Travelling in Europe

[alexrls]

has anyone ever taken a cross-europe trip? im planning on starting in rome to florence to venice to zurich to paris and ending in london...

any ideas on how trains work over there?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

My advice get a Euro pass if you plan on going from countries to country.

The train is a great way to visit Europe, of course in some area it tends to be a bit slow but I guess being used to the high speed train that might bother me more than the average person.

[Vypyrz]

My advice get a Euro pass if you plan on going from countries to country.

The train is a great way to visit Europe, of course in some area it tends to be a bit slow but I guess being used to the high speed train that might bother me more than the average person.

I agree with Deb. Get a Euro-Rail Pass and have fun. Travel as light as possible...

[j_h_smith]

Trains and hostels is the only way to travel through Western Europe. Most trains will run on time. So don't be late.

I hope you enjoy yourself.
Jim Smith


ps As stated by others, traveling light is the only way to go.

[Wh00h0069]

My sister and I took a two week trip last May to Europe. We went to London, Amsterdam, Paris, Florence, and Rome, in that order. We stayed in hotels, not hostels. I would not feel comfortable in a hostel. We flew from London to Amsterdam, and took trains for the rest of the locations. We did not buy a rail pass, because they were too expensive. We saved some money buying tickets when we needed them.

I do not suggest traveling on a night train. We went from Paris to Florence on a night train, and it was a nightmare. We shared a tiny cabin with four other people. The train was stopped at around 3 a.m. and searched by the Italian Police. I had still have no idea what was going in, because I could not understand anyone.

Our favorite city was London. We loved every bit of it. I also suggest checking out Oxford while you are there. You can get round-trip train tickets to Oxford for 20 euros each person. Also while you are in London, buy the metro card, I believe that's what it is called. You will be able to use any public transportation for however many days the card is for.

In Paris we just walked everywhere. It is a very beautiful city, so we decided to walk instead of ride the subway. There are many nice attractions in Paris, especially the museums. The Eiffel Tower was pretty amazing, but we only went half way up. It was terribly cold and rainy that day. I also really enjoyed the Arch de Triomphe.

Florence is a walking city. You will not need to worry about transportation there. We was only there for a day, and I wish it would have been longer. It is such a beautiful place. Be sure to visit the Accademia di Belle Arti to see the statue of David. It is amazing. I also loved the Ponte Vecchio.

Rome was awesome, but huge. It was very tough for us at first to find out where to go. Our hotel wasn't even on the map, because of how big the city is. Once you figure out the subway, you will be fine. Research before you get there. We loved the Roman Forum, Vatican, and the Colosseum. I had the best pizza of my life in Rome near the Vatican. I wish I remembered what the pizzeria was called...

Update us when you get back. I would love to see pics.

[j_h_smith]

My sister and I took a two week trip last May to Europe. We went to London, Amsterdam, Paris, Florence, and Rome, in that order. We stayed in hotels, not hostels. I would not feel comfortable in a hostel. We flew from London to Amsterdam, and took trains for the rest of the locations. We did not buy a rail pass, because they were too expensive. We saved some money buying tickets when we needed them.

If you're not comfortable with hostels, that's fine, but it is the most unique way to travel in europe. You can save a ton of money if you're going to be there for some time and traveling every couple of days.

I do not suggest traveling on a night train. We went from Paris to Florence on a night train, and it was a nightmare. We shared a tiny cabin with four other people. The train was stopped at around 3 a.m. and searched by the Italian Police. I had still have no idea what was going in, because I could not understand anyone.

Never been on an overnight train. Sounds like a terrible experience.

Our favorite city was London. We loved every bit of it. I also suggest checking out Oxford while you are there. You can get round-trip train tickets to Oxford for 20 euros each person. Also while you are in London, buy the metro card, I believe that's what it is called. You will be able to use any public transportation for however many days the card is for.

