Rick Steves' Europe: Traveler's Helpline Archives September 2004

Travelers' Helpline Archives:
September 2004

Each month's postings are removed from the active board and archived here. If you're looking for the answers to a particular question that was posted, be sure to look in subsequent months, also, to see all the answers.

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Side trip to Brugges from Amsterdam
Jody, I just came back from Amsterdam and I took a side trip to Brugges for the day. Instead of a bus trip I took the train; it was still 3 1/2 hours, but I felt I had more freedon to explore Brugges. If you can stay there overnight it is worth it. It is absolutely enchanting and the food was delicious. You can take a cheap tour within the city by bus, also.
Rita <email>
Staten Island, NY USA Thu 09/30/2004

Hotel Help-Kranenturm
RE: Hotel Kranenturn...Our family stayed there and it was the worst night ever in Europe. The train tracks are literally 20 feet away and trains come by every 10-15 minutes all night long. It is unbelievable how loud it gets. Earplugs did not help at all. Great town and the Kranenturn was very nice except you can't sleep there. Find a place in town away from the rolling thunder!
Brian <email>
Pompano Beach, FL USA Thu 09/30/2004

Kosher
Do you have any info on eating Kosher accross europe?
Jon M. Loose <email>
Parrish, FL USA Thu 09/30/2004

Need Planning Help?
To avoid misinformation or if you want expert advice, our Europe Through the Back Door travel consultants are ready to help! In-person appointments cost $40 per half hour. Our consultants are efficiency fiends so a half-hour is usually plenty of time but we're happy to schedule longer appointments if you like.

Appointments are also available by phone. The cost is $60, which includes 30 minutes of phone time, plus the 15 minutes of time the consultant spends before and after your appointment reviewing your itinerary and sending you information.

To schedule an appointment, call 425-771-8303, ext. 298. (Due to the popularity of our consulting service, we recommend calling several days in advance.)

Presents for relatives in E. Europe?
I will be meeting some distant relatives in the Slovak Republic in a few weeks. I'd like to bring them a few gifts but I'm not sure what is appropriate or what they may like. It's a family with 20 and 15 year old daughters. I was thinking something American, small ("pack light!"), but nice. Any ideas?
Jennifer <email>
San Diego, CA USA Thu 09/30/2004

Cinque Terra in January
My fiance and I are planning a trip to Italy from Jan 3 to Jan 18 2005. We would love to go to Cinque Terra for a substantial amount of that time, but are wondering now if it will be a completely shut-up ghost town. We don't need exciting night life (we wouldn't be going there if we did), but will restaurants, hotels and other facilities be available? Will the feast of Epiphany shut things down further?
Jack Greenman <email>
Santa Maria, CA USA Thu 09/30/2004

October travel
Vladimir M. Thanks for the reply! This is our first trip to Europe and I am just playing it by ear. We leave tomorrow with Paris being our first 3 day stop. Then a month long Eurailpass trying to make it on a couple of hundred dollars a day. We will see Rome because of the Vatican and my wife’s religion. but everything else is open. How about it?... any place that we must see in October? Any ideas anyone? We would like to learn from you all. Thanks, Butch
Butch
Bakersfield, Ca USA Thu 09/30/2004

Deruta ceramics/Agresti jewelry boxes
There are several factories near Deruta where you can purchase ceramics. Also, in the town of Deruta (very small) you can check in the individual stores, where some of the ceramics are made and painted right on the premises. I found the quality to be very good and recognized some of the patterns from the shops near me. Keep in mind some of the factories and stores close on Fridays. Sorry, don’t know anything about the jewelry boxes.
Devra <email>
Lake Forest, CA USA Thu 09/30/2004

SAFETY FOR WOMEN WHEN TRAVELING ALONE
I guess if I had to choose between lying and getting assaulted or robbed I would lie. ~~~~~ Sorry if that disturbs you, but I have read too many reports of single women being taken advantage of.~~~~. Hostels are no safer than any other place.~~~~~ Go ahead and lie and feel discomfort, but remain safe.
AMY MAY WHITE
NEW YORK CITY, NY USA Thu 09/30/2004

GARE DE LYON TIMETABLE
Jean~~~~~take a look at these webpages to see if you find the section called “fares and schedules”~~~~~railpass.com/ticket, raileurope.com, railtrains.com, alleuroperail.com.
A. RUPERT
TX USA Thu 09/30/2004

OCTOBER TRAVEL
BUTCH....when you travel in October you seldom need reservations. My wife and I always travel in the fall because it is less crowded and we have never failed to find a room. We never reserve in advance. ....As for the weather— — you will find it mild until you get up in the Alps where the altitude makes it cold..
VLADIMIR M.
MADISON, WIS USA Thu 09/30/2004

Cheap Place To Stay In Paris
Katie — Last March our family stayed three nights at Hotel de Medicis in Paris. Per my earlier post on Road Scholar Feedback, Paris, the hotel is WELL worn, with only one shower to appx. 30 rooms (plenty of common toilet rooms, however).

The pluses are location (right off of Luxembourg Gardens and RER), great ethnic and traditional French restaurants, laundrette and tobacco stores only steps from the front door. On top of this, cost is only 31 euro a night for a double/twin room.

We had enlisted the help of a Belgian friend who travels frequently to Paris on business in our low cost hotel search. Between all of us, this price is simply the best we found in central Paris, even better than hostels, which came in at appx. 21 euro pp. At current exchange rates, 31 euro is just short of $40 per night.

If you're accustomed to hosteling, then the conditions shouldn't spook you too much. Let's just say that if you're willing to overlook well worn and creaky as well as the ONE common shower for LOW price and character, this is the place.
GCP
CO USA Thu 09/30/2004

Free internet use
We found a great resource for free internet use, the public library or the Bibleotek,this is its name in Central Europe and Scandinavia.
Patty <email>
AR USA Thu 09/30/2004

Safety for women when traveling alone
I'd advise not getting into lies if you can help it. Of course there might be an occasional time that's necessary. But if you are staying at a hostel it is quite ridiculous to lie about someone else being with you. For me, such lies would just raise my discomfort level to such a degree that I couldn't enjoy myself. I have read a few excerpts of the Gift of Fear and it seemed very useful, so I'd agree with reading that.
Traveler <email>
Canada Thu 09/30/2004

October Travel
What should we expect regarding weather and prices while traveling via Eurorail in October? Any do's and don'ts. Will we need hotel reservations or should we just wing it. Thanks
Butch
Bakersfield, Ca USA Wed 09/29/2004

Gare de Lyon timetable
I'm having trouble finding a good timetable for Gare de Lyon online, and I need to figure out how to get to Tonnérre. Can anyone give me some direction?? Thanks!
Jean <email>
Washington, DC USA Wed 09/29/2004

Zurich hotel
We are going to be flying out of Zurich very early in the morning..we are dropping our car off at the airport the day before, and are looking for a hotel recommendation that will allow us to see the city on foot, and have a location that will allow us to get to the airport via train (assume this is the best way) by 6:30 the next morning..Thanks!
Lesley Kleiser <email>
USA Wed 09/29/2004

Traveling alone
What to Say (Do) When Traveling AloneI e-mailed my response to Samntha of NY, but I think this is so important I want to put it on the Wall: "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin De Becker. It's about recognizing danger signals and learning how to avoid peril despite not shutting yourself in a safe little box.
Tracey <email>
Wilmington, DE USA Wed 09/29/2004

WHAT TO SAY WHEN TRAVELING ALONE
Samantha~~~~you don’t have to explain that you are traveling alone. Don’t talk about it. If anyone asks, you can always say that Betty ( or Charlie) is meeting you in a few minutes. They can assume whatever they like and you don’t have to say anything more.
HENRIETTA B.
CHICAGO, IL USA Wed 09/29/2004

what to say when traveling alone
Hi. I'm a 22 yr old woman about to travel Europe for 5 weeks by myself. I can't wait to go and meet new people, but I know I shouldn't say that I am alone. So what do I say when I'm obviously by myself in a hostel/bar/bus etc. I have traveled internationally before with others and extensively in the US by myself(i just kept to myself mostly). Just wondering what other ladies have done in my position.
samantha <email>
new york, ny USA Tue 09/28/2004

Internet Cafe In Florence
Here is the address for Easy Internet Cafe in Florence.Firenze DuomoVia Martelli 22r c.o. Libreria MartelliFIRENZE Via Ricasoli 23 r 50129 Opening hours: 09.00-23.00, 7 days a weekI have used Easy Internetcafe alot of times, they are great.
Robin <email>
Oh USA Tue 09/28/2004

Katie — cheap hotel in Paris
Katie, you will likely do best to get two rooms. Look at these sites:
http://www.eurocheapo.com/Paris
http://www.hrs.de
http://www.venere.com
http://www.hotels.de (this German site, not the US one)
Realistically, I think you should be looking at more like 60 Euros per night per each double room, but you might be able to get something for less if you don't require a private bath. In case you still want to look at hostels, look at reviews at this site: http://www.bugeurope.com
Traveler <email>
Canada Tue 09/28/2004

STORING LUGGAGE IN ITALY
Ruth Siegel.~~~Go to the Tourist Information Office at the railroad station when you arrive (at any RR station or airport) and ask where you can check luggage~~~~. They may suggest taking them to a hotel; they should know where you can take them.~~~Many airports and RR stations in Europe have discontinued storage lockers.
Robert G Waltonez
Portland, CA USA Tue 09/28/2004

TRAIN BETWEEN FRANCE AND ITALY
Laura~~~~~Yes you can take a train from Nice to Vernazza. When you buy your ticket in Nice the clerk will tell you how to change trains for the local train which stops at Vernazza. ....I think we changed at Monterossa, but I am not sure.....it is not far between the cities.
S.W.A.
ST LOUIS, MO USA Tue 09/28/2004

2002 GUIDEBOOK
W F LAMPMAN....visit a few local libraries in your area and ask if they still have a copy of that particular book....I find those old guidebooks in my library frequently.
STOODBROOKE
NEW YORK CITY, USA Tue 09/28/2004

DISPOSABLE CAMERAS
Mike.....They will be far more costly if bought in Europe....watch for sales promotions at Walmart and Target where they are often reduced and buy as many as you need.....keep them in the refrigerator and the film will be usable for years.
HENRY W.
LAMAR, NV USA Tue 09/28/2004

Internet in Italy
Where to find cheap (or free)Internet access in Florence Italy
Dee <email>
san diego, ca USA Tue 09/28/2004

Residenzia Cellini — my vote!
Kendra, if you can get into Residenzia Cellini, do it. We stayed there for four nights and loved everything about it. From the staff, to the location, to the fact that you become instant family. Enjoy.
Douglas
St. Paul, MN USA Tue 09/28/2004

