Without further ado, here is the list:

1. Krakow, Poland

   Situated in south eastern Poland (a geographic area known as Galacia), Krakow is not subjected to the harsh weather most of Poland receives. The capital of the Polish Kingdom from 1038 until 1596, Krakow contains some of Europe's most majestic churches and an impressive castle. Spared the destruction of World War II and largely spared communist development during the rule of the USSR, Krakow maintains an old world Europe feel similar to Prague or Budapest. Krakow is also an hour by train or minibus from Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi concentration camp from World War II. Poland is a member of the European Union and is quite safe. Despite being a member of the EU, Poland has yet to join the Euro and is still quite affordable.

2. Budapest, Hungary

   Just three hours by train or car from the Austrian capital of Vienna, Budapest is a thriving center of culture in its own right. Budapest is well known for serving as a second and equal capital of the Austrian Empire following the Dual Compromise of 1867, but truthfully it spent equal time in the Austrian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. As a result, the influence of both cultures, though vastly different, is quite apparent. Many buildings reflect Viennese type architecture, while surrounded by Turkish baths (which are quite famous!). Having spent so much time under the rule of others Hungarians, or Magyars, are a proud people with a troubled history. Hungary is also part of the EU and not on the Euro. It, too, is relatively affordable.

3. Copenhagen, Denmark

   A well known city in Europe, Copenhagen is not as full of tourists as one might think. In fact, few enough tourists visit this city that many who do consider it “overlooked.” The established capital of a thriving, if small, western European country, Copenhagen is definitely worth a visit. Danish bread is particularly well regarded throughout Europe and there is no shortage of it here in the capital. The city is also Europe's most cyclist friendly, with cycle lanes that parallel main roads for maximum access. Copenhagen is also conveniently located to northern Germany (also beautiful) and Malmö, Sweden is just across the bridge. For its beauty, as well as its proximity to other great spots in Europe, Copenhagen is a must. Copenhagen is in the EU and has voted by referendum not to adopt the Euro. Despite this, prices in Denmark are quite high (as is true of all of Scandinavia). Copenhagen is less expensive than Stockholm and Oslo.

4. Istanbul, Turkey

   While it is true half the city lies in Asia, the old town, or Sultan Ahmet as it is called, is located entirely on the European side. Located in the political hotbed Middle East, Turkey is a surprisingly safe and out-of-this-world friendly country. Though it borders countries such as Iraq and Iran, Turkey is astonishingly democratic and very western. Turkey is the only secular Muslim country in the world. Furthermore, Turks, proud of their history and eager to tell their part of the story, have done a fantastic job preserving Ottoman palaces and relics. From the Hagia Sophia to Topkapi Palace, Istanbul is sure to please and educate. Though not a member of the EU, customs is a simple process and visas are available at all entry points (by train, car, or plane) for a fee of $20 U.S.

5. Istria, Croatia

   Located on a peninsula to the north of its more famous relative, the Dalmatian Coast, the Istrian Peninsula is equally beautiful and less touristy. Begin your stay in Poreč, located only an hour south from Trieste, Italy. This town of 9,000 is easily accessible by car or bus and customs through Slovenia into Croatia are a breeze. Visit Vrsar and Rovinj on day trips, but be sure to be back in Poreč for every dinner, as Croatian and Italian cuisine are on display each night in some of Europe's finest restaurants. Fresh fish and other seafood are available in small markets around town and they sell only the current day's catch. Don't forget a boat cruise around the Adriatic like only Croatian tour guides can provide! In short, Istria provides all the beauty of the Mediterranean without being overrun by unappreciative visitors. But hurry, Europe's best kept secret is about to get out! Like Turkey, Croatia is not a member of the EU, but it is a candidate and should be admitted by 2009. No visa is required for U.S. citizens.

One final note: I have traveled extensively throughout Europe and have visited each of the aforementioned destinations. All of this advice is first hand information and comments will be quickly answered.

Perched precariously atop a too-tall bar stool, I was sipping my Martini in a stylish bar in the city's bohemian Norrebrø district when the bartender I'd been chatting to asked: "So, do you want to come clubbing with me and my mates from the Fire Station later?" The Fire Station: obviously the name of some trendy drinking establishment. "My mates - they're firemen," he clarified. Choke, splutter, cough. Danish firemen. (Boys, read: nurses or air hostesses.) I silently thanked every god I could think of and tried to repress the urge to do back flips. You might not get as lucky as I did in Copenhagen, but you're sure to be treated to some delightful sights.

