Graffiti Wall: Travelers' Helpline

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Travelers' Helpline: August 2006

All together, the community of Rick Steves' travelers has a wealth of European travel experience. This is your chance to help or be helped. If you've got a question about traveling in Europe, we think there's another traveler out there with an answer...

These posted responses are from the traveling public and are not supplied by Europe Through the Back Door staff members unless specifically noted.

Backpack versus wheels
Backpack versus wheels, Please don't forget your feet when making this decision. Why add the extra weight to your poor, tired, feet, that are going to get extra work on them anyway? I have travelled all over Europe with a wheeled bag and wouldn't go any other way. Isn't that why the wheel was invented anyway?!!
USA Thu 08/31/2006

Re:Firsttimers
Natalie and family, good for you! I was 49yo when I first traveled to Europe and I've been back every year since.(This is my 3rd year and I'm already looking forward to next year.) It's a wonderful and surreal experience. My main advice is to read, plan, search the internet, check out the library for travel books (which will help you decide which ones you like and trust enough to buy the current year's edition), compare flight info and prices (one year I spent a fortune getting back to my original destination and this year I am flying into one city and out of another for the same price I would pay for a RT ticket in & out of the same city), ask friends and travel sites, get maps from travel agents (sometimes free), and get the whole family involved in the planning. I get maps and put them up on the wall beside my computer...really makes me feel like I am almost there. Some websites offer a comparison of multi sites to save time...Kayak.com and travelzoo.com are good ones. You have time to plan a lot but it's never too early to start. Good planning and researching will help you discover wonderful places, or eliminate places you thought you might like, but really find you don't care about after all. Best of luck!
Susan <email>
Nashville, TN USA Thu 08/31/2006

Wheels or backpack - here we go again!
Everyone has their favorite. You have to decide for your self.

Cons: WHEELED BAG: Wheels weigh more. Period, pack less! You have to carry it up stairs and over curbs. you have one less hand free to carry something. If a wheel breaks, there you go...no more wheelie!

Pros: you can wheel it in places - no weight to carry when on the street/sidewalk/airport terminal

Cons: BACKPACKS: if it doesn't fit right, the bag doesn't feel comfortable- can feel heavier than it really is. Could be a bit warm on your back in hotter weather You might get too large a bag, and end up with too much stuff to carry

Pro: you have both hands free Very easy to board trains/buses/subways right size bag keeps you traveling light and light on your feet!

Personally, I use a backpack. I want both hands free at all times. Having my luggage on my back allows me to keep a guide book or my camera handy and ready to read or snap a quick picture. If I stop quick, I don't have to worry about someone wheeling off my luggage, my stuff is on my back - and locked when in transit to keep fingers out.
Baglady <email>
USA Thu 08/31/2006

MARK....UNITED MILES
The only way I get flyer miles seats is to be flexible on dates and departure times.

And I always plan ahead so I can reserve as early as possible.

Call the airline and tell the agent you will take what is available for the week of_________. If that doesn’t work, change to another week.

You can’t be choosy when there are so few seats designated on each flight.

The last time I got seats on AA the agent told me they had only four seats designated on my flight the first day!
USA Thu 08/31/2006

What to do near Biarritz
We liked the nearby city of Bayonne. There's a good Basque museum there. There are also many small towns and villages with an assortment of sites celebrating Basque culture. Of course, you should be sure to explore the fine cuisine. The Cadogan guide book, "Gascony and the Pyrenees," will give you a very detailed account of what to do and see in the area.
USA Thu 08/31/2006

INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE
I have bought it several times and never used it. Therefore I don’t buy it any longer.

If you speak French you can read your state driver’s license to the patrolman.

I was stopped in France and Slovakia and showed my driver’s license and had no problem. I know that patrolman couldn’t read English.
USA Thu 08/31/2006

Booking Ahead (or not)
For me, the charm of not booking ahead is neither the "fun" of looking for a bed at the last minute nor lazyness. Rather, it is the flexibility to change our plans.

Now, we are not likely to chuck our entire itinerary on a whim. But we might want to spend an extra day someplace or leave early. We often incude a "slack day" to accommodate fine-tuning on the ground.

Obviously there is a tradeoff between this freedom and the security and simplicity of traveling with reservations. It would be courting trouble to arrive at Walter's in tiny Gimmelwald without calling ahead first if that is where you want to stay. But I would feel boxed in if every night were accounted for before I started.
Adam
Boston, USA Thu 08/31/2006

Charles M. Luther
Rick and some of you youngsters love the backpacks. I told Rick and I'll tell you, wait until you are 65+ and that arthritic neck kills you after 5 minutes with that backpack. You will come to love the wheeled bags.
USA Thu 08/31/2006

Eurostar Tickets
I'm trying to purchase last minute Eurostar tickets from London to Paris; travel date is September 4th. Does anyone know of a website where I can purchase and print my own tickets, or use a will call service? Thank you!
Christina <email>
Seattle, WA USA Thu 08/31/2006

Wheels or Backpack?
Backpack! For most of the same reasons posted below. Be advised though, the first couple of days you use your pack it will be a bit uncomfortable. But after a few days your body will get used to it and you will barely notice it.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Thu 08/31/2006

Wheels or Backpack?
Every trip to Europe I debate which to use. And I always choose the backpack. The wheels are handy at the airport and on smooth surfaces, however: it's a couple of pounds heavier and inevitably I will have to carry the thing by its handle up stairs or over cobblestones. The wheeled bag is heavier by a couple of pounds. Pulling the bag eventually hurts my shoulder. And there is a big temptation to overpack. The backpack is comfortable for me if I keep the weight below 18#, and if I walk around with it a dozen times or more before the trip (it is important that my body be used to carrying the weight). I have learned the proper adjustment of the pack with much of the weight transfered to my upper pelvis through the waist belt. I can walk normally, without making a rumbling noise, for a mile or more. Stairs are no particular problem because I've gotten used to the weight. BTW I am female, 70 yrs old. Knees not so good anymore, but I'm ok with the backpack.
Swan
USA Thu 08/31/2006

Rail in Scotland
You shouldn't have any trouble booking tickets a few days in advance in Scotland. A quick look at the National Rail website (www.nationalrail.co.uk) shows tickets still available to Aberdeen tomorrow, the start of the long weekend....altho many of the cheaper fares are gone for late afternoon and evening trains. You might also get a better deal on an "open jaws" round trip ticket Edinburgh-Aberdeen-Glasgow that you can on the website. Unfortunately, the carriages have changed a lot in 30 years....more like flying in a plane.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Thu 08/31/2006

United Miles
My wife, two small children and I are trying to plan a trip to Italy for the end of June to the beginning of July. We have enough United reward miles to earn three free tickets and then we would buy one ticket. It seems impossible to find three rewards tickets plus an airfare at a reasonable price. We call United repeatedly and e-mail them but have had no luck. Any suggestions or helpful contacts that anyone can recommend?
Mark Cota <email>
richmond, CA USA Thu 08/31/2006

Backpack or Wheels
I have traveled thoughout Europe in three weeks. Paris, Nice, Milan, Rome, Venice, Cologne, Innsbruck, and Zurich. Backpack is the only way to go. Pack light, wash clothes often.
Jeff
NJ USA Thu 08/31/2006

France
Anyone ever been to Biarritz that can give us some ideas of what is great around this town or area? Our son is set on surfing there and well my wife and I would rather do something else.
USA Thu 08/31/2006

I am going to Europe for 3 weeks and will be traveling from London to Rome and just about every place inbetween. I am debating between a backpack or a suitcase with wheels. Any thoughts on which would be best to take?
USA Thu 08/31/2006

First timers
Hello, this spring my family and I are planning a trip to England. It is our first overseas trip. We will be going for 15 days. I dont have any specific question, I would just love to hear any advice anyone can give me. We are sooooo very excited!
Nathalie Carette-Meyers <email>
Tacoma, wa USA Thu 08/31/2006

Rail in Scotland
I suppose this is a variant on the booking ahead question?

I'm in Scotland for a week in mid-September and am planning on taking the train from Edinburgh to Inverness on (probably) a Friday and returning to Glasgow on Monday.

Do I need to book this ahead from the States or will a couple of days ahead in Scotland suffice? From wht I read of the Scotrail web site they will even make seat reservations, given a couple of days advance.

It's been about 30 years since I was there last!
Ken <email>
Rochester, NY USA Thu 08/31/2006

Re: Buses
OK, Sue. I can see that. Being on a bus full of other American tourists would not exactly be my idea of experiencing the country, either.

Although, for some people, who can't or don't want to plan for themselves, that may be the best option.
<email>
USA Thu 08/31/2006

Re: Busses
I think the negative comment below about travelling by bus might have been referring to "coach tours", rather than using public transportion.
Sue
Philadelphia, PA USA Thu 08/31/2006

Booking ahead vs. traveling spontaneously
Whether you book ahead or travel more adventurously and spontaneously, there is no right or wrong here. People simply have their own preferences suited to their personalities and the way they like to experience life. Personally, I prefer to book lodging ahead AND leave portions of my journeys unplanned to experience the spontaneity. I do not see the choice to not book ahead as lazy nor do I view the choice to plan in advance as stifing one's adventurous spirit. If we were all alike in our approach to life, it would be a dull life indeed and traveling around the world would less than stimulating. Thank goodness for the differences among us!
USA Thu 08/31/2006

Booking Ahead
Amen to you Lee! I totally agree with you. I am a BIG fan of planning ahead, so that when you are actually vacationing you can truly enjoy it all.
Candace
USA Thu 08/31/2006

Booking ahead
I have to cast my vote with those who say book ahead. Twice I have come into a town and gone to the T.I. for a room. Both times were successful, but it was in "very" off season - I was the only one in the hotel that night. I have tried since, online, in one of the same towns, in normal season, months in advance, and found that almost nothing was available, and what was was very expensive. Unless you are in a very unpopular town, or in very quiet time of year, all you will find the day you arrive are the dregs.

Unless you have nothing better to do with your vacation than search for a room, BOOK AHEAD.
<email>
USA Thu 08/31/2006

Re: Booking ahead
Please do not confuse arranging your lodging as you go with not planning (or as one poster puts it , too lazy). I lock in maybe only 2 or 3 locations before I leave on a 3 week trip, but spend months learning about the areas and reviewing possible hotels. For each area I have a short list of promising places, and then go with whatever looks best. I can't think of a time that I "wandered aimlessly" looking for a place to stay. Usually I find a place quicker than most people take to locate the place they reserved.
Paul <email>
IA USA Thu 08/31/2006

Re: Sounding off on Booking Ahead
I can't help but wonder where this poster has been - whether he has actually ever been in Europe. Today, traveling by bus is probably the best (only) way to experience another country, while traveling.

It used to be by train. I remember a trip in 1990 from Karlsruhe to Munich in a "side aisle" coach. There were five Germans with me in the compartment, and they happily pointed out all the geographical points of interest on the trip. But, with the advent of the airplane style seating, that rarely happens anymore. Everyone sits one to a pair of seat, and you don't dare sit next to anyone unless all seats are half full.

However, I have had many culturally inspiring experiences on buses, both with passengers and drivers. I try to sit next to the drivers. Usually they don't speak English, but they are patient with my poor German and happy to explain the local landscape and sights to me.

The absolutely worst way to experience a country, of course, is by car, where you can only converse with your (American) passenger while concentrating on the road and traffic.
<email>
USA Thu 08/31/2006

Booking Ahead
I have both booked ahead and booked rooms as I go. When traveling in Germany, I had no problem getting a room anywhere. But when traveling to a large city, I reserve before I leave home. I don't want to spend my first day, in let's say Venice or Rome, looking for a hotel. Most places listed in Rick's books have either a website or are listed on travel websites. While this doesn't guarantee a great room, it does give me an idea of what to expect. The bottom line for me is: book ahead in large cities or if traveling during peak season. Book as you go if traveling through the countryside. The best of both worlds!
Marhanal
Lexington, nc USA Thu 08/31/2006

Zipping in Zurich
If you zip to downtown Zurich then do it on a train. There is a train station in the airport that takes you to the Zurich City train station in 10 or 15 minutes. From there you can exit onto the famous Bahnhofstrasse where you can see some of the ultra expensive designer shops and banks where much of the world's gold reserves are stored in underground vaults.

But leaving the airport with just 4 hours to see a city and getting back to the airport and then back through security would make me feel uneasy.
USA Thu 08/31/2006

Long Layover = Quickie City Tour?
We have a 4+ hour layover in Zurich on our way to Prague in Oct. Can we leave the airport, grab a bus and zip around Zurich for an hour or so? Could you seasoned European travelers tell me if this is a good idea or ill-advised?
Ginny <email>
Tucson, AZ USA Thu 08/31/2006

Sounding off on Booking Ahead
While I usually have my hotels arranged before I leave for Europe, I completely understand why some of us do not plan ahead. I've arrived in a town without a hotel planned, and found one instantly! That was fun, I got to see 2 different rooms....the inn keeper insisted that I check them out - I was ready to accept what was given me!

It's fun, but I'm sure can also be nerve wrecking to not know where you are going to sleep at night. However, being open to change is a great way to visit Europe.

You are not locked into any place, can pick up and go to the next town, or find a cool out of the way location for the night.

This totally follow's Rick's "Backdoor" approach to travel - and to traveling light!

If you are wheeling around a bag, or traveling by bus, you are not - IMHO - truely experiencing another country.

To be spontaneous your need a light bag, one that you can put on your back, or easily over your shoulder, be able to think on your feet, and do your own laundry in a sink! What a wonderful way to travel!

So BRAVO to those souls that see a new country as a sort of "vagabond" and are open to new experiences! I applaud your sense of adventure!
USA Thu 08/31/2006

Book ahead
Sorry, but IMHO, “Freedom to Travel” is the excuse people use when they are too lazy to plan. If I am going to spend $1000, +/-, to get to Europe, I am not going to wander around aimlessly hoping for a magical moment. I am going to assure those moments by planning them.

Now, on most of my trips, I have spent a week in the Iller valley of the Oberallgäu. Because there is an abundance of sightseeing possibilities, including Kleinwalsertal, Füssen and Lindau, in the area, I don’t have to plan every detail; there is more than I can see in a week. I guess that is a form of freedom, but I have a room reserved for the week, so I never have to come back early to find a place to sleep.

In 12 weeks of travel in Germany, I have stayed in 20 places that I have booked ahead, mostly using the Internet. I have never regretted booking at any of them.

The advantage of not booking in advance is that you can check out accommodations when you arrive. The disadvantage is that most of the best places will already be taken, so you really HAVE to check out what is left.
Lee
USA Thu 08/31/2006

INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE
I have bought it several times and never used it. Therefore I don’t buy it any longer.

If you speak French you can read your state driver’s license to the patrolman.

I was stopped in France and Slovakia and showed my driver’s license and had no problem. I know that patrolman couldn’t read English.
USA Thu 08/31/2006

Intl Driver's License?
My husband and I are going to France, we're wondering if we need to get an international driver's permit. We've gotten them in the past, but have not really found any use of them. I've read that it's a nice thing to have if you're stopped by police and the rental agencies says we don't need to have it. So...do we really need it? - My husband speaks French very well.
USA Thu 08/31/2006

KAREN...CINQUE TERRE WHERE TO STAY
I don’t understand the attraction of booking ahead. I always want to inspect the room I am going to spend a week in.

As for looking at rooms after a day of traveling—I am 80 years old and that doesn’t bother me.

I still want to see my room. Granted, it is easy to book ahead on the internet, but unless you have rented that room before, you don’t know what to expect.

I still want to see my room before I commit. In 16 trips to Europe I have never regretted having to search for a room on that first day.
USA Thu 08/31/2006

The Attraction of Not Booking Ahead
Lots of people like the freedom of traveling with an outline of where they are going and what they want to do, staying open to spontaneous changes in direction that often lead to magical moments. When trips are rigidly planned and itineraries set in stone ahead of time, one gets security, convenience and safety often by giving up freedom and real adventure. Something is lost that is hard to explain. I truly believe that in our over-regulated world that travel is one of the few places left where we can let go of routine, ruts, and comfort zones and stretch ourselves and take a few risks--trust that life will lead us on a grand journey of discovery. I have traveled to Europe both ways (scheduled and spontaneous)and prefer to have reservations only at the very beginning and at the end of every journey, but allowing life to lead me into directions that I may not have forseen during the main part of the trip--letting go of control and allowing serendipity to work it's magic. I am 58 and still want to stay connected with the part of me that likes to play and trust that everything will work out just fine.
Rich
Bellingham, WA USA Wed 08/30/2006

Cinque Terre --where to stay
I don't quite understand the attraction of not booking ahead. With the internet it's so easy to secure accommodations ahead of time. Looking around for accommodations after a day of traveling doesn't sound like fun to me.

We stayed in two Rick-recommended places in the Cinque Terre. Neither were cheap, but they are places I will always remember fondly. In Vernazza we stayed at the Franca Maria--the owner rents different rooms in the center of town. Our room wasn't luxurious, but it overlooked the piazza. I got to lay in bed for my afternoon nap, listening to men on benches speaking Italian. The restaurant below our room was the best of the whole trip. In Monterosso we stayed at the Albergo Pasquale. The view out of our room was so breath-taking that I was in tears on the morning we left.
Karen <email>
MN USA Wed 08/30/2006

Cinque Terre Accomadations
I was just staying in Vernazza in May and had the most wonderful time, it was just delightful. I stayed in a hotel which i booked out of Rick's book, Trattoria Gianni Franzi www.giannifranzi.it. I had one of my best stays at this hotel. As a warning there are many stairs to get up to the room, and the staff are less then friendly, but the views can't be beat.

Tip, if you book a room with shared bath you get a better view + balcony! Ask for a room in building #41 better views, plus their private garden is worth the hike! You can see photos on their site!

Good luck, you will love Vernazza it was one of my favorite cities!

If you can't book with the hotel, they are located just before the water, you can just show up at the bar/resturant they may have cancellations otherwise when I was there in May there were lots of people offering rooms.
<email>
Vancouver, Canada Wed 08/30/2006

Madhu.....CT or Sorrento
We've been all over Italy and love it but our #1 most favorite place in all of Italy is Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. We don't find it more expensive at all, and in fact, less expensive than some parts of Italy. This is just my 2 cents. Have fun!
San Francisco, USA Wed 08/30/2006

Seville to Porto
Don't think so...but if it is, he can use the same bus company to get to Faro (one day trip, one late night trip, about 90 minutes, 28 Euro), then take regional train 314 to Portimao (about 1:20, cost, 5 Euro). If going to Porto (Oporto), he may be able to make the trip during the day, by catching the 1030 am bus from Sevilla to Faro, waiting about 2 hours, then catching a train north....arrival about 1030 at night. Check out http://www.cp.pt/ for Portugese railway timetables and prices....but they only put their scheduled and fares out 30 days in advance.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Wed 08/30/2006

Seville to Porto
I thought Stewart was asking about Seville to Portimao. Much shorter trip!
Linda
MN USA Wed 08/30/2006

RE: Seville to Porto
The only way I've found to make it cheaply and (relatively) quickly from Sevilla to Oporto is by bus, but it's an 11 1/2 hour overnight run. You go through Faro and Lisbon before heading up to Oporto. Fares are 56 Euro one-way. Check out Alsa coach lines at http://www2.alsa.es/portal/index.asp?lang=en. The coaches are very comfortable...but it is, after all, a bus.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Wed 08/30/2006

Learn Italian - PODCASTS!!
The BEST - no cost way to learn some Italian for travel is with Mike....and his Podcast - LearnItalian.com

Go to Apple's webiste, click onthe podcasts and search for Italian lessons. Find Mike's and you are set.

he teaches just a few words in each podcast. it's not overwhelming, it's easy..Plus if you click on the center wheel, you have access to the day's lesson in writing. that's a great reinforcer for me...seeing it while I'm saying it.

Check it out, email me if you have more questions. Take advantage of your ipod for learning - the lessons are free, subscribe today!
<email>
USA Wed 08/30/2006

Italian Language lessons
I found another link to learn Italian via internet. Link to audio Italian language lesson. http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/lj/handy/slideshow/final.shtml I've been on this site and it's fun trying to learn the pronouncement of the Italian words. Again good luck.
Bonnie <email>
Tigard, OR USA Wed 08/30/2006

Fly Fishing in italy
I have done a google search on fly fishing in Italy and have come up with some wonderful sites - however I was wanting to know if anyone has gone fly fishing in Italy, where they did, and how it was, and with what company. Thank you for any information about this. Pam
Pam <email>
Nevada City, CA USA Wed 08/30/2006

Seville to Porto
We are planning the same trip in November. I use these forums and have great success in getting help from local experts. Getting from Seville into Portugal is no easy task! The air fares that we have found are very expensive. The low fare air lines have so many "catches" to the cheap air, we just couldn't work it out. We're taking a train, a bus, and another train to get from Seville to Porto. Check out the forum and see what you think.

This link is for Seville http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g187443-i284-Seville_Andalusia.html

This link is for Algarve http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g189111-i330-Algarve.html
Linda <email>
MN USA Wed 08/30/2006

Italian Lessons - free off internet
I found www.byki.com/fls/ital/italian on the Google search for free audio French lessons.. You can download the "free" audio French lessons. There are other sites but haven't found them yet. Practice, practice, practice and you will learn a few words, etc. to get by and to show you are at least trying to communicate with them or just to say hello and goodbye. Good luck!
Bonnie <email>
Tigard, OR USA Wed 08/30/2006

Re: Dog on a Plane
Don't know if it's available on any/every airline, but the best advice I ever got regarding this was to buy insurance from the airline like you would if you were checking anything very valuable. Insure your pet for a whole bunch of $$ (insurance is usually just a few dollars), but the good part is that they'll stick a bunch of INSURED stickers on it and I'll betcha he/she will get a high level of care!
Beth <email>
Marco Island, FL USA Wed 08/30/2006

Getting from Seville to Porto
I'm looking for an affordable way to get from Seville to Porto on Oct. 1st. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated (sites to check for airfare, ideas on trains, etc.)
Stewart <email>
Seattle, WA USA Wed 08/30/2006

Dog on the plane
Scott - I second Lisa's sentiments 100%. I have travelled for years internationally, and 100% of the time have been amazed when I have seen small dogs waiting with their people at baggage claim after a long flight. I never heard them, never smelled them. Didn't even know they were on the flight. Compared to the seat mate I had on a recent trip from Hong Kong to LAX who had terrible flatulance. If the airlines are willing to charge you cash money for your dog to fly with you in the cabin, just follow their directions to the letter, cause you never know these days, and be flexible in the event that you would need to put your dog in cargo. There have been times when I wished they could put children in cargo; if it is so safe, presurized, temperature controlled, why not, I say. And I am including our children on this list. Something the airlines may want to consider in the future. Plus, in France, having your dog along will be a great way to meet the locals. They do love dogs in that country! Have fun!
Ryan
Seattle, WA USA Wed 08/30/2006

Tuscany Car Rental
Bonnie: Best deal in Tuscany/Umbria is a young fellow (in his 30s).Used him in 04 and were very pleased. Very personable, good English, very accommodating. Picked us up in Rome, drove us to our villa in Castellina, drove us back to Rome. His name is Stefano. He is very popular so better call or e-mail at once. Will provide cell phone and GPS if desired. Tell him that Don Fielding reccommended him. www.stefanoagos@libero.it
Don Fielding <email>
Maitland, FL USA Wed 08/30/2006

Re: The new British baggage restrictions
Thanks CO, USA....but you miss the point. Any other daring soul out there tried getting through/to Britain with only a carry-on sized to the new regulations (6 inches x 14 inches x 18 inches)? How (and what) did you pare down? Is "travelling light" dead through/to Britain while these regs are in place?
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Wed 08/30/2006

Flight tracking website
I found this site whilst planning for my trip: http://www.flightstats.com

It provides detailed data on the actual arrival and departure times for flights of US and some foreign airports. You can look over time to see how on time the flight is or look by airport to see how many flights are delayed/on time etc.

Of course you never know when the unexpected will happen and it doesn't help with judging secuirty lines, but I thought this site might help others who are trying to judge transfers etc.

Kate
Kate
Scotland Wed 08/30/2006

Mike - trekking poles for your parents
Trekking poles are very helpful for balance, and to take pressure off knees and hips.

Poles are wonderful on trails, and would be good on cobblestone streets as well. Make sure your parents are OK with this idea first.

Check to see that if you purchase poles, that you get tips that are for sidewalk/cement surfaces. Not the carbide tips used on dirt. The metal tips can actually be slippery on hard surfaces, thus dangerous for your 80 year old parents.

also, keep in mind that you will need a bag long enough to pack these in for the trip...poles can be taken apart, but still the length should be correct in the broken down state.

Take your parents to your local sporting goods/mountain shop and let them learn from a sales clerk how to use the poles before you leave the US.

Also, make sure that the poles are tightened, so there are no accidental collapses.
USA Wed 08/30/2006

LAX - Thanks!
Thanks!

My layover is on a Friday evening and I've got three hours so it should be just fine. All my flights are on the same ticket, so the luggage should go all the way to Sydney (hopefully!).

I'm more worried about my two hour connection in Heathrow, as the tickets were booked prior to the security alert. Just have to hope that my flight is on time and the security lines aren't too long. Fortunately I'm passing through at midday, which is not peak time.

Cheers Kate
Scotland Wed 08/30/2006

Re: Bad with languages
Rachel - I've found that my retention vastly improves by saying the words out loud when I'm at home. I get far less weird looks on the subway by practicing at home. :-) Seriously, saying it aloud definitely reinforces the memory, at least for me. If you live with someone else, practice on them. Don't say "Thank you" to them. Say "merci". It's understandable that you're self-conscious. If it helps, keep in mind that Europeans almost always appreciate any effort, even slightly botched, to speak their language.
Rick <email>
Chicago, IL USA Wed 08/30/2006

Re: The new British baggage restrictions
Norm, I used that title because I was following the thread. I posted in response to Michael’s posting under that title insisting that we should all stuff our jacket pockets and check everything else. I think he was referring to air travel in general, not just U.K.

To answer your question, my basic packing list has always been, in addition to what I wear: 2 pr slacks, walking shorts, 5 shirts, 3 sets of underwear, electric razor, toothbrush, comb, wash cloth and soap, stuff bags for everything. No extra shoes. Possible extras: bathing suit (except for German spas) or towel to sit on in the sauna.

My ETBD bag thus packed is nowhere near full. I don’t know if it would squeeze into the sizing template. I suspect that with some compression bags inside, my things might fit into a 1500 c.i. bag, so I might not have to change anything. However as long as that size restriction only applies to the UK, since I won’t fly there anyway, I am unlikely to go out and get a bag just to see if it fits.

It doesn’t look like the ETBD store has a bag anywhere near the new dimensions. Other than the regulation 2500 c.i. convertible bags, most seem too small, too short, or too thick. Does anyone have any idea where to find one that’s right?
CO USA Wed 08/30/2006

Trekking Poles/Mobility
Are Trekking Poles or a Hiking Staff helpful? I am taking my 80+year old parents to Italy. I am wondering if these would help with their mobility in the villages and cities. Any particulars or other suggestions?
Mike
Portland, OR USA Wed 08/30/2006

2007 Guidebooks
Here's a link to a page that gives the publishing dates for all RS guidebooks: http://tinyurl.com/zvk42.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Wed 08/30/2006

Rachel
You will not be called on for much conversation while on a tour. Try for at least a "bonjour" in France, a "bon giorno" in Italy, and a "hello" elsewhere. If you travel without a tour, language becomes more of an issue. I'm like you. I barely get by. I'm always grateful that lots of Europeans speak English as a second language. I have about a dozen words in French, Italian, and Spanish. Nothing to brag about, but if they are the right words they can save the day.
Swan
USA Wed 08/30/2006

Carrie
You probably should direct your question directly to the RS people. Most years the guidebooks for the next year start coming out late in the year. If you want to get started planning, try to find a 2005 copy in the library.
USA Wed 08/30/2006

Bad with languages :(
As much as I love learning about other cultures, I am also very bad with languages. I just can't seem to retain what I learn. I tend to be so self-conscious and intimidated by the idea of speaking a foreign language to others (especially those for whom it's a first language) that I freeze up and forget everything. I am wondering if this will be a serious problem on my 21-day European tour next month? If anyone has experienced this problem and has any pointers for me, I would sure appreciate it.
Rachel <email>
Seattle, WA USA Wed 08/30/2006

Re: for Robin German trains
Robin, it sounds like Kim is referring to the “Bahn Card”, which gives 25% or 50% off the price of train tickets.

The least expensive Bahn Card is the Bahn Card 25, which gives a 25% discount. For 2nd class it costs €51,50 (about $66). For a €150 2nd class RT ticket on ICEs from Frankfurt to Munich, it would save you only €37,50, so it would not pay for itself. Even with a round trip to Passau included, you would not quite break even with the 2nd class Bahn Card 25. The fastest way to get to Passau is via regional trains. With two people you would save more on that leg with a Bayern Ticket.

A 1st class Bahn Card 25 would cost twice as much, €103, but would only save you €56.25 for Frankfurt to Munich RT. A Bahn Card 50, at €206, would only save you €75 RT in 2nd class.

A few years ago, the Bahn Card was a much better deal. If one person had a Bahn Card, everyone else in the party (up to 4 people) got a 50% Mitfahrer (companion) discount, but they don’t do that anymore.

Another thing to consider with the Bahn Card is that it is a subscription. When you buy one, you give them your name and address, and each year they automatically send you a new card and a bill. To stop the process you have to mail them a form (I haven’t found it online; you had better get one from the ticket agent when you buy your Bahn Card).

A much better deal for Frankfurt to Munich would be the SparPreis fare. With SparPreis, two people can travel round trip in 2nd class on ICEs from Frankfurt to Munich for only €112,50, total, a 62% savings. You have to buy SparPreis tickets at least three days in advance, but you can do it online with a credit card and self print the tickets before you go over. The tickets are not refundable starting with the day of travel, so it would not be a good idea to schedule your first leg for two hours after arrival.
<email>
USA Wed 08/30/2006

Guidebook's Publishing Date
Hello all, I'm a first time Euro traveler and planning a trip to London and Ireland for May 07. Does anyone know when Rick's 2007 guidebooks come out? I'm trying to decide if I should go ahead and purchase the 2006 or wait for the 2007 editions. Thank you, Carrie
Carrie <email>
Bloomington, IN USA Wed 08/30/2006

CT lodging
In the CT region, the tax police are starting to come down on individuals offering lodging. These places are still available if you walk walk about 100 yards downhill from the train station, at least in Vernazza. The hawkers are just a little more subtle now.
Bob <email>
Gettysburg, PA USA Wed 08/30/2006

London - Apartment/Hotel
Can anyone recommend a good apartment-hotel (something with cooking facilities in-room) in central London? I'll be staying about 12 days, and wanted something different than a standard hotel or bed and breakfast. I'm considereing the Citadines Apart'Hotel (Traflagar Sq/Covent Garden) -- has anyone stayed there?
Sue
Philadelphia, PA USA Wed 08/30/2006

STAYING IN CINQUE TERRE
Two years ago when we visited Vernazza, we were met by several men at the RR station asking if we needed a room.

When I said we wanted an apartment, one man showed me several and I chose one.

If there is no one offering rooms, just go into the nearest bar or store and ask. I saw no signs in Vernazza.
USA Wed 08/30/2006

For Robin German train
Robin- We were in Germany in 05 for Oktoberfest. The man at the trian station at the Frankfurt airport was very helpful. He offered for us to buy the Deutsch Bahn pass. Only offered over there. It was like $150 but what it did was useful for one year but saved a lot of money on our tickets from Frankfurt to Munich, Munich to Passau and Munich back to Frankfurt. They were really point to point tickets but it did save us some money. The tickets in Germany are pretty reasonable so I would calculate how much the railpass vs. point to point. Cheers-Kim
Kim
New York, NY USA Wed 08/30/2006

Staying in the Cinque Terre
The man who used to meet trains to offer lodging in Monterosso was not in evidence last fall (2005). There were notices in the train stations in the CT warning not to rent from people on the train platforms. Seems there was a problem. So, don't rely on anyone meeting your train to offer housing. There is a lodging office near the train station in Monterosso, and in Riomaggiore there are signs posted on storefronts on the main street advertising room rentals.
USA Wed 08/30/2006

Vandon Hotel, London
Has anyone stayed at the Vandon House in London (http://www.vandonhouse.com/) ? I'm looking at booking a group and they have offered a good rate.
Andy Perry <email>
Louisville, KY USA Wed 08/30/2006

Apartment in Venice
We are three adults going to Venice for a month and want to rent an apartment in the Dorsoduro/Accademia area. Has anyone rented anything here before and if so,what was it like. Any info would be appreciated. As staying a month would prefer an apt rather than a hotel.
Deb
NZ Wed 08/30/2006

Lodging in the CT
My husband and I arrived without hotel reservations in Monterosso. We were immediately greeted by a gentleman offering rooms. We thought we wanted to stay in Vernazza (based on Rick's recommendations)

Took the train to Vernazza, and found NOTHING. Went back to Monterosso, the same guy was there. We took him up on his offer. he took us into town, showed us 3 apartments and rented us 2 of of them for $60US a night.

What a deal!

Don't waste your time on the internet trying to find a room. Just show up in Monterosso and you'll be met by someone trying to rent rooms....it's a deal.

We went about the same time of year as you....the first week of October.

Take your chances....I'll bet you find something quickly! If not, get back on the train and head to the next town, then the next.

Vernazza is over rated, and over crowded due to Rick Steves high recommendation. You can see all of the CT from any of the towns. They are similar, all you need is a room and some place to eat and you are set. The train ride from one town to the next is 5 min max.
<email>
USA Tue 08/29/2006

Madhu - CT or Sorrento
I've been both places. I'd recommend the CT. If you really want a feel for an Italian coast line, then this is the place. I think it's less touristy (although it is a tourist destination, and getting more crowded)

I found the Amalfi coast to be very expensive, but maybe that was because we'd just come from Sicily and it was WONDERFUL there!

Don't rush your trip. I feel you are trying to do too much.

Like most of us that look at a map and say "oh, that doesn't look too far" Once you start to drive it, you will be sorry. Don't over plan.

Take your time and savor Italy.

If you stay north, have a rental car, you have many towns to enjoy, even the really small ones.

Make it as far as Umbria and enjoy Orvieto, one of my favorite towns...plus Pienza, Perugia. You might even hit Todi and Asissi and Civita!

The Amalfi coast is worth 3-5 days by it's self. to say that you would do Pomepei, then Sorrento and Capri in 2-3 in not worth the rush!
Ellen <email>
USA Tue 08/29/2006

Tuscany Car Rental
USA - What car rental agency did you rent from in Chiusi near Siena?
Bonnie <email>
Tigard, OR USA Tue 08/29/2006

For Lynn- Tuscany car rental
I might suggest Siena as the place to pick up your car. (We did the reverse- train from Rome to Siena.)When you look at the Trenitalia schedule you will see that you need to transfer at Chiusi (a tiny little town)- Florence was a lot scarier to navigate in a car (that's where we dropped it off). Siena would make a great base for exploring Tuscany...there is also a rental car place in Chiusi (long story-but we ended up picking up the car there rather than Siena).
USA Tue 08/29/2006

RE: Itinerary Help
Some good suggestions below. But I would suggesting taking Myair from Paris Orly to Venice Marco Polo. Ryanair flies out of Paris Beavais, which is about a 90 minute bus ride northwest of Paris. And it lands at Venice Treviso, another 40 minute bus ride to Venice itself. At www.myair.com you can still find tickets for 30 Euro per person on Tueday, 5 September. Ryanair seats left that day are 60 Euro. But book ASAP!
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Tue 08/29/2006

Cinque Terre Lodging
Vic--You should be fine arriving without a reservation. We stayed in Vernazza in October 2004. We showed up in Vernazza around noon without a reservation . We walked down into town toward the waterfront and encountered several locals who asked if we were looking for a room. Of course, we said yes. They showed us their rooms (we looked at at least 4 different ones) and chose the one we liked best with the best price. We also went to one of the apartments listed in the RS guide and toured a couple of rooms he had available. You will have a great time! It was beautiful there and we preferred Vernazza to the other villages!
Eugene, OR USA Tue 08/29/2006

LAX
Hi kate,

I fly in and out of LAX about 4 times a month… it’s an easy airport, and very simple if you only need to go between T4 and International.

You will have to exit the terminal so you will be required to go thru security again. When you depart your plane, follow the terminal signs to the baggage claim. Once in the claim area, take stairs, elevator, etc. up to the “departures” level, which is one floor up (don’t forget your bags if you didn’t check all the way thru). At this point if you face away from the terminal (towards the street) and look to your left, you will see the International Terminal. If you don’t see it, walk to your left until you reach the end of T4 and then you will see it about 50 meters away. Security lines are hit and miss. In my experience, the entire airport has long lines in the morning, and International lines tend to be longer than most. Try to give yourself as much time as possible. Once thru security there are many fast food stands and shops to occupy your time once inside, or pick up a book and find a corner to camp in.

Hope this helps!

Andy
Andy
LA, CA USA Tue 08/29/2006

Vic--Cinque Terre Lodging
Since the days you mentioned are not on a weekend, you should be able to find lodging fairly easily. I suggest that if you don't get what you need by internet search you try phoning instead. You may find that many places prefer to make reservations only a day or two in advance. My favorite place, the Agave in Monterosso, doesn't handle reservations by internet. Several times I have just shown up in the morning and gotten a room. They prefer a phone call first. The Agave is right on the beach, is budget, and is just a couple of minutes from the train station.
USA Tue 08/29/2006

LAX
Apolgies for the US related question, but I thought someone here might be able to help a UK based American with a question about a LAX airport.

I'm connecting through LAX, and have to go from Terminal 4 to the International Terminal. Any advice on how long it should take/whether I have to go through security again/what security lines are like etc.

Cheers!
Kate
Scotland Tue 08/29/2006

Dog and UK luggage
Greetings

Only small dogs - usually limited by weight - are allowed on the plane. You should check with the airlines for details. The key is to consider the length of the trip and whether your dog or cat would be a good traveller. You wan't to make sure that the animal won't be soiling its bag/kennel and can handle being tightly enclosed without being loud or agitated. Remember that the person in the seat next to you could be allergic to animals, so you may not be able to take the cat/dog out during the flight if he/she is agitated. That said, I'm sure some would be quiet & odorless,much more so than many kids!

It's fine to put a dog in the hold - the luggage sections where animals go are pressurized and heated or air conditioned. That said, there have been incidents where dogs/cats are not well treated, so it's worth doing some research on the airlines and if possible use aiports where there are proper animal handling facilities and thus have experience with animals. Also it's good to avoid connections because that increases the risk of the animal going on the wrong flight or being left behind.

If you do need to take a large dog etc. on a plane journey, it's worth talking to your vet and/or doing some internet research to find out the best airlines & their rules. A vet can also prescribe a sedative to help a cat/dog that doesn't travel well.

As to the UK - the exact luggage rules can be found on the right on the page: http://www.baa.com/

Click where it says to go a more detailed page where you have the option to download the PDF of the official brochure on procedures & what you can & can't bring. This info applies to all flight going from or via any UK airport.

It doesn't say anything about pockets, but I would not risk putting things in your pockets as you'll most likely have to empty them to go through security and you may be searched again before boarding a plane.

You can bring contacts in sealed container or small holder, but no contacts lens fluid. Small amounts of liquid prescribed meds are allowed, so I wonder if one might be able to get some kind of saline solution 'prescribed' by a doctor in a small container.

Unfortunately, unless you want to buy all your cosmetics/toletries at your destination and squeeze all your luggage into a lap-top sized bag, you're going to have to check some luggage.

Cheers Kate

Basically,
Kate
Scotland Tue 08/29/2006

Germany trains
Robin, it's very likely that point-to-point tickets will be a better deal than a railpass, at least for part of your trip. But, without knowing your itinerary, I can't help much.

Email me.
<email>
USA Tue 08/29/2006

Lodging, Cinque Terre
My wife and I are scheduled to arrive in Cinque Terre on October 10 (coming from Florence by train) and depart in the morning of October 13. In internet searches I have not been able to find available lodging during these days. We would prefer to lodge in Vernazza with Riomagiorre as a second choice. Those that respond indicate that they are booked. I have also read some 'horror' stories on the web about finding lodging in Cinque Terre. I would really appreciate some suggestions/advice!!

Thanks, Vic (Sacramento, CA
Vic de Vlaming
Sacramento, CA USA Tue 08/29/2006

Re: CT or Amalfi coast
USA - Thanks a lot for your input. Our travel plans are such that both places are equal distance vise. We are staying in Florence.

So if we wanted to do Cinque Terre, we could go from florence to CT, stay there for 2 days, go see Pisa, rent a car in Pisa, and go down Tuscany and umbria for 3 days covering SG, Siena, Orevieto(drop off car) and head to Rome.

If going to AC, we could rent a car in Florence, drive down all the way to Sorrento (visiting all the hill towns on the way) and maybe cover Pompeii also. All this in 3 days. Spend 2 days (1 day capri, 1 day bus to AC) in sorrento, and head to Rome for the final leg of our journey.

I wanted to know which would be better, in terms of getting a feel of Italian Riviera, for first time travellers to Italy. If somebaody has been to both places, then can you please help me decide. Thanks,
Madhu
USA Tue 08/29/2006

RE : Itineray help!
Hi, We are doing something similar starting sept 23. Here is my itenary, if it may help in your planning. Paris : Sept 23,24, 25, 26 26 evening fly from Paris to venice (Ryanair) 27, 28 - spend in Venice 28 night - use trenitalia to go to florence 29 - spend in florence 30, 1, 2 - take a car and drive around in tuscany and umbria reaching sorrento 3, 4 - amalfi coast 4 night - use train to get to rome 5, 6, 7, 8 - rome 9 - back to paris to catch a flight to US.

Good luck with your planning..
Madhu
USA Tue 08/29/2006

Germany Trains
I'm going to Germany at the end of October thru the 1st week of November. I'm trying to figure out what to do about train passes. It's a bit confusing! We plan on taking the train through most of our travels in Germany. Any advise
Robin
Seacoast, NH USA Tue 08/29/2006

Re: Getting from Switzerland to Italy
You can check out times and tickets at the Swiss Railway website, http://www.sbb.ch/en/. Unfortunately, even to get to Milan by train involves a lot of backtracking and a lot of transfers....anywhere from 5 to 5 1/2 hours. When checking destinations in Italy, use the Italian style, eg. Milano, Firenze (Florence), Genova (Genoa)
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Tue 08/29/2006

Reasonable/Cheap/low cost-must define
To all those asking for recommendations in these categories, you must give a dollar equivalent. Low cost, reasonable means different amounts to different travelers.
JS
USA Tue 08/29/2006

Getting to Italy from Switzerland
Going to Murren Switzerland, thought, if possible to take a trip into northern Italy for a day.

is this even possible? too far via train for a day trip?