Cheap place to stay in Paris?
I am going to be in Paris for a weekend with my boyfriend and we either need a cheap hotel where two others could join us or a hostel to stay at. I hear that the hostels are pretty crappy in Paris and I would prefer a hotel. We need something reasonable... like 25 dollars or so a night each which would be 100 total for a night. Thanks for your help!
Katie <email>
Orange County, CA USA Tue 09/28/2004

Susan in Atlanta — It's me again. About those BA seats: when I used to book well ahead to get the cheapest price (in Feb. or Mar for a June flight) I was never able to choose a seat. But this year my wife booked everything on line and also signed us up for Executive Club or whatever they call their frequent flyer mileage program. This move gave us the opportunity to choose the seats we wanted. As a sidelight to all this, Chris chose to spend a few bucks more to book the upgraded seat ("Cattle plus")for herself and was happily surprised to be [further] upgraded to business class both ways. I doubt, though, that BA would advertise this a a marketing come-on.
k-b
Seattle, USA Tue 09/28/2004

Susan in Atlanta — I went to Keswick in '91, planning to stay 7-10 days; I stayed 23 and found it hard to tear myself away. In '98 my wife and I booked a 10 day stay but kept extending until we were there 20 days. Consider 2 days a mere reconnaisance — and then try not to return!
k-b
Seattle, USA Tue 09/28/2004

Lake District — UK
We will stay two nights in the Lake District on our way to Scotland late next May. Is Keswick a good place to stay? RS likes it. Staveley was mentioned on a recent post and that location looked good too. We will hike, enjoy the lakes, and see the Beatrix Potter Farms. Quiet B&B's are preferred. Thanks for any info!
Susan <email>
Atl, USA Tue 09/28/2004

Rome: Hotel Santa Maria or Residenza Cellini
Trying to decide between these two hotels. Any thoughts? The prices are pretty comparable. Thank you.
Kendra
Atlanta, GA USA Tue 09/28/2004

X-mas in Germany
Lots of luck. Three years ago my wife decided in July that she wanted to go to Germany for Christmas. I immediately contacted hotels in places I knew of as nice resort areas (although not usually frequented by Americans) and found that they had already been booked — the previous year. Seems people go to the same places every year and make their reservations for the next year when they leave. I was finally able to get four days in the northern Black Forest by paying for seven, and a friend who has a pension in the Allgäu let me stay at his sister's until after Sylvester, when a room opened up in his place.I could tell you of at least one place where you might find rooms available at a reasonable price, but it is just a place to say. I doubt that it would meet your "experience" criterium.
Larry <email>
CO USA Mon 09/27/2004

Disposable cameras?
Should I take some disposable cameras along with me, or buy them overseas? They dont take up too much space and don't weigh anything, so if they're pretty expensive over there (rome and amsterdam) I might be better off bringing them with me. Any suggestions? I am bringing a digital camera as well but want to bring disposables to have others take photos of ourselves, as was recommended in a post.
mike
scottsdale, az USA Mon 09/27/2004

Bike riding along the Amalfi coast
Anyone have tips for riding bikes on the Amalfi coast? Are the hills just too steep, are the roads too narrow/busy for bikes along with cars? We will be based in Sorrento, want to see the others towns along the coast. We've riden in Italy before, just not familiar with the coast. We've hiked the Cinque Terre, is Amalfi similar?

Also, is Sorrento the best base to use for 3 nights and get to see Pompeii, Vesuvius and down to Paestum? Would Salerno be a better base to access trains and all the towns? Any help appreciated!
Tandem Team <email>
Centennial, CO USA Mon 09/27/2004

Rome in Nov
Anita in CO~~~ I agree with the person on the message board that suggested the Hotel Oceania. It is very nice & reasonable for Rome. Family run and they are so helpful. Restaurants nearby & train sta. We walked all over but that may not be an option for your mother. We found it to be a safe area and buses are plentiful — guard your money, etc on buses — wear money belt or neck pouch. Enjoy!
Nancy
Atl, USA Mon 09/27/2004

France
We are visiting Versailles, Bordeaux region, and Loire Valley next month. Does anyone have any restaurant or vineyard recommendations?
Starr Baines <email>
Parker, CO USA Mon 09/27/2004

2002 Guidbook
If anyone would have a copy of Rick Steve's 2002 guidbook of "Europe Through the Backdoor" I would be interested in it. I took Rick Steve's whirlwind tour of Europe in 2002 & discarded the books as I left each country I visited — now I need to identify all my pictures. Thank you
William F. Lampman <email>
Pickstown, SD USA Mon 09/27/2004

Train between France and Italy
Question: Can I take a train from Nice, France to Vernazza, Italy?
Laura Manchester <email>
Riverside, CA USA Mon 09/27/2004

Vacation Packages?
I am looking into purchasing a vacation package to London for sometime next year. I am just doing a bit of research now. In your opinion, when should I purchase a package deal? Sooner or Later? Plus, are there any discount companies you may suggest. Thanks for the help!
Georgian E <email>
Merritt Island, FL USA Mon 09/27/2004

Rome w/ my 80 yr young mother
Rome with my 80 year old motherMy Mom and I are travelling to Rome at the end of November. She wants to spend most of her time at St. Peter's and the Vatican Museum. Where is a clean, safe place to stay that is easily accessable to good restaurants and safe transportation?
Anita <email>
Berthoud, CO USA Mon 09/27/2004

looking for great weekend getaway which includes inn and spa

USA Mon 09/27/2004

Paris apartment
We are planning to rent an apartment for a stay in Paris this spring. Has anyone rented from Walid H. at ParisPiedaTerre or Virginia G. at Vparis7? Thanks -KB
Kevin <email>
Omaha, NE USA Mon 09/27/2004

storing luggage in Italy
I plan to spend a day in Orvieto but found out that they no longer have a storage facility for luggage at the train station. (I'll be en route to Rome after a week in Umbria.) Are there any other options besides lugging around a suitcase all day? (It's not huge, it has wheels but it would be nice to enjoy the day without worrying about it.)
Ruth Siegel <email>
Chicago, IL USA Mon 09/27/2004

Rome in Dec
Rome in Dec -We went to Rome 2 years ago the last week of Nov/early Dec. The weather was MILD — only light jacket required — but RAINY. It rained every day. I suggest staying at the Hotel Oceania, near train station, on Via Firenze. Nice rooms, good breakfast, and walkable to most major sites.
Brenda <email>
mystic, ct USA Mon 09/27/2004

Rome, Italy
Our family is considering going to Rome during December. Is this an okay time weather wise? We have two children 7 and 9. We also need suggestions on hotels. We are the types that like to walk and we may not have a car to drive around. Comfortable and clean with in room bathrooms are a must. Thanks!
Meg <email>
Vence, France, USA Mon 09/27/2004

Traveling Light
Does anybody know where to get the airline-type tea or coffee cups? I need some kind of small cup to take with me that will not melt when used with a water heater.
Nikolai <email>
San Diego, CA USA Mon 09/27/2004

Hotel in Milan, Several years ago I stayed in a nice hotel in Milan that was just 3-4 blocks from the train station. Hotel Virgilio, on Pia Da Patestrina. It is about a one star with a tiny elevator but very nice. I believe all rooms have baths. At the time it was around $60 a night but the only thing I can find on Expedia is $113.00. I got the phone number out of a Lets Go Italy book so you could probably go to a book store and get an e-mail out of the book now.

USA Mon 09/27/2004

Outer Hebrides
Hello! I'm going to have a lone traveler adventure in the Outer Hebrides in mid-late October. I'm a writer who plans to spend the time working on character development for an upcoming fantasy novel; I think the landscape and solitude will serve my imagination well. My question: Is there anyone out there who has hostel-hopped the Hebrides? I have my route, locations and timetables all mapped out, but if there's a fabulous tip I missed I'd appreciate knowing about it, like is there a Hebridean bus service travel pass? And if anyone plans to be there about that time, maybe we can meet in a pub!
Tracey Landmann <email>
Wilmington, DE USA Mon 09/27/2004

room in vernazza?
I need a b and b in Vernazza! under 75 euro???
brenden <email>
nyc, ny USA Mon 09/27/2004

Timhotel Montparnasse
This hotel is actually in the 15th arrondisement. I considered the general area to be very safe when I was staying nearby. Timhotel Montparnasse is very convenient for transportation, because you have access to four different metro lines at the metro stop Montparnasse-Bienvenue. This metro stop has several access points, so ask your hotel staff about the best one. The obvious metro access point in the Gare Montparnasse train station works fine, but you will walk several blocks underground. There is also a bus loop with at least 10 different bus routes right by Gare Montparnasse. If your dates work out properly, I recommend getting a Carte Orange transit pass. The Inno's store nearby has a deli on the ground floor that is good for picking up breakfast items, baked goods, or even lunch items. If arriving at CDG, it's very convenient and not that expensive to take the Air France shuttle bus to Gare Montparnasse. Then you can walk the few blocks to your hotel.
Traveler <email>
Canada Mon 09/27/2004

Timhotel Montparnasse & Area Safety
My husband and I are on our 1st trip to Europe (Paris & London) this December 2004. We will be staying at the Timhotel Montparnasse (13th district). Any comments on this hotel and this area in general? How safe is the area (i.e. Metro station and walking back to the hotel) between the 8pm — 10pm hours in December? Also, Any suggestions on what to pack for the winter?
Tabitha <email>
Sacramento, CA USA Sun 09/26/2004

For J S — Ischia
J S _ I spent a day in Ischia a year ago and I'm going back for 3 days in Oct. My impression was tourists there are Italina and German mostly. There is a big attraction with their thermal pools — volcanic heated water. Try www.Ischia.com and www.ischiaonline.it. Linda
Linda Hagstrom <email>
G C, PA USA Sun 09/26/2004

X-mas in germany
I will be in Germany for x-mas what town should I stay in for the best experience & least money?
Kim <email>
lexington, Ky, KY USA Sun 09/26/2004

Deruta ceramics/Agresti jewelry boxes
Any suggestions for how to purchase quality ceramics in Deruta? Also looking for info on the Agresti factory outside Florence (jewelry box makers — very beautiful) Thanks!
Brenda <email>
mystic, CT USA Sun 09/26/2004

Perugia/Umbria trip — need advice:
I just learned I will be in Perugia in mid-October for work. My fiance and I will be staying on for a vacation. We've been to Florence and Rome on many occasions (using Rick's books), but never to the "country". Suggestions for inexpensive accomodations? How long should we stay in this region (is a week too much?)Can anyone recommend a local tour guide to help us rent bikes/take a cooking class/ visit wineries etc? Any help appreciated
Brenda <email>
mystic, CT USA Sun 09/26/2004

Munich accomadations
Carolyn Laird,When in Munich two years ago we stayed with the Familie Jordan and had a delightful stay. They are a listed in Rick Steves book on Germany and are two blocks from the subway which makes them easy access. They have two bedrooms on the 2nd floor and we had the whole floor to ourselves. I believe they are definitely worth checking out.
Kevin <email>
TX USA Sun 09/26/2004

London Heathrow Transport Options
http://www.airporttransitguide.com/boeing/Wc36545345b15.htm
Waymon
Indialantic (what's left of it), FL USA Sun 09/26/2004

London Transportation
What type of london ground transportation pass do you recommend and how do I purchase it in advance?
Mary <email>
San Francisco, CA USA Sun 09/26/2004

Transfer from Heathrow to London
Dee ~ Heathrow has buses that go into London. Most of them go to Victoria Station so you would then have to take taxi to your B&B.

