Europe for the first time...

[heymikey]

Originally posted by Triglyceride
My friend,she's Chinese-American, she was able to do it,that was what inspired me to do this European trip. As a Filipina who is planning on travelling there, it really is not an issue to me either...except maybe, squatting toilets.

Here's what I've read too (and it's 99% common sense), women travellers should take extra precaution in the southern countries because most of these places are still holding on to the belief that staring and hollering at women is a form of flattery. If the clothes worn are too revealing/tight, then they're just asking for it. It's best to avoid eye contact at times so wear a pair of dark sunglasses. A wedding band can be useful at times too. Just flash your finger and tell them you're married.

Wombat

I was just reading about this hostel last night My eyes lit up when I came across it. But the book did say that booking far in advance is a good idea because budget accomodations in Vienn tends to fill up quickly.

.....and Sound Of Music tour- that was what my friend's land lady told me about Salzburg too! Consistency is good! Salzburg is hella far from Vienna though, how far is it by train?

flower festival - flowers bang yung lahat nang yan sa picture? WOW!!!! ..hahahaha, I've read about Maneken Pis hehehehe....playful art ....

.....I think I'm gonna miss that festival though, because if all goes to plan, I'll be flying back here end of May already.

THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH for all the info.

ciao!

I didn't have any reservations when I got to Vienna but Wombat's was full but the other nearby hostel have some availability. You only need to book if there is a specific hostel that you want to stay in especially if it is really popular, such as Wombat's, or Flying Pig, or Circus.

As far as not handling squatting toilets, good luck in Italy. I haven't been to Italy yet (will be in Venice 2 days from now) but I was briefly in Milan for about 6 hours (just a stopover from Nice to take an overnight train to Munich) and I was surprised when I went to the toilet in Milano Central station. I was shocked when I saw the toilets -- they had no seats. I was quite disgusted since there were traces of feces on their toilets that I had to wait for about an hour or 2 for my train to arrive so I could just relieve myself. You'd think that Milan, being one of the most prosperous cities in Italy, would have seats on their main train station. I am not really looking forward to experiencing shiting on their toilets.

As far as Brussells, I found it quite boring. I only stayed there like 5 hours just to see the place and after 3 hours in Brussells, I wanted to leave as soon as possible.

As far as the Sound of Music tour, I missed it. I was really planning on going but was preoccupied with something else. But then again, that is an excuse for me to come back in the next couple of years.

[heymikey]

I am currently in Interlaken and the Jungfrau region is amazing. The train ride to Interlaken itself was amazing. I went hiking yesterday across the Luternblahblah valley (forgot the name) to Gimmelwald and the scenery was unbelievable. Make sure you do some hiking when you get to Switzerland. Unbelievable scenery.

If you are looking for a place to stay, stay in the Backpackers Villa and try getting into a Jungfrau room. It costs about 24 euros (37 Sf) and it has a private balcony overlooking the Jungfrau. Really nice. It is actually a traditional wooden Swiss chalet.

[burnik2001]

Regarding CHURCH BONES

You were probably referring to the Capuchin Crypt beneath the Capuchin Church of the Immaculate Conception (1645), located on Via Veneto, near Barbarini Square in Rome.

As mentioned above there is also one in Kutna Hora in the Czech Republic. I have been to this one but not to the one in rome. Pretty spooky if you aske me.

[Triglyceride]

Originally posted by burnik2001
Regarding CHURCH BONES

You were probably referring to the Capuchin Crypt beneath the Capuchin Church of the Immaculate Conception (1645), located on Via Veneto, near Barbarini Square in Rome.

As mentioned above there is also one in Kutna Hora in the Czech Republic. I have been to this one but not to the one in rome. Pretty spooky if you aske me.

Ossuary in Sedleck, Kotna Hora

this is the one that I was asking about and it's the one that I've posted above. You've been there? Can you take the train from Prague to there? How much is the fee? Is it a group tour? I'd rather have a group tour


Capuccin Catacombs
oh! I've seen a documentary about the Capuccin Catacombs, I even included it in my very first post. Is it in Salermo? Or was it Palermo? By Napoli?

....I want to go visit this place too. It must be a very humbling place because it reminds us so much for our mortality. I knew I was fascinated and humbled when I saw the documentary.

www.micheloud.com/FXM/PHOT/catacomb.htm





now, for 10 grand, would you walk down this corridor by yourself, late at night? Maybe I would..maybe. Would you?

