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badtz · May 31, 2006, 04:27 AM

I'll be leaving to Europe for 6-weeks! My 3rd time in Europe, but the first time I'll be there for longer than 3 weeks, and I'll be traveling to as many countries as possible

Does anyone have any tips on how to make the best of the trip? suggestions on specific locations to visit?

Is the europass/rail worth it? Better to exchange money in the US or once in Europe? How are the trains? Do you pay extra for a 'sleeper' train when you have a europass?

any other suggestions would be great

my plan is to go through: france, belgium, netherlands, UK, portugal, spain/ibiza, italy, greece, hungary, czech republic, austria, germany, sweden, denmark, and more .... hopefully.

Mastrap · May 31, 2006, 05:47 AM

The first thing I'd do is get rid of the notion to take in as many countries as possible. That's a surefire way to see absolutely nothing. I would concentrate on a couple of countries and then find out about stuff that interests you - food in Italy, boating in France - and then spend time there that actually means something to you.

badtz · May 31, 2006, 06:06 AM

most of the countries on the list are mainly countries that I plan on stopping through (though not necessarily spending much time there) on my way to my major destinations (germany, spain, czech republic, sweden).....

OreoCookie · May 31, 2006, 07:06 AM

Reduce the number of countries to 3. Otherwise you won't be seeing anything and spend your time travelling without getting the vibes of the respective country. This notion of `seeing as much of Europe as possible' will make you actually see as little as possible. The cultural differences between different countries are rather large and you will miss out on this if you do the hardcore tourist thing.

Depending on when you go, Germany might be a good place to start to see people from all different countries crazy about soccer. Since it is pretty much in the center, you could go on from there to France, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, you name it.

Judge_Fire · May 31, 2006, 07:14 AM

I'm with OreoCookie, three sounds good.

You might want to dissect Europe in a way that highlights the huge differences, like doing a west-central-east, or north-central-south itinerary.

Stockholm - Berlin - Barcelona would be easy and urban, for example, with random stops en route.

J

Timo · May 31, 2006, 07:35 AM

Do not cover as much ground as you can. Rather, stay in a few places and really get a feel for 'em. Judge's idea of three disparate places is great; I like his choice. Here's another suggestion:

London - Milan/Florence - Vienna/Prague

Mastrap · May 31, 2006, 08:31 AM

My own choice: I'd fly to London and stay six days. I'd then take the train to Paris, stay for a couple of days. Make my way down to the south of France by train, taking in Toulouse, then on to Marseilles. From there the train to Italy, Milan, as Timo suggest. By now you should be in week four. From there I'd head north to Munich for two days, then Berlin for another week. Train to Amsterdam, a day or two and then the ferry back to the UK to fly home.

OreoCookie · May 31, 2006, 09:54 AM

Sounds like a good idea. It also depends on when you will go. If you go in August, don't go to Rome for instance, coz nobody is in Rome in August

badtz · May 31, 2006, 01:20 PM

I'll be going from June 13 - July 23. I have germany planned from July 9-17 as the World Cup ends on the 9th and the Love Parade is on the 15th. Otherwise, I arrive/depart from Charles De Gaulle/Paris.

Are there specific locations that would be 'must see's'? Is it best to just charge everything instead of exchanging money? How are the trains?

The previous 2 times I went I had relatives/friends that lived in the cities who took me around or we took the subway. This time I plan on using the trains a bit more

olePigeon · May 31, 2006, 01:27 PM

http://www.ricksteves.com/

Jawbone54 · May 31, 2006, 01:43 PM

I've still not been able to go to Europe, badtz.

Hope you have a great time!

Person Man · May 31, 2006, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by badtz

I'll be going from June 13 - July 23. I have germany planned from July 9-17 as the World Cup ends on the 9th and the Love Parade is on the 15th. Otherwise, I arrive/depart from Charles De Gaulle/Paris.

Are there specific locations that would be 'must see's'? Is it best to just charge everything instead of exchanging money? How are the trains?

The previous 2 times I went I had relatives/friends that lived in the cities who took me around or we took the subway. This time I plan on using the trains a bit more

I would only change about $60 to euros here in the states, so you can have some cash on hand when you get to Europe. Otherwise, the rates are a bit less in Europe. Paying cash vs. charging depends on your credit card company. Some companies charge a percentage of the total in addition to the exchange fee... adding an extra amount that you wouldn't have paid had you paid in cash.

Also, call your bank and tell them in advance which countries you plan on being in, so you can use ATMs if you need them.

The last time I was in Greece was in 2005. I called my bank and credit card companies and told them I would be in Greece for a month. I exchanged $60 at the airport before we left, and took $500 in traveller's checks. When that money was exhausted, I withdrew cash from the ATM using my ATM card.