Oh USA Sun 09/26/2004

Pensions in Munich
We will be in Munich next June for 5 days and I wanted to know if anyone knows a good Pension or B&B to stay in. We will be traveling with our 3 daughters so there will be 5 of us. Two teenagers and a 12 year old.
Carolyn Laird <email>
Reno, NV USA Sun 09/26/2004

airport transportation from Heathrow
My friends and I would like to take a airport transfer service from Heathrow Airport to London rather that using the train or tube to get to our bed and breakfast. We believe this would be less hassle with all of our bags. Can you recommend a safe and cost-effective equivelent to a "super shuttle" type transport company?
Dee <email>
MA USA Sun 09/26/2004

transportation from the airport
My friends and I would like to take a airport transfer service rather that using the train or tube to get to our bed and breakfast. We believe this would be less hassle with all of our bags. Can you recommend a safe and cost-effective equivelent to a "super shuttle" type service?
Dee <email>
MA USA Sun 09/26/2004

Tourguide for Paris Nov 3, 2004
I'll be in Paris on Nov 3 with a 6 hour lay-over at CDG airport and would like someone (cheap and reliable) to pick my sister and me up for a whirlwind tour of the sights of "Gay Paree".Any help or information would be much appreciated. Judye-mail: jmcupp@foothill.net
Judy <email>
Foresthill, CA USA Sun 09/26/2004

I'd like to visit Turin/Torino Italy soon in order to scout out the possibility of returning for the 2006 Olympics. Any good web sites/info about that area?
coco kellum <email>
USA Sun 09/26/2004

Fish& Chips
Mari in Aventura,FL~~~We had really great fish & chips at the Grenadier pub. It is not the easiest place to find but is not far from Harrods — off a quiet little residential lane. The really nice part about it is it is all locals. We were the only tourists there. It is very charming.
Nancy
Atl, USA Sun 09/26/2004

Fish & Chips
Where in the London area (around Kensington preferably)is the best place for goood old fashioned fish & chips?
Mari Levitt <email>
Aventura, FL USA Sun 09/26/2004

Rothenburg: Gasthof zur Goldenen Rose
My husband and I stayed at Gasthof zur Goldenen Rose for a night in August — it was our best pension on the trip! Clean, comfortable rooms (and beds). And very accomodating — we showed up a day early, and they were unfazed & gave us a room, for less money than we anticipated.http://www.thegoldenrose.de/Rothenburg is enchanting! Make sure to do the Nightwatchman's Tour and wake up early to explore the wall. We were walking the wall at 8 a.m. and didn't see other souls for 45 mins at least.
Susan
Atlanta, GA USA Sun 09/26/2004

Ballyvaughan lodging
Where would you stay in Ballyvaughan if the Rusheen Lodge were full?
jpearce <email>
Heber, AR USA Sat 09/25/2004

Germany Hotels and Pensions
Has anyone stayed in the following:In Rothenburg at the Kreuzerhog Rothenburg or Pension Poeschel? In Salzburg at Hotel am Dom? If you have do you have any preferences?
Pat Thompson <email>
Columbia, TN USA Sat 09/25/2004

GIRONA TO BARCELONA
Brenda ; You can fly or take a train. There are many discount airlines now which serve specific cities. For Girona to Barcelona try applefares.com and try several days until you find the day the airline flies your route.
KROMONAL
GRADY, IND USA Sat 09/25/2004

Greek Island Beaches
My wife and I are planning a trip to the Greek Islands in May of 2005 with two other couples. We are wanting primarily beach time and relaxation. We are looking at Paros, Mykonos, and Santorini. We are all going to celebrate our 50th birthdays. We would like to go to beaches both clothed and unclothed that would have populations in our age groups, any suggestions? We are looking forward to the new Greece book this spring.
Kevin Wittmayer <email>
TX USA Sat 09/25/2004

2 Weeks in France
Christine — we rented a place in the Dordogne region of France. It is full of wonderful little villages, castle ruins, great food and is a big tourist destination for many Europeans so is very family friendly. We used French Connections to book our rental — it was a 2 bedroom renovated 13th century chapel that was part of a ruined Chateaux in the lovely little village of Belves. LOTS to do all around the area.
Karen <email>
Atlanta, GA USA Sat 09/25/2004

Best 2 Regions to Visit in France
With a little over two weeks in France this summer, my husband and I were wondering what would be the best 2 regions to visit (we are also planning 2 whole days in Paris). We would like to rent a cottage in both places and plan to have a car for the two weeks. Any suggestions for where to go (we were thinking of Burgundy)? Also, we would like less then a 5 hour drive between the two locations. We have a two year old and want to keep the driving to a minimum. Thanks!
Christine <email>
Athens, GA USA Sat 09/25/2004

Watching DVDs in NL
We are going to Amsterdam. On our last trip we were disappointed that the only English TV channel available in our inexpensive hotel was CNN. That got boring after a week, and this time we are planning to spend two weeks in A'dam. So we would like to take some of our DVDs from home, which we never have time to watch here, and purchase or rent a DVD player over there to play them. My first question is whether that is possible — will a Dutch DVD player play our US DVDs? When we lived in Poland, there were no DVDs yet, so we bought a mulitsystem VHS player and that played all our US NTSC tapes, and I wonder if there are multisystem DVD players. If there is such an animal, can anyone suggest a place to purchase or rent one?

Second question: What sort of TV connections will we need to buy, to connect the new machine to a TV in our hotel? For example, here, most TV's already have connector recepticles (if that's the correct word, what I mean is what the electricians would call a "female" plug) that can take a connector from the DVD player.) Is that also true in Holland? If it is, we plan to make that a criterion for renting our lodging, and will ask the propriator if his TV is "ready" for connecting with a DVD player which we will furnish.

Third question: If we get bored with our own DVDs, can anyone suggest a store which might have DVDs to buy which are in spoken English. The presence of Dutch subtitles will not bother us.

Query four: Will customs allow us to bring the Dutch DVD player back with us so that we can carry it back and forth in the future, or shall we donate it to the hotelier for the use of his next guests?

Fifth question: (Are you still with me? Hope so...) Where can I buy a USA-flatpin plug which I will need if I want to use the Dutch-bought DVD player at home in the USA? I saw a mention of one of these flatpins in a message from Aug. 14, '04, but I don't know if it is something I buy here, or in Europe. Please advise. After a hard day of traipsing around museums and riding on canal boats, we like to lay back and watch some good TV in our hotel room before we drift off to sleep with the aid of some lovely and legal Dutch skunk, and I would appreciate your help in facilitating that aim. Ex-hippies, Tampa, FL
Polly DeCann Wilson <email>
Tampa, FL USA Sat 09/25/2004

Girona to Barcelona
Information about options for travel from the airport at Girona to Barcelona are given on the easyJet site at http://www.easyjet.com/en/where/. You can go by taxi, bus or train. Trains are every 30 minutes, and buses every 15 minutes.
Bob <email>
Bristol, UK Fri 09/24/2004

Ischia-Italy?
Has anyone had an travel experience on the island of Ischia?Any info out there?I wondered if it might be a great italian back door. Pls respond to this website. Thanks
JS
Ca USA Fri 09/24/2004

Girona to Barcelona
For Brenda: RENFE, the Spanish Railways website is currently unavailable but I have learned from the German railways website (always reliable)that there are two trains per day from Girona to Barcelona viz...Dep. 08:30 Arr. 09:42 and Dep. 20:21 Arr. 21:43 Feel free to e-mail me.
Graham <email>
UK Fri 09/24/2004

Weather inEurope October
Kay~~~~the weather will be nice and mild in those cities in October. I have been there that time of year and wished for cooler weather. A little rain, but not enough to matter.
CAROLYN
PORTLAND, OR USA Fri 09/24/2004

PARIS IN NOVEMBER
Jackie.......I would plan a day in Versailles and a day in Fountainbleu. The weather will be mild in Nov.
M. COUNTERY
KNOXVILLE, TN USA Fri 09/24/2004

transportation question, Provence to Rome
We are planning a trip flying into Paris and out of Rome. We want to make return visits to Bayeux and Provence and then move on to Italy. On our last trip to Provence we stayed just outside Aix and would like to do the same this time. From Aix we want to travel to the Amalfi coast and end our trip in Rome for the flight home. The question is what is the best transportation method for us to use from Aix to Rome?
Robert Browning <email>
Metairie, la USA Fri 09/24/2004

Hotel Adler
Has anyone ever stayed at Hotel Adler in ROme? Is the location good?
Erica <email>
USA Fri 09/24/2004

Paris in November
I have just booked a trip to Paris at the end of November. Can someone please give me some hints regarding the weather. I am also interested in taking day trips out of the city. Any recommendations for that time of year?
Jackie <email>
Woodside, NY USA Fri 09/24/2004

Weather in Euorpe mid-Oct
Traveling to London, Heidelberg, Zurich and Florence in mid-October.What will the weather be like? Thanks!
Kay
NYC, NY USA Fri 09/24/2004

Versaille — Hall of Mirrors
Sherry: I just got back from Paris. The Hall of Mirrors is indeed being renovated. But part of the hall is still uncovered. When I was there last week, about 1/2 to 3/4 (I'm estimating) of the hall was covered. Enough was left uncovered to give a good sense of the room, if not its full grandeur. Don't let that stop you from going to Versaille, if that's in your plans. The whole place is still downright stunning.
Janet
Seattle, WA USA Fri 09/24/2004

Girona to Barcelona
Please help! I have booked a flight from Rome to Girona on Ryanair. Our friends can not pick us up,(traveling in early November) so how do we get to Barcelona, final destination is Alicante?
Brenda A. Duquette <email>
Victoria, BC, CA Thu 09/23/2004

Diane, I would suggest that you save Lake Como for another trip. Take the train from Milan (about 2 1/2 hrs) to Venice, then a night train to Rome. Don't miss Venice!

USA Thu 09/23/2004

Clyde, I asked about a cpap sleep machine on a previous post and someone suggested that you take an extension cord or a longer hose in case the bed is not close to an electrical outlet. Also, I would not put it into a checked bag. I always carry mine on the plane with me.