[Triglyceride]

Originally posted by BaLdoMarO
In London, hop on to the Big London Tour Bus for 17 pounds. Its a hop on/hop off bus that will take you to all of London's dramatic sights. Its the cheapest and fastest way of seeing Central London.

As for Rome, if you're into the Roman History I suggest that you take guided tours particularly in the Museii Vatican (leads to the Sistine Chapel and the St. Peter's). Theres so much info you'll learn from the local guides. Do the same at le Louvre in Paris.

cool! 17 pounds isn't too bad. Do you happen to know if it a city pass covers it? So when I hop on and off these buses, do I just flash them my ticket?

thanks for the tip

[Triglyceride]

double post, opps.

[Triglyceride]

Originally posted by heymikey
I didn't have any reservations when I got to Vienna but Wombat's was full but the other nearby hostel have some availability. You only need to book if there is a specific hostel that you want to stay in especially if it is really popular, such as Wombat's, or Flying Pig, or Circus.

I probably missed that you said it, but where did you stay in Vienna again?

I was quite disgusted since there were traces of feces on their toilets that I had to wait for about an hour or 2 for my train to arrive so I could just relieve myself.

dude, that's disgusting..ugh.

I haven't been to Italy yet (will be in Venice 2 days from now)

oooh Venice! have fun! Please do tell us about it.

[Triglyceride]

Originally posted by heymikey
I am currently in Interlaken and the Jungfrau region is amazing. The train ride to Interlaken itself was amazing. I went hiking yesterday across the Luternblahblah valley (forgot the name) to Gimmelwald and the scenery was unbelievable. Make sure you do some hiking when you get to Switzerland. Unbelievable scenery.

If you are looking for a place to stay, stay in the Backpackers Villa and try getting into a Jungfrau room. It costs about 24 euros (37 Sf) and it has a private balcony overlooking the Jungfrau. Really nice. It is actually a traditional wooden Swiss chalet.

...oh Gimelwald! Awesome! Say hi to Heidi for me

....do you see any alpine huts in the region? do you know how much they charge?

[R3'91]

Originally posted by heymikey
As far as Brussells, I found it quite boring. I only stayed there like 5 hours just to see the place and after 3 hours in Brussells, I wanted to leave as soon as possible.

HAHAHAHA! You got that right, my friend! Brussels - and the entire of Belgium, for that matter - is indeed boring. People here say that since Belgium has been invaded by its neighbours countless times that they intentionally stay boring to discourage any more incursions. IMHO, if it were not for NATO and the EU, Brussels wouldn't be a cosmopolitan city (more than half of the 1 million population of Brussels are expats).

It's a small city; you can actually see all the major tourist sights in a half-day: Manneken Pis, Grand Place, the Atomium, etc.

I was really bored to tears here the first few months - imagine, shops close at 6pm and the whole day on Sundays and Hollidays!

You get used to it though. Brussels is a place that doesn't have the same "wow!" factor as Paris, Amsterdam, London or Rome. It's a city that takes gatting used to. Then once you gt used to the place, it ain't that bad after all.

[Triglyceride]

hmmm.....let me note that then. Breeze through Brussels.

Halstatt, Austria

from VirtualTourist.com




IRELAND

can anyone give me some day excursion destinations? Home bases? I heard that Dublin is just like any other city in the world.


SPAIN

Madrid and Barcelona, that's a given, but where else can I go? Like, the countryside or something...? Is Segovia worth the trip?

thanks and have a great weekend!


my revised itinerary, I would like to hear your input and opinion about it.

UK->Republic of Ireland->Benelux->France->Spain->Portugal->Germany->Austria->Czech Republic->Italy->Greece

[heymikey]

So, you are skipping Switzerland?

Eurail passes are valid for ferries from Ireland to France (and vice versa).

Segovia is worth a day trip at most, but you can skip it.

Portugal to Germany is quite a huge leap. What you can do though is from France, go to Madrid (through San Sebastian if you want), and from there, you go to Portugal. From Portugal, head east to Andalucia and visit Seville, Cordoba, or Granada (or a combination of those 3). From there, head to Barcelona. From Barcelona, find a route that goes to Munich without crossing Switzerland (probably head to Strasbourg, France perhaps?) since you will need a visa just to cross it.

