Tell me about your first trip to europe. How old were you? Did you speak the language? Were you nervous? Anything happen that you can laugh about now!!!??? etc...<BR><BR>We are going to Italy for the first time this summer. Looking forward to your replies.

We made our first trip to Europe in 1973. My husband was born in Latvia and had lived in displaced person camps in Germany so for him it was like going home. I had no clue about what to expect and would have been just as happy to be going for a driving vacation to our neighboring state. Luckily I fell in love with it so that we were both hooked. Lucky because everything we worked for and enjoyed most (besides our children who also enjoy European travel) has always centered on travel, so if I hadn't loved it we'd have had a real schism in our relationship. <BR><BR>Vienna was our first destination. We disembarked the airplane and got into a rental car with no clue about street signs in German and just bumbled along, happy as clams. My map reading skills have improved with each successive trip so now we don't even have that little annoyance to deal with. <BR><BR>Hope you love Italy, and the rest of Europe as you get to it, as much as we do.

1976 with a group of fellow high school students (I was 16) to England and Paris. I remember:<BR>* Some of the guys in our group performing a Druid ceremony at Stonehenge (you could actually walk around the stones then).<BR>* My first "big theatre" play -- "The Mousetrap." And now I'll be taking my 12- and 14-year-olds to the same play next month!<BR>* Riding a paddle-boat in the lake at Hyde Park.<BR>* The really tiny hotel room (it was near Hyde Park)<BR>* Yes -- all you gourmets -- going to McDonald's in London!! But the hamburger had extra goop on it that we couldn't figure out what it was.<BR>* My second "big theatre" play at the Globe Theatre in Stratford ("As You Like It") and loving the town.<BR>* Oxford -- had to get a sweatshirt there!<BR>* Queen Mary's Dollhouse at Windsor.<BR>* We only spent two days in Paris, but I was thrilled to see the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.<BR>* A restaurant in Paris with a huge communal bathroom -- don't ask me why I remember this!!<BR>* During our flight home, we had engine trouble and had to stop in Iceland. Then missed out connection in New York; stuck at the airport all day.<BR>Pam<BR><BR>

Hi<BR>My first trip to Europe was to Greece, partly because my companion was of Greek heritage but mostly because I'd always dreamed of going based on a book I'd loved as an adolescent.<BR><BR>I was nervous, but mostly thrilled.<BR>I could speak perhaps 10 words/phrases of Greek, my "Greek" friend less than that. However, I knew the alphabet and was able to sound out a lot of words, which was helpful when we were driving in parts unknown.<BR><BR>I was thirty. I can laugh about a lot of things, but mostly about driving around on Corfu at night. We were lost, we were looking for a particular <BR>restaurant that was off the beaten track to say the least, and I was convinced that we were somehow going to <BR>find ourselves in Communist Albania. As it turned out, geographically I wasn't far off, except for the narrow strait of water that we surely would have noticed if we were in it. Corful being an island.<BR><BR>

Shortly after my arrival in Paris in the 60s, where at 22 I planned to find a job (talk about naivet&eacute, my "friend" arrived unexpectedly on a Saturday night. I was unprepared and told the lady at the desk about my problem, whereupon she handed me rags! Yes, indeed, I felt like I was in the dark ages.<BR><BR>Then Sunday after looking all over for an open pharmacy, I finally found one, just as the woman was closing at noon. Through the grill I explained what I needed, and through the grill she sold it, willing to help me out, but not willing enough to let me set foot in her store! Of course, lots more happened during that year, but I will never forget that experience.

