Europe

[Dwight Schrute]

A trip to Europe is hopefully on my horizons in the next 6 months. Having never been overseas, do you all have any tips to make things go as smoothly as possible?

I'm probably going to stay in the northern half of Europe in Amsterdam, France, Belgium, and maybe the UK. Any suggestions for sites to see off the beaten path are welcome as well.

[The Old School JPS]

Get a good travel book. Go to a bookstore and check them out and get the one you like. There's Let's Go, Lonely Planet, and others. Whichever works for you, buy it to take with you. And do a lot of reading before you go so that you know what you want to see and where you can stay and eat.

Get a good travel wallet, one that you can carry under your clothes so that it won't be stolen, lost or pickpocketed. Taylor Trunk carries good ones.

Of all the countries in Europe I found Italy to be the most enchanting by far. The weather, food, sights, people and so many other things were just extraordinary there. Best place off the beaten path: the isle of Capri. If Italy is not in your plans this time, strongly consider it for another time. (And if you are going in a colder month like November, why not make it Italy, Spain, Portugal etc.?)

Northern Europe: Copenhagen was charming and probably my favorite city in northern Europe though I also liked London a lot. Paris is Paris; many love it, but I thought it was a tad overrated (still remarkable though).

[capcat]

I have only been to the UK, so I'm not much help with the whole of Europe, however I have one impression of it through my mom's eyes...Sonderborg, Denmark must be a wonderful place.

Before my father retired, he spent more working days in Europe, Asia, and South America than he did in the United States. He always invited my mom along, and she usually went each place once, but didn't care to go back. Except for Sonderborg. When Sonderborg was mentioned, there was no question...she was going. Anyway, that's my 2 cents, never having been there myself. I do want to go though, to see what she liked about it so much.

Other than that, we had a thread about London a while back that you might want to check out.
http://www.wildcatnation.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42190&highlight=London

Hope you have a great time!

[gerntz]

- Travel light. Keep it to one suitcase and a backpack.
- Don't plan on driving till you've seen the place first. While the countrysides' driving are fine, gets real confusing when it gets congested.
- take a 6/12 pack of water & refill them. Even H2O is expensive there.
- I agree on researching an area thru a book. We're sold on Rick Steves. His hotels have never been wrong. His PBS shows are helpful/on too.
- I'd avoid June-August. Just too crowded. March-May & Sep-Oct good.
- We loved Italy too. Easy to get around on trains. France is pretty good on trains also. Loved it too. Nothing wrong with England either other than it's way expensive even vs. continent. Drove in England outside London & Scotland & France outside Paris.
- We've found people friendly & willing/wanting to speak English. Sometimes hard to find in smaller towns. Don't believe what you've ehard abou the French. Only pricks there are the railroad conductors.
- Have specifics on England, Scotland, France, Belgium, Italy, & some Germany & Ireland. Not much else. Ask.
- It's fun & expensive.
- Taking Med Cruise next month.

[Dwight Schrute]

- Travel light. Keep it to one suitcase and a backpack.
- Don't plan on driving till you've seen the place first. While the countrysides' driving are fine, gets real confusing when it gets congested.
- take a 6/12 pack of water & refill them. Even H2O is expensive there.
- I agree on researching an area thru a book. We're sold on Rick Steves. His hotels have never been wrong. His PBS shows are helpful/on too.
- I'd avoid June-August. Just too crowded. March-May & Sep-Oct good.
- We loved Italy too. Easy to get around on trains. France is pretty good on trains also. Loved it too. Nothing wrong with England either other than it's way expensive even vs. continent. Drove in England outside London & Scotland & France outside Paris.
- We've found people friendly & willing/wanting to speak English. Sometimes hard to find in smaller towns. Don't believe what you've ehard abou the French. Only pricks there are the railroad conductors.
- Have specifics on England, Scotland, France, Belgium, Italy, & some Germany & Ireland. Not much else. Ask.
- It's fun & expensive.
- Taking Med Cruise next month.

Rick Steves is awesome...his website seems like enough to get by on alone. I don't intend on driving if I can avoid it, especially in England where they drive funny :icon_mrgreen:.

Is it true that if you make an attempt to engage them in their language, they will be happier to assist you in English?

[The Old School JPS]

gerntz just reminded me of something: in Northern Europe many people speak English. You'll have no problem with that in Denmark and a lot of other countries around there. It's not nearly as much that way in France, Spain, Italy etc.

gerntz is also on the mark with the single backpack and water comments. Spend the money for a really good backpack that feels good on you and rides well. You can get a great one at someplace like Quest Outdoors with excellent padding, compartments, comfort, etc. And, stay hydrated.

[gerntz]

Concerning a backpack, my back sweats like crazy if it's at all warm with one on. I have to keep it light & loose.

English is more prevalent in the smaller countries with their own unique language - Scandia, Portugal - in part because so many TV shows come in English b/c they can't afford to dub them like Germany/France/Spain/Italy.

Yes, if you greet & thank folks in their native language, they've been willing to help even a jerk like me. Hotels & restaurants haven't been a problem.

Also, no matter where you are, if you go in an Italian restaurant you'll recognize the food names because they're mainly in Italian like here.

Note that ice is a premium & all drinks will be only luke cool at best.

[jkeller]

Don't buy food at or near a major tourist attraction. Some people I know ended up forking over like 20 euro a piece for a sandwich and a water near the Vatican. Also, try not to order Coke at a restaurant because it is ridiculously expensive and you will only get one.

Make sure the backpack that you get fits you well and has interior pockets for important things like money, credit cards, passport, plane/train tickets and such. Pickpockets are very good at what they do (especially the kids, you wouldn't believe), and they tend to hang out in crowded places (train stations, public squares, museum lines).

Be sure wherever you go that you learn some of the essential phrases of the native language.

[Dawood Khan]

Smile a lot. Laugh a lot. People will love you.

If you are haggling or bargaining always, always, always maintain a smile and an easy laugh. It will get you much better prices. No matter the desired object or service.

Paris is amazing. I was not treated rudely and I speak no french.

Germany is boring and interesting. lol You'll figure it out if you go there. Be careful in any area wherein Turks reside. They are handy with their blades whether it be a fight or cutting your pockets or purse strap to yank it from you. They also lace their cigarettes with hashish. Even so, good times can be had with those people if you are accepted by them.

[oruacat2]

The most important lesson I learned during my very-limited international travels: an honest attempt to speak the native tongue goes a long, long way. Generally, folks will go out of their way to help you so long as you try to speak their language.

KD

[Dawood Khan]

At the very least, learn:

Hello

Goodbye

Excuse me

Thank you

How much

and....

Can I get a beer please?

Cervesa por favor

Han pyong mekju chujipseyo

Ein Bier Bitte

lol

Oh..."left" and "right" are usually helpful as well.

Also, it's a good thing to know when a homeless guy is calling you a Cossack as well.

But the most important thing is to smile and laugh and enjoy yourself. People love happy people. It's contagious.