i am planning a trip to europe on january planning on going to madrid, barcelona, lisbon, paris, london, prague, italy <BR>if you have any great tip of a must from any of these places please sent it back

Here's the address to my personal travel web site with hotel and restaurant information. I am still updating it. http://sites.netscape.net/monicapileggi/homepage <BR> <BR>If you have any other questions, email me.

BOB'S BLURBS:GOOD STUFF FOR EUROPEAN TRAVEL <BR>============================================== ====== <BR>MONEY MATTERS: Use your credit card for everything. It gives you a record later, <BR> and offers the best exchange, based on the current bank rates. <BR> Get your daily cash at the local ATM machine--they are everywhere. <BR> Make sure your card has the CIRRUS or PLUS network, and use a 4 <BR> digit numeric PIN code. The menus will give you an English option. <BR> Take a small amount in TRAVELERS CHECKS as back-up only. <BR> <BR>CARS & DRIVERS: Try to get your rental car in Germany, France or Switzerland. The <BR> prices in Italy are very high, but be aware of drop-off charges if you <BR> do not return it to the same country. Best prices are for compact cars <BR> with manual transmission. Do not assume your credit card will cover <BR> the CDW insurance. It may, but check it out for the specific country. <BR> Stay out of the left lane unless passing. The big boys may be driving <BR> 120 MPH behind you and will run you down. Use your turn blinkers. <BR> Most of Europe has good signage on the highways. Learn to trust <BR> the signs that say " TO SIENA", the road numbers may confuse you. <BR> <BR>PACKING: The rule is; "you can only pack what YOU can tote for 2 blocks". <BR> Plan to take only 2 bags. A major one with wheels that you will <BR> check on the plane, and a carry-on that should hold the KEY items <BR> that you MUST have with you. Assume you have to live from it for <BR> two days---medicines, toiletries, travel documents, camera, etc. <BR> Also pack a canvas tote bag to hold the goodies you buy in Europe. <BR> Bring your own wash cloths, and some liquid soap. <BR> <BR>HOW TO DRESS: Europeans dress less casually than most Americans. Do not dress <BR> to stand out as a tourist. Plan your outfits around basic colors, and <BR> do not be afraid to wear the same outfit for 3 days[not underwear]. <BR> Do not try to make a fashion statement---pack for practicality. <BR> Pack like items[socks, underwear] in seperate plastic bags for easy <BR> access. Carry a laundry bag----it will tend to grow as you travel. <BR> Your most important items will be a GOOD pair of walking shoes, <BR> a rain coat, a hat for bad hair days, and a secure fanny pack. <BR> <BR>TRAVEL TOOLS: Your most valuable asset is a good map. I like the Michelin 400 <BR> series for the primary area of your trip. A good guide book is a must. <BR> The Michelin Green book is great to carry as you travel, but you may <BR> also want a more comprehensive one for background before the trip. <BR> Be sure to take these basic travel tools---you will probably need them: <BR> * swiss army knife/corkscrew * currency calculator <BR> * adaptor plugs/round outlets * extra camera battery <BR> * copies of travel documents * extra reading glasses <BR>

Don't try to do everything. We've learned to only make plans for one or two events or activities a day (one museum and one monument or one neighborhood) to make sure we have time to wander and find things that no guide book mentions. Having a less hectic schedule helps us enjoy our vacation more, and we don't feel rushed to get everything done.

In Lisbon be sure to seek out a Fado restaurant. Fado is the "tipico" dance and music of Portugal. The restaurant we went to entertained us with costumed dancers and singers and guitar players while we ate chicken and fish and all the wine we wanted. Very quaint and wonderful. We loved Lisbon and all of Portugal.