I was wondering if any of you have cheap suggestions or "in's" for euro-travel. I have a flight booked for the 14th to heathrow, will be there 2 nights, and then my only priority is to be in germanyby the 25th, or holland a few days before. atleast 9 whole days to do anything, go anywhere... what to do what to do...
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Re: where should I go?
Sun, August 28, 2005 - 9:35 PMI wasnt in London for too long, I had trouble finding a good hostel there, one that wasnt party insanity... maybe someone else has a suggestion.
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Re: where should I go?
Mon, August 29, 2005 - 12:15 AMIf you want cheap, get immediately out of London. It's the most expensive city in the world. Right now the British Pound Sterling is worth $1.80 almost 1 pound to 2 dollars. Beyond that, it's still expensive even without the poor exchange rate. I like London, but money just evaporates there for Americans.
Take the train into Waterloo station and take Eurostar to Lille, France. You will love that little known French city of one million people and great shops, cafes, people watching and from there it's easy also to take the train on to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and the train is not expensive.
If you book in advance on the Eurostar web site, you can get a cheap ticket on the train to France. It can be either an E-ticket, or if you have time, they will mail you a ticket to your home. It's the high speed train that goes under the English Channel and takes two hours from central London Waterloo Station to Lille, France. You can book to go right on, on the same train to Brussels if you like for nearly the same price.
There are also incredibly cheap airlines from London to many cities in Europe and you can buy one way tickets from place to place even on different airlines. Here's the hitch: They fly in and out of the two other airports in London, not Heathrow. Gatwick is not too horribly far from Heathrow and is easily gotten to on the train if you understand the London train system (ask for help). Stansted, the third airport is so far northeast, it may as well be in Scotland. There is an express train to it though from Liverpool Station in Central London. I think it's 13 Pounds or about $21.00 for the train to Stansted and it does take you right into the lowest level of Stansted Airport.
The two main cheap airlines from London are Ryanair and EasyJet. They both have web sites and you should book online for an e-ticket for the cheapest fares. The fares will seem too cheap and you'll wonder if you're being ripped off or what's wrong with these airlines, but they're just fine and I've had nothing but good experiences using them.
There are other cheap airlines like this through out Europe and you can fly all around Europe on them for practically nothing, much cheaper and faster than the train when you are traversing relatively long distances.
Also absolutely nothing special but a room are hotel chains through out Europe like Ibis (they have a web site) and you can find an Ibis hotel in most areas and cities you might wish to book in advance. If you call them, always ask if they can give you a better rate than they quote and see if you can talk the price down a little. They are like the Howard Johnsons of Europe.
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Re: where should I go?
Mon, August 29, 2005 - 6:55 AMI probably should've made it more clear... I TOTALLY do not want to stay in England. I've been there a few times, had fun, but I want to see what else europe has to offer. Not to mention London is like a black hole in your wallet!!! Except they have such good cadbury candy :)
Chrome thank you so much for your info. I was thinking that France was the place for me, and I think you may have sealed the deal. I can get a youth rail pass for $75 to paris, around the same for a flight to Toulouse (where I actually KNOW someone who works at a SUPER-8 Motel), and I would love to check out Lile, I will see on prices.
Thank you again!
I would still be down for more suggestions if any of the rest of you have them. -
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Re: where should I go?
Mon, August 29, 2005 - 11:14 AMSince you liked the idea of Lille, I'll give you a little more information about it. Lille has a brand new train station as a result of both the high speed Eurostar and Thalys trains that pass through there. As a result, unlike most European cities, the train does not come right into the center of Lille. I'm used to being picked up there by friends from Belgium and have never taken public transport on into Lille Center. We drive in.
Last November I was on my way back from London and waiting for my ride, and mystified Frenchman after Frenchman approached me looking totally confused and wanting directions to get to the center. I don't speak more than a few words of French and had no idea how to direct them anyway.
Before you come up to Street level, at the station, find the Information booth and expect them not to speak English, but nicely do your best to see if they can tell you where the tram is that goes into the center from the train station and get a transit map and ticket for the tram.
Lille was a large industrial city that has changed. Most of the industry is gone and the French have decided to make it a center for the arts. Last Summer and Fall they had wonderful temporary avant-garde sculpture all over the city. They were fun, exciting and innovative and all temporary to be torn down by winter.
Part of the Renaissance happening in Lille is also because of the high speed trains passing through and the completion of the Chunnel to London. For the British, it's an easy day trip and cheap shopping. As a result there are all kinds of creative and interesting shops like only the French can do. I'm not a shopper, but I like to look. I found a shop that was all themed in French style furnishings of the 1960s. It was a hoot. There is one of the best cooking utensil shops I have ever seen. There are a lot of trendy name stores going in there now too, but so far, not spoiling the mix.
And it is France. Eat your way through it. It is so hard to have a bad meal in Lille. I dare you to try. Have Mussels and fries (Moule and pom fritte) for a cheap but delicious lunch or sit in a cafe and have frog legs in a mustard cream sauce.
I don't know the best chocolatier in Lille but if you ask, you'll find it. The streets are full of young French kids who are so stylish and original. If you have interest in music, go into the department store FNAC. It's several buildings connected through several walk through streets and it's right on the main Plais (plaza). You can listen to anything for free at the listening posts through out the store and you will be amazed at all the music you never knew existed whether you buy anything or not.
French pastry is the best. I also personally think the French do pizza better than many Italians so have pizza too. Lille center I love more everytime I am there. My French Belgian friend and I prefer going shopping there and just wandering more than we do Brussels. Still Brussels has a lot to offer and I wouldn't under rate it. The best chocolatier in Brussels is Pierre Marcolini and in Amsterdam it's Puccini Bomboni.
It sounds to me like you're on the right track for a fun time in France. Toulouse is another city off the beaten tourist path and I think you'll love it there too.
Of course you can't go wrong with Paris. Paris is not called the City of Light for nothing. Of all the cities I have visited in the world I still find it the most beautiful city I know. Wherever you stay, you walk out your door and turn any corner, walk almost any street (rue) , and it can't help itself but be interesting and beautiful.
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