Hi Guys,
Hi Kev
1) Most hotels/hostels will have lockers or somewhere safe to store your bag. Ask at reception or on the hostel internet site before you book. Most will be okay. Lockers at train stations is also okay, althoughI never did it. I figured it would be expensive and your stuff won't be easily accessible, like you said. Saying all this, I was happy leaving my bags on my bed in a hostel room - nothing of mine has ever been stolen from a hostel. It is usually a safe bet, usually being the key word here, as you might not be so lucky!
2) If you only visit countries in the Schengen area you generally won't need to show your passport to anyone. However in a few places I had to get my passport out, just clarify who I was when on trains. Switzerland had a loose customs process but nothing to worry about. Keep your passport on you. You'll also need it when you check into hotels and hostels. Don't worry about having your passport nicked, it's happened enough that there's fiarly good processes in most countries to get it sorted out quick. Scan in your documents to a computer and email them to yourself, and also to your relatives in Frankfurt, just in case, and carry some passport size photographs and you'll be fine.
3) Banks in Europe never gave me any trouble, except a certain kind of ATM in Italy, the name of which I forgot, but if you are travelling with a Visa or Mastercard credit card you will have no problems. It's good to carry some euros if you leave any euro-using country just in case your credit card goes walkies. Always carry a bit of local currency, if it's not euros as well.
Have fun!
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