The Travellers Thread - Page 2 - Antsmarching.org Forums - Dave Matthews Band Discussion
Old 02-05-2008, 12:53 PM   #31
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Re: The Travellers Thread

I'm in the process of booking my flight to Singapore and I'm trying to decide which is better: a 15 hour layover to explore Paris or an 11 hour layover to explore London.

Suggestions?
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  • Old 02-05-2008, 01:01 PM   #32
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by sunshower View Post
    I'm in the process of booking my flight to Singapore and I'm trying to decide which is better: a 15 hour layover to explore Paris or an 11 hour layover to explore London.

    Suggestions?
    either one, really. If you speak French go with Paris, if not, then go with London. I've heard most Parisians speak to anglophones like they're children, and get really really dissed if you speak French improperly.
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    Old 02-05-2008, 01:05 PM   #33
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by sunshower View Post
    I'm in the process of booking my flight to Singapore and I'm trying to decide which is better: a 15 hour layover to explore Paris or an 11 hour layover to explore London.

    Suggestions?
    I would say probably Paris just because the lay-over is longer... at either one be careful about thought because the airport is a good distance away from the city, you don't want to get stuck someplace and miss your flight
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    Old 02-05-2008, 01:12 PM   #34
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

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    I would say probably Paris just because the lay-over is longer... at either one be careful about thought because the airport is a good distance away from the city, you don't want to get stuck someplace and miss your flight
    I won't. Public transportation is usually your best bet with something like this. Whenever I've left an airport to tour around a city, I've always used their transit system because it's a lot more reliable than finding a cab and dealing with traffic. I checked the websites for each airport and the train system would get me to the center or Paris or London in 40 or 20 minutes, respectively.

    In Paris, there's also a train that leaves the airport direct to Brussels that takes 1 hour. I think that would be a rad side trip.
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    Old 02-05-2008, 01:17 PM   #35
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    I've been to Scotland and Sweden both of school trips. This August, I'll be heading back to Sweden on my own, meeting up with a buddy there, and we'll check Finland and Norway off our lists.
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    Old 02-05-2008, 01:36 PM   #36
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

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    I won't. Public transportation is usually your best bet with something like this. Whenever I've left an airport to tour around a city, I've always used their transit system because it's a lot more reliable than finding a cab and dealing with traffic. I checked the websites for each airport and the train system would get me to the center or Paris or London in 40 or 20 minutes, respectively.

    In Paris, there's also a train that leaves the airport direct to Brussels that takes 1 hour. I think that would be a rad side trip.
    Paris is nice because there is alot of stuff within walking distance too, London seemed more spread out to me, I have never been to Brussells.

    My big dilemma right now is I am trying to book our hotel in Barcelona, I am trying to find a decently located hotel with an airport shuttle so we don't have to deal with all our luggage on public transportation. So far I found a decent looking Best Western about a mile from the airport and 7 miles from city center... its decently priced too ($150 a night) I think I may have to go with that....
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    Old 02-05-2008, 01:51 PM   #37
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by cryfreedom4136 View Post
    Paris is nice because there is alot of stuff within walking distance too, London seemed more spread out to me, I have never been to Brussells.

    My big dilemma right now is I am trying to book our hotel in Barcelona, I am trying to find a decently located hotel with an airport shuttle so we don't have to deal with all our luggage on public transportation. So far I found a decent looking Best Western about a mile from the airport and 7 miles from city center... its decently priced too ($150 a night) I think I may have to go with that....
    See what trip advisor says about the hotel. That site is amazing. They will also rate the hotels in the area and the rating is based on a number of factors, including location and value. So a hotel that is super expensive next door to a hotel that is not so expensive will have a higher rating if everything else is found to be equal, like cleanliness and friendliness of staff. It's great.

    www.tripadvisor.com

    You can also see candid hotel photos from travellers so you're not only looking at the photos the hotel publishes.
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    Old 02-05-2008, 01:54 PM   #38
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by cryfreedom4136 View Post
    My big dilemma right now is I am trying to book our hotel in Barcelona, I am trying to find a decently located hotel with an airport shuttle so we don't have to deal with all our luggage on public transportation.
    I would check this one out:

    http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...Catalonia.html

    It doesn't have a shuttle but it's not far from the bus stop where the airport bus stops. Getting your bag onto one bus is pretty much the same as getting it onto one airport shuttle. Just a thought. You would then be closer to the action and could walk to things much easier as opposed to being 7 miles away. If you're 7 miles away, you could find yourself relying on public transit which may not be reliable or responsible after dark.
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    Old 02-05-2008, 02:24 PM   #39
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