Dork. · May 31, 2006, 01:57 PM

I'm no expert, but here's my opinion:

I would charge as much as I could, personally, although there are still some places that will only take cash. I think you'll get the best exchange rates through the credit cards.

As far as cash is concerned, I'd stick to ATM's. If your ATM card has a 4-digit PIN number, and is part of all the standard networks, you'll have no problem getting cash from them. Well, except for the fact that some ATM's limit the amount of money you can get from an overseas account in one transaction, even if no such limit normally exists on your account. If you're planning on paying for some major expenses (like accomodations) in cash, plan ahead and make sure you can get to your cash. You might want to get some Euro-denominated travelers checks ahead of time, just in case. Bringing USD travelers checks and exchanging them in each place you visit is guaranteed to give you the worst rate!

Also, I found this site for rail passes and such. Out last trip was a few years ago, seeing Venice and Rome, and we ended up buying our train tickets once we got there, so we never actually used this site, but it seems good.

http://www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm

Finally, go to Venice and stroll. It won't be there forever. Spend a few days, Venice is more than just the main square that everyone goes to and claims they've seen Venice afterwards.
You can go to http://www.venicecard.it/default_eng.jsp to get information on passes for Venice's system of public waterbuses.

production_coordinator · May 31, 2006, 03:15 PM

My 2¢

If you are younger,
- Pick 5-6 locations... and stay a few days at each location... doing the tourist thing.

If you are older:
- Pick 2-3 locations... and stay longer at each location.

I spent 9 days "just" in Wales, and it wasn't nearly long enough.

kiwibabe · May 31, 2006, 03:20 PM

I would suggest Italy - Rome and Pompeii. Pompeii was amazing and definitely needs at least a full day of sightseeing there. With Rome you will need at least 4 - 5 days. The overnight train from Rome to Paris is good, we had a sleeper train which was good.

badtz · May 31, 2006, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by kiwibabe

I would suggest Italy - Rome and Pompeii. Pompeii was amazing and definitely needs at least a full day of sightseeing there. With Rome you will need at least 4 - 5 days. The overnight train from Rome to Paris is good, we had a sleeper train which was good.

Do you have to pay extra for a regular flat bed while everyone has a regular vertical seat?

Or do all sleeper trains have flat beds for you to sleep on?

kiwibabe · May 31, 2006, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by badtz

Do you have to pay extra for a regular flat bed while everyone has a regular vertical seat?

Or do all sleeper trains have flat beds for you to sleep on?

Yes you do have to pay extra but its worth it, or you can go in one of the carriages and sleep in a regular vertical sleep with 20 - 30 other people while trying to protect you belongings from pickpockets etc.

Oh and when in Italy try not to stand out as a tourist and watch out for pickpockets. We put little locks on our backpacks we used during the day and luckily our backpacks had clips to tie around our waists so we didn't lose anything.

badtz · May 31, 2006, 05:58 PM

is your luggage generally safe on the trains? Where exactly do you store them?

badtz · May 31, 2006, 10:21 PM

oh, another question: I know t-mobile is rampant through germany, but do they provide service in other countries too?

Is there a dominant GSM/mobile provider within the EU?

I'm thinking about getting a pre-paid SIM to go in my unlocked phone so people can call me (and so I have a method of calling out if needed) .......

is there a method to get a pre-paid SIM (let's say with a french number) and have it work throughout the EU?

analogika · Jun 1, 2006, 02:32 AM

On the credit card thing:

Note that credit card use isn't *nearly* as widespread here as in the States. Many stores will not accept them - at least in Germany - due to the extra charges the CC companies levy on the stores.

Goldfinger · Jun 1, 2006, 04:13 AM

Originally Posted by badtz

oh, another question: I know t-mobile is rampant through germany, but do they provide service in other countries too?

Is there a dominant GSM/mobile provider within the EU?

I'm thinking about getting a pre-paid SIM to go in my unlocked phone so people can call me (and so I have a method of calling out if needed) .......

is there a method to get a pre-paid SIM (let's say with a french number) and have it work throughout the EU?

Roaming works out of the box with most cell providers AFAIK.

Mastrap · Jun 1, 2006, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by analogika

On the credit card thing:

Note that credit card use isn't *nearly* as widespread here as in the States. Many stores will not accept them - at least in Germany

This is very, very true. And a pain in the arse.
Similar in rural France and Italy too. You're ok with ATM though, wherever you go.

OreoCookie · Jun 1, 2006, 05:07 AM

Europe solely uses GSM (and UMTS), so as long as you have a GSM-capable phone, it'll work just fine. However, beware of the roaming charges.