Travel Card

In Paris we just walked everywhere. It is a very beautiful city, so we decided to walk instead of ride the subway. There are many nice attractions in Paris, especially the museums. The Eiffel Tower was pretty amazing, but we only went half way up. It was terribly cold and rainy that day. I also really enjoyed the Arch de Triomphe.

You've got to see Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower, plus it's something to tell the family. Pictures from the top can be great. But I guess a rainy day wouldn't be very good for pictures.

Florence is a walking city. You will not need to worry about transportation there. We was only there for a day, and I wish it would have been longer. It is such a beautiful place. Be sure to visit the Accademia di Belle Arti to see the statue of David. It is amazing. I also loved the Ponte Vecchio.

Never been there, want to see it one day.

Rome was awesome, but huge. It was very tough for us at first to find out where to go. Our hotel wasn't even on the map, because of how big the city is. Once you figure out the subway, you will be fine. Research before you get there. We loved the Roman Forum, Vatican, and the Colosseum. I had the best pizza of my life in Rome near the Vatican. I wish I remembered what the pizzeria was called...

Update us when you get back. I would love to see pics.

I personally like Rome more than anywhere I've been to in Europe. It is a big city, but I found it so unique I wouldn't have wanted it any way. Italian food in Rome is nothing like American Italian food. Most are better, but I prefer my wife's meatballs over anything I've eaten around the world.

[Wh00h0069]

If you're not comfortable with hostels, that's fine, but it is the most unique way to travel in europe. You can save a ton of money if you're going to be there for some time and traveling every couple of days.



Never been on an overnight train. Sounds like a terrible experience.



Travel Card



You've got to see Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower, plus it's something to tell the family. Pictures from the top can be great. But I guess a rainy day wouldn't be very good for pictures.



Never been there, want to see it one day.



I personally like Rome more than anywhere I've been to in Europe. It is a big city, but I found it so unique I wouldn't have wanted it any way. Italian food in Rome is nothing like American Italian food. Most are better, but I prefer my wife's meatballs over anything I've eaten around the world.

Thanks, travel card that's what it was. I do wish we could have gone to the top of the tower. It was horrible though. Hardly anyone went to the top. People were all huddled together after the first elevator because it was so cold.

I do agree with you about Rome. It was amazing. The food was great, and the attractions were awesome. If I were to go back to Europe, I would definitely want to go to Rome again. There is so much to see and do that we did not come close to doing it all.

I see where you coming from about the hostels. I contemplated going to hostels, but decided against it. I am not a very social person, so I do not think that I would have enjoyed it. Maybe it I would have gone with a buddy instead, I may have tried one out. I did meet a few travelers while I was there backpacking and staying in hostels. They seemed to enjoy it pretty well.

[j_h_smith]

Thanks, travel card that's what it was. I do wish we could have gone to the top of the tower. It was horrible though. Hardly anyone went to the top. People were all huddled together after the first elevator because it was so cold.

It has been known to happen. Even Paris has bad weather sometimes.
but I have to say, I'm not all that fond of Parisians. Many are rude and condescending towards Americans.

I do agree with you about Rome. It was amazing. The food was great, and the attractions were awesome. If I were to go back to Europe, I would definitely want to go to Rome again. There is so much to see and do that we did not come close to doing it all.

You could spend a week in Rome and probably never see everything.

I see where you coming from about the hostels. I contemplated going to hostels, but decided against it. I am not a very social person, so I do not think that I would have enjoyed it. Maybe it I would have gone with a buddy instead, I may have tried one out. I did meet a few travelers while I was there backpacking and staying in hostels. They seemed to enjoy it pretty well.

My son went backpacking throughout Europe after his semester at University of Cork, in Ireland. He liked it alot. If he found something he wanted to buy, he just had it shipped home. That way he was able to enjoy himself without worrying about valuables.

Now if you want to talk about my Nirvana, that would be Southern Ireland in my opinion. Talk about breath taking.

Jim Smith