USA Thu 09/23/2004

Re: CPAP
In response to the question about using a CPAP machine, I just returned from Germany where I used my machine with no problems. Unfortunately, mine is not one of the real small ones, but it fit into a small bag that I checked in addition to my large bag.Of course the first thing to check for is dual-voltage capability. Also, don't forget a plug adapter. My machine takes a computer cord so I take a German computer cord and I don't need an adapter.
Merrell Ponder
Columbiana, AL USA Thu 09/23/2004

Versailles — Hall of Mirrors
My daughter and I are flying to Paris on Monday. A few months ago, I heard that the Hall of Mirrors was basically covered up for renovation. Does anyone have an update?
Sherry <email>
sd, ca USA Thu 09/23/2004

CPAP
Does anyone have experience taking a CPAP (for sleep apnea) on a tour?They have a unit which is less than2 lbs now, and runs on 110/220 50/60 hz automatically.
Clyde <email>
Lilburn, GA USA Thu 09/23/2004

Weather in Europe mid-Oct?
We're traveling to London, Heidelberg, Zurich and Florence in mid-October. What kind of weather can I expect?
K
USA Thu 09/23/2004

ATM TRANSACTION FEE
LARRY....remember, the bank rate in the Wall Street Journal is the published International Bank rate which they use in inter-bank transactions and is not the rate banks use in daily commerce, which is always higher. The banks always find a way to get extra money regardless of what they call it.
W MONGOMERIE
FARGO, MD USA Thu 09/23/2004

Hotel in Milan & outside Milan
my fiancee and I are getting married in Italy but have to spend a couple days in Milan to fill out paperwork. Can anyone recommend a hotel in Milan that's in a safe area and not too expensive? Also, is there any places to stay right outside Milan?
M <email>
Los Angeles, ca USA Thu 09/23/2004

N. Italy in 9 days?
To Dianne- you are rushing Italy. High grade your interests. Train and travel from town to town eats up alot of a day. I love Venice but it takes time to get there. Extend your stay or arrive Milan go straight to Cinque Terra, visit Lucca and San Gimignano instead of Siena etc.then Rome. That is all you have time for.In the last 4 years I have spent min. 3 weeks in Italy ea time. Slow and relaxed is savoring this great destination.
Janice
CA USA Thu 09/23/2004

Leaving luggage at airport in Paris and London
My husband and I will be traveling to France with our 2 year old next summer. We plan to rent a car at the airport and then stay in a cottage for 2 weeks (we are thinking in Burgundy — any recomendations?, should we go to another part of France?). We will have 2 days in Paris before a flight to London with 2 days there. What we would like to do is return our rental car to the airport after the 2 weeks in the cottage, leave our luggage somewhere, and then go into Paris with only one or two small bags. We would also love to have a place to store most of our bags in London as well. We will be flying into Heathrow and out of Gatwick. Is there any way to do this? Is there any way to get our luggage on through to London? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Thanks!
Christine <email>
Athens, GA USA Thu 09/23/2004

Erin: Mid-May in Italy
Erin — Mid-May in Italy is wonderful. It shouldn't be too hot yet (though the farther south you go, the hotter it will be.) And I don’t remember that being a particularly rainy time. If it does rain, and you are in a town with any amount of tourist trade at all, vendors will show up, as if out of nowhere, selling cheap umbrellas. I personally prefer waiting to buy one IF I need it to carrying one for the whole trip “just in case”.
Angela
Lexington, KY USA Thu 09/23/2004

To Diane re: Travel in Italy
Diane: That’s a lot of ground to cover in just 9 days. Part of the charm of Italy (and I LOVE Italy) is relaxing and enjoying life’s pleasures. Italy is definitely NOT about rushing around, and if you are having to do it, you will miss a lot of Italy’s joys. Lake Como is beautiful, but as you only have 9 nights, I would consider cutting it out (keep telling yourself that you will be back, because you will). I would recommend going directly from Milan (the day you land) to Venice, and spending 2 nights there. It is almost impossible to get accommodations in Venice for 1 night only, and I wouldn’t recommend them ANYWHERE anyway. It’s just too rushed, and makes it impossible to get any sort of feel for the cities you visit. Then maybe 2 nights in the Cinque Terra, 3 nights in Tuscany, and 2 nights in Rome. As it is, that’s still cutting each destination VERY short. I think that you will be surprised at how much of your time is eaten up by just traveling from one location to another. Have a wonderful trip, and give yourself time to relax and enjoy.
Angela
Lexington, KY USA Thu 09/23/2004

Italy weather
What is the weather like in mid May in Italy. Is there a lot of rain and is it very hot? Thanks
Erin <email>
Philadelphia, PA USA Thu 09/23/2004

Christmas in Scotland
CARMEN don’t assume...email your B&B to ask if they will be open. When you read web pages for some B&Bs you will find dates they will be closed each year.
Zammy
RENO, NM USA Thu 09/23/2004

BANK FEES
Karen......no need to be surprised at charges your bank makes on use of your cards. Call the bank and ask BEFORE YOU GO what charges will apply. Your bank will be different than others; so advice from one traveler isn’t of much value to another traveler.
S V W
WHITE PLAINS, NJ USA Thu 09/23/2004

Travel in Italy
Diane~~~~~if I had 9 days I would spend them as follows. Rome 2 days, Milan 1 day, Lake Como 1 day, Venice 1 day, Siena 1 day, Cinque Terre (see all 5 villages) 2 days.. The rest of your 9 days will be taken with travel. Hike as much of the CT trail as time allows; take lots of pictures here.
DINO W.
MONTGOMERY, AL USA Thu 09/23/2004

HOTEL PRINCE PARIS
Joe.....look at the hotel’s web page: www.parisby.com/princedegalles. That should tell you all about it.
G. SNODGRASS
LAMAR, AZ USA Thu 09/23/2004

Hotel Prince — Paris
I am booked at the Hotel Prince in Paris in November. The hotel is recommended in Rick's book, but there is not much information about it. Has anyone stayed there?
JOE <email>
USA Thu 09/23/2004

Christmas in England
When my father dies in 1978 my mother and I were alone for Christmas. After two years of dreary holidays we decided to go to England (our favorite place anyway) for Christmas. For several years we joined a tour group of Americans. Then we discovered that many British hotels have Christmas Programmes lasting 3 to 5 days. Some are quiet with just food and what entertainment you find for yourself. Our favorites were the ones with carolling, excursions, theatre, and jolly Christmas lunches with noisemakers and crackers to pull. I have spent every Christmas (and most New Year's Eves) since 1980 in Britain. After my mother died in 2001 I have continued to go alone.The British party and go out for food and entertainment at Christmas much as Americans do for New Years so if one is alone it is a good place to be.
Deborah <email>
Ann Arbor, MI USA Thu 09/23/2004

Travel in Italy
Need help prioritizing for first trip to Northern Italy in early November. We are flying into Milan and out of Rome, have 9 nights and are considering the following: Lake Como, Venice, Siena(home base for several days of Tuscany travel) Cinqueterra, Rome. We enjoy hiking and enjoying outdoor sites more than museums, etc (tho would like to see highlights of both). Would love some advise...
Diane <email>
Atlanta, GA USA Wed 09/22/2004

Birmingham accomodations
Any one have any recommendations on places to stay in Birmingham, UK? I just get overhwhelmed when I look for a place to stay there.
Kathy <email>
Portland, OR USA Wed 09/22/2004

Bank fees
I discovered on our last trip that my Chase credit card added 3% to every transaction. Capital One didn't, and neither did my debit card. BTW, there is a good website about using ATM's overseas. It's at cash-abroad.com.
Karen <email>
NC USA Wed 09/22/2004

Christmas in Scotland
We will be in Edinburgh, Scotland on Christmas day. I am assuming that no B&B will want customers in their home on that day. Can anyone recommend a hotel there?
carmen <email>
monument, co USA Wed 09/22/2004

Those potato meat thingamajiggies
I was in Salzburg at a restaurant and I asked the waitress if she could please recommend a local specialty. She came back with these small potato balls, stuffed with different types of meat. They were sooooo good, but for the life of me, I can't remember what they were called. Can someone please help?
Theresa
Queens, NY USA Wed 09/22/2004

ATM transaction fee
On my last trip to Germany in Mar/Apr my local bank charged me $1.50 for using an out of system ATM. However, the German bank charged my bank an amount 1.65% higher than the Wall Street Journal's exchange rate for that day. That wasn't called a fee, but it amounted to an extra $6.00. Earlier, at an ATM at FRA, I used my other ATM card and didn't get a fee from my local bank, but I was charged 1.67% ($8) over the published rate for that day.So, you see, there are not just fees. They also pad the exchange rate, just like the old exchange counters.
Larry
CO USA Wed 09/22/2004

Shannon arrivals
FOR D's MUM: Start here...http://www.shannonairport.com./and have a good browse. Look to ground transportation.
Graham <email>
UK Wed 09/22/2004

London weather
Ben ~ you will find that you can some beautiful days in London in February. Of course it will be cold. It rarely drops below 35F. And the wind doesn't alway blow.

OH USA Wed 09/22/2004

To Sue on Paris Hotel
Try the St. Jacques at 35 rue de Ecoles. In the 5th just down the street from the Sorbonne. Close to Notre Dame and other sites. We too like the Rue Cler area but St. Jacques is possibly our favorite Paris hotel. About Euro 100 per night. www.parisplanet.com/saintjacques/english.
Tom
Atlanta, USA Wed 09/22/2004

RE: Paris hotels
Sue — I'd personally pick the Latin Quarter or the Marais way over Montmartre... Both are fun and have lots of flavor. Around Sacre Coeur it's kind of a zoo (not bad back behind it though). Rick has great recommendations in the Latin Quarter and Marais in the book. My folks stayed in one of them near all the great, cheap restaurants and LOVED it. Said it was a total oasis. Email me if you want the name — I have it written down somewhere.
Kristin <email>
Bellevue, WA USA Wed 09/22/2004

ATM fees
Martin ~ I have traveled om Europe and the UK and have never been charged a fee for using the ATM. No charge from the ATM's in UK/Europe nor from my bank here in my home town. Call around and check, even check the smaller banks, just don't try the large chain banks.
Robin <email>
Oh USA Wed 09/22/2004

Greek airline safety rating?
I saw on the FAA.gov website that Greek air carriers received a rating of 2 (instead of the top rating of 1) for safety regulations. Does anyone know whether Hellas Jet and Aegean Air meet the international safety standards?
Alfred Pitchally <email>
Albuquerque, NM USA Wed 09/22/2004

ATM TRANSACTION FEES
Martin~~~~~~You cant avoid the fee. Call your bank and ask what the fee will be when you use your ATM card in Europe~~~~. I have never had a bank charge a fee in Europe~~~~. However the bank in Moscow charged $1 for a transaction.~~~~ Whatever the fee might be, I consider it a bargain to be able to walk up to a machine on the sidewalk and withdraw local currency.~~~the fee is never posted in Europe. ~~~I have never used a teller so I don’t know if there is a fee using a debit card. I consider any fee just another travel expense.
REGINALD W.
TULSA, OK USA Wed 09/22/2004

