travelling to europe with friends...?

Question

hey my friends and i wanted to go to europe when we graduate high school. we were thinking of going to germany,austria, italy, france and spain. so i have a few questions...
1. where should we go in each country?-what are some touristy and non-touristy places? [i want to see some 'hidden secrets of the countries where not many tourists go too]
2. any good time to travel? how to find a good hotel?
3. any foods or other things we should try at the countries?
4.any special things we need to bring or watch out for in europe?

thanks a lot!!! i'll give 10 points to whos seems the best.thanks in advance=]

Answer 1

My sisters and I did 2 weeks of Eurorail - it was the best vacation of my life! Eurorail goes everywhere - so you can too!

We arrived in Zurich and them did a quick trip into Germany before going overnight to Venice, Pisa and Florence. OMG! Waking up in Venice was unreal!! Back to Basil and Luzernne (sp?) then to Baden Baden and Paris then Vienna. And more.

You can make your own schedule - stay an extra day or leave early. And - since you're going with friends, some may want to go to City A and others to City B - no problem, you can all meet in City C later. (FYI - traveling with people gets on your nerves sooner or later so it's good to break up and reunite!)

If you are all girls, you will be targeted by men - married, older, younger, etc. Don't ever travel alone.

Pickpockets are truly everywhere. You are going to stick out like a sore thumb, so you will be targeted all day and night.
Keep money and passports with you - taped onto you!
Leave all your jewelry at home in the US. Only take with you what you can live without because chances are it will be stolen.
Always have a designated driver to make sure the drunks among you don't get into too much trouble!

The easiest way to find a hotel is to let it find you!
Hotel guys are usually at the train station looking for people like you - they will steer you to their hotel. It's the easiest way to find but not the cheapest.

Travel really light - only carry a backback.
Nothing that needs ironing, t-shirt dresses and tops, 2 shoes max. When you need it, you can buy laundry soap etc at a pharmacy near the train station so don't carry it with you all over Europe.

Buy the book Let's Go Europe! It tells you the history and sites.

Goes without saying - have fun!!

Answer 2

Sounds like a fun trip to plan. Before specifically answering your questions let me just give a few basic pieces of advice. First, don't try and see everything, see less places and see them more fully. Second, no trip goes according to plan.

1. In terms of where to go in each country, I really recomend buying a guide book. I think Let's Go is a good book for first time travelers, as it's written by university students from Harvard (they all have the same information, just pick the one that you like reading best). Finding hidden secrets is kinda hard in Europe, it's a heavily touristed place, and often "hidden" part can be in the same place. My friends from Amsterdam talk of the tourist part of the city and the local part of the city, which was totally different.

2. It's always a good time to travel, but ticket prices go up after June 15th, so if you can leave before then, you'll save some money. On that note, I should mention STA's blue tickets, which allow for the most flexibility for date changes. I worked there for 2 years and am still convinced they are the best ticket for travelers, can be refunded changed before and after departure, and if you miss your flight, the ticket is not void. In terms of accomadation, I prefer hostels when traveling as they are more social. Again, guide books can help with this as well as all sorts of online sites.

3. The food may just be the best part. I never eat McDonald's overseas, as the local cuisines are just too good. In France: Crepes, paninis, escargot, the wine, it's all good.
Germany: schnitzel is quite good (jaiger schnitzel is with a creamy mushroom sauce), and I simply love spatzle with cheese (kaisel spatzle). While there is German wine the beer is much better. Italy has absolutely no native cuisine, nothing at all. In fact I'm not sure they eat there.

4. I always recomend a money belt. I've been robbed twice in Europe (pickpocketed in Rome and gassed on a night train in Poland), there are some things you don't want to lose. In terms of clothing, bring as little as possible, I brought two pairs of shoes for my last trip which lasted over two years. Also, minimal clothing brought gives one a good excuse for buying some things while there.

That's most of what I can think of off the top or my head, I hope it helps.

Answer 3

That depends of what you like to do. I love travelling around on my own because you get to meet loads of new people and don't just hide in your little group, and you get too see a lot more of the world and different cultures. A one week holiday with friends sounds like a laugh but I know what I'd chose any day.

Answer 4

Hi,,, I work around the world and I will give you a little info.. there is so much,,, your going to have to look up and decide .... between all your friends..

Ok, to get there, i suggest look up flights on Travelocity.com or Orbetz.com.. and keep checking prices.. Once you get to your destination.. you can take a train and travel from country to country... and or try Easyjet.com and fly from one to another cheaper.... and end up back at the original destination to go home from..
Next,, hotels... look up Hotels.com,, look up the cities you want to visit,, check the hotels prices... ect ect.. its too easy... you can pre book them even,,,,,, Once you are there....
Next: pack light pack right !!! dont carry too much stuff... You will regret it.. i carry one big bag and a backpack as my carryon.. and i work months on end ...
You need to know that prices vary, but if you go just before Spring or late Summer prices will be better....that goes for hotels, and flights...
All hotels have continental breakfast!! Pig out then, you paid for it.. then, light lunch,, and have more to spend on dinner!!!

Forget the hidden secrets,, this trip, stick to the main sights,, and learn your way around.... Now,, Most Important.. beware of Pickpockets !!!! they are all over Europe, and they are Good... that includes,, phones,cameras,purses,backpacks,, ect ect.. they work in teams,, and just because that cute Italian boy picked you out to talk to ,,,, you better watch out !!!!!
Leave the drugs at home!!!! Remeber you represent your Country when traveling,, you have No American Rights !!!!

All the food is great!! bring Imodium AD,, and TUMS...just in case... Have fun,, and be careful....

good luck

Answer 5

I'd highly recommend getting some of Rick Steve's material on Europe. His DVDs are quite informative as are his guidebooks. As he says regarding his guidebooks, if you get them you'll get $2,000 experiences for $20. But in his dvd series he covers all those countries you mentioned. He has a series out on dvd called, "Travel Skills parts 1- 3" They're about 25 minutes each about important things you need to know. He also strongly suggests buying and wearing a money belt for your important items like traveler's checks, money, copy of driver's license, passport, etc. Thieves target Americans & are great pick-pockets so wear your money belt around your waste under your underwear. But he's got some great info. you'll want to know about to make your trip a great one. Your local library may have his videos. He's on many PBS stations too.

http://www.ricksteves.com/

Good luck and have a great time!!

Answer 6

Check into European railpasses,. They must be purchased in advance, and save a ton of time and money. Youth Hostels are by far the least expensive hotels and you WILL see the hidden secrets, local hangouts. Accomodations vary greatly. Check out these links.

Answer 7

Do you want my opinion? I think that you missed the coolest place, Romania, you can visit TiMisoara, one of the most romantic city, Moldova with a lot of "hidden and unknown" place. In the same time is the best food. You can see a lot of strange things and the law is not so "hard". You don't take ticket soo easy :D

Answer 8

UMM I HEAR PARIS IS PRETTY COOL, AND SICILY...and austria? since whenn???? w/e lol umm yea im doing the same thing w/ my friends lol!!!