Visiting Europe for a month this summer

[Arnfinn Madsen]

Paris and Berlin and Rome are excellent for all of that (with that list it would be my 3 first suggestions actually), since you have all of that in a relatively concentrated centre, so if you get a cheap hostel/hotel centrally you can do everything by foot and all of it is of good quality and interesting and you get 3 different eras (Rome for old history/culture/art, Paris for medieval-19th century history/culture/art, Berlin for newer history). Be aware though that in Paris there are restaurant/clubs and taxis trying to steal your money and in many areas also criminals so there be a bit careful. And don't keep talking about the war in the clubs in Berlin [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] (not because they are embarrased of losing, but because they are ashamed of the atrocities they conducted and are also often fed up of being confronted with it), but definately go watch some of the war/cold war-history as the Germans portray it very honestly and with humility (not coloured by propaganda as it is i.e. in France, Austria or Russia). In Amsterdam I wouldn't bother with museums etc., just enjoy the coffee houses etc.. London is very spread out in different districts and tube lines and such, so there I would recommend to try to plan in some detail ahead. Spain I don't know.

EDIT: Limit the theater part to London, you can i.e. see Shakespeare and you understand the language [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img].

[Arnfinn Madsen]

Or maybe drop London actually? For what you are seeking London is ok/good since it has such a varied offer, but without sort of having the little extra (at least I haven't found). It is fascinating for being very international (it is similar to Oslo if you were there, but much larger) but I have a feeling you are searching for the more distinct local feel. Drop it and you will have more time everywhere and then you may go by train from Paris to Amsterdam (it is about 4 hours), then you also have some flexibility wrt to how long in Paris.

Thalys

[TheMetetron]

Revised Schedule:

He found an awesome $602 flight roundtrip from SFO to Paris. I am still starting at a $1,500 flight I haven't pulled the trigger on yet.

7/22 - 7/26: Paris
7/26 - 7/29: Barcelona
7/30 - 8/01: Madrid
8/01 - 8/05: Rome
8/05 - 8/09: Berlin
8/09 - 8/13: London
8/13 - 8/16: Amsterdam
8/16 - 8/17: Paris

We are flying to every city except from Barcelona to Madrid. Total cost of flights/trains within Europe is $350. Total cost of hostels is $705. The only intra-Europe flight I am having trouble finding is Amsterdam to Paris. Looking for suggestions.

[RJT]

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instead of Milan, go to Cinque Terre

just trust me.

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Now, we're talking.

[RJT]

[ QUOTE ]
Met,

I'll just give you advice on the Italy sector. Milan in August is unbearable. The city empties at this time and is left to any visitor foolish enough to wander in. It is not just the heat but the humidity. I've lived in the tropics and I was stunned at how horrible Milan is at this time. It's also not that great a city, compared to the ones that you're visiting. I think you can do much better here.

Your entire trip is cities. Why not take that weekend in Italy to get out into the countryside? Instead of hitting Milan you could go a bit further North to Lake Como or Lake Garda over towards Verona. The Alps are the place to be in Summer and the nightlife on Garda Lake is sensational.

If you're really stuck on Milan I'll ring a couple of mates who live there and ask what's good to do at that time. English is fairly common in Rome and Venice but that's about it.

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Adsman is 100% correct about Milan. Go in and get out. Perhaps, the Italian Riviera. Como or Garda are good ideas too. Day trip to Switzerland maybe.

At any rate - before you board the train in Rome, in addition to your ticket I suggest you get a reserved seat - when you buy a train ticket in Europe you are usually only buying a place on board, not a specific seat. For a nominal fee you can get a reserved seat. This way you are guaranteed 1) a seat and 2) seat near your brother. Especially 2nd class - gets really crowded. Theoretically you could end up standing in the aisle from Rome to Milan if you don’t have a reserved seat.

Before you leave Rome - buy some bread, cheese, wine, bottled water, and salami (or similar) to enjoy on your day trip to Milan. If you have time in Rome you can get this at the out door market, Campo de Fiori, which is an event in itself.

Rome - don’t leave without seeing the Pantheon. I could go on about Rome, let me know how specific you want to get. e.g. Best pizza is in Trastevere district.

[TheMetetron]

RJT,

Get as specific as you want about Rome. I'd love to hear anything you have to offer.

I'd like to grab some sort of picnic lunch and just sit out in an awesome park there... I'm sure one must exist. Best way to go about doing this?

Also, can you get indepth about the Vatican (so touristy, I know). How much time does it take to see, what can you do there, how does one go about attending mass there, etc?

[BigPoppa]

Paris: You can actually find hotels in the Marias area (between Place de la Bastille and Hotel de Ville) for less than the cost of two hostel beds. I'm sure this is also true elsewhere in Paris (and in other European cities).

[BigPoppa]

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Copenhagen, Denmark: I stayed at a Hosteling International Hostel on the outskirts of Copenhagen that took like a 20-30 minute bus ride to get into the main part of the city.

