<BR>My wife and I spent 4 weeks travelling by trains, planes, and automobiles (AND FOOT!) through the Netherlands, Edinburgh, Ireland, Rome, Florence, Venice, Interlaken, Alsace and Paris. <BR> <BR>We stayed in nice 2/3-star hotels and ate in some great medium-budget restaurants. <BR> <BR>I know this is a pretty broad topic, but I'd be happy to share any advice or answer any questions. I certainly appreciate all the help that I got from this site before I left & would love to "give-back". <BR> <BR>I will open it up with three things: <BR> <BR>1) Our favorite places were: <BR>*Amsterdam & Maastricht in the NL <BR>*Edinburgh <BR>*Galway & Dingle in Ireland <BR>*Rome <BR>*Interlaken, Switzerland <BR>*Colmar in France <BR> <BR>2) With appologies to Fodors, the Frommers books that we have used have NEVER let us down. This was our thrird trip to Europe with them & they have also seen us through Australia & Greece. <BR> <BR>3) My wife and I aren't really museum & sightseeing types, but enjoy more walking around and soaking things up. My wife is a BIG shopper & we also enjoy local watering holes. <BR> <BR>That said, we did visit the Sistine Chapel, which was simply amazing. Don't be put off by the very long line out front. It moves surprisingly fast. <BR> <BR>Cheers, <BR>Steve

Hi Steve, What hotel did you stay at in Rome and how did you get to Sistine? Also, Florence and costs?

Steve, We will me staying three days in petite venice in Colmar, late August. Did you see lots of stocks??any tips? Email me...mim

<BR>Rome Hotel: Albergo Cesari GREAT LOCATION between the forum, pantheon and Trevi fountain. Not cheap, but not that expensive either. Nice rooms and very friendly staff. Highly recommend it. <BR> <BR>Florence Hotel: Nueva Italia. Not much to look at but clean and friendly. Again, a good location about two blocks from the train station and around the corner from the indoor and out door markets. There is no elevator so be prepared to carry your luggage up the stairs. <BR> <BR>Sistine Chapel: We needed to catch an early afternoon train so we took cabs to and from the hotel. From what I understand, the metro and bus system is pretty easy.

Steve, <BR> <BR>I just graduated from college and am thinking of taking a month-long trip through Europe in September. The only problem is that my budget is going to be a bit tight if I spend a month over there. If you don't mind sharing the info, about how much did you spend each day for food and lodging while you were over there?

Scurry welcome back! Sounds like you and your wife, enjoy the same types of holidays as my husband and myself! Where to next! <BR> <BR>PS Dan, for budget info, try Lonely Planet guide books and/or hostels, for many hostels there is no age restriction and you can stay for very inexpensively other options are camping and shoping at markets etc. It is possible to travel for months on a budget in Europe, but you need to do a little advance planning and adjust your priorities accordingly.

<BR>Thank you Thyra. <BR> <BR>Yes Doug, Lonely Planet seems to be written for ultra-budgets & as said, the Frommers budget books are quite good too.

What suggestions do you have for Galway and Dingle? Can we stay in one spot and do day trips? If not - suggstions for Galway? Thanks!!

Steve, <BR> <BR>Where did you stay in Interlaken and what are the sites/activities that you would recommend there?

<BR>Galway -- We stayed at Cregg Castle (http://indigo.ie/~creggcas) & absolutely loved it! It's about 20 minutes north of Galway. We also ate at a fun family fish restruarant while in Galway. the shopping is good. <BR> <BR>Day trips to the south of Galway include Galway Bay, the Burren & Cliffs of Mohr. I can't imagine being able to do Dingle as a day trip out of Galway, if that is what you're suggesting. <BR> <BR>Dingle -- I'll have to look up the name of the pub/B&B we stayed in -- it was great too. <BR> <BR>Interlaken -- Again, the name of the hotel escapes me right now so I'll have to look it up when I get home from work, but we loved it too (really lucked out on hotels on our trip). We ate at two fabulous, inexpensive restaurants & I'm pretty sure my wife grabbed their cards. <BR> <BR>Anyway, things you'll want to do in Interlaken: <BR> <BR>*Shop <BR> <BR>*Walk from the west train station to the east along the far side of the river & back along the main business street. <BR> <BR>*Day trip up to Grundewald on the mountain train. You can also take a longer train up Jungfrau mountain or various gondola rides (as well as hikes), but we ran out of time. We're saving it for next time. <BR> <BR>I'll post those hotel & restaurant names soon. <BR>

