First Time in Europe : Everything You Need to know before you Goto Europe
Ferries and the Channel TunnelFerries and the Channel Tunnel Two ferry crossings that many travelers will make are the English Channel and the infamous Brindisi to Patras crossing to Greece, which can be similar to the trip described on p. 14. This is, incidentally, "free" to holders of the right InterRail pass. Apart from the...
Driving
Driving A car is best for getting to out-of-the-way towns the train doesn't go to and for seeing the truly rural parts of a country. Towns and villages without train stations, at least those some distance from big cities and the highways, are bound to be quieter, more traditional, and see...
Newspapers and Magazines
Newspapers and Magazines Both USA Today and the International Herald Tribune are widely available in continental Europe, for those who need a daily news fix. At roughly USD 2 a copy, the cost can add up, though. Try the Herald Tribune, which has a certain snob appeal. It also has a...
InterRail
InterRail InterRail passes are similar to Eurail passes in their intent (to get budget travelers on the rails), but different in operation, coverage, and price. There are also a number of restrictions - you must have been a resident in a particular European country for at least six months, and the...
Five thrills for outdoor enthusiasts
Five thrills for outdoor enthusiasts 1. Hiking down Samarian Gorge, Crete. At 18km in length, the Samarian Gorge is the largest in Europe, descending dramatically from the Omalos plateau. The walk down the gorge takes between four and seven hours, depending on how fit you feel and how much scenery...
Maps
Maps Spend a bit more on the best maps you can find and you won't regret it. As I said earlier, tourist offices are a good start but they're only a start. Any large bookstore will also have a map section. Don't rely solely on the maps included in guidebooks, as...
A Realistic Budget
A Realistic Budget The following is a budget for a typical two-month trip to Europe, for someone moving around quite a bit and seeing the sights. As you can see, it comes to about USD 4730/5180 (depending on age - see below), which is a realistic number to start with, with...
Eight Favorite Works of Art and Architecture
Eight Favorite Works of Art and Architecture These are my personal favorites with a brief explanation of eacn-Totally subjective, by the way, and in no particular order. 1. Velazquez's Las Meninas (Museo del Prado, Madrid). The greatest non-fresco painting I've ever seen, and one of the tr great paintings in all...
Locks
Locks Most travel packs can and should be locked with a small padlock. It's best not to buy the tiny locks you see advertised in travel equipment catalogs; you can get the same thing for about one-fifth the price at a hardware store. Either way, these locks won't stop someone who's...
The Performing Arts
The Performing Arts The preceding lists in this chapter are related to art and architecture not only because I personally like that sort of thing, but because this is where Europe truly shines. There are, of course, gorgeous national parks and majestic mountains in Europe, but similar sites exist in dozens...
Clothes and Accessories
Clothes and Accessories I've said it before and I may as well say it again here - try to keep your clothes to an absolute minimum. This is where most people lose the battle against excess weight. Remember also that all of your clothes are going to get some hard use. One...
Optional gear
Optional gear Xhe following equipment is optional, and most of it relates to camping- Don't make the mistake of bringing camping gear to give yourself "the option of camping." This stufi weighs a lot. Decide before you go if you're going to hostel or camp. This advice does not apply to...
Calling Internationally Within Europe
Calling Internationally Within Europe Calling between countries in Europe is about as easy as calling between states in America or Australia, which makes sense since the distance is usually shorter. The procedure is exactly like the above. Each country has its own international access code (listed at the end of this...
Mailing Things Home
Mailing Things Home Sending packages home is certainly possible, but can be expensive if you want them to get there within a week. Normal mail takes from one to three weeks and is relatively inexpensive. Sending things by boat can be remarkably inexpensive, but can take several months. When planning to...
First Steps
First Steps The first step is to figure out where you want to fly out of and where you want to start out in Europe. For Americans, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Boston, and New York, either JFK or Newark, will usually be cheapest, especially JFK/Newark. It may...
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