European Destinations

Ahhh… a hot sauna in Europe.  What could be better?  Viator Travel blog runs down the best spots to get your steam on.

Wishing I was in Italy for Christmas…  Culinary Diva describes the sumptuous feast and her attempts to keep up!

Hmm, I also wish I was in Munich, Germany for the Christkindlmarkt (annual Christmas Market).  Looks chilly but fun.

When I was in Madrid, I had such a hard time partying– they don’t start until 1 AM!  But if you want to be cool in Madrid, you gotta know not just where to go, but when.

Thinking of moving abroad?  Check out what an apartment in Prague looks like.  Love, love, love those views!

Travel Tips

Want to ski Europe this winter?  Um, me too.  So, here’s some great tips on how to do it for less.

Coming soon… low fare alerts for over 500 airlines– FINALLY in one place.  Why you should use Fare Compare from Budget Travel.

Is your travel pro a thief?  Here’s how to know from Elliott.org.  (Yikes!  One person stole $75K before they were caught

Budget Deals

Fares to Europe, continue to be super low.  How long will this last?   Well, I’m starting to get an itchy trigger finger, and may purchase my ticket in the next few weeks.

Next round up: December 28th.  Submit an article.

Photos:
Italian Christmas Kitchen

Finish Sauna

Switzerland Ski

Post from: Europe String

This year, we’re telling you what not to buy.  Here are the Top 10 things I hope no one gets me for Christmas:

1. Binoculars. I’ve seen this one a few lists, and unless your planning on bird watching in Europe, I can’t fathom why you’d need them. Do you use them at home to look at stuff? Get by perfectly well without it? Then you won’t need them.

A better option: A multi-day city pass that lets you enter any of the museums or attractions for a set number of days. That way you can see plenty, up close and in person.

2. Adapter plugs for multiple continents. Adapters in Europe are cheap, so you can buy one when you arrive, but if you buy one before hand, don’t get convinced to buy some 7 continent adapter set. You’re going to lose them. They’re cheap anyway. And these things cost $20 bucks or more, when you can buy a single adapter for a few bucks or less.

A better option: A single adapter, and use the extra money on something useful like band aids or extra socks. (Yeah it’s not sexy, but way more practical).

3. A full sleeping bag. There is virtually no where in Europe that doesn’t have sheets and blankets. Unless you’re going to do some serious camping, then leave it at home.

A better option: If you’re wanting something between you and those hostel sheets, then a think sleeping bag liner will do the trick. It’s super compact, washable and you won’t have to wonder what exactly you’re sleeping on.

4. A multifunctional tool. Are you really going to need a tool that lets you poke holes in leather, saw through wood and file your nails all-in-one? Yeah, it’s cool to have, but you’ll never get it through security (i.e. you have to check it) and really you’re not going to need it that much.

A better option: If you want all purpose tool this flat, credit card shape tool is usually well under $10 bucks.

5. Ginourmous neck pillows. Ugh! Really? Then you have to lug the thing around the whole trip! These always seem like a good idea, but they’re pricy and bulky. I’d say skip it.

A better option: A super comfy fleece jacket, that you can use as your outer wear during cold nights and folds up into a make-shift pillow, when you travel.

6. Travel kits of any flavor. Travel nail files kits, travel shaving kits, travel toiletries kits. If it says kit, drop it. Most kits have tons of crap in them you’ll never use, and as soon as you pull it apart, you’ll start losing pieces left and right.

A better option: Figure out what you’ll really need, buy an empty kit bag and store it in there. Add a couple of unused large zip lock backs to keep your toiletries separate or to store small items that you pick up as you travel.

7. More than one guidebook. They are big and heavy and frequently outdated. Take a general guidebook or one for the country you’re spending the most time in. Most hotels and hostels have some spare copies if you need to look something up, so save yourself the trouble and leave em at home.

A better option: Use Lonely Planet’s pick and choose by chapter shopping, where you can compile the information you’ll really need, and leave the read at home.

8. Multi-purpose monstrocities: anything that claims to be a alarm clock/radio/Panini grill, is just looking for an excuse to charge more without a whole lot more value.

A better option: Need an alarm clock? Will your cell phone work? Or your watch? better to set an alarm on something you’ll have with you anyway.

9. Every single thing at Brookstone. Period.

A better option: Cash.

10. Complicated hydration kits or water purifiers. You’re going to Europe, not the Sahara. There will be clean water or bottled water. Relax.

A better option: Instead create a small first aid kit, with all the essentials: aspirin, band aids, tape and gauze, a small sewing kit, safety pins and sunblock.

And you? What’s on your Christmas (un)list?

Post from: Europe String

European Destinations

End of the Parisian café? Let’s hope not: Au Revoir, Café?

