How can I travel through Europe on a small budget? And how can I get enough time off?

I'm 27, and have never done much overseas traveling, not nearly as much as I wish I had. In the next couple of years, I feel like I need to apply to grad school, but before I do that, I want to get my wanderlust out of my system.

So -- on a budget of approx. $5,000 - $6,000, how long could I spend traveling through Europe? And if not Europe, then where could I go to have a trip of 3 months or longer on that budget?

And how can I get time off? I work at an excruciatingly slow federal agency, and it's not like they'd miss me, but I'm afraid to ask for time off because then I fear they'll know how disgruntled I feel with my boring job! I don't want to give them any excuses to fire me, though I've heard it's really hard to get fired in the federal government.

Any serious, savvy advice will be greatly appreciated! Thanks. :-)

You can get rail cards (tickets) on a budget which will allow you to travel through Europe.
Also think about coaches and buses.

Stay in hostels (there can be some really nice ones, The one is Bergen, Norway is nice) as these will be alot cheaper than hotels.

Email me if you want some more help or if you want to know where to go in London and South East England! (that's where I live!)

These websites maybe able to help you!

now is not the time my friend on a small budget. if you go any live in lets say rome, it will cost about 1,300 for the roundtrip flight, your already down 20%. now lets convert your remaining 5,000 lets say, into euros. opps now your down to $3,150 value. That will be enough for about 3 weeks. costing you $75 dollars a day for a room. 25 for food and 25-50 to travel and entertain yourself. If you get over there you best try and get a job if you plan on staying longer. Where would be a cheap place to go. Mexico, S America, Canada.