3 Weeks in Europe

[3 Justin 3]

Ah yes, Hotels. Where I have to listen to 3 guys snore and people eat my food while I'm gone.

I would suggest them highly over hotels.

[Flame Of Liberty]

One thing about low cost airlines you need to keep in mind - they often fly to cities "nearby" instead of flying directly to the advertised destination.

So if you see a good deal on a flight to Barcelona, you are not flying to Barcelona, but to Girona, which is about 100km north. So it can happen that added cost of transport (train, bus) will double your total expenditure.

As for hostel, as far as Eastern Europe goes, you'll get a decent 3 star hotel for a price of a bug-infested hole in Amsterdam. Unless you are on a TIGHT budget and love meeting stoned hippies and other weird unwashed individuals, I'd stay away from hostels anywhere possible.

Hi-psi is right about countries like Albania. I'd stay the hell away unless you are feeling adventurous or looking to sell your gf for a few ounces of coke.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

One thing about low cost airlines you need to keep in mind - they often fly to cities "nearby" instead of flying directly to the advertised destination.

So if you see a good deal on a flight to Barcelona, you are not flying to Barcelona, but to Girona, which is about 100km north. So it can happen that added cost of transport (train, bus) will double your total expenditure.

As for hostel, as far as Eastern Europe goes, you'll get a decent 3 star hotel for a price of a bug-infested hole in Amsterdam. Unless you are on a TIGHT budget and love meeting stoned hippies and other weird unwashed individuals, I'd stay away from hostels anywhere possible.

Hi-psi is right about countries like Albania. I'd stay the hell away unless you are feeling adventurous or looking to sell your gf for a few ounces of coke.

Nah, when I went to Barcelona (I did take the flight to Girona), the bus ticket into Barcelona was only like $10 or something. I don't even think it was that much.

Not sure if you were talking about Eastern Europe hostels or hostels in general, but I never went to a hostel where the people were not friendly, most of them were Canadians.

[Flame Of Liberty]

One way bus ticket from Girona to Barcelona is 12 EUR, two way 21 EUR. That's like $17.50 Canadian for one way, $30 two way since you need to go back to the airport. Not earthshattering, but it adds up, along with airport taxes, fuel surcharges, extra charges for luggage, on board drinks and what not.

Other countries may have even more expensive bus/train tickets, such as UK where train tickets (from Luton airport for example) are ridiculous.

[VladtheImpaler]

Just a thought if you are going to Central Europe. Use Prague as your base - it's a fantastic city in its own right and cheap, but you can take cheap trains to many interesting places: Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, etc, etc, etc. Of course, I really liked that part of the world because a lot of the middle aged and older people speak Russian.

[dj_patm]

I'm sorry im never staying in a hostel again. I hate them and I'm sure my gf would be uncomfortable in them as well.

[3 Justin 3]

Hostels are great, I watched the movie "Hostel" in a hostel in Prague. Like 13 of us going "ooooooohhhh" when he cuts her eye off (most of us probably have seen it).

Someone told me he stayed in a 50 bed 1 room hostel before. He recommended it to me because it was cheap to say, I said "f*** that, I go into a room with 5 beds and 2 people snore, I couldn't take 37 people snoring."

My worst experience was in Greece. God damn can those Greeks snore, holy crap, I even yelled at him in the middle of the night, he didn't even wake up, his snoring just got louder.

dj, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you? 20?

[dj_patm]

yup. solid guess lol

I stayed in a Hostel in Gdansik. I can't sleep if one person is snoring. Let alone 10.
I like privacy. I'm only staying in hotels with an ensuite bathroom as well. No communal stuff for me!

[wooohooo]

I'm the same with privacy issues dj, for that reason I tried to find a hotel. I'm a very, very light sleeper so any snoring will keep up all night. I stayed at this place with a few buddies called 'Baker's hotel' since I couldn't afford much. It was only like a 3 star, but it was in a great location (kinda hard to find on your first time) but the beds were clean. It's not a place where you would chill out other than sleeping but it did its job for its price. I would recommend it, but... it kind of stunk. Inside the rooms it was okay but outside in the hall ways it was unbearable. Like going to take a piss I had to hold my breath. If you don't mind the stink of super strong curry by all means stay there. But if you're really on a budget and want a clean place with private bath, stay there.

Oh yeah, this was in London. Check out Amsterdam too if you get a chance, kind of a neat place. If you're into the artsy stuff there's some art museums (Van Gogh and another one) and most importantly the Heinken brewery

[troutman]

Originally Posted by jjbouma

So I'm looking to spend a few weeks in Europe in September/October. Definitely want to hit Oktoberfest in Munich, but other than that not too sure where I should go, so I'm looking for suggestions. I was thinking of doing southern Germany, Italy, France and then Holland (I have family there). I've already been to Berlin and east Germany, Prague, Madrid and London, so not really looking to repeat. Would also love to go to the Spanish coast.

Any thoughts??

Oktoberfest is actually in September, so keep that in mind.

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by jjbouma

So I'm looking to spend a few weeks in Europe in September/October. Definitely want to hit Oktoberfest in Munich, but other than that not too sure where I should go, so I'm looking for suggestions. I was thinking of doing southern Germany, Italy, France and then Holland (I have family there). I've already been to Berlin and east Germany, Prague, Madrid and London, so not really looking to repeat. Would also love to go to the Spanish coast.

