patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Jun 15, 2006 13:50:01 GMT -5
Hey Khris... I just returned from a 2 month trip to Europe... It was absolutely phenomenal.. truly, the adventure of a lifetime... (part one.. cause I'm going back).. About partying... cause I did... a lot... of partying... First of all, remember to be polite and responsible... that's KEY... Eagle had some wise words about 'lockout'... I specificly found hostels that had no lockout or curfew... (and most of them convieniently had a pub attached to the hostel I didn't make it down to Italy, as I stayed mostly in the Northern parts... but I DID go to Germany... Berlin and Munich... Those cities are party towns... both with good metro systems.. so you only have to stumble from the train station back to your hostel... But basicly, you can find fun if you look for it... whether it's partying, watching a street performer, taking a tour... it's all what you make of it. As far as the 'work abroad' idea... it wouldn't hurt to get a work visa... that way you're covered whether you decide to work or not...
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Apr 20, 2006 15:03:31 GMT -5
TheSaerch---- what's up?? Congrats on deciding to go alone... As I type, I'm in Munich.. which is a far far far way from my home in Orlando, Florida... I'm here alone as well... Some people think I'm nuts... some people applaud my bravery... but in the end, it's not what others think. Anyhow... Traveling alone has its highs an lows... Highs: I can do what I want... for a long or short of a time that I want... I've yet to book a hostel more than 2-3 days in advance. In fact... my hostel in Munich was originally booked for 2 days... and I've since extended my stay for 3 more nights... At the same time, I'm traveling for 3-4 months... so I've got the flexiblilty... for a shorter trip which covers a lot of terrain, you might want to book ahead... Anyhow, I digress... Traveling alone is absolute freedom... You don't have to feel silly when getting goosebumps while looking at a snow-capped mountain range... You can stop for a beer when you choose... and feel free to take a nap afterwards.. Lows: Well... aside from making your friends (who bailed on you) incredibly jealous... travling alone can be... well... lonesome... There will be times when all you want.. in the entire world... is to see a friendly face... But don't let that discourage you... When you have to struggle to make it, it makes you much stronger... I'm rambling a bit, as I've had a few beers... so, I appologize... Best wishes on your travels... this board can answer just about everything you need to know... it happens to be where I got all my info Have fun!!!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Apr 19, 2006 16:05:17 GMT -5
Heya!! As the season moves quickly to tourist season, you MAY find it easier to book ahead... I'm currently on a trip myself, and haven't had problems´finding accomidations... I usually book them a day or 2 in advance... that being said, I'll have to start planning ahead more...
When choosing a hostel, think CAREFULLY about what's important to you and your trip... For me... it's location... Nothing is WORSE than getting off a 5 hour train in a foreign land... where xou don't speak the language... trying to find your hostel which isn't on a street listed in your guide book... it's absolutely maddening...
The best advice I can give is to get hostels near to train stations... Then, you're guaranteed to find your hostel... and while visiting the city, you've got public transport readily available...
My 3 favorite hostels thus far have been within 2 minute walking distance to the train stations...
I haven't had much bother with the hostel cards.... I stayed in a place in Salzburg where you needed a card... and they've got a system to where you stay 6 nights in any hostel within that organization, and you get the card for free...
Honestly, I'd say not to worry about it...
Anyhow... best wishes on your trip!!!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Apr 19, 2006 6:47:41 GMT -5
Jules... The tour itself doen't stop at Loch Lomond... But we saw plenty of other places in the highlands and on Skye that made Loch Lomond look like a puddle...
The tour is generally for younger people... and even though the guide says '5 minutes'.. it usually turned into 10-15... I didn't feel rushed at all...
A 6 hour train ride may be long... but if you get a window seat, the countryside is simply phenomenal... Yes... one can only stare at mountain ranges and sheep for so long... but still, it's quite a sight...
Whether by tour or on your own, you really can't go wrong... It's amazing either way!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Apr 13, 2006 15:52:37 GMT -5
JULES!!!!!!! What up?? Let's talk Scotland.... shall we?? I went to Balloch.... short train ride from Glasgow.... cute lil town on the edge of Loch Lomond... GREAT day trip... If you go, you HAVE to go to the Balloch House... it's a hotel... but the people and food there are SUPER cool... I also took the Skye High tour based out of Edinburgh... I cannot tell you how great it was... If I could upload the pics, I would... Our tour guide, Rab, was simply awesome... You get a lot of the fact AND fantasy (legends) of the Higlands.... and the Isle of Skye is simply breathtaking... You've helped me out with so many things... and it's my turn to return the favor.... If you've got the 3 days to spare.... take the Haggis trip.... It's worth it on SO many levels... Let me know how it goes.!! (PS... if you go... remember the story of the Battle of the One-Eyed Lady.....
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Mar 25, 2006 8:27:29 GMT -5
Just my 2 cents... I just flew out of Dublin this morning.. (to Scotland)...
4 nights in Dublin MAY be a little much... 2 days would be wildly sufficient for the city... Consider taking day trips to the Wicklow Mountains or even making a side trip to Kilarney to see the Ring of Kerry.. (It's AMAZING)...
That being said... there's a GREAT place called 'St. Oliver John Gogarty's'... They've got live traditional Irish music every night... it hits the spot with a nice pint of Guinness.
