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Post by mittenizer on Sept 13, 2006 20:53:52 GMT -5
I am going to Europe in early June of 2007. This will be my first time travelling internationally but I have done some domestic stuff. This is what I got so far for my travel plans so far
June 3rd Paris I got a place to stay
4th Paris I got a place to stay
5th Paris Night train
6th Bern Hostel
7th Bern Night train
8th Rome Hostel
9th Rome Hostel
10th Rome Night train
11th Vienna Hostel
12th Vienna Night train
13th Berlin Hostel
14th Berlin Night train
15th Brussels Hostel
16th Brussels Night train
17th Paris I got a place to stay
I'm banking on these trains leaving at night. Are there plenty of trains that leave these big cities at multiple times a day? I wanted to hit as many countries as I could while going in a circle. Help me out with this please as I am not too sure of what to go see either. My main focus is Paris during the French open tennis at roland garros. Is there any other cities I should try besides these in their respective countires... I heard Rome is a must.
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Post by pointofnoreturn on Sept 13, 2006 21:50:41 GMT -5
I think you barely have any time to sight-see in these cities. You'll probably be dead-tired from all the night train travelling because sometimes couchettes aren't really that comfortable (it can be - depending on how you like to sleep, etc).
No point in staying some cities for 1 - 1 1/2 days then hopping a train the same day.
Paris: to get the most out of it, stay for 3-4 nights
Rome: 4 nights max if you've never been to Rome
Brussels: I heard it's not all that. Consider Brugges instead.
As for Bern and Vienna, I don't know that much about both so I'll skip these two.
Berlin only for less than 2 days? Berlin should be 2-3 nights.
I think you're kind of cramming a lot of cities into such a short time. Spend more days in the cities you really want to visit and save the rest for another visit to Europe.
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Post by mittenizer on Sept 13, 2006 22:07:35 GMT -5
That is some good advice. Brussels isn't a must for me and I wouldn't mid dropping those two days for an extra day in Germany and Rome. Night travelling would be tiring, but it would save money since I am planning on getting a europass for the train. I heard it is the best way to travel anyways in Europe. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Another question, how many in a group is good to travel with. I'm sure group travelling has its limits?
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Post by me on Sept 13, 2006 23:16:02 GMT -5
Night travelling would be tiring, but it would save money since I am planning on getting a europass for the train. I heard it is the best way to travel anyways in Europe. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Another question, how many in a group is good to travel with. I'm sure group travelling has its limits? before buying a pass (they're not cheap - 15 day youthpass is US$400!) i suggest looking at low cost flights. flights can be really cheap! Paris - Rome is €35, including tax Rome - Vienna for even less, etc. Vienna - Berlin & Berlin - Paris added to these would probably be less than US$400, no? and, if you want to lie down on the night trains to sleep, a couchette reservation, €20-€30, adds to the cost. many just want to ride a train for it's own sake. there are places in Europe where planes aren't practical, save the train rides for those trips! you'll sleep better in a hostel, it's cheaper and the food is better. however, you probably can't book air tix this far in advance. and the disadvantage of flights is that they limit your flexibility. |
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jt426
Full Travel Member
Posts: 36
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Post by jt426 on Sept 14, 2006 9:05:22 GMT -5
"many just want to ride a train for it's own sake"
Interesting you bring that up. That is one of hte reasons I am choosing a train over a plane from Paris to Venice.
Anyone have any comments on what that train ride is like? Scenery? Stops? Etc?
Thanks all, Happy planning!!
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Post by me on Sept 14, 2006 12:26:53 GMT -5
Interesting you bring that up. That is one of hte reasons I am choosing a train over a plane from Paris to Venice. Anyone have any comments on what that train ride is like? Scenery? Stops? Etc? that'd be an initiation, all right . . . can only say, i hope you like spending time on the train! the shortest connection (1 change) is 10+ hours, if you take the day train - so you can watch the view out the window. but, that kills a day of your vacation. or, you could take a 13 hour night train: 20.28 - 09.27, is the shortest one. don't know how much train tix might cost, but Ryanair has one way flights from Paris Beauvais to Venice Treviso from a low of €21.18! (to be sure, this depends on when you go) it might be better to plan your "train ride for the sake of a train ride" on a shorter stretch of rails. also, Treviso airport is 30 km from Venice. it's actually possible to ride a train from Treviso to S. Lucia station, if you want to come in by train instead of bus. |
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Post by herrbert on Sept 16, 2006 15:28:09 GMT -5
I would have to agree with David on this one. Save the train trips for shorter trips (shorter than 4-5 hours). Or take the really beautiful ones (like Fort William - Mallaig in Scotland, or a couple of rides in the Alps).
If you only have 2 weeks, then really consider taking some low-budget flights.
If you would like to go to Roland Garros, than be sure to have tickets. If I am correct, the tickets sold are for a whole day, and you can go, to all the matches that are played - finals (semi-finals) not taken into account. Usually these tickets are sold out way in advance. So make sure to have tickets before you go to Paris. At least don't count on getting tickets at the gates.
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