EUROPE IN FEBRUARY
Ben,,,,the writer who tells you London is 40 F doesnt tell you that it is very humid and therefore very cold for 40F. Chill factor will be 10F when the wind blows. Take plenty of sweaters and jackets. Switzerland will be cold because of the higher altitude. Madrid will be warm because of the climate.
ALPHONSO
EL PASO, NM USA Wed 09/22/2004

Learning French...Jeanne
I would recommend browsing your local bookstore's Foreign Language section to see what's available.I have the Living Language French Complete Course. There is also a class you can take via Barnes and Noble University...It's free, via the Internet and all you need is the French Complete Course. I took a few semesters of French a few years ago, and I'm trying to brush up on my French. So I thought I'd give the B&N University a try. Also, the Pimsleur French Language series is good, too, not as good as the Living Language. I bought a Pimsleur and it was basically what I already knew. Also, a good phrasebook is a must! There are a number of good ones: French at a Glance (which you can also get with an audio CD) and Rick Steves' French Phrasebook are the two top books.Good luck!
Brandie <email>
KS USA Wed 09/22/2004

Learning Fench
Can anyone recommend a CD to learn French? I am planning to go next year and would like to learn at least a little before I go. Thanks
Jeanne <email>
Baltimore, md USA Wed 09/22/2004

Paris Hotel Needed
I'm going on the week-long ETBD tour of Paris, and we'll be staying in the Rue Cler area. I'm going to stay in Paris an additional 3 or 4 nights, and was thinking of moving to another neighborhood to capture a different flavor of Paris, but not sure where. I'm thinking of Montmartre or the Latin Quarter. Any suggestions?
Sue
Philadelphia, PA USA Wed 09/22/2004

Irelan Honeymoon
Shannon in Springfield, MA~~I would strongly consider seeing Ireland in the June thru Oct mos. We had very cold weather in May on last trip. The cost will depend on your accomodations, length of trip, etc. Compared to most of Europe we found better prices in Ireland. So many charming places to stay that were reasonably priced. Dublin is exp and could be skipped — day trip in. It will be a great wedding trip — cannot comment on Scotland yet — our next trip. When we were there in late May it was too cold, wet, & windy to go to Aran Is. Friends who went in Oct had nice weather. As they say in Ireland: you can experience four seasons in one day!
Nancy
Ga USA Wed 09/22/2004

British Airlines
We just booked tickets on BA — we have never flown BA before — Delta is usually our preference living here in ATL. They would not match the BA fare. Going through the process online of booking reserv we noticed they would not guarantee our seat assignments. We did, however, select certain seats. What chance do we have of actually getting these seats?
Susan <email>
Atl, USA Wed 09/22/2004

Ben, Paris was bitterly cold the February we were there. We ended up buying those cashmere neck scarves all the locals were wearing and it helped. We still had a great time. Venice was about the same. Italy wasn't as bad. Just take silk long underwear and layer your clothes and you will be fine. Be sure to take some kind of hat.

USA Wed 09/22/2004

Bed & Breakfasts — Staveley, Lake District
I am looking to spend a week's holiday in the Lake District in early December. Can anyone recommend any good bed & breakfasts in Staveley (just past Kendal)? I am considering staying at a B&B called Li'le Hullets http://www.lilehullets.co.uk which looks nice, has anyone stayed here, or for that matter, anywhere else in Staveley? If so then I'd appreciate your advice.
Victor Haines <email>
Liverpool, UK Wed 09/22/2004

Baltics/St. Petersburg
Can anyone recommend any guides or small tours traveling to Baltics and on to St. Petersburg July 05?
Anne <email>
Portland, OR USA Tue 09/21/2004

ATM transaction fees
I have heard that banks are charging transaction fees to use their ATM's.Are there any caveats in choosing a bank to exchange money on their ATM's to get the best rate? I don't suspose the fee is posted (If bank is closed)We will be traveling in Germany, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein.Is a fee charged if you go to a teller and use your debit card as opposed to a ATM? Maybe the fee is a necessary evil that cant be avoided.We have used ATM's on previous trips but I cant recall bank fees being a real isue. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Martin <email>
Livermore, Ca USA Tue 09/21/2004

Weather in London
Ben ~ the average temperature for London in February is 40F. Doesn't drop below 35F in the winter.

Oh USA Tue 09/21/2004

Europe in February. Help !
HELP!! Whats Europe like in February? I have looked at various weather sites, but I am getting some confusing answers.I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the following places in particularLondonPragueSwitzerlandMadridAs well, do you know of any websites that you have found to have good informatin on this subject?Im used to the cold, but Im wondering about daylight, museum hours, etc. Any insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks as always
Ben
Toronto, ON Canada Tue 09/21/2004

Bus from Coimbra to Salamanca
I have the 2004 edition of Rick's Spain-Portugal guidebook. It says there is a 5 hr bus available from Coimbra to Salamanca (leaving at 10:15 am, Mon, Fri, Sat), but I saw a post here, dated May, 2004, that said "4.5 hour bus ride from Coimbra to Salamanca was not available, and ours took over 7 hours (not direct)". I would like to know if anyone has any other knowledge of this — is Rick's book correct or not? (and how much is the bus fare?) I would be travelling Coimbra to Salamanca on a Friday this November. Thanks in advance!
Chris <email>
Victoria, BC Canada Tue 09/21/2004

LUGGAGE
Jane and Clyde: I would take your backpacks and the rolling bags. Call the airlines and ask what you can take on board. Also ask about the return flight because airport rules vary in Europe. It is not too much to use on a Rick Steves tour.
HAMILTON H.
BILOXI, MISS USA Tue 09/21/2004

Luggage
After driving Europe 3 times with Rick's books we picked a 17 day Italy tour next. The old rolling bags 21x14 need to be replaced and we are considering 22x14x9 rolling carry-ons, but are wondering if we should also carry a chivita type daypack. Will airlines allow two carry-ons of this type? We are flying Delta/Alitalia. Also isthis combination of bags too much to use on a Rick Steves Tour?
Jane & Clyde Wentz <email>
Atlanta NE Metro, GA USA Tue 09/21/2004

honeymoon in Ireland
I am starting to plan my wedding that wont take place for about 1 1/2 or 2 years from now and my fiance and I have always wanted to go to Ireland and Scotland. I would like to know if there is a best time to go to Ireland and how expensive it would be to do a honeymoon there?
Shannon M Mcleish <email>
Springfield, MA USA Tue 09/21/2004

Italy Itinerary Recommendations?
Hi,I'm heading to Italy in October for about 10 days, arriving and departing from Rome. I will be traveling alone and would like to visit Cinque Terre, but was wondering if anyone has other recommendations for must-sees or places to stay & visit between Rome and Cinque Terre, accessible via train or bus.Thank you!
Nikol <email>
San Diego, CA USA Tue 09/21/2004

Medical Insurance in France
June....check this page for information: www.travelinsurancehouse.com/europe.
Mandy L.
Westchester, NY USA Tue 09/21/2004

CAR RENTAL
Jerry~~~~~~I have rented and bought cars in Europe.~~~~ You will need a sticker for the autobahn in Switzerland and maybe Austria~~~~~. Ask when you take your car~~~~~~ You can always buy the sticker as you enter the autobahn. ~~~~~~ Be sure to request a diesel ; you don’t always get one, but be persistent~~~~. Any car larger than an economy model is too big to drive in town. ~~~~ It is safe to hide your luggage under the cover as long as it is out of sight.~~~put some old newspapers over them if not covered.~~~ Don’t leave anything visible inside your car when you leave it.
ANDREW C
ST LOUIS, MO USA Tue 09/21/2004

WINTER TRAVEL
Jen .....if you are driving, advice is difficult to give because roads differ in each country you list. IF you are traveling by train, you will find travel slower because of rain or snow. Weather is impossible to predict and varies with the altitude. If you will be in the Alps, you will find it cold in November. My wife and I have traveled in the fall several times; we always take sweaters, jackets, gloves, raincoats and umbrellas.
ARMANDO Z.
CHICAGO, IL USA Tue 09/21/2004

LONG FLIGHTS
Gail... It is a good idea to wear support hose and pantyhose when you fly. I always do.
BETTY JANE M
RENO, NM USA Tue 09/21/2004

Winter lodging in Sorrento
My family of 7 will be traveling to Italy in February 2005. We plan to stay in the Sorrento area for several nights in late February but we are having a difficult time finding accomodations open that time of year. Does anyone have any suggestions or know of a good place open that time of year? Grazie!
Lisa Segerstrom <email>
Seattle, WA USA Tue 09/21/2004

Hotel Krannenturm
I would definitely recommend the Hotel Krannenturm in Bacharach. The hotel is right next to the train tracks, which I imagine is what the bad review was about, but it's really not that bad. It's very rustic, and sitting on the balcony sipping a crisp Rhine wine is one of the greatest pleasures I've had in my 7 years in Europe. The owner's wife, Fatima, is a Filipina lady, and is one of the most "intense" people you'll ever meet, but she's very helpful and adds to the charm. And what a breakfast spread!

If the train bothers you too much, another good option is the Pensione Letti, which is a few doors up the street. Letti is also a Filipina, speaks perfect English (used to work for the US Army in Germany), and is extremely sweet. And her breakfast is amazing too.

Overall, Bacharach is truly a hidden gem. RS recommends a gastehaus (whose name escapes me) in the town center which does a good wine tasting special. We did it during our last stay there and enjoyed it immensely (although I still think Italian wine has no equal...). If you go to Bacharach, by all means — buy Rick Steve's book! I wouldn't do a trip there without it.
Rik Thibodeau <email>
Vicenza, Italy Tue 09/21/2004

Long Flights
I know it's a good idea to walk every hour on long flights. Is it also a good idea to wear support socks or pantyhose?
Gail Bradley <email>
Buffalo Grove, IL USA Tue 09/21/2004

Ireland
BAsed on Rick's recommendation, we stayed at Ardawn B&B in Galway. After spending two nights there waiting for a chance to go to the Aran Islands, we decided to head back to Dublin early for our flight home. It had rained so hard that we could not get to the Islands. When we asked if we could check out early, we were told that we would still be charged for the next night. Even though, we explained that we could not see the Islands, and had seen everything in Galway. It was not like we had stiffed them. We had already stayed there. Well, they refused our request, and charged us for that night.

