Favorite Eurail Destinations. . .

EvilDustBooger · Post by **EvilDustBooger** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:38 am

I`m looking for advice from folks familiar with travel in Europe.

I`m a bit sad I can`t make it to the playa this year. But, the upside is
the reason I can`t make it is I`ll be going to Europe just shortly after
BM is finished in mid Sep. until early Oct. I`ll be working a week in Austria, then I`m going to meet Montana in Zurich and travel the Eurail system for a couple weeks.

I am totally stoked about that.

We don`t have a set schedule yet. We are still planning, and we`re trying to do as many amazing things as we can while we`re there.

This is where you come in. We would love any tips or advice or tales about travelling the Eurail, and any fabulous places you could let us in on.

We are getting a pass that covers train travel in 5 connecting countries.
We are travelling light, I`m limiting it to 1 convertible/carry-on/backpack...20lbs. max... for each of us.
(thank heavens we don`t have to pack water and shade structure)
We will start in Zurich and will attempt to do something like the following:

Take the "Golden Pass" trip in Switzerland.
go north through Black forest region to Heidlburg onto
Cologne to
Amsterdam!!!(we`ll spend a few days here)
then south to Brussells, to
Paris(few days) to
Nice, to
Venice(few days), then
back to Zurich
to catch a flight home.
If you have anything to share about those destinations in those
countries, or something on the route,... I`d be grateful, honored and delighted....
thanks
EDB

Bin Noddin · Post by **Bin Noddin** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 11:22 am

In Amsterdam, check out this artist - sensual paintings, prints & ceramics. Call ahead, he'll open the gallery for you.

Eddy Varekamp
30 Hartenstraat
1016 CC Amsterdam
tel. 31 20 6.25.77.66
Open Saturdays 1-6pm

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 1:48 pm

If you're totally dirtbagging it, travel at night and sleep in your seat. Often the trains are so uncrowded you can stretch out.

Don't try to go to to manny places!

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 2:00 pm

Too bad I went as a kid, all my info is 35 years out of date!

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:28 pm

One of the best destinations in Europe is quite unknown. Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland is fabulous. There are great day trips from Lauterbrunnen. Take the train through Eiger and it exits the mountain on a saddle of joungfrau. Take the train the next day to Murren and then the funicular to Shilthorn.
You'll recognise many places from movies because the scenery is so spectacular. Bond, The Eiger Sanction etc

The Shonbrun Palace has hand embroidered gold wallpaper. It makes all other palaces look shabby. If you make it to Spain, one of the most fabulous monuments in the world is "Valley of the Fallen" outside of Madrid.
If you want lots of inspiration, get the book, " 1000 places to see before you die"
SHIT,,, now I want to go!!!!

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 9:49 am

Pilgrimage to the Catacombs of Paris.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 10:32 am

Go to Amsterdam first.

nogganoodle · Post by **nogganoodle** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 10:33 am

Go to Amsterdam first.

And last!

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 11:20 am

Northern Scotland.

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 2:59 pm

Badger, I went up to Scotland to find the "Highland Seer" I wanted to know when the LA earthquake was going to hit. I paid my 15 quid and waited. Alas, it was an off day from predictions. He was wrong.

I went up as far as John-o-Groats. Scotland is WILD and open. I could live and die there. I did one trip by train but I'm not sure that it was up to Eurail standards. I did another trip on "Top Deck"

I'll never foregt the redheads.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 4:27 pm

John-o-Groats was cool enough that it actually took my damn breath away when I first saw it from a distance. Ened up camping there one summer with a guy I met who was there for a few months studying neolithic burial chambers. The guy was a fucking walking, talking encyclopedia of Scottish historical trivia. He was also a damn good pub buddy to drink with.

I hope to make it back there in a yer or two. We'll see.

nogganoodle · Post by **nogganoodle** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 12:29 am

Northern Scotland is beautiful, and somewhere that should be visited at least once in your life. However our good old British rail system is a pile of crap. I really would not encourage trying to go anywhere by train on my fair Isle, its more trouble than its worth.

