looking to leave to goto europe in august from portland oregon. What is the best country to fly into (price) and what is a ticket going to run (one way). Also i hear that some countries require that you have a flight back home, any truth to that? any insight will help this first time traveler

Most countries will require a return ticket to prove that you plan on leaving the country and not trying to move there permanently.

Check www.farecompare.com , they'll let you search for international rates by a range of dates.