You meet a girl, you get to know each other, seems like she likes you and so you ask:<BR><BR>"Would you like to do something Saturday night?"<BR><BR>and she says "No, sorry, can't."<BR><BR>and you answer "Oh," with disappointment in your voice.<BR><BR>and she adds "oh don't worry about it...<BR><BR>it's just a "friend"...<BR><BR>Now I know, I guess!<BR>

Two years ago, I went to Germany and Austria. In Germany, we stayed in Munich and toured the surrounding countryside (the highlight of the siteseeing was Neuschwanstien castle), and in Austria, we stayed in downtown Vienna and Salzburg. My mother was a Culinary major, so the whole trip was largely based on German and Austrian cooking. She had an extra ticket and asked if I wanted to go. I loved history and geography and had a great respect for different people and cultures, so I decided to accompany her. <BR>The leader of the group of 20 culinary students and myself, was a master chef, who, believe it or not, was born and raised in Germany. He spoke fluent German. Before I went I brushed up on the language, and during the course of my trip, the people were shocked by the site of an American youth speaking their language (Hint: If you at least TRY to speak the language in some European countries, or any country for that matter, you will get special privileges that other tourist usually do not recieve, like gaining access to buildings or other areas). I wasn't nervous at all. In fact, it was so safe there, that little children could board the subway unattended! There was this one time when I got separated from my group in Munich, and needed more camera film. I went into this tiny convienience store and saw this German woman re-stocking the shelves...who didn't speak a word of English. I had no idea at the time, but I asked her if she had camera film. She began speaking German, and me and my big mouth, said, "What?". She grew impatient at my American attitude, then I finally shouted back "Ich sprecha nicht Deutch (I don't speak German)!" She threw her hands up in the air and called her English speaking co-worker to come and help me. That was really funny now that I look back. <BR>Europe is...how do I describe it...it's like a continent frozen in time. It is as if they hate change (which sometimes can be a good thing), which that is why everything looks to be out of a midevil storybook. Absorb their culture, their customs, and their history. Have a great time, oh, and if you're going to Rome, take some time to see the Roman Forum!

First trip was in 1960 with my best friend; both of us were recovering from broken hearts and couldn't think of a better remedy. Friend had a cousin stationed in Germany, and the trip expanded from there. We did London, Amsterdam, Zurich, Florence, Rome, and then a bus trip north along the Italian coast, thru Switzerland again, to Germany, and then to Paris. We were 20; it was our first experience away from home (we were very sheltered); and we came back so full of ourselves, with a real sense of being able to handle any situation. I wiped out my childhood savings account (birthdays, graduation, etc.), but it was worth every penny. We spoke not a word of the languages; we were too young to be nervous, just excited; and it took me 30 some years to get back, but that trip was always back there in my memory. I suppose the incident about which I laugh the most is that I was propositioned by an "older" French man -was offered a gorgeous suede suit for my favors - but the store was closed (Sunday) and we were leaving at the crack of dawn on Monday. I left with virtue in tact.

For me it was 1978, and we decided to join a tour to go skiing in Austria. Growing up on the Gulf Coast of Florida, I had reached my twenties without ever having even SEEN snow, but what a fabulous introduction! <BR><BR>I took to travel like a fish to water, but didn't get to do as much as I would have liked until I got my 2 sons out of school. Now just TRY to stop me!<BR><BR>My experience that I can look back on and laugh: We were in Kitzbuhel, Austria for 12 days, spent every day on the slopes, and returned to our pension at the end of the day completely exhausted. One evening, we took a taxi into the town (still dressed in jeans, sweater, and parka), and while wandering around, learned that there was a casino. We made our way there and attempted to go in, just to have a look. I will never forget the haughty response from the man at the door--"I am unable to admit you to the casino, as you are not properly attired."<BR><BR>Since that trip, I've become a little more sophisticated about "proper attire", and I laugh about all the people who are so sure that jeans will take you anywhere.<BR><BR>Have fun, and enjoy Italy. <BR><BR>

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Winter of 1975. Auditioned for and was sent as a USO singer/entertainer for "our boys in Europe." Spent 6 weeks in Germany, Italy, France, Belgium singing and dancing for Air Force, Army, and Navy guys on duty in Europe. Highlight: Thanks to the American Ambassador to Italy, sang and performed for the Italian Army in Bressano on Christmas Eve, outdoors, with snow falling - we in minidresses, they in full Army dress with roses in their teeth. There is nothing since that has impressed me so much as the Italian Army in the snow with red roses in their teeth while we froze our tushes off singing "The Sun'll Come Out, Tomorrow!" Had precious little time off, but what I did I used to clamber around every new place I could find and speak the languages as best I could - I'd been a student of French, Italian, and German throughout high school. Spent my days off taking trains to "distant" places, like Metz in France from Germany. It was a horrid trip in many ways, and not a delightful introduction to Europe. I came home exhausted and with a peptic ulcer, but more important I came home with an inextinguishable love for Europe.