How do I figure how many hours by train to anywhere in italy?
USA Tue 08/29/2006

Venice-cheap apt???
Not sure what cheap is to some but a good alternative is stay in Mestre, for at least half price than Venice. Next city over from Venice and local bus service takes you to Venice Train/Bus station.
JS
USA Tue 08/29/2006

Re: The new British baggage restrictions
Hi USA....yes it was you I was referring to. Since you made a comment in the discussion about the British baggage restrictions, I thought it had to do with the British baggage restrictions. If I'd've known it had nothing to do with the topic, I wouldn't have bothered posting a request for your packing list.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Tue 08/29/2006

Apartments in Bruge
Kim...google "apartment rentals Bruges" and you'll find hundreds of listings. The big websites like www.vrbo.com have Bruges listings, and there are many more localized sites you can find. Alternate spelling in Brugge. But I'm not sure you'll find enough to keep you busy there for an entire week. Brussels, of course, is close by, by train, but Amsterdam from Bruges is about 3 1/2 hours by train. Antwerp is another possible destination from there. Or tell your boyfriend HE can go to Belgium and drink the beer....and you'll stay on the sunny Spanish coast! ;)
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Tue 08/29/2006

Anguillara, Italy
USA thank you for the information on LeFarfalle. Yes the dysfunctional family on ELR. I couldn't stand to see how some of the time was wasted in the beautiful country of Italy. Where was Ray having his pizza when he and his mom were walking? Love those narrow alleys. Any other suggestions you'd like to share with me you can email me. I'm in the beginning stages of planning our 3 week trip in September, 2007. We will be leasing a car or, if it works out to take trains until we want to go to Tuscany area we would do that but I have lots of research to do. If anyone wants to give me choices, I'd be glad to accept them. Right now I'm looking at Venice, Pisa, Rome, Florence, Siena and Cinque Terre. Not sure where we're flying in to and out of! Again, I'm open for suggestions. PLEASE put Italy in the subject box as I'm getting a lot of junk mail. Thank you to any of you who respond. I love it.Arrivederci or Ciao
Bonnie <email>
Tigard, OR USA Tue 08/29/2006

Re: CT or Amalfi coast
You are looking at two distant choices. you should decide which one based on your city of departure.

If you leave out of the north/Milan/Florence, etc, then choose the CT.

If you leave out of Rome, then do the Amalfi coast.

Weather in both will be about the same..you might hit some rain, and some cooler temps your time of year for travel.

Staying north - CT - you have more than just Pisa to explore. Try Lucca or San Gimignano or Volterre too.
USA Tue 08/29/2006

Sofi
In terms of sights, this “experienced traveler” suggests investing in a few guidebooks. Only you and your Dad know what you like!

In terms of logistics, this is a very tight itinerary. Forget the Cinque Terre unless it is on your father’s dream list. Look into flights to Venice to gain a day, otherwise your best bet is an overnight train. Trains will get you from Venice to Florence to Rome. (I don’t think you will have time, but Siena is Tuscany’s “other” great city, and San Gimignano is a Tuscan hill town that is accessible by bus.)

Have a wonderful trip!
Adam
Boston, USA Tue 08/29/2006

Re: Enough Time Between flights
If you are flying all the way on BA, your luggage will be checked through to Amsterdam. However, check the luggage tags when they are issued to be sure they show AMS as the final destination.

Here is a quote from the Heathrow Web site. Connecting from one Terminal 4 flight to another: Your connection will take approximately 60 minutes, from landing to departure gate. Signs will point you in the direction of security and our airline desks. From there, walk to the departure lounge and your departure gate.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Tue 08/29/2006

Enough Time Between Flights?
When you change planes at Heathrow, your checked baggage will be automatically sent to your next flight. There are no customs or immigration checks, but all transfer passengers must go through a security check (metal detectors and x-ray machines). The security check is standard practice and has nothing to do with the recent terror threats; but you will have to abide by the current British security restrictions. Thus, there may be some items the TSA allows on your flight from the US to Heathrow but those same items may be banned from Heathrow to your next destination; make sure you are in full compliance of the British restrictions *before* you leave the USA. As for transfer times, 90 minutes is cutting it very close if you are arriving at terminal 4. In order to get from 4 to the other terminals you have to board a bus; sometimes you may have to wait on line until buses arrive, and these buses can also get held up in internal airport traffic jams! In regards to booking a later flight to Amsterdam, if BA has several other flights scheduled for later in the day, then I would worry about missing your connection, they will simply stick you on a later flight if you miss the one you are booked on.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Tue 08/29/2006

Not like USA
In europe based on many trips you go through customs at finale destination
John Brangwin
bellevue, WA USA Tue 08/29/2006

More Info
Both the landing and departing flight are in Terminal 4 at Heathrow.
RB
Sedro Woolley, WA USA Tue 08/29/2006

Enough Time Between Flights?
I am flying from the USA to Amsterdam via British Air. The time between landing at Heathrow and catching my flight onward to Amsterdam from Heathrow is an hour and a half. Is this doable or should I try to schedule a later flight to allow more time? Do I have to get my luggage and clear customs before heading onward to Amsterdam? When I called the BA operator he thought the connecting time was fine, but I don't know....he said if I missed, I would be put on the next flight available--would there be seats on the NEXT flight or would I be stuck waiting at Heathrow indefinitely? I would appreciate helpful comments from those in the know.
RB
Sedro Woolley, WA USA Tue 08/29/2006

Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast in October
Hi, I am travelling with my DH to Italy for 2 weeks. Most of our itenary is done. I have 4 days in tuscany area( we are renting a car and driving down from florence) and 2 for Italian rivera (either Cinque Tere or Amalfi coast). I am unable to decide between the two. Can someone please help me make the decision: I will be there beginning of october (october 3rd and 4th) Cinque terre pros: 1> Can visit Pisa on the way 2> May be less crowded and more quaint Amalfi pros: 1> Can visit pompeii on the drive down 2> May have better weather(less rain) than CT in october.
Madhavi <email>
San Jose, CA USA Tue 08/29/2006

Walk from Innsbruck to Hall (Austria)
Does anyone know how long a walk it would be from Innsbruck to Hall on the bike trail? The Rick Steves book says it is a 30 minute nice bike ride, but neither my husband nor I can ride a bike. We both like to walk.
Nicole <email>
Frederick, MD USA Tue 08/29/2006

Apartments in Bruges
I am sorry to always be asking questions but my boyfriend is driving me nuts with all these changes in plans. We have finally come to the FINAL decision. We will be in Barcelona Spain from April 28,2007 through about May 5. We want to travel up to Bruges for another week. We are both big fans of the beer in Belgium. We would like to consider renting a flat there for the week. Anyone know of any websites? Your help would be appreciated
Kim
Brooklyn, NY USA Tue 08/29/2006

RE: Chamonix- arrive Zurich??
Since Chamonix is in the south - you can take the same flight usually to Geneva (wiht a stop in Zurich)... thats much closer to that area. Colmar on the other hand is in the opposite direction - if you go there from Zurich youd go toward Basel and either southern Germany or right into France/Alsace... depending on the route. or if by train. Youd have to check the prices for a car in France vs Switzerland - im sure the later is more expensive. You can then drive south toward Geneva (either through the alps or along the Swiss/French boarder... still a long trip by car but scenic!
USA Tue 08/29/2006

Dog on the Plane
My sister flew (within the US) a week ago, and took her cat as carry-on with no problems. The only change at the time was that no animal (or child) was allowed to fly unescorted. Check the TSA website frequently for any changes.

I would never, ever place a pet in the hold of a plane. They would be subjected to extreme temperatures, and would be at the mercy of baggage handlers. It has been my experience that cats and dogs are excellent travelers. The many animals I have shared an airplane cabin with over the years have all been silent, and none have smelled. Personally, I would rather share an airplane with a hundred dogs than a single baby.
Lisa
Lansing, MI USA Tue 08/29/2006

Accomodation in Venice
Sorry I can't personally recommend an apartment. However, I can recommend the Pensione Accademia hotel which is located in the Dorsoduro area of Venice. It's a wonderful place.
Tim
USA Tue 08/29/2006

Re: accommodation in Venice
Can anyone recommend an apartment in the Dorsoduro area of Venice that is reasonable in price.
Deb
Auckland, NZ Tue 08/29/2006

Re: Paris Train Transfer
Metro line 14 has been extended to St-Lazare so the "direction" is now St-Lazare rather than Madeleine.

At Chatelet take Metro line 4 (direction Porte de Clignancourt) to Gare du Nord.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Tue 08/29/2006

Sofi
You can take a morning RyanAir flight from Paris to Venice and arrive early afternoon. From Venice I would take a three-hour train ride to Florence (Tuscany). Florence is a good hub for day trips to the rest of Tuscany by train or bus. You can get to the Cinque Terre from Florence in 2-3 hours by train. From Cinque Terre (La Spezia) it's about a 4-hour train ride to Rome. Sixteen days for all this makes for a lot of moving around in a short time, but it is do-able. Be sure to read Rick's book on Italy.
Swan
USA Tue 08/29/2006

Tuscany: WHERE to rent car?
Clarification: My intended question below is: What city / town in Tuscany have people found convenient for a pickup/dropoff for rental cars (so as to leisurely tour the smaller towns) if their next step is to take a train to Rome? Hoping to learn from experience. Thanks.
Lynn
Oakland, CA USA Mon 08/28/2006

Dog on the Plane
You say your dog has a "reservation under the seat in front" of you. Have you thought about what the occupant of that seat might think about having your dog under his seat for a 7-8 hour flight? Or what the rest of the passengers might think about any smelly "accidents" the dog might have since you won't have an opportunity to let him outside. I think that if you must take the dog with you the only considerate option is in the baggage compartment.
Jeff
USA Mon 08/28/2006

Anguillara, Italy
Bonnie, In 2002 we stayed at the B&B "Le Farfalle" (http://web.tiscali.it/lefarfalle/) Just outside of the town of Lago Bracciano. It’s just around the west side of the lake from Anguillara where we even ate eels one night. The B&B is great and pretty reasonable. Since we weren’t able to get commuter rates on the trains, being over a weekend, it cost too much for us to take the train so we drove to Rome several days. The trips took around an hour and we found parking easily in the Borgo S. Pietro and along the Vatican walls. Other days we drove to Ostia Antica, Tarquinia, Castelli Romani and Palestrina. It’s pretty centrally located for most of Lazio around Rome. I’m ashamed to admit that we got the idea of staying in that area from the Raymond show, too. Probably the only benefit those dysfunctional people ever bestowed on anyone.
USA Mon 08/28/2006

Chamonix- arrive Zurich??
I am thinking of modifying and reversing (due to family schedules and locations) Rick's great 21- day around France itinerary, with an extra week or ten days. It appears to make the most sense to fly into Zurich from the US, and then take a train to Chamonix and environs? Is Colmar a good place to pick up the rental car to begin south? This would be at the end of June, 2007....thank you!
USA Mon 08/28/2006

Lynn re Tuscany car rental
We once rented from an Italian company called Maggiore. We actually booked through Alamo here. As I recall, we used them because they had offices where none of the big guys nor the consolidators did. We had no problem with them. They have offices in scads of Italian cities and towns, including Florence and Siena. Whatever you do, don't attempt to return your car in Rome. My suggestion would be to return it to the airport and ride the train in.
USA Mon 08/28/2006

Tuscany - where to rent car?
We want to use trains for most travel during our 22 days in Italy but use the car for 3-4 days to see the beauty and hillier places in Tuscany. In Tuscany, we will be visiting Florence, Assisi, & Siena as well as a smattering of villages and smaller towns -- after that we will head to Rome. Please advise - where to rent / drop off car. THANKS!
Lynn
Oakland, CA USA Mon 08/28/2006

ERIC....TUSCANY IN JANUARY OR MAY
You will find it far too cold to enjoy travel in January. The wind and the rain will deter you.

Who knows how mild May will be like because that month varies too much.
USA Mon 08/28/2006

TIME....CINQUE TERRE OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER
If you read down this column for previous months and the archives for this section you will find lots of advice on weather at CT.

It varies from year to year. I was there in November and it was COLD.
USA Mon 08/28/2006

Itineray help!
Help, help, help! I'll spare you the long story by just saying that I just found out I will be traveling to Paris and Italy on September 3 through the 19th. It's my fathers dream vacation and he's convinced this is his last chance to take it. Anyways, even though ill prepared I am very pleased to take him. My problem! I am in need of any itinerary suggestions. We are arriving Paris CDG on Monday morning Sept 4th. He wants to see the major attractions and then wants to go into Italy, we fly out of Rome on the 19th. In Italy he would like to see Venice, Florence, of course Rome, and from what I've been reading I would love to see Cinque Terre or Tuscany. I will be frantically searching the internet tonight for maps and suggestion. I will hopefully find a travel agent who is willing to help tomorrow but from all I've read on this sight I would greatly appreciate help from the experienced travelor. We are not picky, I just want to make this pleasant for him. Thanks a million.
Sofi <email>
San Diego, CA USA Mon 08/28/2006

to Cali
Whoops--we have to establish what part of the world you're referring to. In Europe, the focus of this board, "double berth" is not a traditional term. I think you've understood it to mean two beds in a private compartment, and if so, expect to pay much more for it than 2 couchette beds. A double compartment cost roughly the same as a hotel room *on top of* the basic A-to-B fare. You have to pay for sleeping-car accommodation even if you have a railpass. ~~~If you're still confused, and I don't blame you!, post your e-mail address.
USA Mon 08/28/2006

To San Francisco
You're asking about the RER, the express subway. RER Line D does go to Gare du Nord but you can't board at Bercy. The nearest RER stop is Gare de Lyons, a longish walk away. If you have time and don't mind walking, walk to Lyons and have breakfast there. Otherwise, to go by Metro from Bercy, use Line 14. Board at the platform marked "Direction Madelaine" and transfer at Chatelet. (From Chatelet you can complete the journey on either RER or Metro, consult maps.) Ticketing is cheap and easy--you need to buy only one standard ticket per person. More info and "plans" (i.e. maps): www.ratp.fr
DC
BC Can Mon 08/28/2006

RE: The new British baggage restrictions
Norm, I don't know if you were referring to me, but my packing list has not changed one iota. That's because I decided a long time ago never to fly through UK, no matter what the fare. I am always headed for "the continent", and flying through London usually means getting into my destination at 3 or 4 PM vs. 7 or 8 AM.

The other hard rule, I never take a 6 AM flight out of Frankfurt, no matter what the fare is. I like to get a good night's sleep before flying back home. If I take a 6 AM flight, I need to be at the airport at 3:30, which means leaving my hotel around 3 AM, which means not getting any sleep.

One of the few cases where I will pay a few extra $$ to avoid unreasonable discomfort.
USA Mon 08/28/2006

Sleepers and berths
AIUI these terms are American usages. A "sleeper" is any passenger car that features beds. A "berth" specifically means a single bed in an open sleeping car with only curtains for privacy, also called a "section", but the word is used to refer to any kind of bed. In Europe, rather than berths they have "couchettes" that come 4-6 to a room--no curtains!! Proper beds in private rooms are also available. A sleeping car is a "wagon-lits" or "Schlafwagen" although the English "sleeping" is understood most everywhere. NB: a "sleeperette" is not a bed! In timetables, night trains with beds are marked with bed icons. The icon for "couchette" looks more like a plank than a bed, and that about sums it up :-) And by the way, if you're British, sleepers are the members that keep the rails the correct distance apart.
DC
BC Can Mon 08/28/2006

RE: The new British baggage restrictions
USA....I'd be interested to know what your packing list is for a week in Europe with British regulations for carry-ons now limited to 6 inches x 14 inches x 18 inches (about 1500 cu in.) I have enough trouble with a 20 inch carry-on, which has about 2500 cu inches of space!
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Mon 08/28/2006

Night Train
What is the difference between a berth and a sleeper?
Cali, USA Mon 08/28/2006

PAM....FLY FISHING IN ITALY
Do a google.com search for “fly fishing italy”. You will find scores of pages covering this subject.
USA Mon 08/28/2006

Paris Train Transfer
We are taking a night train into Paris. We need to get from Gare Bercy to Gare du Nord.

Can we take the green line (North) from Gare Bercy to Gare du Nord without switching metro lines?
San Francisco, USA Mon 08/28/2006

Cirrus, Star---ATM question
Su -- Your debit card or credit card will work fine on any terminal that is a part of the either the CIRRUS and/or STAR network. Will not work on a PLUS network. The PLUS network is pretty widespread. Do not know how frequent CIRRUS or STAR networks are.
Frank P. <email>
Centennial, CO USA Mon 08/28/2006

The new British baggage restrictions
Michael, why should I try checking bags on my next trip? I tried it before, and it was a near disaster. I will never again willingly check luggage.

On my first trip to Europe, my bags were unloaded onto the carrousel at Logan. If I had not accidentally found them there, they certainly would not have made it onto my flight to Brussels; they might still be there. Third trip, on a flight within Europe, my bags almost went on to South America.

Then I discovered Rick and his “pack light, carry on” philosophy and happily embraced it. Two trips later I had a connection in an eastern U.S. airport on the way to Frankfurt. The first flight was so late that the airline met 13 of us at the gate and took us to the international terminal where we just barely made our flight. I am sure no checked luggage made it. The other twelve looked at me enviously when they found out that I had all of my luggage with me. I am sure that they were anything but relaxed when they got to Frankfurt and found that the flight with their luggage would not arrive until the next day, and it would take days more to get it from Frankfurt to where they were going. Five hours later, I was four hours by train from FRA and hours from the nearest airport.

I find the “hassle” of carrying my one 15# carry-on bag from the gate to customs to be insignificant. The most crowded part of the airport is from there to the exit. I would have to carry it from the baggage retrieval to the train anyway. A little bit further is nothing compared to the hassle of waiting for the plane to unload and fighting at a crowded carousel to get my bag.
USA Mon 08/28/2006

Click & Rail Germany
I will be traveling from Hamburg to Switzerland this September. I found out that there is a cheap fare called "Click & Rail" offered by swiss's sbb.ch. Even though the web site said I can print out the ticket myself, I am not sure if I can book it since I am not a resident in Switzerland, and I will be traveling into Switzerland, not from. Does anyone have experience with booking through sbb.ch from the US?

Thanks!
Hao <email>
Madison, WI USA Mon 08/28/2006

Re: Hotel in Belgium 8/28
Shannan--Look at Graffiti Wall, Heroic B&B's for posting on 8/4 by Irina. She recommends Geerwijn in Bruge, Belgium. Check out www.tripadvisor.com for 34 B&B listings in Bruge, including traveler's reviews. (Listed as 'tGeerwijn under this website.) There is no airport in Bruge. You will have to go to Brussels but the train from Bruge is quick, direct and cheap. Check www.kayak.com for multi-site comparison on airfare from Belgium to Spain.
Susan
Nashville, TN USA Mon 08/28/2006

Dog on the plane.
We are scheduled to fly from Chicago to CDG in late Sept. We are taking our small dog with us; we always do. He has a reservation on the plane under the seat in front. Have any of you had experience with this recently, and have had to put your dog in cargo? We have checked with United and their responses have been ambivalent. Thanks in advance!
Scott
Chicago, IL USA Mon 08/28/2006

Cirrus and Star
You can get information on Cirrus locations worldwide here. I am sure you won't have any problems. http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/cardholderservices/atmlocations/index.html
Jeff
USA Mon 08/28/2006

Re: packing film
Wow...such nice responses! Just an update from Don who seems to have the issue solved. "Please do NOT put the film in the checked bags. The x-rays will fog (ruin) it for sure.

Do this. Take the film rolls out of the canisters and put them in a zip lock bag and ask for a hand inspection. They don't have to do it, but you can try. If they will not inspect by hand, just put the zip lock in your purse. We have never had film hurt by the machines at the passenger security point." Thanks to all!
Susan <email>
Nashville, TN USA Mon 08/28/2006

Cirrus, Star---ATM question
I have CIRRUS and STAR on the back of my ATM card (NO PLUS). I this all I need to get money from ATM's in Europe? Su
Su
USA Mon 08/28/2006

Susan - packing film
Why don't you call a few camera shops in your town and ask about packing film in your luggage. I have also heard the same, that the "internal" baggage screening is much harder on film than carry on.

You might still be able to carry on film...check with your airline.

Also - why the heck are you not converted over to digital by now???? : > )
USA Mon 08/28/2006

Anguillara, Italy
Buon Giorno, I have to start practicing. Has anyone stayed in Anguillara on Lake Bracciano about 30 miles north of Rome. Does anyone have the name of a place to stay. Perhaps a family that rents out a room. I saw this featured on an Everybody Loves Raymond episode and yes they filmed in this town.Grazie
Bonnie <email>
Tigard, OR USA Mon 08/28/2006

Re:Hotel /Flights in Belgium
For flights from Spain, check www.whichbudget.com to locate the place in Spain you're departing from, and which connections there are to Belgium.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Mon 08/28/2006

Re: Where to go in Spain
Three places you should not miss in Spain after Barcelona.....Granada, for the Alhambra and its vivid demonstration of Spain's Moorish Islamic past.....Sevilla, because of the vibrant lifestyle....and Toledo, because it's a mixture of all three strains of Spanish heritage....Christian, Muslim, and Jewish (plus the recently-uncovered Visigoth structures). If you're driving, head along the coast between Granada and Sevilla to visit some of the "white villages" ona your way.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Mon 08/28/2006

Fly-Fishing
Hello:

I'm wondering if any one has done any fly-fishing in Italy? My husband and I are avid fly-fishers and love Italy. It would be wonderful to combine these two things. Thank you Pam
Pam <email>
Nevada City, CA USA Mon 08/28/2006

Venicecard & other city cards
While I have not personally tried the VeniceCard, I can tell you that every city card I have ever used (Prague, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dublin, etc) has always been "worth it" mainly because you can skip long lines to enter museums and they almost always inlcude transportation. That means you do not have to buy tram, metro or bus tickets and you can just hop on and hop off. It's the convenience as much as the reduced prices or free entires that can be the best deal of all.

The best thing to do is look at what's included, the jot down (or circle it if you have a print-out) what you want to visit. Then make a plan or itinerary for yourself for each day. Cross out what you do not want to do.

Between the discounted or free museum entries, plus discounts on other attractions and usually some restaurants, and the cheaper and much more convenient transportation, a city card or pass (or tourist card) is really worth it - unless you don't want to do anything on the list!
FL USA Mon 08/28/2006

Hotel in Belgium
I am planning a trip to Bruges in early May of 07. Can any recommend a good hotel in the city center? Or a good website to use. Also, any good inter-europe airlines that fly to Bruges from Spain. Will be there for a week before going to Belgium. Do not have the time for train rides.
Shannan
New York , NY USA Mon 08/28/2006

Weather in Tuscany
Eric, since you have the choice, opt for May. Tuscany can have some real wintery weather. A few years ago, we flew into Rome on April 12 on our way to Tuscany. The temp, when we landed at 8 A.M., was 32 degrees F. It got up to 40 that day. When we got to Siena a few days later, we were told that they had had snow. Your chances for good weather are much better in May, and spring is beautiful in Italy.
USA Mon 08/28/2006

Packing Film
Since film in Europe is expensive I have purchased an abundant supply here in US. I am concerned about it being ruined during screening. I've always taken it in my carry-on with no problems but with new carry-on issues I thought I should put it in checked luggage. I've heard the stronger x-rays can damage it though. Any help with this is appreciated. Thanks.
Susan <email>
Nashville, TN USA Mon 08/28/2006

Carry on restrictions
I said I stuff the pockets of my *jacket* with carry-on items; the jacket is then removed and put through the x-ray machine at airport security. At Newark airport the TSA has always encourage people to do it this way as it speeds up the lines. Also by putting everything in your jackets your less likely to leave anything behind after the security checkpoint.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Mon 08/28/2006

Carry on restrictions
As a poster noted below, he puts stuff in his pockets as "carry on".

I just read online and in the newspaper that in some cases, you are NOT allowed to have anything in your pockets when boarding a plane.

Please, always check with your airline before packing, carrying on so you don't 1. have a hassle at the airport security 2. Hold up the line of travelers behind you because of "not knowing new rules" 3. Don't have to throw away items that now cannot be carried on!

Happy, Safe Travels.
USA Mon 08/28/2006

Cinque Terre - Late October or November
Has anyone done Cinque Terre in late October or November? What is the weather generally like?

Thanks!
Tim <email>
St. Louis, MO USA Mon 08/28/2006

I wouldn't check Civita
It's too soft and likely will get really messed up. Also to the poster who said he preferred to fill his pockets to carrying a bag in airports needs to check the BAA site. Pockets are now supposed to be empty with all goods in an appropriate bag that can go through the machine.
Shirley
Fort Worth, TX USA Mon 08/28/2006

TUSCANY IN JANUARY OR MAY?
I'm considering a two-week trip to Rome and Tuscany, much of which will be devoted to research for a novel--and which could happen in either earliest January or mid-May. Clearly the weather would be nicer and the days longer in May. But how much nicer? How great is the difference? What's it like in Tuscany during January? Too cold? I've heard the wind in Florence can be bitter.
Eric <email>
Topeka, Kansas USA Mon 08/28/2006

Where to go in Spain?? Help!!
Hi-I wrote last week about going from Barcelona to Innsbruck. Well now our plans have changed and we are going to just be in Spain. We have to be in Barcelona on or around the 28th of April 07. That part is going to be a family vacation of about12-14 people. We will be renting a villa there. My question(s) are the following: Where should we go after barcelona? We have about 7-10 days we can spend in other areas of spain..I would like to see Mallorca..has anyone been..Is Seville worth seeing or would we be better going somewhere else..we would like to fit in Madrid..and also maybe Valencia..We were also thinking of going over to Portugal..Lisbon..or the Algarve..Please help us to decide..and does anyone know if it would be worth it in that case to get a Spain rail pass or should we get point to point..Please post or email your suggestions to me..thanks..
Kim <email>
Brooklyn, NY USA Mon 08/28/2006

Re: Trains
on the bahn.de website, there is also a night train that leaves from biarritz and arrives in interlaken at 2 p.m.(w/a train/station change in paris). the bahn website is your best bet--if you click on intl. guests, it will give you the english version and you can try different connections! good luck!
bgh
USA Sun 08/27/2006

The new British baggage restrictions.
I personally don't find the new carry-on restrictions a big deal. I always travel light and have always used the "rick" bag. Even though is was small enough to carry-on (pre-terror threat), I always checked it in anyways. Anything I needed for my flight I would cram into the pockets of my jacket. I've always found it a hassle to lug bags through busy airports. By just carrying what I need in my jacket, I'am much more relaxed for a long flight. Try it on your next trip you may suprised how easy it is.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Sun 08/27/2006

Hotel Swap in Paris
My fiance and I are taking our honeymoon to Paris the week before Christmas 2006 (Dec. 18-24). Fortunately/unfortunately, the hotel we are staying at is the Marriott Ile D' Cite at Disneyland Paris (long story but it was a gift from my mother). We have a gorgeous suite (260 euro rate)that is reserved for a week, but would also like to spend a few nights sleeping in the city. Is there anyone out there that may be in Paris at that time, may have hotel reservations and would like to swap? (or would like to use our room for a few nights at a cheap rate we could talk about) and may want to swap for a night or two (perhaps you want to visit Disneyland Paris). We are flexible! Thanks and email if any interest at all!
David <email>
Pittsburgh, PA USA Sun 08/27/2006

Amalfi Coast
Staying in Praiano on the Amalfi Coast in October. Any recs for restaurants or sights? What about clothes, how to dress?
Don F <email>
Maitland, FL USA Sun 08/27/2006

Civita Bag
I love my RS black Civita bag and it has survived two month-long Europe trips and also Hawaii and domestic travel and is still like new. While very rugged, I'm not sure checking it would be a good idea- the fabric is quite lightweight. The zippers don't come with a lock...I have always used it as my day bag but kept money in hidden pockets/money belt combo. It does have a handy clip at the very bottom to which you could attach a wallet- but my fear was more that somebody would grab the whole bag than rummage way, way down to the bottom where the clip is!
USA Sun 08/27/2006

RE: Veloce/Civita Bags
The new BAA guidelines (also BA) is 6 inches x 14 inches x 18 inches. Both the Veloce and the Civita bags will work within those measurements as well as the Appenzell (click on Rick's favorite day bags on the home page for the measurements). The Appenzell is sturdier than the Civita which is very light weight.
James
West Memphis, AR USA Sun 08/27/2006

Civita Shoulder Bag / Veloce Shoulder Bag
Since in all likelihood I will not be able to use my newly-bought Avanti Flight Bag on my upcoming British Airways flight, I'm now looking at the two shoulder bags that meet BAA measurement restrictions. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has either the Veloce Shoulder Bag or the Civita Shoulder Bag.

I tend to pack my carry-on full and then check it for my return flight. Would the Civita survive being checked? It sounds like the material might be too "delicate" for that. It looks like the Veloce might be more rugged. Also, does either bag have lockable zippers?

Any input appreciated! Thanks!
Teresa <email>
Seattle, USA Sun 08/27/2006

Munich palaces
Julie,

it somewhat depends on your preferences. The Residenz is an endless progression of Roccoco rooms. What I remember is hours of ornate sameness.

On the other hand, there is not really much to see inside the building at Nymphenburg. Same type of rooms but not so many. What I liked about Nymphenburg was the parklike setting. I enjoyed just walking around the grounds.

Last time I was in Munich, the first time for my wife, I took her to Nymphenburg, but not to the Residenz.

MY favorite place is the City Museum (Stadtmuseum) of Munich, a few blocks south of Marienplatz. Last time I was there, they had an exhibit of Munich as it looked throughout the ages, with drawings, maps, and models of the city and the city walls. However, the descriptions with the exhibits were in German.
<email>
USA Sun 08/27/2006

Munich Palaces
We only have time in Munich to see one palace. Should we visit the Residenz or Nymphenburg Palace?
Julie <email>
USA Sun 08/27/2006

Venice
I would like to know if anyone has purchased a "Venicecard" from www.Alata.it for travel in Venice and getting into museums. If so, was it worth the expense?
Charlotte <email>
Titusville, FL USA Sun 08/27/2006

Champgne, Mosel
Hi Mike from LI! By all means,it is worth the trip to Colmar and Strasbourg. Colmar is a delight, full of small, tiny winding streets, quaint half-timbered houses, great restaurants. The core of the town is ancient and well preserved with much to see. Strasbourg has a genuine "big city" feel but the cathedral and town square are magnificent. The clock in the cathedral is beyond description. Huge and beautiful as is the church. It is worth a cruise on the river to get a feel of the city. As for your plans for the Champagne region (take a free tour of one of the Champagne cellers, we toured Mumms) and the Mosel, it is a great combination, You can fly into Brussels or Paris and take a route based on either landing. Both would involve a large circle with tons of sights to include. The Mosel region is special to us because the people are great and the pace is slower than that of large cities like Paris. With a little reading you can find out all about the towns on the Mosel but we loved every one we visited. We stopped at almost every town we came to and loved them all. The distances involved are shorter than you would expect. My only caution is to avoid staying at Ricks recommended hotel at the RR tracks. We met many people on both of out trips to that area that stayed there and wished they had not. If you can sleep thru a tornado with ear plugs on, maybe you will like it but I am told the noise is really bad. (The food in their restaurant is good however). There are many B & B's(Zimmers) all along the river, you should never have trouble finding a room. Many are slightly back from the main sections of each town and offer a less expensive and quieter option to those in the town squares. As my better half and I traveled thru France, Belgium and Germany, we never had hotel reservations beyond our first and last nights. Never had trouble finding a room. Do yourself a favor, as you reach your destination, find your room then sight-see. By mid-afternoon, things tend to fill up. Get your map out and draw a big circle to include Colmar, Strasbourg, Trier(and the Mosel,) and if you can swing by Durbuy in Belgium on your way. It is a delight! We have done this area 2 or some of the places 3 times and can look up specifics for you. Don't forget Berg Eltz but DO NOT go to the castle by way of the parking spot up on the hill. Long trek is almost straight dowm. And coming back up is a horror. All of our trips have been in May. Never crowded and the people are ready for the tourists. It gets to be a long winter, I think. Price not only your air fares but car rentals to see which direction to go, we found that flying to Brussels and renting a car there was cheapest on our last trips. We travel on a budget so I carefully shop options. Best to use a combination of travel books and sites, we like Ricks books as well as Frommers. We also like to read the postings on www.Fodors.com Great interaction there. Bon Voyage, when are you going?
Pat
MA USA Sun 08/27/2006

siena vs lucca
We've been to both. Lucca is beautiful, charming, the food is good, the accomodations nice. It's a great town to walk in (locals use bicycles a lot!) Siena is a little noisier, busier, but also has more "sights", more shopping, more restaurant and hotel choices, and feels a little less expensive. The best choice? Cut something else out of your trip and do both!
Tony Caliendo <email>
Denver, CO usa Sun 08/27/2006

German rail travel
Most tickets in Germany are not cancelled before getting on the train; the conductor does it on the train.

If you buy a ticket from a ticket counter, and it is the size of an IBM card, it doesn't have to be cancelled. In metro transit areas, like Munich, some tickets from machines have to be cancelled. You can tell because they have "Hier entwerten" printed on the edge where you cancel them. The cancelling machines are in the station for S/U-bahns or on the streetcars.

I have made extensive use of Schönes-Wochenende and Länder tickets. You can write to me offline if you have questions.
<email>
USA Sun 08/27/2006

Buying Train Tickets, for Janice
Before every trip, early in the planning stage, I create a spreadsheet with a row for each leg of my rail travel. I use national rail websites, like Bahn.de or Trenitalia, to find the cost of point-to-point tickets purchased over there and put them in one column, paying particular attention to promotional fares, such as PREMS in France, Smart fares in Italy, or SparPreis or Länder tickets in Germany. In another column I put all the passholder fees or reservation costs that come with a railpass. You can find many of these fees on this site under “Using your railpass”. Then I add up both columns and compare the cost of a railpass plus passholder and reservation fees with the total cost of point-to-point tickets.

In the past I have found that unless you have several long rail legs included, a railpass will not pay.

Be aware that some lines, like Thalys, limit passholder tickets. Someone wrote in a few years ago about being in Belgium in the summer with a railpass, and having to wait hours in line for a reservation, only to be told that the first available train was days after her desired travel date. For Thalys, I would look for reservations on Rail Europe (probably costs more than over there, but you would know you had them) and use that cost in my "railpass" column.

It is also important to look for reservation well in advance for night trains, if you plan on using them. Too many people write into this site desperate because they are leaving soon and they can't find where to buy reservations for a night train. Rail Europe does not sell reservations for every night train. For some night trains, there are other sites (CityNightLine, Nachtzugreise) with online reservations. For others you have to call Europe.

For some of the German based night trains, a SparNight fare, if they are still available, is less than the cost of a reservation plus a day of a railpass.

So, do you homework before purchasing a railpass.
<email>
USA Sun 08/27/2006

German rail travel
Do point to point tickets on the German trains need to be vaildated as they do in some other places? Also, has anyone used a Schones Wochenende (happy weekend) pass or a Lander ticket? Thanks
Stan
Atlanta, USA Sun 08/27/2006

Amsterdam or Berlin
I have never been to Berlin but I spent Eight days in Amsterdam last fall.If you are an art lover Amsterdam is a wonderful city for art.Besides the museums mentioned by the previous poster i would highly consider the Kroller-Mueller museum in Arnhem its one hour and 15 min. by train from Amsterdam Centraal, situated in the Hoge Veluwe the Netherlands largest national park,it has a larger collection of Van Gogh's than any of the museum's in Amsterdam combined.Not to mention just about every other artist you can think of in addition there is a huge sculpture garden.
John
Cincinnati, USA Sun 08/27/2006

Greece/Turkey travel
Greece/Turkey, I have taken a ferry from Athens to Turkey so I know that is possible. We went to the Greek island of Samos, then Turkey. However I do remember hearing about not being able to go from one country to another. Maybe it was about flying or something.
USA Sun 08/27/2006

overnight in turkey
I tried doing more research and what I have found out so far is that if you are traveling on charter airlines Greece has some law that you can not stay overnight in Turkey to prevent people from using charter airlines to fly into Athens. I think if you are flying Greece-Turkey it is fine. Also if you are arriving in Turkey and then making your way to greece via ferry for example it seems fine. I have been having a hard time finding out about this from any more official source but have been told by others on different boards
bluedenim
canada Sun 08/27/2006

Amsterdam or Berlin?
Amsterdam! The art scene in Amsterdam is one of the best in the world! The two most popular museums of course are the Rijks and Van Gough. In addition there are lots of temporary exhibts scattered through out the city in places like the New Church and the Hermitage. Just outside Amsterdam in Haarlem there is the excellent Frans Hal museum. The art is just as good as the Rijks but with half the crowds. If I had to prioritize other "art" cites to visit I would visit the following in this order: London, Paris, St. Petersburg, Madrid, Brussels, and Berlin.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Sun 08/27/2006

Amsterdam or Berlin?
I'm an artist traveling to Europe in October. I'd rather spend longer times in fewer cities than short times in lots of cities. And I'm very interested in seeing art museums - my taste is more classical than modern. So, do I go to Amsterdam or Berlin?
Ginny <email>
Tucson, AZ USA Sat 08/26/2006

Buying Train Tickets for Janice
Is buying train tickets at the station a “big hassle?” Usually not—but it is not instantaneous either, so budget time for it. One strategy is to buy your departure tickets at the station when you arrive.

Rail passes confer flexibility and freedom that are hard to put a price on. However, passes do not avoid the need to make reservations for thing like couchettes or special trains, so you could find yourself waiting to use the ticket window even with a pass.
Adam
Boston, USA Sat 08/26/2006

To Lisa, re. contact lens
Hi Lisa: Couldn't you just take your contact lens in your carry-on bag? As I understand it, even passengers going through London airports are allowed to bring either disposable contact lenses in sealed packaging or non-disposable contact lenses in carrier with small amount of solution (but not bottles of solution).
USA Sat 08/26/2006

rules on checking boxes as luggage
verify with your airline that you may do so. Not all airlines will allow this. You are better off checking a small suitcase. If you don't want to take that suitcase along on your entire trip, buy one at Goodwill and then discard it properly at your destination. Also using trash sacks as check in material may not be allowed. Read up on the rules for your own airline and city of departure.
Shirley
Fort Worth, TX USA Sat 08/26/2006

belgravia hotel
its in a very good location, would reccommend it highly
tim
USA Sat 08/26/2006

Heathrow-Gatwick Transfer
You should allow a minimum of five hours between your scheduled arrival at Heathrow and your scheduled departure from Gatwick. (With today's security issues, six hours would be safer.) The National Express bus goes directly from Heathrow to Gatwick. (See the timetables and fares at www.nationalexpress.com.) It's the most convenient route, particularly if you have a lot of luggage.

However, if you arrive at Heathrow fairly early in the morning, you would have time to go into central London and walk around a bit and ahve lunch before going to Gatwick. And going from LHR to LGW via central London happens to be your cheapest route. Here is a link that shows you all your options: http://tinyurl.com/2xrwl.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Sat 08/26/2006

ANDY....CHEAP DAY TO FLY
Yes the source for this information is your airline.

I have read that most airlines reduce fares for mid-week flights.

Some list Tue, Wed and Thurs as mid-week. Call the airlines you are considering and ask for the lowest fare for the week of (whatever date your choose).
USA Sat 08/26/2006

Transfers between London Heathrow and Gatwick?
I am planning to arrive London Heathrow from N.America and have a flight at 5:00 PM out of Gatwick (Easyjet to Rome). Any advice on transfers/transportation between the two? Found some info on National Express Airport Coaches. Any advice welcomed.
Will <email>
Seattle, WA USA Sat 08/26/2006

Re: Checking toiletries
I am also thinking about checking toiletries only. I am going to pack the toiletries in a sturdy box about the size of a small carryon to minimize the chance of loss or damage, then throw away the box at my destination.
USA Sat 08/26/2006

The Belgravia Hotel - London
Has anyone ever stayed here? Any stories?
USA Sat 08/26/2006

credit card acceptance
People who have never had their cc rejected, like those who never had a problem with an atm, are lucky. It's not helpful to a novice traveler, however, to suggest that they need not be prepared for trouble. We have had several incidents, mostly in Italy, where a proprietor of a restaurant or hotel has given us a tale of a mysteriously non-functioning cc recording device or some other bs, even though the visa decal was displayed. Presumably, they wanted the business, but didn't want to pay the commission; or, perhaps didn't want the paper trail for tax collector. This is becoming less frequent as cc's become more omnipresent. It can be really serious, however, if you are about to leave the country and have gotten rid of most of your local currency. (Happened to us twice in Italy and once in France.) My only advice would be to check before ordering a meal that they really will accept your card. Also, since the advent of the euro, hanging on to foreign currency is less of an issue. You can count on using it the next time. Just remember to be prepared for the possibility of some silly games.
USA Sat 08/26/2006

VISA
Over the years I have traveled extensively throughout Europe. Visa is excepted everywhere. Even Eastern Europe: Russia, and Prague.
Jeff
NJ USA Sat 08/26/2006

Re: Budget Airlines in France
EasyJet does fly from Nice to Paris (both Orly and CDG).

However, the flight is 1:30, and the trip from Marseille to Nice is 2 hours. Add 2 hrs preboard at the airport and you are looking at over 5 1/2 hours. The TGV makes the trip from Marseille to Paris in about 3 hours.

Even if there were a flight from Marseille to Paris, total time would be more than the TGV.
<email>
USA Sat 08/26/2006

Gottingen
Hello:

I am planning to take a day trip from Berlin to Gottinge, what you recommend me to do it in one day
Pilar Harrietha <email>
Toronto, ON CANADA Sat 08/26/2006

Siena vs Lucca
Do you want quiet, or more excitment?

Lucca is smaller, but has a nice train station just across the street from the ancient walled city. If you plan to stay in the "old town" and want a small town feel, the Lucca should be your choice.

Siena is of course not that big, but it can be noisy - although cars are not allowed in the older section of town...the train station is a cab ride away.

We stayed over night in Siena on a bike trip, had a day tour and felt like we saw most of the important sights. BUT, I'm sure we missed something.

I'd vote for Lucca, just because of the smaller size, ease of getting to the train station.
USA Sat 08/26/2006

Re: Budget Airlines in France
According to its Web site, the only cities easyJet flies to from Marseille are Bristol, Liverpool, and London Gatwick.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Sat 08/26/2006

Checking toiletry only
Haven't tried this, but I don't think it's worth it. If you have to wait for a small bag anyway, just check it with your regular bag.

I would be afraid that something that small would get lost in the mix. Sticking it in a garbage bag sounds like a terrible idea. They are not sturdy, will rip, and what happens to your wonderful expensive skin care products then?

