scubapro Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 unless you join an escorted tour as mentioned above....,you won't be able to cover "must" locations ..., a 14 day itinerary from Insight.... http://www.insightvacations.com/asia/index...onent_seq_num=3 Superior TouringArrival & departure transfers between the airport & your Insight London hotel. Comfortable Moderate First Class & First Class hotels specially selected for each departure. Luxury, air-conditioned touring coachwith reclining seats. Hotel service charges, taxes & porterage. Stylish flight bag, travel wallet, map & information pack. Cross channel transportation by modern ferry. Professional ServiceExperienced services of a professional multi-lingual Tour Director. Qualified local city guides on major city sightseeing tours. Helpful staff on hand at our London Service Centre to assist you with sightseeing, theatre tickets etc. Included Dining13 Breakfasts ( 6 three course evening meals (D) Highlights & Sightseeing Guided tours of Paris, Rome and Vienna;Orientation tours of Lucerne, Venice, Innsbruck,Heidelberg, Cologne and Amsterdam. FranceSee the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower & the Notre Dame Cathedral in ParisCross the infamous River Somme SwitzerlandSee the Lion Monument & Chapel Bridge, LucerneSpectacular Alpine drive ItalyCruise to St. Mark's Square by private launch & see the Bridge of Sighs & BasilicaDemonstration of Venetian glass-blowing See the Forum & Colosseum, Rome Visit St. Peter's Basilica, see Pieta, VaticanPanoramic view of FlorenceItalian Lake drive AustriaSee the Golden Roof Imperial Palace& Wilten Basilica, InnsbruckScenic drive through the Salzkammergut regionSee the 'Sound of Music' wedding scene church, Mondsee In Vienna see the Hofburg, St. Charles' Church, City Hall & Statue of StraussDrive through Carinthia's Lake District GermanyView Cologne Cathedral Relax on a Rhine cruiseSee the Loreley RockVisit Heidelberg & view the CastleBavarian Alpine driveSee King Ludwig's castle of Neuschwanstein HollandSee Dam Square & the Royal Palace, AmsterdamVisit a diamond-polishing factory Quote Link to comment
missmanners Posted February 28, 2005 Author Share Posted February 28, 2005 great info guys! thanks! keep it coming. Quote Link to comment
scubapro Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Good value escorted tour from Contiki http://www.contiki.com/en-PH/Travel.Tools/Types+of+Tours.htm TOURS / EUROPE / EUROPEAN ENCOUNTER / ITINERARY European Encounter 16 days from $1349 Enjoy sightseeing in London, Amsterdam, the Rhine Valley, the Swiss alps, Innsbruck, Venice, Rome, Florence, the French Riviera, Lyon, and Paris. Features: Belgium (in transit). Netherlands. Germany. Switzerland. Liechtenstein. Austria. Italy. Vatican City. France. Monaco. Trip Itinerary London to Amsterdam: Meet your Contiki crew as we drive to the White Cliffs of Dover for our cross-Channel ferry to France. Then through Belgium to Holland and its capital, Amsterdam for the evening. (D) Amsterdam Sightseeing: Visit the cheese village of Edam, a cheese farm and see clogs being made. Shop for diamonds and take a bicycle tour of the Dutch countryside. Tonight why not get together for a local meal?( Amsterdam to the Rhine Valley: Leaving Holland we enter Germany and head for the Rhine Valley. We travel past Cologne, seeing the barges and boats on the waterways. At St Goar we take a Rhine river cruise past vineyards, castles and the infamous Lorelei rock. (B, D) Rhine Valley to Engelberg: Today we head for the Alps and lakeside Lucerne. Enjoy an orientation tour of the beautiful city of Lucerne. An opportunity to see the Lion Monument, cross the Chapel Bridge and shop for watches and Swiss chocolate. Later we take a short journey to Engelberg and our hotel. (B,D) Engelberg at Leisure: This morning, an opportunity for your to take the revolving cable to the top of Mount Titlis for spectacular view at 10,000 ft. Relax in Engelberg for the afternoon. After dinner, enjoy the nightlife in Engelberg. (B,D) Engelberg to Innsbruck: Now to Austria via Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. Perhaps take the opportunity to try white water rafting before arriving in Innsbruck to see the Golden Roof. (B,D) Innsbruck to Venice: We head south over the Brenner Pass to Venice where we learn about glass-blowing. Enjoy our complimentary motor boat to see St Mark’s Square, the Doges’ Palace and Bridge of Sighs. Tonight why not treat yourself to a gondola ride? ( Venice to Rome: Southwards as we pass Bologna, climb through the Appennine Mountains, passing medieval hillside villages and on to the fabled Seven Hills of the Eternal City, Rome. Tonight a walking tour of this ancient city includes the Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. ( Rome Sightseeing: Today why not discover the ancient ruins of Rome with a local guide and in your free time leisurely discover the secrets of the Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel.