of weeks have flown by and it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of new experiences. I’ve seen so many new sites and talked to a lot of new people. Once I start getting a [...]

Exciting new things are going on!  I’ve updated my map, posted new pictures (including a beard update), added some travel videos and gotten almost everything up to date!  There is still a few gear related updates that need to take place (I know they should have happened first).  I think I’ve finally come up with [...]

I step off the train at Gare De Nord, aimlessly wander around the station for a bit trying to get my bearings, then step outside into a hectic and dirty scene that wasn’t too easy on the smeller either. I finally make it to my hostel, Absolute Paris, which was quite the breath of fresh [...]

Brussels is crawling with shops that want to fatten you up with delicious treats.  There are a few spots you should check out in between stuffing your face with waffles, chocolate, beer and mayo covered fries. Brussels is home to the European Union (EU) Parliament, which is quite a collection of modern structures.  Needing clearance [...]

I’m moving so fast!  Tomorrow I decided Berlin will be my next stop.  Amsterdam was definitely a fun ride, but I can only take so much of the “coffee shops”, bars, red light-ness and the cold.   It’s a long train ride so I may be out of commission for the day. Brussels was incredible [...]

Don’t get me wrong, the Red Light District and Marijuana Coffee Shops are a great tourist attraction and bring in quite a bit of money for the city of Amsterdam. See, many people are confused and think that marijuana is actually legal in Amsterdam, as did I, but it’s only decriminalized. This means you can [...]

Arbeit Macht Frei: “Work Makes One Free” If you couldn’t tell, I’m in Berlin, Germany.  I was a little under the weather yesterday after my travels through town, so I wasn’t up for the challenge of writing a new post.  I am, however, feeling much better and had a very intriguing and snow filled day [...]

As expected, Berlin was amazing (I feel the same way about every new city apparently).  This particular visit to Berlin, however, was especially interesting and probably my favorite city thus far.  I had fun and informative tours, snow, German beer, a curry wurst, a great hostel, I met a heap of new people and now [...]

When the Berlin Wall fell 21 years ago this coming November, a city and a country were finally reunited, physically, culturally and emotionally. Families that had been divided for two decades were finally allowed to see their loved ones. Those that had been cast behind the iron curtain of the east were once again free [...]

Thursday is here which means beard update!!!  I think I’m more excited about it than anyone else, but that’s ok.   It’s been a while since I gave you guys a good post, sorry about that.  I’ve been busy just enjoying the scenes out here.  It may happen that I don’t get to post much [...]

Everyone loves to talk about Munich’s beer halls, especially the Haufbrahaus. This is a classic, and very touristy beer hall with quite a bit of history behind it, but don’t overlook the local halls. I loved the traditional music, delicious food, amazing liters of beer, and you can’t forget the very fashionable Bavarian men wearing [...]

I was so excited about the new photos from Munich and my recently filmed cinematic adventures that I had to tell you all as soon as possible!  I have 3 new videos under my Travel Vids title on my Videos page.  In case you still haven’t figured how the YouTube videos works, just click on [...]

After a long night of rather uneventful football (I was trying my hardest to keep my eyes open), I’ve made it to Vienna, Austria.  The super bowl has a different meaning when you’re in a foreign country, not as exciting to watch with weird commentating and no funny commercials!!  Prague was a fun city to [...]

I’ve been on the road for just about 4 weeks now and I’ve been waiting and waiting to share what I’ve learned about certain aspects of travel. This discussion is going to focus on hostels. If you don’t plan on staying in hostels, read this anyway because it may change your mind (or just make [...]

Don’t expect the friendliest people on your visit to Prague (Praha), but that is just a small part of this wonderfully maze-like city along the Vltava River. Many of the streets in the heart of the city are extremely narrow and tend to wind in all different directions, making it rather fun because you never [...]

Yes, it’s true the Vienna pics are up with the report to follow shortly.  There are some great ones so take a peak.  I also have random pics popping up all the time on the sidebar to the left, maybe something that will catch your eye.  Some of you may have forgotten to check your [...]

Today will be the second day of hiking through Salzburg and I’ve got to be honest… it is cold!  I have boots, but they are more of a moderate weather type of boot (if only I would have found that out sooner).  Soaked to the core, they are still drying this morning as we speak. [...]

The ninth stop on my trip placed me within a city that loves to preserve it’s rich cultural history and architecture, yet strives to develop as a modern metropolis: Vienna (Wien), Austria. Nearly all of the historical sites to see within Vienna are located in the city center, surrounded by a vast boulevard commonly referred [...]

As I exited Austria, I ventured through Salzburg and Innsbruck.  Both were very beautiful cities, but we’ll start with Salzburg. If you’ve been following my facebook page or read my last post about hiking you would know that I’ve been following the footsteps of the Von Trapp family… and making some of my own.  If [...]

I’ve been on the move and having a blast enjoying the mountains. I wasn’t planning on skiing, but to Hobodrifters ever make plans? I’ve added two stops to my journey in Switzerland, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy those pics once they’re up: Interlaken and Zermatt. I head out of the hills and into Italy! That [...]

I’ve been out of the loop for the last few days, but I’m back with quite a bit in my bag of goodies for you all.  I just touched ground in Florence, Italy and am excited to finally get to explore the two countries I have been craving to see… Italy and Spain! I’ve made [...]