Just pack and check and have a wonderful time.
USA Sat 08/26/2006

Cheap Day to Fly?
If you are talking about transatlantic flights to Europe, as long as your trip includes a saturday night stayover then the fares are usually the same no matter when you depart or arrive. If you are talking about airfare for travel within Europe on discount airlines like ryanair or easyjet, then fares do vary on different days of the week. When you use their web sites to check fares, they will show what the fares are for the dates you requested and a few days before and after. Thus you will know if it is cheaper to fly sooner or even later.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Sat 08/26/2006

Cheap Day to Fly?
Is there a cheaper day of the week to fly? For example, is the cost lower on Monday or Saturday? Is there a source for this information? Thanks.
Andy Perry <email>
Louisville, KY USA Sat 08/26/2006

Siena vs Lucca
For three days I would probably choose Siena. There are more hotel choices, restaurants, interesting walks (it's hilly). Lucca, on the other hand, is flat, has a complete wall that is great for bicycling/walking, and also has lots of interesting things to see and do.
Swan
USA Sat 08/26/2006

overnight in turkey
i heard the same thing as bluedenim about turkey and greece but i was going from greece to istambul and got something about if i stayed in the airport it would be ok because it would be like a connection flite. Istambul is a real great place for under 30 or 35 but dont bring in anything to smoke or try to take some out
magwheels
USA Sat 08/26/2006

Budget airlines in France
Tim, about your informaton below that there are no budget flights Marseille to Paris, doesn't Easyjet make the Marignane-Orly hop anymore?
USA Sat 08/26/2006

Lucca or Siena?
Both Siena and Lucca sound great. My wife and I have 3 nights in late Sept. for one or the other. We like to walk, hang out, no big fancy meals. I'm leaning toward Lucca. My wife, Siena!

Is Lucca too small to spend that many days in, and is Siena too big for a day trip from Lucca?

Maybe Siena is the better town from which to take a day trip to Lucca?

Thanks!
Mark <email>
CA USA Fri 08/25/2006

Heathrow-London
My Rick Steves convertible Back Door Backpack is just 3 inches too big according to the new BAA & British Air guidelines for carry-on bags. I'm thinking that if I just don't pack it very full and if I use the compression straps on the side, then it will fit within the 6 inches x 14 inches x 18 inches. Has anyone tried using a R.S. convertible Back Door Bag as a carry-on at Heathrow? If so, were you successful or did they turn you down? I already own 4 R.S. bags and was hoping I might now have to purchase a new one. My email address is noted below.
James <email>
West Memphis, AR USA Fri 08/25/2006

Checking in toiletry bag only?
Has anyone tried checking in just a toiletry bag (or one placed inside a larger garbage bag or a slightly larger light tote)? I'm contemplating doing that, but am concerned the small size of the toiletry bag would make it more prone to get lost/misplaced somewhere in the process. (I have very specific needs for skincare liquids, which is why I would need to check in my toiletries.)
USA Fri 08/25/2006

Angel Tours Rome
I've heard many reports about Angel Tours in Rome. Any feedback? Good, bad or otherwise.
Scott B <email>
Yorba Linda, Ca USA Fri 08/25/2006

Jewelry in Europe
Jenn~~do you wear your engagement ring here in the US? Then, why would you even consider leaving it at home when you travel to Europe. I have never left my jewelry at home when I go to Europe. You will be a lot safer over there then here. Have you heard the news lately, the US is the most violent country when it comes to muggings, shootings, etc. Don't worry, wear your ring and have a great time.
USA Fri 08/25/2006

Buying Train Tickets
Janice,

it might depend on what country. I have bought point-point tickets for over 150 train connections in Germany with no hassle. I don't remember any significant lines at the counters, but I have usually used the automats, which are quick and easy to understand.
USA Fri 08/25/2006

B & B near Frankfurt
I am looking for a small hotel or B&B that is convenient to Frankfurt airport. I prefer not more than 1 hour drive time to the airport, but not in the city of Frankfurt. Thanks for your help.
Joan Campbell <email>
Tampa, Fl USA Fri 08/25/2006

CC in Italy - Always accepted!
I've been to Italy 5x and NEVER once did I have my VISA credit card refused as payment.

I've used it at hotels, small cafes, even buying some mementos, never once did I have anyone tell me they would not accept it.

As always, you should travel with a bit of cash, and have your ATM card (two of them as back up) ready.

I keep all my receipts and when home I attempt to match them up to the purchase.

One thing I've heard about is asking the hotel if they are billing in Euro or Dollars...they can do both. Make sure you take advantage of the exchange rate and decide which might be better if there is a possibility of choosing!
USA Fri 08/25/2006

Charles M. Luther
I've been to Italy more times than most of you children have had hot meals. Of course you can use your credit cards in Italy. How silly. There is much more personal crime in the US, in other words violent, physical crime, and more pickpockets in Europe. I have walked all over Rome since 1951 at all hours of the day and night and never been bothered once by a physical assault. But I always wear a moneybelt to foil pickpockets.
USA Fri 08/25/2006

Credit Cards in Italy
Many hotels and other businesses in Italy will not accept credit cards. They may say "it isn't working" or some such. Plan on using cash.
USA Fri 08/25/2006

More crime...
I have also never seen a pickpocket in America, either, but have witnessed several scenes, including a "bumping incident" on a subway escalator in Paris, which resulted in a local chasing down the thief after realizing his wallet was gone. A Spanish friend was just pickpocketed in Madrid. I think America is full of more violent crimes, but in Europe minor theft is more prevalent. However, be careful everywhere!
USA Fri 08/25/2006

Crime...
I'm sure everyone can come up with loads of examples about all the crime in Europe/USA, OR how safe Europe/USA is. Maybe it's a personal bias. I've known plenty of people that were mugged in my city, but none in Europe. Maybe that's why I feel much safer walking around central London than I do in downtown Philly.

Bottom line, play it safe where ever you may be, abroad or at home.
Sue
Philadelphia, PA USA Fri 08/25/2006

Champagne & Mosel Area
Greeting fellow Rick Steve Travelers, my wife & I are traveling to the Champagne Region and working or way to the Mosel River area, then up to Amsterdam. We were hoping for some recommendations of where to go in the Champagne & Mosel regions. We would like to visit some small towns and visit the small family vineyards. Also, if anyone know of some B&B's that are of good value please let us know. We are also thinking of making side trips to Strasbourg & Colmar. Thank you for any help.
William <email>
Long Island, NY USA Fri 08/25/2006

Crime in Europe
Sorry to disagree with San Francisco, but I have lived in the U.S. for 60 years and have never encounted a pickpocket. I can't tell you how many I have personally encounted in Rome, but it has been many. On buses, subways, and even walking down a main street. There is more crime there than here, just count yourself lucky if you have not experienced it.
USA Fri 08/25/2006

Buying Train Tickets
I am comparing point to point tickets vs. eurrail pass. I have concluded that point to point may be less expensive. However, I am wondering if buying train tickets at the station will be a big hassle.
Janice
Newport, MN USA Fri 08/25/2006

Jewelry and Crime
Kim below wrote "There is a lot of crime in Europe, espcially in Paris and Rome." That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! Of course there is crime everywhere, even in the smallest towns in the U.S., but Paris and Rome are 1000 times safer than San Francisco, or any city I can think of in the U.S. It's frustrating to read such nonsense!!
San Francisco, USA Fri 08/25/2006

Visa
Perhaps what your friend meant is that not everywhere will take credit cards in Europe. For example, smaller hotels, B and Bs, shops, some restaurants may not take credit cards, but I've never seen Visa singled out.
Chicago, USA Fri 08/25/2006

Italy Questions
I travel in Italy every fall. I do not make reservations at home in advance. Weekends, it might not be a bad idea to make your reservations a day in advance. Weekends in Italy up until winter, at least, are busier than weekdays. I try to avoid making hotel reservations beginning on Fri or Sat. In the Cinque Terre I stay in Monterosso at the Agave (in Rick's books). I choose hotels for convenience to the train station and for fewer stairs. My legs and knees don't like lots of stairs. The 100+ steps you will likely climb in Vernazza to some places may use up your daily energy ration--it did for me. In Vernazza, almost anyplace you stay will involve stair-climbing. In Monterosso there is a wide choice of accommodations, and many require very little climbing. If you want to stay in Riomaggiore, there is an elevator near the train station that will take you to the top of the cliff and from there you mostly walk downhill to the hotels and main street. In Corniglia there is a shuttle bus that will take you up to the main town.
USA Fri 08/25/2006

Visa Card
That is totally absurd. Of course Visa cards work in Europe. Just call your bank ahead of time and let them know you will be using it abroad. I have never had any problems, and I'm sure 99% of others have not either.
CA USA Fri 08/25/2006

Italy train travel - book ahead of time?
In mid-September, we will be traveling by train from Florence to La Spezia, then on to Cinque Terre. After Cinque Terre, we're heading to Rome to spend one more night and catch our flight home. We had trouble booking a room in Cinque Terre but finally found one -- they seem very booked up that weekend. With that in mind, I'm wondering if I should buy train tickets at trenitalia before we go to Italy. I would rather not - I like the flexibility of buying as we go - but should I worry about the trains being all booked, too?
Kris
Auburn, WA USA Fri 08/25/2006

The Belgravia Hotel - London
Has anyone ever stayed here? It got a pretty good rating on TripAdvisor.com.
USA Fri 08/25/2006

Visa
I was told by a friend that my visa cc probably wouldn't be accepted in most of Europe. She said she went to Italy and this was the case. Anyone else have problems with places in Europe accepting a Visa CC?
CA USA Fri 08/25/2006

Cinque Terre Favorites
What is your favorite Cinque Terre Village? What is your experience with the places to stay. What is your favorite place to stay? Going in September, 2007. How many days should we plan to stay since we will be doing some hiking as Rick suggests. Is it better to climb the stairs to the hotel/b&b for the great view in the evening or pick a hotel on the "piazza"? The pictures off Tripadvisor are wonderful. How do you make a decision!Thanks.
Bonnie <email>
Tigard, OR USA Fri 08/25/2006

Jewelry in Europe
I never wear anything of value as far as jewerly is concerned. I leave all of my valuables at home. I wear maybe a silver ring. I even bought a cheap watch. There is a lot of crime in Europe especially in Paris and Rome. So I would not wear anything that you do not want stolen. I live in New York City and I am used to this type of behavior. Unfortunately, that is what we have to do.
Kim
NY, NY USA Fri 08/25/2006

Ferries - Isle of Wight
I went on the ferry on a coach tour this spring. Nice ride - plenty of seating. They have a cafe for light meals. I hope you're going to Osborne House - it's a must see!
Sue
Philadelphia, PA USA Fri 08/25/2006

Calling Trenitalia
Rick pretty well describes the calling situation on this website at www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/phonechart.htm.

In most countries, the zero indicates a call to another area code. If calling from the U.S., the fact that you must be calling into an area code is assumed, so you can drop the zero. For a few countries, Denmark and Norway to the north, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece to the south, you don't drop the initial zero.
<email>
USA Thu 08/24/2006

RENEE......CINQUE TERRE
I found it easy to reach CT from Venice from the north (through Genoa).

The 5 villages from the north are Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia and Riomaggiore.

You can choose any one of them to stay in, but I like Vernazza best because it is very typical of the region AND the most scenic.

Manarola would be the center one, making hiking or rail travel to the others less time consuming.

Do a google search for each village and read about them first. Also look at the pictures—doing that helped me choose Vernazza.
USA Thu 08/24/2006

LAUREL-----FERRIES TO ISLE OF WIGHT
Take a look at this web page for info:www.wightlink.co.uk/
USA Thu 08/24/2006

Ferries-Isle of Wight
Does anyone have any information on, or experiance of, ferries to and from The Isle of Wight.
Laurel <email>
Kirkland, WA USA Thu 08/24/2006

Bank of America ATM Card
I add: The usual cautions about having a valid PIN apply. I suggest discussing this issue with Bank of America.

I am a BOA customer but have an account at another bank specifically for when I travel. I recommend this, if you have time to set it up. If there are not credit unions or small banks with no-fee ATMs whre you live, try an internet bank.

On the other hand, if you can't do this and do get stuck having to pay a stupid fee, it is not going to be much of a bite out of your travel budget. Take out a lot of euros (and keep them in your money belt) to minimize ATM trips.
Adam
Boston, USA Thu 08/24/2006

Fiumicino to hotel
A few years ago we did the same,but we were staying at an independent hotel which advertised free shuttle. When we got to the airport and called, they said they had no shuttle. We took a taxi and were charged 30 euros for the 1 mile(?) ride. For our return to the airport the next morning, the manager arranged a private car for 15 euros. So we wound up spending 45 euros for that insignificant distance. I suggest that you first contact the Holiday Inn to see if they have transport or can arrange a pick- up for you. If not, you might want to compare their room rate with that of a hotel that does have transport. You might come out ahead by paying more for a room that includes a free shuttle.
USA Thu 08/24/2006

Bank of America ATM Card
I don't have a BoA card muyself, but here is a summary of what I've read on the Fodors board. Bank of America has a Global Alliance with Barclays in the UK, BNP Paribas in France, and the Deutsche bank. If you use your ATM card at one of those banks, you will pay no fee. However, if you use the card anywhere else, you will pay a $5 transaction fee plus at least a 1% conversion fee.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Thu 08/24/2006

Using Bank of America Debit in Europe
I am thinking of using my Bank of America Debit card in Europe. Has anyone had good/bad experiences with BOA cards? Does anyone know the exchange rate, the ATM charge or a better bank to go through that is cheaper with exchange rates and ATM charges?
jenn <email>
seattle, wa USA Thu 08/24/2006

to Lynn- travel budgeting
I am able to use $80 a day pp (every yr since 2000) in Paris and most of Italy except Venice but close to impossible in London (even if you stay in a hostel).I am planning London for Nov 2006 now.You must be very careful to follow all of Rick Steves budget advice, plan transportation options ahead and picnic alot and no alcoholic bev or soft drinks.If you have more to spend great. Everyone has different needs while traveling. Skip ensuite rooms if you need to be at the $80 a day pp level, this still allows for museum entrances, use a laundermat,take public transit everywhere be aware train can be expensive.I rather spend less and stay longer that is my motto. Good Luck planning.
JS
CA USA Thu 08/24/2006

Contact Lenses
I would still appreciate any advice on the contacts just in case mine are lost in my checked luggage. I have to check, I'm going through London.

What is expensive? I pay $300 here in the US.
Lisa
San Jose, CA USA Thu 08/24/2006

contact lenses
purchasing these items is very costly in these countries. purchase before you go.
paul
buffalo, USA Thu 08/24/2006

Contact Lenses
Has anyone purchased contacts in London or Italy?

Of course, I will be taking 2 copies of my prescription.

Any suggestions? Are there any LensCrafters type of stores where you can buy contacts without having to order them?
Lisa
San Jose, CA USA Thu 08/24/2006

Re: Nice to Florence
Leave Nice Ville at 05:25, arriving in Ventimiglia at 06:08. Cost: E5.90

Leave Ventimiglia at 06:37, arriving in Pisa at 10:57. Leave Pisa at 11:29, arriving in Florence at 12:33. Cost: E29.53

Nice-Ventimiglia fare from sncf.com. Ventimiglia-Florence fare from trenitalia.com

Total time: 7hr8min. Total cost: E35.43
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Thu 08/24/2006

Nice to Florence
"least expensive, quickest" is something of an oxymoron. Quickest -about 3 hours - is by air but the cost is more than $500pp. The train is much less than that but takes at least 8 hours. Of course, by the time you consider time and cost to get to/from the airport the time differential gets smaller and the cost differential increases. On balance, I think your best choice is the train. If you prefer not to go via Milano you can go via Genoa.
Jeff
USA Thu 08/24/2006

receiving main in london
can i receive mail in london england? please elaborate.
mike
toronto, USA Thu 08/24/2006

Nice to Florence travel
Hubby and I are looking for the least expensive, quickest way to get from Nice to Florence in mid October. Rental cars too expensive for one way; train connections appear to go through Milan only ?? Suggestions? Thanks!
Kansas
WA USA Thu 08/24/2006

Lecce to Rome
We are going from Rome to Lecce in Sept. to a cooking school ( 1 week) and then spending the second week in Spoleto. We do not need a car for the cooking school, but plan on renting for the second week. My question is: We are planning on picking up the car in Lecce and driving up the Adriatic coast. We have directions from MapQuest and Michelin which both say it takes approx. 6 3/4 hr. We are opting for the drive rather than training it to Rome, changing trains and stations and then picking up the car in Spoleto. Are we crazy to be considering the drive ? Is MapQuest reliable for the directions and time ?

Next ques. I am flying Air Canada from Toronto (aerogold points) and then flying Opodo to Rome. Has anyone used this airline? I have 3 hours from landing in Heathrow(Terminal 2, I believe) to pick up my bag, go through security and board the Opodo flight at Terminal 3?

On the return flight , I will be taking the train to Rome(Tibertina station) and staying at a Holiday Inn near the Fiumcino airport. Can you suggest how I might get to the hotel from the Tibertina station? (Take the Leonardo da Vinci Express and then cab it to the hotel???)

Thanks for your help! ( I am a novice traveller, but have learned a lot already from the Graffiti Wall)
Mary Anne <email>
St. Thomas, ON Canada Thu 08/24/2006

Las Rambles, Barcelona
Has anyone stayed in "Las Rambles" area of Barcelona, Spain? I'm looking at an apartment rental there and just wondering if it's a noisy area. And if so, where do you suggest?

Thanks,

HD
HD
San Francisco, CA USA Thu 08/24/2006

daily budgeting?
We've been saving for a trip that will include time in London, possibly Paris & Lyon, and several places in Italy. We have up to 6 weeks to travel (sabbatical break) leaving near the end of September. As we're planning, we're worried that while we have time for a long trip, our money may not last due to the weak dollar. *Can people who have recently spent time in London / Paris / Italy please send in average daily overall costs?* (this would include everything *except* airfare). We are two non-smoking adults travelling together. Please state whether your numbers are per person or per couple. Thanks in advance.
Lynn
San Francisco, CA USA Thu 08/24/2006

Travel
2 of us are going on a trip around Europe. We were originally thinking of getting the saverpass but are now rethinking. we are going from Paris to the the south of France to Switzerland, Munich, maybe Prague, Slaburg, Venice, Florence and leaving from Rome all in 3 weeks. We are on a tight budget and are rethinking now the best way to go about it. any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions would be most helpful
Sean
USA Thu 08/24/2006

car rental - France
I've found exceptional car rental rates thru Wheelsabroad.com, a Canadian consolidator. Has anyone used them, are they reliable?
j p <email>
palatine, il USA Thu 08/24/2006

Jewelry
In Italy a friend of mine had a thief yank her necklace off ..OUCH! She was warned by her husband's Italian family that having earings pulled off can cause much more physical damage. Why attract thieves? You're there to sightsee, not be admired for your expensive look.
USA Thu 08/24/2006

Wearing diamonds in Europe
This summer, for the first time ever, I vacationed without my diamond ring. However, I was in Guatemala, a country with a crime problem and without an effective police force. I read in my Lonely Planet guide that "fake diamonds" were just as bad as real ones as far as attracting criminals.

However, Guatemala is not Europe. If you have a small to medium sized diamond and are going to Sweden to visit relatives, by all means wear your diamond. If you have a 2 carat diamond and plan to walk through some of the less desirable areas of London at night, leave it at home. I assume most people's situations fall in between those extremes.

Use common sense. I personally have never wanted a big diamond because I feel that it would make me a target.
Karen <email>
MN USA Thu 08/24/2006

European airline sale
FYI...the Spanish discount carrier vueling (vueling.com) has a sale on now thru Aug. 30th at 6 pm eastern...seats for 10 Euro plus taxes etc...about 27 Euro in total. They fly to several destinations in Spain, as well as Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Lison, Rome, Milan, and Venice. Friendly airline...good service. For flight through next March, and good on on-way flights, too.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Thu 08/24/2006

Re: Group Trip To London/Go-Today
I echo the comments about go-today.com. We've used them before, and their packages are very well priced, and you can consult them re:group travel. As well, you can extend the flight part of the package, if you wish to strike out on your own.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Thu 08/24/2006

RE: James - carry on @ Heathrow
I am already informed of the new guidelines, both by reading the Rick Steves home page and by consulting the Heathrow airport homepage. My question is about using the Rick Steves convertible backpack (the old Back Door bag) and SHRINKING it down to fit the BAA new guidelines (6 x 14 x 18). The bag when it is full is 9 x 14 x 21 (just a little over the new guidelines). If you use the compression straps and by not packing it full, it should be within the new guidelines. I was wondering if anyone had tried using the convertible Rick Steves bag and not pack it full. Was it accepted at Heathrow? Email address noted below. THANKS in advance for the advice!
James <email>
West Memphis, AR USA Thu 08/24/2006

James-carry on at Heathrow
Please read the home page of this site.

Rick' staff updates the carry on policy almost every single day. The link will tell you what is acceptable right now...up to the day you leave!

A little bit of careful reading is much better than asking this question over and over on this site!
USA Thu 08/24/2006

Bratislava Hotel
The closest hotel to the train station is probably the Spirit (http://www.hotelspirit.sk/hotel/hotel_en.php) but I found it a bit chaotic and rundown. OK for one night, though. Plus, you can't tell from LP, but to get there you need to walk out of the train station & turn to your left & go down some steps to find the tunnel under the train tracks. The hotel is then uphill to your left. Buy a ticket from a kiosk for the tram to get downtown.
Kathy <email>
Cary, NC USA Thu 08/24/2006

Budget Hotel in Paris
Mark - try to Hotel Jeanne d'Arc on the rue Jarrente. They are extremely responsive via email, and we love the location of this Rick recommended hotel in the Marais. Also they are extremely helpful and we thought the rooms were fairly roomy for the price.
Judah
Westport, CT USA Thu 08/24/2006

Carry-On @ Heathrow
My wife and I are flying to Europe and using Heathrow as our transist hub, so we must abide by the strict BAA carry-on limits (6 inches x 14 inches x 18 inches). Our Rick Steves Back Door Bag is 9 x 14 x 21. By using the compression straps I can limit the 9 inches down to about 6 and by not packing the bag full the 21 becomes a 18. Has anyone used a Rick Steves Back Door Bag as a carry-on at Heathrow Airport? If so, did you experience any difficulty getting the bag past security? Email address noted below by clicking on.
James <email>
West Memphis, AR USA Thu 08/24/2006

Chianciano Italy Tour Guide
A friend and I will be in Chianciano, Italy in October. We are looking for someone to help us get to Montepulciano. Does anyone know of a tour guide there? I know we could take a bus, but a little hand-holding is preferable.
Nancy
Des Moines, Iowa USA Thu 08/24/2006

Glendalough Ireland B&Bs
Haas anyone stayed in a B&B in Glendalough, Ireland? Or nearby there? Any recommendations (for or against)? Thanks! (And thanks to all who answered me about driving in Ireland -- we're risking the adventure!)
Beth <email>
Tucson, AZ USA Thu 08/24/2006

Cimque Terre
We are traveling to Cinque Terre from Venice by train. 2 qustions: -Is it easier to reach from La Spezia or Genoa? -Should we stay in one of the towns or in a town outside. Any room recommendations?
Renee <email>
Canada Thu 08/24/2006

Engagement ring
jenn, My daughter-in-law just lost her one carat, platinum set engagement ring at home so be sure yours is insured!!! She is just sick as she did not have insurance. I would leave mine at home.
USA Thu 08/24/2006

JENN...SHOULD I WEAR MY RING IN EUROPE
I don’t know anyone who leaves jewelry at home. It is as safe there as here. You are not going to let anyone jerk it off your fingers.

Never take your ring off to wash your hands. Some people walk away and leave jewelry on the lavatory. Why take a chance?
USA Thu 08/24/2006

Prague Itinerary for 5 days
I'm using Rick's guidebook to Prague & The Czech Republic to plan for my 5 day stay in Prague. I'm having trouble setting up an itinerary because I don't know how much time to dedicate to each town. I thought of the first day touring Old Town and Charles Bridge and the second day touring Jewish Quarter and New Town. The third day, I plan on taking a day-trip to Terezin Concentration Camp with a lunch and tour of Litomerice. The next day spent in the Castle Quarter and maybe the Little Quarter. The fifth and final day - only having the morning and afternoon free to sightsee as the over-night train leaves around 17:30, touring New Town in the morning and whatever else was missed or would like to see again. What do you think of this outline? Any comments would be great.
Beth
USA Thu 08/24/2006

Jenn- ring
This subject has been brought up before....my personal view is, leave it at home. Not that it's not safe to wear it...but if you are camping, etc. it's nice to protect the center stone.

I wear a silver band...simple ring when I travel. I don't want to take the chance of loosing my ring when I travel...

Of course, there's always the chance that something will happen to your ring in the US too, so it's a comfort level for you.

If it's a fairly expensive ring, make sure you have insurance on it in any case, and go with your gut feeling.

I don't travel with jewelry, except for some in expensive, replaceable earrings, and a silver band to prove that I'm "taken"
USA Thu 08/24/2006

Re: Greek Islands
In the latter half of September, lodging and ferry space should be no issue. I would go without hard reservations. I suggest looking over guidebooks (Let's Go, Lonely Planet, Frommers) and find 2 or 3 likely places on each island, then either wait until you show up, or call the next island a day or so before you plan on arriving. You can also just get off the ferry and get a room from one of the dock hawks, sounds iffy, but most are just local people with space to let.
Paul <email>
IA USA Thu 08/24/2006

Should I wear my engagement ring to europe?
Should I wear my engagement ring to europe? I wanted to know if there would be a problem if i wore my usual jewlery in europe. I just got engaged and am curious if i should keep my ring at home, or do you think that it would be safe to wear it on our trip. we will be backpacking, staying at b&b's and staying away from large cities....

thanks for your info.
jenn <email>
seattle, wa USA Thu 08/24/2006

Greek islands
I am in 2 minds of what to do about holidaying in the Greek Islands. I intend to travel there in the later half of Sept 2007 for 2 weeks visiting Santorini, Naxos and Paros for about 2 weeks. I have looked into prebooking our ferry travel and hotel accomodation so I know what it is going to cost me and having the peace of mind of having everything booked or do I take a chance with accomodation and find something suitable once I'm there? This is the first time I will be travelling to Europe so any help would be much appreciated.
LucyLoo
Melbourne, VIC Australia Wed 08/23/2006

Re: Group Trip To London
I organized a group trip for family and friends total: 22. Made arrangements for RT flight and hotel via gotoday.com Received a great price. Sightseeing was made by myself. Purchased two guide books: Frommer and Steve's London. Developed sights AM and PM.
Jeff
NJ USA Wed 08/23/2006

Driving tips in Italy
While I would never try to drive, say, the Amalfi coast, we managed all over Tuscany. The biggest problem was that, unlike the US where you are given lots of advance notice for your destination, that is not the case. Additionally, when dealing with little towns, they are often not listed when you come to the round-about and a decision must be made- PRONTO! You really, really, have to study the map carefully, ahead of time, and make sure it is a very, very detailed map of the area, so that names of nearby towns sound familiar when that is your only choice approaching at 70 MPH and not really the place you do want! Having a co-pilot really cuts down on the stress- with one person focusing on driving, and one on navigating (and you MUST stick to your appointed job at all times!!!!)you will be okay. Also, plan to get lost. We did, at least three times, in one week, once very, very lost! But factor that in as part of the fun and a way to see unanticipated sights and for a good laugh when you return home! Siena was okay for driving, but getting the rental car in Florence was a nightmare!
USA Wed 08/23/2006

Train passage Rome - Florence
We are travelling from Rome to Florence via the hi-speed train with a 1st class ticket and reservation and ticket in hand from railpass.com. Does anybody have any advise-comments about luggage security, boarding issues etc. that I should know about?
Scott B <email>
Yorba Linda, Ca USA Wed 08/23/2006

TUSCANY IN JANUARY OR MAY?
I'm considering a two-week trip to Rome and Tuscany, which could happen in earliest January or mid-May. Obviously the weather would be nicer and the days longer in May. What's it like in Tuscany during January? Too cold? I've heard the wind can be bitter.
Eric
Topeka, Kansas USA Wed 08/23/2006

RE: Trains
Unfortunately, all roads (or most of them) seem to lead to Paris from Biarritz. You can take an overnight train on that journey, then link up with one of the TGV high speed trains to Interlaken. Overnight discount tickets, called PREMS, can be had for 50 Euro with a second-class couchette (six to a cabin) or 70 Euro for a first class compartment (four to a cabin....much more room). These are non refundable and non changeable. The train arrives at Paris Austerlitz at 7:10 am. An Interlaken-bound TGV leaves Paris Lyon station at 7:44 am...too tight for my liking. There's a TGV from Paris Lyon to Geneva at 8:40 am, arriving at 12:02, with PREMs tickets from 25 Euro. Then connect with an SBB train at 12:45 that gets into Interlaken about 3 pm....about 60 SFR. Check http://www.sncf.fr/indexe.htm for the French-leg tickets, and http://www.sbb.ch/en/ for the Swiss segment. All these tickets can be purchased on-line...the PREMS tickets go fast, so book ASAP. Select to have your tickets picked up at a railway station (or printed at home) and DON'T select ticket insurance for the French bookings, so they don't find out you're in the U-S....otherwise, you can't complete the purchase
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Wed 08/23/2006

UK car rental
By all means go to kemwell.com, BUT only to get the 800 number to call. They're in the Maine. The humans there are user friendly can answer all of your questions. Particularly if you are unsure about dates..You can lock in a price but change the dates later if needs must. You can also go on line and if the stated rate is now lower you can call and they will adjust yours. It being one of my stupid days, it cost me a lot of money to find this out.
Laurel <email>
Kirkland, WA USA Wed 08/23/2006

Wisdom From The Master
"Driving in Italy is frightening--a video game for keeps, and you only get one quarter"--Rick Steves, Italy Guidebook. Rick is so right. Having done it myself, driving in Italy is a challenging experience to say the least. White knuckle time all the way!
RB
Sedro Woolley, WA USA Wed 08/23/2006

Driving Italian Highways
Driving in Italy is no different than driving in a big city in the US. You just have to know how to handle crazy drivers and fast speeds. And I think a woman can handle the roads.....
San Francisco, CA USA Wed 08/23/2006

Re: trains
If you go to the Bahn website, you will find that there is a night train from Toulouse 00:13) to Geneva (8:54). You will have to figure the connections from Biarritz to Toulouse and from Geneva to Interlaken.
<email>
USA Wed 08/23/2006

DRIVING ITALIAN HIGHWAYS
I agree that Italy is easy to drive, but that is relevant. Depends on how competent you are and how confident you are. Most men I know handle those roads OK, but women generally feel insecure. I don't blame them.
MARTHA W.
TULSA, OK USA Wed 08/23/2006

Group Trip to London
Make sure you have at least one other chaperone with you, so you aren't run ragged :). It can be done, but the coordination will require a lot of effort. And you will have to grab the bargains you find early, since you need them times 10 or 12. One accommodation option is the worldwide Accor chain of hotels, especially the ETAP hotels, inexpensive accommodations for up to three in a room (bathrooms included). They are modern and secure, and if you want to save money, pick one that's not right in the center since, as others have mentioned, London is a VERY expensive city. There's one in Barking, in northwest London (about 50 minutes by Tube from Westminster) for about 51 pounds per night, plus taxes...roughly 20 pounds per student per night. The slightly more upscale Ibis chain (also Accor) has one at Wembley stadium and convention center, to the northwest, about 45 minutes via tube (http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/index.html). Make sure you also investigate the Oyster cards for travelling on London transit, since they're, by far, the cheapest way to go. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/. If London proves too expensive, and there's no other attachment to it, pick another city....my money would be on Paris for more bang for the buck. And when you pick your destination, buy Rick's latest guidebook to get you started.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Wed 08/23/2006

Trains
I was just wondering if anyone knows of the best train route to get from Biarritz, France to Interlaken, Switzerland. We were hoping for an overnight train so we could get a sleeper car. But I'm not having any luck finding anything, not sure I'm lookin in the right place. And also how do you know if a train is a high speed or not?
Melissa McCloud
USA Wed 08/23/2006

MJ's Passport Advice
I agree with MJ. You should always take a copy of your passport with you to give as your ID. (also in case of emergency in case you lose it) Italy's version of the Patriot Act laws requires your passport # to be recorded to use the internet. I used the internet cafe's daily and you will need it every time.
Lisa
San Diego, CA USA Wed 08/23/2006

Money/safety/students
My older daughter went on a class trip to Europe as a teen five years ago. I was worried about money, but more about the safety issues. London is a VERY expensive city. Are you looking at youth hostels, versus hotels? As a family we stayed in a "cheap" hotel in London and it was icky and in a very sketchy neighborhood! I still remember the hair on the sheets and unknown sticky stuff on the floor. That was before TripAdvisor.com reviews, which would be another good resource...I can understand being "cost conscious" but they are going to need to understand the poor US/UK exchange rate, as well. It's wonderful you can plan yourself to focus on their areas of interest, instead of a pre-packaged tour!
USA Wed 08/23/2006

Group Trip to London
I am planning a week-long trip to London with 10 students (high school and middle school). I am planning on doing all the arrangements myself to save money. Right now it looks like I could save $1,000. The parents are very cost concious. Has anyone ever tried this? Any hints? Warnings?
Andy Perry <email>
Louisville, KY USA Wed 08/23/2006

Re; Trenitalia phone number AGAIN
To clarify for those who didn't understand....you need to include the "06" to dial Rome long distance from North America...as stated below. As an aside, Trenitalia lists several "official agents" for North America. I have no idea whether you could get reservations alone, and the same ticket prices you see on the website, or whether they'd simply book through RailEurope. But for those who have an issue that the website can't handle, it may be worth a try. See http://trenitalia.com/en/treni_stazioni/punti_vendita/estero/usa.html
Norm
Ottawa, Canada Wed 08/23/2006

Night train sleeping?
Can I fit on a bunk w/ my toddler son on an overnight train? He couldn't be on a bed alone I don't think.

Thanks
Janine <email>
Sac, Ca USA Wed 08/23/2006

Re: Tight Schedule for Train Travel
I think virtually all of the trains on that line, or at least those that stop in the little towns, are regional trains, no reservations possible.

You can find the schedule on either the Bahn website or Trenitalia.com. Just spell the towns (e.g. Monterosso) correctly.
<email>
USA Wed 08/23/2006

Trenitalia phone number
Norm,

have you actually called that number? 39 is the country code for Italy. I think the 06 is what you would use in Italy. The 0 indicates a long distance number. If you were in the 6 area code, you wouldn't neet the 0 or the 6, just the last numbers. For a call from outside the system it is assumed you are using long distance, so you only use the 6. Or, at least, that is the way it works for Germany. It could be different in Italy.
<email>
USA Wed 08/23/2006

eurail pass
You cannot buy a Eurail pass in Europe. You must buy it here in the US.

But as other posters suggested you may want to look into the price of point-to-point vs a pass.

How long is your trip? How many countries? Are you renting a car at all?
USA Wed 08/23/2006

Contacting Trenitalia
The 89 number for Trenitalia is like our 900 numbers, and since they have no way to bill us, we can't use it. (I'll bet they make a fortune on that number!)

A few years ago, I used the contact form on the website and asked them for a number we in No. America could use to contact Trenitalia. The answer was that a number is not needed since "every information" is available on the website. What a laugh.

But, for what it is worth, the person was Anna De Marinis. Her email was a.demarinis@trenitalia.it. Maybe she is still there.
<email>
USA Wed 08/23/2006

Passport
Keith,

Last year we spent two weeks in Italy and never once were asked for our passports. All the hotels we stayed in were quite satisfied with the copy of our passport page which we took back after they entered all the necessary information. No need to give your passport to anyone. It is the most important document you want to safeguard while visiting a foreign country.
MJ
San Francisco, USA Wed 08/23/2006

Trenitalia phone number
Trenitalia has several regional customer service numbers. The one in Rome is 011-39-06-4730-6895....you may get lucky finding someone there who can help you. There's also an e-mail contact form on the website...but it says they'll try to respond within 30 days (!!)
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Wed 08/23/2006

Lunch in Chiusi
Can anybody reccomend a restaurant in Chiusi for lunch?
Gerry
Naples, FL USA Wed 08/23/2006

Re: Train Pass
On that last post I bumped the wrong key. "Tim" is my nmae, not the subject of the post.
tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Wed 08/23/2006

Tight Schedule for Train Travel
My spouse and I have a Eurail saver pass and have secured seat reservations for tricky points of our France/Italy trip in Sept. '06. However, we are having trouble with early morning Cinque Terre to Siena travel -- a Sunday morning where I understand the local CT trains may be on different or limited times. If I knew the "milk-train" schedule of the CT trains on early Sunday mornings this would help determine our travel plans. Also, if the trains are never full from La Spezia or Montesorro to Siena, then perhaps this will not be a big deal but we felt the need to secure travel arrangements on this portion of the trip. A big thanks to those who can help.
Carrie D. <email>
Vancouver, WA USA Wed 08/23/2006

Trenitalia
Does anyone know how to reach Trenitalia except on their web site? Email, telephone?
George Kemptner <email>
Laguna Niguel, CA USA Wed 08/23/2006

Tim
If you're going to buy a pass at all, buy it now. However, point-to-point tickets bought in Europe often are cheaper than a pass, particularly if most of your rides are relatively short or you take trains that require reservations. With a pass you'll still have to pay for a reservation. And if you know exactly when you want to travel, booking point-to-point tickets in advance on a country's national rail site often can give you a big discount.

What country (or countries) will you be visiting? How many total days do you think you'll be riding the train?

Click on the railpass tab at the top of the page and read ALL the information there before you commit to buying a pass.
USA Wed 08/23/2006

train
buy the train pass now
USA Wed 08/23/2006

Train
Going on a trip in september. just wondering if it's better to buy the eurorail pass now or wait until we get to Europe?
Jesse McGonagal
USA Wed 08/23/2006

Keith/Passports
They only keep the passport long enough to record the information. You can stress that you'd like your passport back before you go out. They might even copy what they need while you wait at the desk.
Mari
USA Wed 08/23/2006

Passports in Italy
I just read this in this site as a packing tip: "Xerox copies of the mug-shot page of my passport for when a hotel or bank needs to have my passport." We are heading to Rome in November, and have been told that the hotel will collect our passports for a couple of days so we can be registered with the gendarmes. Would they accept the xerox of the passport in lieu of the real thing? I have this thing about handing it off...
Keith Reed <email>
Rosemount, mn USA Wed 08/23/2006

Re: Gemut
Check the "Driving Europe Crazy" section under Transportation, on the Grafitti Wall. Multiple comments on Gemut, most of the good.
USA Wed 08/23/2006

Tuscan Itinerary from Chicago, IL
I'd like to hear more about your trip to Italy last year. What you wrote in your comment to Renee sounds appealing. My husband and I are planning a trip for Septemberm, 2007. You can email me off-line with your comments and suggestions of B&B's and what you visited. Thanks.
Bonnie <email>
Tigard, OR USA Wed 08/23/2006

Italy's easy to drive? You gotta be kidding!!
Anybody who has seen all the broken glass on the Amalfi coast wouldn't say that Italy is easy to drive. I still get tense when I think of entering the autostrada near Milan with the big trucks, very short entrance ramps and no shoulders. Yes, I did scrape the car & my credit card insurance did not cover the "decrease in value of the car." (I didn't fight it--who am I to get into a legal fight with Sixt?)

That being said, I would recommend renting a car--for several days-- for trips out into the country. Cars can take you places that trains can't.
Karen <email>
MN USA Wed 08/23/2006

Ireland Weather
Take a waterproof jacket,good shoes and small unbrella. My husband and I were in Ireland September, 2005 for three weeks and it was more rainy than clear. Two years prior it was better weather. You just can't know. The Cliffs of Moher with about 50 mph winds and rain was NOT nice. It is also building a new visitor center. Hopefully it is done when you go. Rock of Cashel was under rennovation last year. Just plan accordingly. Enjoy. It is a beautiful country and I wish you good weather and a pleasant trip.
Bonnie
Tigard, OR USA Wed 08/23/2006

Budget Hotel in Paris
Mark~~~Have not stayed at this hotel in Paris but have read many positive comments--Hotel Monge--in the 6arr I think.
Kate
USA Wed 08/23/2006

Bratislava Hotel
We will be in Bratislava one night in mid September. Does anyone have any suggests for a mid priced hotel convienient to trains
Bruce Brannen <email>
Ottawa, ON Canada Wed 08/23/2006

BONNIE...ITALY IN SPETEMBER
Flying into Milan is best because it is centrally located.

Which city you fly out of will depend on where you travel from there.

As for driving, I recommend it especially if you want to see the small villages and points of interest.

Italy is easy to drive. Only concern is the high tolls on the super highways.

Do a search for B&Bs on google for each town name you visit.

You will find scores of them in each town.
c d a
chicago, il USA Wed 08/23/2006

Budget Paris Hotel
We've stayed here on a previous trip to Paris. It's not fancy, but it's clean and has Air Conditioning...and it's cheap. It's located just across the street from Gare du Nord train station (EuroStar). There's also a metro station just outside the front door.

http://en.venere.com/hotels_paris/10e_arrondissement/hotel_new_hotel_gare_du_nord.html
Tim
USA Wed 08/23/2006

Re: Greece in April
I think April would be a good time to go, and Public transportation is, for me, the only way to go. Keep in mind that in April that the tourism industry is only starting to wind up. In the Islands you may have some issues with Hotels and Restaurants being open, worth checking, but not worrying about. Easter (Orthodox) is also a huge event in Greece, so scan some guidebooks on recommendations regarding that. I like Let's Go and Lonely Planet for Greece. For Public Transport, the buses are cheap and plentiful all over the mainland, there are only a few train lines. Ferries to the Islands are standard, long trips (6 plus hours on a ferry) are worth looking at cheap flights. On the mainland, consider taking a few days out of Athens and going to Napflio. Wonderful sea side town.
Paul <email>
IA USA Wed 08/23/2006

Mark....Budget hotel in Paris
Having read this column for years, I have learned that most budget hotels may not respond to email.

Any travelers who succeed do it by phoning and talking with a person.

Find the webpage for each hotel you emailed and use their phone number to call them.
USA Wed 08/23/2006

Budget Hotel In Paris
I have been tryiing to book a hotel in Paris using Rick's book Europe 2006. I have e-mailed approx. 6 hotels and get absolutely no response from any of them. Anyone have a suggestion for a clean budget hotel in Paris? Thanks!
Mark <email>
Miami, FL USA Wed 08/23/2006

thank you for the Civita bag update
It is my favorite bag. I am glad to know it meets the BAA rules.
Shirley
Fort Worth, TX USA Wed 08/23/2006

Gemut.com rental car
On thing to watch out for with Gemut - every quote I have ever received from them has been without any collision insurance (CDW). This makes their quote look good, 2/3 of what most car rental companies quote. They just tell you to use the "insurance" coverage from your credit card.

Check with your card company, Visa or M/C. In most cases, YOU are resposible to pay for the collision damage, then you must submit all the bills to the card company, complete with enough documentation, then the card company reimburses you. Without sufficient documentation, especially for "loss of use", they won't reimburse you. You might have to arrange for the documentation on the phone, long distance, to Europe, with people who don't speak English very well.

Remember, the credit card company is not in the business of reimbursing you. That comes out of their profits.

