First Trip to Europe- NEED HELP OR IDEAS ON HOW TO PLAN
Nov 30th, 2011, 11:40 PM
#21
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And if the countries with weak economies dropped out of the eurozone, the value of the € would skyrocket. That wouldn't be good news for travellers to countries that remain in the eurozone, either.
Dec 1st, 2011, 04:23 PM
#22
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clausar,I did not say I was wishing this, I was saying it is a likely outcome which would benefit us if we travel there. And it is true that the Euro's value against the dollar could go up, too, in this instance, among travel to the rest of the region more expensive.
Dec 2nd, 2011, 04:34 AM
#23
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charnees,
Italy and Greece leaving the Euro would have a catastrophic impact on French banks, causing them to need to leave the Euro, at which point, there is no Euro -- and at the point there is no Euro, there is only a financial panic followed by a global depression of the worst possible sort (which may happen even if the euro stays propped up for a while).
So while it is true that while the plane is going down and disintegrating mid-air you end up with more leg room in economy class, it's actually not much of a benefit.
Italy and Greece leaving the Euro would have a catastrophic impact on French banks, causing them to need to leave the Euro, at which point, there is no Euro -- and at the point there is no Euro, there is only a financial panic followed by a global depression of the worst possible sort (which may happen even if the euro stays propped up for a while).
So while it is true that while the plane is going down and disintegrating mid-air you end up with more leg room in economy class, it's actually not much of a benefit.
Dec 2nd, 2011, 07:39 AM
#24
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I would avoid Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal because of the economic situations in these countries. Why not go to
Paris and maybe take the train to Amsterdam and Brugge for a few days? Another suggestion is Paris coupled with a hotel in
Nice. You could easily take day trips to other interesting towns along the coast. You could also choose Paris, Alsace and
a little of SW Germany. In other words, why choose a country
where strikes etc are probable.
Pat
Paris and maybe take the train to Amsterdam and Brugge for a few days? Another suggestion is Paris coupled with a hotel in
Nice. You could easily take day trips to other interesting towns along the coast. You could also choose Paris, Alsace and
a little of SW Germany. In other words, why choose a country
where strikes etc are probable.
Pat
Dec 2nd, 2011, 07:56 AM
#25
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Pat-I've spent 5 weeks this year in Spain and never had an issue with strikes. That said I don't think any country is immune to strikes, even France (Air France comes to mind). Strikes are more common in Europe but they are often planned far in advance and those of us on the travel boards can keep track of any potential problems so we're not caught unprepared.
Dec 2nd, 2011, 07:58 AM
#26
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I'm curious about why you would avoid a whole country due to the economic situation...what is it that you are afraid of? Should we be avoiding the US because of its current issues? I understand not prepaying in advance but not the avoidance of a whole country.
If Greece and the other PIIGS break out of the Euro you may as well add Germany, France, UK and the rest of Europe to the list - not to mention what would happen to banks in North America that have lent money to any of the European countries' banks (which is a lot). This isnt limited to the PIIGS at this point...we are all going to be in for some tough times if this thing comes apart in a disorganised fashion...
If Greece and the other PIIGS break out of the Euro you may as well add Germany, France, UK and the rest of Europe to the list - not to mention what would happen to banks in North America that have lent money to any of the European countries' banks (which is a lot). This isnt limited to the PIIGS at this point...we are all going to be in for some tough times if this thing comes apart in a disorganised fashion...
Dec 2nd, 2011, 08:46 AM
#27
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I also feel you are trying to cover to much ground for three weeks.
I would suggest making a good friend of a travel agent, at least for your air fare. Remember you don't have to buy from them but if they do their work well and find you a flight at a good price then buy it. You can also get a lot of advice from them. Still check on line for better prices and if forum for recommendations on hotels. I would also plan the trip myself.
I would suggest making a good friend of a travel agent, at least for your air fare. Remember you don't have to buy from them but if they do their work well and find you a flight at a good price then buy it. You can also get a lot of advice from them. Still check on line for better prices and if forum for recommendations on hotels. I would also plan the trip myself.