I originally planned to stop in Zurich then head to Italy, but seldom do a hobodrifter’s plans ever stay solidified. After talking to various people I came to the conclusion that I needed to seize the opportunity to test the snow of the beloved Swiss Alps. I had come this far, so why not stretch [...]

Ah, the city of canals and love and gondoliers… and mazes. I arrived in Venice after spending 8 hours on various trains coming from Switzerland, but my journey was all but over. It was too late to obtain a map, so I had to trust the directions I wrote down from the internet. I got [...]

My love of Florence came before I even stepped foot in the city itself. Maybe it was the mountainous scenery and lush green landscape that preceded my arrival into the train station Santa Maria Novella. It could have been the fact I was basking in the sun one of the few times my entire trip. [...]

Only one day remains in the month of February!  If you haven’t heard already, my official re-entry date into the U.S. is March 24.  I know, I know, it’s sad to be leaving a nomadic lifestyle and soaking in all the sights and sounds of the world.  I am excited to finish strong and visit [...]

An excursion to Cinque Terre (Five Towns) was a long desired journey before I even set foot on European soil. For those of you who have not heard of this hidden gem (maybe not so hidden anymore because of that damn Rick Steves), Cinque Terre is a small collection of five Italian villages set on [...]

I know I’ve been gone yet again for some time… I can’t keep up with everything that’s going on! I’ve been to some great places and I can’t wait to share the pictures and stories with you all. I’m working furiously over the next couple of days to get things posted. I promise Italy will [...]

Ok, get all the Anchorman jokes out now (I just did, so that will be the end of it, deal). The one thing you notice or hear about Rome is how much there is to see, that is very true. If you prioritize and figure out exactly what you want to see, even if it’s [...]

Naples (Napoli) has been the biggest surprise thus far. Maybe it was the people I met or the hostel I stayed at, but underneath the rugged, dirty exterior lies the beautiful soul of the culture and people of Southern Italy. My first impression as I leave the construction riddled train station is that I may [...]

I have to say that Barcelona was my favorite large city that I’ve visited thus far. It could have been the sunshine and cool sand between my toes on the beach that swayed my vote, but regardless of the reasons, it just felt right. A deceptively large city for those who don’t know much about [...]

Valencia was another one of the cities I had no idea what to expect. It was never on my original list of places to go, but then again quite of few of the places I’ve been never were. That’s what makes the discovery so pure and unspoiled. Everything I learn about the area is from [...]

After a long and winding train ride through some incredible scenery (at times), the trip to Sevilla was a long anticipated getaway. Even after a short time in both areas, once again the stark contrast between north and south became apparent during my stay in Sevilla. I was fortunate enough to have the company of [...]

If anyone has read The Alchemist then you’ll understand my excitement as I made my way down to Tarifa, then over the Strait of Gibraltar into Tangier.  If you have no idea what I’m talking about, you will still love the southern tip of Spain, but go get the book and give it a quick [...]

So it’s a glorious moment for myself… I have finally caught up to my current location in terms of postings, travel map and photos!  I also threw in a few new videos for you to check out.  That is the one place I still have  a few I haven’t uploaded yet, but 2 for 3 [...]

So let’s do a quick recap of physical appearance over the last 10 weeks, shall we? I have undoubtedly lost some weight, but that’s not the feature one would notice most.  As some of you have already pointed out, you could mistake me for two different people if you haven’t seen me since I started [...]

Ok, so this is it, the real deal, the whole sha-bang, the final word on my Europe adventure.  Of course I haven’t posted the last two cities yet, so you have to keep checking the site at least for a little while longer. What can I really say?  As I sit here in the Dublin [...]

          Madrid                                                                       Lisbon I still have some great photos and a little blurb to write about Madrid and Lisbon.  Both cities were pleasant surprises, but then again this whole trip was an amazing surprise.  On top of that I still have some rather entertaining videos left to post.  I’m currently busy [...]

My visit to Lisbon, Portugal was unique to most of my trips given the fact I was able to stay with a friend for one last time.  My good friend Bruno couldn’t have been a better host, with sightseeing tips, great cooking, a comfy place to crash and fantastic restaurant selection.  I would recommend staying [...]

The conclusion of my European adventure takes place in Madrid.  I have to be honest; I had heard a few things prior to landing there and was expecting a quick trip with a few days of catching up on my blog and of course a little sightseeing.  Little did I know how exciting the city [...]

By no means are my travels over… I have a trip planned domestically to San Diego in June (which is sure to produce some pretty entertaining photos) and am waiting to use the second half of my free Southwest plane ticket (the one I used to get to New York in January) before it expires [...]

When I initially set off on my journey back in January I had initially hoped I might be able to find work (ideally in Spain) and sustain an expat lifestyle at least for a little.  How amazing would it have been to set up a home base in Spain and see the rest of Europe [...]

Prior to departing for Europe I had this idea in my head that all the questions I had in life would somehow be magically answered once I returned from my travels.  I wanted to discover who I was, what was it in my life that was missing? This was my chance to leave everything behind, [...]

It was a mild summer day in early June deep in the suburbs of Denver, CO (Littleton if you must know) when it finally struck me that summer was truly here.  It’s no surprise to the native or long term Colorado resident that it had snowed a few shorts weeks prior.  That craziness was now [...]

First and foremost I want to thank everyone along the way during my journey through this world for the last 26 years.  You must never underestimate the influence someone may have on your life, despite the duration of involvement.  From those brief 30 second encounters where little more than eye contact was made, to the [...]