Enjoy your trip!!!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Feb 28, 2006 1:48:02 GMT -5
Hey Boom!! I've heard some rumors that Amsterdam is quite the party scene... I'm planning to visit Amsterdam sometime this spring... so keep checking back, and I'll give you a personal impression of the place... I'm sure many others on the boards have their own experiences to share... (if they can remember them )
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Feb 21, 2006 0:37:44 GMT -5
Awesome, David... thanks for the quick reply...
I'm pretty much set for the first leg of my trip... but I'm planning on being overseas for about 4 months... so once I get an itch to go somewhere well in advance, I can plan ahead and get those cheap tix...
You rock!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Feb 20, 2006 23:10:13 GMT -5
to remain on terra firma would increase funds required. unless you're willing to limit yourself to Scotland, England & Wales. but, i'm sure there's plenty to see there without leaving the ground. Is flying actually cheaper than some long train trips?? Aside from losing the 'scenic view'... why would certain plane trips be favorable to train trips?? This could ass a whole new dimension to my trip... (2 and a half weeks away)... While I still get nervous on occasion about flying, it really doesn't bother me... my father worked for a major airline when I was growing up... so we flew all the time.. Of course, (though people advise against it)... I'll always down a few drinks prior to boarding to calm my nerves Any thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated!!!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Feb 4, 2006 3:54:57 GMT -5
I'll be the first to admit it, cause I'm a European virgin... but I have no clue what I'm talking about. BUT, from the looks of it, yes, you'll be seeing Europe... but mostly through the window of a train... And wait for it... wait for it... the next several posts will suggest that you drop Florence for an extra day in Rome... since Rome seems to be the favorite around here.. It appears to be QUITE the ambitious schedule... but each person's travel experience is unique... and you may find great wonder in it all... My advice... use this trip as a prelude to a future trip... see what you like... see what you can... with the idea that you WILL return... Best of luck, and happy travels.
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Feb 4, 2006 4:18:43 GMT -5
Eagle... as always, you're the man... well said Awomanda... I'm in the same boat as you... I (luckily) found this message board... and the wonderful info that's been shared will prove to be priceless once I'm on my trip. I'm also planning a solo trip to Europe... starting in Mid-March to Mid-July... From everything that I've been told... and everything that I've read from guide-books... traveling solo has its pros and cons... The pros are that you can do whatever the heck you want... if you love the city you're in... stay longer... if you hate it, leave... you're not bound to a group... Also, as a solo traveler, you're much more likely to meet interesting people of other cultures... since it's easier to approach a single person, vs an entire group... That being said, there's the cons.... Traveling alone, (from what I've read) can, indeed, be dangerous... I'm a 26 year old athletic male... and going solo still frightens me a bit... but I imagine saftety concerns to be similar as to North America... as long as you're smart about what you do, where you go.. and basically keeping your wits about you, you'll be fine... Being that I haven't actually taken my trip yet... take the above with a grain of salt... but if a truly adventurous spirit is within you... take the leap of faith, and do it... The wonderful people on this message board have so much experience and knowledge about all things European... and it's a tremendous resource to the novice traveler... I look forward to the day when I can actually return to the board and advise, suggest, and help others... Until then... I hope you find what you're looking for... and happy travels..
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Feb 4, 2006 4:05:06 GMT -5
Heya Dom... can I call ya Dom?? Ok, thanks Make the best of your trip... period. The incredible outpouring of info and support I've received from the 'regulars' on this message board has given me a much stronger idea of what I want to do on my trip... I've got a 4-month trip coming up... so I've got the luxuory of a more loose schedule... but for those of a shorter budget and timeline... simply look at this trip as a 'planning' trip for your next adventure.... cause, from what I hear.... travel is addictive, and you'll yearn to return... So, even if you can't see everything you WANT to... just remember... there's always next time.. Don't stress... see what you can see... do what you can do... and everything else?? Get it next time. Best of luck, and happy travels.
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Feb 10, 2006 1:40:51 GMT -5
While I HATE to do this... I may tend to have a differing opinion than Eagle... (though, out of respect, I'd NEVER use the word disagree ) Well, that is, of course, if you're planning on backpacking... I found the Rick Steve's book that I picked up to be more designed towards the luggage\hotel stays... vs, the backpack\hostel stays... While Rick Steve's books have some GREAT info... I didn't find it to be taylored to the solo backpacker... Generally, you can get the same backpacking info in almost any book... (you could probably get more on this website than you can in any book..)... My two favorites are "A Rough Guide Special : First-Time Europe"... and "Let's GO : 2006 Western Europe."... The Rough Guide gives you great tips while being humorous in this tongue-in-cheek style... The Let's Go book has a VERY detailed outline of pointers for each country... (but, you must keep in mind that this is a popular book, therefore, you should plan on the hostels and attractions mentioned in the book to be rather crowded...)... use it for the general info, but possibly look elsewhere for accomidation listings... Again, I mean no disrespect to Eagle... he's an un-ending encyclopedia of knowledge about travel... (plus, he has *5* stars... I only have 2... ) <burns a Frommers book as a sacrifice to Eagle>
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patrickt
Senior Travel Member
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Post by patrickt on Feb 12, 2006 1:33:43 GMT -5
I should have kept my mouth shut... we're under a freeze watch tonight... go figure!! Dang karma!!
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patrickt
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Post by patrickt on Feb 10, 2006 1:26:02 GMT -5
Jo, it's been a mild 60-70 degs (F) here in Florida... <grin>
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