Any thoughts??

My advice, as many others have said, would be to cut down on the number of locations. If you are there for 21 days, every day you spend travelling, is half to a full day wasted.

I think Oktoberfest would be awesome. I have never been, but would love to some day. I loved my time in Munich, so you should enjoy your time there.

I love Italy. I lived in Rome for five months and still there are lots of things to see there that I have missed. Probably the coolest place I have ever been are the Aeolian Islands just north of Sicily. We had a great time there, but they are someone remote, so I am not sure they'd fit into your itinerary.

I've been to Paris twice, and I don't ever need to return there. It is okay, but not great. I wouldn't plan much time there, if any.

[4X4]

If you're attempting to do Rome in one day, you're better off skipping it and watching an episide of Lonely Planet. Don't waste your time traveling there if you're not going to see the place.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by 4X4

If you're attempting to do Rome in one day, you're better off skipping it and watching an episide of Lonely Planet. Don't waste your time traveling there if you're not going to see the place.

Minimum 3 days, and obviously that is not doing it justice (even remotely).

[Flabbibulin]

Obviously hostels are not the best option, but when someone is on a tight budget, what options are there?

I would use hostels when I was younger. Now that Im travelling with the misses, we wouldn't touch a hostel with a 10 foot pole. It all depends on your budget though- we typically budget around 200/night for hotels, but there are a large variety of prices out there.

[dj_patm]

Well Rome wasn't originally on the agenda at all but the gf insists we go there cause "shes italian." - I'm sorry if you or your parent haven't ever been there and you don't speak the language you are not "Italian".

Yeah I think I'm going to have to tell her that Rome is a no-go. Next time.

I was able to find great hotels (3-3.5 stars, great reviews) for $100-ish a night in all the cities listed above. Plus they were all close to the major sights and close to a metro.

Perfect.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Minimum 3 days, and obviously that is not doing it justice (even remotely).

Indeed. I'd argue a week, but I'm biased.

The key to traveling is to not be in a rush. With only three weeks, you will certainly find that less is more. As in, go to less cities and see more. Do not betray the great city of Rome by attempting to whirlwind it in one day, dj_patm. If you do, I hope you get mugged and have your passport stolen so that you're forced to stay there longer.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by dj_patm

Well Rome wasn't originally on the agenda at all but the gf insists we go there cause "shes italian." - I'm sorry if you or your parent haven't ever been there and you don't speak the language you are not "Italian".

Yeah I think I'm going to have to tell her that Rome is a no-go. Next time.

I was able to find great hotels (3-3.5 stars, great reviews) for $100-ish a night in all the cities listed above. Plus they were all close to the major sights and close to a metro.

Perfect.

Tripadvisor is your friend - has been spot on every time so far.
And, to second 4x4 and others, don't go to a great city for a day just to say "I've been to Rome/London/Paris/Prague/...", because, really... you haven't.

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Hi-psi is right about countries like Albania. I'd stay the hell away unless you are feeling adventurous or looking to sell your gf for a few ounces of coke.

I had to laugh at this. Before we had kids my wife and I did quite a lot of travel to 'interesting' places. Since kids we still travel but much more safely.

Anyway, we were in Marrakesh, Morocco where the hustlers can be insane. We'd been traveling for about five weeks at that point and I had a full on beard, big shades, French Legionnaires type hat, hadn't showered in a while! I looked a right prat probably. I was approached by a hustler type who wanted to buy the lady for $1000. When I declined he then offered to buy her for a camel! Once I told him that she was my wife he completely backed down sheepishly, was really apologetic for offending me, and made a quick exit. I've been married for close on 20 years to the 'lady' now and I still remind her occasionally that I could have sold her for a cool grand! (There's days I tell ya........)

Fun to look back on now. But yeah, be careful in some of these places.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Minimum 3 days, and obviously that is not doing it justice (even remotely).

No kidding. I was sad when I left on day 5 because I still had so much to see. When I go back to Europe I am definitely going back to Rome for a week+.

Italy effing ruled! But Germany will always be my first love.

When I was in Amsterdam I was told to watch out for the guys selling the fake drugs (coke, ecstacy, etc.), and sure enough I saw some of them. They'd walk by me and say "looking for coke or ex?", but they wouldn't look at you, just walk past you and mutter it. If your even into those drugs, they are just selling you baking soda anyway.

I prefer to eat 2 spacecakes and completely lose it, haha. That sucked.

[dj_patm]

Alright, the gf really wants to go to Italy so I need to know. If I can manage two full days is it even worth it? I'm starting to think more and more that it isn't and I really don't want to cut into France time so I think I should cut either London or Rome.

Now, I need your guys' advice... My options:
- Add an extra day in Rome (2 Full days)
- Cut Rome out completely (Extra day in either Nice or London)
- Cut London completely (4 days in Rome)

Somethings to consider:
- I don't know Italian
- It is just me and my girlfriend. Clubbing and partying is not really an option
- I'm not that big of an Arts guy.
- I also have a short attention span... Individual monuments (So not a major thing like the Vatican, but say something like The Coliseum) can only keep me interested for a few minutes before I want to move on.
- I like to learn stuff when I visit places, Things of scientific, political or religious significance interest me.
- Mostly I'm going to want to walk around, shop, eat and just enjoy the vibe. Not really much of a tourist.