Greg and Nuria

We are traveling to Paris, France in May for 12 days. We are looking into purchasing Euro Tickets...any advise???We would like to go to Spain or Italy..is there enough time with all the traveling? We are also backpacking for the entire vacation...We would like to stay at HOSTELS..We read something about a club you can join ? Any information on that would be very helpful<BR>Thank you!Gracias!

Leslie

With only 12 days, I'd see Paris and perhaps one region outside of Paris such as Normandy, Brittany or the Loire Valley.<BR><BR>If you really want to city-hop to either Spain for Italy, you should consider flying rather than the train. Amazingly, there are some very low cost flights within Europe that are actually cheaper and faster than the train. Try, for example, Ryan Air at www.ryanair.com.<BR><BR>As for youth hostels, I think the club you refer to is Hostelling International at www.hiayh.org.<BR><BR>Strongly recommend you visit your local Barnes & Noble or Borders Bookstore and browse the travel section. Then buy a regional book, such as Lonely Planet or Rick Steves guides to France.

Rex

Don't know what you mean by "Euro tickets" - - probably train tickets. There is no monolithic rail company in Europe - - just one well-known marketing company in America - - www.raileurope.com - - and americans USED TO think that buying a "rail pass" was the best way to travel by train in Europe. I recommend thinking your itinerary through and then using www.railsaver.com to see if a pass will really save you money. Almost surely not - - and if it is, maybe you are moving around too much on a 12 day trip!<BR><BR>Each country has its own separate rail company, and happily they all cooperate so smoothly as to sometimes seem like one big company. Rail passes are the best way to travel affordably for a FEW travelers (traveling salesmen?) - - if you plan to be on a train for an average of 250 miles or thereabout (on AVERAGE) - - for EVERY day of the pass that you buy.<BR><BR>Personally, I think that this is no way to see Europe. Hopefully, on a 12 day trip, you won't spend more than about 12 hours moving from point to point withIN Europe. Time is too precious.<BR><BR>I have nothing against trains in Europe - - for certain routes, they're great. Venice-Florence-Rome, for example, or Paris-Belgium (though rather over-priced - - but so darn convenient), just to name a couple.<BR><BR>France-to-Italy is a challenge, to find the best use of time and money. You can fly cheaply from BRUSSELS to Italy, and similarly to many points in Spain and Portugal. You can also fly a few routes BETWEEN Spain and Italy cheaply.<BR><BR>But there is SO much to see in France, I'm going to recommend that you just choose one other country - - and even that sparingly, perhaps. Hopefully, you can plan your travel TO Europe as an "open jaw" so that you don't have to back track for your flight back home, since it's hard to make a circle out of these countries.<BR><BR>Last of all, for the hostel and backpack scene, you will get as much (or more good advice) from www.lonelyplanet.com (the ThornTree forum).<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Mol

I would also recommend to stay in France for 12 days. France has a lot to offer. Paris doesn't represent the whole of France.<BR>French regions that I like a lot are : <BR>-Bretagne (Brittany) : for its marvelous coasts, seafood and cider<BR>- the Provence in the South : for the weather, the light and the charming towns such as Abt, Gordes, Les Beaux, Arles<BR>- the Dordogne : for me it just was the best place to eat in Europe (and we are quite spoiled). Don't miss to visit some vineyards like the Chateau Rudelle in the Bergerac-area.<BR>- The South-East around the city of Albi : for its beautiful unspoiled nature and the old Cathar-villages

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theresa

This message is for Rex. You mentioned that rail passes may end up not being the best way to go. I was wondering if you knew anything about the Europass for $199 that gives you 5 rides in three adjoining countries for a 2 mo. period. I am trying to coordinate a trip from Brussels to Hannover then Hannover to Paris (mixing pleasure on both sides of CeBIT show in Hann.) I have air into Brussels and out of Paris but I want to find the best way to go in and out of Hannover. I'm going with my husband so the fares on the raileurope website are about $145 each for one leg of that trip. It seemed logical to get the pass but now that I saw your message, I wanted to get your opinion on the best way to do this. I want to take the train for sure (hate flying so avoid it as much as possible) but I also want to make sure I'm not making a mistake with a pass.. Let me know what you think.

L

12 days in Europe - you can see a great deal! But I would suggest to rent a car and drive. <BR><BR>If you have energy, here is what I suggest: <BR><BR>You could start in Paris (first night) then head to Switzerland (sleep in Lucerne) Next day, drive to Zermatt (summer is very cheap for amazing hotels) take a train to Zermatt then back to your car by train the next day and off to Italy - Pisa (one night) - Venice (one night) then north to Austria - Vienna (one night) - Salzboug (one night) - then Germany (2 nights) then back to Paris for the remainder of the trip (leave the car and take the metro in Paris)<BR><BR>Have a great trip!<BR>

Rex

Did you try out some fare checking on www.railsaver.com - - I believe that it gives you pretty close to the actual fares you will pay in Europe.<BR><BR>And I think that the $199 fare is a special promo, right? At that price it might indeed be a good fit for your needs.<BR><BR>Can I go to CeBit with you? I would love to go there sometime. I am getting very interested in nanotech lately.<BR>

theresa

Hi Rex:<BR>Thanks for the info. I'll check out the site. Yes, the $199 is a promo - the spring ultra super flexisaver or something like that!! CeBIT should be interesting althought I'd much rather spend the extra days somewhere other than Hannover! Thanks again - let me know if you want a business pass to the show! I have extras...