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International Travel - 4/18/2008 11:57:23 PM   
Monkeyontuesday


Posts: 357
Joined: 2/29/2008
Status: offline 		Hey, everybody!

Here's a little back story... Hunnie and I were planning on doing a tour of the Southwest (starting in Houston, where we are) and continuing on through Arizona and to California -- all places where I coincidentally have friends/ family (no need for hotels here.. *mooch??*).

Anyway, I get the bright idea during one of my insomniac nights that we should take a trip to Europe for a few weeks over Christmas Break instead. I thought I had it all planned out and found some feasible options through travel agencies such as Contiki. HOWEVER, upon closer examination, I discover that flight TO Europe is not included, and when I looked up the fares, they are outrageous ($1500 trip PLUS $700 in just domestic airfare )

Now, I am thinking that it would be better to go through hostels and the like, as I hear they are generally inexpensive. However, I am concerned about safety, as neither of us has much travel experience; his father lives in Denmark, so he has been there, and I have been to Israel, but only with a supervised group.

Any thoughts/ brain storming/ experiences? I'd LOVE for this to work out, but I'm fearing that, as I have other travel to save up for (international, but school-related and he cannot come), it isn't feasible.
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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 12:15:31 AM   
ownedgirlie


Posts: 9184
Joined: 2/5/2006
Status: offline 		Honestly, the dollar is so weak in Europe right now, I won't go.  I had the opportunity to go to Spain in February but the exchange rate is crazy and it's just throwing money away.

You can check the exchange rate on MSN.com - linked here.

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 12:17:22 AM   
GreedyTop


Posts: 52100
Joined: 5/2/2007
From: Savannah, GA
Status: offline 		try this:  Couch Surfing

I know several people that have used it, and it's worked well for them.  IIRC, you will exchange email, and calls to find out if there are any issues (pets, smokers, etc).. 

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 12:19:40 AM   
GreedyTop


Posts: 52100
Joined: 5/2/2007
From: Savannah, GA
Status: offline 		oh yeah.. I exchanged $80 USD in England a bit more than a week ago.. got 37GBP.  Dunno what the Euro is doing.. but the USD is suckin some serious ass elsewhere.

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 12:21:29 AM   
Monkeyontuesday


Posts: 357
Joined: 2/29/2008
Status: offline 		GT, are you a superhero? Is it your super power to have the right answers to everything? *wonders if her brown nosing is working...*

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 12:30:53 AM   
GreedyTop


Posts: 52100
Joined: 5/2/2007
From: Savannah, GA
Status: offline 		*snicker* no brown-nosing needed.. it just seemed like that site might be something that would work well for you! *hugs*

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Waiting for my madman in a Blue Box.

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 12:38:21 AM   
Monkeyontuesday


Posts: 357
Joined: 2/29/2008
Status: offline 		I'm so Bohemian, it might.. However, I am just as afraid of being chopped up into little pieces... Never saw that movie Hostel, but I've heard enough about it... 

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 12:50:32 AM   
MzMinx


Posts: 277
Joined: 12/26/2005
Status: offline 		europe is expensive ....  but a couple of handy hints

Always have  two atm cards ... and ensure that they only have a 4 digit pin ....  many banks in europe only allow 4 digits ... or at least did a few years ago .. and definitely do not have more than 6 (I was traveling recently in bali with a canadian who had a 9 digit pin and could not use her card any where as the maximum was generally 6 digits and occasionaly 8 )
Have at least one credit card ... not a  debit card  that looks like a credit card ... but a real  credit card for emergencies
Carry your money in at least two places ..... say have one wallet with an ATM card plus credit card and cash ... and keep a 50 euro bill plus your other atm cared else where  if you use a handbag .. amke sure it is one that zippers shut or has a fold over top that snaps shut
Never flash large amounts of cash ... just like any where in the world .. the places that attract tourists  can attract the not so nice people as well
Rather than eat in restaurants and such .. shop in supermarkets and make sandwiches etc sitting in the great parks and squares you will find... it is just as much fun indeed often more delightful
In italy and france a cup of coffee  can set you back 6  or more euros if its at a  prime table overlooking a well known tourist stop... but around the corner without the view it might cost 2 euros
Different  countries within the Eu  have different standards of living .. so spain .. portugal.. hungary.. poland  etc are cheaper than Germany, England

