EEEP!!EEEEP!!EEEEP!!EEEEP!!!!

[elfgirlmccue]

I just purchased my plane tickets to Rome. I'm going! I'm REALLY GOING this time... not like the last few times where I planned and plotted and researched and then never actually got around to going

Comments

[sylphbranching]

I traveled all over germany for a month in 2001 without reservations at hostels. It's good to make advance reservations when you know your plans; some will take reservations and some may not. Call ahead the day before or the morning you plan to travel, at least. Arrive before dark so you have time to find your hostel before dark especially in big cities. I once arrived in a bad area of berlin at dark and the closest hostel was one above a bar nearby. Even with speaking German I had to ask several people before I could get clear directions. I got harrassed by kids outside the train station offering to "help" carry my stuff. The area was sketchy. The hostel was smoky and dark and didn't have beds but let me sleep on a mat on the floor.... In big cities it's also harder to find beds available but more hostels are available too.

Good to have a general idea of places you want to see, but no need to plan every detail in advance! Ask the hostels for maps, and advice on good things to see. Talk to people at the hostel as they may have suggestions for other places you want to visit. If you're in tourist country people will likely speak english but you might also have a hard time, sometimes. You may want to get pocket translation books so you can look things up on the spot.

If you're heading north, late september might be cold in france. Be prepared; bring stuff you'll need, but don't overpack since you'll be hauling stuff on your own!

You may want to reserve a hotel your first one or two nights. You'll be exhausted from jet lag and travel, and it's nice to just know where you're going and have a quiet, solitary place to be for a while. Once you're oriented, then you can set out on the adventure.

Also get some money changed in advance. Ask your bank what fees they'll charge if you're abroad, and let them know if there are charges during that time in those areas, it's because you're abroad and not because someone stole your identity.

The international hostels are often good, but not always. Sometimes it can be more interesting to try small local hostels, pensions, bed and breakfasts, etc. I believe when I traveled with my mother in europe she had the train stations help her find accommodations when we changed our plans once, so that might be a possibility.

As for bikes, I don't know about eurail. Sometimes you can find cheap bikes there at flea markets but they might be stolen? Also consider where you'd store one in a hostel; whether you can take them on the buses around town, and so on. Definitely worth it if you're staying and living in one place a while, but for a two week trip it might be more hassle than it's worth.

Bring a bag you can use as a day pack in addition to a backpack to carry all your stuff in. You'll want to bring things with you while you go out for the day but not carry all your stuff. :)

That's all I can think of right now. Have a blast!!! I'm excited for you.