HELP PLEASE!

[blondecat]

i'm planning a totally last minute trip around Europe in August with my best mate but i have a lot of questions that need answers!

we're wanting to do it totally low budget so we will be staying in hostels everywhere. i don't want to book anywhere incase we change plans or miss a train etc. are we going to find this really difficult when we get there? especailly with is being peak season?

also, i would be very grateful if anyone could give me a copy of their itinery so we can make a rough idea of where to go. i plan on getting the train from london to paris and going from there. looking at around 3-4 weeks before arriving back in london.

also, what would be the best rail pass to get if i don't know what countries i am going to and when etc?

please help me! any other information welcome.

thanks

[katiekate]

Hiya! First of all, I have yet to take my trip to Europe but I have been dilligently planning it. The consensus here seems to be that Italy (particularly Rome and Cinque Terre) are must sees.

My tentative itinerary for next summer (for one month) looks something like this:

Rome (6 days w/side trip to Pompeii)
Cinque Terre (3)
Florence (4)
Venice (3)
Milan (1)
Gimmelwald, Switzerland (3)
Munich, Germany (2)
Berlin (3)
Paris (5)
Arras, France - Canadian monument Vimy Ridge (1)
Caen, France - D-Day Beaches (1)

I'm actually going to Europe for school for a year... So I am also planning to see Ireland, Scotland, England, Netherlands, Czech Republic and Poland on weekends....

Google Rick Steve and I believe he has sample itineraries for the "Best of Europe" on his website.

Go to railsaver.com to figure out which railpass is right for you.

You should book hostels if you're going in August. It's a busy time!

[blondecat]

heyy, thanks for your help! i think it will be best to plan everything and book hostels now, i dont wanna find myself sleeping on the streets!

hope you have a fab trip xxx

[Eagle]

blondecat, Welcome!

First, regarding your question on booking Hostels. There are two "schools of thought" on whether it's a good idea to pre-book accomodations. I always pre-book these days, as I found out during a trip in 2004 that the alternative can be expensive! Given the fact that you'll be travelling in August (this August, I'm assuming?) during peak travel season in Europe, I would definitely get reservations! You could be fortunate and find something by just showing up at the door, but otherwise you'll probably find that you pay more than planned, or you can't find anything in the area of town that you would prefer to stay. There's no way I can tolerate wandering around a new and unfamiliar city with a 50 lb.+ Backpack looking for a place to stay! Pre-booking does reduce the "spontaneity" somewhat, but at least you won't have to worry about "sleeping in the streets".

Regarding cities to visit, you indicated that you would be starting and ending your trip in London. Does that indicate that you live in London, or that your flights originate there?

Rather than provide a copy of an Itinerary for cities to visit, it would really help if you could indicate which cities you most want to see. With only 3 -4 weeks for travel, I'd suggest not trying to fit too many cities into your Itinerary, and also try to arrange a route that's reasonably close geographically (that will minimize both travel times and costs).

Regarding the most appropriate Rail Pass, it's really difficult to make a suggestion without knowing which cities you'll be visiting? You could buy the Eurail Global Pass that would cover rail transport in a wide variety of countries. However, you indicated that your trip is "totally low budget" so I doubt that would be a good option. Keep in mind also that the rail pass only covers your fare on the trains, and on some routes reservations are compulsory. You'd have to pay separately for these, which would increase your total rail costs. If you're planning on using a rail pass, it's much more efficient to have a route planned so that you determine which pass is most cost effective (use the Railsaver site that katie suggested, once you have an idea on your order of cities).

If you haven't travelled in Europe before, I'd highly recommend having a look at the Guidebook Europe Through The Back Door, as it provides a LOT of good planning information and is an essential "pre-read" before going to Europe for the first time.

If you could provide further details on what cities you want to see and your interests, it would sure help.

Cheers!

[blondecat]

thanks for your reply. yes i live in UK so i was thinking of getting the train to paris and starting from there. the cities i would like to visit are

paris - however i was there last october and so do not need much time there, prehaps a day and night, rome, venice, ljubjlana, budapest, vienna, prague, berline and amsterdam.

i realise this is a lot to do in a short time so could you tell me which are the best places. or if any are going to cost a lot to travel to etc.

thank you

[herrbert]

Jul 10, 2008 13:53:22 GMT -5 Eagle said:

blondecat, Welcome!

First, regarding your question on booking Hostels. There are two "schools of thought" on whether it's a good idea to pre-book accommodations. I always pre-book these days, as I found out during a trip in 2004 that the alternative can be expensive! Given the fact that you'll be traveling in August (this August, I'm assuming?) during peak travel season in Europe, I would definitely get reservations! You could be fortunate and find something by just showing up at the door, but otherwise you'll probably find that you pay more than planned, or you can't find anything in the area of town that you would prefer to stay.

There also is a "third" school. You can also book ahead on the trip itself. If you are staying somewhere, you can use internet to book a hostel in an other city. It will cost valuable time as you could also use the time you need on internet, for sightseeing.

I think that the spontaneous thing is overrated anyway. In reality it's almost all the time an excuse for beeing lazy. If you buy a new computer you want value for money, but winging it, in most of the cases ends up in spending more time in places, seeing less. (and understanding less, as people come unprepared) If you have 6 months to travel around I can somewhat understand that you would travel this way, but on a short trip I would make a good planning, and if you like add an extra day in every city, on which you don't have to do anything. (I always try to get lost in a city, as you can stumble on great sights, and with a map in the daypack I always found my way back to the city/hostel)

In summerseason, you'll need to make reservations in cities where the number of beds are low. (London / Paris / Rome / Amsterdam), or expect to end up in really bad hostels, or paying more for a hotel room.