But lots of them have great museams, art galeries etc that are donation only ... so you can decrease the costs of  your trip by choosing what to experience
Never put your hand bag on the ground  always wrap the strap around your wrists or leg, dont leave cameras etc on the table as you eat or chat  

If you find a hostel  and your gut instinct is its dodgy .... then leave .... but do remember that  the standards  of plumbing etc in 300 year old buildings  can be quite different  than modern ones ..... and look into private rooms at hostels rather than shared dorms

Wotif.com  and lastminute.com  both offer discounted room rates on all levels of accomodation .... of course the higher  the starting rate of a room the better the possable discount

and Lonelyplanet.com  have chat boards for travellers  so you can ask questions or  read others

*smiles*  I have traveled to more than 20 countries ... often on my own .... it is quite safe as long as you think  a bit smartly ... and its  great fun ... no matter wnhat you experience


hope you have a delightful trip no matter where you travel to

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 12:54:08 AM   
popeye1250


Posts: 18104
Joined: 1/27/2006
From: New Hampshire
Status: offline 		Well, you can fly from Boston to Shannon, Ireland round trip for $670.
You just have to get to Logan airport.
And if you like to camp you can do so almost anywhere in the Irish countryside but it rains a lot so you may want to use B&B's, they cost about $40-$50 a night with this exchange rate.
And you can hitchike and people will pick you up in the countryside.
And "The West is the Best" so you'd want to go to Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Kerry.
Stunning scenery!

< Message edited by popeye1250 -- 4/19/2008 12:55:23 AM >

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 1:00:12 AM   
meatcleaver


Posts: 9030
Joined: 3/13/2006
Status: offline 		You can always find cheap and clean places to sleep in western Europe whether in youth hostels or what some countries call pensions, cheap hotels where basically all get is a bed in a bare room but they are clean and well kept. Tourist information usually has lists of these places.

It might be worth buying a book like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Frommers-Europe-Dollars-Dollar-Guides/dp/0764564943 but remember, the dollar is so weak at the moment no book will be able to give you the correct prices but such a book would give you all the information you need.

Western Europe is very safe for travellers and you wouldn't have any added dangers that you wouldn't have in the US, probably less danger. My daughter who was then 16 spent summer travelling round Europe with a group of friends using youth tickets going from Spain to Greece and then up to Scandinavia. Some of east Europe is just as safe (Poland, Czech, Hungary)but beware of countries like Bulgaria, Romania and the Balkens where there are real problems with crime.

Here's a cheap way to travel http://www.eurolines-pass.com/index.php?id=113  I notice you are 20 so you are able to survive bus travel over long distances unlike an oldy like me. They have a good service, last time I used them was about 6 months ago went to Paris. They are clean and well serviced buses and you would probably meet other young people from all over the world on them. 

< Message edited by meatcleaver -- 4/19/2008 1:04:16 AM >

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 5:19:08 AM   
kittinSol


Posts: 16926
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Monkeyontuesday

I'm so Bohemian, it might.. However, I am just as afraid of being chopped up into little pieces... Never saw that movie Hostel, but I've heard enough about it... 


You're joking, right? What do you think Europe is, the seventh circle of Hell?

For fuck's sake.

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 6:17:16 AM   
RealityLicks


Posts: 1615
Joined: 10/23/2007
Status: offline 		Yeah, we have Starbucks and Borders!

I met an American couple a few years back who shipped their car over from home because they thought European cars weren't safe enough.  Safe enough for half a billion of us, though . And others who thought the tapwater would give them dysentry!

Mind you, Monkeyontuesday doesn't sound quite that bad.  Hope you have a great trip, btw.

In fact drop in if you come to London, we love to eat monkey every tuesday, too. 

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 6:51:28 AM   
pahunkboy


Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		Skip Europe.  In fact skip anywhere that is a distance.

I challenge you to explore venues with-in 100 miles of home.   The hidden sites are often under stated.

Start with state and national parks.  

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 6:53:05 AM   
kittinSol


Posts: 16926
Status: offline 		Monkey? I'm more prone to dog, myself. You barbarian.

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 6:55:28 AM   
Leatherist


Posts: 5149
Joined: 12/11/2007
Status: offline 		We should legalize eating dog in this country. Maybe people would keep the fuckers home then.