By the way, the UK and the Czech Republic are not covered by the Schengen Agreement so you need separate visas for those. Also make sure your Schengen visa allows you to re-enter the area. For example, if you exit a Schengen country (such as Austria) and you head out to the Czech Republic, I don't think you will be allowed to enter Italy without a re-entry visa.

[chasingtime]

Originally posted by dunbar
gee, thanks.
is there a thriving filipino community in europe, by any chance?

There's a large number of Filipinos in Ealing, that's west London I think. Quite a few Pinoy shops actually. Been there for a day's visit and I was quite disappointed that some of our fellow countrymen were snooty. I've met several nurses in East London though, particularly in Romford (partly Essex already) and it was a much nicer experience.

[chasingtime]

Originally posted by Triglyceride
home bases and day excusions
any suggestions?
like, say for example, in the UK?
thanks! [/B]

day excursions in London? Don't miss the Tower of London, Kew Gardens, Camden market, British Museum and Leeds Castle. And of course, for a great view of London, hop on the Millenium Eye (its a slow moving ferris wheel so u can take pics of the House of Parliament etc on an aerial view.

If you have the time and u want the artsy-fartsy-carefree atmosphere, take the train to Brighton and have a lovely time on the beachfront too. I suggest u visit the incredibly beautiful Royal Pavillion also, I had a grand time there last year just sitting on the grounds reading HP's Order of the Phoenix. Plus, if your a fan of Rudyard Kipling, his village is just a 30-minute drive from Brighton.

And since you'll be in UK, why not go to Wales? Loved the Welsh for their hospitality and the castles too, Caerphilly Castle
and Castle Coch in particular.

Enjoy

[phantom]

Originally posted by heymikey
I actually prefer Salzburg over Vienna.

Vienna has its own charm. I was right there amid the hustle and bustle of city life. My hotel was just a 5- min. walk to Stephan Platz, toward the Danube Canal. I jogged every morning around the Canal and Stadtpark area (sometimes in the afternoon, around RatHaus and U of Vienna). After 5 days, Vienna slowly lost its charm. I escaped to Salzburg and Innsbruck for more fresh air and wide open spaces.

Salzburg is more my kind of place. It's the country mouse in me, I guess. The Sound of Music Tour (biker's edition) was awesome! I left Salzburg with sore muscles, but contented. (Did another bike tour in Munich few days later. Even more tiring, but loads of fun!)

Triglyceride, I don't agree one has to dress fancy all the time in Vienna. The place is teeming with tourists in "touristy" outfits, if you know what I mean. All the people I met there were very nice.

It's also cheaper to visit Europe off summer. So, enjoy your trip!


P.S. Maybe you should rent the movie "Before Sunrise" before going to Europe.

[Triglyceride]

thank you...thank you...

oh..hehehehe, I have seen Before Sunrise That's why I'm thinking of seeing it again, just so I could get an idea of the public transportation there etc.

speaking of Before Sunrise, I heard they are going to release a sequel called tada " Before Sunset" (but of course)

thanks for the info about Austria. Tourist outfits? So I get to keep my neon orange fisherman's hat? cool!

Wales

I do want to visit Wales so thank you for the info. I love their accents too.

..awesome, I am writing these all down, I have a Europe notebook


Switzerland

..I forgot to put it in there, I'm not skipping it ..thank you for the info abou the Shengen entry/exit. I'm currently researching all I can about Shengen quirks.

how's Venice?

Ferries

they take forever though..but I am thinking of taking the ferry from Italy to Greece though.

revised iti- UK-Rep. of Ireland-Benelux-France-Spain-Portugal-Switzerland-Germany-Czech Republic-Austria-Italy-Greece.

I got a package from the tourist office of Greece. They gave me maps and a magalog of places of see...woohoo! All for free!

