patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Jan 24, 2006 2:02:54 GMT -5
Good to know... though I always love a festive night on the town, I'm not looking to COMPLETELY party my trip away... but I'm glad I was made aware that there are, in fact, hostels with curfews. And I think at some point during the trip, I'll purposely choose a hostel with a curfew... so I'll know it'll be more calm at night... Course.. I also plan on getting a 'real' hotel room for a night every so often... but who knows? I've got no plan... and I love it... we'll see where the wind takes me.
Thanks!!!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Jan 23, 2006 20:04:49 GMT -5
Ah... so you're saying the lockouts are during the day... which is fine... But the curfews... are they 'generally' after 1 or 2?? Cause... that would be perfect.
Thanks
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Jan 23, 2006 19:23:02 GMT -5
Wow.. this is some great info.. I'm 26, so even though I barely missed the 'youth' age for the HI card, it's good to know I'm still within the age limit... And with the age limit, I've got a question... meaning no offense to the more 'experienced' of the people on this board... understandably, the young'uns like to party and such... I was horrified when I read that some hostels impose a curfew... If this is so... what are the usual lock-out hours...? with no disrespect, I'm going on this adventure to be free, and experience life... not to be baby-sat... Feel free to help me out with this confusion... high five me... or kick me in the butt, when appropriate... Thanks PatrickT
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Feb 13, 2006 0:33:06 GMT -5
Xandra... no worries... If it would help you feel better, I'll send you some pictures of *MY* room... I'd be willing to wager my entire trip that I'm worse off than you... so, take joy in the fact that there are other's whos rooms are, in fact, messier... I leave in about 3 weeks... and my backpack has been sitting in its box in which it was shipped.. So, you're well ahead of me... Don't worry about it... you'll be fine...
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Feb 13, 2006 0:36:41 GMT -5
I love this show... but I'll be overseas during most of the run... I'm a huge reality TV junkie.. "Amazing Race".. "Survivor".. "The Apprentice".. Sigh... I guess I'll have to check out the websites to see what's going on..
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Jan 25, 2006 0:47:29 GMT -5
I've got a few questions of my own as far as transport goes...
I'm looking at about 4 months in Europe... I start in Ireland... and from there, who knows?? But I'm certain I'll be using the rails a bit... I've got no itenerary, and no time frame outside of those 4 months... If you've done a free-spirited 'wherever' tour of Europe... what would you suggest to be the best value.
I know these are vague parameters by which to guage a suggestion... and I apologize.... but any ideas would be greatly valued... Thanks!!
PatrickT
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patrickt
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Ireland
Apr 5, 2006 10:24:43 GMT -5
Post by patrickt on Apr 5, 2006 10:24:43 GMT -5
I'm not sure how far out of the way it would be, but visit Kilarney... it's in the Southwest of Ireland... and take a tour of the Ring of Kerry... It's absolutely phenomenal... simply breath taking... I forget the name of the company I used, but I'd suggest taking a tour with smaller busses... that way, at each stop, it doesn't take as long to get on/off the bus.. It's not too expensive, and it's worth every cent. Take your camera. Plus... Kilarney has a huge assortment of pubs with live traditional Irish music every night..
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Apr 13, 2006 15:25:51 GMT -5
Which show are you looking to see,... out of curiosity??
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Apr 5, 2006 10:37:46 GMT -5
I was in London a few weeks ago, and I had a blast...
Yes, the Tower of London is expensive... but I'd reccomend it... I'd also suggest to get on the guided tour... (last about an hour with a 'Beefeater'... and will give you a better look into the Towers...
Also... I'd suggest visiting Camden... you can take the tube there. It's known for its massive flea market... You can find a lot of fun and stylish stuff there for very little cash... The street food vendors have great and tasty treats.