I also question Rick's description of "classy" for this B&B. The place was run down, and the breakfast was fine if all you wanted was toast. Compared with some of the other B&Bs, eg. Greenmount house in Dingle, this place was not classy, and was way out of its league. Walking around in the rain, we saw other B&Bs which were much nicer looking, and we recommend that you avoid Ardawn B&B, and stay elsewhere.
Taylor
OH USA Tue 09/21/2004

Winter Travel
My husband&I are going to europe for three weeks in November,and I'm having a hard time of finding info on winter travel. We are going to Amsterdam,Germany,Italy&France. If anyone has any good info please let me know.thank you,Jen.N
Jen.N <email>
sacramento, CA USA Mon 09/20/2004

Backpack safety in hostels
Joe, I never had problems leaving my backpack on my bed. the key is keeping all your money, cc, and valubles in your money belt and with you at all times. Even if someone tries to look inside it all there will be is dirty clothes. And who wants to steal dirty clothes? Some hostels have lockers, but most dont. for the most part as long as there is nothing flashing hanging out of your backpack most people wont even bother taking a second look at it. Have fun.
jen
euless, tx USA Mon 09/20/2004

Hotel Help-Kranenturm
There was a not favorable review on the Hotel Kranenturm in Bacharach....which we have an upcoming reservation for. Can anyone that has stayed there give us more on the place?
Wendi Higginbotham <email>
Renton, wa USA Mon 09/20/2004

Car rental
We would like to travel Austria, Germany, Netherlands, and Switzerland from Oct. 17-27. We would like to rent a diesel economy car if possible. Suggestions please. Does anyone know if we need special road tax or permits to drive in those countries?? If so can we get them at the car rental place?? or where do we obtain them?? Is it safe to keep suitcases under the boot cover in a small hatchback car?? THANKS, Jerry
Jerry Toews <email>
Goessel, Kansas USA Mon 09/20/2004

Airfare to Rome
What is the average price for airfare from New York to Rome Italy?
Lee <email>
Dunmore, PA USA Mon 09/20/2004

USAir Tickets
I've got my fingers crossed too, with tickets for November. I've received reassuring emails from USair, but you never know. They currently have no plans to cancel flights. If they go out of business, your miles are still good at their partner airlines and other businesses. More info available at: http://www.transformingusairways.com
Sue
Philadelphia, PA USA Mon 09/20/2004

What about my USAir purchased tickets?
My husband and I hold tickets on USAir (paid for with a credit card) for February 2005. In addition to this, we applied hard-won frequent flier point to upgrad both tickets, both ways to busines class. Other than "sit tight, and see what happens" does anyone have any suggestions?
Delia Klingbeil <email>
Jamestown, ri USA Mon 09/20/2004

medical insurance in France
I am looking for medical insurance for my visit to France. I would appreciate the name of a company you have used and had good luck with.
June Lindholm <email>
Lake Wylie, SC USA Mon 09/20/2004

IRELAND — FEBRUARY
My daughter (26) and I are flying to Shannon in February — using a home base with day trips to outlying areas. Perhaps Galway area or Cork as homebase. Nope, not driving, want to rely on local tours or guides or local bus transport. Ok if we dont see everything.Any comments about local guides or the Galway, Cork, or other areas? And places to stay?Thanks in advance.
D's Mom
MA USA Mon 09/20/2004

Nightlife in Amsterdam? Help!
A few friends and I are planning a whirlwind 24-hour side trip to Amsterdam in October. We are looking for places that are open all night, either nightclubs or cafes. If anyone has any good suggestions, please email me! Thanks!
Allison <email>
Canada Mon 09/20/2004

TRAINS IN CENTRAL EUROPE
Jana.....I mis-spelled the address; it should be www.raileurope.com.
ALEXANDRIA
HOBOKEN, NJ USA Sun 09/19/2004

LUXEMBOURG
Kathy.......go to www.google.com and ask for “Luxembourg Attractions” or “Luxembourg Sights” and you will find lots of places to go. One day was plenty of time for me.
RUVINOWITZ
METRO, MA USA Sun 09/19/2004

BARCELONA TO GRANADA
Felix......call 1 800 248 7245 and talk with an agent. Ask your questions and learn all you need to know about rail travel in Spain.
TRIVIASTE
URBANA, IL USA Sun 09/19/2004

buying extra seats
Vicki......call your airline and ask.

USA Sun 09/19/2004

Where are the finest restaurants?
Crissy~~~~~you will find fine restaurants everywhere, just as you do here. Go to the Tourist Information Office at the rail station or airport and ask.
tu
USA Sun 09/19/2004

TRAINS IN CENTRAL EUROPE
Jana go to www.raileuope.com and click on “Fares and Schedules” in the left column. You can find point-to-point fares for any two cities. I find point-to-point tickets cheaper. Budapest to Krakow for instance is $93 first class and $64 second class. Travel time is 10 ½ hours. Knowing what I know about train travel I would buy first class tickets and know that I can sleep. I doubt you will be comfortable in second class. You wont need to buy tickets in advance. Do it at the station when you are ready to travel. That way, you can be flexible in your travel.
ALEXANDRIA P.
HOBOKEN, NJ USA Sun 09/19/2004

DRIVING IN EUROPE
Don: since I have rented and bought cars in Europe since 1989 I can advise you. In Germany stay in the right lane except to pass on the autobahn. In Switzerland you must have a sticker on your windshield to drive on the autobahn. Begin by searching the web for the home page of the rental companies you consider. Search for a toll free phone number and call for information about renting a car for the countries you expect to drive in.. I usually fly into Frankfurt because auto rental is cheaper there. Ask questions of the agent about size of auto and space for luggage. If there are only two of you, I suggest a compact because narrow roads and streets and limited parking spaces make one desireable. Rent a diesel because you get better mileage and fuel costs less per litre.

Most towns have parking lots marked with a big blue sign with a “P” on it. When you can find them, use parking garages over parking lots. Never leave anything of value in your car overnight. During the day I usually cover my luggage or ice chest or anything with old newspapers if it is visible. Keep your car from looking like a tourist car.
RANDY
WACO, TX USA Sun 09/19/2004

Bruges Accommodation
Allison, last spring we stayed at Astrid's B & B and highly recommend it. The owner is a most gracious and lovely young woman, the room was 60 Euros per night for two and included a wonderful breakfast — freshly boiled egg as well as bread, cheese, ham, yogurt, cereal, juice, etd. It is about a 10 minute walk from the Burg or Markt square. The website is http://astrid.v3.be/ Give it a look. Let me know if I can be of any help.
Rex <email>
Decatur, GA USA Sun 09/19/2004

Brussels
I am staying in a hotel near Brussels Gare du Midi for two nights. But I have heard that the area around Gare du Midi is not very safe. What is the situation there and should I stay in another part of the city?

USA Sun 09/19/2004

Driving in Europe
We will be renting a car for our trip to Germany, Switzerland and Austria in mid October. We are experienced travelers, but have never rented a car in Europe. None of the guide books that we have seen provides any details on locations of car parks, tolls and other relevant information about driving in Europe. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Don <email>
Fort Lauderdale, FL USA Sun 09/19/2004

Help! Urgent! Trains in Central Europe
I am leaving for Central Europe in 10 days and I can't decide whether to buy a 1st class europass, a 2nd class or no pass at all. Help me! My concerns: safety, minimum comfort for 2 night trips. Do you guys think I could do 2nd class and sleep? Is it worth to buy tickets one by one, or maybe pay 1st class suplement only when I need to? The night trips will be Budapest-Krakow-Prague. Thanks a lot!
Jana Borges <email>
New York, NY USA Sun 09/19/2004

Wheelchair rental in England (flying into Gatwick)
Please help! I need to rent a wheelchair when we travel to England in 2 weeks. So far, the only place I have found to do so is a limo service, and the wheelchair rental must be in conjunction with their transportation service which we are not using (we are going with a large group, so transportation has already been arranged). I don't have any idea how to do this. I hate to buy one just to take over, but I may have to. Does anyone have any info on the "wheelchair in a bag"? How about pushing it long distances for sightseeing, etc.. Please help!! I'm getting desperate!!! Thanks so much. Private email great!!
Mary <email>
Atlanta, GA USA Sun 09/19/2004

Where are the finest resturants
Where are the finest resturants to dine at?
Crissy <email>
San Bernardino, CA USA Sun 09/19/2004

Cotswolds
Susan ~ have you thought about Broadway or Bourton on the Water?They are both beautiful and cozy villages.
Robyn <email>
Oh USA Sun 09/19/2004

Hotel Miramare — Positano, IT
Does anyone have any experience with this hotel? It is not listed in Rick's book but it has gotten some great reviews on the net. Also, has anyone stayed at the Hotel Marincanto which is listed in Rick's book. I am trying to decide between these two hotels for our stay on the Amalfi coast. Thanks!
Bob <email>
Springdale, AR USA Sun 09/19/2004

Cotswolds
We are planning to be in the Cotswolds May 05 and only have three nights/days there. we are looking for a really charming and centrally located village in order to hike & explore the various little towns. have stayed in stowe previouly but want to experience something new. The possibilities are Stanton, Chipping Campden, Winchcombe, Bibury, or Guiting Power. Any advice? Appreciate your comments! We will be driving and also interested in hiking & seeing gardens.
Susan <email>
Atl, USA Sun 09/19/2004

Buying extra seats
We are a family of three looking to travel to Europe in the spring and would like to purchase an extra seat for the additional room. Can this be done?
Vicki <email>
New Boston, MI USA Sun 09/19/2004

Skiing in December
My husband and I are wanting to take a few days while in Europe to ski the first part of December. Almost any country would be fine. Can anyone recommend someplace that is relatively easy to get to from an airport, good intermediate skiing, decent nightlife, charming scenery, and a spa would be a great plus. We have traveled Europe quite a bit in the summer but this will be our first winter escape. Thanks!
Lise <email>
Orlando, FL USA Sun 09/19/2004

Madge — shoes for Europe
I have foot and knee problems, and I like to walk a lot when travelling. I wore a pair of Merrell Reflex shoes for a month in Europe in April this year. They were the best yet, and I have worn other good shoes for travelling. The Merrells look sporty — they are designed for light hiking and have a hiking-type sole — but for comfort and stability can't be beat. If you need more support, Merrell has a high-top hiking boot that looks about the same. I got mine at REI (sporting goods store). If you want a plain black good quality comfortable shoe, try Hush Puppies.
Swan
CA USA Sun 09/19/2004

Shoes
Madge ~ try with Clarks or Merrell's, have worn both. Both are very confortable.