Look! Lunch just showed up in the back yard-where's my crossbow!!!!!

< Message edited by Leatherist -- 4/19/2008 6:56:32 AM >

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 7:12:48 AM   
lronitulstahp


Posts: 5392
Joined: 10/17/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

Skip Europe.  In fact skip anywhere that is a distance.

I challenge you to explore venues with-in 100 miles of home.   The hidden sites are often under stated.

Start with state and national parks.  

But then you don't get to have your passport stamped...and besides... everyone should try to see the world if they can.  There's something about international travel...it makes you appreciate the idea of being a citizen of the world...

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 7:37:29 AM   
kiwisub12


Posts: 4742
Joined: 1/11/2006
Status: offline 		Forget Europe - after all the buggers don't even speak English as a first language!- go to New Zealand for about the same amount you quoted. You can even stop off in Tahiti or Fiji.   Its beautiful (think lord of the rings) , small enough to drive around in two weeks and everyone thinks americans are wonderful.  ( you are wonderful, right?)

Stop at motels - they have kitchen facilities, are clean and cheap, or b&b's and get to know a few kiwis. You can't beat it with a stick!

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 7:43:49 AM   
lronitulstahp


Posts: 5392
Joined: 10/17/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: kiwisub12

Forget Europe - after all the buggers don't even speak English as a first language!- go to New Zealand for about the same amount you quoted. You can even stop off in Tahiti or Fiji.   Its beautiful (think lord of the rings) , small enough to drive around in two weeks and everyone thinks americans are wonderful.  ( you are wonderful, right?)

Stop at motels - they have kitchen facilities, are clean and cheap, or b&b's and get to know a few kiwis. You can't beat it with a stick!
NZ is my DREAM location...for a vacation or in some dirty fantasies, a second home.  All that green grass...and all those men wth sexy accents...YUM!
quote:

  
You can't beat it with a stick!
you may have lost a few sadists, there....

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 7:58:04 AM   
GreedyTop


Posts: 52100
Joined: 5/2/2007
From: Savannah, GA
Status: offline 		I agree with Iron.. leave the US borders.. get to see some of the rest of the world.  It's an amazing experience.

When I was in the Netherlands we went to several places where you could walk on streets that have been in use for centuries.. one of the churches we went in to had a tomb dated 1293. 

In London, Westminster Abbey was breathtaking. oh hell,. ALL of London was incredible!  I feel much richer for the time spent overseas. 

(and we all know how much I want to go back, so I'll stop there..LOL)

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polysnortatious
Supreme Goddess of Snark
CHARTER MEMBER: Lance's Fag Hags!
Waiting for my madman in a Blue Box.

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RE: International Travel - 4/19/2008 8:17:06 AM   
NorthernGent


Posts: 8730
Joined: 7/10/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: kittinSol

You're joking, right? What do you think Europe is, the seventh circle of Hell?

For fuck's sake.



To be fair, she's not far wrong.

Being English, I'm fully aware of the inherent dangers when stepping aboard these shores:

1) You can get a nasty nip from a badger in the event you don't tread carefully.
2) It's overcast for 362 days of the year - rain is a distinct possibility.
3) In the event you need a break from driving, you may find yourself in a god-awful Little Chef.
4) Crop circles are in abundance - don't stand in a field late at night if you'd rather not get abducted and taken to a far-off planet.
5) Hooligans are partial to knocking over the odd dust-bin - don't stand too close. They're easy to spot; they're all men between the ages of 16 and 35.
6) The Women's Institute want your soul for jam-making, tea coiffing and chats about rural England.

To the OP, you can find good and bad everywhere; it depends on the individual - corny but true.

If you're interested in history, architecture, art, music etc - then Europe will satisfy your needs. If you like chaotic, bustling towns and cities, I'd recommend England as every blade of grass has a building on it and town planning is non-existent ("there's some grass, get a building on it" is about the size of it). . If you like space and order, I'd recommend Germany; their cities are totally unlike English cities - everything seems orderly and tidy over there and even the big cities seem to enjoy vast amounts of space.

On the danger side, England has one of the lowest murder rates in the world; yet one of the higest rates of robbery (in the developed world). So, if you value your life, but don't mind having your bag stolen, then hop aboard!

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