Dec 2nd, 2011, 09:03 AM
#28
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There were strikes in the UK this week, not Italy. European newspapers are predicting strikes for Belgium.
People are just recycling these old scripts and cliches about Europe (which is one reason why the economic situation isn't being solved. It's really Plato's cave.)
People are just recycling these old scripts and cliches about Europe (which is one reason why the economic situation isn't being solved. It's really Plato's cave.)
Dec 2nd, 2011, 10:07 AM
#29
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April would be better. Early May even better, but no later than early May.
You've gotten some really good advice here: you'll not be able to see everything. Most of us have been going back to Europe again and again and haven't seen more than a "thimbleful" of everything Europe has to offer. So, think about your own pleasure, what appeals to you and then find those cities/countries that most match your own desires. Two countries is optimal, three is max.
If the train ride is about 8 to 10 hours, then an overnight train makes sense, both in time and money. Longer than that and it can become very tiring, so you'll need more recovery time on arrival. Best thing to do is to fly the longer distances. Look into skyscanner.net to find budget airfares.
You've gotten some really good advice here: you'll not be able to see everything. Most of us have been going back to Europe again and again and haven't seen more than a "thimbleful" of everything Europe has to offer. So, think about your own pleasure, what appeals to you and then find those cities/countries that most match your own desires. Two countries is optimal, three is max.
If the train ride is about 8 to 10 hours, then an overnight train makes sense, both in time and money. Longer than that and it can become very tiring, so you'll need more recovery time on arrival. Best thing to do is to fly the longer distances. Look into skyscanner.net to find budget airfares.
Dec 2nd, 2011, 02:18 PM
#30
Plato's cave may have dropped behind some of our readers so all they saw was the shadow of your point Zeppole.
"but other destinations in Europe and the UK as well" .... Uk is in Europe, physically, geographically and politically.
Anyway, the options look like
1) fiscal union in the north (finland, Netherlands, germany and a few baltic countries) based on a hard euro,
2) France stuffed into the hard euro but not belonging
3) the rest Italy, Portugal, Greece and Spain into a linked soft euro like the old ERM leading to either joining the hard euro or going back to their old currency
I think you can book holidays just limit how much of your cash leaves your bank account.
"but other destinations in Europe and the UK as well" .... Uk is in Europe, physically, geographically and politically.
Anyway, the options look like
1) fiscal union in the north (finland, Netherlands, germany and a few baltic countries) based on a hard euro,
2) France stuffed into the hard euro but not belonging
3) the rest Italy, Portugal, Greece and Spain into a linked soft euro like the old ERM leading to either joining the hard euro or going back to their old currency
I think you can book holidays just limit how much of your cash leaves your bank account.
Dec 2nd, 2011, 03:01 PM
#31
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Well, zeppole, you'll have to forgive me, but, for my serious reading, I had set aside "The Republic" in favor of first "The Prince" and then Thucydides last year and therefore haven't read "The Republic" again for many years.
Besides which, when I started writing my post, your post hadn't appeared yet. Nevertheless, that's not an excuse.
Yours is a good example of what is happening in Europe right now - the "shadows" - but I'm not certain it's "cliches" since there has never been an European unity such as the EU, so everything is "new" and not a "cliche". But then there's so much about Europe that I don't understand, maybe you can help me understand why all this is "old".
Besides which, when I started writing my post, your post hadn't appeared yet. Nevertheless, that's not an excuse.
Yours is a good example of what is happening in Europe right now - the "shadows" - but I'm not certain it's "cliches" since there has never been an European unity such as the EU, so everything is "new" and not a "cliche". But then there's so much about Europe that I don't understand, maybe you can help me understand why all this is "old".
Dec 2nd, 2011, 04:06 PM
#32
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Oh right, bb. I forgot. I should quit listening to Angela Merkel (and so should everybody else). Apparently you already have!
easytraveler,
I have no idea what your post is trying to say. Mine was responding to wanttogo, who seriously suggested going to strike-threatened Belgium instead of Italy as a way of avoiding strikes. That's evidence of how old stereotypes and corny cliches about various European countries (Belgium is orderly, Italy is disorderly) that have created policies that don't engage present realities, and therefore don't help anybody.
easytraveler,
I have no idea what your post is trying to say. Mine was responding to wanttogo, who seriously suggested going to strike-threatened Belgium instead of Italy as a way of avoiding strikes. That's evidence of how old stereotypes and corny cliches about various European countries (Belgium is orderly, Italy is disorderly) that have created policies that don't engage present realities, and therefore don't help anybody.