Oh USA Sat 09/18/2004

Cruise stop tips
On a whim yesterday, booked 17-day MSC repositioning cruise out of Genoa to Barcelona, Casablanca, Funchal to the Caribbean. Anxious for tips on best sites in Genoa/good restaurants, tours of Barcelona for cruisers w/not much time — bus tours? Also, what is the best & worst to do in Casablanca & Funchal?
Bonnie <email>
St. Louis, MO USA Sat 09/18/2004

Barcelona to Granada
I will be in Spain in December 2004 and I was hoping to take the night train (TRENHOTEL) from Barcelona to Granada. The schedule on www.renfe.es lists the TRENHOTEL only through Nov 25. The site www.bahn.de does not provide any information beyond what I found on www.renfe.es. Does anyone know how I can find out if there will be night trains from Barcelona to Granada in December?Another option I have is to fly Iberia airlines. Are there other options for travel from Barcelona to Granada?
Felix <email>
Redondo Beach, CA USA Sat 09/18/2004

Transportation
We fly into Shannon airport & do not want to rent a car to drive to Lisdoonvarna. What type of transportation can we take.
Kendra <email>
Omaha, NE USA Sat 09/18/2004

Armistice Day in Paris
Does anyone know what's open, what's closed on Armistice Day in Paris — November 11? Is there a parade?
Ellen Melinkoff <email>
Los Angeles, CA USA Sat 09/18/2004

How to report fraud in Prague
I just returned from Prague, which was lovely. The last night I was there, I was charged a 14% "tax" on dinner, which I'm pretty certain was fraudulent. We asked about the charge, and then to see the manager, but were told he wouldn't be in until the next day. We put it on our credit card in order to be able to dispute the charge. I don't even care about the money (it was about 7 dollars), it's the principle. I'd like to report the restaurant, but I'm not sure where the appropriate place is to do so. I saved copies of the bill and I'm willing to take some time to see this through. Thanks!
Pamela <email>
Tucson, AZ USA Sat 09/18/2004

Luxembourg
I am going to Trier, Germany for the day in October and was curious about going to Luxembourg for the day or two. Any suggestions on where to go. I only have two days and then go onto Heidelberg. Thanks for you help.
Kathy <email>
Portland, OR USA Sat 09/18/2004

WINTER DRIVING IN AUSTRIA
L Mugele.....You can count on some of the roads being closed, but don’t let that deter you. Predicting weather in winter for a specific location is impossible. Just be flexible and move on when a road is snowed in. You can always come back a week later and get through. I have driven through the Alps several times in winter and never had severe weather or major changes in my plans.
ARISTOTLEZ
CAMDEN, NJ USA Sat 09/18/2004

Travelers with Disabilities
What about Traveler's with Disabilities?? Not a word in Rick's newest London and GB guidebooks. I have browsed the archives here, but would appreciate any help you guys might have about traveling in a wheelchair in England and Wales.Thanks, private email great!
Grammie2Maddie <email>
Atlanta, GA USA Fri 09/17/2004

Comfy shoes for broken leg
Help please! Unfortunately, I was in a head on collision in June, terrible break in left leg, major surgery and am hoping to go to England/Wales 10/1 on a long planned trip. I know there are LOTS of posts about good shoes, but, really, can someone give me specific help? What do you recommend? Also, I have a history of plantar fasciitis! Definitely not TEVA's for me, but something very, very comfy!Thanks so much, and private email is great!
Madge <email>
Atlanta, GA USA Fri 09/17/2004

Hotel Valley in Milan e-mail address?
Can anybody verify the e-mail address for Hotel Valley in Milan? hotelvalley@virgilio.it ? I cant seem to find any info on it other than in RS guide. All e-mails sent to that address come back undeliberable. Is the hotel still there?
LM <email>
Los Angeles, CA USA Fri 09/17/2004

Winter Driving in Austria?
Hi,We're planning a driving trip through Austria, Switzerland and Southern Germany in mid-January. Can anyone give us a guess on the likelyhood of snow closed roads? We are particularly concerned about roads to the Interaplen-Hotel which is at high altitude. Thanks in advance.
L. Mugele <email>
Glen Ellen, CA USA Fri 09/17/2004

On a whim.... Rome
On a whim, I decided to start my traveling early. It will be my 6th wedding anniversary, and decide to book a trip to Rome. Eight days, found a great deal on Expedia.com for the flight and hotel. It's the Borromini, haven't read any comments about it, but was hoping someone here has some experience with it. It looks very interesting and nice, and have read some good reviews. Will be ordering a money belt, and taking my guide books (Rome, Italian Phrases) with me!!!
Jeff Aurigemma <email>
Port Saint Lucie, FL USA Wed 09/15/2004

rooms in Siena
Jim in Charlotte~~~We were in Siena in may & had a room in the Duomo hotel that had to be the noisiest room I have ever slept in. I certainly cannot recommend it nor would it be 60E. However, we met a couple who were staying in a convent. They loved it and said it was nice, quiet, clean, & overlooked the countryside. Wish I caould tell you more but if we ever go back there I will definitely look for the convent. Siena is very busy & very loud at night. Do not think quiet & relaxing! Some prefer to daytrip it in to Siena. We did have some great meals there. Also if you are driving in be sure to ask which "PORTA" you should enter to get close to your hotel — we were not told by our hotel that there are 7 — it was a nightmare getting in. You unload your luggage & then go to a carpark outside the walls.Good luck & have a great trip!
Susan <email>
Atl, USA Fri 09/17/2004

Elena — concerns about Europe
Dear Elena, Regarding your concerns on going to France and Italy, I cannot address Italy, but in France, do not be prepared for the worst, but expect the best. You will easily find it. The French don't seem to care what you look like, your color or shade, your origins, your education. One French/Canadien writer wrote that the French approve of nothing but condone everything. That is partly true for they seem to have a great capacity to appreciate various peoples. You will see that in Paris. And you will see contempt for those who seem not to have a sense of dignity.

Wear your ancestry proudly but remember you are in their country and they see you through their culture and their standards of behavior. Proper behavior is everything. It costs nothing, requires no special education or circumstances of birth, or physical beauty. It requires only a concern for the feelings of others.
Harvey
IL USA Fri 09/17/2004

MADRID TO PARIS BY AIR
Harvey G;;;best source for discount air fares are europebyair.com and applefares.com. I have found that by being flexible in my dates I can get fares on both of these. I often try four or five different dates to get seats to where I want to go. I flew from Moscow to Tallinn for $99 one way on europebyair and again from Athens to Milan for $99 one way. Applefares often has fares at much less. Sometimes you have to SCHEDULE through a city in between your departure and arrival city in order to get the fare.
CHANDEORZ
LITTLE ROCK, AR USA Fri 09/17/2004

LATE ARRIVAL IN MILAN
LM......I have arrived in Milan several times and always take the bus to the train station in town and go to another town to find housing. If you are going to Venice, to there for a room. We stayed in Mestre, a little town 5 minutes by train west of Venice and much cheaper. Day trips from there to Venice are easily made.

Milan and Venice are very expensive and unless you are going to see the attractions there you might as well go somewhere else and look for a room .... I always visit the RR station Tourist Information Office in any town and ask for a room in my price range. They will find one for you in the part of town you choose and tell you how to get there.
ADRIENNE
DALLAS, TX USA Fri 09/17/2004

ZURICH ACCOMMODATION
ADRIENNE.....If you want good and clean and cheap thats pretty hard to find. When I look for cheap accommodations I always choose hostels. I have stayed in many around the world from Thailand to Finland and all in between. In Zurich I suggest Hostel Zurich, 114 Mutschellenstr, email: zuerich@youthhostel.ch. Rooms for 2 are about $35. I always email for availability on my dates and confirm the cost. Ask for confirmation by email.
MARY ANNE
BOSTON, MA USA Fri 09/17/2004

BACKPACK SAFETY IN HOSTELS
Joe~~~~~I have stayed in over 13 hostels in Europe and every one has different storage facilities....I suggest you choose your hostel based on location and facilities..... Some have private rooms with bath and others don’t . ..... When you check in ask about storage of your luggage while you are gone. Most of the units we have used furnish a locked storage room adjacent to the desk on the first floor. In some cases we could leave it in our room and lock it if we didn’t want it cleaned. I suggest that method if you can.
ANDREWS
WHITE PLAINS, NJ USA Fri 09/17/2004

Rooms in Siena
Looking for a place to stay in Siena, Italy for about 60 euro for two. Traveling by train. Found rooms in Venice and Florence in this price range.
Jim <email>
Charlotte, N.C. USA Fri 09/17/2004

Gatwick to Avebury
Susan: I tried sending you an e-mail note, but it bounced back. According to www.mappy.com, driving time from Gatwick to Avebury in "normal" traffic conditions is around two hours. The sugested route is on major roads and takes you close to Heathrow.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Fri 09/17/2004

Driving from Gatwick to Stonehenge
We plan to be in England next May. It seems that we will have to fly into Gatwick. We have driven to Bath from Heathrow and it was fairly easy. Has anyone rented a car at GW and driven to Stonehenge/Avebury/Bath and how much longer is the drive than one from HR? It seems that there will be many small towns with roundabouts to lengthen driving time. The main roads do not allow experiencing the charm of the villages but are the quick route.
Susan <email>
Atl, USA Fri 09/17/2004

Help
I want to travel from Rome to Belgium by train, but I do not know where to get the train in Rome.
Jacob Okonkwo <email>
Rome, Rome Italy Fri 09/17/2004

Backpack safety in hostels
We are traveling for the first time where we are staying in hostels in Eastern Europe. What is the best way to safeguard our backpacks when we go out during the day?
Joe <email>
Nashua, NH USA Fri 09/17/2004

Jerez to Malaga
What is the cheapest way to get from Jerez to Malaga?
Adrienne <email>
Christchurch, NZ Fri 09/17/2004

Zurich to Malaga
What is the cheapest way to get from Zurich to Malaga?
Adrienne <email>
Christchurch, NZ Fri 09/17/2004

Zurich accommodation
Can anyone recommend good,clean, cheap accommodation in Zurich?
Adrienne <email>
Christchurch, NZ Fri 09/17/2004

Late arrival in Milan. Stay in Milan or try luck in another town?
Will be going to Milan in March of 2005. Arriving around 7:35 PM local time. Good place to stay in Milan? or is it better to take the train to a close by town and spend the night there? We plan to head to Venice the day after our arrival in Milan.
LM <email>
Los Angeles, CA USA Thu 09/16/2004

Working in Europe?
I have always wondered how hard would it be to get a job in Europe. I have openly looked for positions of all sorts in the UK but I don't know what the rules are. Can anyone help me get some clarification?
Georgian E <email>
Merritt Island, FL USA Thu 09/16/2004

Christmas in Sicily?
Has anyone been to Sicily over the Christmas period? Wondering if it's a good time to go, or if anything outside the cities is all closed up for the winter?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Julie <email>
Tahoe City, Ca. USA Thu 09/16/2004

Madrid to Paris by air
Easy Jet has Barcelona to Orly service. I'm unsure about Madrid flights. Punch in the airline name on your search engine. We flew them from Marseilles to Paris for considerably less than the TVG, but we booked well in advance.
Harvey G
IL USA Thu 09/16/2004

Italy in May
Erica in Scranton,PA~~~We were in Italy in May and yes, it was somewhat crowded but you will have a great time anyway. We did not use Eurail pass and purchased train tickets to CT in Rome at An AE office I think. Rome in 2 1/2 days will be tight but not impossible. Roman Forum, Pantheon, Coliseum are must sees. Trevi Fountain & Spanish steps are walk by sights. Browsing alon Via Condotti is fun and there are many wonderful churches to see. Capuchin Crypts on Piazza Barbarini were closed when we were there for restorations. You will probably not make it to outside of town. Vatican will take half a day. Borghese Gallery is wonderful too. The Forum is awesome! Enjoy!
Susan <email>
Ga USA Thu 09/16/2004

