Morning!
This is from Hitchwiki, for hitch-hikers but applies to you too:

hitchwiki.org/en/Finding_accommodation

There's a fair bit of info on that site about what to pack, etc.

Visas are specific to each country and you'll want to have every visa sorted before you leave. I wouldn't bother with work visas - they're considerably more hassle to get and will cost more - doing casual work such as working in a bar won't usually be paid through official channels anyway.

There's a huge amount of info online about backpacking, and busy wikis are usually very helpful :)

Good luck!
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Fri 9 Jan 2009, 6:16, Reply)