Traveling to Europe for the first time, tips please?

For my 30th birthday I'm planning a 12 day trip through Europe. I'm thinking London, Paris, and Rome, maybe Madrid if there's time. Can you please offer me tips? I've only traveled internationally once before.



Here are my questions. Pleas answer as many as you can:



- How much should I plan to save for the trip?

- What are some good travel websites?

- Is it better to stay in hostels or hotels? Are the hostels more for people in their early 20s?

- How much should I pack? I was thinking of just two carryons.

- Would it be better to fly into London and fly out of Rome or would it be better to do the trip roundtrip from London?

- What about traveling within Europe? Ferries? Buses? Trains? Eurorail? Planes?

- Are these friendly cities for a girl traveling alone? I'm excited about seeing the sites, but I'm also hoping to meet some people and go out a little.

- I have a cell phone I got in China. Can I just change the SIM card and use it in Europe or will I need to buy a phone once I get there? (I have Verizon, so I can't change a SIM out of it.)

- Will travel be difficult in France and Italy? I speak English, and just a little bit of Spanish.

- I'd also like to stop in Madrid if I can, is that feasible given that I'll be there from 12 to14 days or should I nix it?



Thank you so much!Traveling to Europe for the first time, tips please?
I'll help with what I can in my experience with 4 trips to Europe under my belt!

I would go with a tour group if possible because it's a ton cheaper than going individually.

Stay in hotels. Trust me, most of them will feel like hostels anyways.

Two carry-ons sounds perfectly reasonable.

Doesn't matter where you fly in and out of, price will be very similar.

Trains, buses and ferries always worked best for me.

There are creeps everywhere. You just have to look like you know what you're doing, and stay close to other people that also look like tourists, just to be safe. Try to meet people to go out with in your hotels.

Almost everyone in France and Italy speak English. Especially in touristy places.



Hope this helped!Traveling to Europe for the first time, tips please?
If you got to visit to Europe. Don't forget to visit France. There are some good places to explore there. I will never miss to stay in hotel Lyon. It is the best place i have ever stayed. Never miss to go there.