Captain... Posted 24 October 2013 Posted 24 October 2013 When I went to Barca as part of a geography trip we were warned about pickpocketers. Certainly had to keep my eyes open on Las Ramblas! A few days before? Isn't that a bit short notice? Would seem to me that that would cause unnecessary stress when it could've been sorted months in advance. You don't want to strict an itinerary, you may end up somewhere awesome and want to stay a couple more days, or somewhere shit and get the flock out of there, or you might meet some hotties who are going the other way, you don't want a reason not to go with them. The advantage of a rail pass is flexibility why spoil it by pre booking all your hostels. It is easy enough to rock up somewhere and find a place to stay unless it is high season and you're going somewhere very popular.Also in terms of where to go talk to other inter-railers see where they have been where is good /cheap/easy to get to.
Vlad the Fox Posted 24 October 2013 Posted 24 October 2013 You don't want to strict an itinerary, you may end up somewhere awesome and want to stay a couple more days, or somewhere shit and get the flock out of there, or you might meet some hotties who are going the other way, you don't want a reason not to go with them. The advantage of a rail pass is flexibility why spoil it by pre booking all your hostels. It is easy enough to rock up somewhere and find a place to stay unless it is high season and you're going somewhere very popular. Also in terms of where to go talk to other inter-railers see where they have been where is good /cheap/easy to get to. Have to agree with this. We just went with the flow, our only plan was to go Paris from there we just made decisions as we went to get trains. We meet people who had sat down with maps before they left home planning where they would go and how long for and as a result they became slaves to their plans and wouldn't stray off it missing out on other opportunities that arose. Morocco, chamonix, Munich beer festival are just a few places we ended up at as a result of seeing the place flash up on station timetables or other backpackers suggestions. We even ended up staying two nights in someone's house outside Nurenburg who my mates parents knew with fine food and wine and nice comfy beds, they even gave us some spending money to spend in the town.
bovril Posted 24 October 2013 Posted 24 October 2013 The only advice I'd give is don't obsess over money. I missed a few things when I was travelling because they weren't within budget, and I regret it now. And try to splurge at least twice, maybe somewhere a bit cheaper like Budapest or Ljubljana. After a month of hostels you may well be deseperate to stay somewhere swankier a couple of times. Yes did 3 weeks around Europe last summer... what a summer it was. Apologies if I've mentioned this before but I took your profile pic. The 5-2 game vs Sunderland. Seeing your post brought back good memories.
The Blur Posted 24 October 2013 Posted 24 October 2013 Venice is an excellent city but I would recommend you to save it until you are in a relationship. Bit more meaningful that way.
NewburyFox Posted 24 October 2013 Author Posted 24 October 2013 You don't want to strict an itinerary, you may end up somewhere awesome and want to stay a couple more days, or somewhere shit and get the flock out of there, or you might meet some hotties who are going the other way, you don't want a reason not to go with them. The advantage of a rail pass is flexibility why spoil it by pre booking all your hostels. It is easy enough to rock up somewhere and find a place to stay unless it is high season and you're going somewhere very popular. Also in terms of where to go talk to other inter-railers see where they have been where is good /cheap/easy to get to. Yeah I see what you mean, I just don't like the idea of arriving some place with no idea on where we're going to be staying! That is why we've gone for a rail pass though, while individual tickets may work out cheaper in the long run, I don't want to be too restricted over where and when we can travel.
NewburyFox Posted 24 October 2013 Author Posted 24 October 2013 The only advice I'd give is don't obsess over money. I missed a few things when I was travelling because they weren't within budget, and I regret it now. And try to splurge at least twice, maybe somewhere a bit cheaper like Budapest or Ljubljana. After a month of hostels you may well be deseperate to stay somewhere swankier a couple of times. Yes Budapest has already been recommended by a friend who went there just this summer, problem is that it's a long way east and there will be a lot of travel just to see one city. Maybe in a few years I will be able to do a tour of Eastern Europe
NewburyFox Posted 24 October 2013 Author Posted 24 October 2013 Venice is an excellent city but I would recommend you to save it until you are in a relationship. Bit more meaningful that way. Haha I have thought about this, however we will be in the area anyway and will only be there for a couple of days so I can't really miss it in the hope that I will have a missus in a few years that wants to go I'm sure it won't ruin the experience if I get to have a proper holiday there somewhere down the line. Apologies about the numerous posts, can't multi quote on my phone.
