Europe: Western Cafés, castles, architecture, art, wine, the Euro, gastronomy, let´s meet up, and pub crawls.! Oh oui, backpackers paradise... |
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04-15-2009, 12:29 PM
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#1
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T-PUNK PRIVATE
Join Date: Apr 2009
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Traveling within Europe
Hello,
I am planning a trip to europe with two other friends this coming May. We are planning on going to Barcelona, Amsterdam, Prague, Florence, Rome and Athens, in that order, within the span of 21 days. It's going to be a hectic/ crazy trip. I really need help figuring out the best means of transportation. Eurail? Am I better of taking flights to places with large traveling times? I know the trip from Barcelona to Amsterdam is one and half day, I know that is long but I thought that might be worth the comfort and safety, and flexibility provided by the rail, but I am looking for the cheapest way to travel. Please let me know your thoughts!!! Greatly appreciate all your help.
Aanchal
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04-15-2009, 12:41 PM
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#2
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Artist of Life
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ottawa, Canada aka O-town
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Welcome to the boards my friend.
You will find everything you need to know on this board, and your trip sounds like an awesome first trip.
As for your question, flights, trains and buses are all options, depending on your preferences. If you want to maximize your time, flights are the best option. If you want to really 'feel like you're travelling', trains (with Eurail pass) are the best option. If you need to travel as cheaply as possible and time is not a constraint, then buses are the way to go. You can also mix it up, take the train some places, fly some places, and bus some places... which is usually what ends up happening.
But could I request the admins move this thread to another section?
The I NEED HELP section should be used only in semi-pressing circumstances...
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Vincent: "So what you gonna do?"
Jules: "Well, basically, I'm just gonna walk the earth."
Vincent: "What you mean 'walk the earth'?"
Jules: "You know, like Kane in 'Kung Fu'...go places...meet people...get in adventures."
Trips (only counting recreational travel):
FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
SECOND TRIP (2007): First Solo Trip! Greece, Turkey, Syria, Spain
2008: China (Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshuo) ...right before the Olympics!
2009: Japan & HK, Southern Spain
[size=1]2010: All over Lebanon, Ibiza (Spain), Oktoberfest (Germany), Thailand.
2011: India (Goa), Jordan, Jerusalem, San Sebastian (Spain), Amsterdam (again), London, Driving from Vancouver to L.A. (stopping in Portland, Seattle, San Fran and all the little stops), Montpellier (France), Geneva and Lausanne (Switzerland)
"Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it."
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04-16-2009, 05:28 AM
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#3
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Certified Wise
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Australia
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I'd book ahead a few flights for places that you know you want to go, and that have longer distances. Then just leave the rest open to sort out trains and buses while you're there. Itineraries rarely last long and you don't want to be tied down with too many bookings.
Thread moved, Thanks CB.
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04-16-2009, 10:07 PM
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#4
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Yoda
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Hell
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Considering the time it gets from place to place-- you couldn't have picked farther-apart places if you tried, especially adding Athens in there! -- you've barely given yourself about 2 days per city. I'm exhausted even just thinking about it.
The desire to see EVERYTHINGALLATONCEZOMG is understandable but really not in your best interest. I strongly suggest removing at least one (preferably two) cities from your itinerary. Athens and either Amsterdam or Prague (depending on your must-sees) would be good ones to save until later. Athens in particular because it's SO frigging far away and is much better served by at least a week to really see everything and maybe have a day trip or two which I strongly recommend.
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04-17-2009, 07:24 AM
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#5
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TPunk Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Columbus, Ohio USA
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I agree...that's too much, IMO. The one thing you want to try to avoid is spending all your time in transit. Then, when it's all over, you won't feel you really had time anywhere to connect with the vibe, to slow down, unpack, and feel like you know that place. I shoot for 3 days per city, which though it LOOKS like you've done with 7 cities, the only way I'd do this trip is by flying from city to city. Otherwise, the train distances are going to be incredible, and the bus times unthinkable.
To use the kernel of your trip, I'd say go with Rome and Florence, then maybe add in Barcelona. Fly into (or out of) Amsterdam, and that should do it. MAYBE add in Madrid, with its wealth of daytrips to Segovia, Toledo and Avila. Better yet, when in Barcelona, zip on up to the tiny Pyrennes nation of Andorra for a couple days...
worldwidemike
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