Dec 2nd, 2011, 04:22 PM
#33
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I have to agree with Zeppole on this. Other than a full-blown civil war, I always look at places as "what the heck, isn't any worse than Florida". Oh, and I've been in a couple of civil wars, but still managed to enjoy the people and locations. Nicaragua and Panama. Was in Santo Domingo during the taxi riots, but also in Miami during the Liberty City riots. Hmmm...Come to think of it, maybe they were following me way back when.
dave
dave
Dec 3rd, 2011, 08:28 AM
#35
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yes of course off topic but advice to reconsider going to areas that promise to be rife with strikes and if the euro falls in Greece some momentary currency problems perhaps - if going carry a good stock of hard currency like dollars or euros in case ATMs and banks are strike or there is a momentary changeover back to the Drachma, God forbid.
Dec 3rd, 2011, 10:18 AM
#37
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I can't read anymore these posts about Greece going back to the Drachma, have been reading warnings to people who were asking for advice here the whole summer long, about a bankruptcy of Greece etc, NOTHING happened.
More than 16 Mi. travellers will visited Greece in 2011, which is an increase of 10% compared to 2010.
Living in Europe doesn't give more knowledge about what is happening in Greece right now, i am living in Greece and read every day controversial opinions from analysts from all over the world. We have no idea which theory to take seriously, of the hundreds we read or hear in the media ....
I bet most of people in this forum have no clue what Greeks ( or Portuguese or soon Italians) are going through right now, because they don't live in this country.
Best think would be to calm down, and NOT to seek advice from this forum here, where no one is an expert to give you a competent answer on economical issues. This is and should stay a travel forum.
More than 16 Mi. travellers will visited Greece in 2011, which is an increase of 10% compared to 2010.
Living in Europe doesn't give more knowledge about what is happening in Greece right now, i am living in Greece and read every day controversial opinions from analysts from all over the world. We have no idea which theory to take seriously, of the hundreds we read or hear in the media ....
I bet most of people in this forum have no clue what Greeks ( or Portuguese or soon Italians) are going through right now, because they don't live in this country.
Best think would be to calm down, and NOT to seek advice from this forum here, where no one is an expert to give you a competent answer on economical issues. This is and should stay a travel forum.
Dec 3rd, 2011, 10:53 AM
#38
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Hi Tiav,
Will also be there for several weeks in April go a lot.
Always pick 2 or 3 countries and self-guide by regional train
cheap fun. www.seat61.com rarely fly long legs skyscanner.net
ricksteves.com good euroewbie info tours
when I was new I enjoyed an overview tour with Globus
affordabletours.com less hassle safer nice guides.
Financial/civil unrest may occur so insuremytrip.com
to be safe... Happy Travels PM if I may help further.
Will also be there for several weeks in April go a lot.
Always pick 2 or 3 countries and self-guide by regional train
cheap fun. www.seat61.com rarely fly long legs skyscanner.net
ricksteves.com good euroewbie info tours
when I was new I enjoyed an overview tour with Globus
affordabletours.com less hassle safer nice guides.
Financial/civil unrest may occur so insuremytrip.com
to be safe... Happy Travels PM if I may help further.
Dec 3rd, 2011, 10:54 AM
#39
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www.eurocheapo.com great budget site info if u self-guide...
Dec 3rd, 2011, 11:30 PM
#40
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zeppole: just forget it. I was in a hurry and trying to write something with my weird sense of humor, since bilboburgler's post came just after mine.
On going back and reading my post, it does sound strange, so let's just drop it, shall we? It'll take too long and be quite pointless to explain what I was trying to say. Probably will muddle things further.
On going back and reading my post, it does sound strange, so let's just drop it, shall we? It'll take too long and be quite pointless to explain what I was trying to say. Probably will muddle things further.
