was a broke musician who made a promise to take my late wife's remains to Europe for the honeymoon we never shared, and I wasn’t going to go back on my word.

So as a tribute to her memory, her first husband Jesse offered to join me and give handfuls of her remains all over Europe at special monuments and landmarks. On October 1, 2006, we landed in Frankfurt, Germany and began what would become a lifechanging journey...

Daria	Lynn	Pursel

Frankly, I Was Scared Out Of My Mind

And for good reason because:
Looking at $5,000 for six weeks, I thought I would have to cancel
I had no grand savings account and in fact was thousands in debt
My list of contacts in Europe was non-existent
I had never even made one international phone call

And if that wasn’t bad enough, a month before my first trip, I was on the phone with an uncle who lived in Germany while in the Air Force.

When we discussed what I was doing, he said, “I don’t know Gabe…that’s ten times more than any vacation you’ve ever taken. That sounds like it’s going to be hopeless to pull off without enough money.”

So now you know why I was worried.

But my worry turned to excited disbelief when the flight left American soil because

 

I Managed To Pull Everything Together In
Just Under Three Weeks!

And paid ONLY a fraction! It happened so fast that friends and co-workers asked me to help them plan their vacations. But by that time, it was time to leave.

Afterwards, there was this little voice in the back of my head saying

“Maybe I Got Lucky”

Who knows? Maybe the stars were perfectly aligned and what not. It’s possible. So here’s what happened next.

At the outset of my promise, the choice was made to only go to the places we wanted to visit on our honeymoon. Well, I went to most of those places, but didn’t make it to the family castle in the heartland of Tipperary, Ireland because we both ran out of money.

And now the question was…

Would My Luck Hold Out And Let Me Do It Again?

So a few months after returning, plans were begun for a second trip to finalize my promise. And this time I was really worried. You would think I was more at ease since the first one went well, but that didn't happen.

Here’s why:

It was my first trip going solo
Again, I didn’t have much money
It was during the high season (more and less of everything at the same time)
I still had no contacts in Europe
I had only months before moved to a new city with a new career and would be jeopardizing what was already worked up

Anyway, the truth is that this could have easily destroyed me financially.

On May 23, 2007 I landed in Prague and once again my fears were unfounded because...

I Took Another Criss-Cross European Tour For
HALF Of What I Paid The First Time!

Seville, Spain	Tipperary, Ireland	Prague, Czech Republic

And just like the first time, friends, family and co-workers asked me to help them plan. Their curiosity was now at an all-time high.

You Need To Think About Something
For A Minute.

OK, the first tour went well, but I discovered all the things that were over paid on and even paid for things that later were discovered could have been done for FREE.

The second tour went even better, but this time I only paid HALF as much as the first trip.

And I had spent nine weeks touring all over Europe between both trips.

And when you add it up...

The Total Cost Was Amazingly The Same As One Month Of Bills!

The best part is, that was all it took to change my life forever and
for the better.

Now Let’s Keep This Grounded In Reality

Some people even told me that:

I Was Full Of Crap!

"There’s No Way You Could Have Gone To Europe TWICE And Toured Nine Weeks For The Same As One Month Of Bills!"

How could that be?

To be honest with you, I had absolutely no idea how much it would end up costing me. The bottom line was there was a promise to keep and come hell or high water, I was going to find a way to honor it.

So I did! And now, since it had been done twice, it could be done again and again and PROVE it.

And the best way to do that was to follow my new goals of continued travel and perhaps living abroad.

But There Was A Huge Problem.

I was under an employment contract for another five months. And it’s not like I could just pick up and leave without consequences. So reluctantly, the work continued.

But within just two months of returning, I became completely miserable. Comparing it to the daily lifestyle in Europe, there was just no sincerity.

Then...

...One day while at my cubicle desk in my windowless office, I had an epiphany.

This callous, mechanical environment I worked in would never change -- and was not meant for me. So...

On September 4, 2007
I Put In My Three-Month Notice

And began making plans to move to Spain.

Here’s Where It Gets Better

While in London on my second tour, I met someone very special. Although traveling with a heavy heart, she made me smile with her love for life and sheer vitality. We kept in contact and when I told her (Margarita) of my upcoming move...

We Ended Up Welcoming 2008 Together
In Geneva

(my third trip)

Next, I visited my new friend Octavio in Seville only to find the job market wasn't what I hoped it would be...so reluctantly after one month, I went back to the states.

But that wasn't going to keep me away!

On May 15, 2008, I returned to Europe once more (my fourth trip), but this time to live in London with Margarita. Our love blossomed. In October we got engaged and on a small budget, toured continental Europe for three weeks as a pre-honeymoon.

Rome, Italy	Prague, Czech Republic	Paris, France

We then went to Colombia where we married & welcomed 2009 & 2010.

Cali, Colombia

Today, late November 2013, I'm in the process of planning our the 6th trip to Europe for late spring. And it will include 14 NEW COUNTRIES.

I feel like the happiest man alive! And I whole-heartedly believe my late wife helped guide us together as a way of thanking me for keeping my promise.

 

Now I Want To Help You Make Your European Travel Dreams Come True!

 

In Backpacking Europe 2014, I will show you how you can safely, comfortably, and cheaply see the most prominent and hidden gems of Europe, travel like a seasoned pro and get treated like an welcome guest.

Listen...

if you’ve ever thought of the idea of traveling internationally more less the aspect of planning a vacation as daunting, I can totally relate to you.

Especially when I hadn’t even left my own state (Texas) on a road trip.

I had:

No experience

No ‘real’ money supply and

No contacts

No idea where to start

But if I wasn’t the guy who wrote the book, walked those steps and saw the lights with my own two eyes, there’s no way I’d believe it was true.

Now close this page and let's get started. :)