Denmark's small town capital suffers from a severe multiple personality disorder. It oozes Scandi savvy, but is colored with Dutch liberal attitudes and has even been said to seem a bit Japanese. Maybe it's Copenhageners flair for design and technology or its cavalier approach to shopping. Or maybe it's the countless sushi bars. With a population of 490,000 in Copenhagen proper - 1.5 million in Greater Copenhagen - the city feels like a giant Benetton advert: all fresh faces and astute fashion senses.

Let's Chill

Like the inhabitants of any northern city, Copenhageners make the most of their summers. As soon as the weather shows signs of warming up, they're out in the many parks and squares with picnics and puppies and the compulsory football to kick about. And when the weather isn't up to scratch, the locals are loathed to go inside if they can help it. Even at more posh restaurants, you're likely to find rosy-cheeked Danes wrapped in blankets, hovering over candles at outside tables well into the wee hours.

A night in Copenhagen must start with a hearty meal. As cutting edge as the city is, mealtimes are as old-fashioned as ever with huge spreads and boisterous banter - in the Danish eateries, anyway. (Actually, Danish food has just recently become de rigueur again after that horrible health kick we all went on in the Nineties.) Although the city has endless international options, you really can't pass up the opportunity to sample the local fare. Heaps of pickled herring might scare you, but less exotic choices are available; lots of pork and fresh fish.

When you head on to the bars after your meal, you might come across a few rowdier types swigging jugs of Windex-blue liquid in the queues outside the clubs. Drinks in Copenhagen aren't any more expensive than in the UK, but young ones still find it necessary to stock up on moonshine before having to pay for booze inside. And, again, this is a common sight well past midnight. Queues for clubs (especially on a Saturday night) don't begin to reasonably shrink until way past 3am.

Which brings us to the hour most tourists will throw their hands up, defeated by the relentless Copenhagen nightlife. Although kebabs and burgers are available, you'd do better to head for one of the unassuming hot dog vans usually a convenient few steps from the club. The infamous Danish dog with onions and pickles is a must-try at the end of a big night. Many of the clubs and bars are near Sankt Hans Tovr in Norrebrø, although there is a quaint cluster of more commercial establishments in Boltens Gaard, a hidden piazza by the main square of Kongens Nytorv. Both of which both have their own resident vans.

Danish Delight

One of the most common myths harbored by tourists is that Copenhageners avoid the main attractions. We know that Londoners are loathed to head for Oxford Street and Parisians hate to make the trip to the Champs Elysées - although they inevitably do - but natives of Copenhagen are happy to visit Tivoli a few times a year. In the summer, they can be seen strolling through the theme park, especially at nights, horsing around or just taking in a romantic stroll.

Surely the most interesting day out is a trip south of the center to Christiania. Strangely enough, it also feels like an amusement park, with the outside gate crowned in a psychedelic, multicolored painted wooden sign. There's a strict no-photographs rule in the Free Town, but you should eventually overcome the urge to snap at every oddity you come across.

Founded in 1970 as a rebellion against "the man," Christiania now has its own bars, restaurants, music, art and shops. (You'll see the Christiania bikes-cum-carts all over the city - they're incredibly popular with young, yuppie families.) The stalls that line the main path through the town sell various herbal "refreshments" and are manned by some of the most bona fide hippies you're ever likely to encounter.

"So what does "lukke" mean?" I asked a stringy-haired crusty, displaying his array of products. "It means lucky, man. You buy the joint, then you smoke the joint, man. Then, when you get to the filter, mean, you unroll it. If it says you're a winner, you could win another joint, man." "I see." "Or a gram of skunk, or a hash cupcake, man, or another joint..." "I see." Enterprising, real-life hippies.

The whole of Copenhagen seems geared toward the navigation of the city. For the warmer months, communal bikes are available via a trolley-style coin-drop system. (You get the coin back when you return the bike.) However, if you're likely to be tempted at all by any of the countless big-name or independent-designer shops, you'd do best to leave the bikes and foot/cab it.

Copenhagen can keep any range of shopper happy - from the upmarket antiques aficionado to the slinky, customized jeans junky. As for me, I fell somewhere in between. In between a few firemen, that is. For just one weekend, boy, was it ever good to be me.

