Europe Travel (who has been?)

So I am finally heading off to Europe for 2 months. I have a pretty vague plan, but I hope to see the major parts of England, Ireland, France, Germany, Holland, Czech Rep, Itally, Greece, Spain and anything else in between. I will be backpacking/hosteling it for the most part.

Anyways I know there are some experienced Euro travelers here, so any advise would be awesome.

Right now im wondering about what to do about a rail pass and if it saves you much. How about student cards, will my Capp card help? I am also looking into one of these pre pay phones ekit phonecard and mobile homepage, or can I find something better when I get there?

Cheers!

[mojo]

I can offer no advice, but have a great time rhia!

[dabbler]

go to portugal (algarve)

i want to move there!

Thanks Mike, I will!

Sorry Jay already been. I dont know if I would want to live there though :?

[mikey]

i found the euro rail pass to be a waste, unless you'll be training alot. Wait til you get there to get a phone. gimme a call, might be able to give ya some advice.

but most important, watch out for the gypsies.

[mikey]

ps: when ya going?

[Kandyapple]

Flights can be pretty cheep. I flew with easy jet a lot, although we did book in advance and got really good deals. So if you are winging it unfortunately I can't tell you if the price is better last minute.
The train was ok, but I found when you go there you had to remember to pay more to reserve a seat. It was awkward not doing it. You would get on the train and think you found a spot, but someone would have that seat reserved at the next boarding and they would kick you out usually by yelling something at you in Italian. :P
Also if you get a eurail pass for a certain amount of days, don't use it for short trips. You don't want to waist a whole day pass for a cheep transfer.
I don't know if this has changed, but I couldn't book a bed the same day as the departure.
Rome to Frankfurt was a long trip to not have a bed. :S

[mikey]

stay off ryan air !!!!! scary shit...

[stephen_c]

Originally Posted by mikey

but most important, watch out for the gypsies.

true that

[cubed]

Originally Posted by mikey

but most important, watch out for the gypsies.

Hahahaha, she was a bit mesmerized by the gypsies last time we were there.

Mikey, gypsies are cool, but I know pick pocketing to be my biggest danger. BTW whats the deal with ryanair? Lots of ppl have sugested it for supper cheep flights, no?

Lauren, thanks for the rail tips. I think thats why I got so confused with the rail pass because it would go by trip/country and not kms... so I could tottaly see this as a advantage/disadvantage. I just dont know how much I would be saving by getting a package vs getting tickets when there.

What about charter buses?

[cinist]

i didnt mind ryan air

[mojo]

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa

Just in case you didn't already know. Great resource.

[mikey]

we paid .99cents for our ryan air flight.....

They had the life jackets on the seats, amd a few random air masks dangling from the ceilings...

[mikey]

And gypsies arn't cool, one tried to take my shoes off my feet in paris. Said she wanted to feel like a hip hop star with nike's on... had to back hand the bitch.

[SEAN!]

Originally Posted by mikey

And gypsies arn't cool, one tried to take my shoes off my feet in paris. Said she wanted to feel like a hip hop star with nike's on... had to back hand the bitch.

yo whats the police presence like?

[mikey]

i got rolled hard down in calabria. Funny thing is in our village they don't have any cops. somebody called them in from cosenza about me. It was pretty fucked...

[SEAN!]

Originally Posted by mikey

i got rolled hard down in calabria. Funny thing is in our village they don't have any cops. somebody called them in from cosenza about me. It was pretty fucked...

i know about that.

my question is, if i slap a fool outside a donair place in germany how long em i going to jail for?

[mikey]

depends what area, stay at the ramada just out side their redlight area, anything goes there. and thats where you'll find the donair places.

[galaxie]

Rhia, my best friend Lisa is leaving for Europe the day before you, and my brother's best friend is leaving on the 25th! I should get you guys together before you all go so you'll know some people to travel with if you please!

[gnosis]

If you have _any_ plans on using rail, pre-purchase your tix, here, in Canada, BEFORE you head over. It's much cheaper than buying "on-the-day".

London is expensive, but, you can find some hotel deals around Earl's Court.
If you know _any_ French, use it when in France. You'll be treated better than if you just yammered off in English.
Barcelona is amazing! If you can, go!
If you're in Paris, the Louvre is a must.
Munchen has an amazing underground system.
London's underground is archaic, but, still better than trying to get around by bus.
Amsterdam is beautiful, but, play it safe and buy from the cafe's.
Always, always, always keep an eye and a firm grip on your bags.
Travel light. The rule of thumb: when you think you're ready to go, take out half your clothes and double up on your money.
Don't be a target; always look like you know where you're going with a purpose.
Just like on Granville, the only people who want to talk to you only want your money. Don't let yourself be scammed.
Use your common sense and logic.

Other than that, take lots of pics and have a brilliant time!

Frosty
(would love to go back overseas)

[mojo]

Originally Posted by gnosis

Just like on Granville, the only people who want to talk to you only want your money. Don't let yourself be scammed.

^Or are travellers themselves and looking for some advice, or just plain friendly. With this type of attitude you would have a very quiet, jaded experience. Anywhere.

[Courtney]

Originally Posted by dabbler

go to portugal (algarve)

i want to move there!

LAGOS!!!!!!!!!\


-rhia my top suggestions

in spain you must go to san sebastian and barcelona
in portugal you must go to lagos
AMSTERDAM!
in italy you must go to cinque terra and rome
PARIS! and maybe some south france,..marseille is awesome
croatia...dubrovnickkkk
bosnia..mostar

[Courtney]

ryan air
easy jet
KLM

[dabbler]

Originally Posted by R Wellbelove

Thanks Mike, I will!

Sorry Jay already been. I dont know if I would want to live there though :?

really? I fell in love with that place. Helped that I lived in a mansion when I was there, but the area and accessibility of the rest of Spain/Mediterranean is just awesome.