16 Year Olds do western EUROPE.. Advice? (LAST QUESTION important)
May 30th, 2014, 02:36 AM
#61
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Enjoying your planning BethyPegg. A wee money saving tip for Berlin is to use the 100 and 200 bus routes for a sightseeing tour. It follows a circular route through the city covering most of the major sights but at the public transport rate rather than commercial hop on hop off prices. Of course you don't get the commentary but a good guide book or travel app for you phone can overcome that.
As Hans mentioned there a great street food options. Look out for Imbiss dotted around the streets, wee self contained snack stands opened from very early in the morning that serve the famed Berlin currywurst (a sausage with a tomato curried sauce), chips, schnitzels, dirt cheap cold soft drinks, beers coffee etc. There's also lots and lots of kebab places and they're really good, better quality than back home. Also look out for the train and underground stations, there's usually great stalls for filled rolls and other portable food and again, unlike here, they're very good value. The city is also replete with excellent quality hostels a great prices. It's a great city for doing what you want to do.
As Hans mentioned there a great street food options. Look out for Imbiss dotted around the streets, wee self contained snack stands opened from very early in the morning that serve the famed Berlin currywurst (a sausage with a tomato curried sauce), chips, schnitzels, dirt cheap cold soft drinks, beers coffee etc. There's also lots and lots of kebab places and they're really good, better quality than back home. Also look out for the train and underground stations, there's usually great stalls for filled rolls and other portable food and again, unlike here, they're very good value. The city is also replete with excellent quality hostels a great prices. It's a great city for doing what you want to do.
May 30th, 2014, 08:28 PM
#62
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I think someone mentioned something important when it comes to saving money: don't order cocktails, but do have the house wine with dinner. Cocktails are a fast way to toss away money. Wine is usually really affordable.
And don't do the tourist activities like Hop On Hop Off busses. uruabam makes a good point about using regular bus routes to see the city. You can save a lot of money that way.
And don't do the tourist activities like Hop On Hop Off busses. uruabam makes a good point about using regular bus routes to see the city. You can save a lot of money that way.
May 31st, 2014, 05:08 AM
#63
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"At 16 you can drink beer or wine in quite a few places." But no longer in Spain!>
Yes as the chart I gave a link to above it appears now that 18 is becoming the age of majority for booze in more and more countries - question is - is it enforced like in the States where IDing is endemic and penalties are severe for establishments selling to minors - some countries enforcement is lax.
Yes as the chart I gave a link to above it appears now that 18 is becoming the age of majority for booze in more and more countries - question is - is it enforced like in the States where IDing is endemic and penalties are severe for establishments selling to minors - some countries enforcement is lax.
May 31st, 2014, 04:23 PM
#64
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"I think someone mentioned something important when it comes to saving money: don't order cocktails, but do have the house wine with dinner."
I think when I travelled at that age and with a similar budget, I mostly had dinner at places where neither cocktails nor house wine were on the menu.
I think when I travelled at that age and with a similar budget, I mostly had dinner at places where neither cocktails nor house wine were on the menu.
Jun 1st, 2014, 02:35 AM
#65
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<< First, what a 60 something couple does isn't the same thing as two young 16 yr old girls.>>
Just to clarify-ee didn't couchsurf-we hosted 2 19 year old girls in our home. I think they asked us in particular because they figured it would be "safer". But I agree with the remarks here that probably hostels or some sort of university housing would be your best bets.
Just to clarify-ee didn't couchsurf-we hosted 2 19 year old girls in our home. I think they asked us in particular because they figured it would be "safer". But I agree with the remarks here that probably hostels or some sort of university housing would be your best bets.
Jun 5th, 2014, 11:55 AM
#66
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So, the general consensus is that for Italy it would be wise for us to over-budget? Thanks, it sounds like a pricey place! (thanks CatchK!!)
Hans and uraubam, thanks for the Berlin tips, sounds like such a cool place. Done a bit of research, but looks like it's definitely on the cards now.. Particularly looking forward to experiencing the food now, which I hadn't previously! And thanks for the tips about the bus routes, that'll be good for my tight budget
sassy27 that's such a cool idea, i'd never even considered it!! Thanks very much, i will look into it
Thanks to everyone for the drink reccomendations.. Like most teens I don't yet 'appreciate' the taste of alcohol, and instead use it as a way to get a bit drunk haha. Looks like I'm going to have to start liking the taste of beer and wine haha, thanks for the tip about cocktails. I can imagine how pricey they'd be (but they taste so good!!) so won't try to buy any.