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    Originally Posted by dmbphan041 View Post
    either one, really. If you speak French go with Paris, if not, then go with London. I've heard most Parisians speak to anglophones like they're children, and get really really dissed if you speak French improperly.
    This rumor must have some truth to it, because I hear it constantly, but I have been to Paris 3 times, and to lots of places in Southern France, and have never once been treated rudely. I do know a little French, but my accent is atrocious and its very clear I have no idea what I'm doing when I speak. Paris is my favorite city of all time, I just love it.
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    Old 02-05-2008, 03:50 PM   #40
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    I've been fortunate enough to travel all over the world, although mostly in the US and Europe. Went to Canada, Mexico, Australia, France and Germany on family vacations growing up.

    Here's a list of where I've been outside of the US since I finished grad school in '99. I've been all over England, Scotland and Wales since I moved here in 2004. I've even been to North Korea...or at least 5 feet inside of it at the border museum. Randomly, I've also been to all but 3 of the cities that have hosted the summer Olympics...(missing Mexico City, Atlanta and Moscow)

    March 2008 – going to Spain (Madrid)
    February 2008 – going to Northern Ireland (Derry, Belfast)
    January 2008 – Hungary (Budapest)
    November 2007 - Malta
    November 2007 – Italy (Venice)
    October 2007 – Italy (Pescara, Rome, Vatican City)
    June 2007 - Poland (Krakow, Warsaw)
    June 2007 - Lithuania (Vilnius)
    June 2007 - Latvia (Riga)
    June 2007 - Estonia (Tallinn)
    June 2007 - Finland (Helsinki)
    May 2007 - Italy (Sicily)
    April 2007 - Turkey (Istanbul, Cannakale, Gallipoli)
    April 2007 - Greece (Athens)
    February 2007 - Italy (Florence)
    January 2007 - Ireland (Dublin)
    November 2006 - Spain (Barcelona)
    October 2006 - Canada (Ottawa)
    July 2006 - Sweden (Stockholm)
    May 2006 - Germany (Munich)
    April 2006 - France (Paris)
    March 2006 - Australia (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne)
    Feb/March 2006 - New Zealand (Wellington)
    November 2005 - Ireland (Shannon)
    September 2005 - France (Normandy)
    July 2005 - Italy (Rome, Naples)
    July 2005 – Vatican City
    October 2004 - Belgium (Ypres)
    October 2004 - France (Calais)
    May 2002 - South Korea, Japan, North Korea (sort of)

    1999 - Backpacking: Belgium, France, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria
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    Last edited by bripriest; 02-05-2008 at 03:53 PM.
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    Old 02-05-2008, 04:29 PM   #41
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    What do you guys think of United charging $25 for a second checked bag? I think its pretty weak.
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    Old 02-05-2008, 06:03 PM   #42
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    i'd love to backpack in europe, or bike through.
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    Old 02-05-2008, 06:22 PM   #43
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    Some cool places! What did you think of Africa? It's top on my list. What was your favorite? Least favorite?
    i spent 5 weeks there in '03, went thru a company called www.2afrika.com and i ended up combining like 4 of their trips into one long vacation.

    kenya (obviously not so safe right now) and tanzania were amazing, best wild life viewing in my opinion. i didn't feel safe in zimbabwe at the time. i only spent 4 days in cape town and it wasn't enough time for me to do all that i wanted to do.

    robben island was very interesting, the tour guides are actually former prisioners so they give you a first hand view of what it was like there. it was interesting and almost shocking to visit and learn so much on what it was like during apartheid in s. africa, shocking that it really wasn't long ago. i def learned a lot during my time in africa.

