How do you prepare for your trip? Not restaurants and hotels and practical stuff, but knowledge-wise...? <BR> <BR>I always try to read some novels on the place. I think on my next trip I'll prepare my own mini-guidebook (because I find I learn more if I've written about it myself). Any other ideas? <BR> <BR>

I choose a set of countries, look at a guide book or guide books, look at web sites that I have in a list that I've collected over three years from recommendations on this forum and on Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree, and plan my railway journeys. Now, just 36 hours to departure, I read the events website for any city I'll reach within a week. So I'll go on night trains to Moldova and back for a month starting tomorrow, and hope for something similar to the Baltic states around midsummer's day, or next year. <BR> <BR>I'm afraid I read no novels, but am influenced by newspapers. Belgrade on 9 and 10 April should be interesting, and Moldova, 13th to 17th, has just voted Communist. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>

Ben - - be careful out there in Moldova!!<BR><BR>"Human Remains Said Sold in Moldova"<BR><BR>http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010331/wl/moldova_human_meat_2.html<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Asker,<BR>There is a lengthy thread here entitled "How do you plan your European trip". It contains a wealth of information from experienced travelers. You might do a text search.

Asker,<BR>If you can't find the thread "How do you plan your European trip?" try<BR><BR>http//www.fodors.com/forums/messages.cfm&amp;fid=2&amp;tid=56165&amp;numrespon ses=62<BR>

Works a little better if I get all the characters in the address!<BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/messages.cfm&amp;fid=2&amp;tid=56165&amp;numrespon ses-62<BR>

I am going to Greece and Italy for the first time in a month. My college offers a class that covers the Greco-Roman history. I enrolled, and have not regretted it yet!

I like to ask for brochures and such from visitor and tourist bureaus etc, I like getting these gems in the mail months ahead of time, and help with planning. I think the planning is nearly as fun as the trip... nearly! Have Fun!

I do extensive web searches, supplemented by extensive buying expeditions to Borders and Barnes &amp; Noble (sometimes Amazon.com, too, and rare book store sites). I pore over maps,which I love because they are the backbone of any trip, particularly car trips, which we are prone to take. I read every novel and nonfiction work I can get my hands on about the destinations I plan to visit. Then I distill all the information and make up a computer file and a written file - I still prefer the written medium. I let everyone in the family express their preferences on what to do and what to see, and together we work out an itinerary that works for our family. We sometimes spend more time planning a trip than we spend taking it - no matter. We also keep journals of every trip and collect bits and pieces of things, from sugar wrappers to museum entrance passes, and glue them into scrapbooks with photos and postcards and our own thoughts about places penned in. We can easily make a two-week trip into a whole-year exercise.

Hi! I usually begin by reading the history, not jus the dates but the culture, art and language of the people. I also read about the political background of the country. Especially the last few years, traveling through Eastern Europe, I have really found the political issues very interesting. I also watch for specials on tv especially history cannel or pbs. I used to look at the travel channel but unfortunatly I haven't planned any haunted lighthouses in a while. Insight, Cadogan and Blueguides make for me probably the best reading for a general background.<BR>alan