jpie thanks for the recommendation about Couchsurfer, definitely sounds like an option for future when I'm a bit older. As I said, I really like the idea of being showed the hidden treasures by proper locals
I welcome any more tips, but thanks very much for all the advice, it is all so helpful in planning my trip
Hans and uraubam, thanks for the Berlin tips, sounds like such a cool place. Done a bit of research, but looks like it's definitely on the cards now.. Particularly looking forward to experiencing the food now, which I hadn't previously! And thanks for the tips about the bus routes, that'll be good for my tight budget
sassy27 that's such a cool idea, i'd never even considered it!! Thanks very much, i will look into it
Thanks to everyone for the drink reccomendations.. Like most teens I don't yet 'appreciate' the taste of alcohol, and instead use it as a way to get a bit drunk haha. Looks like I'm going to have to start liking the taste of beer and wine haha, thanks for the tip about cocktails. I can imagine how pricey they'd be (but they taste so good!!) so won't try to buy any.
jpie thanks for the recommendation about Couchsurfer, definitely sounds like an option for future when I'm a bit older. As I said, I really like the idea of being showed the hidden treasures by proper locals
I welcome any more tips, but thanks very much for all the advice, it is all so helpful in planning my trip
Jun 5th, 2014, 12:51 PM
#67
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Hi OP,
I too am impressed with your planning and maturity, but I want to caution you to be really careful about how much alcohol you consume. I'm not here to lecture you, but I will say that I find the combination of two drunk female teens with lowered defenses, and little money a potential recipe for disaster. Maybe it's just my US perspective, but I'm surprised no one else has mentioned it...
I too am impressed with your planning and maturity, but I want to caution you to be really careful about how much alcohol you consume. I'm not here to lecture you, but I will say that I find the combination of two drunk female teens with lowered defenses, and little money a potential recipe for disaster. Maybe it's just my US perspective, but I'm surprised no one else has mentioned it...
Jun 10th, 2014, 12:02 PM
#68
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hey or2nh4me2 thanks for the advice, of course this is very valuable and to be considered. We don't planning on getting drunk, just tipsy, and rarely at that! Thanks again for mentioning this, I know we will be vulnerable already because of our age, and this will only make us more vulnerable
thanks for the advice, of course this is very valuable and to be considered. We don't planning on getting drunk, just tipsy, and rarely at that! Thanks again for mentioning this, I know we will be vulnerable already because of our age, and this will only make us more vulnerable
Mar 18th, 2017, 02:31 PM
#69
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Hi Bethypeggx, not sure if you'll get this message as these conversations were a while ago! I'm in a very similar situation, I'm going interrailing with my friend this summer after gcse's and my parents said I can go but are a little apprehensive! Would really like to know how you got on and if you have any tips? or useful things to know, we are both 16 year old girls, thankyou! x
Mar 18th, 2017, 10:38 PM
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just saying: you can be sure you'll be asked for your ID in Amsterdam. Not only in bars, but also in supermarkets if you try to buy beer there. Also coffeeshops lose their licence if they don't stick to the age limit. It is quite heavily enforced, with broad publicity campaigns. So if you think you'll come to Amsterdam to party, it'll be without alcohol and without weed.
Mar 19th, 2017, 12:28 AM
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Just for info my neighbour spent 4 weeks in a psychiatric ward after smoking weed.
I was in a hospital recently and a boy of 11 was treated for alcoholic coma.
So pay attention.
As for quality if weed and beer I have asked to not comment anymore but I would just say choose wisely and drink moderately and avoid weed altogether.
But I am an old fool with kids your age so feel free to ignore my advice.
I was in a hospital recently and a boy of 11 was treated for alcoholic coma.
So pay attention.
As for quality if weed and beer I have asked to not comment anymore but I would just say choose wisely and drink moderately and avoid weed altogether.
But I am an old fool with kids your age so feel free to ignore my advice.
Mar 19th, 2017, 01:21 AM
#72
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Zouzou, my son did this last summer, while he was 17. Make sure you have permission from your parents with you. I live in Belgium, and there's an official paper from town hall that under 18s take with them.
Be aware that you may have trouble getting into hostels if you are only 16. In the UK, for example, you will not be able to book or check into a hotel if you are under 18. And just last week my son, who is now 18, was asked for his ID when he got onto a bus from France to Switzerland; the chauffeur told him he could not take him if he was under 18.
My advice would be to go with a group tour instead of doing it on your own. I did some research on this when my son was planning his trip, and some places he could only book because the friend he was traveling with was over 18.
Best start up a new thread with your own questions.
Be aware that you may have trouble getting into hostels if you are only 16. In the UK, for example, you will not be able to book or check into a hotel if you are under 18. And just last week my son, who is now 18, was asked for his ID when he got onto a bus from France to Switzerland; the chauffeur told him he could not take him if he was under 18.
My advice would be to go with a group tour instead of doing it on your own. I did some research on this when my son was planning his trip, and some places he could only book because the friend he was traveling with was over 18.
Best start up a new thread with your own questions.