Trains are comfortable and very regular from certain stations. They are more expensive than buses, but it is possible to get them between countries and they have the distinct advantage of running into the town rather than the outskirts that the planes fly to. The trains vary heavily in price, and there are different classes of ticket. It is such a romantic way to travel around especially in Europe. It is bizarre though to catch a train inter-country as it is only possible in land joined countries. Of course the Sweden-Denmark train from Copenhagen to Malmo is an exception. No passports required between countries, how cool it would be to be a fugitive fleeing countries.

I finally heard back from a Recruitment Agency who were telling me of a great sounding Council position in Ealing. It was a great sounding no pressure but great pay role. At 15 pounds an hour, it would've been bliss. The Working Holiday Dilemma was almost solved, but I came up short with my interview. It is like having a coach with these Recruitment places as they want you to get the job so they get your cut, but at the same time they do apply for you, get the interview and tell you everything about what the employer wants. It is a totally different system. I have mainly applied online to these agencies and never been asked to actually visit one until they suggested I come in before I go to the job interview. They were cool at Anders Elite, but the funny thing was I sent them my CV a month ago. The timing of everything around London can be painful. I hadn't heard back about any jobs or from any agencies for months until I got that phone call that fateful Friday and quite frankly it threw my plans to leave and go touring with Boss in doubt. Again I didn't get the position. I am almost considering going into a job interview without wanting or trying to get it and seeing if the reverse psychology helps me get it. The thing is missing out on all these positions once I reached the interview stage isn't normal surely? The thing is I never get bad feedback. It makes me realise that getting an interview is only half the battle and you don't usually hear of those who miss out once they make it to that stage. It is like guys who get shot down by girls, it is one of those things people don't broadcast. Usually I am told if they give an excuse it is actually nothing to do with my interview, more just that the successful applicant had more experience or actual experience at the place the job was advertised. This annoys me because sometimes you have to go through a big effort like me travelling an hour each way to make an interview and to miss out after all those efforts, really sucks!

The only successful interviews at the DCC were mainly because I actually had worked there and the shoe was on the other foot! I had met the interviewers from previous interviews and so I was going in a step ahead of my rivals!

I feel that I have seen everything I want in London. I feel like a user of prostitutes who has taken all they want from a prize woman of the night and left her. The city of London has some beautiful points, but at the same time is an ugly place with so much filth.

My decision to come on this trip stemmed from several factors. The only male at work amongst 17 females was a great starting point. I basically felt alienated from the start. The marriage of my friend Darren and the intention of several others from New Zealand to go over there was another factor. Finally the winter blues in Dunedin was getting me down ever so slightly so I decided it was time for a Northern Hemisphere summer. But in hindsight it would've been best to just come on an extended holiday, rather than look for work. The job market over here is no different to back home. Most jobs I try to get are popular with the punters and difficult to come by. I had been buoyed by the reachers I knew who came over here and walked into jobs immediately. Maybe my BA and B Com were not specialised enough. Having general office experience is dime a dozen these days. The Student Loan scheme has left it's mark along with Aunty Helen's Working Holiday VISA which has continually been a thorn in my side. I seriously believe if I wasn't on that and could work longer here, I would not be the unemployed person I am today. I can see why some couples come on their OE once they get married. It automatically means a travel companion and hotel deals. Also if only takes one of you to get a job for you to be viable. I find I miss my home mates and want them to be over here to go to places I want to go while enjoying the cheap hotel deals. When my mate Boss arrived over it was so good to have someone I can joke around with and share similar interests to do things with. We naturally want to go to cool things. It has been harder than I thought making companions in UK. The big city has been hazardous and I haven't been outside London because I will have to start all over. I have more acquaintance type mates over here.

The big winner is the London economy which has swallowed me live and spat me out. The regulations with working visas was the catalyst. At the same time I can see why so many people get down on themselves in London. I see so many lonely people over here, sitting on their own. It is harder to just pop over to a mates house and people have their own agendas. The nights get longer and the living costs don't die down. It is funny, I was outside a Recruitment Agency which was advertising office jobs and most of them have a salary of 15000 per year. They were laughing at how low those are, and that they seem quite demanding what they want from a person in this job, yet the national average income they were saying, is supposed to be 40000 per year. I think it is another myth the whole once you are earning pounds it is easier. It is hard to know what sort of pay rate jobs I should be aiming for. When I was back home I was earning about 35000 NZ and that was pretty solid. I have qualifications but not much experience. I think plenty of the jobs I have been applying for at around 15000 pounds were potentially seeking office juniors (straight from school with no qualifications or exp). But it is hard to know. You are worth what the market dictates.