have you ever gone to europe

[kalster]

backpacking with friends, with family etc.


how much time/money is required to enjoy it well

suggest some places/time to visit


thanks

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

9 days about 4 years ago with my wife.

Netherlands, the Rhine Valley, and Belgium and then back to Amsterdam.

 

[nater]

went to Spain as part of a school trip. Our arrangements were made through EF tours.

 

[minendo]

Went to school in Germany for three weeks about 5 years ago.

 

[kermalou]

yes, its not that cheap but an experience that you will never forget

 

[Hammer]

yup

 

[palad]

I backpacked in England for a couple of weeks over 10 years ago. Wound up costing around $1100 total (airfare included). Get an up-to-date listing of good youth hostels. Learn about money conversion ahead of time. Try to show up with local cash or coinage if possible -- one less thing to worry about when you get there.

If you go to England, go through the Yorkshire Dales, and spend a day or two in York itself.

 

[kami333]

Kind of, spent a semester in Denmark so I took weekend trips to other places.

Personally I wasn't a fan of the dirt-cheap backpacking some of my friends were doing, not going to museums or tours because they cost money, eating cheap, etc. I guess it depends on your personal preferences and financial situation but I much rather prefered to eat and drink well and see what I wanted to see. Still stayed in hostels though, cause it's fun Get to meet lots of random people, I met one girl who turned out to be an alum from my college. Guess I spent about $75-100 a day (London = $$$), not including transportation.

 

[minus1972]

yes...went to Rome, Florence, Naples, and Paris on a family vacation a couple years ago...and I'm going again this summer to London, Pisa, Florence, and Rome with the fam again, then a friend is coming over and we're taking the train up to Amsterdam via Florence, Zurich, and Paris.

It was by far the best vacation I've ever been on, and I can't wait to go back this summer. It's going to be insanely expensive, but I've been saving for a while and pretty much everything I make this summer before I go is going towards this trip. If you get the chance...go. I picked up a guide called 'hanging out in Europe' by frommers this christmas and it's been a big help so far, so check that out too.

 

[loup garou]

Yep, went for 3 weeks to Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, with a 3 day cruise through the Greek Isles.

 

[aphex]

4 months in the fall in 02. Had a KICKASS time!

 

[blackdogdeek]

went on a month long, very expensive, family trip to:

london/dover, UK; brussels, belgium; calais/loire valley/nice, france; geneva, switzerland; florence/venice/rome, italy. the architecture and history are amazing, especially in florence and rome, of course. definitely visit the museums. we stayed in hotels mostly and we ate out a lot so it was costly. but once on the mainland we drove around in rented cars/minivans.

other than that i've visited london on numerous occasions to see my friends over there. i usually stay with them and only fly when the rates are dirt cheap so those trips are much more wallet-friendly.

i've been to amsterdam a number of times with friends. that's always, always a good time *cough*coffeeshop*cough*

also, the wife and i went on a 10 day trip to prague, czech republic and vienna austria. vienna was a little too commercial for us but prague was absolutely beatiful.

 

[dpm]

After I did my A-levels I spent a month going interrailing round Europe with some friends, staying in hostels etc, and it was definitely the best holiday of my life.

I don't think Americans can buy an interrail pass, but I think there is a more expensive version for non-Euros. Don't know what its called, but it might be worth checking out. Basically you can catch any train you like in Europe for a month, and hop from place to place.
We hopped from France to Italy to Austria to Germany to Denmark to Holland to Belgium to Switzerland to Luxembourg... and i'm pretty sure I'm missing somewhere. Amazing month.

Whatever you do, though, make sure you see Rome. Italy on a whole was great, but Rome was the highlight of the entire trip.

 

[Riprorin]

Given the weak dollar this isn't the best time to be travelling to Europe.

I've been to France a dozen or so times, and London a half dozen times so I can help you there. PM me if you have any questions.

Otherwise, Greece is supposed to be nice and it's cheap too.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
Otherwise, Greece is supposed to be nice and it's cheap too.

Just don't go to Athens in the summer! It is TOO HOT!!!

 

[AlienCraft]

It's gonna cost ya. The dollar is TANKING compared to the Euro. Take an ATM card, don't worry about changing currency.
Amsterdam & Barcelona are my two favorite cities.

 

Where the hell is the poll?

No i havent yet.

 

[SpazzyChicken]

I went on a study abroad trip for 6 weeks, and then spent 4 weeks just traveling around with some buddies in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Italy......etc. Easily the most fun thing that I have ever done in my life.

I would have to second the post from above not to be a total cheap a$$. Skipping out on museums and other things that cost money is just stupid. What if you never get the chance to go back? I'm not saying that you have to go all out and buy the most expensive dinners and such, but I know I would be kicking myself if I didn't spend the 7 Euros to get the little audio guide thingy at Dachau.

Eurail passes are nice if you are planning to be traveling a lot between countries (we had one). But if you are only going to a few/short distances, you would probably be better off just paying the fares.

 

[Czesia]

Been to Lausanne, Switezerland... absolutely amazing there, like being in a different world. Also, the Olympic Museum is great and you can hop over to Evian, France if you need a change of pace.