Ok so what café should I go to?  Budget Travel tells us: Paris: Restaurants and bars to visit pre- or post-Louvre

EuroCheapo really knocked it out of the park this week with these three posts:

• Madrid’s Ghost Town: El Escorial
• Berlin: Berlinale Film Festival, Feb 5-15, 2009
• Bruges cheap souvenir: Lace

Ah Central Europe with its Vienna and Germany and Austria countryside.  Uncornered Market takes us on a tour: A Central European Eye

Travel Tips

What the heck do you pack anyway? Matt tells us his strategy: What to Pack on Your Trip

Sick of Airports? Darren at Travel Rants, well… rants : Five Things I Hate About Airports

Wondering what to get your travel savvy family and friends?  Well make sure it’s green:
21 Gift Ideas for Green Travelers: 2008 Holiday Shopping List

Love the water?  Love natural hot water spas?   Here’s a roundup of European spas:  Getting into Hot Water in Europe

Budget Deals

Not so much of a deal, as a warning:  beware flaky airlines for your 2009 summer travel.  RyanAir predicts more bankruptcies.

Prediction:  Travel will continue to decrease through 2010.  The good news?  More travel deals for independent travelers.

Airline deals from TravelZoo:

$335-$477 — Ireland from Across the U.S. (R/T), incl. Taxes

$219 & up — Explore Spain: Amazing Air Deals, Tips & More

$198 & up — London: Top Airfare Deals and Tips

Next Roundup: December 14th. Submit your article now.

Post from: Europe String

Ooooo Berlin. Possibly my favorite city in all of Europe. And it definitely delivers during the holidays. There are Christmas markets all over the city, but the most adorable one is probably the Weihnachts Zauber (“Christmas magic”) market at Gendarmenmarkt.

This is actually the only Christmas market I’ve ever been to which charged admission. Luckily it’s only one euro, so even the budget traveler can swing it. You may have to battle crowds inside, though, so if you’re not a crowd person, go early in the day (and preferably on a weekday). Don’t miss the Feuerzangenbowle (which is basically another word for Glühwein).

Post from: Europe String

If you are planning to visit Amsterdam and find that flights to Schiphol Airport are pricey, you may want to consider checking flights to Eindhoven and Rotterdam Airports.

Cheap Flights to these airports can be found here: Cheap Flights to Eindhoven and Cheap Flights to Rotterdam.

And from those airports, you can make your way to Amsterdam.

Eindhoven to Amsterdam will cost you €18.50 for a single or €32.50 for a return.

“take a local bus (Hermes bus 401, 23 minutes, about four times per hour, €3.20 on board or €1.80 using a 15 strippenkaart) to the train station, from there take a train to Amsterdam (1:20 hour, four times per hour, single €16.80). Alternatively, take the express bus directly from the airport to Amsterdam central station, which takes 1:45 or 2:15 hours depending on the time of day. This service goes quite infrequently, see their website for a schedule.”

Rotterdam to Amsterdam will be around €15.00 for a single.

“take a city bus (RET bus 33, 26 minutes, every 10-20 minutes, €2.40 on board or €1.35 using a 15 strippenkaart) to Rotterdam Centraal train station, from there take a train to Amsterdam (about an hour, every 10-20 minutes, single €12.70.”

If you are not pressed for time and are open to a little bit of adventure, choosing flights to an alternative airport would not only be cheaper, it would also mean that you can add another European city in your list.

photo source: ibc
source: WikiTravel Amsterdam

Post from: Europe String

Should you be heading this way, check out the following links for some tips on how to have a great time with the Catalonians (the way I did above!) without breaking the bank:

• Get a Barcelona Student JetPack
• Shop at Zara and/or Mango
• Follow Diego’s tips on how to find cheap accommodations in Barcelona
• Avoid the tourist traps and look for cheap eats
• Visit the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art on a Wednesday
• Get Free Drinks at Port Olimipico
• Watch Opera at the Liceu for only 50% the price
• The lazy ones can take the bus

If you bump into me, make sure you say hi!

Post from: Europe String

Lately, I have started checking Lonely Planet’s Bluelist, as well.

Check out these recommendations and see for yourself how Bluelist can help a lot in your travel planning:

• Best Youth Hostels in Europe
• Dream Destination Europe
• How Do You Afford It?
• Classic Local Backpacker Banter
• Europe Is…
  
• Best Things About Bratislava
• Rome and its Precious Family Jewels

And when you get back from your travels, share your knowledge and post your own bluelist.

Post from: Europe String

So before I announce the winner of the Barcelona Student JetPack Giveaway Contest, I am going to examine its contents minutely and share with you my thoughts:

‘Don’t Forget’ Checklist has a couple of interesting items which some of you may never even think of including in your own list. With this, apart from the basics, you will not forget to pack your contraceptive and your whistle/rape alarm. In my opinion, these are items which could be important for single (women) travelers.