If you want to see Scotland then fly!

EvilDustBooger · Post by **EvilDustBooger** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:39 am

Scotland would be fabulous. We thought about it, but can`t...not enough time...
And I could spend the whole time in Switzerland...on a train...

....geez, we feel like kids in a candy store...

....and it`s right in the middle of the Munich/Octoberfest season when we`re there.
(probably steer clear of it, but we are SO tempted to go to Munich... )
...yeah in order to spend quality time in Amsterdam, Paris and Venice,
I think we`re pretty much going to have to dash through and day trip anywhere else on the route.

We are also torn between making hotel reservations or just winging it.

...I`d kinda like to just wing it.

....I think I`m going to wet my pants.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:02 am

Suppose I'd be out of line if I asked, "Hey, mind picking up some Lalique for me in Paris?" Ah well, I though so.

joel the ornery · Post by **joel the ornery** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:14 am

EDB... make time for the big ass gothic church right outside the train station in KOLN.

and drink the local beer of course.

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:44 am

It wouldn't be a great loss if you missed out on the Austral-asian beerfest in Munchen. Joel is right about the cathedral in Koln.
Personally, I never make reservations.
As was mentioned above, your best bet is usually to do all your sleeping on the trains and then sightsee during the day.

montana wildhack · Post by **montana wildhack** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:50 am

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!! I want to see EVERYTHING!!!!! and take lots of pictures of my eViLLe with a huge smile on his handsome face.

okay...now i've wet my pants too!!

EvilDustBooger · Post by **EvilDustBooger** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:08 am

AntiM wrote:Suppose I'd be out of line if I asked, "Hey, mind picking up some Lalique for me in Paris?" Ah well, I though so.

It`s going to drive me crazy...

There`s this area called Les Puce, in Paris...it`s like the biggest frickin`
flea market in France...and all I`ve got to tote everything in is a backpack?....it`s gonna kill me to pass up all that loot...

And Thanks Joel, I knew I wanted to stop in Koln, if it`s right by the train station, that`s perfect...we`ll check it out...thanks.

Thanks Everyone. I Appreciate the input.

...just a little over a month away!

tap

tap

tap

joel the ornery · Post by **joel the ornery** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:27 am

i walked out of the Koln trainstation around 430AM... a little bleary eyed and worse for wear and tear, it was raining, sort of fog rain, and there the damned thing was, pretty fucking awesome.... i was on my way to amsterdam.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:58 am

EvilDustBooger wrote:And Thanks Joel, I knew I wanted to stop in Koln, if it`s right by the train station, that`s perfect...

Just don't drink the water....

sorry, but I like bad puns.

EvilDustBooger · Post by **EvilDustBooger** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:31 am

theCryptofishist wrote:
EvilDustBooger wrote:And Thanks Joel, I knew I wanted to stop in Koln, if it`s right by the train station, that`s perfect...
Just don't drink the water....

I`m a big believer in bottled water. Nothing is worse than having gut problems when travelling overseas.

....funny, last year in Austria, I had a heck of a time ordering water with out the bubbly fizz in it...I`d order "vaser..mitt-ous gas" and they`d look at me like "why?".

...had a mini-bar and fridge in my hotel room totally stocked with booze and fizzy drinks and water...but no plain bottled water anywhere...

...finally, dying of thirst one night, I started drinking out of the tap...
...it was delicious. And I suppose safe enough...

....damned spoiled Americans...

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 am

you might have done better with "ohne"

Koelnwasser is also known (in french) as eau de Cologne.

Don't drink it.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:07 am

I've got a little case of jealousy going on. I'd love to ride one of those high speed European trains someday...like this one:

Why can't America have trains like that besides Acela? Anyway back on topic....

joel the ornery · Post by **joel the ornery** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:14 am

because voters won't subsidize mass transit like they do in europe.... and the usa is a wee bit larger than europe.

helitack · Post by **helitack** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:19 am

Hijack-
Best train trip I ever did, Ojinaga to Los Mochis. Awesome.

