Places - Must See and Economical Places to Stay in Europe
Jan 22nd, 2016, 06:56 AM
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Places - Must See and Economical Places to Stay in Europe
Are there studio apartments in Salzburg/Innsbruck, with a kitchen available for rent for a week? We are travelling with 2 children 3 and 10 and would prefer Indian Vegetarian food. If not available in any restaurant, we plan to cook.
What are places in Europe where we get economical studio apartments to stay and cokk and visit various places in Europe from there?
If we wish to see other countries like Lucern, Interlaken, Paris, Venice etc.. is it comfortable by train or rent a car and drive by ourselves? Is Indian Driving License valid in these countries?
What other places are worth visiting in a 15 day tour?
What are places in Europe where we get economical studio apartments to stay and cokk and visit various places in Europe from there?
If we wish to see other countries like Lucern, Interlaken, Paris, Venice etc.. is it comfortable by train or rent a car and drive by ourselves? Is Indian Driving License valid in these countries?
What other places are worth visiting in a 15 day tour?
Jan 22nd, 2016, 07:17 AM
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sats--
If I were you, I'd try Tripadvisor and click on the link at the top for "Vacation Rentals". You should be able to find these in most every city--and many smaller places.
If I were you and your family, I'd confine myself to Austria and perhaps Bavaria. There are lots of other places in Europe worth visiting--I'd say almost everywhere--but in fifteen days you don't have time to do more than a small area.
We spent a couple of weeks in Austria and Bavaria a few years ago and loved them. Salzburg would, IMO, make a better base than Innsbruck. We returned there rather than drive to Berlin as planned because we liked it so much. There is plenty to do and see. Also, Austria is one of the most civilized countries we've been in.
I would be very surprised if Salzburg did not have at least one Indian restaurant, and in my experience, every Indian restaurant has vegetarian dishes. Again, use Tripadvisor.com to see if the restaurants are there.
Someone else will have to speak to transportation options, but my sense is that for the area around Salzburg and a family as big as yours, a car makes more sense than the train.
No idea about validity of drivers' license. You may be able to get an International Driving Permit from the Indian equivalent of AAA that would give you driving privileges.
Anyway, have a great trip!
If I were you, I'd try Tripadvisor and click on the link at the top for "Vacation Rentals". You should be able to find these in most every city--and many smaller places.
If I were you and your family, I'd confine myself to Austria and perhaps Bavaria. There are lots of other places in Europe worth visiting--I'd say almost everywhere--but in fifteen days you don't have time to do more than a small area.
We spent a couple of weeks in Austria and Bavaria a few years ago and loved them. Salzburg would, IMO, make a better base than Innsbruck. We returned there rather than drive to Berlin as planned because we liked it so much. There is plenty to do and see. Also, Austria is one of the most civilized countries we've been in.
I would be very surprised if Salzburg did not have at least one Indian restaurant, and in my experience, every Indian restaurant has vegetarian dishes. Again, use Tripadvisor.com to see if the restaurants are there.
Someone else will have to speak to transportation options, but my sense is that for the area around Salzburg and a family as big as yours, a car makes more sense than the train.
No idea about validity of drivers' license. You may be able to get an International Driving Permit from the Indian equivalent of AAA that would give you driving privileges.
Anyway, have a great trip!
Jan 22nd, 2016, 07:20 AM
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Hi
Can't comment on much - don't know Switzerland so well and to be honest your question is quite vague. I've seen indian food in every big city I've been to.
There are apartments to rent in every big city - start looking on booking.com, other will come with more ideas.
(the regular called Suze will answer your post will more detail, I'm sure. )
Can't comment on much - don't know Switzerland so well and to be honest your question is quite vague. I've seen indian food in every big city I've been to.
There are apartments to rent in every big city - start looking on booking.com, other will come with more ideas.
(the regular called Suze will answer your post will more detail, I'm sure. )
Jan 22nd, 2016, 07:29 AM
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I don't know if your driving license is valid there, I suspect it would be but am not sure. However, you shouldn't rent a car in any country where it is so easy to get around by public transportation, which is most of Western Europe, in fact. Switzerland, in particular, has a very good rail network, but both France and Italy have trains between any major city where you would likely consider visiting.
Trains are very comfortable in Europe, don't worry about that at all.
You can't visit that many places by staying in Salzburg, in fact, it's not that close to many places for a day trip. I don't think you'd want to stay there a week, I think you should seek a bigger city to give you more choices in lots of ways--accommodations, restaurants, and public transportation.
Paris would be a good choice because there are many places to visit in France, but you can also easily visit London, Belgium and Amsterdam by train from there, in a short time frame. There are definitely Indian vegetarian restaurants in Paris, I eat in one of them sometimes in the area I stay as I like Indian food. I don't think a studio apartment will be that comfortable for a family of four, not when one of the children is 10. Studio apts in Europe can be extremely small, although some studio vacation apts will allow 4 people in them.
Switzerland is also rather expensive and Salzburg is small, I don't think you should stay there a week expecting to see a lot of other places, although you could visit Vienna, Munich and Innsbruck from there.
Your question is so broad that it's hard to be more specific but I suggest you start looking on www.vrbo.com and www.airbnb.com to get an idea of what's out there and what it costs and requirements. Also, don't presume that you could easily buy ingredients for Indian cuisine in some places--I suspect Salzburg could be one of them where it could be difficult, but that's just a guess. I think you need a bigger, more diverse city. And it may be hard to find out where those stores might be if there is one in some places like that.
I also wonder what your budget is, some countries and places are much more expensive than others and since you mention economical, it would be helpful to get an idea of what you desire and whether it is feasible.
