Backpacking in europe


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Remember to get traveller's check, they will be useful along the way as you do not have to bring too much cash..

an alternative is to use posb card - i think it is the GO! one,

the charges if you draw from the right type of atm, very minimal, about $5 per transaction. of course they also might eat you a bit on the exchange rates, but so far, not too bad.
 

i also recommend eastern europe... forget about paris, london, rome etc... the real beauty lies in the east... :thumbsup: so much better...

i have to agree,

but i also disagree. i think everyone needs to go to those places to be disappointed. :bsmilie:

and they do have their certain charm (along with inflated costs). from my limited experience in poland, eastern europe is so much cheaper. but this also depends on how touristy the particular location has become.
 

you should see the italy rail website.....

i catch no ball.... :bsmilie: actually go to rail station also catch no ball sometimes, but nothing went wrong. :bsmilie:

italy has 1 of the worst train service... my nite train to florence din arrive... i have to sleep 1 nite near a hotel of the station in switzerland... next morning, catch the first train to milan then to florence... the fact i manage to get tickets and make my way to florence wothout missing my hotel booking amazes myself till today...maybe just pure luck...:)
 

you should see the italy rail website.....

i catch no ball.... :bsmilie: actually go to rail station also catch no ball sometimes, but nothing went wrong. :bsmilie:

That's cos you never flash your neh neh at them or offer them goat's milk! :bsmilie: We catch no ball too but we flashed our mega watt smile at the italians and we need not catch any balls. Everything was arranged smoothly for us and the conductor even walked back to our seats to let us know that we were approaching our destination. :bsmilie:
 

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italy has 1 of the worst train service... my nite train to florence din arrive... i have to sleep 1 nite near a hotel of the station in switzerland... next morning, catch the first train to milan then to florence... the fact i manage to get tickets and make my way to florence wothout missing my hotel booking amazes myself till today...maybe just pure luck...:)

lol, i think it depends on city to city.. but not too uncomfortable.. :)

i know the eastern europe trains can be quite hellish, because i met a friend in poland halfway through his gallivanting around europe, and his train arrived half a day late, i nearly died of boredom because cannot go anywhere, have to hang around the train station area, and he don't even know what time he can arrive. :sweat:
 

That's cos you never flash your neh neh at them or offer them goat's milk! :bsmilie: We catch no ball too but we flashed our mega watt smile at the italians and we need not catch any balls. Everything was arranged smoothly for us and the conductor even walked back to our seats to let us know that we were approaching our destination. :bsmilie:

the dude at counter say he catch no english ball leh....

maybe the girls with us not as pretty as you... :(
 

the dude at counter say he catch no english ball leh....

maybe the girls with us not as pretty as you... :(

The italians we approached all cannot catch english, hokkien, china balls too. Maybe cos we offered them bread? :angel:
 

italy has 1 of the worst train service... my nite train to florence din arrive... i have to sleep 1 nite near a hotel of the station in switzerland... next morning, catch the first train to milan then to florence... the fact i manage to get tickets and make my way to florence wothout missing my hotel booking amazes myself till today...maybe just pure luck...:)

Hmmm.....my train from Rome to Florence and Florence to Venice were punctual and clean unlike those in UK. I guess it is a matter of luck. :)
 

The italians we approached all cannot catch english, hokkien, china balls too. Maybe cos we offered them bread? :angel:

:eek::eek:

bread also so popular in europe?

never offer them tofu... :devil: ok enough ot LOL
 

:eek::eek:

bread also so popular in europe?

never offer them tofu... :devil: ok enough ot LOL

Ok last OT..why is the wording of "Europe" maroon? :bsmilie:

Can we request for Pink? Green? Orange? Purple?
 

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Hi...im planning a 2-3 weeks trip to europe
have anyone backpack there before? any advices on places to go and places not to go?

hi there,

i'm not gonna bother reading the 2 pages of what people have said because its far too long.

i did visit europe 2 months back in march. flew to amsterdam via KLM ( it was cheap! ), then a short flight to newcastle airport then my mum and i took a train to newcastle city to meet my sis then made our way to Durham where i stayed there for a night before spending the next 2 days in Edinburgh, the capital of scotland.

after which, my mum and i flew to Charles De Gualle, Paris on Europe ONLY budget airline, EasyJet. we spent 2 nights at Paris disney land and another 2 nights at Paris city. after which, we flew back to singapore via Air France.

i must say a good place to visit is Edinburgh. there is one whole lane of shop for people to go shopping and you could just spend one whole day walking that whole road. and the best part is that its near the train station and also a bus stop where you can take a bus straight to Edinburgh airport. and also there Edinburgh castle, a really beautiful place to visit.

the city of durham is a very small city. its basically just a University there. i was there because my sis is currently studying there.

