Dumb question...First trip to Europe and will it be worth bringing a small transistor <BR>radio? Any english speaking radio stations like CNN is on TV? <BR>Suggest any good rock stations in Paris or Rome area?

I have brought a small radio with me at times; the hotel where I stay has the tv/radio thing so I don't bother anymore. <BR> <BR>There are English language stations (sometimes even the BBC comes through) in Paris; I never remember where they, I just keep playing with the dial 'til I hear the Mother Tongue. Ditto for a good rock station. <BR> <BR>I never have taken anything with headphones, since I don't like being deaf in public places, and why use them in my room? <BR> <BR>

Hi, Maja, <BR>Granted our tastes will be different, but radio rock in most of Europe is an iffy thing - very techno all over the place, only a few US-style playlists, some places nada. Where the British stations come in (parts of France and Holland/Belgium) that's fine, some US military repeaters here and there, otherwise you better like what the locals like. I heartily recommend Radio Brigancia in northern Portugal (fabulous new/old playlist) but you won't get that in France or Italy.

Amurrican Forces RADio!!

I have not had good luck with reception in Europe. If you take a digital tune US radio you'll have trouble in Europe since thier stations don't go in increments of 10 like our stations. May have better luck on FM dial. <BR> <BR>I separately posted a question asking for brands of radios that people have sucessfully used.

I've used several in Europe with no problem. I think brand matters little. What you do want if you have a digital tuner is one that adjusts to the European separation. We separate AM stations by 10 kHz, they separate by 9kHz. Most digitals I've looked at have this feature, perhaps all. <BR> <BR>No stations to recommend. I just flip around to find the best I can at the time. <BR> <BR>twenj

Sorry, forgot your "worth it" question. <BR> <BR>Actually, no! What I carry is a combo tape player and radio. I enjoy tapes on the plane. Having the radio is a bit of a fringe bene, worth a few, but only a few, extra dollars. <BR> <BR>I say not worthwhile because: <BR>1) I find little European radio I enjoy; <BR>2) Most four- and some three-star hotels have CNN or British analogue; <BR>3) Many hotels have built-in radios of one sort or another. <BR> <BR>

The #1 radio station in Paris is, I think, NRJ (pronounced Energie)--we can pick it up here in Brussels. It's pretty much top hits (although the top hits in France are somewhat different from top hits in the U.S.). In Brussels, I listen to Radio Contact Deux (which I like). We have no trouble picking it up on the radios we brought from the States. The music on the European radio is amusing sometimes if you're used to American radio stations with their rather strict formats (alt rock, top 20, hard rock, etc.)--radio stations here think nothing of playing Nine Inch Nails, then Britney Spears, then gangster rap, and then Johny Hallyday. <BR>Remember, to fight off the total takeover by U.S. and British pop music, French stations are supposed to play about 40% French music. Here's where the law of unintended consequences kicks in--instead of actual French pop music/rock (a lot of which is truly lame), the youth oriented stations play French gangster rap (which is technically French music, although the actual musical background is almost always lifted, excuse me, "sampled" from American songs). <BR>You will hear a lot more technopop than you do in the U.S. Since you're asking about rock music, you'll probably enjoy watching some MTV Europe. Their video rotation is somewhat different from the U.S. version (get ready to see a LOT of Robbie Williams!). Most hotels that offer CNN also have MTVE. <BR>Two final suggestions: stop in the Virgin Megastores to pick up a Euro CD or two to take home. Also, why not bring over a small Walkman type radio that also records (I believe Aiwa makes a nice one)? Once you find a station you like, pop in your cassette tapes and record it! A great souvenir for yourself or friends--driving to work listening to Italian or French stations is an interesting change from the usual! I often give radio recordings to friends or to my nieces and nephews taking French in school. <BR>Regards, <BR>BTilke