Suzie's tips No. 16 and 17 are the best of all - except that I would go further and say: do not plan; and Worktowander's No. 30 and 35 are up there too.

But for any stay beyond two weeks in length a car is essential.

Our 'planning' consists of picking up our pre-booked hire car (a Peugeot 206) in Strasbourg. We then drive straight to somewhere we've never been before and get into a lovely little B & B no guidebook has ever heard of.

From there on our planning is done for us by way of advice from our hosts as to what they see as must do's and must see's on their little patch. And then we let them dictate our next destination, where the same thing happens, and so on.

But I should add that both of us have lived for many years in Europe, speak two or three languages, and have done all the 'big' things from Lisbon to Bucharest.

So our system suits two-or-three-time-arounders who enjoy grazing rather than feeding.

Harzer

More!

46. Make sure your accommodation has a fridge or mini bar. Buy your food and booze at the supermarket at a fraction of the cost. The use of a kitchen also cuts costs greatly and I've found it guarantees you eat better.

47. Take a Swiss Army knife with you - it should include a knife, corkscrew, scissors and breadknife. A couple of strong plastic wine type glasses are also handy (make sure they are not easy to tip over).

47. Picnic in parks, plazas and other public areas. A bottle of wine, fresh bread, cheese, meats, fruit etc. is really enjoyable as you watch how locals live and play. Eating this way is much cheaper than a restaurant selling overpriced tourist slop and far less pretentious!

48. Treat yourself to at least <b>one</b> bought meal so you won't spend every day feeling like a bag person out on the streets and you can see how all the other folks live on occasion.

49. Make a budget for being human.

To include: the money you spent on the hotel that disappointed, the airfare you bought a day too soon, the con artist or thief who found you one day, the cab you took because you got lost or too tired, anything and everything that some helpful soul tells you you paid too much for.

Sue_xx_yy

An excellant tip for travel and for life in general.

Keep in mind that if you're traveling with only a carry-on, you aren't going to be allowed to take a Swiss Army knife!!!! They even broke the nailfile off my husband's nail clippers on one trip!