Paris disneyland is an ubber good place to go. if you're the Rahh-Rahh sort. spending 2 days there won't be enough. there are 4 Disneyland hotels just outside the Disneyland which is really convenient for people to go in and out. and also, if you were to go from London, you can take Eurostar straight to Paris Disneyland.

and last of all. Paris city. i marvel at the Paris' train system. singapore only has 3 major line (4th one starting on the following week) paris has 13 major lines and they can still fit nicely into the map of Paris. a must see place is the Lourve and eiffel tower. oh and also, if you were to walk about 30mins from the lourve towards the Arch, you'll pass by the Orchard Road of Paris with all the branded stuff there. and also, if you're a tennis lover like me, you should go visit Rolland Garros tennis stadium. the competition is starting on the 25th may in fact.

okay coming back to London. you should visit london too. but visiting london once is good enough. in london, you should visit the tower brigde, london eye, buckimgham place(the changing of guards. i think its every tuesday) oh and you could even watch a Play.

well, hope you enjoy yourself in europe. i've my trip pics on flickr(link below). just type "UK, 2009" under the Tags and you can view some of the pics there.
 

wow...thanks for the many replies...
there are some places i definately want to go such as berlin wall, rome, paris.
btw im backpacking alone...anyone wanna tag along pmme =)
 

Hello, just sharing some info.
It was my 4th time to Europe in March/April..but it is always a joy to be in Europe!

I touched down in Rome, then explored the usual touristic route to Florence, Pisa, Venice.
I, then flew to Paris on easyjet which I think costs less about SGD$80 per pax.
(do note that flights are usually more expensive on Fri/Sat, so do plan properly if you are a budget)
3D2N in Paris, and I was off to Milan (air tix about SGD$120 per pax) for another 3D2N before flying to Mykonos. The air ticket via Aegean air to Mykonos was the most expensive at S$ 330 per pax.
I then took the 3hrs ferry from Mykonos to Santorini (about $75 per pax)

I have calculated my sum if I should get a europass or buy "ala carte", and figured it out that the 2nd option is cheaper for me.
When I backpacked many years ago, and stayed 1N in each city only...europass works out to be better. I was also paying student rates too.
Buying adult rates europass is quite a fair bit more.

I love Venice, Mykonos, Florence and Paris the most...
Been to Rome twice and dislike it twice. Been to Pisa once, and regret it.

maybe others will disagree...,but dont shoot me down, just my own opinion.
:)
 

btw, not sure about berlin...but i have been to frankfurt and munich before. munich is nice...frankfurt just ok..
 

BTW many of the places are filled with pickpockets. Always remember :

This is NOT Singapore. Carrying a backpack on your pack can mean a big loss of your belongings. These guys are pros.

Other than the usual racial remarks and this, Europe is generally safe, esp Germany and the Swiss parts.
 

yes, about the pickpocket too..as i had encountered a korean lady who approached me for help after she was pickpocketed at the metro station.

my backpack was solely for cameras and lens, and personally, i doubt they will wanna cut open it and steal equipments. my wallet, cards and passport were in my hidden waistpounch.
i am using the slingshot200 which i can easily swing to the front, when i am in crowded places too.
 

btw, not sure about berlin...but i have been to frankfurt and munich before. munich is nice...frankfurt just ok..

Hi, do you think Munich is nice for those Europe old style building photography? Like those castle, ruins? :)
 

Before we send him the wrong direction, some interesting comments in the posts above:
Norway is definitely part of Europe
Marakesh is part of Africa (Morocco)
and most importantly: Octoberfest is in Munchen and not in Berlin (and to make it confusing: it takes place in September...)
 

Hi, do you think Munich is nice for those Europe old style building photography? Like those castle, ruins? :)

Yes, I love the old buildings in Munich. It is really kinda different compared to elsewhere.
I had only spent a day trip in Munich which was not enough, been to a toy museum which was really cool...walking around the city was really nice too. Been several years, and hence I cannot recall totally...but i remembered it as nice. :)
 

I had just returned from my 20+ days honeymoon in Europe recently. So it is a matter of individual preference. Euro-rail is a good idea to travel & experience the train in different countries. However, if you have only a limited time, then budget airline is the way to go. It is comparable to train prices & is even faster. But i do agree that overnight train journey can be effective in saving money & time instead of spending a night in a hotel or hostel.

Been to Paris, Rome, Venice & London. Paris is a beautiful city. Check out night86mare gallery on Paris. Excellent for those planning to visit Paris & look out for those sweet spots.
Venice is another place, so completely different from Singapore. Do take note if you are prone to sea-sickness. Mode of transport = Boat :sweat:

Prague is another place i would love to visit coz of its architecture... But need to recover from the big hole in my pocket :bigeyes:
 

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