Figure out your comfort level, make sure you get similar quotes from other companies, and then compare apples with apples.
Lee
USA Tue 08/22/2006

For Bonnie; airport ideas in Italy
You will no doubt get lots of opinions, but I vote for Venice to enter Italy. The small size was easy to navigate after the long trans-Atlantic flight (compared to Rome, which is huge)and the opportunity to take a water bus was an amazing way to wake up and experience approaching the city by water. No rental car worries, or the other usual arrival hassles. When you are ready to move on, the train station is right there. Secondly, I don't think anyone else can tell you what you must or must not see. Are you an art lover? Do you want mountain hiking? Beaches? Once you create your personal list, it's way easier to "connect the dots" and then figure out the best methods of transportation, etc.
USA Tue 08/22/2006

Italy in September, 2007
Going to Italy in September 2007. We have three weeks. Where to fly in to. We can fly out of a different city. What cities and sites not to miss. Can we do it by train or should we drive since we like to hit the small, hidden away towns. Do you know of any B&B's north of Rome to stay then train into Rome. Any other B&B's would be appreciated throughout Italy. Thanks.
Bonnie <email>
Tigard`, OR USA Tue 08/22/2006

Greece in April:
I am planning a trip to Greece in April (to avoid the midwest tree pollen). Any thoughts or recommendations will be appreciated. I am considering Athens and Lesvos and prefer public transportation while on the mainland.
Kim <email>
Iowa City, IA USA Tue 08/22/2006

Gemut.com rental car?
Anybody experienced renting from gemut.com? My UK quoted rate seems very gd for an automatic one way drop off.Any comments are welcome. thanks JS
JS
USA Tue 08/22/2006

Airport security
BAA, the folks that run most of UKs airports, now have a handy leaflet giving details on what you can and can't take in your hand baggage. Its very clear and easy to understand you can download it and print it out via this link: http://tinyurl.com/j6zfp
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Tue 08/22/2006

PLEASE READ, AND CHECK THE HOME PAGE FOR UPDATES
FROM THIS SITE

Last Updated August 22, 2006 Airline carry-on restrictions tightened significantly on August 10th, when a bomb plot was uncovered in the UK. Since then, these restrictions have undergone changes, and we expect they will continue to evolve in the coming weeks. Here are links to the most complete, up-to-date sources we've found — please be sure to check them before your next flight. No matter where you plan to fly, the biggest change you'll see is a ban on bringing liquids into the cabin. If you are flying to, from, or through an airport in the UK (such as Heathrow) you'll have no choice but to check your main luggage (liquids within checked luggage are okay), and carry a small bag on board with you (currently our Velocé and Civita Shoulder Bags fit within the UK's carry-on limits). Visit British Airway's website for up-to-date hand baggage restrictions and general information (including a list of informative FAQs). If you are flying anywhere else in the US or Europe you are allowed to carry on the same size of bags as before. This means that if you pack light — and are willing to put up with the inconvenience of purchasing items such as shampoo, cologne, make-up, sunscreen, and toothpaste upon arrival — you'll avoid a crowded mess at the baggage pick-up carousel (caused by a huge increase in the number of bags being checked). If you are particular about the liquids you use, we recommend you check as small a bag as possible with your liquids inside, and still carry most of your stuff on board. This way if your checked bag is delayed or lost, you'll still have most of what really matters with you at all times. If you plan to lock your checked bag, remember that only TSA-approved locks are allowed on flights to and from American airports. Visit the TSA's website for more information on prohibited items and other air security measures. Please take these new policies seriously — you don't want to have items confiscated or be forced to re-pack your luggage in a last-minute panic at the airport. Hopefully things will return to normal soon. In the meantime, be patient and enjoy your trip. The security and airline staffs are doing their best to keep things running as smoothly and safely as possible.
USA Tue 08/22/2006

France suggestions for Karen
First, if Marseilles is your starting point, why not buy a plane ticket right there? I wouldn’t expect that to cost more than a flight into Paris plus the train, and you would save a lot of time and bother. This is certainly easy to arrange from the East Coast.

Second, we enjoyed a day trip to the Camargue very much, though would not rate it over the other sights that RS flags in his book. There is a boat ride that we did not take, plus a chapel to a saint venerated by Gypsies. We rented bicycles and explored.

As a logistical bonus, maybe, there is a bus from Arles, so you can delay renting a car for a day if you go.

Rick’s point about there being better nature preserves in the States is well taken, but we got a thrill from actually dipping our toes in the Mediterranean. I’d say, go if you have time and want a little change of pace that includes the sea, but don’t feel bad if you skip it.

Have a great trip!
Adam
Boston, USA Tue 08/22/2006

re Vegetarian in Paris
I spent 3 weeks in Paris in 2003 with my vegetarian niece. We ate at only one restaurant that didn't have some option for her on the menu--and even there, when we said "elle est vegetarienne," the waiter was very happy to work with the chef and put together something appetizing for her. It helps if the vegetarian loves cheese!
Kathleen
Reston, VA USA Tue 08/22/2006

Cell phone newbie -- Scotland
I'm planning a two-week driving trip to start and end in Edinburgh. Need a no-frills cell phone just for checking reservations and getting roadside help. I only have a prepaid phone now, and am terribly illiterate here (the cell phone graffiti wall is making my head swim). Is it cheaper to rent one, or buy? Should I get one there, or somewhere here before I go? Thanks for any expertise you can lend.
Donna
Atlanta, GA USA Tue 08/22/2006

Re: Suggestions for France
There are no budget airlines that fly from Paris to Marseille. Unless you can book a ticket all the way through so you don't have to pay big bucks to fly Paris-Marseille, I'd recommend taking the train. There four TGVs that go directly from CDG to Marseille: 10:10, 11:24, 13:11, 14:04. The trip takes less than four hours. The regular 2nd class fare is E91.70, but PREM'S (discount) tickets, if available, can be as low as E35.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Tue 08/22/2006

Suggestions for France...
I have been doing my RS research and got good advice here previously about starting in the south of France and making my way north (as temperatures rise and lavender fades!), since I will have from the end of June until early August, next summer, about five weeks. I am rethinking flying into London from the US, which has always been the easiest from where I live on the West coast. So question #1- from an East Coast city, if I flew to Paris, would it make sense to take a fast train to Marseilles, or fly? Since I have been to Paris before, I feel like I can just head south ASAP...also, have any of you been to the Carmargue? I always appreciate Rick's blunt suggestions. He says it is basically a big swamp, enjoyed by Europeans who have less access to nature preserves than we in the US. This would be in late June. Many thanks!
Karen
USA Tue 08/22/2006

Re: Italian Train Fees
Why buy a pass indeed? Here is what RS says about trains in Italy: "Most travelers to Italy make short hops within the Milan-Venice-Florence-Rome circuit. For these trips, it's cheaper to buy point-to-point tickets in Italy as you travel."
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Tue 08/22/2006

Carry on liquids.
Check the TSA website for current updates on liquids allowed on board airplanes. It's easy, fast and most effective for up to date information.

It will save time and questions that keep getting asked over and over and over and over on this board....freeing up space for people with other questions.

Thanks!
USA Tue 08/22/2006

Stick/Solid Cologne
If you are flying to or via the UK, ALL toletries are banned in carry on items, so that means no stick deodorant/cologne/toothpaste etc.

So if you go carry on only, you'll have to buy toletries at your destination.

Kate
USA Tue 08/22/2006

Italian Train Fee's
Ok...I get that I will need to pay a fee for some trains, but looking at the timetables, there aren't many trains at all in Italy that won't need reservations. So why even buy a eurail pass that includes Italy on it for train travel then if I still have to pay to ride?
Evan
Boulder, CO USA Tue 08/22/2006

HD - Flying within Europe
I second the other poster's comment about Vueling between Rome and Barcelona. I flew them last year, and although the room on the planes was tight, everything went smoothly. Also, I'm not sure when you are leaving, but Vueling often has sales for ten euros per flight (plus taxes and fees). You can sign up for their email to be notified of this. If you have a few months before departing, you may want to hold out for a sale. However, if you are leaving in less than about two months, I would book because flights get increasingly expensive the closer the departure date gets with that airline.
Chicago, USA Tue 08/22/2006

Re: Italian Train Fees
No, you will still need to pay a fee for any trains that require reservations. For those that don't, you can simply jump on and go. Click on the Railpasses tab at the top of this page for a full explanation, including cost estimates.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Tue 08/22/2006

Amsterdam to Paris
I like Norm's suggestion of booking a Smilys fare better than the one I gave. No need to gamble on whether or not last-minute tickets will be available for the route you want.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Tue 08/22/2006

Italian Train Fees?
If I already have a Eurail Pass, does that mean I don't have to pay the fee for the compulsory reservations in Italy?
Evan <email>
Boulder, CO USA Tue 08/22/2006

Amsterdam to Paris
Here's a tip. Go to the Dutch rail site at www.nsinternationaal.nl/, then click on English in the upper right. Input dates for a round-trip ticket, with the departure the day you want to leave Amsterdam for Paris, and the return date a week or so later. You should be able to get a Smilys fare (non changeable, non refundable) for about 65 Euro round trip. Simply don't use the return part of your ticket. On the Dutch rail website, you can either select a code so you can retrieve the ticket at one of their machines, or print it out at home. For a few extra Euro, you can book an early train to Brussels, see Grand Place, etc, then take a late train to Paris...book each as a round trip ticket at Thalys.com, and look for the Smilys fares again. To echo Michael...BOOK NOW!
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Tue 08/22/2006

Contacts for carry on
The long TSA list for what you can or cannot put in your carry on, lists this item among those that you can carry: "Up to 4 oz. of essential non-prescription liquid medications including saline solution, eye care products and KY jelly." I take that to include contact lens solution.
San Diego, CA USA Tue 08/22/2006

Ferry Service France to England
Has anyone recently taken a ferry boat from D-Day beaches area over to England? Will be in Bayaux, heading for London. Or should we just cough up the fare for the Eurostar?
Nancy
Alachua, Fl. USA Tue 08/22/2006

Contacts for carry-on
Currently and indefinately no liquids are allowed in the cabin, including contact solution. You might have to throw away your new contacts if you bring them through security because they are kept in solution. Call the airline and also call the airport(s) to see if they will let you bring your contacts.

I wouldn't worry about the name on the labels, I would worry about the wet solution they are kept in.
Lisa
San Diego, CA USA Tue 08/22/2006

RE: The Never-Ending "Oh, God! What If I Look Like An Americam Tourist?" Debate: Guess What: You ARE an American tourist! It would be extremely helpful if posters on this topic would specify WHERE they have in mind when they give advice because what matters in London or Rome may not matter at all somewhere less visited. Also, when did fear of being seen as American become our national trait? It might help to talk with the people caring for the American cemetaries scattered from Omaha Beach to Luxembourg---they don't seem to think being an American is something to be disguised or overcome. Finally, a suggestion: the fear of being "spotted" or of being victimized by the local criminal class (the whole NEVER EVEN SHOWER WITHOUT YOUR MONEYBELT advisory) can be largely ignored by simply going out into the countryside and letting small places work their salutary magic on you. The final two weeks of my most recent trip were spent in Orkney. Nobody seemed curious about my wardrobe, nobody was anything but kind and supportive of my brief visit. The farms and the fishing boats went about their daily routines and the B&Bs sheltered and fed us very well. The 5000 year old stone circles and villages tolerantly accepted my blue jeans and ignored the opportunity to lift my wallet.
k-b
Seattle, USA Tue 08/22/2006

bluedenim....turkey and greece travel
Call your airline and ask about this restriction. I doubt it is true.
USA Tue 08/22/2006

turkey/greece travel laws
has anyone heard about this....I was posting on another site I go to about planning a trip to Turkey and Greece and someone said that If you're flying charter to Greece you're not supposed to stay the night in Turkey.
bluedenim <email>
canada Tue 08/22/2006

Night train reservations, Vienna to Frankfurt
According to the Austrian Rail website, www.oebb.at, the Call Center is open for travel booking from 7 AM to 9:45 PM Austrian time. That's 10 PM to 12:45 PM (45 min after noon) west coast time. I would think you could arrange to pick up your tickets in Vienna.
<email>
USA Tue 08/22/2006

re: Night train Vienna - Frankfurt
Yikes, sounds like I need to call Austrian Rail. We're leaving for Europe in 2 days - other than me finding the time to call Austria during their business hours, will that complicate things much (i.e. "mailing tickets" to me is not an option)? Thanks for the help!
Joe
Olympia, WA USA Tue 08/22/2006

Reservations, Vienna to Frankfurt, Euraide
If all else fails, call Euraide at 1-941-480-1555. They can buy the reservations (if available) from a station in Europe and mail them to you. They charge the same price as you would pay for the tickets over there plus an extra $45 for the service.
<email>
USA Tue 08/22/2006

City Night Line also has an office number in Austria (011) 43 1 505 83 00.
<email>
USA Tue 08/22/2006

Night train reservations, Vienna to Frankfurt
Sorry, for City Night Line you have to use www.citynightline.ch for booking full tickets. However, that website does not have provisions for only reservations. I think your best option here is to call Austrian Rail at (011) 43 5 17 17 (since the trip begins in Austria).
<email>
USA Tue 08/22/2006

Re: Night train - couchette reservations
The Vienna to Frankfurt train is run by City Night Line and you can try to book reservations on their booking website, http://buchung.nachtzugreise.de. I say "try" because that is a very popular route and sells out well in advance. Book now!

The train gets into Frankfurt Hbf at 5:57. You will have to take a train or S-bahn from there to FRA.

The booking website has an English option by clicking the British flag. After that it is pretty self-explanatory. If you are trying to get reservations to go with railpasses, select "Accommodation surcharge only, tickets exist" under "What is required?" You should be able to pay with a credit card and print the tickets yourself at home?

Any questions or problems? Feel free to email me.
<email>
USA Tue 08/22/2006

Amsterdam to Paris
If you are unable to get a special deal via thalys.com, sometimes it is cheaper to take the regular inter-city train from Amsterdam to Brussels, and transfer to Thalys from Brussels to Paris. I recomend getting your tickets well in advance. On a couple of occasions I tried on get Thalys tickets a couple of days in advance when I was in Amsterdam but tye train I wanted travel on was sold out, so I had to take a train much later in the day. On another occasion I had to pay extra for a first class tickets because second class was fully booked.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Tue 08/22/2006

Amsterdam to Paris
Thalys has a monopoly on the Amsterdam-Paris route. The regular single fare is E97.50. However, there can be last-minute specials at thalys.com which are good for one week. For example, Amsterdam-Bruxelles for E22 and Bruxelles-Paris for E37. In this case, booking separate last-minute tickets for your route would cost a total of E59. After you get to Amsterdam, use an Internet cafe to see what's available.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Tue 08/22/2006

Traveling to Paris from Amsterdam.
I am looking to travel by train to Paris from Amsterdam on a Monday morning, early September. I have not been able to find any cheap single ride train tickets! Anyone have any advice on a website I could book at, or should I wait to book when I get to Amsterdam? This will be my first Eurpoean trip.
Carrie <email>
Washington, DC USA Tue 08/22/2006

Solid men's cologne product for travel within Europe
With the recent ban on liquids in carry-on luggage and since I only use carry-on luggage, I am looking for a SOLID men's cologne product. I do not use this while on the plane or train (contrary to comments below), but prefer to use just a little during the days that I travel. While I do my best to fit in with the locals, I do not want to offend them with the usual smells of European travelers who do not have ready access to daily showers, etc. Does anyone have any tips on locating this product? Email address below...thanks in advance!!!
James <email>
West Memphis, AR USA Mon 08/21/2006

Night train - couchette reservations?
Me and the Mrs will be wrapping up our trip with a night train from Vienna to Frankfurt late in September. I'm not entirely clear on the wheres and whens for making our reservations.

We must be on this train - we fly out of Frankfurt that day - so we're willing to spring for the reservation and couchette to ensure we get the space. We already have 1st Class railpasses.

Do we make the reservation once we get to Europe? Where - any travel agent A rail office? We want to be sure we'll get sleeping space (probably couchettes - in the same compartment) on that night train...can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks for al the help I've received here!
Joe
Olympia, WA USA Mon 08/21/2006

GAIL....TOUR OF ITALY
If you don’t get a good suggestion on this page, do a google search for “Italy guided tours”.

You will find scores to choose from. Many include travelers reviews of the tours.
DALLAS, TX USA Mon 08/21/2006

JANICE-----SWISS SCENIC TRAIN
Don’t waste your money on scenic trains. Take the regular train and save your money.

I had to make that decision two years ago. The route is the same and the speed is the same; only difference is a LARGER window, which didn’t impress me.

There may be a difference in the number of stops, but I didn’t notice any.
USA Mon 08/21/2006

Contacts
I want to carry on my contacts but I just realized each box does not have a label on them with my name. The side of the box only lists the strength of the contacts.

But, I do have a prescription for refills at the same strength.

Will this suffice for carry-on with the new restrictions?
Lisa
San Jose, CA USA Mon 08/21/2006

Cindy...London to Paris for the day
Someone asked this question about a week ago....scroll down and see the replies below.
USA Mon 08/21/2006

James...Cologne
I agree with Amanda below....Our worst fear is sitting next to someone on a train or plane that is wearing cologne or perfume. It can be horrible for the person next to you.
USA Mon 08/21/2006

Barcelona
Not sure which is best area to stay in Barcelona. Any suggestions on area and/or hotels? Thanks. HD
HD
SF, CA USA Mon 08/21/2006

HD--FLYING WITHIN EUROPE
From Florence I would schedule a flight out of Pisa to Paris (EasyJet probably)--Pisa is about an hour from Florence by train or bus. From Cinque Terre, I would fly out of Pisa. It's a little more complicated to get there from CT, but it is about an hour by train from Monterosso or La Spezia to Pisa. It is a five-minute train ride from the Pisa train station to the Pisa airport. I flew RyanAir from Paris to Venice (Treviso) last year, so I assume that flight would be available this year. It's an hour by bus from Venice to Treviso airport.
USA Mon 08/21/2006

Luggage storage
Every place I've stayed in Europe has had a baggage room and allowed me to leave my bag after check out.When not flying open jaws,the hotel at my starting/ending point has also allowed me to store anything I didn't need for the rest of my trip. Most times without charge although I paid a couple of pounds a day in London.
Teena Walker <email>
Lexington, NC USA Mon 08/21/2006

Re: Flying within Europe
Barcelona to Rome..check out vueling.com. Since you'll probably go Rome-Florence-Cinque Terre - Venice, check out myair.com from Venice Marco Polo to Paris Orly, or Venice Treviso to Paris Beauvais via Ryanair (as a distant second choice.)
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Mon 08/21/2006

Luggage storage
IMHO, the best places to stay, don't have bellmen. I have stayed in small family run hotels and pensionen all over Germany, and I am sure the owners will make sure you are accommodated.

However, I have never seen a station in Germany that did not have luggage lockers, and if you are there a few days, you have time to check it out. If you have to "haul" you luggage to the station anyway, why not stash it in a locker where it will be near your departure.
USA Mon 08/21/2006

Flying within Europe
I want to make my way from Rome to Paris (were catch my plane back home.) Stopping along the way, Cinque Terre, Venice, Florence. I'm having a hard time finding a way to fly back to Paris from any of these towns. Also need to fly from Barcelona to Rome. Can anyone give me advice?
HD
SF, CA USA Mon 08/21/2006

Swiss Scenic Train
We will be traveling from Munich to Milan in early October. We have considered taking either the Bernina Express scenic train or going through Zurich to Interlachen and then through Brig to Milan. I'm wondering if anyone has an opinion. Also, while watching a RS video, RS mentioned that he would rather take an overnight train thereby adding a touring day rather than waste a day on a scenic train ride. We are unsure what to do. I would appreciate any comments.
Janice
Newport, MN USA Mon 08/21/2006

Luggage Storage
On our trip to France, Germany and Italy we will have a few days where we are planning on taking a later train out of town (late afternoon or overnight). Do European hotels allow you to leave your luggage with a bellman (after checkout) to be picked up later in the day or must be haul our luggage to a train station and store it in a locker until our train leaves?
Janice
Newport, MN USA Mon 08/21/2006

re: Travel Clothes
Just got back and I didn't see too many people in jeans. I'm sure because of the heat. Most women had Capris or skirts on. A lot of men worn pants, some in shorts, and some in the new men's capris. There were women in shorts in Nice, Siena, Florence, and Cinque Terre but didn't see too many shorts in Paris or Rome.
Sally <email>
USA Mon 08/21/2006

Just got back from a month in europe and we traveled by train a lot. Just want to mention that some trains don't list the place you are going up on the sign/marquee. It lists the last main station it's going to. So, be sure and know the train's final destination so you don't get confused. Also, don't assume the train sitting on your track # is your train. Sometimes 10 minutes before the train was supposed to depart they gave a new track/bin#! People would be scrambling with their luggage getting off the wrong train and getting onto the correct one. It was crazy.
Sally
USA Mon 08/21/2006

RE: Athens to Rome
Try Aegean Air at www.aegeanair.com/aegeanen/home/index.asp and AirOne at www.flyairone.it/en.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Mon 08/21/2006

References desired
Has anyone dealt with Best Travel Store (bt-store.com)when purchasing US to Eastern Europe air tickets? Please advise. Thanks, Brad.
Brad Yarbrough <email>
Oklahoma City, OK USA Mon 08/21/2006

Athens to Rome
Is there a cheap airline that flies from Athens to Rome?
rati bagai <email>
Seattle, WA USA Mon 08/21/2006

Vegetarian Restaurants
I have travelled 2 different times with friends who were vegetarian in Paris and they didn’t have too many problems. We couldn’t eat at every restaurant but most they were able to find something to eat. Most restaurants offer many vegetable dishes and cheese plates. Stress that you don’t eat meat and you may need to repeat it. I don’t eat ham and I was in a small village and wanted a pizza - I had to tell them 3 times (in French) and I still had to return it because it had meat! (I have also had similar problems in this country!) Jambon is ham, viande is meat, poulet is chicken, poisson is fish.
maia <email>
NC, before SLC, and NYC, USA Mon 08/21/2006

TRAVEL BY TRAIN IN ITALY
Trains are mostly run by the Italian state railway (with the exception of a few private lines) so their site, Trenitalia, is the way to go. You can try RailEurope, but their prices are a lot higher, and the discounts not easily available. Trenitalia's site can be easy to use, once you figure it out. And they have a new system now....jump on the train with your printed receipt, and the conductor comes around with a little PDA and mini-printer. He/She punches in your reservation number, and a teeny ticket is printed out for you!
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Mon 08/21/2006

Help- Car Rental UK
Thanks to all for their suggestions on car rental in UK.
JS
USA Mon 08/21/2006

Re: Rome to Florence Train
I agree with those who say you should not need to make advance reservations for a Rome-Florence train in October. After you land and clear immigration, etc., you'll know exactly which train you'll have time to catch. Buy your Rome-Florence ticket at the airport train station when you buy your ticket on the Leonardo Express train from the airport to the Termini station. The Leonardo Express leaves at :05 and :35 past the hour and takes 31 minutes to get to Termini.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Mon 08/21/2006

For Kim - re. Rick's tours
I went on a Rick tour a few years ago - the 14-day Best of Europe. I'm in my mid-30s, and I was not the youngest. There were about 6 peopel younger than me (in their 20s); the tour guides were about my age or a little older; and the other tour members generally in their 50s to 60s. But really, the age didn't matter at all because everyone was so much fun to be with. I think there's a certain young-at-heart spirit for people who go on Rick's tours.

As to which tour - you'd need to tell us more or evaluate these criteria for yourself: How much time do you have; do you like city or countryside more, or do you want a mix of both; do you like lots of museums and culture or lots of hiking; are you going to be doing any traveling on your own before or after the tour; do you gravitate toward any one or two countries/destinations, or do you want to do an initial "sweep" with the intent of returning later once you know where you like most? That sort of thing. Have fun planning!
USA Mon 08/21/2006

Tour of Italy
I am planning a 2 week trip to Italy in summer of 2007. I definitely want to take a tour. What tours, other than Rick's, would you recommend? What comments do you have about Rick's Italy tour? Any help would be appreciated
Gail <email>
Pt. Jefferson, NY USA Mon 08/21/2006

Rome to Florence train
Opps !!! don't proof read very well ----- a family of four ---- and therefore, four carryon size bags plus a couple of small day bags that we keep in our seats,
Frank P.
Centennial, CO USA Mon 08/21/2006

Rome to Florence train
Tim -- IMO, you would not need a reservation in Oct unless you absolutely had to had a specific time. Then you have the risk of your plane being on time. As to luggage storage -- it is limited. We are a family of that often will put all of our luggage in the entry way and have never had problem BUT ----- we use a light weight cable lock to lock all of the luggage together through the handles. And maybe lock it to a pole if available. At the stops we do try to keep an eye on that area. The thought is that if someone grabbed one of bags, three more bags will be dragging behind them, I don't think they would continue with the first bag. On many trains in many countries we have never had a problem. PS -- I will send you my wife's packing list if it would help yours !!!
Frank P. <email>
Centennial, CO USA Mon 08/21/2006

Tim....Rome to Florence Train
On that leg, I would make reservations in advance because it is a popular one.

As for luggage, there is very little space for storing it on Italian trains.

I kept small bags with me on my seat, between my feet and in the overhead shelves.

Large bags were left in the vestibule. But you have watch them at every stop so someone won’t borrow them.
jim w.
alta, tx USA Mon 08/21/2006

Reservations
You only need to make reservations if you need to be on a specific train on a specific date. If it would ruin your holiday to show up and the train be fully booked then you need reservations.
USA Mon 08/21/2006

Rome to Florence train
Flying into Rome FCO) on Wed. 10/18/06 and then directly by train to Florence. Is it necessary to make train reservations in advance? Also, is there ample room for luggage on the trains (my wife tends to pack heavy)? Thanks.
tim
Boston, ma USA Mon 08/21/2006

Electricity abroad
Try this site as well, for a good explanation of electricity, adapters, converters, transformers, and illustrations of plugs, etc.

http://www.franzus.com/electricity.htm
Phoebe
USA Mon 08/21/2006

TRAVEL BY TRAIN IN ITALY
ARE THERE OTHER WEBSITES TO PURCHASE DISCOUNTED TRAIN TICKETS BESIDES TRENITALIA? THANKS!
DAVID
SAN FRANCISCO, CA USA Mon 08/21/2006

Solid men's cologne product
James: For the benefit of those traveling near you why don't you just take a solid anti-perspirant/deodorant and leave the "cologne" at home...same for your wife.
Amanda
USA Mon 08/21/2006

car hire in the UK
Has anyone ever used 1car1.com to rent a car in England? We're planning a 28 day rental for pick up and drop off at Manchester Airport. Their rates look lower, even including vat and insurance. Thanks for the help!
JHE
Philadelphia, PA USA Mon 08/21/2006

Rick's tours..which one
Has anyone gone on any of the RS tours? I got the brochure on them and every one of them seems like they would be great. I am 37 and my boyfriend 43, we are in good shape and could handle the long amounts of walking. The problem is we cannot agree on which one to go on. Anyone have any ideas so we can break this stand off and we can just go. Thanks for you help. PS. We would not be the youngest ones on the trip by like 20 years would we??
Kim <email>
Brooklyn, NY USA Mon 08/21/2006

Solid men's cologne product?
With the recent ban on liquids in carry-on luggage, does anyone know of a men's cologne or aftershave product that comes in a solid form? My wife has a cologne product for women in solid but I cannot locate a men's product. Any tips? Email address noted below...thanks!
James <email>
West Memphis, AR USA Mon 08/21/2006

UK car rental
Try www.enterprise.co.uk
Kathy <email>
Cary, NC USA Mon 08/21/2006

Vegetarian in Europe
Being a vegetarian in Europe is not so easy...and I am a vegan! One time in Paris the quiche was supposed to be only cheese (you really can't be a vegan while traveling in Europe!)and there were teeny tiny bits of ham...I suppose they thought if the meat was really, really small it didn't "count"! The guidebooks do list vegetarian restaurants, so maybe you can compromise if there are some really good ones- if she eats cheese, she will be in heaven. The one thing to be careful about, without careful translation, is not eating soup-she should just assume that all the stocks are meat or chicken- based. I try to be flexible and try anything new that doesn't appear to be meatish- otherwise, it can become the focus of the trip and it shouldn't...
USA Sun 08/20/2006

RE: help- UK car rental
In June 2005 we rented from Kemwel in Italy and found the price to be less than other rental sources. The car was actually rented to us at Europecar. The Opel Astra was not as nice as the Ford Focus we rented two years before from Hertz, and the oil light came on at high speed; found it to be two liters low. Also lots of scrapes in the paint, so make certain to record all of them before driving off.
GW
USA Sun 08/20/2006

Can a Vegetarian Find Food in French Restaurants?
My wife is a vegetarian, but I am not. We are not certain if she can find adequate amounts of vegetables in French restaurants. Of those we have checked online, the menus seem to offer few veggies. We prefer not to eat in vegetarian restaurants because I am not one. We hope to visit Paris, Provence and the Riviera. Thanks for any input.
GW <email>
SLC, UT USA Sun 08/20/2006

Rome to Sorrento train
Yes the train goes to Naples then you transfer. No prob just watch for pick pockets and barkers at the Naples station board your train and Sorrento will be a treat when you get there. enjoy
JS
CA USA Sun 08/20/2006

Re: more electrical adapter questions
The "continental" adapters are symetrical (can be inserted either way), and are not polarized, so they could not polarize an American plug. On the other hand, most computer and camera power supplies are also not polarized, so they don't have the different prong widths. By CE regulations, that two round pin plug, officially called CEE 7/16, or more popularly, the "Euro plug", is limited to applications of 2 1/2 Amps or less, so legally, you cannot use it for a device like a hair dryer or a curling iron. The Euro plug also does not ground the appliance, which is also not a good idea. All plugs in the EU which handle more than 2 1/2 Amps must provide grounding. The safest, and legal-est thing to do is buy your hair dryer over there. Hair dryers purchased in Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Germany should have a modified Schuko plug, which provides grounding when inserted in receptacles in those countries. However, the Schuko plug will not fit in receptacles in Switzerland or Italy. You will find that many hotels provide hard wired hair dryers to get around this problem.
<email>
USA Sun 08/20/2006

Rome to Sorrento
Does anyone have any tips on taking the train from Rome to Sorrento? It seems as if a change in Naples is necessary. We will arrive in Rome in mid-morning and will go straight to Sorrento.
Emily
KY USA Sun 08/20/2006

Re: UK car rental
Try carjet.co.uk. had great success with them in Spain, and they're a british-based company that searches all sorts of agencies for the best rates.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Sun 08/20/2006

Mary....Bruge to Normandy
Go to:www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/tpl/hme/MaHomePage. You can find the mileage between these two points and the driving time.
USA Sun 08/20/2006

J S---help UK car rental
JS>>>>>help UK car rental Try kemwel.com for rental rates. It has been several years since I rented from them but as I shopped I found them the lowest.

Why dont you read the section of Graffiti Wall called "Driving Europe Crazy?" there are hundreds of comments on auto rental rates. also read the archives section of that page.
rob w.
dallas, tx USA Sun 08/20/2006

Hiking in the CT
Hello- it depends what you mean by "hiking". We did the 5 village trail (described on the RS Website). The trail, if you begin at the first village (we reversed it, since we stayed in #5)is level and basically like a sidewalk as it starts out, climbing moderately but still very paved and gradually becomes less so, more gravelly and steeper. If you are not serious hikers you could wear regular shoes until it becomes too much trouble to keep your traction, and then just go back! On the other hand, certainly between #3 and 5 smooth- soled shoes would be hazardous, especially if it had rained. There are some very steep climbs with little pebbles and switchbacks and some very sheer drops down...WAY down! I am a lover of Keen sandals, and wear those quite a bit while hiking here at home in the summer- they are great because you can get your feet wet (say, crossing a stream) and be on your merry way. They were more than up to the CT, and I wore them with capris in cities. There were lots of other hikes we didn't have time to do that looked wonderful, but those would also require sturdy shoes (I think) since they were higher up than the 5 village trail...so, I would say you certainly don't need humungous heavy- duty hiking boots- but you need closed toes and really good traction on the bottom of what you choose.
Karen
USA Sun 08/20/2006

JS>>>>>help UK car rental
Try kemwel.com for rental rates. It has been several years since I rented from them but as I shopped I found them the lowest.

Use the toll free number to talk with an agent. He can answer all your questions. Don’t reserve on the net.
j.k.s.
nyc, ny USA Sun 08/20/2006

trekking in cinque terre
do I need hiking type shoes or boots while in Cinque Terre or will casual walking shoes be o.k.?
Brooke Bustrum <email>
yorba linda, ca USA Sun 08/20/2006

help- UK car rental
Looking for a car rental automatic with a reasonable rate. I have cked the usual plus autoeurope and europacar and this website so far w/o xtra insurances a econ/compact is over $60 a day for 10 day period.Thanks in advance,
JS
USA Sun 08/20/2006

Museum Reservations
Have continued to call for museum reservations around Italy and I think reservations are GENERALLY easy to come by, but The Last Supper and other things related to the Da Vinci Code seem to be booked up. I am going to see The Mind of Leonardo at the Uffizi in Florence, and though my reservations are for October 1st, there were reservations available at limited, but reasonable, times within 48 hours of now.

My point is merely that you shouldn't just be discouraged if you didn't know to make reservations....give it a try! I am not making reservations for the Accademia and will hopefully hit it at a good time.
Beth
marco Island, FL USA Sun 08/20/2006

Space Saver/
When I went to Europe 2 yrs ago, I bought some of those plastic bags that you can put stuff in, then instead of using a vacuum cleaner to suck the air out, you just smooooosh all the air out manually. I don't think they'd be especially great for my clean clothes, but it worked GREAT for my Tempurpedic pillow, which I take everywhere. I bought them from Samsonite last time and they were actually pretty lousy quality---fortunately I had taken 2, so when the first one failed after maybe 3-4 uses, I had a spare that lasted the rest of the trip.

I see that Rick has these in the travel store under Pack-Mates. Has anyone used Rick's brand with good or bad results? Or an alternate brand they recommend?

THANKS
Beth
Marco Island, FL USA Sun 08/20/2006

Re: Afternoon in Loire Valley
We saw Clos Luce and thought it was wonderful. When we were there in Sept 2004, there were quite a few models of inventions that Leonardo had dreamed up, which was quite fascinating. As far as chateaux, we saw Chenonceau, Chambord, and Cheverny. Chenonceau was very good, Cheverny was good, and Chambord was a bit of a let-down. Very impressive architechture, but rather barren inside. Almost no furniture. I know you said that you have a car, but we were very happy with the service provide by Acco-Dispo Tours, http://www.accodispo-tours.com, as recommended by Rick Steves. Courteous, prompt, and knowledgable. Everything you could ask for. And there's something to be said for sitting back, relaxing, and not worrying about getting lost.
Rick <email>
Chicago, IL USA Sun 08/20/2006

more electrical adapter questions
2 questions- do the "continental" adapters like Rick's accept the type of plug ends with 2 different width prongs- like on a hairdryer or curling iron? will a regular household extention cord with a place for 2 or 3 items to plug in to plugged into an adapter work like a "power strip" in Italy?
scott bustrum <email>
yorba linda, ca USA Sun 08/20/2006

Different adapters
The best website I have found for explaining this subject is http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm#plugs. Kropla also had a good explanation.
<email>
USA Sat 08/19/2006

Diagrams of different adapters
Quite by accident I found a useful Website http://www.escapeartist.com/global/photos.htmlite that shows actual images of the various adapters and it was only then that I finally "got it"! Here is another one to try: http://www.kropla.com/electric.htm
USA Sat 08/19/2006

Day trip to Paris
Go to your library and look at some travel guide books with pictures and descriptions of Paris.

Choose the sights which interest you.

With limited time I would take a four or six-hour guided tour.
h.a.m.
tulsa, ok USA Sat 08/19/2006

CHARLIE.....IRELAND AUG OR SEPT
Having been to Europe six times in the late summer, I can recommend going in September; the weather will be milder and more comfortable for you.

Some parts of Ireland are hot in Aug.
EDY, TN USA Sat 08/19/2006

Re: electrical adapter in Italy
The plug is better defined by the pin diameter and the spacing, but it sounds like an Italian plug, particularly if the three pins are in a straight row. If so, it should work everywhere you say you are going.

On the other hand, because of the center, grounding pin, it will not fit into the sockets in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France or Switzerland, but the standard "Euro plug" will fit in receptacles in all those counries as well as in receptacles in Italy.
<email>
USA Sat 08/19/2006

re: pick 2 chateau
For me, the answer would be easy: Chambourd, and Chenonceau. Quite different in style and feel, both are unforgettable. have fun!
DB
Seattle, WA USA Sat 08/19/2006

Hello I'm trying to book a trip to Portugal Spain Morocco and back to a cooking school in Evora to end the trip. this will be for a month Can anyone help with and suggestions information anything would be appreicated thanks Sharron Biccum
Sharron Biccum <email>
Genelle, B.C. Canada Sat 08/19/2006

day trip to paris from london
Rick's London guidebook has an entire chapter about doing this daytrip efficiently.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Sat 08/19/2006

Ireland - August or September?
We will be taking a RS tour of Ireland next year and are undesided about when to go, either in August or September. Anyone have any strong feelings, one way of the other?
Aloha Charlie <email>
Honolulu, HI USA Sat 08/19/2006

electrical adapter in Italy
We will be travelling in Rome, Florence, Tuscany and Cinque Terra areas. I have 3-pin, long pin style electrical adapter. Is this good for where we are going?
Scott Bustrum <email>
Yorba Linda, Ca USA Sat 08/19/2006

day trip to paris from london
I will be taking the Eurostar to Paris for the day (with 5 other family members). What advice can anyone give me for seeing the city highlights with ease and not neccesarily with depth on this visit??
cindy <email>
lynnwood, wa USA Sat 08/19/2006

AMBER---RATES RENTING ROOM
Do a google search for the hotel and look at the hotel webpage for room rates.

It will tell you whether the rate is for the room or per person.

Rates are normally quoted for the room and two persons.
USA Sat 08/19/2006

Afternoon in Loire Valley
My boyfriend and I will have one afternoon to spend in the Loire Valley. We would like to see either two chateaux or one chateau and Chateau du Clos Luce. (We will tour Versailles the next morning, too.) I have two questions about this. One, which two chateaux in Loire Valley would be best to visit with our limited time? Two, is Clos Luce worth a visit? (We are both scientists, so Clos Luce appeals to us.) Also, we will have a car. Thank you.
CO USA Sat 08/19/2006

Eating in Spain
I know that once you have a table in a French cafe or a restaurant in Italy, that it's yours all night. Can I expect the same in Spain?
Kelly <email>
Philadelphia, PA USA Sat 08/19/2006

Traveling to Brugge (Bruges)?
Help! I left two art posters in a mailing tube at the Hotel Keizershof (recommended by Rick Steves). I am looking for someone that could mail them back to the states or drop them at a DHL location in Belgium.
Edith Cortes-Rosene <email>
Dallas, Texas USA Sat 08/19/2006

Rates renting room
I am travelling to Italy is the Accomadations is it Per room or Per Person , I was looking for Information in your Italy book
Amber <email>
Calgary, Canada Sat 08/19/2006

Mike....charging battery on train
If you find an outlet on the train, ask about the voltage.

Be sure your charger will take whatever the voltage is.

It will probably be DC and not AC which we use.
USA Sat 08/19/2006

Octoberfest: Great fun or expensive PITA to avoid
Please refer to Munich, Vienna Salzburg post
Ms. Pilar Harrietha <email>
Toronto, ON CANADA Sat 08/19/2006

re: charging battery on train
Mike - I just got back from Europe and was in lots of trains including one from Paris to Nice. I did not see any electrical outlets.
Sally C <email>
CA USA Sat 08/19/2006

Munich. Vienna Salzburg Suggestions
Hi DB I read your add about Oktoberfest, I was there in 1999, one suggestion is to make reservation through a 3rd party HomeMunchenCompany. The e-mail is HomeCompany-Muenchen@t-online.de by that time it was cheaper that hotels as everything is so busy, I started looking for accomodation late June & I received rejections, around this time I contact that company & they found me something & I payed 100 former German Marks per night (4 nights total) & gave 20% commsion to the company. & it work fine. fortunately the lady where we stayed charged us 80 german marks. If you want to go to the tents go early & leave no later than 1:00 PM as tents will pack. also if you are not fluent in german, do not order food in the tents as it is more expensive, only beer, you can buy food in the stands as it is more reasonably priced, or also you can go to the main Hobrahaus near the Marienplatz for no more than an hour. When I went to Vienna I stayed in a student residence near the ringplatz very clean & very reasonable. The name is Academia Hotels the e-mail is acahot@academia-hotels.co.at & also they have in Salzburg. I hope this information helps
Mrs. Pilar Harrietha <email>
Toronto, ON CANADA Sat 08/19/2006

Toronto Presentations
Hi Rick:

My husband & I enjoy your European Travel shows, it used to be at 3:30 PM, eastern time on PBS, Did the time change?. We are travelling to Germany & Czech Republic late september to mid october & by reading your articles we are learning more about smart european travel. We would like to know if at some point do you have plans to give presentations in Toronto ON as we live there & we will be there

Pilar & Phil
Pilar Harrietha <email>
Toronto, ON CANADA Sat 08/19/2006

Charging battery on the train
We will be on an overnight train from Venice to Paris, in a compartment with couchettes. Will there be an electrical outlet I can use to charge the battery for my digital camera?
Mike <email>
USA Fri 08/18/2006

Museum Reservations Florence
In November 2003 I got to Florence and realized I'd forgotten to get reservations for the Ufizzi and the Accademia. Since I was only there for one day I almost panicked. Went to the Accademia first and the only line was to pick up reserved tickets. I walked right in. The same for the Uffizi. Things really slow down in November and neither museum was crowded. Having said that, I'll probably reserve this year just to be sure.
TWalker
NC USA Fri 08/18/2006

Scottish Currency
Kirsten:

The Scottish bank note system can be confusing. British bank notes (they say Bank of England on them) are accepted everywhere in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). Scotland is one of the few countries where individual banks issue their own currency. Some banknotes are marked "Bank of Scotland", but this is a commercial bank, not a central bank like the Bank of England. Others may say Clydesdale Bank or Royal Bank of Scotland. They are accepted anywhere in Scotland and are 1:1 with the Bank of England notes. They may be accepted in England, but not everywhere, so, as Rick says, use them, or get them exchanged for B of E notes (at no charge) at a bank before leaving Scotland. They are not recognized overseas as a bank here in NA would have to send them out for collection to the issuing bank in Scotland, which would be expensive.

Trust this helps.
Iain
Edmonton, AB Canada Fri 08/18/2006

Re: Currency exchange
Before you assume you will get lousy exchange rates from currency sellers here and much better rates from ATMs over there, check thoroughly with your bank here. Insist that they look up the "terms and conditions" of your account. Insist again, because sometimes they don't know, or don't want to tell you. Many larger US banks (Chase, Wells Fargo, and US Bank that I know of) are now charging 3% for ATM withdrawals (1% network charge, which could include currency exchange, and another 2% from the bank, because they insist on paying the network in Euro so they can charge you an additional exchange fee). If they charge you 3% plus an out-of-system ATM fee, you could pay close to 4%. I am not saying this will happen, just talk to your bank to make sure it won't. If they do charge the 3%+, it may make more sense to just get the needed cash before you go and not have to look for ATMs or risk the theft and such that occurs when people use ATMs, particularly in Italy. For Wells Fargo account holders, WF charges 5% over the interbank rate, another $5 if you don't have an account. Bank of America charges about 5.5%. Be sure to look up the rate on Oanda.com before you go to make sure you are getting a relatively "good" rate.
Lee
USA Fri 08/18/2006

Re: Currency Exchange
Kristen - Ireland (not Northern Ireland) uses the Euro. Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) use the British Pound. When we were in Scotland, we were suprised to get Scottish banknotes (paper currency, not coins). We were told that they were equal in value to British pounds. They were accepted everywhere in Scotland. However, we were advised to spend them in Scotland, since some establishments in England would refuse them. We were also advised that US banks would almost definitely refuse them.