    Quote:
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    What do you guys think of United charging $25 for a second checked bag? I think its pretty weak.
    that's ridiculous...of all the traveling i've done, only recently have they started paying close attention to the weights of my luggage too....no way i'm paying $50 or $80 when i'm over like 4 pounds!!! 2 or 3 times, i've repacked right there in line.
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    Old 02-05-2008, 06:28 PM   #44
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

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    I
    Currently, my family and I are trying to see as many baseball stadiums as possible, and have been to 11 stadiums: both NY, Philly, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Anaheim, SF, Boston, Toronto, and Baltimore. This summer, we're trying to visit LA/SD or going to see the Chicago stadiums.

    .

    long ways to go, i only have Seattle left, and i'm going this summer
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    Old 02-05-2008, 07:36 PM   #45
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

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    March 2008 – going to Spain (Madrid)
    February 2008 – going to Northern Ireland (Derry, Belfast)
    January 2008 – Hungary (Budapest)
    November 2007 - Malta
    November 2007 – Italy (Venice)
    October 2007 – Italy (Pescara, Rome, Vatican City)
    June 2007 - Poland (Krakow, Warsaw)
    June 2007 - Lithuania (Vilnius)
    June 2007 - Latvia (Riga)
    June 2007 - Estonia (Tallinn)
    June 2007 - Finland (Helsinki)
    May 2007 - Italy (Sicily)
    April 2007 - Turkey (Istanbul, Cannakale, Gallipoli)
    April 2007 - Greece (Athens)
    February 2007 - Italy (Florence)
    January 2007 - Ireland (Dublin)
    November 2006 - Spain (Barcelona)
    October 2006 - Canada (Ottawa)
    July 2006 - Sweden (Stockholm)
    May 2006 - Germany (Munich)
    April 2006 - France (Paris)
    March 2006 - Australia (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne)
    Feb/March 2006 - New Zealand (Wellington)
    November 2005 - Ireland (Shannon)
    September 2005 - France (Normandy)
    July 2005 - Italy (Rome, Naples)
    July 2005 – Vatican City
    October 2004 - Belgium (Ypres)
    October 2004 - France (Calais)
    May 2002 - South Korea, Japan, North Korea (sort of)

    1999 - Backpacking: Belgium, France, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria
    It takes a lot to sincerly impress me. That list did. You're basically living out the dreams I can't afford to chase.

    I'm saving for a trip in the fall. I want to go somewhere but I haven't decided where yet. I've pretty much nailed it down to somewhere in Europe. I've been around Italy and Poland. If you could go back to any of the places you have been in Europe, which one would you go to? I've been leaning towards Budapest but I'd like to hear your thoughts.
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    Old 02-05-2008, 11:00 PM   #46
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

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    It takes a lot to sincerly impress me. That list did. You're basically living out the dreams I can't afford to chase.

    I'm saving for a trip in the fall. I want to go somewhere but I haven't decided where yet. I've pretty much nailed it down to somewhere in Europe. I've been around Italy and Poland. If you could go back to any of the places you have been in Europe, which one would you go to? I've been leaning towards Budapest but I'd like to hear your thoughts.
    Budapest was cool, but it was almost all completely destroyed during WWII, so there's not that much there that is truly older than 1945. It is very similar to Warsaw in that way. Krakow is amazing, and I'd go back there. Same with Prague and Salzberg. Sicily was fantastic, as was Tallinn.

    It is also much, much easier to do these trips if you actually live here. You can find ridiculously cheap airfares. It was more expensive to park at the airport for 4 days than it was to fly to Budapest, and I've never paid more than $40 for a round trip flight to Ireland.
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    Old 02-05-2008, 11:16 PM   #47
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Quote:
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    long ways to go, i only have Seattle left, and i'm going this summer
    good for you dude....we're taking it slow on purpose, we like to dive into all the cities and see everything. I mean shit, we could've hit all 5 baseball stadiums out in Cali but we decided just to pick a couple. I'll get to all of them eventually, and am in no rush. Plus, we went to spring training for a while (this is our first year not going since 02) which is why we didn't do very elaborate stadium trips for a few years.
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    Old 02-06-2008, 08:40 AM   #48
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by bripriest View Post
    Budapest was cool, but it was almost all completely destroyed during WWII, so there's not that much there that is truly older than 1945. It is very similar to Warsaw in that way. Krakow is amazing, and I'd go back there. Same with Prague and Salzberg. Sicily was fantastic, as was Tallinn.

