http://www.tileshop.com/diy/Backsplashinstall.pdf#search='how%20to%20tile%20countertop'

sounds like you can use the old countertop. you just have to cover it with backerboard so the tile will have a flat surface that thinset will stick to.

so now how do i tile my countertop

now...my old countertop is already smooth and flat i just need what??? What supplies do i need? thank you..

Bubblees

first make sure that none of the original tiles are loose at all. If theya re in any way loose, the whole thing will end up uneven and weak.

If there are grout lines in the original tiles you will have to use some levelling compound to make those grout holes even with the tile.

than you add a layer of thin set, and place the tile. After that seal the tiles really well, so they dont get ruined in the next step.

The next step is to grout the tiles.

then clean the tile, and seal it again. with travertine you may ahve to seal every 6-12 months

For natural stone including onyx, travertine, quartzite, marble, and slate tiles, and slabs visit http://pebblez.com/stone/index.html

I don't know how well thinset will stick to formica. It is pretty smooth and shiny. I suppose you could try a bit of thinset somewhere you could scrape it off as a test.

I think people also remove their original backsplashes and tile up the wall also. the backerboard would bridge that gap left by removing the backsplash.

I am pretty sure that link had pretty thorough instructions on tile setting. if not, the library or the lowes.com may have some usefull info.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Improve/TileFloor.html#6

http://www.floorstransformed.com/countertop.html this one describes preparing the countertop laminate instead of using backerboard.