1. Use a debit card to get local currency from ATMs, and a credit card for purchases. There is no need to purchase travelers' cheques or exchange money before your arrival.

2. Get a dual-voltage appliance or charger, and plug adapters for your destination countries.

3. Go to railsaver.com, fill in the forms, and select "Only if railpasses save me money."

4. A taxi is the most comfortable, and will cost between $50 and $80. Public transportation is the cheapest (and often fastest), but can be awkward if you have more luggage than a rollaround and a carryon. A good compromise is a shuttle that takes you directly to your hotel.

5. You need a phone capable of 900 and 1800 mHz and a SIM for the country(ies) you will visit. You can get an "All-Europe" phone and SIM from mobalrent.com, and you can get SIMs from Ri i ing.com

6. European cities have public transport systems that make the location of your lodgings moot. Any hotel within the area is the same total distance from all the sights. The first thing you should look for in a hotel is <i>value for money</i>.

7. Only you can decide if visiting some place is &quot;worth it&quot;.

8. No one can hear you scream on the internet.

8. Wear whatever you like as long as you are comfortable. Most important = Make sure your shoes are comfortable.

Write a trip report if you are comfortable doing it, but at least write a thank you after your trip telling everyone how much fun you had and what advice came in most handy.

If it Sparkles, Wear It!

There is no such thing as the &quot;best&quot;
Pizza in Naples or Gelato in Italy.

The best site for train schedules is
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

You can get discounted fares at www.sncf.com as early as 60 days in advance.

The cheapest Eurostar ticket London/Paris is the one-day RT for about $90.

See www.whichbudget.com

See www.mobissimo.com

Check the rates at www.autoeurope.com and www.novarentacar.com

Auto insurance is mandatory in Italy

You have to tell us your hotel budget.

There is no way that you won't be recognized as a tourist.

Learn what the currency and coins in countries you will be visiting look like and what they're worth in dollars.

No, they don't wear those and yes, everyone will stare at you, then laugh and point.

Don't worry about it. Just go and have a good time!

Good stuff!

Always carry a small amount of the currency of the country you are going to.
Bring some underwear that can be easily washed and dried in a hotel room.
Bring a wash cloth.

If you want to know anything about the weather, go to one or all of these sites:

http://www.weather.com/index.html

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/reso...e/worldcli.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/

If your concern is length of day, try this:

http://www.sunrisesunset.com/

beware of banding

Read a GUIDE BOOK for once.

You, Travelnut, have given the best advice.

No, you probably won't be able to sweet talk your way into first class on your transatlantic flight.

Base yourself in one town and do daytrips; repeat as necessary.

It isn't the &quot;trip of a lifetime&quot; - <i>you'll be back!</i>

Pack light, pack light, pack light!

Forget about &quot;slipping a twenty dollar bill&quot; ( bribe) to the desk clerk for a room upgrade.

Nimrod, that is creepy

Almost everyone you come into contact with, especially in the large cities, will speak some or a lot of English.
It is nice if you can use the local words for Good Day, Please, Thank you, and Goodbye.