so a buddy and i decided a few nights ago that we're gonna head to europe sometime in the next year for 3 or 4 months... we figure that's enough time to check both eastern and western europe and perhaps a few other destinations as well. so i come to the mighty BBS seeking advice and recommendations. cheap flights, eurorail passes, places to see, cheap places to stay, and any other suggestions yall might have. as of now, we're thinking about leaving in july or august and coming back in october... i've been told that august is peak travel time in europe. thanks compadres.
Were do you want to go? August is indeed the peak in traveling in Europe. Because most people in europe go on their holiday. You should ofcourse check out paris, probably London and personaly i Love Barcelona.
Spain for sure. also, check out the dalmatian coastline of Croatia definitely worth it, Korcula, dubrovnik. Rocky mountains going down to the adriatic - its beautiful Spend more time at fewer places verse hopping around constantly. Eurorail is good, they also have cheap airlines like ryan air and easy jet.
Fly offseason. June- July is peak season. August is a bad time to be in many countries because everyone is on vacation, especially Italy, so many things will be closed. Get a eurorail. This will be your hotel room many a night. Use it for overnight trips between places, just watch for gypsies... Hostels. Are ok...especially if you're on the roughing it campaign. In Eastern Europe get a hotel because they will be just as cheap and a lot nicer. See everything. Spend 2 weeks in Rome and Paris.... Don't miss: Hoffbrau Haus, Koln, cheap East Europe, Amalfi Coast, Vatican
everywhere really... spain, germany, france, switzerland, italy, croatia, uk, greece (maybe)... the whole nine.
I'll second this. Last time I went I had to travel between Paris and Zurich. I went to sleep in one country and woke up in the other. Doesn't waste your time traveling. Sleeping quarters leave something to be desired and there is a danger of theft, but if my wife, baby and I could handle it, you probably can too.
i went to europe for the first time last december - went to amsterdam, berlin and cologne. berlin is an absolutely amazing city - i was only going to stay there for 3 days and than go to prague, but there is so much to see and do that i ended up staying for a week and skipping prague. amsterdam was a blast - if you are at all into certain herbs than it is an absolute must that you go. aside from that, it is a beautful and very pedestrian friendly city. i walked everywhere. the anne frank haus, van gogh museum, torture museum (say "hi" to mel gibson), and the rijksmuseum - about 3/4's of it is closed thru 08, but i still spent about 3 hours there. if either of those end up on your itenerary let me know and i can suggest some good hotels.
pretend you're canadian! i have a friend from scotland who says he wouldn't travel to continental Europe as an American until after things have settled down with Iraq!!!
Krakow is the new Prague. Can't recommend Poland, Slovakia, & Czech Rep. enough, SWT. Hoping to go back in Jan/Feb if airfare comes down a bit.
actually, everyone was really cool. the typical thing i heard was "i love america and the people are great, but your government is really ****ed up". they love texans too. especially in germany. i just got tired of having to explain to people that george bush is not a texan. everyone thinks he is.
YOU HAVE....I mean...HAVE to see Switzerland. Most beautiful country EVER. ..... I'd recomend just jumping on the train and traveling through europe. Countries you must visit: Switzerland Spain Italy ...I guess France If you are going to Eastern France, I highly recomend the Czech Republic. Hungary was nice too.
canadians often have their flag stitched to their backpacks so they won't be confused with americans, they did this pre iraq. anywho, you just have to let the euros know what time it is when they find out you are an american. it's one of my favorite pastimes. i also want to agree that traveling in july/august is a bad idea. all the kids are traveling, it's hot, it's expensive, and as has been mentioned, half the **** is closed and the locals are out of town. what you'll be walking into is tourist hell. the fall is my favorite time to be in europe. go at the end of sept/beginning of aug and stay through ski season. oh, and do not, DO NOT try to see everything. take time to meet the locals and be flexible in your plans. your adventure will take on it's own life.
Yeah those places are pretty good. I went to Barcelona and Madrid for for Thanksgiving and it was great. It was pretty cold in November so i'd go early on in your trip.
I agree, i think that in Europe most people do not have a problem with americans they have a problem with Bush. Croatia is one of the most beautifull countries i have ever been, i loved it. SWTsig is this your first trip to Europe?
My travels through Europe are somewhat limited, but here are some recs: England: Not sure what kind of stuff you like, but London is a safe bet to have it. We also liked the Lakes District. The Scottish Highlands are stunning and the pubs are good all over the country but if you're looking for a party everywhere you go and not just a ceilidh, Glasgow might be one of the only spots in the country for you . Shlante! Switzerland: Interlaken and the Jungfrau Region... specifically Grindelwald. Germany: Munich for Oktoberfest (in September). Prost! Italy: anywhere... although Florence is way touristy. Salute!
Sevilla,in the motherland of spain,is a can't miss!!It is one of the most cultural cities in europe.Cafe's and restaurants are affordable and the women are very spontaneous =).
I highly recommend Switzerland. At least go to Interlaaken (sp?) Italy was great. France was great. Germany (I lived in Cologne for a few months for school) is fantastic, especially Munuch. Amsterdam is great if you smoke. Prague is amazing.
Well I could sit here and say what everone else is saying... but ill still add it. Germany, Spain, Crotia, Switzerland, Poland, and Czech Republic are amazing. Just believe those are must dos. But couple things people havent noted that I enjoy. Southern France... its nothing like Paris and the people are so friendly. If you make your way to Amsterdam... you should try and stop in Copenhagen Denmark. Its so pretty with all the little islands and stuff. Some friends and I went to this one small island where the Greatful Dead has a house...its basically an entire hippy island. Cars arent aloud. Kinda neat...oh and pot is legal there somehow. One more thing... you can take a fairy ride from Denmark to Stockholm Sweden which is pretty neat. Stockholm is a beautiful city with tons to do. Especialy in the summer... the best weather. oh man... if you go to spain. take a boat ride from spain to moracco. wow...so cool and a massive culture shock.