As far as getting currency ahead of time, there are 2 camps. Those who have had no problems and insist that there will be no problems and those who have heard of or encountered problems, such as a bank worker's strike or a holiday, such that the ATMs are out of currency. My preference is to have some foreign currency ahead of time, usually about $100 worth, even with the lousy exchange rates you get in the US. Check out the "ATMs: Minimizing Fees" forum on this Wall, under "Money/Communication" for banks that sell foreign currency on the west coast. Bank of America and Wells Fargo seem to be mentioned quite often.

Definitely call your bank AND your credit card comapnies to inform them of the countries you'll be visiting. Sudden overseas activity is viewed as unauthorized use by banks. They will not hesitate to freeze your account if they are not made aware of your travels.
Rick <email>
Chicago, IL USA Fri 08/18/2006

Currency Exchange Info
I like to have a small amount of local currency on me when I arrive, $50-100 worth. While non-functioning ATMs in major transportation hubs may be a rare occurence, I've experienced that phenomenon at CDG, as well as at the main train station in Milan. You can usually get your bank to order euros even if they don't keep them on hand. You can also get them at American Express offices. (If you're not a card-holder bring cash.)
CA USA Fri 08/18/2006

First timer
Hello everybody. I will be traveling from Dublin to London by ferry/train via Holyhead Wales on a Sunday in October. The earliest ferry arrives in Holyhead at 12:50pm. The next train to London leaves at 1:35pm. Do I have enough time to make the 1:35 train? The next train does not leave until 4:30pm and I would like to avoid getting into London at 10:00 at night. This is my first time to Europe so any information would be much appreciated!!!!
Steve
Sonoma County, CA USA Fri 08/18/2006

Currency Exchange Info Part Deux
Another question about exchanging currency:

I just called my bank. The lady who helped me was so sweet, but knew nothing about exchanging currency.

Is it better to exchange a small amount here at home before I leave (so I have a few banknotes for tips, quick buys, etc.)? And if so...where do I "buy" this currency? I think I asked that in my previous post. I'm in Orange County, California by the way.

One note: the woman I spoke to at my bank (Bank of the West), said my bankcard is usable overseas (for $1.50 charge), that I should call the bank about a month prior to leaving to notify them my card will be used in Europe, and she also gave me a phone number to call COLLECT from overseas should I need to contact my bank. So, the call wasn't a wash afterall!!
Kristen
Santa Ana, Southern California, CA USA Fri 08/18/2006

Re: Shakespeare Play
Adding to Norm's comments. The National Rail site shows Just 15 Return fares (15 GBP) for certain trains on that route.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Fri 08/18/2006

Currency Images Website
Try http://www.numismondo.com/pm/eur/index0001.html. The EU has mandated common designs on the currency, with specific themes. You'll also find the currency gets larger as the denomination gets bigger.....5 Euro notes are quite a bit smaller than our dollar bills....500 Euro notes are quite large (not that you'll ever see, or need, a bill of that high a value!)
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Fri 08/18/2006

Eurocoins.co.uk
Erp! I had my euros and pounds sterling backwards. I understand Ireland (Republic) is using Euros. Scotland (and the rest of the UK) are NOT currently using Euros...

In answer to my own question, however, I did find a site called Eurocoins.co.uk. It's a start...I'll investigate further for paper money.
Kristen
Santa Ana, Southern California, CA USA Fri 08/18/2006

Currency Images Website
First and foremost, thanks to everyone for your amazing and informative feedback. If this shows up twice it's because my computer is whacky.

About Scotland/Ireland itinerary: Thank you all for the advice and the handicap card for St. Andrews is INVALUABLE...if I do decide to book a golf day for my husband that's simply awesome to know that ahead of time.

If he only wants to "hit some balls" on a practice range, is that possible? Just wondering because i'm not sure we'll have enough time for an actual round.

On to my next question: Is there a website that provides visuals of foreign currency? I'd like to see what actual Scottish Euros and Irish currency looks like. Or, should I get a small amount of each from a bank (and if so, where??).

Thanks again all!
Kristen
Santa Ana, Southern California, CA USA Fri 08/18/2006

Shakespeare play
Jenny, You can get the best of both worlds by seeing the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in London. During the summer they perform in London. It looks like Canterbury Tales is playing at the Gielgud Theatre through Sept 30. I believe you must buy the tickets through the Gielgud Theatre, not the RSC. Their phone number is listed on this web page:

http://www.rsc.org.uk/WhatsOn/2701.aspx

And don't forget you can always see Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre in London.

http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/navigation/frameset.htm

Trekking to Straford for the day is quite tiring. You'll have to get a matinee show (usually only 2x week) because the 7:30 pm show will end too late to catch the last train to London.
Lisa
San Jose, CA USA Fri 08/18/2006

Rome apartments
Has anybody rented an apartment in Rome thru Iraly Accomodations? If so, how did you like it?
Jim Logan
Wood Dale, IL USA Fri 08/18/2006

Shakespeare Play
There are many trains a day between London and Stratford, with the trip taking about 2:30. You could go out early in the morning, enjoy the town and the play, and catch the last train back at 11 pm, which gets into London at about 1:30 am. Round trip can cost as little as 21 pounds. Check nationalrail.co.uk for times, ticket prices and bookings. An alternative is intercity bus, which takes about 3 hours direct...but you'll have to come back the next morning. Check www.nationalexpress.com. Return fares are as low as 16.50 pounds.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Fri 08/18/2006

Europe in October
I am going to be in Europe in October and am still kind of wary about how to go about everything. Would anyone be willing to talk with me about my trip and offer any suggestions?
Evan <email>
Boulder, CO USA Fri 08/18/2006

JAIME...FINDING PACK REPAIR IN PARIS
I have always taken my luggage to a luggage store to ask where a repair shop is. Those shops can repair all kinds of closures, including zippers.
USA Fri 08/18/2006

JENNY>>>>>>SHAKESPEARE PLAY
GO TO www.abo.fi/~oholm/distance/britain.shtm

You will find it is 95 miles from London to Stratford which makes it a long ride.

Aside from taking the train I doubt there is another way to get there.
MILLE
TULSA, OK USA Fri 08/18/2006

Golfing at St. Andrews
I agree with the others - handicap card is ABSOLUTELY necessary - we saw a guy crying because he didn't have it with him and the starter at the Old Course would not accept a fax.

We showed up before 7 am and got on with another couple within an hour. It was pricey back then ($100 5 years ago), but worth every penny! A great round, no bunker shots, and we had fabulous weather to boot.

Enjoy!!!!
USA Fri 08/18/2006

Shakespeare play
I'm going to be in London in September and I'm interested in seeing a play at the Royal Shakespeare Company. I looked on their website and found the one I want to see and it is on a Thursday night at 7:30. Question: What modes of transportation are available for two of us to get from London to Stratford-upon-Avon? Does anyone know how long it would take to get there and a ballpark price? Thanks!
Jenny <email>
MN USA Fri 08/18/2006

finding pack repair in paris
i am 7 weeks into a 10 month round the world trip, and managed to break the zipper on my pack. i am in paris for at least a week while waiting for a visa, but am having an awful time finding a place that can repair a zipper. any suggestions on how to find a repair place- online is not working so well. currently working with it safety pinned together, fortunately it is not the main pocket, but still an inconvenience. thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Jaime <email>
New York, USA Fri 08/18/2006

Museum Reservations
I called 2 weeks ago to book a reservation for the Last Supper in Milan for Mid October and was only given 2 times on the day of my choice. These reservations seem to fill up quickly.
USA Fri 08/18/2006

Re: Museum Reservation Services
Just wanted to post here: I called Italy yesterday to make reservations for the Uffizi for around Oct 1st. The automated system told me that there were reservations available in 2 days at the Uffizi and in 1 day at the Accademia, and I had my choice of any time on the 1st. So if you are flexible about times, don't panic about booking way in advance, at least for those 2 places (both are in Florence/Firenze). You should be able to get in, even on short notice.
Beth
Marco Island, FL USA Fri 08/18/2006

Free bus
David Golden wrote there is a free bus between Notre Dame and Invalides which makes one stop at the Orsay. Could you provide more information please. What kind of bus, where do you actually get on and the schedule. Thanks.
USA Fri 08/18/2006

Re: ATMs/Currency Exchange
Expanding on Michael's comments. Lousiest rate: exchanging dollars for euros in the US at an exchange bureau. Slightly less lousy rate: using an exchange bureau in Europe. Best rate: using an ATM in Europe.

Read Rick's article: www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneytip.htm. Note the important things to do BEFORE leaving home to be sure your ATM cards and credit cards will work in Europe.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Fri 08/18/2006

ELLEN....ZURICH AIRPORT MEETING PLACE
The part of your group which is scheduled to arrive earlier should go to the terminal where the group which arrives later and meet at the arrival gate or the airlines reservation desk.

We have used that plan successfully several times.
USA Thu 08/17/2006

Travel Help
I would look at a map and choose a small village just outside Luzern and find a room there. It will be cheaper and easier to park your car.
JAN
WACO, TX USA Thu 08/17/2006

About Hotel Royal Phare
To answer the question below about Hotel Royal Phare in Paris: I stayed there 2 years ago, in a single room. I thought it was a fair price and overall was pleased. The room was on the top floor, if I remember correctly, and even had a view of the Eiffel tower. It was small, but light-filled and clean. The mattress sagged a bit in the middle. But overall, I found the room rather charming, the staff helpful, and the location excellent. I don't think it has air conditioning, if that's important to you. You also might want to check www.tripadvisor.com for more user reviews.
USA Thu 08/17/2006

ATMs/currency exchange
Even though you get a worse rates using exchange desks, if you have to,you should use an exchange desk in Euopre. Desks located inside US airports, will rip you off more than a euro-based one will. There is no reason to stress out about this, as long as you have backups like credit cards and emergency cash you will have an enjoyable trip.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Thu 08/17/2006

ATMs/currency exchange
Thanks Lynn on the jeans update. I want to jump into this topic of ATM's and currency exchange. I am new to this whole game so I have a lot of tripidation on this subject. I am flying out of DFW in Dallas and was looking at a site map of the airport. In the terminal I will be departing from there is a currency exchange service. Would the % of exchange here in the US be prohibitive verses the exchange rate at CDG through an ATM? I'm all for making things more simplistic for myself and less stressful. If I have trouble with my (new) ATM card while I am still in Texas, it seems it would be easier to get it resolved. Help for this greenhorn.
Margaret
TX USA Thu 08/17/2006

A couple of things:
St.Andrews has the new course and the old course. The last time I was there in 2000, anyone could play the new course. We stayed at the Champ de Mars just off Rue Cler. 2 years ago it was not expensive and it was quiet plus walking distance to the Eiffel Tower and a great restaurant is just down the road. We found it in Ricks book.
Helen
Kenmore, WA USA Thu 08/17/2006

re: Guy Fawkes Day
You might also want to rent the film, "V For Vendetta" (recently released on DVD, I believe). To be sure, it's not everyone's cup of tea, but as an American who had only heard of Guy Fawkes Day in the most vague and limited way (I knew nothing about the guy and why they had a day named after him), the film provided some context (albeit in a limited, Hollywood view). I'm generally not a huge fan of that kind of film ("graphic novel") but thought the film was worth seeing.
DB
Seattle, WA USA Thu 08/17/2006

Picnic knives a Problem?
We're planning to picnic for most of our lunches for the first time since 1992. We have the Risk Steves plastic sets but also have older snap-together sets that are a bit sturdier. Any problems with metal knives or Swiss Army Knives at museums or other tourist sites where they screen daybags (La Chappelle in Paris and the Louvre springs to mind)?
Lori
Palo Alto, Ca USA Thu 08/17/2006

Car-less Swiss city
Are you perhaps thinking of Zermatt. It is car-less. You have to park just outside town and take the train to town.
Lee
USA Thu 08/17/2006

Hotel La Perle, Paris
Hi! Has anyone stayed at the Hotel La Perle in Paris recently? It sounds wonderful, and the location is so perfect for me, but I am a bit concerned about whether the street might be too noisy at night for a good night's sleep.
Paige Goodpasture <email>
Richmond, VA USA Thu 08/17/2006

Luzern
mn - we stayed in Luzern (if this is the Swiss city on the lake of the same name) last year - it is hardly a village, and certainly not carless. There are car parks and plenty of accommodation. We stayed at the Hotel des Alpes at the end of the Chapel Bridge and had a great view from our balcony over the river and end of the lake. The old town is behind the hotel and there are many old interesting buildings and the old city wall is within easy walking distance.
Iain
Edmonton, AB Canada Thu 08/17/2006

New WaMu Atm Cards
To Sandra in Seattle - in case you haven't left yet. The new WAMA gold debit/visa card will not work at European atm machines. The new card only has a Star symbol on the back. Even though the WaMu agent told me I could get cash from my checking account in Italy, she was wrong. I checked the Star Network website. Star atms are ONLY in the US. I'm going to open another checking account at a different bank so I can get cash while in Italy.
Nancy
Portland , OR USA Thu 08/17/2006

Cell phones
I have a Cingular cell phone that works in Europe. I think international service costs $5 or $6 a month and then you pay by the minute. I forgot to have international service turned off when I got back, but when I look at my bill I don't see a charge for it so I think maybe I am only charged for it for months when I use international service.

I usually get a phone card, but on this last trip I stayed in apartments that didn't have phones and I was meeting some friends while I was in Europe and wanted them to be able to contact me and vice versa if travel plans changed.

I spent around $150 on calls. Many of the calls were probably unnecessary but the novelty of using my cell phone in Europe was just too tempting.
Doberry
USA Thu 08/17/2006

Cell-phones in Europe
Carol: Check the other Graffiti topic: Technology Tips. You can also read the Cell-Phones Tips under "Latest Hot Topics" on the right on the main page of the Graffiti Wall.
Phoebe
USA Thu 08/17/2006

Frankfurt to Rothenburg
Two of us will be going from Frankfurt to Rothenburg on the train on a Sunday. Has anyone had any experience using a "Schones Wochenende" or happy weekend ticket? What about a "Lander-Ticket" during the week? Thanks
Don <email>
USA Thu 08/17/2006

travel help
I've had great help fr you guys and was wondering if you can help me again. Has anyone stayed in Luzern, Swiss? We will be driving through there and would like to stay 1 night there. But it's a carless village, how is the parking, are there any cheap (less than $100) places to sleep? I did some research and found very expensie B&B and hotels? Are there any other villages around?
mn USA Thu 08/17/2006

Hotel Royal Phare - Paris
We stayed there two times (at the beginning and end of our trip) last November. The rooms are small, but that is the norm in Paris, from what I have been told. The bathrooms were extremely small in the rooms we stayed, but were larger in other rooms we saw in the same hotel. You might ask for a larger bathroom, if that is necessary. We did get put in a room the second time that had a horrible smell in the closet, but they put us in another room when we asked about it. The rooms were clean, but not fancy. It was an okay place to stay for us (middle aged husband and wife). One thing to consider - the office is up one large flight of stairs (basically on the second floor) with no lift. The small lift they have to go up to the rooms was barely large enough for me and one suitcase (a small rolling 22" one) and I am not a large woman. All in all, the desk staff and maids were nice. The location was WONDERFUL and there is a nice little grocery next door. There is also an ATM right outside the door of the hotel. The Ecole Militaire metro stop is just steps from the front door also. Rue Cler is just a half a block away also. We spent many hours walking Paris and enjoyed the location of this as we rode the Metro a lot and also saw a lot of Paris just walking from the hotel. I would stay there again because of the price also. It was fair and we didn't want to spend a lot of money on our accommodations as we wanted to spend it elsewhere. Hope this helps you make your decision.
USA Thu 08/17/2006

Zurich Airport - meeting place?
Zurich Airport has two terminals so its hard to know if both of you will be arriving at the same one. I would meet up at the train station ticket counters
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Thu 08/17/2006

Zurich Airport - meeting place?
Going on a hiking trip in October and just convinced my friend from Waco to go with me...we need to find a meeting place at the Zurich airport.

Suggestions for easy place to meet before passport control/baggage claim? Wondered if it would work for her to find my gate- or better to meet at baggage claim? Or???
Ellen <email>
CO USA Thu 08/17/2006

Guy Fawkes Day ?
One more thing I forgot, if you want to participate in some of the festivies, check out Time Out London for a complete listing of activites. They usually have a special section for it; there is a lot to choose from.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Thu 08/17/2006

Guy Fawkes Day ?
By coincidence I have been in London on two different occasions dring this holiday. Each neighborhood will host a bonfire in the a nearby park, some will also have torch lit parades. In addition, there will be lots of fireworks. Not a big fireworks show like we have here in the US, but a low-key and persisent settting off of rockets throughout the night from various different directions.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Thu 08/17/2006

What to wear in Europe
I lived in Europe for 6 years as an Army officer, with a military hair cut. I am white, my wife is black. We would stick out, whether I wore jeans, shorts and running shoes, or not.

I really liked Europe, especially Germany. I like the sights; and, even more, I liked the people. I think that it showed. My interest in the culture of Europe helped me fit in much more than any wardrobe change.

What to where in Europe? A smile. Only American tourists will worry about how you are dressed.
Gary Mc
Salt Lake City, USA Thu 08/17/2006

Mark....What Clothes to Wear
Yes, jeans with a polo shirt or dress shirt is OK in Europe. No one pays attention to tourists because there are so many of them and from so many different countries.

I have been to Europe 12 times and wear what if feel comfortable in. That is all that counts.

In Paris and Rome it will be mild in October. A little shower in the afternoon, but nothing to be concerned about. Take a light jacket in case you need it.
USA Wed 08/16/2006

Guy Fawkes Day ?
I will be in London on Guy Fawkes day , what can I expect? Is it really festive?
USA Wed 08/16/2006

Cell phones
I have been reading the notes posted and can find nothing about cell phones in Europe. Are there any American cell phones that work in Europe anywhere or everywhere. Thanks for the help if anyone knows.
Carol <email>
USA Wed 08/16/2006

St. Andrews Golf
Sorry - those that corrected me are right. The current web-site for the Old Course indicates that you need a certificate of your handicap (min 24 for men and 36 for women) to play. They also say that 50% of the places are in the daily ballot and singles can go to the starter with the hope of being placed with pairs or threesomes.

My comments were based on my experience a few years ago when my son and I were told in no uncertain terms that we must produce our membership cards from our course at home to be eligible to play. They also indicated that only a small percentage of tee-times went into the daily ballot.

My apologies, I should have checked the current practice instead of relating my out of date experience.
Iain
Edmonton, AB Canada Wed 08/16/2006

Re: Trenitalia
While Trenitalia does have several classes of fares that wouldn't be open to regular tourists (like Journalist), I don't recall ever seeing any that I reviewed or purchased being restricted only to citizens of the E-U. Some museums have discount admissions for seniors that are only available to E-U seniors, so that may be where there are restrictions on train tickets...but the rest are available to anyone.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Wed 08/16/2006

I am planning a trip to Paris with my mother in October. I've been there numerous times and usually have stayed in the cheapest place we could find in some borderline neighborhood. But with my mother I wanted to stay in Rue Cler area. However, we don't want to spend it all on the Hotel. I am look at the Hotel Royal Phare and am wondering if anyone has any comments. I've read trip advisor but wondering if anyone has a recent experience. We are not overly particular just want somewhere clean and comfortable. Thanks
New York, NY USA Wed 08/16/2006

M- Pills
The restrictions are for liquids. Aspirin do not fall into this category.

On a side note, I fell it is always better to keep pills in their original container if possible. I buy "sample" sizes at Target when I travel.

Also, carry on restrictions are changing again. so just check with your airline before you leave so you can be up to date.
USA Wed 08/16/2006

Re: What to wear
I usually do not chime in on this topic, but I take a different tact regarding clothes. First, I pack very light, only one or two changes of clothes. As a result, I wear lightweight pants, nuetral to dark colors, leather shoes, brown or black, and button shirts. The idea is, I can go anyplace except the beach dressed like that, be comfortable, and look appropriate if the occasion demands. Often, I will pick up a shirt or two along the way to freshen up my wardrobe. True, it helps me "blend", but I am less concerned about that. I am concerned about looking appropriately dressed for the occassion (be it a Church, for Dinner, or just a stroll around the town) more out of respect than anything else. I can say that being able to slip down the street and soak in the culture is a very different experience than clambering down the street and being the center of attention, it's what you prefer. Also, your dress and demeanor in small village Italy would produce a different effect than Rome, and different yet in a heavily touristed vacation beach resort area. In the end, it's what makes you happy, and your expectations of how you want others to react to you.
Paul <email>
IA USA Wed 08/16/2006

France help for Karen
If you are really not interested in Paris, you can rent a car at the airport and drive to Normandy, where a car will be very useful. I would keep it in Languedoc certainly but also in Provence to explore. You can fly home from Marseilles.

If you are interested in Paris, stay there first, then take a morning train to Rouen, tour the town, pick up your car there, and drive to your next Norman destination.

South-north is arguably better in the springtime and north-south in the fall, to even out the temperature extremes. (i.e., travel towards warmth when it is getting cold and towards coolness when it is getting warm). You could fly into Marseilles, explore Provence in the car you rent there, drive to Languedoc and Normandy, then return the car at a train station and spend the last night in Paris to catch your flight home.

Have a great time!
Adam
Boston, USA Wed 08/16/2006

aspirin bottles
I usually carry about a dozen Bayer aspirin in a little pill tin in my purse. Does anyone know if this would be a problem with the new carry-on restrictions? Would it be better to keep the aspirins in the original bottle (with the label)?
M
USA Wed 08/16/2006

Clothes, for Mark
My husband is 45 and refuses to change his "look" when we travel to Europe. Last summer: above-the- knee shorts, loud Hawaiian shirt, big camera case, white socks and white gym shoes. Maybe a fanny pack as a final touch. He also happily opens very large maps on street corners. No money belt- wallet in back pocket. To date, and after 6 trips, he has not been the victim of theft and I've never noticed anyone laughing at him...he is happiest this way. He feels like it's his hard- earned vacation and he should be able to dress comfortably. He thinks it would ruin his trip to be constantly worrying about his wallet. I think it's a matter of what you want to do- I like to try to blend in as much as possible, am super careful about the money belt and am happier that way. But there are no "European fashion police" waiting on the street corners for you! For comfort, though, I would take layers- your polo shirts could be worn alone if the weather is warm or layered under the sweater if not. A rain jacket of some kind will be handy, and can go over the other two layers if it gets really cold. Try your sporting- goods store for some deals on khaki pants!
USA Wed 08/16/2006

Re: Trenitalia
The Trenitalia site is famous for having glitches from time to time. Oe of those can be a delay in completing the registration process because the site is slow in sending you a return e-mail.

"Liberta di viaggiare" means "Freedom to travel." It's a discount fare, as low as 15 euro, good for either 1st or 2nd class travel on certain trains. Unlike certain other fare choices, this one is open to anyone so long as seats are available. You can read about it by following this link: http://tinyurl.com/k2c52.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Wed 08/16/2006

Trenitalia
If I remember correctly, it took 1-2 days to get my password. If it's been at least 2 days try registering again with the same e-mail address. If you get an error message stating your address had already been used, well than your password is lost in the ether and you can forget about trying to call Trenitalia and explaining this. The easiest thing is just register again with another e-mail address and user name. Make sure you don't have any blocks on your address.

"Liberta Di Viaggiare" means the "Liberty to Travel". It's probably some sort of promotional deal. But becareful, many of these special rates are only available to residents of the EU.

Also, let me introduce you to my best friend, it's a translation website. It will be extremely helpfull as you try to navigate through sites: http://babelfish.altavista.com/
Lisa
San Jose, CA USA Wed 08/16/2006

St. Andrews
Iain~~WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, you don't have to be a member some place else. You DO have to have a card issued from the course you play showing your handicup. Yes, they do have a lottery but THAT IS NOT THE ONLY WAY TO BE ABLE TO PLAY. Just go and sign up and if they have a small group they will add you to that group. Go and have fun.
USA Wed 08/16/2006

Golfing at St. Andrews
I have to STRONGLY disagree with Iain. You DON'T have to be a member some where else to play on the Old Course. You DO have to have your local golf course or where ever you play issue you a card with your handicup on it. Also, if there is only one or two of you that want to play you can go to the hut where you sign up to play and they will connect you up with another group. I was put with a group of 3 other players and we had a great time. So, if you REALLY want to play you can go first thing in the morning to see about getting placed with another group. I'm speaking from first hand experience. I feel that Iain needs to get his facts straight.
Ohio USA Wed 08/16/2006

What Clothes Do I Wear????
If you don't want to look like an American tourist, then don't wear shorts or T-shirts/Jackets with advertising or any other kinds of logos on them. Jeans are okay as long as you don't wear white running shoes with it. Another tip, (not specific to Americans) when you are out sightseeing for the day, try and carry as little as possible with you. If you can manage it, don't cary a pack around with you. I usually get by with what I can put in just pants and jacket pockets.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Wed 08/16/2006

TRENITALIA
I AM HAVING TROUBLE BOOKING TRAIN RESERVATION ON TRENITALIA, I HAVE REGISTERED, BUT NO RETURN EMAIL WITH PASSWORD. ANY SUGGESTIONS. THANKS. DOES ANY KNOW WHAT "LIBERTA DI VIAGGIARE" MEAN?
DAVID
SAN FRANCISCO, CA USA Wed 08/16/2006

What Clothes Do I Wear????
As this will be my first trip to Europe, I would like some info. on how to dress without looking like an American tourist. I am 43 years old and a male and usually wear jeans with a polo shirt or long or short sleave dress shirt. Is this ok? Also, I'll be traveling in October and want to travel light. How is the weather that time of the year in Paris and Rome? Should I take a jacket and a few sweaters? Please help me because I keep reading things on the internet about dressing and don't want to stick out looking like a tourist.
Mark <email>
Miami, FL USA Wed 08/16/2006

Clothes for Greece in October
Clothes for October in Greece - Athens, Crete, Santorini, etc. - museums, dining at local homes, restaurants...
Peg
Milwaukee, WI USA Wed 08/16/2006

ANDREA...INFO ON SOUTH AMERICA
Every country is different. Depends on what you want in a life style and how you adjust to local customs, climate and taxes.

I would first read: www.boomersabroad.com/indexplus.html; then do a google search for “South America Retirement”and read the web pages you find there.
USA Wed 08/16/2006

Re: Eurostar Tickets and ABS
Yes, you can use your Eurostar ticket to go on to Bruges. The rule is that your trip to another Belgian station must begin within 24 hours of your arrival in Brussels. (Not valid on Thalys trains.)
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Wed 08/16/2006

Eurostar tickets & any Belgium station
My Eurostar ticket says that it is good for any Belgium station. Does that mean that I can use it after I get to Brussels for the train to Bruges? My sister has my RS Amsterdam/Bruges book at the moment and I don't remember if that aspect was covered. I am not sure how it works. I can call my travel agent but I am sure that other people have done this and can answer.
European bound
Fredericton, NB Canada Wed 08/16/2006

Golf at St. Andrews
Don't bank on golfing at St. Andrews. Yes it is open year round - so are all golf courses in Scotland, but to golf at the Old Course in St. Andrews you MUST be a member of a golf club somewhere else. To get a tee time you need to reserve months in advance. They do have a daily lottery of so many spots (not many) and you can enter your name, but you stll need to be a member somewhere else to be eligible.
Iain
Edmonton, AB Canada Tue 08/15/2006

Uploading Pictures
Hilda:

It depends on the Internet cafe. Some have open USB ports which will allow you to do thta. Some have no, or restricted USB ports which will not allow you to do it. Ask before you pay your money or get logged on.

Almost all Internet cafe staff speak English everywhere in Europe. When I was confused for a German in a Viennese IC and identified myself as English speaking, I was given all sorts of apologies and when I protested, the fellow was quite indignant and said that English was spoken all over the world, why would he not speak English?!!
Iain
Edmonton, AB Canada Tue 08/15/2006

Sending pictures home
Can someone tell me if I would be able to send pictures via an internet cafe's computer. Will I be allowed to plug my camara to the computer to upload my pictures to my snapfish acct.? Thanks, HD
Hilda
San Francisco, CA USA Tue 08/15/2006

Proper Jacket
October and November? Nah. It probably will rain..but you'll look good and feel better.
Laurel <email>
Kirkland, WA USA Tue 08/15/2006

Normandy
Unfortunately trains do not go to the Normandy beaches. You will either need to purchase a tour with transportation included or rent a car and navigate yourself. We trained from Paris to Caen and picked up the rental car there. The rental car pickup was easy and we only got turned around 2 or 3 times, but we managed to navigate to the War Memorial, the American Cemetery, and to Omaha Beach. Please give yourself adequate time to take in all of the information, sights, sounds, memories from all of these places. We were, as most tourists, on a schedule and could only devote about 1/2 day to do all of this. It was too rushed, but what I did see was memorable. It's a moving experience...especially the cemetery.
Tim
USA Tue 08/15/2006

Re: France
If you fly into Paris, you can easily take the train to Bayeux which is the jumping off point for the Normandy beaches. And you can take a train from Bayeux to Pontorson and a bus from there to Mont-St-Michel. However, you might want to pick up a car in Caen so you can have more flexibility in your schedule.

Where do you want to go between Aix-en-Provence and Nice? If, for example, you want to explore the Luberon, having a car is the best way to go from village to village. Once you reach the coast, train and bus service is frequent and cheap.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Tue 08/15/2006

Help with France!
Dear Experts, Having carefully read the RS books for France I am now honing in on the exact itinerary and wonder about your opinions regarding two things: 1)Would there be a compelling reason (I'm not much bothered by jet lag, but we would be flying from the West coast) to begin with trains for Normandy (war beaches, Mont. St. Michel, etc)and then get the car to make our way south through the Loire, Dordogne and then Langedoc (I really want to see a lot of caves), ending up around Arles or Aix-en-Provence to leave the car and use trains again there? Rick makes the trains sound like the best option in the south. Or 2), doing the the reverse, for some important reason I don't know about- flying to Nice or Marseilles at the beginning of the trip and THEN making our way north? I am able to have five weeks...thank you in advance!
Karen
USA Tue 08/15/2006

Info please on So. or central America
Have you traveled to a South or Central American country? Which country is the best in which to live?

Thanks! andrea
Andrea <email>
Twin Cities, MN USA Tue 08/15/2006

Train-ferry England to Netherlands
This web site gives a very good description of the journey: http://www.seat61.com/Netherlands.htm In addition you can also use the Eurostar from London to Brussels and transfer to and inter-city train to Amsterdam. It's more expensive than the train-ferry, but it is faster and runs more frequently.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Tue 08/15/2006

Train-ferry England to Netherlands
Has anyone tried the train-ferry service between England and Dutch cities? What was your experience?
maggie <email>
Petaluma, CA USA Tue 08/15/2006

Shipping Wine
We looked into this when we were in Italy in June. It is very expensive -about $100 to ship 3 bottles of wine. Luckily we were able to bring a few bottles back in our luggage -of course they are already gone ;)
Alexandra Martella <email>
Longmont, CO USA Tue 08/15/2006

St. Andrews
St. Andrews is worth seeing anytime of the year, especially if this might be your only chance to see it. The golf course stays open all year around, so if you are a golfer you could play anytime of the year. Yes, it might be cold, rainy, etc.
USA Tue 08/15/2006

Cheap hotel in Paris
Lori - Four years ago we stayed at a wonderful little hotel that had been recommended by a friend. The location is wonderful and we found it to have loads of character. It's the Hotel de Lille at 40 rue de Lille. The rates are currently 80 EUR for a single and 100 EUR for a double. Their website is www.hotel-paris-lille.com. We loved our room on the top floor with a funky ceiling (dormers, etc.) and a decent view. Check out their website for pictures, etc.
Dallas McKenzie <email>
Lenexa, KS USA Tue 08/15/2006

Re: Lori's Paris hotel
Lori -- I suppose it all depends on your definition of cheap. In June, I stayed in one of Rick's picks, Hotel La Bordonnais (sp?). Its only a couple blocks from the Eiffel Tower, and quite near Rue Cler. When I stayed, it was about 130 Euro/night. The hotel is charming and has plenty of character. That said, you may want something a little less expensive. With a little less character but cheaper, is Hotel Lyon Bastille. Its quite close to Gare de Lyon and transit connections. Very helpful staff, I got my reservation through Expedia.Com at roughly 90 Euro/night. Plenty of cafes in both areas. Paris is a fabulous city. Enjoy your trip!
Tom
St. Louis, USA Tue 08/15/2006

UK AIRPORTS
For updated information regarding UK airports visit www.baa.com and click on to your departure airport.
Graham <email>
UK Tue 08/15/2006

travel help
Thanks for all your help! We'll go ahead for the alps. We need the car b/c we started in paris and need to return to paris.
mn USA Tue 08/15/2006

Travel help
Turn in your car in Pisa and take the train to Mulhouse. There is a night train from Florence at 11:13 PM getting into Basel at 9:33. From there you could rent a car or take the train (lv Basel 10:05, ar Mulhouse 10:30, €6,20/P). If you book online from Trenitalia, a bed in a private double is as low as €79. Remember that this way you save the cost of a night in a hotel plus a day of car rental with gas and tolls.
Lee
USA Tue 08/15/2006

Car Rental
Has anyone stayed in Figline Valdarno? We plan to rent a car in Tuscany and would like to drop it off in the town of Figline Valdarno (South of Florence). What car rental options are available? Last time we dropped it off in downtown Florence and that was a nightmare!
USA Tue 08/15/2006

LUGGAGE CARRY ON, BOOKS, MAGAZINES AND RESTRICTIONS
The day before you fly, call your airline to learn the latest restrictions for luggage.

They are changing EVERY DAY. No need to panic now about flying next month. Everything will change before you go.
MAE S. B.
NYC, USA Tue 08/15/2006

Hotel in Paris
Can anyone recommend a cheap hotel in Paris. Not a new modern one, but one with some "character".
Lori
USA Tue 08/15/2006

Margaret/Jeans
I just got back from Europe. Although jeans would look fine, they will be hot. Lots of people are wearing lightweight nylon pants. I got a pair and now wear them every day. They are cool, dry overnight, don't show dirt in khaki color and look good for all occasions. Europeans and travelers wear them.
Lynn
USA Tue 08/15/2006

TRAVEL HELP
Driving through the Alps is easy.....just be cautious.

And if you plan to drive in the wintertime, choose the shortest route and check to see if the road is closed because of snow.

The roads are well designed and signed.
LEO W.
CHICAGO, IL USA Tue 08/15/2006

To Lynn-Tuscany by car
Do not rush around Tuscany. In order to truly enjoy your day/visit you must slow down! From your base in Lucca, I suggest sm. San Gimignano first, villages en route then Siena if you have time.we spent 5 days in Tuscany w/ no more than 2 villages ea day.
JS
CA USA Mon 08/14/2006

travel help
MN, Mountain driving is no big deal if you stay on the big roads (i.e. autostrade autoroutes & autobahns) and drive defensively with common sense. The roads in the Alps are as good or better than anything you’d see in the U.S. Even the smaller roads are fine and fun to drive, but a bit more challenging. The scenery will be a big distraction. Just pay attention to the driving and pull off the road to site see.
USA Mon 08/14/2006

Lockers, Cordoba train station
Can anyone tell me if the train station in Cordoba, Spain has lockers? Thanks, M, USA
Marcia White <email>
LAKEVILLE, MA USA Mon 08/14/2006

Frankfurt Airport
Jason, Check out the airport website. Depending on your terminal there are a few options. Just click on "Health and Beauty" and select your terminal. Nice website.

http://www.airportcity-frankfurt.com/cms/default/rubrik/9/9873.shops.htm
Lisa
San Jose, CA USA Mon 08/14/2006

travel help
has any one traveled to france via italy and swiss through the alps by car? We will be in pisa and we want to go to mulhouse, fr. It seems the straightest way is through the alps, and I'm shaky about the mountains?
MN USA Mon 08/14/2006

Scotland/Ireland Itinerary
There are buses to St. Andrews, though they're a bit 'scenic' - i.e. stopping at every crossroads.

You can also get a bus/rail pass - the train takes about an hour: http://www.firstgroup.com/scotrail/content/travelinfo/tickets/combined-scotland/saint-andrews.php

You didn't indicate when you are coming, but if it's in the fall/winter/early sping and the weather's not good, it might not be worth the trip up to St. Andrews - there's well more than a day's worth of things to see in Edinburgh.

Kate
Scotland Mon 08/14/2006

Lake Como travel
Has anyone visited the Lake Como region of Italy in November? We will be there a few days...is anything going to be open, will ferries be running? Lots of sites and villas seem to list dates thru October 31 then nothing.....Any advise would be wonderful.
Susan <email>
Delaware, oh USA Mon 08/14/2006

Banned items
Is there a place in the Frankfurt airport where one can buy toiletries and such on a Sunday? Thanks
Jason
Davenport, USA Mon 08/14/2006

Good Morning Paris Apt Rental
Has anyone had any experience with Good Morning Paris for apartment rental? The rates look good from 104 Euro/apt for 4 but need to know more about them. www.goodmorningparis.fr
D Floyd
USA Mon 08/14/2006

Re: Scotland/Ireland Itinerary
Kristen - Judging from the questions in your most recent post, you may not have seen the e-mail note I sent you yesterday. I sent you a follow-up note this morning. Let me know if I need to send either of them a second time.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Mon 08/14/2006

Left over Euro
As many readers of this board will advise....hold onto your Euro for your next trip. If must exchange them...then why don't you figure out the current exchange rate, put an ad on Craigslist for your community and find someone that would like to buy them from you? Seems like a simple and easy process, and you will in turn be helping out a traveler! There might even be a reader on this board from your community that would like to purchase your Euros.

I can promise you, you will loose money if you go to a bank to exchange them for $$.
USA Mon 08/14/2006

ATMs
Even with the charges, ATMs are the most convenient and least expensive way to go. All banks have limits on withdrawals. Even if your bank raises yours to $500, the bank you are trying to use may have a 300 euro limit. That's also something to consider if your transaction is denied. Try a smaller amount. The machines often don't give a clear reason for refusing a transaction. Also, after reading many postings on this subject, my advice is not to obsess over those fees. As a %age of the cost of your trip, they aren't very significant.
CA USA Mon 08/14/2006

Euro exchange
I just got back from Europe and have some Euros left over. What is the best way to exchange them for dollars without paying a lot in fees? Thanks for your help!!!
Sebastian
Dallas, TX USA Mon 08/14/2006

ATM's
Concerned about ATM use in Europe. Sounds expensive with 2% charge at home bank and charge at ATM. Are withdrawals limited to 200-300e?
Shirley Africano <email>
Bourbonnais, IL United States Mon 08/14/2006

RE: Scotland/Ireland Itinerary and Britrail
Thank you FL, USA for the tips about Scotland/Ireland. I am expecting jetlag our first day or two and thus my reasoning for simply relying on rail for travel when we first arrive. I have no desire to figure out how to drive on the opposite side of the road my first day out. We'll be in-country for a week before actually renting a car in Ireland.

I guess my question about arrival is about effort (hassle, really) and time. In looking up example flights for Aer Lingus to Glasgow, there is a stopover in Dublin of course. But it looked like a long stopover for most or all the flights. So I was wondering if it wouldn't just be better to fly into Dublin and then get a RyanAir flight to Glasgow. The gamble there is: can I book in advance at the same time as we book Aer Lingus? If so, then the other questions I have (will there be a RyanAir flight available that day? How long between THOSE flights, etc.) are answered. If we can't, then I guess we do our best at finding the least amount of layover in Dublin. As for BritRail...I was thinking about buying 2 4-day passes, but wanted to be sure our itinerary plans would be covered. Also wondering if the "Otin Hall" steam locomotive ride would be covered by it. Or is a Scotrail pass better? No different?

Hmmm...more questions!
Kristen <email>
Santa Ana, CA USA Mon 08/14/2006

Proper Jacket
October/November in those countries you mentioned, the chances for rain are high. Maybe not "gully-washers" like we get in Florida in summer, but you can end up wet and cold if you are not prepared.

A pea coat is fine if that's what you prefer. But believe me, any kind of jacket is great over there in fall! Europeans are more than current in fashions, and a North Face-type jacket with liner is a very popular option, as are rain-resistant leather jackets.
FL USA Mon 08/14/2006

Scotland/Ireland Itinerary and Britrail
I am not sure how to answer your question, but if you have never traveled abroad, here are other a few considerations:

1) You will be jet-lagged for a day or two and that can affect critical thinking! It can be difficult to make important decisions even if you think you feel OK.

2) Rental cars in other countries are almost always stick-shift (standard) unless you request automatic and pay a hefty premium for it (if the company even has any automatics available).

3) Driving on the left with a stick-shift can be tricky, so be prepared mentally for it. (TIP: You may want to remove the left rear hubcap and keep it in the car so you don't lose it by hitting a curb when turning or curving to the left. Replace before you turn the car back in).

4) The Irish are truly wonderful, friendly people - not to say that others aren't - and you will be helped wherever you go if you have a problem. Have fun!
FL USA Mon 08/14/2006

Museum Reservation Services
Forgot to mention, that you should make reservations as soon as possible, especially for the Uffizi, which commonly sells out 1 month in advance.

I called about 70 days ahead for reservations to the "Last Supper" for Oct 11th. There were only 2 time slots available: 8:30am or 6:30pm.
USA Mon 08/14/2006

Museum Reservation Services
Beth, I would definitely reccomend reservations for this time period. October is actually high season for Italy. Low season doesn't start until mid-November.

Borghese Gallery-Reservations are mandatory, go to (www.ticketeria.it)

Vatican Museum- Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance FAX your info to: 06-6988-5100

Accademia and Uffizi-Ask your hotel to make the reservations for you, or call 055-294-883
USA Mon 08/14/2006

Carry on restrictions
PLEASE!! Enough with the talk of carry on restrictions. If you are unclear, call your carrier for correct and up to date information. Let's move on to other topics. I see many unanswered questions below.
USA Mon 08/14/2006

Carry on restrictions
Just to clarify what someone posted below, when you change planes at a British airport all passengers must go through another security check before they arrive at the gate of their connecting plane. This is standard practice in the UK and has nothing to do with the terror threats. This means that you may be allowed to bring certain carry-on items on your flight from the US to Heathrow, but on your connecting flight to Rome, for example, those same items might be banned. Since checked baggage is automatically sent to the connecting plane, you will not have access to it. So you could be in a big bind if your carrying a banned item. If connecting via Britain it is essential you follow guidelines of the British authorities beofre you depart from the US.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Sun 08/13/2006

CS- film or digital
Read the "Photography in Europe" board here for some hints.

I'd say invest in a decent (not expensive) digital camera, an extra battery and memory and enjoy your trip. You can start taking photos in the airport if you want with no worries.

