mariem

Hi, all! This is my first post here. (:


I am planning on traveling to Europe at the end of July (booking a ticket next week, most likely). I will begin in London, meet up with my friend who is living there, travel with her to Paris and then strike out on my own!

I would like to fly out of Berlin to get back to the states, so this leaves me with about a week to get from Paris to Berlin on my own. Just wondering what cities you would recommend to see between Paris and Berlin for a few days. I'd like to make one or two stops between France and Berlin, but I just haven't decided where yet.

I was thinking Brussels for a day or two, but everyone seems to think Brussels is pretty dull. I am travelling alone, so would like some cities where there are plenty of other backpackers, with very friendly atmospheres and friendly, youth-oriented hostels. Any suggestions?

I'll probably only be in Europe for 2 weeks and the first week will be mostly spent in London and Paris, so yeah... Also, I am a female travelling alone and I would like to feel, well, relatively safe.

Any locations and hostel/cheap hotel suggestions would be GREAT. I primarily want hostels/hotels that are within walking distance to things to see/places to eat & drink.


Thanks in advance for any info, I would really appreciate it since I am planning this all pretty last-minute!

__________________
m a r i e m

JeanB

Hamburg is a crazy place and its kind of on the way to Berlin.......

__________________
Last night i had a dream about reality. It was such a relief to wake up. - Stanislaw Lec.

expatben

If I were you I would spend time in Berlin. Seriously, its great and one of my favourite cities in the world.
Theres a good post about Berlin here.
Other than Berlin I reccomend Brussels. Its a little expensive but its worth it.

__________________
I have been to: Canada, USA, Iceland, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Germany, Sardinia, Switzerland, China, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Morocco.

Do to list: [color=blue][color=black] Australia, New Zealand, Austria India and Bolivia.

[color=blue][i][font=Verdana][color=black]"I'm just another stranger lookin' for the promised land"

mariem

I know about the Grand Place in Brussels, but is there much else to do there? Also, any hostel/hotel recommendations for Brussels?

__________________
m a r i e m

freakypete

Hi, welcome!

I agree with Ben, i would give yourself a couple more days in Berlin, it really is a great city, i was there a few weeks ago. There is so much to do as well.

As for other cities, Hamburg is cool, but it seems a bit out of the way

Cologne is between brussels and berlin. in fact you would probably have to change trains here anyway. it is a really nice city, although i might be saying that because i live here! theres also Bonn which is a really nice town thats about 20 minutes away on the train.

are you planning on getting a rail pass or something? or its maybe not worth it for a short trip?

__________________
"For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Pete

mariem

Yes, I spent some time playing with my itinerary and looking at maps last night and I think I agree about spending some extra time in Berlin. Cologne is definitely on the way, so that could also be an option! Wish I had longer to stay overall!

Also, I think I will definitely get a rail pass-- probably one of the youth ones that is limited to a number of neighboring countries. Actually, do you think you could clear something up for me? I am a bit confused about reservations after you have a rail pass-- is it really necessary to make reservations in advance and can you do it over the phone or do you have to find a train station to make the reservations at? From one fairly big city to another, where there are a lot of trains running daily, is it less likely to need a reservation or more likely? Sorry for all the questions, but one of my biggest concerns is just how I will be getting from point A to point B, lol.

Also, about how long does it take to have the pass mailed to you after you order it?

Any hostel suggestions in Berlin? I was looking at Circus and CityStay Mitte, found good reviews for both and both seem to be in walking distance of a lot of sights, which I'd really like. Or cheap hotels, too, I am up for either. (:

__________________
m a r i e m

freakypete

I am pretty sure that you have to make reservations at the train station, i doubt it would be possible over the phone. That isnt a problem at all though, and you could probably do it on the day you want to leave as long as there are still seats. if not, just do it when you arrive, then you dont have to go back to the station again.

but im no expert, and im sure someone who knows about railpasses will reply soon

as for berlin, i stayed at the circus hostel when i was there a few weeks ago. theres 2 circus hostels, i stayed in the one on Rosa-Luxemburg strasse, which is more central than the other one. its really nice, a cool bar and the people were pretty friendly. it was very quiet when we went though but im sure it will be more lively in the summer. It is very central too, only 5 minutes walk from alexander platz, where the tv tower is. thats a great guide too, so if you get lost you can always get back to your hostel!