Prague — Short-term Apartment
I'll be in Prague over the Xmas holidays and would like to stay in an apartment. Does anyone know of a reputable company that can assist with arrangments? There are many firms listed on Internet, but that seems quite random.
jeffrey <email>
chicago, il USA Thu 09/16/2004

Spain/Portugal Border Crossing
What is the best way to travel by bus or train across the southern border of Spain & Portugal? We have 1 rental car in Spain, and another in Portugal to avoid a huge drop fee, but need to get across the border by public transportation.
Kathi W <email>
Monterey, CA USA Thu 09/16/2004

OVER AGE 70 AUTO RENTAL
Phyllis~~~~~I am over 70 and never had a problem renting a car. I think the rental agencies place the age restriction and not the country. I always call the rental agencies and talk with the agent about the countries I will drive into and also my age. Look at the agency web page and get the toll free number ; call and talk with the agent.
ANDERSON
RENO, NV USA Thu 09/16/2004

Allison, re:Bruges Accomodations
Allison, Bruges is really small, any place inside the walls is close enought. I haven't stayed at any of these, but would have stayed at Adornes if they hadn't been full.
Liz K <email>
PA USA Thu 09/16/2004

May Italy Travel
I was wondering about travel in Italy in early May. My husband and I are planning a trip and was wondering is it really crowded? Will we have to reserve trains even though we are using a eurail pass? We are just curious. Also what is a good plan to see Rome. What are the palces to skip and what are must see? We only have 2 1/2 days there. Thank you so much!
Erica <email>
Scranton, PA USA Thu 09/16/2004

GPRS phones
GPRS cell phones will not work in europe or UK as they run on a different frequency than US phones. The only way to use them both places is to have a triband...and then pay roaming charges unless you can get an unlocked phone and purchase a sim card in the country you are visiting.
Kathy <email>
Portland, OR USA Wed 09/15/2004

Dana in FL-please email me
Dana in Brandon, FL I am visiting the Cotswolds in 3 weeks and would love some advise...for some reason I cannot email you directly . Would you mind emailing me at smartblonde@verizon.net so I could ask you some questions.Thanks Kathy
Kathy Hotz <email>
Portland, OR USA Wed 09/15/2004

Trier & Saarbrucken
Hi, I'm going to germany in October and will be on the west central side. Someone suggested I visit Trier and Saarbrucken....does anyone else have any opinion or visited? What about visiting Luxembourg for a day outing?
Kathy Hotz <email>
Portland, OR USA Wed 09/15/2004

Paris at Christmas/New Year
My 50th birthday is December 29th- Should I go to Paris to celebrate? Will museums, restaurants be open? Will lodging be available and affordable? Any travel dates better or worse- thanks for feedback!
Mary Coppinger <email>
Denver, CO USA Wed 09/15/2004

Railpass
Jason ~ I know that when you want to reserve a seat or a sleeping car there is a fee even if you have a rail pass.

Oh USA Wed 09/15/2004

Train travel
I bought a railpass and I've planned my itinerary. I 've noticed on some of the train schedules it has "Z-supplementary charge" Do I have to pay this even though I have a railpass?
Justin <email>
redondo beach, ca USA Wed 09/15/2004

Overnight trains
What are we doing? I keep seeing these websites being recommended. Has anyone actually used them?
Railpass.com only sells rail passes. P-P prices are for reference only.Alleuroperail has only a few select trains P-P, nothing Milan to Frankfurt, night trains are only to/from Paris.
Railtrains has no night trains, at least from Milan to Frankfurt or Munich to Venice.Rail Europe did not have night trains on either route.
The know of only two sites for night trains. www.nachtzugreise.de covers all the night trains in Europe, some have online tickets. Unfortunately, it is in German, but it is fairly intuative. Email me if you need help.
www.citynightline.de has six lines. All start or end in Amsterdam or Zürich. Their website is in German, but the order part is in English.
Larry <email>
CO USA Wed 09/15/2004

Lake Orta
Hello! I'm going to Lake Orta (Piedmont region) in Italy in two weeks (to get married) and I was wondering if there is anyone who's been there and has recommendations on restaurants, sightseeing, etc..? Thanks!
Melissa <email>
Los Angeles, CA USA Wed 09/15/2004

5Terre off season
I've been in Monterosso late October and mid-April in the past couple of years. Some businesses that cater to summer activities like swimming, sun-bathing, etc. do close down for the winter. I would expect some good gelato to be available in some places. Some hotels are open all year (Meuble Agavi for example). Obviously some businesses stay open for local residents. Some restaurants close. The weather can be stormy (some locals move inland for the winter). I loved being there off-season and didn't mind the storminess in April. Things are more relaxed and the scenery doesn't go away. It is definitely less crowded. Ciao.

USA Wed 09/15/2004

over age 70 auto rental restriction
Concerning age limits for car rentals (over 70 years) which countries in Western Europe deny rental to persons over this age?
Phyllis Rizzi <email>
San Francisco, CA USA Wed 09/15/2004

Arriving by air in Naples
Unlike almost every other city in Italy, Ricks "Italy 2004" has nothing about arriving in Naples by air and getting to the main train station. There must be bus service. Can anyone tell me what bus, when and where. Molto grazie!
Gerald Gabel <email>
Victoria, BC Canada Wed 09/15/2004

restaurants
Any word about Venetian ristorantes,"Alle Zattere", or "da Gianni"(for Giudecca water view) or Trattoria Montin, all in Dorso- duro?
Dale Mills <email>
Atlanta, Ga USA Wed 09/15/2004

Bray, Ireland
Does anyone know of a great B&B in Bray, Ireland or srounding towns? I am leaving for Ireland in November and would greatly appreciate any suggestions!
Mark Newton <email>
Norhern California, Ca USA Tue 09/14/2004

Off-season in Cinque Terra
We are trying to plan a short Italian honeymoon between 12/6 and 12/13. We'd love to visit the Cinque Terra but would like info on the "off season" in this region. Are restaurants, bars, shops, and gelaterias still open?Any advice would be appreciated!!
Rebecca <email>
Denver, CO USA Wed 09/15/2004

Bruges Accomodations
I am absolutely torn between three different Bruges hotels. I found all of them in RS Guide and ach one has it's perks.
Hotel Cordoneanier is the cheapest (75 Euro/night) and is 100 yards away from the city market,
Hotel Patrius is more central and has great reviews per other websites but is 100 Euro per night.
And, finally, Hotel Adornes is the farthest away from the city market but is ON a canal across from a bridge (corny but this is my first Euro trip and it's so quintecentially Euro), but it's 95 Euro per night (they also have free bicycle rental).
Any helpful reviews? And, is it better to be on a canal for ambiance or more central for convenience? Thank you for your help.
Allison <email>
Lenexa, KS USA Wed 09/15/2004

Füssen to Garmisch
You can find schedules on Bahn.de. There are a number of buses between Füssen and Garmisch. They take a little over 2 hours! You can take the bus to Reutte in Tirol and the train from there to Garmish. The total time is about 2 1/2 hours. The trip by train through the Tirol from Reutte to Garmisch is very scenic.
Larry <email>
CO USA Wed 09/15/2004

PickPocket info
I found this site which offers an insight to pickpockets, etc..http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/notes/general/phyllis_pickpockets.htm
Den <email>
Monona, Wi USA Wed 09/15/2004

OVERNIGHT TRAINS
Bill Latham~~~~~~check these web pages for rail SCHEDULE AND FARES information: railpass.com/ticket, alleuroperail.com, railtrains.com, or raileurope.com. You are not covering too much ground if you take the night trains because that will save your travel time.
DELLINGHAM
FRENTICE, CA USA Wed 09/15/2004

Christmas in Ireland
Jill~~~~do a google.com search for each hotel or B&B for email addresses and write to each one to ask if they close for Christmas. There will always be some open; I wouldnt change my plans if you really want to go at Christmas. I have done a lot of travel in Europe during the fall and winter and never failed to find restaurants and hotels open.
RIBBONZ
NORMAN, OK USA Wed 09/15/2004

BRUSSELS ROOM
LGG....Last year my wife and I spent 4 days in the New Generation Hostel in Brussels, 4 Reu de l’Elephant, email: brussels.europe@laj.be.>>>>> Room for 2 $36 a night with breakfast.>>>>>> You might also try these hostels: Jaques Brel, brussels.brel@laj.be, Hostel Bruegel, jeugdherberg.bruegel@pint.be.>>>> Before we left I emailed for a reservation and received confirmation by email.
RUDOLPHO
CLAYTON, MO USA Wed 09/15/2004

Meeting Place in Munich
A friend and I will be meeting a third member of our group in Munich. We arrive 5 hours before he does, so we are going to kill some time before we meet him. I would like to know if there is a decent bar/waiting area in the Munich Hbf or if we should try to meet elsewhere? It will be about 2pm.
Matt <email>
Madison, WI USA Wed 09/15/2004

TRAIN CONNECTIONS
Ed....don’t worry about the time between trains...try your best to make the connection. I had that problem in Switzerland every day for a full week in traveling to several other towns. I always assume I can make the connection and I missed only one train. Another came along in 20 minutes and we got on it. I found moving to the door before the train stops helped me get off and run for the next platform. Be sure to ask the RR clerk to print a computer itinerary for you so you know the train numbers, places of change and departure times for all trains you plan to take every day. I suggest you think positively.
ALEXANDER
DETROIT, MI USA Wed 09/15/2004

Paris
We will be in Paris on new years eve, will we need to make any reservations now for things to do or can we do it when we get in France.
Tim Cardinal <email>
Burlington twp, NJ USA Wed 09/15/2004

Fussen to Garmisch?
Is there a bus from Fussen to Garmisch? I found a train but it takes 3 hours...
Amanda Ellison <email>
Boulder, CO USA Wed 09/15/2004

Brussels room
Looking for good accomodations in Brussels — preferably a Hostel or B&B.
LGG <email>
ok USA Tue 09/14/2004

Credit care vs. cash
Paula ~ you will get a better exchange rate if you use your credit card at the hotel and other places that take credit card.

Oh USA Tue 09/14/2004

Hotel payment & Museum Pass
Is it best to pay for hotel's in Europe my credit card or cash. Also, can the Museum Pass in Paris be used on Saturday? I heard that it's only valid during the week.
Paula <email>
IL USA Tue 09/14/2004

VERONA ITALY
How can i bok a first class airplane, a car which I'll be driving if I get there and a hotel which i am going to stay for five days and four nights?
Charles Gomez <email>
WASHINGTON D.C., GA USA Tue 09/14/2004

Christmas in Ireland
I am planning a trip to Ireland over Christmas. I have noticed a lot of sites and hotels and B&Bs close down starting in September. I also noticed that the sun sets around 4pm during December. Should I still go or wait until M

Travelers' Helpline Archives: September 2004

Travelers' Helpline Archives:
September 2004