Digital cameras are no different on a learning curve to use than a film camera. Point, shoot, enjoy. Opps...this must mean they are easier to use!

Go to your local photography store and explore several options. It sounds like you don't need more than a 3.2 meg camera. By the time you invest in the film, and the worry, the $200-$300 you spend will be well worth it -

Go digital and don't look back. I cannot imagine your reason for not.
USA Sun 08/13/2006

RE: Malaga-Madrid flight help
Vueling (www.vueling.com) flies that route. I've flown with them, and no problems. They're a discount airline with nice new planes and pleasant staff...the sooner you book, the better the deal. You fly into the new Terminal Four at Madrid Barajas
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Sun 08/13/2006

malaga and madrid flight help
any one have any tips on flights with in Spain?

looking for something betweem malaga and madrid
max <email>
vancouver, bc cnd Sun 08/13/2006

Museum Reservation Services
Hi--we are travelling to France for 3 weeks, then on to Tuscany/Roma for 1 more week....we've been to Italy before--this is just a we-love-Italy add-on week, actually.

I don't remember what I did in the past to get reservations at the Accademia, Uffizi, Borghese in Roma, Vatican. Actually I don't think I had any kind of reservations at the Vatican museum and the Borghese was closed during the previous trip.

Anyway, is there a recommended website, commercial service, etc? Can't find my Rick Steves' Italy right now.....

ALSO, we will be travelling there the first week of October, so how critical ARE reservations for that time of year?

THANKS in advance....gotta go take the gel inserts out of my shoes now.
Beth <email>
Marco Island, FL USA Sun 08/13/2006

re: Film, xrays, digital, etc.
With all due respect, the lead-lined bags that purport to "protect" your film from airport xrays do just the opposite: you film in the lead bag shows up as an opaque blob on an xray. Do you think the inspector just shrugs and lets it roll through? No, they don't - they're specifically looking for stuff that's suspicious, and that looks suspicious. So they crank the xray power up to "11" or whatever setting they need to get a good image of what's inside. Result? Film gets zapped with enough radiation to light Springfield for a year, film gets at least "fogged", usually ruined.

I honestly don't understand why anyone would resist going digital today. Digital cameras are cheaper and better than anything that uses film, are lighter to carry and easier to use. That's true if you're a casual snapshot-taker who doesn't want to spend money or futz with complex technology, or a serious pro willing to spend lavishly and delve into geekdom.

As someone who has had arguments at the xray machine at airports all around the world (pleading pretty please won't you hand-inspect my film?), I have shot my last frame of film. I do not miss it one bit, and don't know anyone who does.

If for some reason (that I cannot begin to imagine), you have a good reason why you simply must shoot film, I would buy film over there, and have it developed there, too. That would depend on your destination, but in any major European city, there must be an equivalent to something like Costco or WalMart where you can get film/prints at a reasonable price. My guess is that in the current environment, the airport xray machines are running at full power - if you care about your photos, why chance it?

There are so many reasons why digital is sooooo much better and more convenient, I would have to have one heckuva good reason to stick with film. Thank god for digital, it's one of the greatest things to happen to photography since light was invented.

Good luck no matter what you choose.
Art
Vancouver, WA USA Sun 08/13/2006

Film - London
Buy it over there....some outlets sell their own house brand of film for a pound a 36-exposure roll. Fancier name brands may be 3-5 pounds a roll.
Norm
Ottawa, Canada Sun 08/13/2006

Film
CS - I don't understand your resistance to digital, but if you REALLY want film, here are a couple of suggestions. You can buy lead filled bags specifically for film which come in two grades, one for the carry on type of X-Ray and one for the Far East X-Rays, which apparently are more powerful.

The other is to buy film in britain - it is more expensive, but when you put it in for develping, you often get a free film, so if you only buy one or two, you may never have to pay for another one, provided you get the film developed in the UK. Boots the Chemist does this and their film is of good quality. My recollection is that film is more expensive than in NA, but developing and printing is cheaper, but times change and I could be mistaken.
Iain
Edmonton, AB Canada Sun 08/13/2006

Film - Pack or buy?
I'm traveling to the UK soon - and obviously can't carry on my film like I usually do.

The question is - To pack (except that I've always been told that the x-rays on checked baggage are too strong to protect film); to buy over there (how expensive IS film in the U.K.?); or a very desperate measure, buy here and ship to the friend I'm visiting in Belfast (gotta believe this one wouldn't be cost effective, but I thought it was worth considering all alternatives.)

Any advice? (Other than go digital which I've already considered and for various reasons rejected.)
CS
Seattle, WA USA Sun 08/13/2006

Jeans in Paris for 55 yr woman
Jeans in Paris are for the young. Unless your jeans are very fashionable and dressed up with nice shoes and accessories, at 55 yr, don't do it. Unless you want to look like an American tourist.
NM USA Sun 08/13/2006

Booking award seats with FF miles
I have a fair bit of experience with this, and have had quite a bit of success (multiple tickets to Europe, Asia & Latin America). It can require a lot of work to be successful. Start getting your ducks lined up (know your options for destinations and different airline partners, and learn what you can) at least a least a full year in advance. Get to know the exact rules of the airlines you're aiming at (to the extent you can - most airlines won't volunteer this info readily). When the magic date arrives (depends on the airline and circumstances, often 330 days in advance), be ready to move. Use the web to try and rack seat availability, but be prepared to call a live agent; you will often find the agent is not in the mood to do anything but the most cursory check for you - which usually results ins "sorry, nothing available." Hang up and call back and try a different agent - you may need to do this many times over many days - once in a while you will find an agent willing to dig a little deeper. Keep tracking things. One of the key things is to be at least a little flexible in travel dates: mid-week is generally more available, but it all depends on particulars. If you are trying for specific dates - you may not have a chance....be willing to go a few days earlier and later.

Bottom line: it can take a lot of work (and a little luck) but it CAN be done...even at peak season to the most popular destinations. Somebody's getting those seats...
DB
Seattle, WA USA Sun 08/13/2006

Booking business class with FF miles
I've had the opposite experience from FRank - I've NOT been able to get the exact dates I've wanted using my miles. I've had to conceed to the airlines for the return dates the 2x I've booked business class.

First time I booked, it was in Aug for a May flight. I was told to keep checking with the airlines because they would release seats later in the year...that did not happen and I was very firm in calling each week to check.

I also just booked for May next year and had to conceed to the dates that were offered me.

I think it's easier to book ecomomy seats because there are so many more of them available than in business or first class.

Plus, most people with FF miles save them up so they can get the business class seats...why fly ecomony when you can fly in a $3000 seat?

Good luck booking. Just wanted to let you know what my experiences have been.
USA Sun 08/13/2006

Checking bags- first time flyer
With the restrictions on the airlines now...you will check at the first airport and your bags will go to your final destination. Check the posting below for restrictions, and you should check with your airline the day before you leave to see if anything else has been added.

Right now you cannot take on gel insoles. Also flying British Air from the UK is extremely resticted for carry on.
USA Sun 08/13/2006

checking bags?
I am pretty new to flying and also traveling alone. My flight is AmerAir from Indy to Chicago, then BritishAir to London. I understand that BA flights arriving in UK are not allowed to have carry-on.

My question is: Do I check my bag in Indy(for the entire trip) or wait till I am in Chicago? any help greatly appreciated
DaLe <email>
IN USA Sun 08/13/2006

tuscany
Going to Italy in Oct. renting a car in Tuscany and staying in Lucca. Which Hill towns should I see? Can we do Siena, San Gimignano & Montepulciano in a day if we leave @7:00 a.m. spending 2 hours or so at each town? We are energetic 62 year olds?
lynn
IA USA Sun 08/13/2006

Award Travel to Europe next summer
I booked my flights to Italy for next summer a few weeks ago. We leave in May.

I called a few days ahead of the legal limit to see if they'd allow me to book. I managed to get the outgoing flight when I called, and the airline held that flight until I got to call back in 7 days to get my return (which was outside the legal 330 days for the return)

I wanted to return on a Saturday, but was unable. I did get the outbound flight on my requested date.

I would recommend that you start to call NOW. Be open to maybe going out a day or two ahead of the tour, or return a day or two after...if that works with your schedule. You don't have to do just the tour, you can spend a few extra days if you can afford it.

It is getting more difficult to book fares, and I got business class...even fewer seats. But I did get them.

Also....check with the affiliated airlines...so if you have FF miles on United...see if you can fligh Lufthansa instead...if it's American, check those affilates. Sometimes you can flight out on one airline and return on the other to get the seats.

Good luck booking!
USA Sat 08/12/2006

RE: Award Travel to Europe Next Summer
Check with the website www.whichbudget.com. Do a "reverse directory" look out of Milan and Rome to see which budget airlines fly in there, and from where. That way, you'll get an idea as to what destinations are best for your award miles flights. Be aware that things may change before next year, and many of these budget airlines only publish their schedules in roughly six-month increments. And watch London....most North American scheduled flights go into Heathrow, while must budget airlines fly out of Gatwick, Luton, or Stansted (altho BMI offers some deals out of Heathrow). But it is very do-able. I usually use either London or Paris (since I seem to get the cheapest flights to those cities) and then book discount flights from there.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Sat 08/12/2006

Scotland/Ireland Itinerary and Britrail
Hello! We are planning a Scotland/Ireland trip, driving in Ireland, rail in Scotland. I'd love advice about feasibility of our itinerary and specifics about Britrail passes.

Itinerary: d1 Arrive Glasgow (from LAX via Dublin), train to Edinburgh (3 nights

d2 Tour Edinburgh

d3 Train/bus to St. Andrews and back to Edinburgh (I'm very curious about the feasibility of this)

d4 Train to Glasgow, then to Fort William (2 nights)

d5 Short day trip via Otin Hall train (it's a Harry Potter thing) to Maillag and back.

d6 Train to Glasgow/airport, fly RyanAir to Shannon, pick up car, drive to Ennis for one night stay

d7 Drive to Kinsale via Cliffs of Moher and The Burren (3 nights)

d8 Tour Kinsale

d9 Visit Cobh/Waterford (this is an open-ended day)

d10 Drive to Dun Laoghaire (4 nights)

d11 Tour Wicklow/Glendalough

d12 Tour Trim/Newgrange, drop off car in Dublin, take DART back to Dun Laoghaire

d13 Tour Dublin (Book of Kells and Natl Museum, etc.)

d14 Leave dublin/Arrive LAX

My questions: 1) For first day arrival is it best to take Aer Lingus to Glasgow with what looks like a long layover in Dublin or to fly to Dublin Aer Lingus then get a Dublin/Glasgow flight on RyanAir? 2) Which Britrail or Scotrail pass is best for our Scotland leg of the journey?

I've looked up distances/times for travel between these stops and it seems feasible, but I'm a newbie international traveler, so I could be dreaming.

Thanks and Cheers!
Kristen <email>
Santa Ana, Southern California, CA USA Sat 08/12/2006

Award Travel
Yes, I've had success for 4 different European vacations over the years with Award travel. As you say, you need to select your dates and call in the 330 days in advance. Open Jaw is allowed, as is one stop-over - as long as you use a "gateway city" of your major carrier. They will book you on an award partner. Thus, if you have American and they take you to Zurich, then they would allow you to get on a zurich plane by SWISS bound for Milan. In turn, leaving from Rome, they might put you on SWISS to Zurich to hook back up with their flts to the US. You just have to be persistent and call at midnight of the day the "seats release" both outbound and return. They won't give you everything on one call; it always goes by date of travel. Good Luck !
John <email>
San Francisco, Ca USA Sat 08/12/2006

Marrakesh
Thinking about going to Marrakesh wondering how many nights we should do here...
DD
USA Sat 08/12/2006

Terror in the sky
I have heard a lot of grumblings (and not necessarily from this web site...other web sites and news casts and such) about people who are put out because they can't take their shampoo or lip balm on board with them. I don't understand why people are upset...you can pack it in your checked luggage. So you're going to have to go a few hours on your flight without shellacking on lipstick or brushing your teeth. That's a small price to pay compared to the destruction that could have happened.

This was intended to be a mass murder on an unimaginable scale. They rounded up 2 dozen suspects, but not all were caught. Hence the ban on liquids and gel-based materials on all flights. The attackers had planned to ignite a peroxide-based solution using a camera flash or another electronic device.

This ban is going to remain in effect until the threat level stays elevated. Better safe than sorry.
Brandie
USA Sat 08/12/2006

Award Travel to Europe Next Summer
My wife and I will be taking Rick's 17-day Italy tour next July. I just checked and found the cheapest air tickets as of today would cost a total of around $2600 for the two of us. We have a ton of award miles available but understand its next to impossible to use them for summer travel in Europe especially if you haven't much flexibility with travel dates. Has anyone had experience with the following: Call the first day you can (something like 330 days prior to departure) at 5:00 am and ask for flights to ANY major European city. Then pay for a CHEAP flight on one of the European airlines (EasyJet, RyanAir, etc) to our actual destination. We will ultimately be flying from Seattle to Milan and return from Rome. Has anyone done this before (made these kind of connections)? Is it a real possibility? I just don't want to go through all the research of exploring all the different possible connections before I call to find out it's futile anyway. Thanks for your input!
Bob <email>
Lakewood, Wa USA Sat 08/12/2006

RE: Liverpool Street Station to Southhampton by train
We need to get to Southhamptom Eng for a cruise. Will be coming in from Stansted Airport taking the Stansted express train to Liverpool Street Station then we have no clue what to do to get to Southhampton the least expensive way. We understand the train is the best way but can not get an answer as to how and which trains to catch and where to buy the correct passes. Some have said go to Waterloo station and some have said go to Victoria station and then what? Any help would be great because we are so confused and hate getting lost when on a tight schedule. Thanks alot 8/12/06
Wai confused <email>
Rockaway, NJ USA Sat 08/12/2006

Proper Jacket: Thanks
Thank you all for the advice...looks like I can wear my pea coat, be comfortable and not stick out like a sore thumb in a north face jacket. Laurel...do you really think it might not rain?!? Thanks again
USA Sat 08/12/2006

The folks in Europe do not live in a bubble, they like jeans too. I saw plenty of locals wearing them. And the way jeans are constructed today there are lots of fabric choices. I brought 2 pairs of light weight jeans with me on my last trip (one dark wash & one light). They dont take up any more room than regular pair of pants. I loved wearing them. So if you like wearing jeans and it isnt too hot for you... go for it. Cute shirt, dark wash jeans, comfy shoes, and call it a day :)
Janet
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Karen re France
We loved Dinan. It's a great place for just walking around and soaking up the atmosphere of a well-preserved medieval town. On the other hand, you'll probably have to see for yourself, but I think Mont St. Michel is appallingly touristy. The entire, long street leading up to the abbey is crammed with tacky souvenir shops, snack food vendors, and restaurants. Very disappointing.
CA USA Fri 08/11/2006

RENEE.....Itinerary in Tuscany
When you land in Florence buy a good road map of the area and choose some villages to visit.

They are all interesting–especially Sienna. Maybe as far away as Pisa and Cinque Terre.

Read Ricks books on that part of Italy for suggestions of places to see.
OK USA Fri 08/11/2006

Jeans!!!!
I just wanted to add that I was just in Europe for 5 weeks, and just before leaving I was debating about bringing my jeans becasue of what everyone says, that they are too hard to wash and too heavy. Well am I ever glad I brought mine, at home I live in my jeans I don't know why I ever considered not taking them. Plus I was staying in hostels and almost everyone in the hostels were also wearing jeans. Just get a comfy pair, maybe a light material, mine had that distressed look so it was fine if they got dirty. Plus I think jeans are one of those things that even if you get them dirty they still look ok, plus when it got hot i just rolled them into capris!

So if anyone out there is debating whether or not to take jeans i say go for it I wore mine probably more than anything else on my trip!
Canada Fri 08/11/2006

ALL THOSE QUESTIONS ABOUT LUGGAGE
HEY travelers, we are in a temporary transition period now.

Luggage restrictions can change daily for the next few weeks.

Wait and see what they are when you are preparing to leave.

You may find that your concerns are unnecessary.

All the experts say this is a short lived limit on carryons.

Save your questions until the week you are scheduled to fly and then call your airline and ask what the restrictions are.
USA Fri 08/11/2006

re: bluedenim ephesus transportation links
From Ephesus you can take the ferry from Kusadasi to the Greek island of Samos and hop on Air Berlin or Transavia back to Europe. There are also budget flights from Bodrum, Turkey not too far south. You can also get to Samos and take the ferry to Pireaus (Athen's port) and fly anywhere from Athens. Easy Jet flies from Athens, as do many airlines.
Rich
WA USA Fri 08/11/2006

jeans
I took one pair of jeans to europe.... wore them mainly on a cool day and a few times out to a few bars
bluedenim
canada Fri 08/11/2006

Tintagel
After many trips to the UK I am finally going to visit Cornwall and Devon. We are staying 2 nights in Brighton where we will pick up our car and head west. Tintagel in on our list as is Lands End. Does anyone have any suggestions or favourite places to visit?? Places to stay? We are stopping in Portsmouth and thinking we'd spend 1 night on the Isle of Wight. Thanks for any suggestions.
Laurel <email>
Kirkland, WA USA Fri 08/11/2006

Jeans in Paris
The only time I took jeans to Europe was my fisrt trip. Been 10 times, 9 without jeans. Too heavy, don't wash in the sink and dry over night. The only thing that makes you look more like a tourist from the USA than jeans is purple sweat pants and/or white tennis shoes.
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Proper Jacket
Take your pea coat if you want. Much less touristy and you can always take an umbrella. Besides which, it may not rain....
Laurel <email>
Kirkland, WA USA Fri 08/11/2006

For Margaret
All my trips (but one) to Europe have been in July and August and it is HOT- especially in the big cities. I would say that the weight of the fabric is more of the issue than the fashion statement (or lack thereof). Unless you are comfortable in jeans in the hottest part of the summer at home. Women of all ages can wear the capri- length pants and if you bring one pair (perhaps khaki) in your suitcase and wear a darker- colored (navy or black) on the plane you should be mostly set for the "bottom"- for just a week- just add a couple of jersey skirts...
USA Fri 08/11/2006

More about France and the forest
It's hard to think about next year's trip with all that is going on and my best wishes for smooth travels to my fellow RSers! Nonetheless, I don't think any of us ever stop planning our next trip, right? So that said, I am trying to decide whether to devote an extra day- either before or after the Normandy beaches, to the area of Brittany where the forest of Paimpont is located. Rick describes Dinan in some detail, and it sounds lovely- would any of you agree? I want to see Mont. St. Michel, bien sur, aussi! We would have a rental car, and then either be heading south or else arriving from the south. I am planning for about five weeks, so time is not an issue- this trip is about seeing all the places I have always dreamed of in France. As a history teacher and big-time Arthur fan, I'm well aware of the mythic aspects and don't actually expect to see the exact stone where he yanked the sword out- but I thank the poster who worried about my being disillusioned. On the other hand, the Websites are all sort of vague (of course, I'm trying to translate from the French half the time!)Lonely Planet has been sort of useful, but I'd love a first- hand opinion from someone who has actually been to the area. For example, at Delphi in Greece I could still feel the magic when I saw what may- or well may not- have been the tripod on which the Oracle sat. All the photos from France online look very misty, for the forest and its attractions- so- is it cool and genuine misty or sort of tacky touristy? (I would love to get to Cornwall, some day, too!)I am still depressed about Nottingham "Forest"- now I think of the nuclear reactors! Many thanks!
Karen
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Barcelona to Innsbruck
Norm - "I think it's an option that has to be considered."

I agree, before we go any farther with this, hey, Kim, do you have any contacts in Spain to send the tickets to.
USA Fri 08/11/2006

No, No, Down with the message threads!!!! I hate those things.

Please webmaster don't change this board.
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Message Threads
Why do you suppose it is that almost every other bulletin board has "threaded" messages but this one does not? They are all so much easier to use and the fact that they all have that feature means that it can't be too hard to do. You there Webmaster?
Jake
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Travel Clothes
Margaret,

As casual clothes, jeans are every bit as "appropriate" in Europe as they are in the US: unless your itinerary calls for dinner at a Michelin three star or tea at the Ritz, you can wear jeans pretty much everywhere and not feel under dressed.

Some people feel that jeans are not a good travel choice because they weigh down the suitcase or because they shout 'tourist', but in the end it comes down to personal preference: Wear what you like.

PS: The same goes for the shoes vs. sneakers debate.
Dave
SF, CA USA Fri 08/11/2006

RE: Train, Barcelona to Zurich
I don't think the SNCF site has that cookie problem....at least, not that I've encountered. Since the idea of having the tickets mailed to a contact in Spain (or anywhere else in Europe for that matter), I think it's an option that has to be considered.
Norm
Ottawa, Canada Fri 08/11/2006

Margaret and Travel Clothes
To your specific question, it is ok to wear jeans in Paris. Locals do it but for the reasons given below, you'll wish you had left them at home.
Anne
Chicago, USA Fri 08/11/2006

RE: Train, Barcelona to Zurich
Well, if she has an address she can use in Spain, Elipsos will send the tickets there. End of problem and she can get the €119 per person fare when booking 2 beds in a 2 bed compartment. But, when using the Elipsos website, don't ever let them know you are in the U.S. If you do, they record it on a cookie and every time you query for prices, they take you to the Rail Europe website and their high prices. I had to delete all my cookies to get back to the Spanish prices. I had noticed that SNCF would sell the tickets for pickup in France, but that wouldn't do her much good if she wasn't going to be in France prior to the trip.
<email>
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Shipping Wine
Vitners will usually package and ship your purchases for you. I have not done this often,and only in France, but some will ship as little as a half case even if your order is a mix of varieties. Take a small (empty except for packaging material) carry on sized case on wheels for the 3 or 4 bottles of whatever and check it in as baggage.
USA Fri 08/11/2006

RE: Train, Barcelona to Zurich
Believe it or not, SNCF, the French railway, will sell you a ticket on the Elipsos, probably because the train passes through France on its journey, and it will sell them up to 90 days in advance. You can even get PREMS tickets...I saw some in early November for as low as 50 Euro per person in a four-person cabin (T4). HOWEVER, because the trip doesn't begin or end in France, they won't allow you to print out the PREMS tickets, or any other. You must have it sent to an address in Europe. Perhaps you have a contact somewhere, preferrably in Spain, who could receive it for you? I don't know if your hotel in Barcelona would hold it for three months for you, but it's worth a try. In any event, if you do take this route, book as soon as the 90 day window opens, because they'll go fast! http://www.sncf.fr/indexe.htm
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Fri 08/11/2006

Renée - Tuscany Itinerary
I would definitely spend some time in Florence (Accademia - David, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, markets, Duomo, evening stroll through town, Piazza Michelangelo for stunning views of Florence). If you are renting a car then you have so many options for exploring the Tuscan countryside. My husband and I were there last year, and we took one day to drive to Pisa (we stopped in for about 2 hours), Volterra, and we drove along the Mediterranean coast. We spent another day and a half exploring Chianti's towns and wines. Easily, you could spend a day exploring one or two of the hilltowns in more depth (San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Montalcino), and there is always Siena. Definitely take the opportunity to enjoy the views as you drive around Tuscany. Navigating was quite easy and towns were well-marked. Driving in Tuscany was one of the highlights of our Italy trip last year. Enjoy!
Chicago, IL USA Fri 08/11/2006

Travel Clothes
Bring jeans for fall and winter b/c it gets cold. For summer, they will be too hot.
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Booking with cross-pollinate
Has anyone tried that service?

I recently booked a room with them,(I read it in Rick's Italy book) and I wonder if anyone had tried their service. I don't know if it sounds to good to be true.
Yenni <email>
Miami, Fl USA Fri 08/11/2006

Travel Clothes
My opinion is don't wear jeans. Take lighter weight blends, that can be washed - dried quickly. Black pants look great and can be worn with anything. We usually go for 2-3 weeks at a time and we've never taken jeans
Susan Liechty <email>
Delaware, OH USA Fri 08/11/2006

Diane - re: Shipping Wine
Well, since the cargo that rides in the plane just a few feet below us well-inspected passengers generally goes virtually un-inspected, I would imagine that you can probably still ship just about anything.

Just don't try to sneak any Gatoraide or Chapstick on the plane with you.
DB
Seattle, WA USA Fri 08/11/2006

Shipping Wine
Given the no liquids restrictions, has anyone shipped wine back to the US? Any hints, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Diane <email>
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Travel Clothes
I am going on a RS 7 day Paris tour in August. I am a 55 y/o female and I have never traveled abroad before. My question is, is it appropriate to wear jeans as part of my travel attire.
Margaret
USA Fri 08/11/2006

euro requirement
Bulgaria and some other countires in Eastern Europe require visitors to have medical/evacutaion insurance before entering the country. If you don't take out a policy they might require proof of sufficient funds in case of an emergency.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Fri 08/11/2006

Re: Aran Islands
I assume you'll have a rental car. From Dingle, drive to Galway, taking the Killimer-Tarbert ferry (www.shannonferries.com) across the Shannon River. After you cross the river, your fastest route would be via Ennis. The coastal route would be more scenic, but slower, and if you so chose, would allow you to see the Cliffs of Moher on the way to Galway.

You have your choice of a ferry (www.aranislandferries.com) or a plane (www.aerarannislands.ie) to get to Inishmor and back. Note that both the ferry port and the airport are a good distance west of Galway.

It's your call whether you want to (1)get to Inishmor as soon as possible on the day you leave Dingle, leaving the Cliffs of Moher for the next day as planned, or (2) see the cliffs on the way to Galway and thus be able to linger a bit on Inishmor after your night there.

Go to www.viamichelin.com for driving routes and times. Be aware that the site grossly underestimates driving times in Ireland. Increase the estimates by 50%.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Fri 08/11/2006

Backpack Check in
Thx Jenny and Julie!

Yeap, I hope this will change soon. I always travel very light, and I never check my luggage. My boyfriend and I always travel with a mini laptop and ipod...and that is also prohibited in the planes...which is kind of hard to do for business people like him. I hope by September they will allow us to travel with our backpacks.
Yenni <email>
Miami, Fl USA Fri 08/11/2006

Re: Euro requirement
Maybe the Bulgarian pickpockets complained to the government that tourists weren't carrying enough money for them to steal.
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Agriturismo Cretaiole/San Gregorio
Has anyone ever stayed at Agriturismo Cretaiole's other location, "San Gregorio"? This is Isabella and Carlo's farmhouse in Pienza. Since I cannot stay 1 week at Cretaiole, they offered me a studio at their other property. Any experiences at this location?
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Re: Train Schedules in Italy
The German rail site, www.bahn.de, has complete timetables for most of Europe, including Italy. It's the best site for general searching. Just enter departure city, arrival city, date, and approximate time you'd like to travel.

The Italian rail site, www.trenitalia.com, will ask you the same information as above. Then you will be given a choice of trains for which you can book tickets. You have to register on the site before you can complete the booking process.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Fri 08/11/2006

Checking Luggage
Yenni - I've been trying to read up on this all day and it looks like as of now, you can't bring a bag on board with you. They are only allowing the items that someone had posted on here yesterday. The requirements could change and British Airways is advising that you check up to 5 days before your flight to confirm current policies. I'm having the same issue as you. I'm going to Italy in September and have a layover at Gatwick. I'm quite paranoid at this time because I was planning on carrying my wedding dress and my fiance's suit on with me. If I can't carry them, I'm not sure what my options are! I'll have to keep my fingers crossed for now.
Jenny <email>
MN USA Fri 08/11/2006

aran islands
We are going to be in Dingle the begining of October. From Dingle we wanted to go to the Aran Island (Inis Mor) Stay the night and then go see the Cliffs of Moher that next day and Go to Bunratty that night for a flight back home the next day. What is the best way to go about this?
heather
st. louis, MO USA Fri 08/11/2006

Proper jacket
Proper jacket, Maybe you could use "scotchguard" spray to make your wool pea coat more waterproof. Otherwise I would suggest some type of synthetic blend that repels water better than wool.
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Train Schedules in Italy
I've looked on all of the rail sites in search of a train schedule (dates, times & fares). All I get is a page to buy tickets. No published fares & schedules that I can find. I'm required to put in a time. How do I know that without a schedule. Am I missing something? Thanks.
Larry S <email>
ELK GROVE, CA USA Fri 08/11/2006

Divento tickts to Opera
HELP! HELP! HELP! because I was unable to get tx to Cosi Fan Tutte in Paris in November thru the Opera House I used a company named Divento.com. Got an order number and have not heard back from them. I am panicked...they have my credit card infor. HAS ANYONE DEALT WITH THEM OR HEARD OF Divento.com??? is there such as thing as a Better Business Bureau for internet ordering?? as you can see I am Crazy in Carolina
Gwen <email>
Pine Knoll Shores, NC USA Fri 08/11/2006

Re: Proper Jacket
Since wool retains some warmth when wet, if your pea coat works for you at home when it's raining, it should work just as well overseas. IMO, drawbacks are that it would be bulkier than a synthetic jacket and would take longer to dry. But if you wear it on the plane, the bulkiness factor is minimal. Whatever form of jacket you take, you'll still want to dress in layers so you can add or remove them as the weather changes throughout the day.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Fri 08/11/2006

euro requirement
A friend of mine just returned from Bulgaria and mentioned that the customs personnel now asks that all travelers have onhand $3000 euro cash in case of a medical emergency/evacuation. Has anyone heard of this?
elle <email>
st louis, mo USA Fri 08/11/2006

Proper jacket
hello...will a wool pea coat be good enough for an October/November trip through Ireland, England (London), Netherlands and France (Paris)...Do I really need an un-atractive synthetic fiber "rain coat"....And please, some times people can be so harsh on us first time travelers for asking "stupid" questions...but this is the type of stuff that you can't find in guide books...it is really a question that can only be answered by experienced travelers. Thank You
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Re: BackPack Checkin
I don't know that anyone can answer that right now. The situation will very likely change between now and then. Your best bet will be to check with your airline as well as the TSA website right before your trip. You might need to be prepared to check your backpack.
Julie
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Backpack Check in
Help!

I will leaving for Italy in September. We are flying on British Airways connecting through London Heathrow. I was not planning to check in my luggage, since I am only taking my backpack.

With the new terror Alert, are we allow to check in luggage (I won't be taking any water or liquids).. or carry on is just strickly prohibit?

any info will be greatly appreciated.
Yenni <email>
Miami, Fl USA Fri 08/11/2006

Hotel near Frankfurt Airport
Another possibility, which should work for Brenda and possibly for Jackie, depending on how early her flight leaves,is to stay in Bacharach or St. Goar. There are frequent trains in the morning; they take about 1:15 to the airport. For instance, there is an RB leaving Bacharach at 7:31, with a connection in Bingen, and arriving in the regional Bahnhor at 8:35. An earlier train leaves at 7:05 and arrives at the airport at 8:19 with a same track change of trains at Ingelheim.
<email>
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Hotel near Frankfurt Airport
Check out the Hotel Königshof in Mainz (www.hotel-koenigshof-mainz.de). It is on a low traffic street, conveniently right across the Bahnhof Platz from the station, where you can catch the S-bahn to FRA.
<email>
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Battle Bus Tours in Normandy
D,Ikkey-Regarding Band of Brothers tour. My son and I have read Band of Brothers as well as other historian's accounts of the 101st and we were in awe the whole time during the tour. Our guide took us to the serveral battle sites and gave us more insight to EZ Company than what is in the books. If you enjoyed the book/movie you will gain more appreciation of the heroism of these men who fought in Normandy. For more information on the tours, go to the website: http://www.battlebus.fr/links/ and check out other's postings on this website under War World Battle Fields. They fill up fast, so book early.
Rob
Little Rock, USA Fri 08/11/2006

Safe Hotel near Frankfurt Airport
Me too. We arrive in Frankfurt by train after 11:00 PM and fly out at 11:00 next morning. Any suggestions? All night movies? Just kidding.
Brenda <email>
DC USA Fri 08/11/2006

Itinerary in Tuscany
We are travelling to Italy in September and are staying 5 days in Tuscany, just outside of Florence. Would anyone have any suggestions on how to plan our time in Tuscany. We will be renting a vehicle.
Renée <email>
Canada Fri 08/11/2006

Band of Brothers tour
To Rob in Little Rock, have you more information on this tour? Does it in fact follow the action of Easy Company of the 506 PIR?
D,Ikkey <email>
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Tintagel
I hope I'm not raining on your parade, but I wonder if those who go to Cornwall in search of Arthur's castle realize that the castle, though very impressive, and Arthur's life, also very impressive but with no historical factual basis, do not match up on anyone's history time line. It's a tourist ploy.
USA Fri 08/11/2006

Safe Hotel near Frankfurt Airport
Will need a hotel room for 1 night before our flight out of Frankfurt in a few weeks. Looking at the rates they are WAY high, must be some kind of show or festival going on. Any suggestions on towns close to Frankfurt that we might find a reasonable and safe room ? Would like to stay away from a really busy city if possible.
Jackie
In USA Fri 08/11/2006

Shoes
I wear crocs all the time and usually buy a new pair when I go to Europe. They are made for walking and some are even orthepedic. They are the sort of plastic/rubber clogs with the holes in them. They are for both men and women. I highly recommend them. They are only about $30. www.crocs.com there is a locator there if you put in your zip code.
Kim
Brooklyn, NY USA Thu 08/10/2006

Jennifer
Info on UK travel according to the BBC. As of today.... basically this might be a rehash of other posts.

Short-haul flights to Heathrow have been cancelled. Some flights from/to Gatwick have been cancelled. No Lufthansa flights to Heathrow or Iberia flights to the UK. - Passengers may not board planes with anything in their pockets. - You are allowed ONLY the following carry-on items: -- Travel documents (tickets, passport, etc.) -- Pocket-size wallets and purses (“no handbags,” according to the BBC) containing money, credit cards, ID cards. -- Prescription medicines and medical items needed during the flight. If you can, do not bring liquid medicines— their authenticity must be verified separately. -- Glasses/sunglasses, but without cases -- Contact lens holders, but without bottles of solution -- For passengers with infants: Baby food, milk (which must be tasted by the passenger at security), diapers, wipes, creams, etc. -- Female sanitary items, unboxed (tampons, maxi pads, etc.) -- Unboxed facial tissues -- Handkerchiefs -- Keys without electrical key fobs

Wow what a crazy world
USA Thu 08/10/2006

Shoes
As others have said your travel shoes MUST be well worn in. Two years ago I traveled to Berlin. A week before I was to depart for Germany my dog tore apart my comfortable, broken-in hiking boots. So I was forced to buy a new pair. Long story short, half way into the vacation my right knee gave me all kinds of problems. The pain was so bad I spent two days in my hotel bed with ice on it. I never had knee problems before or after this incident, so the unbroken-in boots must have been the culprit.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Thu 08/10/2006

RE: SUPPLIES/SHOPPING--LAKE COMO
Shoes would be the LAST thing I would wait to buy overseas. A comfortable pair of walking shoes is critical to the success of any vacation. By all means, buy some stylish shoes in Italy if you find some that appeal to you. But don't depend on them for the rest of your trip, or you may be in for a painful surprise.
Norm
Ottawa, Canada Thu 08/10/2006

Kate--Lake Como
I wouldn't count on buying shoes in Belagio. Menaggio is a better bet for all your shopping. Shoe shopping in Milano would be my choice.
USA Thu 08/10/2006

Shopping
You will want to buy your shoes well before your trip to break them in. You will be doing unbelievable amounts of walking on your trip (much more than you think). Make sure your shoes are comfortable BEFORE you go. I always wear mine everyday for at least a week to make certain they don't hurt or give me blisters.

I cannot imagine not finding shoes in the US that you "like". Have you tried the walking company, REI, or another retailier that sells walk shoes?
USA Thu 08/10/2006

SUPPLIES/SHOPPING--LAKE COMO
Has anyone waited until arriving in Italy to buy toiletries/supplies/clothes/shoes ect.

We are spending three weeks traveling through all of Italy-starting trip with 3 days in Bellagio, Lake Como area. We wanted to wait until arriving to buy shoes ect., as we could not find shoes we liked in US, and we do not have time to order off Internet.

Any price/availability advice for this area would be great.

Thanks,

Kate.
kate <email>
Houston, TX USA Thu 08/10/2006

New carry-on restrictions
New carry-on restrictions are also for domestic flights in the US. Trust me they will make you throw out your lipstick, toothpaste, and other liquids or gels if you have it in your carry-on. No drinks of any kind too. My local airport is still allowing carry-on bags.

# No liquids or gels of any kind will be permitted in carry-on baggage. # EXCEPTIONS: Baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is traveling # EXCEPTIONS: Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket # EXCEPTIONS: Insulin and other essential nonprescription medicines # Pack lightly, without clutter to facilitate easier screening. # Check with your air carrier well before your flight departs for arrival info. # Cooperate with TSA personnel at all checkpoints and gates. # TSA security officers will be checking carry-on baggage at the gate.
SC USA Thu 08/10/2006

restrictions
you know maybe restrictions make it a bit more difficult for the traveler, having to check everything or else not bring certain things but you know overall I have no problems with this. It makes travel safer.
canada Thu 08/10/2006

More on Barcelona to Innsbruck
Tim,

well, not good news. For that request I made to Swiss Rail for a ticket on the night train from Barcelona to Zurich, they just told me to go to....renfe.es.

Oh well. I wonder if Renfe says to go to Elipsos, and they say to go to Rail Europe.

BTW, in the last day, Rail Europe seems to have raised their p2p fares by about 40% for most of Europe. For example, a few month ago I found a fare of €69 for Vienna to Prague on the RE website; today it is €96. Not sure what is was before, but Frankfurt to Munich is now $146 per person 2nd cl each way, compared to €78 with reservation if you buy it over there or from the DB website. That's about $102 from DB if you use your credit card and take a 3% currency conversion charge.
<email>
USA Thu 08/10/2006

New boarding restrictions
Well, so far, only the UK is resticting carry-on to a baggie. Hopefully this won't grow. Anyway, I can live with buying toothpaste when I get to Europe, but this policy will create a brand new need for knowing a few words (like toothpaste, or shampoo, or contact lens solution) in foreign languages. Maybe there will be a new business created in Eurpean airports selling American-recognized products to the clueless.
<email>
USA Thu 08/10/2006

Jewell - Normandy D-Day tours
We booked a gig with the Battle Bus company and used one of their guides, Geert, as our private guide for the Band of Brothers tour. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommended. Was well worth the $250 fee for the day. They also have group tours. Rental cars are available just across the steet from the train station in Caen. The tours start at 8:30 at Bayuex, which is 30 minutes away, so plan on arriving the night before. Go to World War Battle fields on this site for more beta.
Rob
Little Rock, USA Thu 08/10/2006

At the moment, no-one knows what the security measures will be like in a few weeks. For now I would sit tight, and wait to see what happens. If they continue, you should contact the airline you booked with and ask what they would reccomend.

I'm a bit surprised you were allowed just 90 minutes between flights - that's tight at Heathrow on a normal day if you have to change terminals.

So don't start worrying yet and have fun!
Kate
Scotland Thu 08/10/2006

Advice on transit through Heathrow?
I'm going to Barcelona via Heathrow in a couple of weeks. The problem is, I've been scheduled on a BA flight connecting to a BA code share flight leaving from a different terminal at Heathrow. I understand from the news that the heightened security rules will be enforced for transit passengers, necessitating going through the full, intense security procedures. What I'm afraid of is that there is no way now that I can make my scheduled connecting flights--they're only ninety minutes apart. (Naturally my flight is a non-refundable one!!!) So...does anyone know whether this is going to be doable, and if not, and if end up having to re-book, how much time should I allow for transiting?
JER
USA Thu 08/10/2006

First time to Amsterdam
Are there any Amsterdam aficionados out there? I'm going to A-dam for the first time, and I would really like to get a little advice from people who love the place.

So, complete this sentence for me: "It wouldn't be a trip to Amsterdam, if you didn't _____."

(For example, if someone asked me this question about Seattle, I might say, "It wouldn't be a trip to Seattle if you didn't go to the Pike Place Market.")

Dank u wel!
TM <email>
Seattle, WA USA Thu 08/10/2006

Language school abroad
Has anyone taken a language class though 'NRCSA" National registration Center for study Abroad? I am thinking of an Italian course in Rome for a few weeks end of Aug. The school sets up the accommodations with an Italian family or an apartment share with another student. Then I will make my way to Paris then Spain. This is my first solo trip, so I'm concerned about accommodations.

Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Hilda
Hilda <email>
San Francisco, CA USA Thu 08/10/2006

For Jewell - Normandy D-Day tours
You could try phoning the company directly, remember the time difference that they are 7 hours ahead of you in Calgary. I went on a fantastic Normandy Beaches tour as part of the RS Paris and Heart of France tour last July. But another couple - she Canadian, he Australian - and I had to take a taxi from our hotel in Arromanches to Juno Beach (about 50 Euro) for the three of us. It was well worth it though. Bonne chance :)
Debbie
ON Canada Thu 08/10/2006

Side Trip from Florence
Last November we took a day trip by bus from Florence to Siena. It was wonderful! The bus ride was less than 1 hour. The bus station is close to the train station and I believe cost less than the train ride. We spent about 6-7 hours in Siena and saw a lot there. We could have stayed longer, but enjoyed the time we were there. Ask at your hotel about the bus schedule. They were very helpful. Also, we took a bus from Pisa airport to Florence upon arrival. That trip was around 1 hour. We did the same going back, so I am sure the bus ride either way (for a day trip or to or from the Pisa airport) would be fine also. Hope this helps.
USA Thu 08/10/2006

D DAY BEACHES
I am having a real problem getting set up with a tour of the beaches with hopefully a glimpse of Juno beach. I want to go on Monday, September 18th.

I want a half or full day tour because we are traveling from Paris and arrive approx. 8:57 in Caen and a little later in Bayeux. I tried Victory Tours giving two email addresses as well as two phone numbers and have had no response.

Has anyone taken a taxi to the beaches? I cannot rent a car because I do not drive standard.

Thank you
Jewell <email>
Calgary, CANADA Thu 08/10/2006

King Arthur
Karen~~have you visited King Arthur's castle? Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, it is beautiful and worth the visit.
Troy, Oh USA Thu 08/10/2006

Major delays at UK Airports
An additional note - there are likely to be severe delays to flights in and out of the UK over the next few days. So if you are scheduled to fly, it's a good idea to keep a close eye on online schedules and double check with your airlines. It may also be possible on some airlines to reschedule without penalty if you are scheduled to fly today or tomorrow - BA has made such an announcement.

Kate
Kate
Scotland Thu 08/10/2006

ALERT FOR ANYONE FLYING TO OR VIA A UK AIRPORT
There's been a majority security alert, so for now, anyone on flights to, within, or via the UK can only carry a VERY few items on to the plane. Everything else must be checked. Hopefully they will remove this soon - I will not be happy if I have to make my four flights via the US to Australia without being able to take any books, IPOD etc.

From BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4778615.stm) the list:

Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets:

# Pocket-size wallets and pocket-size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags)

# Travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets)

# Prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg, diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic

# Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases

# Contact lens holders, without bottles of solution

# For those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags)

# Female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes)

# Tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs

# Keys (but no electrical key fobs). All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be X-ray screened.

Pushchairs and walking aids must be X-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.