__________________
"For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Pete

mariem

I am pretty sure I want to stay at Circus as well, but I've been debating which one to stay at. The one at Weinbergsweg is the original, isn't it? How is the bar at Rose-Luxemburg Strasse? I sort of like the idea of having a place to meet lots of other travellers right downstairs, but as far as I can discern from the Web site, it seems like the Weinbergsweg location is a bit more social, more lively bar, etc. But yeah, let me know how Rosa-Luxemburg was! Also, how are the rooms/showers/etc? I've read a lot of reviews of it, but it's always nice to hear more opinions.

__________________
m a r i e m

freakypete

The bar was pretty quiet the whole time we were there. it could have been the time of year, as it wasnt really in season, but having said that there did seem to be quite a few people staying there (our 8 bed dorm was full the whole time). The bar was really nice though, and seemed a shame that it was always empty.

It wouldnt surprise me if the other hostel is more lively, as there did seem to be a wierd atmosphere at the rosa luxemburg one. or maybe it was just me.

I was really impressed with the rooms and facilities, really clean and nice powerful showers too (which is a must in my opinion!)

__________________
"For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Pete

Rincewind's acquaintance

Great thread - considering a quick 2 day trip there as I saw a free plane ticket (only taxes, £ 12 - niiiice) and never seen Berlin. Great pics and good tips - am inspired now and can't wait to see the architechture....

__________________
"...trying to sing "A Wizard's Staff Has A Knob On The End" in harmony or at least in the same key. 'Tis big an' isss round and weighs three to the... sang Chidder. (Terry Pratchett, "Pyramids")

henry13

Which airline site did you find a free ticket to berlin from, and from what city? Thanks!

__________________
Europe 2006 - July 14 to Aug 8

Rincewind's acquaintance

On the Scandinavian airline Sterling's site - www.sterling.dk.........the two days 15th and 16th are (so far) free of charge if you book a single ticket from Copenhagen, but taxes are about £12....don't know if they are as cheap from other of their destinations (Sweden, Britain, Norway, I think...)

Hope this was helpful and you can get a ticket!?!

__________________
"...trying to sing "A Wizard's Staff Has A Knob On The End" in harmony or at least in the same key. 'Tis big an' isss round and weighs three to the... sang Chidder. (Terry Pratchett, "Pyramids")

Rincewind's acquaintance

OOOOOOOps, forgot to mention, you should check out the site generally though, not just for the 2 dates I mentioned - cos their prices range from (without taxes) 27 to 299 to 499 to ??? Danish kr. on the cheap dates..... so definetely worth checking out thoroughly!!!

Good luck finding what you wanted...!

__________________
"...trying to sing "A Wizard's Staff Has A Knob On The End" in harmony or at least in the same key. 'Tis big an' isss round and weighs three to the... sang Chidder. (Terry Pratchett, "Pyramids")

Rincewind's acquaintance

Jeez....the heat is getting to my head - the 2 dates I mention are in August (15 and 16th) - those are 0 + 199(taxes) Danish kr.... other flights as I mention are also cheap

__________________
"...trying to sing "A Wizard's Staff Has A Knob On The End" in harmony or at least in the same key. 'Tis big an' isss round and weighs three to the... sang Chidder. (Terry Pratchett, "Pyramids")

henry13

Thanks for the pointing out the weblink! Unfortunately I couldn't find a flight to get out of Prague to a nearby destination.

If I have a eurail pass, do I get a deal on a rail ticket from Prague to Berlin?

__________________
Europe 2006 - July 14 to Aug 8

annielee22

just to add my 2 cents, munich was a great city, i would recommend it to anyone who was in germany

TheWills

If I had a week
Paris
A-dam
hamburg
down to munich and the area around that ie. neuswanstein castle
then to berlin,

or also fun but a little more fast paced would be from adam to munich then to pruage that worls too then berlin from there

SweetAmmonia66

I'll be in Berlin sometime mid and/or late July.

mariem

Yeah?? Just travelling there or are you going elsewhere in Europe as well? Do you know where you're staying in Berlin yet? I'm debating between one of the Circus hostels or CityStay Mitte, but haven't booked anyhing yet. I'll be there from July 31st - August 3rd, I believe. Maybe a bit earlier, depends on where else I end up going. I'm starting in London on the 20th, so I've got some distance to travel before I hit Berlin, but I'll hopefully get at least three or four days there since it's pretty much on the top of my list for places to see this trip. (:

__________________
m a r i e m

henry13

I'll be at Berlin on the 3rd. I'm planning to do an all nighter in Berlin since I have to catch an early morning train to the Dam. For one night in Berlin, where is the one absolute place I should be at where I can hang out with fellow travellers, check out a few sites, and drink!

__________________
Europe 2006 - July 14 to Aug 8