[heymikey]

Oh wow! Venice was just spectacular. Although, I have to admit, on my first day in Venice, I really wanted to get out of Italy as soon as possible because of the heat and the crowds (after all, I just came from Switzerland before Venice so it was quite a change). But then, when it became cooler in the late afternoon, I started to appreciate the city. Venice is really nice. One thing I love about Venice is that it doesn't seem to have any signs of modernity to it. No skyscrapers, modern office buildings, etc. Plus, no cars! Everything in Venice is pedestrianized which I love. Of course, aside from your feet, other modes of transportation are the gondolas and vaporrettos (did I spell that right?). I did not really rode a gondola because there are cheaper alternatives to see the canals. If you're in Venice, make sure you hop into vaporetto #1. It goes through the Grand Canal past the Rialto bridge. Plus, your ticket is valid for 90 minutes so you can pretty much hop on and hop off in any vaporetto during that time. I costs about 5 euros. Also get a map since you can easily get lost (which, by the way, you should experience since it is really nice to get lost in Venice just wandering the streets). This is true especially if you get lost at the other side of the Grand Canal since there are only 3 bridges crossing the Grand Canal (Rialto, Accademia, and the one besides the Santa Lucia train station).

I am now in Florence and the amount of art and sculpture is amazing. It does get overwhelming with the queues. I had to wait 3 hours yesterday just to get into the Uffizi gallery. But then again, it was worth it. I LOVE Renaissance art so seeing my favorite sculpture (Laocoon and his Sons -- although I'm not sure if it is the original piece or just a copy) and one of my favorite paintings ("Allegory of Spring" by Sandro Botticelli) was definitely worth the wait.

My guidebook mentioned about Florence's horrendous line-up, but I assumed that it would be similar to the Musee du Louvre in Paris where it was just a 15-minute ordeal. Boy, was I wrong. In my 9 weeks of travelling in Europe, I had never waited as long as the one in Uffizi, and it looks like the other attractions are like that as well. I just saw the line-up in the Accademia Gallery (where the original "David" by Michelangelo Buonarroti is located) and the Duomo and it looks like it would take that much time to line up as well. Florence is a great place to visit during the low season -- good weather and not a lot of tourists.

Anyway, if you are in Florence, take a day trip to Siena. I went there 2 days ago, and it was really nice. I've heard from someone that the Palio (a festival in Siena with the horses) will take place on August 16. I won't be able to visit it since I need to be in Rome by that time.

I have one more week to go before heading back home to Canada and it really sucks. I am regretting the fact that I did not make it a 12-week trip instead of 10. Oh well, I can go back again, I guess.

[BaLdoMarO]

Venice is too congested in the high season. My body revolted against the deluge of people when I went.
I still prefer Florence over Venice. Its more appealing because the whole city feels like an Art Gallery. The Basilica di San Marco is more spectacular than the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiori I think, but overall Florence is my pick of the crop. If you love shopping for Italian leather and designer wear, Florence is the PLACE. Afterall, it gave birth to the likes of Gucci, Ferragamo and Roberto Cavalli. Oh yeah theres a place called THE MALL up in the hills. This is designer heaven coz u can score some fantastic Italian designer goods that are way cheaper than Milan.
Don't miss the Palazzo Vecchio next to the Uffizi. If you dont want the queue go behind the Statue of Neptune, theres another entrance there.

[heymikey]

Oh yes, Venice was really congested when I was there. The Piazza San Marco was really crowded with tourists, which was one reason why I wanted to get out of Italy during my first day in Venice. The crowds and the heat can be overwhelming for me.

Thanks for the tip about Palazzo Vecchio. I will be going there right now.

[BaLdoMarO]

There's a sneaky way of getting in to the Palazzo Vecchio. I did this without knowing. Enter through the entrance behind the Statue of Neptune and walk in to the glass doors. Walk past the receptionists and there should be 1 staff guarding the passageway leading to the toilets. Theyll ask if you need assistance but just tell them that youre going to the toilets. As you walk, you'll notice a tiny elevator on your RIGHT hand side. Once you finish your toilet session, head to the elevator. This will take you to the very top of the Palace and you'll save your E6! ..he..he..he..

[p@cmani@c2]

hey reena! so nice to see you here.

my first time in this thread so i was really surprised to know you, of all pexers, are planning a european trip! not for anything else, its just that... guess what, i might -- might -- go to spain very soon.

my dad has been living there for almost two decades now and it's high time that i paid him a visit. well, of course he's the one paying for the trip because i couldnt afford it on my own.

my schengen visa has been approved and all i need right now is the money for the airfare. sana matuloy

if and when my trip pushes thru, i might fly next month na cos my visa is good up to end of october only. sayang no, if you could only go there sooner we could probably meet up some place.