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Post by mslibrarian on Sept 9, 2008 20:49:24 GMT -5
Hey there folks! It's been a long time. I used to be here and went by Libby..all those years ago.
Looks like i'm heading back to Europe next May and the first place I thought of was here! Where everyone is so helpful with plannnig a trip!
This time around, I'm going to the continent. I'm thinking of starting in Belgium, going through the Netherlands and then visiting a friend in Germany. 3-4 weeks.
I'm so excited!
How have you all been?
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Post by Eagle on Sept 9, 2008 23:33:51 GMT -5
Libby, Welcome back!!! It's great that you haven't forgotten about us. Just curious, why didn't you use your original User Name?
I'm sure the group here will be able to provide some advice for your trip next May. herrbert or MadamTrashHeap would be the best sources of information for Belgium and the Netherlands (hopefully they spot this post). Where were you planning to travel in Germany?
How have we all been? Quite good, in my case. I've been doing more travelling in the last few years, but due to "work" I may not be able to get back to Europe until perhaps August or September 2009 (we'll see?). I did manage to get away for a month this spring, so probably shouldn't complain (see my Post "Time for Travel" in the Calendar section for the details).
Great to hear from you again!
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Post by mslibrarian on Sept 10, 2008 7:28:29 GMT -5
I didn't use my old name because I couldn't get into my account. I forgot the password and the e-mail no longer works  I've been doing ok. I havne't been back to Europe since my return trip to London in 2006, but I've been visiting the States quite a bit. 2 trips to Maine, 1 to Mass. and two to Pennsylvania. I go down for a large medieval festival that runs two weeks. YOu don't see much of the countryside but you meet lots of interesting people from all over the place. I'm thinking that I'll be in Germany by the end of the second week, or the third week of May, 2009. I have a friend in Bemen that I'd like ot visit. From there I'll visit a bit of north. I'd love to get up into Copenhagen, but it's expensive and I'm worried about running out of time. I thought of you because I'd like to visit the Canadian war sites in Belgium and I thought you might have been. Ypres, especialy. I'm glad to be back..and happy to be planning again! |
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Post by Eagle on Sept 10, 2008 16:37:57 GMT -5
Libby, I'm not able to view your Passwords or account details, but if you sent a PM to Kim, I'm sure she would be able to provide your old account information. You had reached the prestigious "Around the World Traveller" level as I recall, so it seems a shame to be starting over again.
No, I haven't been to any of the WW-I sites in Belgium yet, but they're "on my list". I've focused on WW-II sites so far. I suppose I should pay a bit more attention to WW-I sites, as both of my grandfathers served in "the great war".
My travel lately has consisted of a combination of self-guided travel along with a guided tour of about equal length. I've been using Rick Steves tours, and I'm "spoiled" now so probably wouldn't consider anything else. Last fall it as England and Ireland for a month, and this spring it was South Italy / Verona / Salzburg / Hallstatt / Munich for a month. I've been having a great time, and these days photography is a large part of my travels (I always pack a dSLR and associated kit along, as well as a compact P&S).
If everything works out and I retire as planned next September, I'm considering another "mega trip" of about two months. We'll see though, as there are a lot of variables that have to be worked out yet.
Glad you're back!
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Post by WillTravel on Sept 11, 2008 0:29:55 GMT -5
Hi Libby! Here is my suggestion for Amsterdam, although I didn't stay there myself. I did not find any hostels that I am that thrilled about in Amsterdam, but this place, which is run by monks in a beautiful area near Vondelpark seems like a pretty good deal, at 35 Euros for a private room (equivalent to many hostel dorm beds in the rather unattractive Dam area). www.sanluchesio.nlDelft and Leiden and Haarlem seem like very nice places to stay also. |
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Post by mslibrarian on Sept 11, 2008 7:53:11 GMT -5
I'll have to check with Kim when I get a chance about getting my old account back. ;D
I've found a company that offers day trips out of Bruges that visit Ypres and a number of the Canadian battlefield sites. I think Ill take that. It's 59E, but that includes all admissions costs and a restraunt lunch (not a packed one). Sounds pretty good.
Will,
I checked that site out and by the time you add up the taxes and additional charges for short term stays, it would be about 43Euros a night.
The hostel situation was one of the reasons I thought abou avoiding the Netherlands all together. I never hear anything good about Amsterdam. i had been thinking about the HI hostel there though.
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Post by crystal on Sept 11, 2008 17:18:03 GMT -5
HELLO THERE
Big wave from me
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Post by mslibrarian on Sept 11, 2008 19:32:34 GMT -5
Hey Crystal. How are you doing?
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Post by WillTravel on Sept 11, 2008 20:16:53 GMT -5
I think Amsterdam has tons to offer, particularly if you ignore the grim areas around Centraal Station extending to Dam Square. Being at the StayOkay Vondelpark (or the monks' hotel)would allow you to do that. And the towns around Amsterdam are wonderful.
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Post by mslibrarian on Sept 11, 2008 21:13:10 GMT -5
How difficult is it to get out of the city and into those towns?
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Post by mslibrarian on Sept 12, 2008 10:43:21 GMT -5
I'm looking into a number of places to stay and things to do in the Netherlands. I'm actually wondering if 4 weeks is too long a time! Imagine that. I'm now thinking 3 weeks I'm having trouble finding places I want to visit in the Netherlands that has a hostel and isn't a huge city. I'm also getting bummed again. How do you guys cope with anxiety over the state of the world when you are planning a trip. It seems that every day another airline or company goes bust, leaving thousands stranded. And gas prices jumped today and yada, yada, yada... How do you all stay positive? |
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Post by mslibrarian on Sept 13, 2008 13:34:46 GMT -5
I"m really upset. The ticket I wanted to buy went up $125 since yesterday....not the ticket, the taxes!
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Post by Eagle on Sept 14, 2008 5:37:00 GMT -5
mslibrarian, I try not to worry about "the state of the world" when planning trips, as there's nothing I can do to change the situation. I try to plan very precisely, and hopefully that will avoid most problems.
As far as airlines going bankrupt, I always book my transcontinental flights through a Travel Agent here, as that way I'm covered by the Travel Assurance Fund (which is the situation in three Provinces). I feel it's worth the small "service charge". If for some reason I can't get a refund from the credit card firm, I'm sure I'll be able to get my money back from the Assurance Fund.
I suspect the volatility with fuel prices is going to be "a fact of life" from now on, so there's no point in worrying about it. I see only two options - pay whatever price it takes to get to Europe, or stay home. I try to use charter airlines such as Air Transat when possible, in order to get the best price possible, although I travelled with Air Canada on my last trip.
Cheers!
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Post by mslibrarian on Sept 14, 2008 20:13:30 GMT -5
Ya...I'll try not to let things worry me, but they always do anyway  I had a pretty lousy weekend. First, the ticket prices go up and then a friend starts telling me I was wasting my money anyway travelling and that I should be investing it, or saving it. I told her I was investing it in myself.  |
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Post by mslibrarian on Sept 16, 2008 15:53:06 GMT -5
The fair I booked on Saturday dropped over a $100!!! I could cry |
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