Backpacking Around Europe and Other Cool Places

I think it's quintessentially post-college that this dream manifests for most, but some never lose their wanderlust.  While I'm not filling up my piggy bank in hopes of traveling every free second I get,  I do believe I haven't seen enough of the world.  There are so many places I'd like to travel to and so much I want to see.  I've visited the Bahamas twice, spent a few weeks in England, and studied abroad in Costa Rica. My hubby and I are dying to go to Ireland...I have dreams of trouncing around the countryside vacating the local pubs and visiting the Connemara ponies in the hills. I wouldn't even mind if it rained because I'd have on a delicious pair of Wellies (OK, maybe some knock-offs) and a thick wool sweater.  Maybe I'll even get to sheer a sheep on this fantasy trip.

[way more focused on Sarah McLachlan's outfit than the scenery in the 2010 Olympics commercial]

France, Thailand, Korea and Switzerland are close runners-up on our list whereas closer CONUS destinations round out the bottom.  I'd love to see Alaska (not Sarah Palin's though) and I'm dying to go for a long stay in Santa Barbara and travel up the central California coast hitting stops like Big Sur, Carmel and Monterey along the way. 

[Versailles] 

[Santa Barbara] 

[Switzerland]

I was talking to a recent college grad last week who expressed interest in backpacking around Europe.  It always seems like such a sound idea to travel overseas before starting your 'Big Girl Job', but I'd imagine that travel expenses and funding are hard to come by.  While I think I'd be a bit too chicken and a little too 'Troop Beverly Hills' to go the hostel route - I found a great article on Apartment Therapy about some super chic hostels around the world. 

I may have to amend my previous statement about hostels based on these places!  Looks fun and inspiring and would be a great way to see the world on a budget. 

[Croatia]

[Paris]

-Bethany