(B,D) Rome to Florence: We drive to Florence where our local expert guide takes us on a walking tour of the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell-tower, Piazza della Signoria and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Enjoy a demonstration of Florentine leathercraft. Tonight join the locals in a restaurant or club. ( Florence to Nice - French Riviera: We continue via Italy’s west coast to view the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then to the Côte d’Azur and our hotel on the French Riviera. Tonight, we drive to Monaco to see the Royal Palace and visit a casino. ( Nice Sightseeing at Leisure: Rub shoulders with the jet-set on the promenade at Nice. A chance to relax, swim or shop for French fashion – the choice is yours! (B,D) Nice to Lyon: Visit a French perfumery before our drive to see the Palace of the Popes in the Papal city of Avignon. Then north along the Rhône Valley to Lyon.( Lyon to Paris: Drive north to the Château of Fontainbleau before continuing on to Paris. Tonight we enjoy a magical evening tour of the city illuminations. (B,D) Paris Sightseeing: Today, a full day for you to explore Paris. See the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and Nôtre Dame Cathedral. There’s time to shop on the Champs Elysées, take in a museum or stroll by the Seine. Tonight join us for dinner and a famous Parisian cabaret.( Paris to London: Going north we first visit the Canadian War Memorial situated near the Valley of the Somme. From here to Calais and our cross channel ferry to Dover. Arriving London early evening. ( NB: the tour price does not include a night in London at the end of your tour. Quote Link to comment
agxo3 Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Lots of good info on theis thread already, but let me add a suggestion and a warning. Suggestion - one way to save (even if you're over 26!) is to stay at youth hostels. They'll take pretty much anyone. Good if you're traveling alone. Cheap. Not fancy and you'll have to share a shower, but what the heck, right? Warning - when in Rome.......be careful of the gypsy kids. REALLY GOOD purse snatchers/pickpockets. Best advice would be to keep your valuables in a waist or shoulder pack that's under your clothes. And just enough money in your pockets for your next stop or two. Nothing in a back pocket - always in a front pocket. There are books by Rick Stevens that you should try to pick up if you can. You may need to buy them through Amazon if your local bookstores don't carry them. Favorite cities - London - shops, theater (nothing else like it, not even New York), great sights and old buildings (I'm a fan of old architecture)Paris - great food, great museums, great (and cheap!) wine. So they're a bit on the rude side - look around and you'll see two levels of rudeness - one for Parisiennes and one for everyone else.Beaune - small town feel, wonderful wine (burgundy! yum!), great food. Great place to walk around.Amsterdam - EVERYONE speaks English! The funny stuff you can get a the "cafes" (you have to ask for the special menu). Van Gogh and other great masters. A canal tour at night.Rome (despite the gypsy kids) - old, old, old stuff. 2000 year old blocks of stone that I can STILL read (I took Latin in high school) in the forum and other places. The Pantheon is an architectural marvel, as is St. Peter's Square (actually, it's oval!). Piazza di Navona (an old, as in Roman Empire old, racetrack) is a good place to get some espresso and sit and wtch th epeople. Or, you can sit on the Spanish Steps and watch the crowd. Eat where the locals do. Pub food can be a cliche, but some of teh best food I've had in London was at various pubs. Fish and chips? Battered fried fish (usually cod or haddock) and potatoes. With malt vinegar. When it's good it's very good, when it's bad - yecch! In Paris, the small neighborhood places are the best! Stay away from places with lots of foreigners - typically expensive and not too good (other than Tour d'Argent and Taillavent but those are very, very $$$$).<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Correction on those books - they're by Rick STEVES, not Stevens. Quote Link to comment
