Hello everyone,

I'm prepping a solo backpacking trip in Europe, the dream I have since I'm a teenager. I'm a French Canadian than is almost 35 years old. I have a good budget (over 14k CAD) for that trip. I took a leave of absence for the summer for this trip. I'm focusing more on the Eastern Europe (Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, etc.). I hope to see history and scenic view more than anything.

I'm thinking about doing a group travel (with G Adventures with a more than 30 days trip) to help me get through my fear of a first travel. I know it's more expensive and I know I'll not have the time to really "live the travel" or soak in every town I'll visiting.

Going alone will be better for me for the type of travel I want to make, to stay more than 2 nights in every place. But that come with every preparation you need to make, finding hostels and be able to find the right transportation. And I have the fear of getting pickpocket.

I don't fear to be able to organize myself, I fear to make mistakes during the travel.

What are the tips you can give me? Should I go for the safe option and opting for a group trip or going alone will be better? If I go for a group trip, do you know other option than G Adventures that offer more a soak-in experience?

Thank you helping me to realize my dreams.