Using the same pre-paid card throughout the EU is a bad idea since you'll pay enormous roaming charges. Hell, it might be cheaper to use your US cell. So my advice is to find out how much the roaming charges are for your provider and to use e-mail and chats to communicate to people. Most internet cafes will have headsets these days so you can communicate with your friends and family via skype.

Night trains are always a place to keep an eye for your luggage, especially in Italian trains, you should always be half-awake. For that reason, I usually cannot sleep in night trains.

About credit cards: as long as you have a VISA card, a Master card or the likes, you'll be just fine. I have yet to find an atm that doesn't accept those in Germany and I don't remember seeing one in the European countries I've been to (now Japan is an entirely different story …). Make sure to withdraw semi-large amounts, say €100, otherwise you'll pay a lot extra in handling fees. I usually pay roughly 3-5 € per withdrawal from my credit card.

Since you'll be in Paris and in Germany for sure, there are plenty of adjacent countries. People have mentioned Italy and I can tell you it's a very nice place to be (I'll go to Italy tomorrow to go mountain biking at Lake Garda with friends). But in the end, you have to decide for yourself. If I were you, I'd try to be flexible. I'm not sure whether you've been to Paris before, but it's certainly a great city (I love it) and there is much to see. Take your time and go by foot.

Mastrap · Jun 1, 2006, 05:12 AM

Oreo, using a credit card for cash advances is an expensive way to finance your trip. He'll be much better off using his bank card and get the cash straight from his chequing account. Same rule, get larger amounts, applies there too.

I remember coming back to Germany for the first time after living in the UK for years and being surprised by the predominance of cash in daily transactions. I tend to charge as much as possible to my debit card and for the first time in a long time I had to make sure I carried what felt like substantial amounts of cash with me.

OreoCookie · Jun 1, 2006, 07:17 AM

Well, I don't know how well that works with American cash cards, but Germany tends to be quite good. You are right on with your comment about the tendency to use cash. I remember standing in a boulangerie in Paris at 8 am. There was a long queue and a guy insisted to pay his baguette with a check (a handwritten one!). Worlds collide.

Anywho, as you said, I would withdraw larger amounts, too. But just as much as you need, not more.

Judge_Fire · Jun 1, 2006, 10:54 AM

Then again, if you decide to come up here, ATMs, debit and credit card use is ubiquituous, money has been digital for a long, long time.

Checks might get weird looks - the last time I saw a check used here was in the eighties.

Overall, I think very few generalisations as to what is customary in Europe can be made. It's really a bunch of really different countries with very different everyday practices. That's part of the fun

Monique · Jun 1, 2006, 11:06 AM

People are telling you what trip they want to make themselves.

What do you like to do, do you like museums, do you prefer sports, do you like wine, eating, the country, the cities, etc.

Tell me then I can organize the best trip possible for you.

olePigeon · Jun 1, 2006, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Monique

What do you like to do, do you like museums, do you prefer sports, do you like wine, eating, the country, the cities, etc.

Yes.

Monique · Jun 1, 2006, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

Yes.

I guess it is yes to wine and eating; my suggestion is choose your favorite region in France, Italy and Spain; choose 2 or 3 castle, tour the wineries, and drink. Travel by train and you will be able to see the countryside. Since you are going from one country to the other Eurorail has the best prices and the trains are an extraordinary way to travel through Europe.

Goldfinger · Jun 1, 2006, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

Oreo, using a credit card for cash advances is an expensive way to finance your trip. He'll be much better off using his bank card and get the cash straight from his chequing account. Same rule, get larger amounts, applies there too.

I highly doubt that this is possible. It could be possible but I'm not sure. Maybe if you walk into a bank but most terminals in shops require european cards AFAIK. OR Visa/mastercars/Amex/etc.

Mastrap · Jun 1, 2006, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by Goldfinger

I highly doubt that this is possible. It could be possible but I'm not sure. Maybe if you walk into a bank but most terminals in shops require european cards AFAIK. OR Visa/mastercars/Amex/etc.

No they don't. You can use almost any US bank card in European ATMs, and the other way around.

badtz · Jun 1, 2006, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by Monique

People are telling you what trip they want to make themselves.

What do you like to do, do you like museums, do you prefer sports, do you like wine, eating, the country, the cities, etc.

Tell me then I can organize the best trip possible for you.

My preference is mostly for food/eating and culture (how ppl that live there socialize). Not as much into museums/sports.

