[manasecret]

How exciting to be going abroad! Congratulations, I think you'll have tons of fun.

There are good suggestions here. You're right to bring a phonecard, you never know exactly how the cellphone will work until you get where you are. You can pick up phonecards wherever you are, too, and they're pretty cheap.

Stonecutter's ideas are good, too. You always need cash because even places like Rome and Paris aren't completely like North America, where you can use credit/debit to pay for $1 purchases anywhere. But unlike Stonecutter, I used Euro cash for practically everything I bought. Even most hotels and hostels wouldn't take credit from me. But ATMs are ubiquitous so you'll figure out what's best for you when you're there, so no worries.

Like what's been said, a plug converter is a must if you're bringing your cell or computer or anything electronic. Be careful with voltages when you get to France and Germany, too. Your electronics should all tell you what voltages they support. New laptops are happy with whatever voltage you give them (either Europe or North America), but I think cellphones aren't so easy. Hotels usually have both 120V-240V plugs in their bathrooms for such things.

A few suggestions that have worked for me.

1. Luggage! The number one thing I can recommend if you're going to backpack at all is to get a backpack that converts into a normal style luggage that rolls on wheels. With all the old cobbled streets throughout Europe, rolling luggage becomes a problem. But in the airports, you don't want to have a backpack on while you're waiting a few hours for your flight. These are very very nice pieces of luggage, and some even come with a normal sized detachable backpack, so you can leave the bulk of your luggage at the hotel and take only the things you need while you walk around marveling in Paris.

2. Pack light! There's no need to bring everything you wear at home. Pack with a three or four day cycle in mind, and try to bring clothes you can mix and match. One nice outfit you can wear to formal places might be good just in case, you never know who you might meet and where you might get invited. Also Europeans are much less casual-dressing than North Americans, like what Kitana said about khaki.

3. Learn a little of the language! Get some phrasebooks and the locals will open up so much more to you if you try at all to speak their language. Even if you simply ask them in French or German if they can speak English, they'll be much more friendly than if you accost them speaking only in English.

I hope you enjoy your trip! It's exciting stuff to have something like that to look forward to.