I live in the Philippines and plan to travel to Europe next year; I need to know which would be the best country to visit on a shoe string budget. Oh, and it would help if they’re not so strict with issuing the tourist Visa too!

For those of us who want the “cool” of a backpack trip but realize the dangers of it! Are there work, charity or teacher programs that offer lodging to students who want to travel to europe and maybe make a little money to pay their way through? What is a good way to meet people for exchanges or friends to stay with without those costly agencies?

I would think that it is cheaper to fly into The Netherlands or Luxembourg or Germany but those travel sites are exhausting trying out different times and dates. I’d like to start looking with a little foreknowledge on the arrival city. Can you help?