EvilDustBooger · Post by **EvilDustBooger** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:31 am

theCryptofishist wrote:you might have done better with "ohne"

Koelnwasser is also known (in french) as eau de Cologne.

Don't drink it.

...sorry fishy that flew right by me the 1st time...

...I should have known that, I`ve got some of that original
Cologne stuff from Cologne...don`t use it much. packs quite a punch to the nostrils....

...anyone ever climb the Eiffel Tower? http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/

No. Not the 400 foot level, I mean all the way up to 900` or whatever.

A friend of mine :
"You DO know french engineers designed that thing don`t you?"

I`m intrigued. I love a good view.

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 2:14 pm

One of my favorite colognes (on a guy) is called Tabac. Comes from Germany, one of the primary scents are tobacco flowers (ergo the name).

One year, thought I'd try to buy my then SO a bottle as a surprise - the surprise was on me, as it took me months to find out there's like 3 little perfumeries in the US that even sell the stuff. Luckily, one was in SF, but still... what a headache.

It's like some of the "old" Chanel numbers you could get "there" and not "here". My grandmother had a collection from when she was young, (oh la la!!) and some were exquisite... and extinct.

Wait a minute, we were talking Water! ... we have a spring adjacent to the Umbria Property (and if he ever sells.. heh heh heh) and the water is phenomenal. Water there is to the same standard (if not higher) than here. Not like the over-treated chloramined flouridated polluted water we're stuck with here. Yuck!!

No no no no... wait the OTHER minute. Weren't we taling about Eurail cities??

OK. Firenzie or Rome. Closest major cities to home, plus I like Italy *anyway*. Munich, gotta see. Same with Amsterdam, definitely. And... hmmm... Switzerland (Geneva!!).

Hell - wait a minute - Here's my "great circle" that is pretty much all high speed and gets you to a lot of places, with spurs to whereever you like, if you have time:
Amsterdam, Paris, Lyon, Geneva, Firenzie (and Perugia for personal reasons), Venezia, Zurich (with a splinter from Goeschenen to Vienna if you want), Stuttgart, back down to Munich (DON'T miss Munich!!), then it's through the east to Berlin via Nurnberg (worlds largest auto racecourse at 20-something miles) if you have time, or West through the mountains, Wiesbaden, Koln, and through the Benelux back to Amsterdam.

That hits my favorites of the big cities (except for Cork and maybe Dublin) and gets you back to a common point. Plus you can start at any of them and make the circuit. You can also splinter to London and do that. BE WARNED - if you actually get off the train to enjoy the sites, you can add weeks, no, make that months to the trip!! >grins<

bb

karine · Post by **karine** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:04 pm

Oh EVIL! I am sooo excited for you!!!

So if you decide on Munchen/Munich... send me a PM and i can hook you up with a friend who may have a couch or advice (or maybe a good reggae sound) for you. Same with Vienna.
I also can recommend a FLIPPIN FANTASTIC Japanse Noodle House in vienna, that is out of this world (in the "artsy/snobby" district- not too expensive).

Take time to go see a museum in Amsterdam, and stay in the end of town AWAY from the Red Light. If you can, the Flying Pig hostel by the (south?) end of town by the Garden District has large (double) bunk beds in a large room with many others, and you can feel both safe and surrounded.. (the pure Euro-experience). THAT IS THE AREA OF TOWN YOU WANT TO GO TO THE CAFE'S AND SUCH. I wouldn't waste my time to do more than a walk-through of the red light district, really. There are hotels in the Garden if you want more privacy... it really is where the beauty is at and everythignis walkable.
DO NOT TAKE ANY DEALS FROM THE PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATION.
THEY ARE THERE TO ROB YOU.