There's also a wine bar called 'Gordon's Wine Bar'.... 47 Villers St. Take the Circle Line to Embankment... This place is AWESOME... It's like stepping into the era of Jeckyl n Hyde... A+++
Enjoy your trip!!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Apr 13, 2006 15:23:43 GMT -5
Ok... so I didn't make it to Wansee.... but I DID go to Sachsenhausen... It was originally for political prisoners.... and it was built just prior to the Olympic Games in Belin so that international travelers wouldn't see make-shift prisons throughout Berlin.... it's an absolutely haunting place.
The remaining buildings have been converted (for the most part) into museums and memorials...
As I strongly believe that everyone should visit a concentration camp, this is a 'good' experience...
Also.... while in Berlin, take a tour of the city.... My personal reccomendation is a free tour... I forget the actual name of the company... (I think it's New Berlin)... but it's free, cause the tour guide works off of tips... Throw the guy a fiver at the end of the tour.... either way, it's cheaper than a paid tour... My guide was entertaining as well as INCREDIBLY knowledgeable.... On the tour, you get some intense insight into Berlin's past...
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Apr 5, 2006 10:29:37 GMT -5
I'm heading to Berlin in 2 days.... I'll check out Wansee House and let ya'll know how it goes.. As always.. Thanks for the input!!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Oct 10, 2007 0:59:50 GMT -5
I actually took some of your exact route... Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, then to Munich... It was a lot of trains... but the scenery from Prague all the way to Munich is nothing short of enchanting. Don't be afraid to travel alone... by far, it's the best decision I made regarding my trip. There were a few legs of my trip which ran parallel with other backpackers, so I made friends and rode with them... Salzburg is BEAUTIFUL... I took the "Sound of Music" tour from "Albus" (?)... it was a tourist-trap... but I actually had fun and learned a lot about the movie.
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Oct 8, 2007 22:41:56 GMT -5
I'll go against the flow here...
I traveled to Europe... by myself... with no itinerary.
I traveled where I wanted to... and moved on when I felt like it...
While I don't think it is much more costly to travel this way (except airfare between the UK and the mainland etc..) there are some risks that I took.. most of which involved booking a hostel in my next city the night before I arrived. If they were booked up, I'd find one nearby... this never really bothered me.
I do admit that my trip was rather open-ended... I had the time and money to travel for four months. I booked my return flight at the 4 month mark to help appease the customs gods... but I still got flagged anyhow... It cost $100 to change my flight home just two months in... I decided to come home... not for lack of money, but I was simply TIRED beyond belief and was becoming homesick. That being said, I was PREPARED for (and expected) some difficulties.
I should also add that I traveled March-May... which is off-season.
I agree that it's probably unwise to do such a "foolish" thing.... especially for a first-timer like myself... but I don't regret it.... and I plan on doing it again.
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Oct 12, 2007 1:25:58 GMT -5
Hate to be a broken record here... but my "Let's Go" book was my Bible.. (so to speak)... Next to a quality backpack and my passport, this book was the most essential piece of equipment I carried. I literally spent about a month researching different books and choosing which book to use... "Let's Go - Western Europe" was the one for me. It was written for my style of travel. I encourage you to continue researching... you can never know too much ahead of time.
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Jun 15, 2006 13:37:57 GMT -5
Hey Dan!!
Munich is an amazing city!! If you don't mind walking, it's a good place to see on foot. They have an underground in case you need to make a big trek.
I'd suggest going to the Englisch Gartens.. (it's a huge park with people running around everywhere... and there's a beer garden in the shadows of a Chinese Pagoda.. )
Also, check out Marienplatz... I forget what times it happens, but at a few points in the day, the world's largest glockenspeil does a little performance... it will be about 15 minutes in your life you'll never get back, but at least you can say you saw it.
Munich also has a free tour hosted by a company (i THINK) called 'New Munich'... they'll most likely have fliers posted in your hostel\hotel. It is, in fact, free... the guy works off of tips, so if you like it, toss him a few Euro at the end... The tour is well-researched, informative, and very VERY funny and entertaining.
There's also the world famous Hofbrauhaus... with beers the size of your head... a Baravian 'oom-pah' band plays throughout the night...
As you can tell, I LOVED Munich... enjoy your trip!!!
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