agxo3 Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 unless you join an escorted tour as mentioned above....,you won't be able to cover "must" locations ...,<{POST_SNAPBACK}> I disagree. I do agree that it's less hassle, and frequently (not always!) less expensive. But, I find there are also some issues with guided tours - first, you are locked into the itinerary. If there's something you'd rather see, it's not always possible to do so unless you hare given a ree day in the right place at the right time. Second, you'd better like the people you're traveling with, otherwise that could be 2 weeks of hell. Also, traveling alone,you either pay more (the single surcharge) or take your chances as to who you'll be paried with. Third, you will get limited time at each of the places. Rushing from place to place, to spend 15 minutes here and 15 minutes there - it just leaves me thinking there should be so much more to travel than that. If that's all I wanted, I'd buy a DVD and watch it on my big screen in the comfort of home! I NEVER join these tours, and by going out and around on my own, I've seen not just what the tours will get you to but places that the tour buses don't always go. Leidsplein and not just Dam Square. Place de la Madeleine and not just the Arc de Triomphe. Piazza Campo Marzo and not just Piazza di Spagna. St. James Palace and not just Buckingham Palace. While it's good to see the famous sights, it's also much more rewarding to get to the places that are local favorites. The buses won't get you there. And as long as you are careful, remain aware of your surroundigs and ask the advice of locals, you'll be fine! A better option, IMO, is to buy a package deal (air+hotel) to a city you want to visit. Buy a Eurail pass (before you leave!) and you can then go pretty much where your desire takes you. Hint: take the night train. You can sleep on the train and find a local hostel or small hotel to use as a base the next town you hit. Saves at least one night of paying for a room. The trains even run between London and Paris via the Chunnel (the tunnel under the English channel - there will probably be a surcharge for this train, even with the Eurail pass). With a bit of research, you can have a very enjoyable vacation on your own. Quote Link to comment
Fahfrd Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Hmm, I was lucky enough to get sent to Europe for work a few years a go and I must say that, based on my experience, it is better to go on a guided tour first. And then to have a couple of days by yourself. I tried to do it by myself, swinging over to Paris from Amsterdam and then on to Belgium before going back to Rotterdam. First off, I got robbed on the overnight train to Paris. Then, upon getting to Paris, I was again mugged by a beggar. Beggars over there look like they go to the gym regularly! Also, it was a bit difficult to get the hang of the Transit system. Although, to be fair, once you get the hang of it and know how to navigate the signs, it is a piece of cake. I also almost got mugged on the Transit system. Anyway, my point is that, first you go an a guided tour to get your bearings for the new city. And then you stricke out on your own. Quote Link to comment
agxo3 Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Hmm, I was lucky enough to get sent to Europe for work a few years a go and I must say that, based on my experience, it is better to go on a guided tour first. And then to have a couple of days by yourself. I tried to do it by myself, swinging over to Paris from Amsterdam and then on to Belgium before going back to Rotterdam. First off, I got robbed on the overnight train to Paris. Then, upon getting to Paris, I was again mugged by a beggar. Beggars over there look like they go to the gym regularly! Also, it was a bit difficult to get the hang of the Transit system. Although, to be fair, once you get the hang of it and know how to navigate the signs, it is a piece of cake. I also almost got mugged on the Transit system. Anyway, my point is that, first you go an a guided tour to get your bearings for the new city. And then you stricke out on your own.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> I guess our experiences differ. I'm sorry to hear you got robeed - twice, no less! My family and I have ALWAYS gone on our own. Even when our kid was young we always went unencumbered. New York, Washington D.C., Rome, Paris, London, Hawaii, Beaune, the Loire Valley... I've been on overnight trains and on the public transportation systems in almost every city we've been. There are things to watch out for, to be sure. Gypsy kids in Rome, muggers in Paris, street crime in Washington and NY. Took the train from London to Paris and back. Trains from Hongkong to Shenzen and back. Trains from Essen to Dusseldorf to Koln and on to Munich. But if you're alert, don't go places where and when you shouldn't, you can reduce the risk toyourself. It's true - if you look like you belong there, you are less likely to be mugged. Doing your research so you're prepared has lot to do with it. If you have some idea of how the transit systems works, for example, you can make like a local. I always talk to people who've been to a city before me and get their ideas and suggestion. I always - ALWAYS - make sure I know how to get around. And if I'm uncertain, I pay extra and arrange in advance for the first ride from the airport/train station/bus