    It is also much, much easier to do these trips if you actually live here. You can find ridiculously cheap airfares. It was more expensive to park at the airport for 4 days than it was to fly to Budapest, and I've never paid more than $40 for a round trip flight to Ireland.
    I was going to ask that, I have always been under the impression that travelling around Europe is about as easy and inexpensive as traveling from state to state in the US.

    I liked Tallinn alot too.

    You're not missing much by not going to Mexico City or Atlanta by the way, but Moscow would probably be pretty cool
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    Old 02-06-2008, 03:23 PM   #49
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    How does everyone afford to travel? I would love to go to Europe or south africa i was just never sure how much it would cost. And whats the best way to start planning for a trip abroad?
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    Old 02-06-2008, 04:07 PM   #50
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    How does everyone afford to travel? I would love to go to Europe or south africa i was just never sure how much it would cost. And whats the best way to start planning for a trip abroad?
    Affording it is just a matter of priorities, my wife and I don't go out alot and we don't drive fancy cars, so we like to travel so we save our money for that instead of doing other things.

    IMHO the best way to travel abroad if you are new to it and you aren't completely comfortable with it yet is to either do a cruise. You get to see alot of different places in a short amount of time and you have the safety and comfort of the ship to come back to. The ships have great food and lots of entertainment, I am BIG fan of cruising
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    Old 02-06-2008, 06:18 PM   #51
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Cruises are good for some people but I have absolutely no interest in a cruise. I also have no interest in planned tours. I'm too much of a wanderer for something like that. I also prefer to be more of a traveller than a tourist.

    For me, it's just a matter of getting online on reliable travel websites, posting on their message boards and reading what other folks have said about cities, hotels, activities and getting around. Lonley Planet guides are also a huge help and you can often find the location you're interested in as an "On A Shoestring" book. The Lonley Planet guides are really great for tips, tricks, attractions, local customs and usually include a section of useful phrases and 'know before you go'.

    Just like cruises, though, my method wouldn't be for everyone. Some people prefer to have someone else plan things for them and just follow the plan. I like to plan on my own for the framework of a trip and then enjoy my time how I see fit/best once there.
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    Old 02-06-2008, 06:30 PM   #52
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Not too far:

    Everywhere in Canada except NW Territories and Nunavut

    Been to about half of the US.

    Mexico

    Grand Caymen

    Jamaica
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    Old 02-06-2008, 06:32 PM   #53
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Haven't been out of the US. I am however planning on going to Amsterdam this spring with a couple buddies.
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    Old 02-07-2008, 09:29 AM   #54
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by sunshower View Post
    Cruises are good for some people but I have absolutely no interest in a cruise. I also have no interest in planned tours. I'm too much of a wanderer for something like that. I also prefer to be more of a traveller than a tourist.

    For me, it's just a matter of getting online on reliable travel websites, posting on their message boards and reading what other folks have said about cities, hotels, activities and getting around. Lonley Planet guides are also a huge help and you can often find the location you're interested in as an "On A Shoestring" book. The Lonley Planet guides are really great for tips, tricks, attractions, local customs and usually include a section of useful phrases and 'know before you go'.

    Just like cruises, though, my method wouldn't be for everyone. Some people prefer to have someone else plan things for them and just follow the plan. I like to plan on my own for the framework of a trip and then enjoy my time how I see fit/best once there.
    I agree, it is not for everyone, if you are a more adventerous person, you would likely be bored to tears on a cruise, personally I am nervous traveller so I like having the security blanket of a trip... I would probably give myself an ulcer if I travelled around Europe on my own.

    I had a question for you though, I have been looking around tripadvisor.com I like the site, but is it just me or do American's ALWAYS give european hotels an awful review... I haven't seen one Americna give a hotel in Barcelona a positive review...

