Europe Trip

[xiaostar]

Paris low budget

http://www.parisinfo.com/uploads/08//DP_Petits_prix_12_EN.pdf

[kiasu_student]

Hi all, I intend to travel to Europe this june. Ljubljana seems to be quite peaceful and Switzerland is also not bad. Are there any special things to take note of? Is Europe dangerous or not due to recent recession in Greece and Italy where is quite dangerous. Got any tips? Thanks

[365psych]

Safety is subjective, but the rule of the thumb is to avoid quiet desolate places, and avoid travelling at night. Tourist attractions all over the world attract criminal elements, so be careful with your wallet and passport.


Overall, travelling in Europe is a pleasent experience. Wish you all the best in your travels.

[Idono]

The usual rule of travelling applies with regards to personal belongings and safety. Don’t do anything stupid. That said, Europe is one of the safest travelling location. I always tell my friends this :- If they can travel to Malaysia, don’t need to ask about safety when asking about Europe / USA / Australia / NZ etc etc

[sharonkhoo]

My family just did a backpack holiday in Europe last summer - 2 adults, 2 teen girls. A piece of advice I have is to carry your passport and spare cash in a hidden pouch, leaving only enough for the day in your wallet or pockets. Travel light so you have your hands free - the more things you have on you, the more distracted you will be and the more likely to have your pockets picked. Be aware of people around you and be very alert when approached by strangers who ask for directions, ask for donations, tell you that there is something wrong with your bag/clothes etc - they may well be genuine, but there are a lot of pickpockets around, especially where tourists go. Always have your next destination hotel info on hand with phone nos, map etc, especially if you are arriving at night. If you are booking tickets online, make sure you know if you need to collect paper tickets, and when and where you need to go.

[sleepy]

slmkhoo:

My family just did a backpack holiday in Europe last summer - 2 adults, 2 teen girls. A piece of advice I have is to carry your passport and spare cash in a hidden pouch, leaving only enough for the day in your wallet or pockets. Travel light so you have your hands free - the more things you have on you, the more distracted you will be and the more likely to have your pockets picked. Be aware of people around you and be very alert when approached by strangers who ask for directions, ask for donations, tell you that there is something wrong with your bag/clothes etc - they may well be genuine, but there are a lot of pickpockets around, especially where tourists go. Always have your next destination hotel info on hand with phone nos, map etc, especially if you are arriving at night. If you are booking tickets online, make sure you know if you need to collect paper tickets, and when and where you need to go.

How did you back pack in Europe? By rail or car?

I'm keen in rail because I have done the by coach route. But not sure how feasible is it...

[Idono]

I backpack once by rail. Its pretty simple actually. Plus not as much planning required since rail timing is quite fixed.

Another time by car (but that’s consider luxury travelling :p)

[sharonkhoo]

sleepy:

slmkhoo:

My family just did a backpack holiday in Europe last summer - 2 adults, 2 teen girls. A piece of advice I have is to carry your passport and spare cash in a hidden pouch, leaving only enough for the day in your wallet or pockets. Travel light so you have your hands free - the more things you have on you, the more distracted you will be and the more likely to have your pockets picked. Be aware of people around you and be very alert when approached by strangers who ask for directions, ask for donations, tell you that there is something wrong with your bag/clothes etc - they may well be genuine, but there are a lot of pickpockets around, especially where tourists go. Always have your next destination hotel info on hand with phone nos, map etc, especially if you are arriving at night. If you are booking tickets online, make sure you know if you need to collect paper tickets, and when and where you need to go.

How did you back pack in Europe? By rail or car?

I'm keen in rail because I have done the by coach route. But not sure how feasible is it...

Rail. It's really easy to get info and book online. I live in China and did all the rail and hotel bookings online, and even some tickets to sights. So different from my student days! We saw Paris, Lucerne, Venice, Florence and Rome over 2 weeks. Let me know if you want more info.

[kiasu_student]

Yes, I will be travelling by rail using eurostar and eurail from berlin to berne in Switzerland via budapest and croatia. Look pictures that seem very exciting. But recently Eurozone debt crisis seems to worsen in Italy when yesterday Mario Monti loss election, with Silver Belusconi winning with opposition against austerity measures. Don’t know if it will spread to Germany which is the largest economy there. But, euro keep falling. So going there is cheap now. Book Lufthansa for special offer in Natas. If anyone interested should buy euro now. Very cheap.

[hquek]

A friend went to Greece at the height (or rather depths) of the early onset of crisis and found it alright. You may have to consider possibility that your train/flight may get delayed in event of strike. Otherwise, just the normal precautions should do - wear money belt, put passport in safe place (make photocopy and store elsewhere). Be aware of your surroundings (esp if you are travelling alone) - don’t walk into quiet alleys esp if you feel someone is tailing you (I got that before when in Paris and it was quite a distance until I shook him off by running into a deptal store).


Most importantly, have fun.