19 years old, living in Grenoble for a year. 1972. We were on a ski trip in Switzerland, drove our rented car back to Geneva, ready to hop on the night train back to Grenoble. Got on the wrong platform (went left instead of right), and didn't discover we were on the wrong train, skis and all, until we were half-way to Barcelona. I laughed so hard getting off in Lyon, my duffel bag rolled UNDER the train. An exhausting night in the 2nd class waiting room in Lyon, which was raided by "les flics" at 4 a.m. Arrived home to discover the friend I had loaned my flat to had invited every traveling musician in France to camp out on my apartment floor. I had a sense of humor about it then, and still do now. After all, I was living in France!

Hi Lou, what I have not seen mentioned is to relax and go with the flow. I was lucky that I was sent to Germany by Uncle Sam (no not the obnoxious one that posts here). I would go somewhere without any plans or reservations and just find what I needed. I have been back several times and have been in 21 countries so far. Today, being much more crowded, you should have lodging for at least your first and last nights. Things happen when you travel. Just relax and enjoy. You will also find very nice surprises. I loved Italy and you probably will also. The people were extremly friendly and helpful. There are always those that may try to rip you off but they are in the minority. Just be aware of your surroundings.<BR>

First trip to Europe was in the early 80's, something like 6 nights in Paris, three in Amsterdam, and 3 in London. I was in my early 20's, single at the time and what made it most memorable was my travel mate. I had planned the with a coworker/friend. We had made out plans well in advance. About 10 days or so before the trip, she started dropping hints that she wasn't interested in going (for reasons I never found out - there was no good reason that she gave). About 4 days before the trip, she said flat out she didn't want to go. Had I been more experienced as a traveller, I probably would jsut have gone myself, and I guess I would have done that reluctantly at the time, but I found a last minute substitute. <BR><BR>A friend of mine had just finished college, and was still looking for a job, so he had the time. We had a cheap air/hotel package, and his parents lent him the money. One problem was that he didn't have a passport. I'sll skip the in between details, but he went thru a lot of hoops to get it in time. Even as we got on the plane, we were not sure if he could go, since the ticket he was holding still was in HER name. Luckily, it didnt prove to be a problem, and all in all we had a good time.<BR><BR><BR>Suffice it to say, it was the last time I planned a trip with that coworker.

My first trip to Europe was for a business meeting in Munich. I had no time to prepare; I just got on a plane. It was the maiden voyage for this 767 and there was a technician roaming the aisles. I told him the light over my seat wouldn't go out and he said he would probably have to flip the master switch! Something I didn't want to hear at 40,000 feet over Iceland. So my seat didn't recline and the light wouldn't go out. I was awake the entire flight.<BR><BR>Someone met me at the airport and drove me to the hotel. I checked in and got to my room with no problems. I wanted to call the office and let them know I was there and I realized I didn't have the number and I couldn't figure out how to call the States. I tried information and was told there was no listing. Because I had been up all night, I just started crying. Here I was in another country and I didn't know how to use the phone!<BR><BR>I finally came to my senses and asked the hotel desk clerk and she had the number. Everything was smooth sailing after that. Jet lag is a drag.

Deauville, age 17, as an exchange student (3 months) in 1979. Spoke the language well before I arrived, got as close to fluent as an anglophone can get while I lived there. I was a bit nervous, but probably more about being away for so long and living with another family (whom I'd not met previously). Mostly just very excited.<BR><BR>Life-changing experience, in lots of ways.