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The hostel on the outskirts in much niver and newer, but there is an independepent hostel with a much better location. It's next to the train station at the North end of the Stronget. Will try to remember name.

[RJT]

I think audiences with the Pope (actually that means a seat in a large auditorium - or outside in the square sometimes - to hear him speak) are usually conduct on Wednesdays. In the summer, I am not sure of the schedule as he is not always in town then. If this is something that you are interested in, let me know and I will try to get you tickets. I know a few people in Rome.

Regarding a picnic lunch - the perfect spot is the Borghese Gardens. Which is not far from the Spanish Steps which is a must see anyway. In the Borghese park is a great museum (can’t recall the name right now - but I’ll check my tour book) with a few noteworthy items - a few Bernini sculptures in particular. Regarding the meal itself - I’d go with the bread/cheese/salami/wine thing - but if you want a box lunch you should be able to do that easily. If you were staying at a pensione or hotel they could hook you up. But, just ask at the hostel or a nearby café - that shouldn’t be very hard to arrange. There are quite a few cafeteria type places near where you are staying (it looks like you are near the train station - which, btw isn’t the safest area - but don’t worry, Rome is not at all dangerous. Pick pockets are about as bad as it gets ) they’ll make you a box lunch.

You will have to check the time that the Vatican museum is open. You will want to see the Sistine Chapel. You must get there very early - ahead of time. Especially in the summer - the most crowded time of the year. The lines will be long and you can get shut out - it might close by noon, I can’t recall exactly. But the times are messed up. Once you find out where to go and when - you will see that the museum itself is huge. But, there is a direct route to the Chapel. Along the way, you will still see some of the treasures of the museum.

Make sure you wear long pants and no tank type things when you go to the Vatican, otherwise you will have trouble (might not get in) seeing the Basilica (Church) itself. Inside the church there are many side chapels. Here you can attend mass, no problem. You will have to find out when one is scheduled. I don’t have a calendar, but if you want to do Sunday Mass at the main Altar, I’ll have to find out more about that. Again, I have friends who are priests in Rome, so they can give me details. Tomorrow, I’ll check the calendar and see what days you are in Rome then I’ll send off some e-mails.


Buses are the cheapest way to get around in Rome. When I was a student there we often just got on and off the bus at will. Hardly ever bought a ticket. Tickets are cheap though, so handle that as you are most comfortable. Taxis are cheap, btw. Rome is a great city to walk around. You can cover a lot of territory by walking.

The thing to keep in mind when you are on a crowded bus - pick pockets are at their best. They will reach in your pocket without you realizing it. The other thing to be aware of are the gypsies. They come up to you - mostly at tourist spots, like the Roman Forum - carrying babies or a piece of cardboard to distract you. Once they see you are looking at the cardboard sign, they reach under the cardboard and pick your pocket. They are quick, so be alert. You will see a bunch of them approach you begging - just scream at them to get away (don’t be bashful about this) say it any language. They will leave you alone as long as you let them know you aren’t going to take any …

One of the best things to do in Rome is just to get a seat in a café along a piazza or busy street and just watch the people. Italians are a good looking bunch (men and women) and dress sharply, too. Never a dull moment in the Eternal City. Coffee lover - go to Tasso D’Oro near the Patheon. They pump out the coffee all day long.

This week I’ll look over some stuff I have at my office. I have one or two places in mind for great pizza in Trastevere, which is a pretty young, hip area anyway. And there is a place I love to hit for the grilled lamb and roasted potatoes -kind of touristy, but great food.

Oh yeah, make sure you take the express train to Milan. Or at least a semi-direct one. They have trains that stop in a zillion town on the way. You don’t want to go that way - wouldn’t really be a bad trip, just - you get the idea.

I'll get back to you.

[Specialist]

London: Generator hostel is pretty good for London. Drinks for a pound during happy hour. Some of the rooms can be smelly if you're with a lot of dudes and ventilation isn't that good. Picadilly backpackers is in a great location but not as good a hostel. Much closer to the centre but if you're gettin a tube pass, it's no problem. As a visitor, I find travelling out of the other airports other than Heathrow to be pricey because transportation costs a fair bit.

Barcelona: Kabul hostel no doubt. When I went, I couldn't reserve in advance but I showed up and they had plenty of beds. Don't walk down small streets in the dark. Stick to main streets. Those thieves are slick. Madrid is ok, but definitely more action in barca.

Paris: I stayed at young and happy hostel. Great neighbourhood. Curfew sucks though. Ok hostel.

Berlin: I've stayed at the circus hostels twice. By far the best hostels I've stayed at in Europe. Good hip location in Mitte. One is busier than other but both are very good in
terms of accomodation. Berlin is awesome. Lots of history, and the nightlife is excellent. Many different areas for all kinds of tastes. For walking tours, I like terry brewer. The old man knows a lot about all things important and
interesting.

Roma: Yellow Hostel. Very close to main train station. Clean and good.

Amsterdam: Flying pig hostel. I stayed at the one further out next to vondelpark. City is pretty compact, so it doesn't really matter where you stay.