In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate.

the additional security would seem good, if not that for three days running protestors at Prestwick Aiport in Scotland have managed to get on the runway and even into planes - not much to screen passangers if people can get onto planes without going through security. Those flying from the UK and transferring on might want to inquire about not having hold luggage checked through so that they may get carry on items back for other flights. And I assume that passengers will not be penalized for the additional weight of their carry on items.
Kate
Scotland Thu 08/10/2006

France and King Arthur?
Anyone? I am researching my dream trip and have this year's RS big France book. But I fear he is not the Arthur fan that I am, and there is little information except for Dinan in the small Brittany section. I have been looking at the forest of Paimpont and some of the local sites there. Has anyone been there? Is it mystical and very cool or- fret, fret- touristy and depressing like when we went to the sad remnants of Sherwood Forest! Thanks in advance!
Karen
USA Wed 08/09/2006

Missing Bacharach
Just down the river from those towns is Boppard. A little less flashy from a tourism point of view, it probably has more hotels than either of the other two towns. In particular, check out the riverside hotels such as the Best Western Bellevue or the Rhinelust.

Also, on the other side of the river is Braubach. Above the town is the Marksburg, the only castle on the Rhein that was never destroyed. The old town has a lot of fachwerk buildings. I had lunch at the Weingut Wieghart. Looked like it would be a nice place to spend a night or two.
<email>
USA Wed 08/09/2006

Vernazza Rooms
Has anyone stayed at the Nicolina rooms in Vernazza? We have the quad booked in October and would like to know how if the quad is sufficient for 2 adult couples. Thanks.
Alma
Portland, OR USA Wed 08/09/2006

Missing Bacharach
Can't find a room in Bacharach or St. Goar the last weekend in September because of a wine festival, any nearby alternative suggestions would help
Jason <email>
Lorain, Ohio USA Wed 08/09/2006

KATHY....IRELAND WEATHER IN OCTOBER
I have been there twice in October and found the weather different each time. You know how hard weather is to predict.

If it is cold, it will not be below freezing. If it rains, it will be light and brief.

Take clothing to keep warm and dry. If you don’t need it count yourself lucky and if you need it be glad you are so wise.
USA Wed 08/09/2006

Look for BANCOMAT
I don't believe cash machines are ever called "ATMs" in Europe. Bancomat is a common name. So, if you are new to Europe, look for "Bancomat." The terminal will look familiar. You have a choice of English or other languages. I haven't found one that I couldn't figure out, and I'm no whiz at technical stuff.
Swan
USA Wed 08/09/2006

Re; Stick or Auto
Picked up an automatic vehicle at the Milan airport. Made rental arrangements in USA. When arrived I had no problem.
Jeff
NJ USA Wed 08/09/2006

Katherine - side trip from Florence
I've done a day trip from Florence to Pisa, it's incredibly simple. The train trip is less than 2 hours. The walk to the "Field of Miracles" is about 20 min or so. We spent a good 5-6 hours there. Walking around from one end to the other, and of course climbing the tower for a better view.

Siena is also a short train ride, but you will have to take a cab from the train station to the old center. Perhaps a bus is better, but I'm not sure. Perhaps another poster can answer this question.

Pisa is a very nice day trip, it will get you back in time for your dinner, with time for a shower.

Siena has a lot more to offer, and I think is worth more time, even an over night stay. The piazza, the duomo, the neat side streets...you need to take your time and savor Siena!

Do Pisa - you will love it, and it will be easy for you in your time frame available!
USA Wed 08/09/2006

Hassles/dangers of using ATMs
Finding an ATM has never struck me as a hassle - they seem to be on most street corners in Europe; more germane to this thread, they're in all the airports - you literally have to walk past them to get out of there. In any case, I'd say that it's a lot more convenient and less hassle for me to "find" an ATM in Europe than it is for me to go to a bank at home and get dollars converted into euros (then again, I live in a city where traffic and parking is hellish - your mileage my vary - literally!) - I know I'll be at the airport, and I actually step into a bank about 4 times a year. I honestly don't think there's any reason to worry about "finding" an ATM upon your arrival. I also have no more fear of using an ATM machine in europe than I do of walking out the door of a bank at home (virtually zero in both cases). Given the fact that there are banks (like my credit union) that don't change any fees at all for foreign ATM withdrawals above the 1% currency conversion, it just seems totally unnecessary and needlessly costly) to get euros before leaving.

I've got about 50 euro left over from a previous trip, so I'll take them along. Thanks to our weakening dollar, they're actually worth a bit more than what I paid for them a few years ago...which makes me think I'll try to come home with an extra 100 euro again and play international currency speculator as the dollar continues to plunge before my next trip.

In any case, if you are more comfortable getting dollars converted to euros at a bank here, then go for it. In my experience that's not necessary, and I'm happy enough making a beeline for the ATM once I've landed (and hit the men's room).
DB
Seattle, WA USA Wed 08/09/2006

Ireland Weather - October
I'm only 2 months away from a trip to Ireland (driving the whole island, into Northern Ireland and back) and was wondering if anyone's been in early October and what was the weather like??
Kathy
VA USA Wed 08/09/2006

Lousy and really lousy rates
DB, what exactly do you mean by "exchange bureau". If you mean the counters set up in airports to change US$ to EUR, you are right, the rate is terrible anywhere. But, if you are referring to someone like Wells Fargo over here, I don't think so. It is becoming like when we started realizing, years ago, that ATMs were a virtually free source of foreign currency, and we didn't have to use traveler's checks and exchange bureaus any more. Today, many major banks (US Bank, Chase, and Wells Fargo, that I know of) are charging 3% plus a fee for ATM usage in Europe. For 5%, about 1% more, you can take Euro with you and avoid the hassle of looking for ATMs over there, and, more importantly, the real chance of being the victim of theft at the ATM. As long as you keep your cash in a money belt, you are far safer not visiting an ATM.

I have an ATM that still offers 1% plus a fee for ATM withdrawls, but I am keeping a close eye on it. The time of 4% European ATM withdrawals is just around the corner.
<email>
USA Wed 08/09/2006

Paris Apartment Rentals
My daughter is going to Paris to study on an exchange for a year. I plan to go with her and stay for three weeks. She will most likely get a room in a residence (let's hope the red tape works out), and I've been looking at short term furnished apt. rentals for myself. Has anyone used a servie called Paris Attitude? They have a good website, user responses, etc. and a variety of places and prices.
Nancy Young <email>
Mowcow, ID USA Wed 08/09/2006

More on Changing Money
DB, I imagine you're referring to my post. My correction was only to my reversed wording, not an endorsement for using exchange bureaus. The original post I made today encouraged JeanBean to use ATMs and suggested she read Rick Steves's Travel Tips article on the subject. My exchange bureau comment was only in the context of saying that exchanging in Europe (lousy rate) is better than exchanging before leaving home (even lousier rate).
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Wed 08/09/2006

Rome in November
I went to Italy in November in 2003 and am going back in November this year.It's great - cool,less expensive by far and fewer people.I wore a light coat in Venice but a sweater was plenty in Rome. Dress in layers and add or remove as needed. Eating in outdoor restaurants with heaters is a treat. Between the heaters and a nice bottle of wine, it's easy to stay warm!
TWalker <email>
Lexington, NC USA Wed 08/09/2006

ATMs and Siena/Pisa trip
ATMs all the way! I've never had any trouble but I always take two cards in case one doesn't work.Also,if you don't use an ATM regularly, be sure to use it before you depart. If a card hasn't been used for awhile, it may not work. Be aware of daily limits, if any, since currency conversions may change the amount of money you withdraw. My daughter's 1st attempt to use her card didn't work because 300 euros was more than her credit union would allow withdrawn at one time. To the person who wants to know if Siena and Pisa are doable in one day,don't shortchange beautiful Siena by trying to add Pisa. In addition to everything else, Siena has a market with beautiful flowers/vegetables that I really enjoyed. In November, I'm spending one day in Siena and one day in Pisa/Lucca, hopefully. Either is a good choice but I'd go to Siena if I only had one choice.
TWalker <email>
Lexington, NC USA Wed 08/09/2006

re: Where to convert US dollars to Euros
One correction to a post below that suggests going to an "exchange bureau" once you arrive. With all respect, bad advice I think.

Never go to an "exchange bureau" - unless you are pretty desperate. You don't need no steenking exchange bureau - all they will do is gouge you for the exact same service you can get from an ATM which can be found on most streets of any European city. Repeat after me: ATM, ATM, ATM.

Personally, I think it is a complete waste of time and money to convert dollars to euros before leaving. If you have a few euros left over from a previous trip, take them with you (also bring a stash of US cash for an emergency - $200 - $300 seems to be a reasonable amount). When you get off the plane, head for the nearest ATM - unless you are landing at some obscure backwater airport (and I bet you aren't), you will find more than one ATM machine before you get very far (in the airport). The cheapest and most hassle-free way to go. Period.

You will hear from a few folks who report having had trouble with ATMs in Europe but I suspect that almost all of these cases fall into one of two categories: a strike or technical problem made that an ATM unavailable for a very brief time (does happen, but not often), or there was "user error" (trying to use the wrong kind of card/wrong network, or they neglected to tell their bank before leaving that they would be using it overseas, etc.). In most cases, you walk a hundred yards and the next ATM you encounter works.

Most of us who have traveled in europe have used our ATM cards heavily, with virtually no problems at all. Yes, take more than one source of money (two different ATM cards from two different banks, if possible, more than 1 credit card, and a stash of back-up cash) - but I think worries over ATM availability/reliability are non-issues...no different from at home.

This has been covered incessantly.
DB
Seattle, WA USA Wed 08/09/2006

Day Trip From Florence
I have planned a trip to Italy which will start in Milan and end in Rome. While in Florence, I have one day with the tour group (or a portion of the day)and have 2 free days on my own. The first free day I plan on seeing the sights in Florence that the tour group does not cover, such as the Uffizi Gallery (and more), but on my second day I would like to visit both Pisa and Siena. Can someone help me out by giving me advice on whether a day trip to both Pisa and Siena is realistic and the best way to accomplish it? I do need to be back to my hotel that evening in Florence, as we leave for Rome the next morning. Thanks in advance for your help. Katherine
Katherine <email>
San Jose, CA USA Wed 08/09/2006

Jessy--Fat Duck
My husband has eaten there. Quote unusual, quirky, expensive unquote. He enjoyed it and it comes highly rated by either Zagat or Michelin. I think if you enjoy trying unusual combinations you will probably like it.
Lori
Palo Alto, USA USA Wed 08/09/2006

Re: Where to convert to Euros
Just a hint: if you're landing in Rome, and plan to convert to euros there (I would), the ATM at the airport is past the Currency Exchange and further down the baggage claim area(it seemed much further as we walked back and forth several times looking for it!). It' on a side wall and is not readily visible.
HIH
USA Wed 08/09/2006

HOTEL STAY FOR CDG
Norm is right about Formule 1. My wife and I stayed in them in Stockholm and Gothenburg.

Around $25 two years ago for a room for three with the bath down the hall, but very clean.

Some people don’t like to use a bathroom down the hall, but these were so clean that EVEN my wife will use them.
NAM
USA Wed 08/09/2006

Correction: Dollars to Euros
In my previous post I meant to say that exchanging dollars for euros, not euros for dollars, is cheaper if done in a country whose currency is euros.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Wed 08/09/2006

Villa Rentals in Spain
I went to the villetvillage website that was recommended. However, they do not serivce the area where we are looking. Costa Brava, Northern Spain outside Barcelona. Does anyone have any suggestions on other websites for villa rentals? we are planning a family trip (12-14 people) in April of 07
Kim
Brooklyn, NY USA Wed 08/09/2006

Re: Where to Convert US Dollars to Euros
Strictly speaking, the cheapest way to exchange euros for dollars is to wait until you get to Europe. The rate is better in a country whose currency you are planning to use than it is in your home country. Go to an exchange bureau at the airport when you get to Italy. However, you'll still get a lousy rate.

Except in an emergency, it's not necessary to exchange any money. Take a few hundred dollars as a reserve and keep it safe in a money belt or neck pouch. Then stop at the first airport ATM you see after you land in Italy and get euros there. See Rick's helpful article on this subject: www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneytip.htm.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Wed 08/09/2006

Where to convert US dollars to Euros
We are travelling to Italy in September. We understand that it is a good idea to go with Euros already in your pocket.Is it 'cheaper' to obtain Euros from your hometown bank (it costs $15.00 for the service, for any amount of Euros)or to use the Currency Exchange at a terminal at JFK ?
JeanBean <email>
Syracuse, NY USA Wed 08/09/2006

Driving in Ireland
I've been to Ireland 3 times and wouldn't dream of not renting a car. Can you imagine asking the bus driver to pull over so you can take a picture?
Laurel <email>
Kirkland , WA USA Tue 08/08/2006

Re: More Train Questions
If you take a night train that leaves after 19:00, you enter the following day on your pass and you use only one pass day. However, for the few trips you plan to take, point-to-point tickets will be cheaper, especially if you book them in advance online at a country's national rail site.

Examples: On the Munich-Paris night train, a discount ticket for a bunk in a six-person couchette costs E50. A discount ticket for a bunk in a four-person couchette costs E70. The regular fare for a bunk in a six-person couchette is E107.

On the Venice-Munich night train, the Smart Price fare for a bunk in a six-person couchette is E49, the Smart Price fare for a bunk in a six-person couchette is E59, and the Smart Price fare for a bed in a T3 sleeper is E69. Regular fares in each category are much higher.

For Florence-Rome, booking ahead can get you a E29 fare in 1st class on the EuroStar Italia or an E15 fare in 1st class on the InterCity Plus. Both fares are cheaper than the corresponding regular fares in 2nd class. I didn't check Florence-Venice, but savings should be comparable.

If you'd like more details on how to book, send me an e-mail.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Tue 08/08/2006

More Train Questions
Jenny, you should contact me off-line about this.

Any night train trip started after 7 PM counts only as the next day.

I doubt that you can make the rail pass pay in this case, but you have to do the math depending on your itinerary and you own preferences.

The trips by ES*, like Florence to Rome (Rome to Florence?) or Florence to Venice should cost you no more than €29 per leg if you use the "En Eurostar a €29" fare, maybe less. The night train from Venice to Munich cannot be reserved via RailEurope, but, for a double sleeper, you can book a direct Sparnight ticket via "buchung.nachtzugreise.de for not much more than the "Aufpreis", supplement or reservation fee, with a rail pass.

If you want a private double sleeper, the train from Munich to Paris will be more expensive and more difficult to book, but for a four person couchette, the savings by booking direct with Nachtzugreise can be considerable.
<email>
USA Tue 08/08/2006

Spain Villa Rental
For Villa rentals in Spain try

http://www.villeetvillage.com/

They have an office in CA. They also have apts for rent.

The countries they offer rentals in are Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy.
USA Tue 08/08/2006

Stick or automatic?
We will be renting a car for our trip to Italy this fall (NOT driving in Rome.. only in Tuscany) and are promised an automatic and have, in fact, paid extra for this. What are the chances we will get stuck with a manual transmission and not the automatic we've been guaranteed??
Jennifer
Minneapolis, MN USA Tue 08/08/2006

More Train Questions
I'm having major issues trying to make a decision about getting a railpass. From what I am reading, an overnight train counts as just 1 day on the pass, right? Because if that is the case, I think I shouldn't spend the money on one. I will be taking 2 overnight trains during my stay in Europe (one from Venice to Munich & then another from Munich to Paris). Would that only be counted as 2 days? The only other time I plan on using the train system is for a day trip from Florence to Rome and then from Florence to Venice. I guess at this point I just need someone to confirm that the railpass wouldn't be the best choice for me. I was also wondering if anyone knew the approx cost of a train for a day trip (like Florence to Rome). Is it something that makes sense to just go to the train station & purchase or would that need to be done in advance? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Jenny <email>
USA Tue 08/08/2006

Rome in November
Cynthia--we were in Rome from November 7-14 and had mixed weather. Some days were sunny and warm, some were rainy and cold. I agree with Frank that you should plan to layer. I took a couple of black and gray turtlenecks and sweaters that I could pair in several ways. I had a compact umbrella, but you'll find umbrella vendors on every corner if you want to just buy a cheap one there and abandon it at the end of your trip. The outdoor restaurants have heaters; we sat outside near the heaters almost every night and enjoyed the incredible food and lack of crowds. Have a wonderful trip!
Elizabeth <email>
St. Louis, USA Tue 08/08/2006

To Kim re: Alpach
My extended family spent a week in Alpach in July 2002. Beautiful area, and great hiking. Not overrun by tourists. Try to go to the folk evening that they have on certain nights in the village. Lots of fun. Also easy to get over to the Zillertal (next valley over)for more hiking, and to get up to the glaciers at Hintertux. Zillertal is more touristy. Also, it is easy to make a day trip to Innsbruck if you are so inclined. We loved the area and would definitely go back.
Conny <email>
Williamsburg, Va USA Tue 08/08/2006

eurorail help
you must use it together.
USA Tue 08/08/2006

Barcelona to Innsbruck - tickets through Swiss Rail
I guess I have to say I don't have much faith in the prospect of getting those tickets from Swiss Rail. Just found on the SBB website the following, "According to the General Business Conditions, only persons residing in Switzerland and in the countries of the European Union can effect purchases via rail.ch-Ticket Shop." If you live in the U.S., guess where they tell you to go - Rail Europe. BTW, Swiss Rail is another owner of Rail Europe. Seems this policy must violate some fair trade laws in the U.S.

I also have a feeling that if you call Elipsos they will also tell you to go to Rail Europe. Note, the Elipsos website displays the RailEurope logo. Maybe Renfe?
<email>
USA Tue 08/08/2006

More on Barcelona to Innsbruck
USA - Sorry, I misinterpreted your reference to the 13:00 flight because you gave the time a person would have to leave Barcelona for the airport, not the flight departure time. Still, it's it's important to note that the 13:00 flight doesn't operate every day.

I've also learned that while the night train from Barcelona to Zurich operates every day in the summer, fall-spring service is less frequent. BTW, in checking prices at renfe.es and elipsos.com in the past, I've had the same experience you did. I suspect that your supposition as to why is correct.

I'll be waiting to find out if your request for a price through Swiss Rail will give the low fare. Perhaps calling RENFE directly and booking over the phone would work for getting the special fare for couples. If I were buying this ticket, I'd sure be willing to jump through a few hoops to avoid having to pay what Rail Europe charges.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Tue 08/08/2006

Cynthia - Rome for Thanksgiving
Can I go? I wouldn't have to cook the turkey or mashed potatoes. I'd settle for pizza on Nov 23!

Happy travels!
USA Tue 08/08/2006

The Fat Duck
Hey guys, has anyone out there ever been to the Fat Duck Restaurant in Bray, England. I am traveling solo for 2 1/2 weeks in England and one of my chef buddies said I should try it out. Any thoughts or comments.
Jessy
Falls Church, Va USA Tue 08/08/2006

Biking across Europe
During my trip to Europe last year I meet an Australian bike rider biking across Europe. So, I thought about doing it myself. Anyhow I'm planning to cycle around France and Germany, and I wanted to know the difficulties that lie ahead. I'm a perfectly fit person, and spend a lot time in the spin class. Is this idea a hassle or should I just go ahead and deal with the conventional rail travel? Also, what other obstacles should I expect? Is this a fun way to experience Europe? What map could I purchase to make it easier for my ride through Euro. Any advices anyone?
Jack <email>
Cerritos, CA USA Tue 08/08/2006

Barcelona to Innsbruck
After reviewing all the low fare flights from Barcelona to Venice, not just the EuropeByAir flights, it is obvious that the train is the best option. Of the Venice connections, only two take less than 12 hours of awake time; those two both take over 11 hours from Barcelona to Innsburck and get you into Innsbruck at 11:43 PM!

On the other hand, the viability of the train connection depends on getting tickets on that train. The fare shown on Rail Europe ($233 for a double sleeper) is actually less than the fare shown on the Elipsos website, slightly more than the under 26 fare (you haven't said how old you two are) on the Elipsos site, and 50% more than the Elipsos pormotional fare (€119 each) for two people in a double sleeper. Problem is Elipsos only seems to mail tickets to Spain. If you try to purchase ticket online from the U.S., they link you to the Rail Europe website and their higher prices (might have something to do with Elipsos having a relationship with SNCF, which owns RailEurope).

Anyway, maybe someone here can tell you how to get those tickets. I haven't found anything. I requested a quote from Swiss Rail, but I don't know if you can self-print those tickets, or if they mail them - doesn't do much good if you pick them up in Switzerland. I am sure you could get them through German Rail, but I don't know if you can get the "couple's" price.

Tim, as for the Air Berlin 1 PM flight, I mentioned it in my earlier posting. One should be at BCN at 11 AM, which means leaving Barcelona around 10:30. Doesn't really give much more time in Barcelona than leaving at 8 the previous evening and you get into Innsbruck 8 hours later than if you take the train.
<email>
USA Tue 08/08/2006

Weather in Rome Thanksgiving
Cynthia -- who knows??? You need to prepare for a range of weather by using light layers of clothing that can be added or delated as the weather indicates. We were in Rome the first week of June and it was very cool if not down right cold. It was so cold one night that most of the sidewalk cafes didn't open. We were using our rain gear to stay warm. You know what Rome is supposed to be at Thanksgiving but plan for what it could be.
Frank P. <email>
Centennial, CO USA Tue 08/08/2006

Glasgow
If your itinerary finds you in Glasgow for a 1/2 day or so (you say you're flying into the city, maybe out as well?), I would recommend the hop-on, hop-off double decker tour. We were in the city for a few hours and choose this option instead of touring around by ourselves. It was entertaining and gave a good overview of the city. Like previous posters, I also recommend Edinburough. Very fun place with lots to do. We enjoyed a scotch tour (with tastings!!), castle tour and the local pubs.
Sheila
Seattle, WA USA Tue 08/08/2006

Hotel stay advice - CDG
The cheapest place I've seen at the airport is Accor Hotel's Formule 1 hotel at "Paris Nord 2," a free 15 minute shuttle ride from the terminals. It runs about 31 Euro per night, but no private bathrooms (http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/for/3506/fiche_hotel.shtml). One step up, with private bathrooms, is Accor's Etap hotel right next door at 39 Euro (http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/etp/3515/fiche_hotel.shtml). Then there's Accor's Ibis hotel, also in the same location, at 71 Euros during the week...49 on weekends (http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/ibi/3299/fiche_hotel.shtml). They serve a cold breakfast, but there's also a new restaurant in the complex...don't know if it's open for breakfast.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Tue 08/08/2006

Barcelona to Innsbruck
Since this discussion is continuing, I've done a little more research. While I still think the night train to Zurich and connecting there to Innsbruck is a good way to go (relaxing and saves the cost of a hotel), I found a plane-train combo that could work.

I learned that the hapagfly flights from Barcelona to Munich are operated by Air Berlin. The schedules are the same on either airline's Web site. While there is daily service leaving BCN at 17:50 and arriving in Munich at 22:30, there is also M-W-F-Sat-Sun service leaving BCN at 13:00 and arriving in Munich at 16:55. There is S-bahn train service every 20 minutes from the airport to the Hauptbahnhof (main station). Ride time is 45 minutes. The first train you might be able to catch to Innsbruck leaves at 18:48. There are others leaving at 19:35, 19:42, 21:03, etc. So if you pick the right day of the week, you could have a morning in Barcelona and still get to Innsbruck before midnight.

According to whichbudget.com, budget airlines that fly from Barcelona to Venice are Vueling, Windjet, alpieagles, and MyAir. It's a five-hour train ride from Venice to Innsbruck.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Tue 08/08/2006

Weather in Rome Thanksgiving
We are planning a trip to Rome for Thanksgiving week. I've checked ahead on the weather websites for averages and I understand it that it can often be cool and rainy at this time of year. I'd love to hear from travellers who have actually been in Rome around this time of year. What weather should we expect? What kind of clothing should we take? Thanks in advance! This website is a tremendous resource and a wonderful community of world travelers.
Cynthia
Seattle, USA Tue 08/08/2006

Glasgow?
Since you are heading for the west coast of Scotland, you might consider a stop in Oban. From there you can take a day trip to the island of Iona. It's very beautiful and steeped in history.
USA Tue 08/08/2006

Hotel at CDG
We always stay at the Hotel Campanile. It's pleasantly modern and clean. They have shuttle service, so you can get to and from the airport with no hassle. The last time we stayed there (2004) it was significantly cheaper than the Ibis. I think we paid 60 euros back then and another 5 for the shuttle. You can find them online. I think you want the one listed as located in Roissy, but I'm not sure I'm remembering correctly.
CA USA Tue 08/08/2006

Ephesus
Bluedenim, I think Ephesus is too far away to make it a day trip. When we went, we took a ferry from Athens. Then you could catch a flight there. Think we had to go to Samos by ferry first. Anyway Ephesus is a don't miss place. Facinating. Hire a guide.
USA Tue 08/08/2006

Europebyair flights
I have flown europebyair and the airport taxes are not a concern.

Even with airport taxes added their fares are still much lower than the major airlines.

And the small airlines I have flown with them are better in some areas than other air lines.
nyc, ny USA Tue 08/08/2006

BARCELONA TO INNSBRUCK
I suggested flying europebyair.com to Vienna when I should have typed Venice INSTEAD.

Thats the best way to go.

Europebyair does sell tickets on that flight.
USA Tue 08/08/2006

Barcelona to Innsbruck
I have found most of the people on this website have been very helpful with a lot of useful information. I hope I do the same with mine. I apoligize for assuming that I was called stupid. The information Tim gave was very useful and it looks like the train is the right way to go.
Kim
Brooklyn, NY USA Tue 08/08/2006

Glasgow
I was in Glasgow a few years back for a quick sales meeting. I was in the downtown area. and there wasn't much there. I heard from the locals that the surrounding countryside was the draw, not the town itself.

If you just want to do a pub crawl...then you are probably OK. The group I was with went out to drink with the locals and didn't return to the hotel until 6AM.
USA Tue 08/08/2006

Glasgow??
Glasgow is getting a lot of travel press lately, and its got a very "trendy" reputation these days. But IMO the city is kind of blah. It's got some decent shopping but there are very few tourist attractions. I would spend an extra day in Edinburgh. There are a lot more attrations since you last visited 20 years ago: Scottish Parliament and the Royal Yacht Britannia to name a couple.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Tue 08/08/2006

Barcelona to Innsbruck
Kim,

no one called you stupid. The reference was to the suggestion of getting Barcelona to Vienna flight tickets from a website that doesn't sell tickets between those two cities. That individual has a habit of wasting other people's time by suggesting resources without confirming that they have useful information. It took me less than 30 seconds to find out that Europebyair does not sell that route.

On the other hand, most of us on this website go to considerable effort to provide useful information. Tim had actually checked and knew there was a train from Barcelona to Zurich and gave you the times. He had also checked with whichbudget to find the airlines that actually fly Barcelona to Munich. Those were useful suggestions.

Incidently, I think that you will find that the train only runs Tu, Th, and Su in April.
USA Tue 08/08/2006

Manarola B & B
To Alma, We Found La Torretta in Manarola by chance and it was by far one of the best B & Bs we have stayed at. It's a family operation, very friendly and clean. Wonderful view. Wish I was sitting on the balcony now, sipping coffee and watching the villagers work their vineyards. Five stars!
Rob
Little Rock, USA Tue 08/08/2006

Cell phone use in Europe
I have Cingular and was told that my phone will work in Switzerland when I'm there next month. I have the Razor phone.

You can call Cingular and ask if your phone will work. There is a $5.99 a month fee for the international service, then a fee per minute.

Go online to Cingular.com and find the link to international, that should answer most of your questions, then call and speak to someone if you have more.

you can cancel your international service after the first month..I plan to activate it the first of the month, then cancel when i come home. No sense in paying for something I only use one month out of the year.
USA Tue 08/08/2006

Alpbach, Austria
Kim, we were there just for a night ten years ago, and it is beautiful. We ran into a number of hikers staying at the hotel where we stayed, and they seemed to love it.
Ron <email>
DeWitt, MI USA Tue 08/08/2006

Glasgow??
We're in Scotland for about a week traveling by rail. We arrive at Glasgw airport. I get a mixed feeling about Glasgow from what I've read here and elsewhere. Is it really worth spending a day or two there?

I've been to Edinburgh before (20 years ago) and will plan to spend a day there this year.

Probably off to Ft.William/Mallig later. Or Inverness. Or.....

Comments and sugestions welcomed!!

As a footnote: we're mid 60's retirees so pub strolls are of more interest to us than club crawls.
Ken <email>
Rochester, NY USA Tue 08/08/2006

Barcelona to Innsbruck
Why would anyone call me stupid? All I asked was about going from Barcelona to Innsbruck and I am called stupid!! Some people have given me some good suggestions.
Kim
Brooklyn, NY USA Tue 08/08/2006

Cell Phone Usage
What type of cell phone should I purchase for travel in France? Heard that Cingular and T-Mobile are compatible. Any suggestions -- buy here or there? Will appliance adapter work with cell phone?
Anne Charlotte
Clifton Park, NY USA Tue 08/08/2006

Hotel stay advice
Need advice on clean/safe hotel to stay in (1 night at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris) and (1 night in Bordeaux) One in Bordeaux -- easy access from TGV rail station. Thanks
Anne Charlotte
Clifton Park, NY USA Tue 08/08/2006

RE: Romanian trip
The weather in Romania in late September & early October will be similar to upper state New York. Most days will be 70-80 for the highs and 50-60 for the lows. The weather in the mountains will be much cooler. If it rains, expect light drizzle to a slow steady rain. Hard driving rain is unlikely. Expenses in Bucharest (Bucaresti) can be expensive for the foreigner but cost outside the capital will be very affordable.
Michael <email>
Marion, AR USA Tue 08/08/2006

Eurorail help
My sister has to leave halfway through our trip in europe to head home. We have a saver two person 15day eurorail pass.Can I still use this to finish my trip,or change it. Or is it not possible. Please help
chris
USA Tue 08/08/2006

Europe by Air
To anyone thinking about Europe-by-Air.

NOTE: Read the "small print". On top of the $99 fare, there are also airport taxes of up to $70 per leg (plus delivery charges of $20). This is starting to get expensive. Plus! Some of their flights are on Alpi-eagles, which has less than a stellar record for reliability.
USA Mon 08/07/2006

KIM.....BARCELONA TO INNSBRUCK
ALL CAPITALS GUY (Carlos?).

Who are you and why are you making such stupid suggestions?

1. Europe-by-Air does not show flights from Barcelona to Vienna.

2. Vienna to Innsbruck takes FIVE hours. That's not a short trip!
USA Mon 08/07/2006

KIM.....BARCELONA TO INNSBRUCK
Go to europebyair.com and check for $99 one way fare from Barcelona to Vienna.

Then take the train to Innsbruck. It’s a short trip.
USA Mon 08/07/2006

ALMA.....MANOROLA CINQUE TERRE
Best chance is to do a google.com search for “Manarola accommodations”. Then email or phone the ones you like asking if they have a room with a view.
USA Mon 08/07/2006

KIM~~~~~VILLA RENTALS IN SPAIN
Most travelers on this page suggest searching google for “villa rentals tosa del mar spain”
DALLAS, TX USA Mon 08/07/2006

Villa rentals in Spain
My family (about 12-14 of us) are planning a trip to Barcelona in late April early May. We want to rent a villa around the Tosa Del Mar area about 1 hour outside of Barcelona. Can anyone recommend a good place to start looking into villa rentals?
Kim
Brooklyn, NY USA Mon 08/07/2006

Romania
Hi, has anyone been to Romania before? I'm going at the end of Sept., early Oct., and looking for info. on weather, a good dayhike in the Carpathians, hostels to use or avoid in Bucharest and Transylvania, as well as any other tips an experienced traveler can give to a young woman on her second solo trip.
Jen <email>
USA Mon 08/07/2006

Sun&Mon in Rothenburg or Nuremberg
Im planning a few days in Rothenburg (2days) and Nuremburg (1day) in Sept from Sunday-thru-Tues. Is it better to visit one or the other on certain days - as I know some attractions are closed on Sun and/or Mondays around Germany... just wanted to make sure I plan correctly! thanks!
CA USA Mon 08/07/2006

Alpbach Austria
I've never been to Alpbach but that area is definitely very scenic. You don't mention what type of hiking you are planning on doing but in early May you would be pretty much limited to the valleys. The high trails and huts would definitely be snowed in at that time.
Jeff
USA Mon 08/07/2006

ephesus to istanbul
when in istanbul I want to vist Ephesus. can this be done in a day trip or do you need to stay over night? Are there airports close to ephesus where we could possibly fly back to europe from instad of traveling back to istanbul?
bluedenim
canada Mon 08/07/2006

Barcelona to Innsbruck
Kim, I think that once you look up connections from Barcelona to Innsbruck, you will find that flying does not make very good use of your time. Tim’s suggestion of the night train to Zurich and the EuroCity train from there to Innsbruck looks like your best option. With that connection you leave Barcelona at 8:40 in the evening and get into Innsbruck at 1:30 in the afternoon.

Your options with flying from Barcelona seem to be via Munich or Salzburg. With the travel time to the airport plus 2 hours preboard time you’ll have to leave Barcelona 2½ hours before the departure time. Three airlines fly from Barcelona to Munich, but Condor is a charter airline and doesn’t fly that route in April. Both Air Berlin and Hapag have flights that leave Barcelona (not BCN) around 4 PM, but they get into Munich at 10:30, too late to get to Innsbruck for the night. You would have to spend the night somewhere in route and arrive in Innsbruck around noon. Travel takes longer than with the train and is a lot more hassle.

The only feasible route through Munich appears to be a Hapag flight that requires leaving Barcelona at 10:30 AM and gets you to Innsbruck at 9:15 PM, 8 hours later than if you had boarded the train the night before.

Sky Europe appears to have two flights that leave Barcelona at 9 AM or Noon and fly to Salzburg. Your best train connections get you into Innsbruck at 7 or 9 PM.

So, if you fly, you will not get much productive time between when the train leaves the night before and when you have to leave in the morning, and you will get to Innsbruck a lot later in the day.
<email>
USA Mon 08/07/2006

Manorola/Cinque Terre Accomodations
We need help in finding rooms with a view in Manorola. We are 4 adults visiting at the beginning of Oct. All the RS recommended places are booked.If anyone has any suggestions/recommendations,I would live to hear from you.Thanks
Alma <email>
Portland, OR USA Mon 08/07/2006

Alpbach, Austria
Has anyone ever been to Alpbach Austria? It has been rated as one of the most scenic areas in the Austrian Alps. My boyfriend and I are planning a package hiking trip there in early May of 07. I have seen some pics. but would love some first hand info.
Kim
Brooklyn, NY USA Mon 08/07/2006

PARIS HOSTEL QUESTION
Has anyone stayed at the HI hostel Cité des Sciences in Paris? I'd like to stay at an HI hostel, but I was not impressed with two other HI hostels in Paris. I'd stay at Cité des Sciences if someone had something nice to say about it.
Ted <email>
Washington, DC USA Mon 08/07/2006

Air India

Jennifer, Look into other options. Air India is not the best option. Whatever you have heard about the airline is probably true.

MJ San Francisco, CA
USA Mon 08/07/2006

Ard Mhuiris B&B
A Google search came up with this: www.galway.net/pages/ard-mhuiris.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Mon 08/07/2006

Aran Islands B&B
Does anyone have an e-mail address or website address for Ard Mhuiris, a B&B in Kilronan, Inishmore, Aran Islands? Iwould like to contact them for a reservation in Sept. but can't find any information.

The alternative is: does anyone have a recommendation for a clean, friendly B&B within easy walking distance of Kilronan?
Janice <email>
MA USA Mon 08/07/2006

Air India
Has anybody had any experience with Air India out of LAX to FRA? I heard some pretty bad things about them and am starting to think I should have a plan b.
Jennifer <email>
Burbank, CA USA Mon 08/07/2006

Barcelona to Innsbruck
Hi-I asked a few days ago about train from Barcelona to Innsbruck. The advice I got was very helpful. The trains seem to be too time consuming for us. It looks like flying will be the way to go. Thanks for the advice
Kim
Brooklyn, NY USA Mon 08/07/2006

Hotel reservations in Europe
Generally you can make reservations 11 months in advance. Possibly there is a convention or some kind of big event going on at your destination, and the hotels are holding back rooms. If that is the case, it is best to call or email hotels directly, and make a reservation that way.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Mon 08/07/2006

Hotel in Europe
Hotel reservations in Europe vary. I booked my hotel for Germany last year. A Sept. trip, in April. But I was looking even before that. I think it depends on the country. I booked mine through www.inthotels.com. It is a great website..Click on the American flag and you will like it. They offer so many choices you can see the hotel etc. The plus is that you can cancel for a full refund with not that much notice. The rooms vary from luxury to moderate. They will show the discount price in percentage off that you are getting from them. I highly recommend them. They will give you prices in Euro, USD anything you want. You just plug in the dates, the type of room ie: double bed etc. and they do the rest.
KIm
Brooklyn, NY USA Mon 08/07/2006

Hotel reservations in Europe
Any one know how far in advance you can book hotels via internet? I've looked for May of 07 and nothing is available, so I'm guessing they haven't opened up the rooms yet.

Is it 6 months out? 3 months? Or does it vary by hotel? Is there a standard time like FF miles (11 months + a few days?)

I wanted to get my vacation planned and done so I can sit back and educate myself about where I'm going, but I wanted to get the hotel issue done asap.
USA Mon 08/07/2006

KIM .... WEATHER IN SPAIN IN APRIL
In April and May it will be mild. Maybe a light rain now and then.

One cant predict the weather; so be prepared with a light plastic rain coat or umbrella.

Maybe a sweater if you go out at night.
MAIBETH W.
USA Mon 08/07/2006

Driving in Ireland
Larry, we drove in Ireland 2 years ago and really used it to see some of the beautiful countryside. Our rental car had so many scratches and dings when we picked it up - it was almost absurd to see the sheet with everything circled on it. My husband called it the "bumper car" and did not have any problems turning the car in even though he probably added a few more scatches. It has been mentioned somewhere here that the hub caps have twist ties on them to prevent them from flying off the car when they are rubbed against the stone walls, hedges, etc. We still had our fly off once and go rolling down the lane.

We LOVED driving in Ireland. We would ask our B&B hosts for suggestions on routes to take and really saw some incredible places. We picked up great deli lunches several days and kept them in our car until we arrived at yet another beautiful scenic stop and then we would picnic. We also did the RS driving tour of the Dingle Peninsula, stopping in a little pub for a pint of Guiness and lunch. We took our car to hiking spots (i.e where St. Patrick banished all the snakes) that did not seem accessible by public transport, though they may have been.

Generally speaking, if driving in England did not panic you, I think you will find it very pleasant to drive in Ireland
Karen
Atlanta, GA USA Mon 08/07/2006

Bags lost on Easyjet
Go to the Easyjet web site at www.easyjet.com. Click on "Book a cheap flight" and look for the box marked "Do you have a question?" Question 14 on page 2 is "What is happening to my lost baggage?" Follow the links fom there, and you will find the phone number for the agent at each airport. You can also find a general phone number for Easyjet.
Bob
UK Mon 08/07/2006

Weather in Spain in April and May
I will be going to Barcelona and Innsbruck in late April and early May of 07. Can anyone tell me what the weather will be like so I know what to pack. I swear every time I go overseas I am not going to pack a lot and I do. I will be hiking the Alps when in Austria, so I know what to expect there. But not sure about Barcelona at that time.
Kim
Brooklyn, NY USA Sun 08/06/2006

MyAir experiences
Has anybody had any experience with MyAir? I'm going to fly from Venice to Paris, so my options appear to be MyAir (which flies from Venice to Paris Orly) or RyanAir (Venice Treviso to Paris Beauvais). Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Lisa <email>
San Francisco, CA USA Sun 08/06/2006

Re: Jim - Normandy?
Is Normandy worth a visit? Is the Pope catholic? Of course! Normandy is one of the great places to visit - of course, so is the rest of France, so if you "have no interest" in visiting France, maybe you wouldn't like Normandy either - you'll find incredible food, friendly people, stunning scenery, an appreciation for the best things in life, and a sense of history - both in Normandy and the rest of France. I can't imagine going to Europe and never going to France...but as they say, vive la difference!
DB
Seattle, WA USA Sun 08/06/2006

Normandy
I have no desire to visit France but I would like to visit Normandy and the surrounding area. Is it worth the trip? We are planning to visit Germany and Italy. Thanks
Jim <email>
Denver, n.c. USA Sun 08/06/2006

LISA.....14 HOURS IN PARIS
It is risky going into Paris between flights because you cant anticipate the time required to get from Paris back to CDG.

Knowing that, you can take the chance and allow as much time as possible for the return trip.

The fastest way is the Metro. Take the bus from CDG to the end of the Metro line.

There are too many must sees for someone to recommend for you .

Your interests will determine that. Go to your library and make a list from the travel guides.
USA Sun 08/06/2006

Paris Catacombs - Not open in winter!
We spent 2 weeks in Paris in early December & one of the things I really wanted to see was The Catacombs. Unfortunately, they were closed and a sign on the entrance stated that they were closed from some time in October until April (if I remember correctly). Our R.S. guidebook made no mention of this, so I'm wondering if they are, as of now, always closed in the winter or maybe just that particular winter. It appeared to be a policy & not a special circumstance, so maybe they've taken to closing them as they do so many European sites & attractions in the winter, less-touristed months. We were disappointed, especially since it was in the low 30s temp-wise and it certainly couldn't have been weather that prompted the decision, as it's the same underground year-round! Ah, well . . . the French don't like to be "pinned down," and there WERE a couple of other interesting things to see in Paris anyway . . .
Sherry
Salem, OR USA Sun 08/06/2006

re: Credit card conversion fees
Consider opening an account at a credit union. I have a wallet full of Visa and Mastercards (frequent flyer miles, ya know...). Of them all, only my trusty credit union Visa does not try and stick me with nasty fees. The credit union Visa does pass along the 1% Visa conversion (there's no way around that), but they do not impose any other fees. My credit union ATM card has zero fees, too.

If you plan on using a credit card much overseas, it might be worthwhile to open an account at a local credit union just for the trip.
DB
Seattle, WA USA Sun 08/06/2006

Meeting Place at CDG
The RER/TGV station is below Terminal 2. The Sheraton Hotel is above the station. There is a Brioche Doree fast-food restaurant in 2C which would be close to the station. Any of those would be a good place to meet.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Sun 08/06/2006

Charles De Gaulle Airport - Paris
I have never been here before. I will be arriving from the US at Terminal 2E. My friends are arriving on Air France at Terminal 2D about an hour later. Where are the best places to meet at the airport?
Pat <email>
Sioux Falls, SD USA Sun 08/06/2006

Air Travel in Europe
easyjet flies from Rome Ciampino to Paris Orly, while Air Berlin flies from Fiumicino to CDG. Ryanair flies from Ciampino to Paris Beauvais, which is about a 90 minute bus ride to northwestern Paris. The earlier you book, the better fare you'll get.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Sun 08/06/2006

Re: Air Travel in Europe
On budget airlines, the farther in advance you book, the cheaper the price. Budget airlines that fly from Rome to Paris include easyJet, Air Berlin, Condor, and Ryanair. Be aware that Ryanair uses Beauvais airport which is a long way from Paris compared to CDG and Orly. The best search engines for budget airlines in Europe are whichbudget.com and skyscanner.net.