<BR> <BR>OK -- here we go: <BR> <BR>Galway yummy fish restaurant -- Conlon & Sons <BR> <BR>Dingle Hotel -- Barr na Sraide (top of the hill) Inn -- also a local's pub <BR> <BR>Interlaken Hotel -- Hotel de la Paix -- 2.5 blocks from the West train station <BR> <BR>Interlaken restaurants: <BR>Bebbies -- seems very touristy & hokey but actually fun and great food (highly recommend the Fondue, Salad & Cordon Bleu) <BR>Des Alps -- more traditional, slightly more fancy Swiss place -- couldn't pass up the big open face BBQ they had out front -- only on weekends. Great selection of Ice creams! <BR> <BR>Sorry that we don't have phone numbers or addresses. The packages we sent ourselves haven't arrived home yet.

Hi Steve, <BR> <BR>I know that you travelled with somebody but as a 21 year old girl travelling alone, do you think that I will be safe in Ireland? Anything I should look out for? Looking forward to a response. <BR> <BR>Joellyn

Very helpful and interesting to read your thoughts, particularly on Galway and Edinburgh. I am glad you said "My wife and I aren't really museum & sightseeing types, but enjoy more walking around and soaking things up." - because that describes us perfectly too! With that in mind, what would you recommend in Edinburgh (restaurants, which parts of the city to see, your impression of Edinburgh, etc). <BR> <BR>Thanks Steve! <BR>

Hello Steve, <BR>what would you recommend in Holland(restaurants, shopping and interesting places). How are the roads and the traffic there? <BR>Thanks. <BR>

Steve, we were in Galway/Salthill in May, and we stayed at Marless House, which was very comfy, with the best Irish breakfast. We also visited Kylemore Abbey and the Gothic church. It was so beautiful, with a lake in front and a forrest behind it. The tour of the Abbey was amazing, and the church was open with music and pews to pray or meditate. They also had a very nice restaurant, and shopping area. marlesshouse.com <BR>Great trip!!! DB

Your message is a gift from the Gods! We are 1st time European travelers heading for 3-1/2 days in Amsterdam in mid August. Will be staying at Sheraton Pulitzer. Any suggestions for good restaurants, good outdoor cafes for people watching etc. We're not museum people either, & like to see how people live in different places. Is it easy to get around on public transportation (canal buses & trams, etc.) as my husband has a bad knee & our walking will be limited? Any info you can furnish re Amsterdam will be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Lisa

For those considering Interlaken, Switz. area, may I suggest taking train 20 minutes to Lauterbrunnen at 2,612' elevation and stay at Hotel Silberhorn. Beautiful location with waterfall considered in a valley below the Shilthorn, Jungfrau, Murren, Wengen, etc. We had 2 room suite over looking valley & looking up to 12,000' peaks with breakfast & 5 course dinners for $125 night. Had some light snow at upper levels in September, but otherwise had 68-70 degree sun shinny days. There when cows with flowers & bells came off mountains for the winter. Switzerland is BEAUTIFUL!

Hi Steve, <BR>My boyfriend and I are going to Paris at the end of this month. We are trying to decide on a side trip to go to for a few days. What do you think about Interlaken? How long will it take to get there by train? Are there any direct trains? <BR>Please let me know, any advice will be most helpful. <BR> <BR>Thanks! <BR>Kristen

steve: when in ireland did you purchase any sweaters? if so, where do you think were the best prices. thanx

Help! I am planning my first trip abroad and am desperate to find the answers to my transportation questions-it sounds like you may be able to help. I am flying to Ireland and plan to go to England and Scotland-what is the best way to get to and return from those countries? We plan to rent a car in Irleland and Scotland, but am not sure about England. We were hopeful that the trains must suffice since we plan to spend only 6 of our 21 days there. Of most concern is the transporatation between the three--can you help? We would greatly appreciate any suggestions. Thank you