station to the hotel. As always, don't leave your stuff lying around unattended, not even for a minute. Don't bring out your money and count it. Keep your wallet in a front or chest pocket, or even better in a money belt. Don't flash your credit cards around, and don't make a big deal of carrying your fancy camera around. Know where you're going and what you need to do next. Stay in well-lit areas if you must wait around. A cafe is a really good place to hang out waiting for the train. So you have to buy a cup of expensive coffee - it's cheaper than getting mugged. The problem with a guided tour is they don't give you enough information to know where you want to go in the city and what you need to do. All you'll see are the major sights, and not even really leanr how to get around and where things are in relationship to each other. Many tours will put you up in hotels that are out of the way - not a problem since they arrange transportation. But if you want to dispense with the bus and go out on your own, it may not be so convenient. They won't tell you, for example, how the transit system works. Guided tours are great if you're content to see just what every other tourist sees, and not in any depth. But if you want to really get to experience a city, you need to get off the beaten tourist path - and that's what going it on your own gets you. Quote Link to comment
agxo3 Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 More sugggestions - I always travel with ONE credit card, and ONE ATM card. Keep them in separate pockets at ALL times. A bit of emergency cash tucked away. And phone numbers to report the card stolen and get a new one issued. Also keep that separate. Usually with my passport. Which I have copies of that I keep in my luggage. I get enough cash wherever I am to keep me through a couple of days then get more if I need it. You can usually get cash on your credit card from the hotel as well. That's the safest thing to do. The conversion rates have been generally favorable for me. Use any extra cash to pay part of your hotel bill when you leave unless you are going on to another city in the same country. (In the case of Europe, you may not have to do this since most of Europe now uses the Euro. But not all places. Make sure you know for sure.) While I like photography, I do not usually bring my expensive camera around with me. If I do, it stays in a bag until I am sure I want to take a picture and then it goes right back in. For street shooting, I will use a simpler, less attractive camera. I keep a business card from the hotel so (a) I can call them if I have to, and ( I can give it to the taxi driver so he knows where to go (especially places like Taiwan and China where English-speaking cabbies are rare). And the phone number of the local consulate or embassy. Plan your days - don't just go wandering unless you'll just be in the vicinity of the hotel. Write/print out before you leave home your itinerary in each city. What you want to see, where the sights are, how you plan to get around. Along with a small map. If you print it 4 sheets to a page, it makes a very small package and you can punch holes in the pages and put them in a small DayTimer kind of notebook. Much more unobtrusive. If I have to consult a map (and I often do!) I don't stand on a street corner to do that. I'll find a place I can sit, have coffee and consult the map. I try to consolidate my shopping where possible, not shop as I wander around. Quote Link to comment
floppydrive Posted March 1, 2005 Share Posted March 1, 2005 Before we travel, we research on what to do and not to do at our destination. A great source of info is Lonely Planet. It even tells you where it's safe and what to watch out for like gypsies at train stations. It's even a great source for RP sites. Quote Link to comment
mandapong Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Hmm, I was lucky enough to get sent to Europe for work a few years a go and I must say that, based on my experience, it is better to go on a guided tour first. And then to have a couple of days by yourself. I tried to do it by myself, swinging over to Paris from Amsterdam and then on to Belgium before going back to Rotterdam. First off, I got robbed on the overnight train to Paris. Then, upon getting to Paris, I was again mugged by a beggar. Beggars over there look like they go to the gym regularly! Also, it was a bit difficult to get the hang of the Transit system. Although, to be fair, once you get the hang of it and know how to navigate the signs, it is a piece of cake. I also almost got mugged on the Transit system. Anyway, my point is that, first you go an a guided tour to get your bearings for the new city. And then you stricke out on your own.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> could europe be worse than the philippines? my dad and i got robbed in barcelona, then you won't believe the number of those gypsy kids in Pisa, better make sure you use that money belt wisely or you certainly won't be travelling to europe on a budget Quote Link to comment