    For example this one hotel I was looking at "Ramblas Hotel" I was noticing really mixed reviews, people were either giving it 4/5 stars or 1 then I looked at the locations. Everyone giving it 4/5 was from the UK and everyone giving it a 1 was from the US....
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    Old 02-07-2008, 09:39 AM   #55
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Lonely Planet is overrated and only to be used for general information. They never have the best information. But they do have maps and phone numbers and such, but as far as actual hotel/restaurant/activities - not very good.
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    Old 02-07-2008, 09:44 AM   #56
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    good thread..

    thinking about going up to vancouver this summer..any advice?
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    because they are clearly better.......? How's that for a reason? They also played IN New York, on a cold windy night. You put Elisha in a no-elements warm climate and he's fucked. No way in high holy fuck is New England going to lose the Super Bowl. It's not going to happen.
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    Old 02-07-2008, 11:26 AM   #57
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by rmp207 View Post
    How does everyone afford to travel? I would love to go to Europe or south africa i was just never sure how much it would cost. And whats the best way to start planning for a trip abroad?
    A few easy tips that I've picked up to do cheap travel:

    1) If you're traveling from the US to Europe, do it from October to April. You can find airfares about 40% cheaper during those months. Both October and April are still very nice in almost all parts of Europe. Also, flying in to one city and then back from another can sometimes be cheaper and allow you to see more without having to worry about getting back to the city you started from.

    2) Don't rent a car. Way too expensive. You won't need one...public transportation will get you almost everywhere, and is much cheaper.

    3) Find cheap places to stay. Hostels in Europe are actually pretty nice, and will save lots of money. If you're traveling as a couple, there are hostels that offer private rooms rather than bunks.

    4) If you must stay in a hotel, never stay in anything nicer than a 3 star hotel, unless it is some special occasion. You might have a shared bathroom down the hall, but you'll pay far less.

    5) Find local grocery stores or markets to get breakfast and lunch. The quality is good, and is far cheaper than any restaurant. You can get stuff for sandwiches for about $5, then find some public park to take a break and eat.

    6) London, Paris and Rome are pretty expensive, but worth it. Eastern Europe is still much cheaper, but the exchange rate pretty much sucks everywhere.

    Hope that helps!
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    Old 02-07-2008, 12:00 PM   #58
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by bripriest View Post
    A few easy tips that I've picked up to do cheap travel:

    1) If you're traveling from the US to Europe, do it from October to April. You can find airfares about 40% cheaper during those months. Both October and April are still very nice in almost all parts of Europe. Also, flying in to one city and then back from another can sometimes be cheaper and allow you to see more without having to worry about getting back to the city you started from.

    2) Don't rent a car. Way too expensive. You won't need one...public transportation will get you almost everywhere, and is much cheaper.

    3) Find cheap places to stay. Hostels in Europe are actually pretty nice, and will save lots of money. If you're traveling as a couple, there are hostels that offer private rooms rather than bunks.

    4) If you must stay in a hotel, never stay in anything nicer than a 3 star hotel, unless it is some special occasion. You might have a shared bathroom down the hall, but you'll pay far less.

    5) Find local grocery stores or markets to get breakfast and lunch. The quality is good, and is far cheaper than any restaurant. You can get stuff for sandwiches for about $5, then find some public park to take a break and eat.

    6) London, Paris and Rome are pretty expensive, but worth it. Eastern Europe is still much cheaper, but the exchange rate pretty much sucks everywhere.

    Hope that helps!
    along with this, while it is fun to drink and meet people in bars, you can't do it every night as it runs the pocket book thin. stop at corner shops, kiosks, and get some brewskies. most cities have no open container laws so wander the streets and meet people that way.
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    Old 02-07-2008, 12:01 PM   #59
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SmoothG View Post
    Lonely Planet is overrated and only to be used for general information. They never have the best information. But they do have maps and phone numbers and such, but as far as actual hotel/restaurant/activities - not very good.
    i like the 'let's go' travel books.
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    Old 02-07-2008, 12:05 PM   #60
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    Re: The Travellers Thread

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SmoothG View Post
    Lonely Planet is overrated and only to be used for general information. They never have the best information. But they do have maps and phone numbers and such, but as far as actual hotel/restaurant/activities - not very good.
    Yeah, I prefer the "Let's Go" guides myself. They're obviously for people on a budget, but their hostel and restaurant recommendations are usually pretty good, and I always find their maps easy to use.
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