I'm hoping to take a sabbatical from work (at least a year, if I can get rid of debt and save a year's salary) and go backpacking in Europe. Has anyone done this, and/or does anyone have any book recommendations -- anything on budgeting, planning, or anything else you found helpful?

Thanks!

Try clicbked, there is a list of very good and cheap places to stay:

bed and breakfast london

Wow -- so envious!!!

I've travelled in various parts of the world & always have been happy w/ Lonely Planet.

(You may have already thought of this, but just in case: You might want to invest in a Kindle or something so as not to have to schlepp tons of books around.)