The Continental Travel Adaptor Plug is designed for use in countries with European Electrical Infrastructures. If you are bringing gadgets (iPod charger, mobile phone charger) with you, this should be useful.

Travel Solutions’ Travel Money belt is your basic no frills money belt in black. It’s great for keeping your money closer to your body, away from thieves’ easy reach.

TriCircle Brass Padlock with 3 keys – good to have because you cannot really expect that all hostels have spare locks for your use. Besides, it’s safer to have one of your own. At least, you are sure that all spare keys are with you and that no one else has a copy.

Pre-paid SIM Card from Amena/Orange with starter credit. You also immediately get a phone number which your parents and friends can use to call you. It’s very useful to have, imo.

Several Maps and Guides:

• Barcelona Bus Turistic has the following information: Barcelona city map with the corresponding bus stops and routes. It also has a brief explanation of what you can expect (advantages) if you choose to use the services of Barcelona’s official city tourist bus.
• Plano de Barcelona is a detailed city map of Barcelona with a short description of must-see sights and a map of the integrated railway system. A must for every kind of traveler. I, personally, used this map a lot.
• Barcelona Cultural Agenda – should help you find the concert, dance, exhibition and sporting activities during your visit. Unfortunately, the one I received was for April-May ‘07. Student JetPacks should make sure that they send out the current issue.
• Barcelona Card leaflet which shows the price list and the kind of discount you get if you do purchase a city card.

Bonus information sent by Tarkan: Maps for Granada, Madrid and Spain & Tour Guides for Granada and Madrid.

Some of the above maps and guides are available for free in some hotel lobbies in Spain. However, if you want to plan your trip way in advance, it pays to get them (even at cost) when you purchase your Student JetPack.

Examining the Cost:

1. The Travel JetPack Plus costs £27,99
2. Travel Adaptor Plug – £3,95
   Travel Money Belt – £4,28 (on eBay)
   Tri-Circle Padlock – £2,69
   PrePaid Sim Card from Amena/Orange (with 16€ starter credit) – £29.99
   Guides and Maps – FREE (but I don’t think you’ll be able to get your hands on one until you get to Spain)

The contents of Travel JetPack is around £40,91 but will only cost you £27,99. £12,92 cheaper than if you buy each item individually (unless, you’d rather waste your time waiting for bids on eBay for something as small as those items). Plus, you have the advantage of planning your touring itinerary in advance with all those maps and guides.

EUROPESTRING’s RECOMMENDATION:

If you think about the cost first, the biggest push would be coming from the Pre-Paid Sim Card. If you think that you would need one then, you should go get the Travel JetPack Plus. Not only would you save yourself £2, you will also get all those other useful “goodies” which are included in the package.

Yes, I definitely recommend budget travelers to get the Barcelona Travel JetPack Plus.

Friendly advice to Tarkan: Make sure that you have people constantly scouring for updated map and guides.

P.S.  The winner of the  Barcelona Travel JetPack Plus giveaway contest will be announced later today.  Note that the contents of the same items reviewed will be given away and will not be kept by EuropeString. 

Post from: Europe String

Before I have even left, I guess I can safely inform you that the function of the following items need not be questioned:  the money belt, continental travel adapter plug, luggage lock and the local SIM Card with a free starter credit.

Now, the map and the “don’t forget checklist” I would have to check out.  As soon as I return, I will inform you of my findings in detail.

While I am away, I would like you to please help me keep this blog busy.  Leave a comment and let me know WHY I SHOULD GIVE YOU A BARCELONA STUDENT TRAVEL JETPACK.  Be creative. Be funny.  Be original.  Just leave a comment and I will choose the one that strikes my fancy the most.

P.S. Make sure that you leave a valid email address so I know how to get in touch with you.

Post from: Europe String

Based on the characters they have played and/or their interview personalities, I have chosen 10 celebrities who I think would have probably gone backpacking – budget travel style, of course – in Europe had they not become famous:

1. Lauren Graham – she’ll be that easygoing girl who likes to talk
2. Owen Wilson – he’d be that good-looking guy at the bar who all the other backpackers (girls, of course) have a crush on
3. Amy Winehouse – Amsterdam “coffee house” regular, perhaps?
4. Jennifer Garner – that all-around American girl who is really into it
5. Cameron Diaz – the roomie you probably would like to hate but she’s actually nice and friendly
6. Keanu Reeves – the male version of Amy Winehouse?
7. Joshua Jackson – hello, Americano
8. Ashton Kutcher – loud and good-looking; a bit annoying
9. Jake Gyllenhall – he’s scruffy enough
10. Matthew McConaughey – he’s even scruffier

What about YOU? Who do you think should be on this list?

photo source: Leonardo di Caprio 

Post from: Europe String