The Blur Posted 24 October 2013 Posted 24 October 2013 Haha I have thought about this, however we will be in the area anyway and will only be there for a couple of days so I can't really miss it in the hope that I will have a missus in a few years that wants to go I'm sure it won't ruin the experience if I get to have a proper holiday there somewhere down the line. Apologies about the numerous posts, can't multi quote on my phone. Fair enough. Venice can be done with in two to three days (without visiting two additional islands-Lido and other one I can't remember the name of) mind. I recommend you also take a train trip to Verona (Home of Romeo and Juliet). The tickets are quite cheap and it is about 45 minutes away (I think) Just remember to validate your ticket at small yellow machines at the start of the platform before you get on. I got fined 30 euros for forgetting (There wasn't any notices or information boards urging me to do around though-reckon they want to make money out of tourists)
bovril Posted 24 October 2013 Posted 24 October 2013 Yes Budapest has already been recommended by a friend who went there just this summer, problem is that it's a long way east and there will be a lot of travel just to see one city. Maybe in a few years I will be able to do a tour of Eastern Europe You really should, like I said Belgrade and Novi Sad are great cities and in the summer people go to the 'beaches' along the Danube. If you come down Sofia way I'll buy you a 80p pint (or two).
NewburyFox Posted 24 October 2013 Author Posted 24 October 2013 You really should, like I said Belgrade and Novi Sad are great cities and in the summer people go to the 'beaches' along the Danube. If you come down Sofia way I'll buy you a 80p pint (or two). Thanks I feel that there's a danger of us doing too much, and if we head as far East as Hungary and Bulgaria then we will be spending too much time travelling, especially when it's only a 30 day rail pass. I don't deny that the cities are worth seeing but I feel that it would be better to do a tour of Croatia/Serbia/Hungary/Greece/Turkey/Bulgaria etc separately when I can really enjoy it and spend time in the cities rather than rushing in a city or two next summer.
bovril Posted 24 October 2013 Posted 24 October 2013 Sounds like the best idea. I've met a few travellers desperately trying to tick off every country they can get to and they never seem to enjoy it.
Asha Posted 24 October 2013 Posted 24 October 2013 Just realised my post had nothing to do with trains...
Vlad the Fox Posted 27 October 2013 Posted 27 October 2013 Venice is an excellent city but I would recommend you to save it until you are in a relationship. Bit more meaningful that way. He might well be by the time he gets there.
NewburyFox Posted 27 October 2013 Author Posted 27 October 2013 He might well be by the time he gets there. What did people do regarding luggage? Did you always haul around backpacks, or can you leave them at hostels? I take it suitcases is a bad idea.
isaidno Posted 27 October 2013 Posted 27 October 2013 I've done a lot of europe in the last year. My favourite place is Budapest, followed by Berlin
Rincewind Posted 27 October 2013 Posted 27 October 2013 Watching Michae Portillos Europeon Railway Journeys. He is using a 1913 tourist Guide. I quite like Portillo despite him being a Tory. His family is from Spain. He actually makes a programme about trains sound interesting.
isaidno Posted 27 October 2013 Posted 27 October 2013 What did people do regarding luggage? Did you always haul around backpacks, or can you leave them at hostels? I take it suitcases is a bad idea. Yes, backpacks. Easy to carry round and you can usually leave them locked away safely in the hostels. Go outdoors has a good selection , and they let you try them for size
Vlad the Fox Posted 28 October 2013 Posted 28 October 2013 Yes, backpacks. Easy to carry round and you can usually leave them locked away safely in the hostels. Go outdoors has a good selection , and they let you try them for size Also many train stations have lockers you use as well.
NewburyFox Posted 27 March 2014 Author Posted 27 March 2014 Has anybody ever done this alone? My friend seems to be on the verge of backing out, and I'm genuinely considering going on my own. Thanks everyone for your help
bovril Posted 27 March 2014 Posted 27 March 2014 Has anybody ever done this alone? My friend seems to be on the verge of backing out, and I'm genuinely considering going on my own. Thanks everyone for your help Yeah did it on my own. Met loads of people and had a great time. Ended up finding work and never came back....
ScouseFox Posted 27 March 2014 Posted 27 March 2014 this is my summer plan, too. 6 of us going i think. the main itinerary so far is that all 6 come back alive. start in amsterdam end in split. the middle will probably just be a blur. can't wait.
NewburyFox Posted 27 March 2014 Author Posted 27 March 2014 Yeah did it on my own. Met loads of people and had a great time. Ended up finding work and never came back.... How old were you? Where did you go? And what were the pros and cons of travelling on your own? I've never done anything like this before but I'd love to travel, and if there's no one else then I'm really tempted to do it. Sorry for all the questions
bovril Posted 27 March 2014 Posted 27 March 2014 How old were you? Where did you go? And what were the pros and cons of travelling on your own? I've never done anything like this before but I'd love to travel, and if there's no one else then I'm really tempted to do it. Sorry for all the questions 22, I went through Italy and the Balkans. Pros - could go where I want, do what I want and spend what I want. And I still met loads of people. Cons - I can't think of any to be honest! But my character is a bit like that, I'm very comfortable being on my own for periods of time, some people hate it.
NewburyFox Posted 27 March 2014 Author Posted 27 March 2014 22, I went through Italy and the Balkans. Pros - could go where I want, do what I want and spend what I want. And I still met loads of people. Cons - I can't think of any to be honest! But my character is a bit like that, I'm very comfortable being on my own for periods of time, some people hate it. Did you stay in hostels and meet people that way?
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