Plan your long trips on the train for NIGHT TIME (ex: switzerland to Paris on an overnight). You pay extra, and MUST MAKE A RESERVATION at the train station a day before you leave....but you wake up in a whole new place!!!
I would recommend doing that before you leave Amsterdam, as well.

Bring blindfold, earplugs and a place to tie your passport, et cetera to your body while sleeping. A cord that you padlock your bags to something permanent is a good idea for the trains.
YOU WILL HAVE SOMETHING STOLEN ON A TRAIN IN THE EAST... just be ready if you are going to poland, czech republic, et cetera... to lose something. On your short trip, I would stear clear of those countries.

MAIL THINGS HOME AHEAD OF YOU... Don't bother carrying it around. Deutsche Post takes credit cards, others don't. Look for the yellow "bugle" sign... that means post office. Germanys' post office is the cheapest, most reliable and fastest (to the U.S.) that I found. You can almost always find a clerk that speaks English, as well.

SWITZERLAND. OMG. My family is from the Eastern alps. The train ride will wind you through here. Switzerland is seemingly safe- but even if you know German, it will start to sound like Italian or French in some places... take a German dictionary and go for signs if you are not understanding the language any more. It helps to have your itinerary planned ahead when you don't speak the language... when in doubt, just use the good guidebooks. God- what a gorgeous country. Ihave GOT to work on my citizenship status, man! Wow.

A good guidebook (Lonely planet) will have street walking maps of every city, with the train stations and hostels clearly marked, with the major landmarks along the way- and most hostels you can walk to from the train station (which is Hauptbahnhoff in German, by the way).

I also know a hostel in Zurich if you'd like that was very nice.
You can stay in hostels, no matter what your age and you will save a lot of money. Zurich is very clean and one of the only cities there is NO PHOTOGRAPHY in musuems.

While you are nearby, you could go to Vaduz, Lichtenstein... the country which is like 12 miles long and tiny.. but see their GORGEOUS art museum right next to the place where you get your passprt stamped for a souvenir. Hokey but fun... and maybe you'll meet the royal family! (tee hee)

BRING LAUNDRY DETERGENT AND WASH YOUR CLOTHES and HANG DRY then to save money. I found with a small bag of saftey pins and some shoe laces I could "wash and dry" anywhere... I mean, what do you NEED other than clean socks and underwear, anyway, right?! Lotrimin (for your feet in case of fungus) is a good idea . You are going to have the BEST few weeks man... maybe we will never see you again?!

Lady V · Post by **Lady V** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:36 pm

Glastonbury, England
Isle of Skye (look for a map to the fairy forest--hard to find--if not this trip, next trip!)
Montreux, Switzerland
Positano, Siena, and Venice Italy

...all magical, 'journey' places

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:00 pm

karine wrote:Oh EVIL! I am sooo excited for you!!! >>>through<<<
You are going to have the BEST few weeks man... maybe we will never see you again?!

Doesn't it just make you SICK??!! >grins<

Doubleplus what Karine said. Same holda true for any tourist town about the ripoffs. Same with SOuthern Italy (from Rome south if you get there) or old eastern Europe (including the former East Germany...) tho Poland isn't *too* bad... Get a bike cable and cable your bag to a pole or seat attachment or something - AND yourself!! Keep your passport and papers somewhere where they can't get them without waking you, and sleep lightly (not hard on a train, I found!)...

ANd be really careful. You may end up looking at property. If you do, you're sunk. Just remember, there *are* European Regional Burns now... >grins<

DAMN!!! I wanna GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! >grins<

And Karine - - - where in Schweiz? My mom is "low" Eastern German/Western Polish, (maybe that's why I like Poland, I can almost understand them!), but my dad's family is from Basel... those who remained behind have a textile industry. (We joke about it calling it "the sock market"!).

Oops - PC times up, gotta fly!!
Hugz,\bb