I checked Salzburg on vrbo out of curiosity for a random date in July and there wasn't a single apt. available in that town for four people. Not one--there were several, of course, but they were all out in the country, which means you'd need a car.
Trains are very comfortable in Europe, don't worry about that at all.
You can't visit that many places by staying in Salzburg, in fact, it's not that close to many places for a day trip. I don't think you'd want to stay there a week, I think you should seek a bigger city to give you more choices in lots of ways--accommodations, restaurants, and public transportation.
Paris would be a good choice because there are many places to visit in France, but you can also easily visit London, Belgium and Amsterdam by train from there, in a short time frame. There are definitely Indian vegetarian restaurants in Paris, I eat in one of them sometimes in the area I stay as I like Indian food. I don't think a studio apartment will be that comfortable for a family of four, not when one of the children is 10. Studio apts in Europe can be extremely small, although some studio vacation apts will allow 4 people in them.
Switzerland is also rather expensive and Salzburg is small, I don't think you should stay there a week expecting to see a lot of other places, although you could visit Vienna, Munich and Innsbruck from there.
Your question is so broad that it's hard to be more specific but I suggest you start looking on www.vrbo.com and www.airbnb.com to get an idea of what's out there and what it costs and requirements. Also, don't presume that you could easily buy ingredients for Indian cuisine in some places--I suspect Salzburg could be one of them where it could be difficult, but that's just a guess. I think you need a bigger, more diverse city. And it may be hard to find out where those stores might be if there is one in some places like that.
I also wonder what your budget is, some countries and places are much more expensive than others and since you mention economical, it would be helpful to get an idea of what you desire and whether it is feasible.
I checked Salzburg on vrbo out of curiosity for a random date in July and there wasn't a single apt. available in that town for four people. Not one--there were several, of course, but they were all out in the country, which means you'd need a car.
Jan 22nd, 2016, 08:03 AM
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Salzburg,Innsbruck, Lucern, Interlaken, Paris, Venice - you have picked some of the most expensive places in Europe if not the world. Especially Switzerland is outrageously expensive due to an increase of the exchange rate of the Swiss Franken.
Look for yourself:
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/
Cheaper places are in Germany, Spain and Eastern European countries. But this would make a completely different trip.
Look for yourself:
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/
Cheaper places are in Germany, Spain and Eastern European countries. But this would make a completely different trip.
Jan 22nd, 2016, 08:40 AM
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If you want to check on Indian restaurants worldwide, use this site:
http://www.indiandinner.com/
As I'm sure you're aware, most of the "Indian" restaurants are actually Bangladeshi or Pakistani.
http://www.indiandinner.com/
As I'm sure you're aware, most of the "Indian" restaurants are actually Bangladeshi or Pakistani.
Jan 22nd, 2016, 11:13 AM
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sats---I took Salzburg as given because that's where you were thinking of going. I disagree that it's not a good base to visit that part of Europe, if that's the part of Europe you want to visit.
You can get to Munich, Innsbruck, Vienna and Hallstatt by train from Salzburg each in less than two and one-half hours. That's about the time it would take on the Thalys Paris to Amsterdam. If you had a car, it would be even quicker to everywhere but Vienna.
Also, I would prefer an apartment outside of the city if I could get one, particularly if I had a car. I found one on Tripadvisor in Hinterthal--south of Salzburg--for around $125/nite. three bedrooms, two bath.
It's easy to recommend Paris, Rome, London, etc. They all of course offer a lot. But the smaller cities in Europe, imo, are the heart of Europe, and Salzburg is one of the best. Particularly true if you are classical music lovers, as we are.
You can get to Munich, Innsbruck, Vienna and Hallstatt by train from Salzburg each in less than two and one-half hours. That's about the time it would take on the Thalys Paris to Amsterdam. If you had a car, it would be even quicker to everywhere but Vienna.
Also, I would prefer an apartment outside of the city if I could get one, particularly if I had a car. I found one on Tripadvisor in Hinterthal--south of Salzburg--for around $125/nite. three bedrooms, two bath.
It's easy to recommend Paris, Rome, London, etc. They all of course offer a lot. But the smaller cities in Europe, imo, are the heart of Europe, and Salzburg is one of the best. Particularly true if you are classical music lovers, as we are.
Jan 22nd, 2016, 12:34 PM
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Your licence can be used in Europe for hiring a car, but to be sure check the terms and conditions of the car hire companies. Some countries, such as Italy, require by law, an International Drivers Permit as well - that is basically a translation of your licence and is probably useful in other countries too.
You will need a Schengen visa to visit Europe, and you need to read up on what is required to get one for you and your family.
You will need a Schengen visa to visit Europe, and you need to read up on what is required to get one for you and your family.
Jan 23rd, 2016, 10:35 PM
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When are you planning to make this trip?
What activities do you and the children enjoy? Swimming, hiking canoeing, etc? Museums, countryside, music, art, architecture, etc.?
Do you like cities more or country or small towns?
Amsterdam might be a good place to consider for a few days. You could stay in the city or in a small town outside the city and have lots of day trips to unique places and many interesting things for kids. Amsterdam has many, many Indian restaurants. You can look them up on TripAdviser.
What activities do you and the children enjoy? Swimming, hiking canoeing, etc? Museums, countryside, music, art, architecture, etc.?
Do you like cities more or country or small towns?
Amsterdam might be a good place to consider for a few days. You could stay in the city or in a small town outside the city and have lots of day trips to unique places and many interesting things for kids. Amsterdam has many, many Indian restaurants. You can look them up on TripAdviser.