Have you considered taking the direct night train from Rome to Paris?
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Sun 08/06/2006

public transportation Ireland
Beth, In 2003 my 15 year old daughter and I went to Ireland for 15 days flying in and out of Dublin. We used public transportation as I was afraid to rent a car. Any type of transportation you use in Ireland will be slow. They do not have big highways like in the US. So you end up taking a long time to go between places. However, when on a bus you also get to see the beautiful Irish countryside. We did not like Dublin very much. We would have preferred to spend all of our time in the south and west coast of Ireland. It is very beautiful, especially Dingle and the Blasket Islands. Don't miss them. Public transportation is very doable, just slow.
Lisa
Groves, Tx USA Sun 08/06/2006

Air travel in Europe
I would appreciate any good ideas on booking a one-way flight from Rome to Paris.
Don Campbell <email>
Surrey, B. C. Canada Sun 08/06/2006

bags lost on easyjet
any ideas on how to get my bag back or even on how to speak to a human at easyjet most appreciated. i filed a claim right away and haven't seen my bag for 6 weeks.
USA Sun 08/06/2006

Credit Card/Conversion Fees
Rick has an aticle on this site which expains the fees. http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneytip.htm In a nutshell, both mastercard and visa impose a 1% fee on all transactions and most banks tack on an extra 2% to that. There are a few banks and credit unions that don't add-on the extra 2%. But there is now way of getting around the 1% that MC and Visa tack on.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Sun 08/06/2006

Credit Card/Conversion Fees
Both my Visa and Mastercard charge a 3% currency conversion fee. Are there cards that work in Europe that do not have this fee?
Jan
USA Sun 08/06/2006

Re: 14 Hours in Paris
At CDG buy a one-day Paris Visite pass for zones 1-5. It costs E16.75 and will get you into the city on the RER B, allow unlimited rides on the Metro, RER, bus, and Montmartre funicular, and then get you back to CDG. When you come into the city, get off at the St-Michel Notre-Dame station and you'll end up right across the river from the cathedral. The RER B line divides northeast of Paris. When you head back to CDG, be sure you get on a train that is going there. Visit www.ratp.fr to download and print a Metro/RER map for central Paris and a RER map that shows service to outlying zones.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Sun 08/06/2006

Public Transit Ireland
Several years ago I visited Ireland and used a pass that covered both rail and bus. I bought the pass at a train station in Ireland. It worked well, including out to the Dingle Peninsula (Dingle Town).
Swan
USA Sun 08/06/2006

14 hrs in Paris...
Lisa, here's my 2 cents...First thing I'd do is take a double-decker tour bus with the open top so you could see all the sights as quickly as possible (There's at least two different ones, the red one has a stop at Notre Dame). Second, I would walk in and around Notre Dame and the island behind Notre Dame, called Ile St. Louis. I would have lunch (or dinner) at a cafe on Ile St. Louis called "La Flore en L'Ile" it is right by the little bridge directly behind Notre Dame. Then, I would walk to and through the Luxembourg Gardens, stopping to sit a while and watch real Parisians play petancque (bocce ball) near the rue Vavin entrance. Last, I would walk down to the Seine river and go west, walking along the river down to Place de la Concorde then turn and go back, but on the other side of the river, to Notre Dame. For me, that would be a great day!
USA Sat 08/05/2006

Versailles
Terry, the fountains are only on on Sunday. Versailles is wonderful with or without fountains, but given a choice, I'd go when they are on.
USA Sat 08/05/2006

KURT -----FINDING A LAUNDROMAT
The Lonely Planet Germany guidebook lists Laundromats for most all cities. Drop by you local bookstore or library and jot down the addresses.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Sat 08/05/2006

14 Hours in Paris
I just found out that I will have a 14 hour layover in Paris on Tuesday. I arrive about early a.m. and take a flight out to Africa at 11:00 p.m. I need suggestons for the following.

1. Economical & Fastest way to get into town from Charles DeGaulle 2. Suggestions for lunch and/or supper 3. Must see's for 1 afternoon in paris
Lisa <email>
Lubbock, TX USA Sat 08/05/2006

Ireland on the bus/train
My husband & I are going to Ireland for 11 days in September, flying in/out of Dublin. He doesn't want to rent a car, concerned about hassle/stress/safety - wants to take trains/buses. We also plan to go to the Rock of Cashel, the Dingle Peninsula, etc. We are both decent amateur photographers & hope to shoot a lot. Can this trip be done w/o a car? Has anyone out there done Ireland on public transport? Help!
Beth <email>
Tucson, AZ USA Sat 08/05/2006

KURT -----FINDING A LAUNDROMAT
The only way I have ever found a Laundromat is by asking someone where to find one. There are very few in Eusopean countries.

People who live in the neighborhood where you are will know if there is one.

If there is not one, you just have to wait til the next day and ask where you are then.
DALLAS, TX USA Sat 08/05/2006

ELLLEN>>>>>RENTING CAR IN PROVENCE
Yes, there is one thing you can do. Read the “Driving Europe Crazy “ section of this page.

There are lots of reminders that will help you avoid charges for dents and scratches after you return home.

Auto rental firms are notorious for finding those on cars after you leave yours with them.

Do all you can to prevent being charged for repairs....including taking photos before and after.

When you return your car be sure the agent marks your copy of the contract with "no damage.”

Those contracts are in French and may not have a section in English that you can understand.

Always ask questions. Reading Driving Europe Crazy will help a lot.
USA Sat 08/05/2006

Provence
I'm renting a car in Provence in September. Any suggestions would be helpful in terms of things to do in the area and/or rental car tips. Thank you!
Ellen <email>
South Dennis, MA USA Sat 08/05/2006

ireland
Never been to Ireland. This trip will include wife and mother-in-law. Shes 86 years but in good shape. Took her to England last year. Any suggestions for a 7 day trip in Oct? How's driving there? Drove last year in England that was exciting. Thanks, Larry
larry <email>
walker, ca USA Sat 08/05/2006

Night train: Vienna to Frankfurt
The train from Vienna to Frankfurt is City Night Line's Donau Kurier. You might get better prices from the Bahn website, because it appears that they might have a block of tickets set aside that are still available even though the lowest priced tickets sold through the CNL website are gone. However, online they only book couchettes and sleeperettes (reclining seats). For a better selection, go to www.citynightline.ch. Click on EN (upper right corner, under the CNL logo) for English.
<email>
USA Sat 08/05/2006

Trenitalia does sell passholder reservations on some trains. They are called "Global" fares. I don't think you will find them on that ICN. The fares I saw are inclusive tickets.

I believe that a double seat compartments has seats during the day and beds that fold out over them for sleeping, but that a 2-bed compartment has the beds permanently out, without seats, like a couchette.
USA Sat 08/05/2006

Does anybody know where I can find a self service laundramat in Stuttgart, Germany?
Kurt
Sheffield Lake, Ohio USA Sat 08/05/2006

V......EUROPEAN AIRLINES
For more information on Ryanair, read the “Flying within Europe” section of this webpage.

Ryanair gets lots of space in that part and you will find good information.
J A S
WACO, TX USA Sat 08/05/2006

RB...MONEY BELT QUESTION
I have read countless letters here about the neck pouch.

It is far easier to get to by pulling it up from inside your shirt.

It comes up easy and you don’t have to fight your belt to get to it.

I used a money belt the first 10 years I traveled, but graduated to the more convenient neck pouch 10 years ago.

I have enough experience with each one to know which I prefer.

The neck pouch is just as safe as a money belt and much cooler in hot weather.

You can buy one as large as needed to enclose your money and passport.

I never have to look for a private place to access it as some of you require to access a money belt.
wally
nyc, ny USA Sat 08/05/2006

Vatican Tours
When we went to the Vatican, in October on a Weds. the day the Pope has a mass. After the mass, we went to the Vatican and only had to wait 30 minutes in line to get in. Which was amazing considering there were thousands of people at the mass.

I am glad that we did not take a tour b/c the groups are soooo slow. If you do your research before you go, about what you are seeing, who needs a tour guide? Seems like a waste of money.

And also, why waste your time taking a picture of a painting or art in the museum? The picture itself is not going to come out well. Purchase a book or postcards in the gift shop for a higher quality souvenir.

The time you waste taking pictures could be time well spent appreciating the art and the history.
USA Sat 08/05/2006

Versailles
I think no matter when you go to Versailles you will love it. We went in mid October, on a day of a metro strike. We took the RER, arrived early afternoon, and there were very few people.

Although the castle itself was closed, we could peer into the widows, appreciate the outside of the building, take tons of pics with few tourists.

And the best part of all was that the garden was completely open. We had it virtually to ourselves. Granted the fountains were not on, but you could go to the visitor shop and look at the pictures of the fountain running!

The few tourists who were there could rent carriages or golf carts.

I was reluctant to go to Versailles b/c of the strike, but it was well worth it. It was the most memorable part of our trip to Paris.

I don't know if I would have enjoyed as much with hoards of tourists.
USA Sat 08/05/2006

Vatican Tours
Jenny- I have heard horro stories about seeing the Vatican with and without Tour guides. Line five across and really long, not being able to see or take pictures, only being able to shuffle along with the crowd and not move side to side. For the reason I booked a semi-private After Hours tour with Helen at Italy With Us. http://www.italywithus.biz/pages/VaticanTours.htm It is a little more spendy than I like but since this will be a once in a Lifetime event for me, I bit the bullet. ALthough it is much much less than a fully private tour. I heard great things on the Slow Travel site from people who have taken this tour. No crowds, limited tour size that occurs after all the other tourist have left the buildings, being able to see and get closeup views, etc. I hear that you even get your own Vatican Guard guys.
USA Sat 08/05/2006

Re: Money in Europe
To my previous post, and to the recent poster, I would add to the part about taking ATM cards on two different accounts. This is more critical if you are a couple or family and most of your transactions are in cash. While limits have risen, I have had problems getting enough cash the first few days to support three people on one ATM card. Next trip, my wife will have her own card on a different bank.
Paul <email>
IA USA Sat 08/05/2006

LORI....TAKING MONEY TO EUROPE
Lori- I know there are people on this site who don't believe that ATM's might not work with your card in Europe but don't listen to them. We have been to western Europe 6 times over the last 9 years and while we have little trouble with ATM machines over the years, last summer we DID have a problem and it was a nightmare. Our ATM cards (same bank) did not work for the entire trip (but worked fine as soon as we were home) so we had to rely on credit cards (although we couldn't take cash advances because we didn't bring our pin #'s with us because we had never used them before) and the little cash we had with us.

This last time we brought 2 different ATM cards (2 different banks...yes...I opened an account at a different bank in case our joint bank account did not work - AGAIN). We also brought 2 different credit cards (I actually applied for one that didn't charge extra Euro to $ conversion fees and made sure we had pins for both) and cash. We brought more cash than would normally be recommended because we had to pay for our b&b in cash - and they were our first stop. We also contacted all our banks and credit cards and informed them of our itinerary. We didn't take any travelers checks but a few hundred euro stash wouldn't be a bad idea.

This time we had no problem with the ATM cards but we felt much more comfortable with all of our backup plans.

Have fun.
<email>
FL USA Sat 08/05/2006

Versailles
Terry, I was just at Versailles in May, I think at any time it will be busy. I went on a weekday and got there around 9:30am and there was already a huge line up. I think there will be a line no matter what so why not see the fountains. I thought the garden was just as beautiful, maybe even more so than the palace. But bewarned when I was there there was a lot of construction in the front of the palace and the hall of mirrors was also under construction(big dissapointment), which I hope since are now fine.

The best thing you can do is get the museum pass for paris it will save you time everywhere you go it's good for versilles and will save you a long wait. You can also buy a combo day pass, which includes everything around the palace, when your on ricks site go to plan your trip and paris he has a page on versilles and talks all about your options, but get a pass it will save you at least an hour if not more in the line. Also if your buying the combo pass, and not going on a fountain day make sure what your paying for. The fountains cost 6 euro more, the info. booth we got ours they tried to sell us the fountains but i had read ricks book and knew they didn't run during the week, this happened to my dad who speaks perfect french!

Also the gardens are huge I was prepared to walk but it's too much, budget to take the cute train, or do what we did, we rented a golf cart, tons of fun to guide the palace gardens, plus it had gps and provides commentary about the palace - good luck!
<email>
Canada Sat 08/05/2006

Night train sleeper description -- ICN
Hi! We are travelling to Italy in September and need some help in booking the trenitalia night train (ICN) from Rome to Venice.

Can you please tell me what is the difference between these sleepers (I'm guessing they are all 2-people sleepers?) 1) 2 bed compartment 2) Double seat compartment 3) Special seat compartment

Also, the price on the website, is that inclusive of the first class ticket or is it just the add on price for rail pass holders?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Phyllis
Vancouver, BC Canada Fri 08/04/2006

Night Train: Vienna to Frankfurt
There is a direct night train leaving Vienna at 20:28 and arriving in Frankfurt at 05:57. SparNight fares, if available, are as low as E29. Go to www.bahn.de to book this train.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Fri 08/04/2006

Re: Money In Europe
I agree with all the responses, especially taking TWO different cards (A VISA and a MasterCard)

Plus: Don't forget to call your banks BEFORE YOU LEAVE and let them know you will be using the cards in the countries you plan to visit.

Finally, pack an envelope...or ask for one from the first hotel you stay in. KEEP ALL RECEIPTS ! You can compare the receipts, 30-45 days after your trip, when the statement arrives. If you have to dispute a charge..you have the proof!

Plus, some receipts may end up as souvenirs for scrap books.
Mark
Baltimore, MD USA Fri 08/04/2006

re: Overnight train Vienna - Frankfurt?
Whoops - wrong email in my original post below, sorry. This email should work if anyone has suggestions on this. Thanks.
DB <email>
Seattle, WA USA Fri 08/04/2006

Suggestions for a quick jaunt through Greece to cap off a southern Europe tour?
My partner and I are spending 3 weeks in Spain, France, and Italy and ending with only 3 full days in Greece before departing back to Seattle from Athens. The trip is in September of this year. We will be taking the ferry from Bari to Patras and want to include a day in Athens at the end but want to have a little reflection time before heading into the city. Can anyone suggest a good site in the islands that might combine a bit of history with the flavor of the islands and is easily accessible from Patras and Athens? Thanks much!
Darren
Seattle, WA USA Fri 08/04/2006

Versailles
We will be in Paris from a Friday to Wednesday in September. Is it better to go to Versailles on the weekend when the fountains are working but the crowds are bigger or wait until a weekday and miss the fountains
Terry <email>
USA Fri 08/04/2006

Overnight train Vienna - Frankfurt?
At the end of our trip we sort of dead-end in Vienna - our easternmost point. We fly home out of Frankfurt. Eyeballing Rick's rail time & cost map, it looks like a train from Vienna to Frankfurt would take about 9 hours via Munich or about 11 hours via Prague. Rather than kill a day on the train, I was thinking a night train would save us time & money. Would this route be long enough for a night train (with a couchette or other good sleeping option)?

Our flight from Frankfurt doesn't leave until 11 am, so I figure we would have time to catch a shower at the airport and unwind a bit before getting on the long flight home.

Can anyone tell me if an overnight/sleeper train is an option from Vienna to Frankfurt? I'm not sure where or how to look for that. Thanks.
DB <email>
Seattle, WA USA Fri 08/04/2006

Supplement to money belt
I have sewn a small pocket inside the waist band of each of my travel pants. I keep money for the day, ID and charge cards in a small flat fabric purse I place in the pocket. Most of my money and my passport are still in my money belt. There is no money in any pockets easily accessable to pick pockets, while money and cards I need are easily available. I rarely have to access my money belt during the day.
Sarah Grant <email>
Louisville, KY USA Fri 08/04/2006

BAD HOTEL NAPOLI, ITALY
Never stay at Hotel Prati in Naples, Italy, Filthy rooms and terrible personel. We were to stay here July 15, 2006 for one night but once we set foot into the the filthy lobby and the filthy rooms we turned around and walked out. They showed us three rooms one wrost that the other. Had to fight to get back our passports. Still trying to get our money back from the credit card company since we did not stay there. Go to Hotel UNA just two blocks away if you need a train station hotel or better yet skip Napoli all together (except to eat a pizza at Pizzeria da Michele) and go stright to Positano.
David <email>
San Francisco, CA USA Fri 08/04/2006

Take precautions in Prague
In Prague, while driving on Vodickova toward Wenceslas Square, we encounted a perfect police scam. A pedestrian zone sign ( carefully hidden by a tree and three other signs) was placed in the middle of the block so it was not possible to stop or turn around even if we had seen the sign. Two policemen were permanently stationed at the end of the street at the entrance to Wenceslas Square to collect fines. Our friends in the car ahead of us were fined 1,000 Korunas and we were told the fine was 1,000 Korunas, but my friendly policeman said all we had to pay was 500 Korunas. On another street we saw a police van filled with wheel locks for "illegally" parked cars. Twenty to twenty-five cars in one block had already been locked. I'm quite sure all those drivers had been caught in a "no parking" scam. Prague is a beautiful city and we would highly recommend visiting there, but with precautions.
Raymond Grant <email>
Louisville, KY USA Fri 08/04/2006

Re: Paris Airport to Town for Laden-down Studen
John -- contact me directly. I have a bunch of suggestion for your laden-down daughter based on our son's experience during a semester in Madrid. She should leave home 2/3 of the stuff she plans to taken. It is not worth dragging along.
Frank P. <email>
Centennial, CO USA Fri 08/04/2006

Re: Money Belt Question
To avoid having to find a place to "disrobe" privately more often than necessary, simply put one day's spending money in your pocket when you start the day. Or, if you wish to be extra careful, start off with a smaller amount and replenish it in private sometime during the day.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Fri 08/04/2006

European Airlines - Baggage
With the day pack removed, you shouldn't have any trouble....it fits within Ryanair's measurements as listed on their website (55cm x 40 cm x 20 cm or 21.7 x 15.75 x 8 in)which seems to be the standard in Europe. The problem these days seems to come with weight rather than size......don't ask me why, since I always thought the problem was with people bringing sstuff onboard that was too bulky. In any event, Ryanair and Monarch have a rather generous 10 kg (22 lb) limit, while easyjet indicates the same sizes but no weight limits (common sense will prevail, however). But some of the larger airlines are even more niggardly. Lufthansa, for example, limits carry ons to 8 kg (17.6 lbs). I flew a Canadian low-cost from Montreal to London and Paris to Montreal this past spring (Zoom airlines) which had a 7 kilo limit outbound, and, for some strange reason, a 5 kg limit inbound! So even if your bag fits the limits, it may be overweight.
Norm <email>
Ottawa, Canada Fri 08/04/2006

Money Belt - better alternative
Check out Eagle Creek's "undercover hidden pocket" instead of a money belt.

It attaches to your belt, but tucks inside your pants. It zipper shut. Much easier to access, and tuck away when you are going for quick purchases. Don't have to pull the entire belt up and tuck it back all the way around your body.

I just bought one for my hubby for our next trip. After 4 trips with a money belt...he refused to wear it last trip. he's excited about the "Undercover Hidden Pocket". It's cooler too!
USA Fri 08/04/2006

Money Belt Question
While I have read that most are a fan of the money belt, I haven't seen anyone address the best way to access their espresso/bus fare etc. cash without partially disrobing to get to the belt, and thus constantly flashing their important documents/unmentionables. Ideas?
RB
CO USA Fri 08/04/2006

Rick's Sept 15 Europe in 14 days tour
I am interested in meeting (via email) my fellow tour members for the Europe in 14 days tour that begins 09/15.

Will you be joining me? Send me an email.
SF <email>
Texas USA Fri 08/04/2006

Re: Hotels in Milan
Chris - Several recommendations for Milan hotels were posted within the last several days. Just scroll down a bit. As far as a place near shopping and sites, Milan's metro system is pretty good. Hence, it's easy to get around in Milan.
Rick <email>
Chicago, IL USA Fri 08/04/2006

RE: Reserving Couchettes
This difficulty of getting reservations is just one of the many unadvertised "benefits" of a rail pass.

Before you get a rail pass, find out first if you can get the reservations you need and take the cost into account when comparing rail passes with point-point tickets.
Lee
USA Fri 08/04/2006

Reserving Couchettes
For many of the night trains that start and/or end in Germany, you can get just reservations online from http://buchung.nachtzugreise.de. Click the British flag unless you enjoy the challenge of reading German.

For the rest of the German night trains you can book just reservations by phone at (011) 49 1805 14 15 14.
<email>
USA Fri 08/04/2006

Re: Reserving Couchettes
Here's a quote from the railpass section at ricksteves.com: "You can get reservations in Europe (often changeable or refundable) at train stations or at travel agencies there. But if an advance reservation for a specific train will help you relax (and if you’ve already purchased your railpass), call Rail Europe at 800/438-7245 (from Canada, you can call Rail Europe at 800/361-7245). Reservations made in the U.S. cost a little more and are not changeable or refundable. A printed ticket will be shipped to you. If you need many reservations, you may want to compare prices from Euraide (sells European rates, two weeks for delivery, higher handling fee, see www.euraide.de/ricksteves). Pay before boarding for any required fees, or the conductor will charge more en route."

The cheapest way to make reservations in advance from home when using a pass is to call a country's national rail company and ask an agent to make your reservations. You'll get the "in Europe" price and the overseas phone call won't set you back all that much.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Fri 08/04/2006

european airlines
i was hoping that someone could help me with the baggage dimensions for those planes flying within europe, specifically ryanair. i have a bad similar to this one http://www.highsierrasport.com/ItemDetail.jsp?itemNum=AT205 and was hoping someone may have that bag and i want to know if you had any problems getting it on ryanair airline planes or if you had to pay extra for it to go the plane
V <email>
Portland, OR USA Fri 08/04/2006

Vatican tour recommendation
My mother & I used Roman Odyssey to tour St. Peters & the Vatican museum. We were lead by a lovely young woman from New Zealand who lived in Rome for a couple of years. The 45-minute tour of St. Peters was complimentary and then we paid for about 2 hours or so in the Vatican Museum. We loved it so much we booked a night walking tour for a couple of nights later--and we had the same Kiwi guide! I don't remember how much it was, but they have a local number in Rick's guidebook plus a website that I would recommend. Roman Odyssey was a great way to meet a guide who will teach you to be independent, which is why I suspect Rick recommended it in his book. Good luck! The Vatican is amazing (and I'm not even Catholic).

Oh, a funny tip from a lady we met at the Vatican. She said not to go to confession at St. Peters because the priest she was confessing to accused her of all sorts of sins. Don't know if that's true or not, but the way she told the story was funny. So be warned if you've been saving up your sins to confess at St. Peters. :-)
Karen
Raleigh, NC USA Fri 08/04/2006

Reserving coachettes
If we have purchased a eurail pass here in the states, can you make reservations for seats and/or couchettes from here as well or wait until in europe? I have tried to find an options buttons for beds only on various reservation sites, but none seemed available.
PA USA Fri 08/04/2006

LORI....TAKING MONEY TO EUROPE
My wife and I have traveled in Czech Rep, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, all of Scandinavia, St Peteresburg and Moscow with no problem using ATMs.

All these reports of machines not working or having no money don’t impress me.

None of that has ever happened to me in 15 years of travel in over 20 countries.

I guess it is always possible. It could happen today. Remember there is always another bank or ATM in the next block or at the supermarket or post office or airport or RR station.

Take a credit card and don’t worry about the ATM machines.
CARLOS
DALLAS, TX USA Fri 08/04/2006

Re: Paris Airport to Town for Laden-down Student
Air France buses go directly from CDG to Gare de Lyon and Gare Montparnasse. Assuming your daughter will be leaving Paris by train, from which station will she depart and what is her destination? If it's one of those stations, it could work well for her to stay in a nearby hotel or hostel.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Fri 08/04/2006

Hotels in Milan, Italy
Looking for a room for my daughter (21 yrs) and I in Milan, Italy over Thanksgiving break for 4 nights. We are two females and are looking for a safe place near shopping and sites. We plan to train to Lugano, Switzerland (roundtrip)for another 4 nights so would be nice to be close to train station. We have accomodations in Lugano and will be flying in and out of Milan. Willing to pay up to $150 US a night
Chris <email>
Parker, CO USA Fri 08/04/2006

Paris Airport to Town for Laden-down Student?
My daughter will spend the night in Paris while en route to a semester at a university in southern France. She will be travelling "heavy" due to the nature of her trip, making it impractical to ride the RER into the city.

What would you suggest -- an "airport shuttle" van, a taxicab, or some other way -- as the best way for her to get from the airport to her hotel?

If you suggest the shuttle van service, I'd appreciate knowing which shuttle companies have treated you well and which you'd not use again.

Thanks in advance for your consideration.
John
San Jose, Calif USA Fri 08/04/2006

Venice-Jenny
Hey Jenny, I don't think there are too many other tours of the grand canel unless you wanted to hire a private water taxi. I thought I too would be totally confused by the Vap. but i had no problems. The signs all clearly indicate what direction the vaps are going and their stops, plus the guys who work on the boats, most speak english so you can always ask them if they are going to your stop. I found the best ride was from the train station to san marco. It takes about 45 minutes, the boats are usually pretty full so try and stay upfront to wait for an open seat because those are the best! I highly recommend the vap I took most of the time i was there, as i stayed near the train station. Get a map if you can of the vap system it will make a lot more sense once your there. Also if you do get on the wrong Vap. as i did my first time, just sit back and relax, it's all apart of being in venice.

Also if your gonna ride it more than once in a day get a pass, single ticktes are a bit of a rip-off, i got a three day pass for just 15 euros, because i had the rolling venice card, another must if your under 29!
Cora <email>
Vancouver, BC Canada Fri 08/04/2006

Car Rental in France for Michael
When and where to rent really depends on you and your itinerary. Where do you want to spend your first day and night? How are you with jet lag? That sort of thing.

My strategy would be to go to the first city on my itinerary—by rail if that is convenient—and begin my road trip form there. In your case it sounds as though you would be heading to Provence.

Since your “first city” is apparently not Paris, why not fly into Nice (if that is on your itinerary), spend a day or two there, and then rent your car and head north?

Unless things have changed there are usually no fees for one-way car rental. Take advantage of that in your trip planning!
Adam
Boston, USA Fri 08/04/2006

Re: Barcelona to Innsbruck
First, never rely on RailEurope for timetables. They're incomplete and don't show routes that require several changes. Instead, go to www.bahn.de, the German national rail site that has complete timetables for most of Europe. If you go by train, take the night train leaving Barcelona Franca at 20:40 and arriving at Zurich HB at 09:32. Then take the EuroCity train leaving Zurich HB at 09:40 and arriving at Innsbruck Hbf at 13:27.

Or fly on a budget airline from Barcelona to Munich and take a train from there to Innsbruck. Your budget airline choices are AirBerlin (www.airberlin.com), Condor (www.condor.de), and Hapagfly (www.hapagfly.com). Direct trains from Munich to Innsbruck take less than two hours (slightly longer with changes).
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Fri 08/04/2006

Re; Money
Money/exchange advice is like investing, best advice is to diversify. I rely on my ATM, use two different credit cards on occasion as well; but always take some US dollars or even Travellers Checks (I get them at no added cost from my credit union). On each of four trips, I have had to rely on either the second credit card (first inexplicably would not work sometimes), Credit Card Cash advance, or my money stash. All this due to transaction errors, strikes(ATMs didn't get filled) or power/network issues. Granted, most all times were no issue, but it is vital to have a backup plan.
Paul <email>
IA USA Fri 08/04/2006

Phone
We will be staying in an apartment for an extended stay in Italy. There isn't a land line phone in the apartment, so we must find other means to make and receive calls. I have been told I can use my Cinuglar phone there at a set rate per minute of $1.29, without an intertanional plan. If I add an international plan for $5.99 per month the per minute rate is $.99 per minute. I was told I can buy a sim card in Italy, that will fit my U.S. phone, with lower rates per minute. In his books, Rick mentions buying a cell phone and sim card in Italy, but I do not know what the per minute rates are on those Italian sim cards. Rick's also mentions buying calling cards in the U.S. that can be used abroad, but only on landline and pay phones. As I will be in an apartment, and not a hotel, I will not have easy access to a landline phone. Any suggestions on the most cost effective was to make local and international calls while in Italy?
Sheri
USA Fri 08/04/2006

Train from Barcelona to Innsbruck
Hi-My family and I will be going to Barcelona for about a week in April of 07. My boyfriend and I plan to travel on to Innsbruck Austria to hike the alps. I have looked on the rail europe website and found that I can go from BCN to Paris and then Paris to Innsbruck. This route is very long and very expensive. Can anyone suggest another route? Or should we buy a rail pass if we are only going to be using it for a few days. I have seen some good deals for flying within Europe. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Happy travels-Kim
Kim
Brooklyn, NY USA Fri 08/04/2006

Wimbledon
We toured Wimbledon last spring and loved it. Our guide was very interesting and informative. You can take the train from London and it will be about a 15-20 mins walk straight down the road to the All England Club. The tour lasted approximately 1.5 hours. At the time we went, there was only one tour per day so be sure and check their website for the time. We arrived about 30 minutes early and went thru the museum before the tour.
Julie
Omaha, USA Fri 08/04/2006

Taking money to Europe
Even if you intend to rely mostly on plastic in your travels, you should carry about $200USD in cash in case of emergencies (btw Rick recomends this as well). So if you encounter ATM machines that aren't working you can always change your emgergency cash at an exchange desk or bank.
Michael Schneider <email>
ny USA Fri 08/04/2006

Taking money to Europe
We're off to Eastern Europe in a few weeks and although I know Rick advocates waiting and using the ATM's upon arrival, I worry that unforseen events (like an empty/broken machine or a unexpectedly non-functioning ATM card) could be a problem. ANy opinions?
Lori
Palo Alto, Ca USA Fri 08/04/2006

Wimbledon
Wimbledon is at the end of the District tube line, southwest of London.
USA Fri 08/04/2006

Venice
As far as a grand canal boat tour goes... does anyone know of one that is NOT recommended in the Rick Steve's guide book (the one listed is a time conflictment for me)?

I have heard AA offers a good one but have found no solid means of communication/detail regarding the tour.

I feel like this is an important intro to Venice and am worried I might end up doing the self one on the vap and will be confused and lost the entire time!!! Any recommendations would be really helpful, thanks.

(Also, I'm trying to book a Bar Crawl with Alessandro but I can't get him to email me back? Has anyone done the Bar Crawl with him, and if so how in the world did you get ahold of him to make a reservation!?)
Jenny <email>
WA USA Thu 08/03/2006

Wimbledon?
I'm trying to plan a 3 day trip to London and am having a really difficult time finding info on Wimbledon. Has anyone visited/toured there recently?

Specifically I need to know how far out of the city it is, and how much time I need to allocate to visiting there. (any opinions on their guided tour would also be helpful!). Thank you!
USA Thu 08/03/2006

RV Rental
My wife and I are visiting France this spring and are thinking of renting an RV to travel from Paris east to Strasbourg,then south towards Switzerland.Has anyone any referrals for rental companies to check.Any horror stories? I've found Hertz has a site.Thanks
Trace Rankin <email>
Jackson, Ca. USA Thu 08/03/2006

last minute help...
Wear something with big pockets and put your heavier items i.e. camera, book, charger, etc. on your person. They don't weigh you! That would help lighten your carryon weight.
C
USA Thu 08/03/2006

Recommend hotel in Milan
Debbie,

We just got back a few weeks ago. We stayed at the Hotel Spadari based on Rick's advice (www.spadarihotel.com).

The location was superb, just steps from the Duomo. The staff was nice and all spoke excellent English. The rooms were decent sized by European standards, and the bath was modern. Breakfast was included, with eggs cooked to order.

The price fell into the 'splurge' category in Rick's book, but I thought it was a good value for a nice hotel in a major city.

Also, when booking on line, I noticed the price drops substantially on weekends.
Dave
SF, CA USA Thu 08/03/2006

Carry-on luggage
Warning for those flying Alitalia out of Italy. A mother and son who were in our tour were given a hardtime by Alitalia because they said they only allowed 1 carry on per person and he also had a shoulder bag and that will be too many. Since we had checked all our bags I told the attendant if we could carry one of their bags if it was permitted and he said fine. Alitalia can be very funny, when they boarded the plane in Miami they had the same number of carry on and were not hassled. Overall they fed us good on our round trip Miami-Milan and could drink all the wine we wanted and the staff was very helpful.
Julio
Miami, FL USA Thu 08/03/2006

Re: Buying Train Tickets
To buy tickets (e.g., for the Madrid-Barcelona night train) at renfe.es, you first must register. To see your possible routes for Barcelona to Provence, go to bahn.de which has timetables for most of Europe. To see all your options, do a standard search and a "without ICE" search. Be aware that some trains leave from Barcelona Sants and some from Barcelona Franca. What's your destination in Provence? You'll probably need to change trains more than once and you may need to buy separate tickets for each leg, some through Renfe and some through SNCF.
Tim <email>
Minot, ND USA Thu 08/03/2006

Car Rental in France
We have now decided on renting a car for our tour of the French countryside. Here's our next questions for all the Rick Steves fans: Do we rent a car at CDG airport or do we take a train out CDG and try renting in a smaller city? If you recommend taking a train out of CDG, which city would have the most car rental agencies to rent from (we are heading sout/southeast to Provence & the French Riveria areas). Also, does anyone have a strong recommendation for car rental companies?
Michael <email>
Marion, AR USA Thu 08/03/2006

Venice Airport question
Our flight leaves the Venice airport (marco polo) at 7:25 a.m. on a wednesday. I was wondering if it would be better to stay our last night in Italy near the airport, or if it is doable to stay in another night in Venice (our hotel is next to the Rialto bridge) our final night? Would we have time to make it to the airport? If so what would be the best way, having to be at the airport by 6:00 a.m. at the latest.
Jared <email>
Tacoma, WA USA Thu 08/03/2006

buying train tickets
Does anyone have advice re: reserving and buying train tickets? I'm going from Madrid to Barcelona, then Barcelona to Provence. I can find the spain trains on the spainish Renfe site, but no info from Barcelona to Provence. I also don't know how to buy the Madrid to Barcelona (night) train. Help!
Shelia
Boston, USA Thu 08/03/2006

Belgium in November - Tour guides? Sights? Tips?
I will be traveling to Begium with a small group in November. I am looking for a good tour guide for either Brussels or Bruges. Can anyone suggest one? Also, I am opened to hearing about sights that people enjoyed or traveling trips in Belgium. Thanks!
Jennifer <email>
Lancaster, PA USA Thu 08/03/2006

ETBD Florence City Tour
The day-to-day itinerary of the ETBD Florence City Tour mentions a "drive into the Tuscan countryside." I would be interested to know from past tour members a little more detail about that day. Where did you go exactly? Was it an all-day deal? That sort of thing. I'm just hoping to be a bit more prepared for the day when I go in October. Thanks!
Teresa <email>
Seattle, WA USA Thu 08/03/2006

Last minute help!
If you check you bag, your problems could be just beginning.
USA Thu 08/03/2006

Frank - email for DB re Octoberfest
Frank, I generally don't include a real email address for posts here since that can be the source of a lot of spam (one recent poster here was just lamenting this). In this case, I've set up a dedicated email for this, so you (and the spammers) can have at it - the email below should work. Thanks for your input on Octoberfestivities.
DB <email>
Seattle, WA USA Thu 08/03/2006

Last minute help!
Steve, Problem solved: Just check the bag.
USA Thu 08/03/2006

Octoberfest: great fun or expensive PITA to avoid?
DB -- you increase you chances of a response if you leave a valid e-mail. Your questions are not well focused. Too difficult to respond to your posting in 25 words or less.
Frank P. <email>
Centennial, CO USA Thu 08/03/2006

Visiting Provence for ID
Is this your first time there? I would base myself in Arles and plan day trips to nearby sights-- Les Beaux, perhaps, and the Pont du Gard (near Nimes).

That is probably all you'll have time for (there's lots to see in Arles too, where it's nice to just spend time).

Rick's book describes these and other options. Have fun!
Adam
Boston, USA Thu 08/03/2006

Too-heavy carry-on bag
Steve, either you'll have to leave something behind (if you've packed four pairs of pants, take two instead; ditto shirts, etc.--go for reducing the number of duplicated items rather than, say, leaving your camera at home) or else you'll need to put some things into a bag which you check, which isn't the end of the world. We always check a small soft-sided briefcase containing our "sharps" and an empty day-pack. Upon arrival, we slip the briefcase over the handle of my husband's wheelie. If you don't use a wheelie, then just make sure you can stuff the checked bag into the one you're carrying on. Good luck and have a good trip!
Meg Rosenfeld <email>
San Francisco, CA USA Thu 08/03/2006

Visiting Provence - what would you do?
If you had one full day and two half days (one morning and one afternoon/evening) to spend in the Provence area and a rental car, what would you do?
ID USA Thu 08/03/2006

Hotel in Milan
We just stayed at the Hotel Ariosto in June -very nice! We arrived late at night and the clerk behind the front desk wasn't overly friendly but that was the only downside. Everyone else was very nice and the rooms were modern and beautiful.
Alexandra Martella <email>
Longmont, CO USA Thu 08/03/2006

Recommend hotel in Milan
Debbie - When we stayed there a few years ago, we were very happy with Hotel Ariosto. http://brerahotels.com/ariosto/ FYI, last I checked, they offer nice discounts for booking through their Internet site.
Rick <email>
Chicago, IL USA Thu 08/03/2006

Last minute help!
My flight leaves for Europe tonight and I just found out that the carryon policy for my airline requires carryons to be under 13 lbs! My bag weighs in at just over 20 lbs. Any suggestions as to how to weasel my way onto the plane with the extra pounds (besides switching airlines - which I will certainly take under consideration in the future)?
Steve
CA USA Thu 08/03/2006

International Driver's lIcense (permit)
Actually, some car rental reps have given posters here erroneous information..they either don't know or don't care if you need an IDP in their country....since the fine won't be on their neck. I;ve found most national tourist websites have information about whether an IDP is required or not in their road-car travel sections. Your AAA office should also be able to tell you whether an IDP is required.
Norm
Ottawa, Canada Thu 08/03/2006

Recommend hotel in Milan
Debbie, Have you looked at Rick's Italy book? He has suggestions for Milan. I just booked a hotel for 150E/night.
USA Thu 08/03/2006

Octoberfest: great fun or expensive PITA to avoid?
(reposting this because there were no replies and it's about to scroll off the page - maybe it was lost among all the recent spam?)

I bet someone here has been to Munich during Octoberfest...

We'll be in Munich in mid- to late-September near the end of a month-long trip. Looking at hotel prices, I'm a bit surprised to see that Munich room rates seem to double during Octoberfest. I'm also a little surprised to see that it's really "late-September-to-early-Novemberfest" - it begins (and room rates skyrocket) in the third week of September - right when we were planning to arrive. Personally, I do enjoy a glass of beer (or three) now and then, and I expect to toss back more than a few in this part of Europe. My wife, on the other hand, is not a beer drinker at all. I suspect that after about 10 minutes of oom-pah bands and mobs of drunken tourists, we will probably have had our fill of Octoberfest. But maybe I'm just not seeing some of the attraction of the great Octoberfestivities. Am I? We could easily change the order in which we're going to do the Munich/Salzburg/Vienna portion of our trip, putting Munich earlier (mid-September rather than late September), which would put us in Munich a few days before the official start of Octoberfestivities (and before the hotel prices double). My question is, for those who have been in Munich during Octoberfest - is it basically one giant Bavarian frat party (which frankly doesn't really sound all that appealing to me), or is there some additional Octoberfest charm that I'm just not able to envision? Considering that the hotel prices look like they double, I'm thinking I might just want to save $300 and spend my 2-3 days in Munich before all the hubub begins, and spend "Octoberfest" in Salzburg or Vienna instead (I figure 300 bucks buys a lot of sachertorte in Vienna...). Is this a sensible choice, or would I forever regret having missed my chance to drink (and puke) shoulder-to-shoulder with a few hundred of my best friends from around the world? Thanks for any suggestions.
DB
Seattle, WA USA Thu 08/03/2006

New rules forUK airports
There is a hand baggage restriction that is UK wide. However, it has been in affect since July 5. All hand baggage on flights leaving the UK must be withing 56 x 45 x 25 cm, or you will have to check it. No UK wide limit on number or weight, but limits might be imposed by the airlines. Go to www.heathrowairport.com and follow Plan and Book your Trip > Key Information > Baggage Restrictions.
<email>
USA Thu 08/03/2006

Paris B&B
Try this website: http://www.bed-and-breakfast-in-paris.com/Dicillin.php

The B&B's look nice and the service has some good reviews.
NY USA Thu 08/03/2006

New rules for UK airports
Shirley,

what new rules? Would you mind telling us what these "new rules" are supposed to be or givin us a link to where we can read about them? How did you hear about them?

The only thing I have heard is that British Air is now strictly enforcing the size limit but no longer has any weight limit, as long as you can lift it to the upper compartment yourself (one person).
USA Thu 08/03/2006

RS Bags & new British Airport Authority rules
has anyone had experience with the new rules for flights out of most UK airports? They went into effect on 1 August. They are for all airlines that fly out of those airports including American, Delta and Continental.
Shirley
Fort Worth, TX USA Thu 08/03/2006

B&B's in Paris
You might also use Alistar Sawday's books (French B&B's, Paris hotels) or go to specialplacestostay.com. We have used his recommendations with great success.
FL USA Thu 08/03/2006

B&Bs inParis
There are B&Bs in Paris. You'll find some listed here: http://www.bonadresse.com/ageochpar.htm as well as other listings here:http://en.parisinfo.com/paris_hotels/rub6151.html?OTCP_action=listeSITI&id_article=19457&OTCP_type=hotel
Pat
pa USA Thu 08/03/2006

Recommend hotel in Milan
Any recommendations for mid-price hotel in Milan for 2 nights in mid-September?
Debbie <email>
Mukilteo, WA USA Wed 08/02/2006

International Driver's lIcense
I called a European car rental company to inquire about renting in Italy. I was informed by the agent that I needed an International Driver's license to rent a car.

If you are still in doubt....don't ask the question here...because everyone is giving you a different answer. Call the rental car company and ask there....whatever they say, you should do. Even if you never use it...better safe than sorry. And if it only costs $10 as another poster stated...then it's $10 well spent if you do find a polizia stopping you and asking for it.
USA Wed 08/02/2006

Question About International Drivers Permit
The IDP is only a permit, not an actual drivers license, and it's only function is to present the information on your U.S. drivers license in a way that the local police can understand, so.........

Assuming all the information is still current, why would a IDP itself have to be current?

These things cost $10 plus the cost of the passport photos and expire one year from the date of purchase and I think that's a huge rip off. I would think a valid U.S. drivers license and a 5 (or 10 or 20) year old IDP would be good enough.
Ray <email>
Tacoma, WA USA Wed 08/02/2006

Rx in Italy
Connie: As a pharmacist and a frequent traveler to Italy, I can guarantee you an Italian pharmacist may not legally fill an Rx from an American doctor. Many pharmacies will direct you to an English