I'm primarily interested in Spain, Czech Republic, Italy, South France. The rest of my destinations are very short stays that are just on the way to the major destinations

ironknee · Jun 1, 2006, 05:38 PM

amsterdam

Person Man · Jun 1, 2006, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by badtz

My preference is mostly for food/eating and culture (how ppl that live there socialize). Not as much into museums/sports.

If you're going for the food/eating and social aspect, then go to Greece. Good food and decent social activities.

badtz · Jun 6, 2006, 03:10 PM

I'm planning on picking up a pre-paid SIM (GSM) when I arrive in France, and have my local (US) skype number forwarded to this number.

Are there any providers that I should look into? My main concern is the france number to work in Germany...... hopefully there are GSM providers that don't charge roaming to use the phone in germany (even though the prepaid was bought in france with a france number).....

any suggestions on mobile providers?

Person Man · Jun 6, 2006, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by badtz

I'm planning on picking up a pre-paid SIM (GSM) when I arrive in France, and have my local (US) skype number forwarded to this number.

Are there any providers that I should look into? My main concern is the france number to work in Germany...... hopefully there are GSM providers that don't charge roaming to use the phone in germany (even though the prepaid was bought in france with a france number).....

any suggestions on mobile providers?

You should probably buy a German prepaid SIM in Germany. And whatever local prepaid SIM in whatever other country you travel to. It will be a lot cheaper.

scaught · Jun 6, 2006, 03:38 PM

my advice: full tank of gas, half pack of cigarettes, its dark out and we're wearing sunglasses. hit it.

badtz · Jun 7, 2006, 01:02 AM

Originally Posted by Person Man

You should probably buy a German prepaid SIM in Germany. And whatever local prepaid SIM in whatever other country you travel to. It will be a lot cheaper.

yikes. so there's no carriers that provide no roaming charges through several countries?

Kr0nos · Jun 7, 2006, 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by badtz

yikes. so there's no carriers that provide no roaming charges through several countries?

No, not that I know of. I'd just buy a different SIM card for each country (probably cheaper than paying for roaming), even grocery stores now offer low cost plans for all carriers (or check the internet).

As far as money goes, use travellers checks. I'm pretty sure the local ATMs won't accept whatever American system you're using (though I may be wrong about this, you might want to check with your local bank), and cash advances for Mastercard and VISA are terribly expensive, afair. As others have pointed out here, many stores and restaurants don't take credit cards!

This would be my 6 week trip: London 1 week - Stockholm 1 week - Barçelona 1 week - Rome/Venice 1 week - Prague/Berlin 2 weeks

vexborg · Jun 7, 2006, 05:49 AM

Stay away from Denmark, everything there is too expensive...

Monique · Jun 7, 2006, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by vexborg

Stay away from Denmark, everything there is too expensive...

It always depends what you do during your trip and there is always ways not to spend a fortune. For example instead of going to restaurants buy sandwiches and water instead of wine. Museums have often deals, you can take a least expensive boat instead of an expensive cruise. Do not shop in Europe, buy your clothes when you get back. For souvenirs wait until the end of your trip and see how much money you have left in your pockets, and buy little things that will cost you one or 2 dollars, etc.

analogika · Jun 7, 2006, 09:25 AM

In Denmark, EVERYTHING is expensive.

vexborg · Jun 7, 2006, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by analogika

In Denmark, EVERYTHING is expensive.

Indeed it is! I was born there, and lived there for 26 years before moving to Scotland...

Mastrap · Jun 7, 2006, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by analogika

In Denmark, EVERYTHING is expensive.

Do what the Vikings did and pillage.

analogika · Jun 7, 2006, 10:57 AM

History, explained.

badtz · Jun 8, 2006, 07:12 PM

Why is everything expensive in Denmark?

brapper · Jun 9, 2006, 02:36 AM

I'm jealous.
But I asked the same question a while back on this forum and I'll link the thread. There were some good tips in it.
Only advice I'll give is have an idea of what you want to do but allow yourself the freedom to deviate from it.

voodoo · Jun 9, 2006, 05:01 AM

Spain. Just Spain.

If you speak any Spanish, that is. If you don't.. well. Try visiting the UK without speaking English. Granada, Salamanca, Zamora, Xixón, Bilbao, Alicante, Málaga, Valencia, Barcelona and Madrid. Ibiza is a bit of a meh unless you plan meeting tons of brits and germans and dance to trance 24/7.

Of course, some are looking for that too.

V

sabrejim · Jun 9, 2006, 06:27 AM

Check out Elite Hunting in Slovakia. It's supposed to be a killer experience

badtz · Jun 9, 2006, 06:32 AM

i heard about an old fishing village off the southern coast of italy, that's suppose to be amazing? does anyone know where this is?