agxo3 Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 could europe be worse than the philippines? my dad and i got robbed in barcelona, then you won't believe the number of those gypsy kids in Pisa, better make sure you use that money belt wisely or you certainly won't be travelling to europe on a budget<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Only because you're unfamiliar with Europe ad opposed to being at home in the Philippines. I haven't been to Barcelona (never had the desire to see the place......) but I've been to England, France (both in Paris and in the smaller towns and countryside), Hooland, Germany, Denmark, Italy and Finland, as well as China, Hongkong, Taiwan, Japan and Singapore, and all over the US. In over 15 years of international travel I have NEVER been blatantly robbed. I WAS taken on the scenic tour in New York once, because I took the red-eye, got there at 5:30 am and was so sleepy I did not see where we were headed until we'd gone a good 10 miles out of the way. The cabbie got NO TIP, but I still ended up paying more than I should have. Each place has their nice areas, and their "be careful" areas. Awareness is the key - no matter where you are. It is easier for you traveling in the Philippines to spot these problems because things are familiar. In other countries, things will look different, the threats will present themselves differently and you may not spot them until it is too late. Research and awareness!! At all times. Don't presume people will behave as they do at home - they won't!!! Quote Link to comment
batibut Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 my suggestion would be to divide the continent by area. Expensive yung airfare so many people try to pack everything in one trip. But you miss out on the local color because you only stay in a country for a few days. One of the more expensive places to visit would be the scandinavian countries. But its really beautiful there. You can start south via Denmark. Then take the ferry into Malmo in Sweden. Goteborg (gothenburg) is also a must visit. Then you can take the train north or rent a car to travel norhtward to see the rest of sweden then take the train or drive to Norway, then Finland. The best time to visit would be spring or summer because of the midnight sun... The scandinavians celebrate mid-summer which is the longest day of the year by getting wasted! hahaha this is so fun! its the longest party i've ever been! :boo: :boo: :boo: You can get student passes for public transpo or day passes, in most major cities. The B&B's are the best places to stay. Expensive pa rin, comparatively speaking, but its cheaper than the hotels. Plus you live with a local family usually so they can advise you on the things to do, where to eat, local festivities and landmarks. If you're nice you may even get invitations...makakamura ka talaga if you're friendly. hahaha Quote Link to comment
puretuts Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 You can take a euro pass. Its a ticket for the euro train. Ride all you can yata for a certain period of time. You can also use the net to look for inn. mga bed and breakfast inns are cheaper plus you get to know the culture of the area. Based on my experience, mas maganda if you dont take an organized tour. You organized your tour. Quote Link to comment
puretuts Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 Beware pala sa mga mandurogas who preys on tourist. Most are gypsies. Nanakawan kami sa Nice, France sa trainstation. kala niya pera folded Philippine Flag pala nakuha niya. May style pa yan na kukunan ka nang picture with some gypsy flamingo dancers. Then they will ask you for a dollar to sent you the pics to the philippines. Puputi na lang ang kalabaw walang picture na dadating. Mukhang modus nila. Wala yatang film ang camera nila. Trusting naman kami dahil kasama sa tour package. If you take a tour package, befriend the driver of the tour bus. He knows where to go. Yung bus driver, tour guide namin naasar sa kasama namin. While on our way to Nurswhanstine (?), our companion insisted to eat at McDonalds. Ang pinoy talaga. Sabi niya, you guy go all the way from the Philippines to eat McDonalds in Austria. Dapat kasi you should try kung ano ang nasa area. Interact with the community. Quote Link to comment
puretuts Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 Our female companions bought a money bra. I think it is available at Rustans. You put your cash in the bra. May zipper. My companion open her bra in front of a Sony salesman to pay for a handycam. I was shock. He he he. Quote Link to comment
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