My first trip to Italy was magical. Knew nothing about the country and was nervous as hell. What I laugh about now are the bathrooms. 5 different hotels, 5 different bathrooms. 5 different ways to flush the toilet, 5 different ways to shower/bathe. I flooded EVERY SINGLE bathroom I was in. What is it with that telephone apparatus? I remember seeing a bidet for the first time, pushing the handle and getting a face full of water. <BR><BR>In Austria, I stubbed my toe on my suitcase causing a huge gash, which immediately started gushing. I hopped to the bathtub and put my foot in and spent the next 20 minutes applying pressure. In the meantime, the hubby was on the phone with the front desk trying to ask for a band-aid or bandage. I could here him saying "My wife. Hurt foot. Needs bandage. Bleeding on carpet. Please hurry". 15 minutes later a porter showed up at the door with a box of maxi-pads. Needless to say, I pack a first aid kit now. <BR><BR>Tip: Don't order anything on the menu unless you know exactly what it is. You might end up with a pizza with a raw egg cracked on top. Really.

1992 - My best friend was in the Peace Corp in Worclaw Poland. I had never been west of the Mississippi much less out of the US. I was a nervous wreck but excited and made the trip by myself to Poland. The plane was late getting to Frankfurt and air traffic backed up. Luckily I overhead another traveller telling someone she was going to Warsaw so I immediately latched onto her. Her husband made the trip regularly so we both latched onto him and he got us to our connecting flight. The plane touched down in Prague and armed uniform soldiers came aboard and that was a first for me. Finally I landed in Warsaw and with the help of the couple I met on the plane was able to get my luggage and into the lobby. My friend was waiting and we got to the train station for the trip to Wroclaw. I had two suitcases that were VERY HEAVY. I was bringing her one suitcase full of items she needed and could not get at that time in Poland. All those stairs at the train station but I was fascinated at the beautiful ceiling paintings. We managed to get on the train and somehow got separated. There was a group of about 15 individuals trying to get to their car and an open window about 3 feet square. Just as I found myself falling out the window, an arm caught me and pulled me into the cabin. It was her. Learned one very important lesson - PACK AS LIGHT AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN. I tried to tell my husband that when we returned to Poland in 1995. He didn't heed what I said and took two of the biggest suitcases he could find. Now he says the next trip no more than a backpack! I got absolutely hooked on travelling to Europe in 1991. Fortunately my husband and I have been able to get to Poland, Budapest, Prague in 1995; 1999 to Turkey and drove from Adana to Istanbul, then flew to Scotland and London. We can't do as much as we both would like but when we can we go.

My first trip to Europe was in 1998, when I was 19, to visit a friend living in London. I lived there myself during the Summer of 2000, travelling to Italy, France, Scotland, and Ireland. I am getting ready to leave for my third trip, which will be a 5-week tour around Europe. The one thing I can say is that Italyis fabulous! I'm going back this summer for 2 weeks. the language thing won't be a big deal as most people there speak English. You can always pick up an Italian phrase book...or, you can do as I did and use any Spanish you may know...the two languages are so similar that Italians easily understand what you are trying to say! As someone mentioned earlier, go with the flow...don't try to plan everything. Be sure you pack for all kind of weather. Have a wonderful trip!!

Hi Lou -- how exciting for you! I'm leaving for Italy on Friday with my boyfriend -- I've been to Europe 3 times before, but it's his first (tho he's done quite a bit of traveling elsewhere). But my first trip will always be very special to me...<BR><BR>In 1990, I was 20, studying in England for a college semester (had always dreamed about going to England!), and it was my first overseas trip. After the semester ended, I got a one-month Eurail pass, and covered 11 countries in that month -- it amazes me now how we got anywhere, considering how disorganized we were! No train schedules, no reservations... and to top it off, it was around Easter, so places were completely booked. "Well, the only train available today is to Milan -- guess we'll go there!" OR we'd arrive in Florence in the morning by overnight train... there would be no available hostels... so we'd spend the day there, catch the overnight train that night to the next destination! Ah, the things you can do when you're 20...<BR><BR>Had an unforgettable time -- but my trip to Italy this time is MUCH more carefully planned! Have a great time! Buon viaggio! <BR>OH yes, like someone else said -- try to start learning some Italian NOW. I've been using the Fodor's italian for travelers books / cassettes, very helpful.