Europe travel

Bangkok and beyond, travel talk on all other places in Thailand and Southeast Asia.
SPONSORS: Bang Saphan Guide
User avatar
migrant
Addict
Addict
Posts: 5856
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:15 am
Location: California is now in the past hello Thailand!!

Europe travel

Post by migrant »

Thinking of a trip to Europe. Initial stages so not sure where yet. First trip so we want to visit a couple places. I've heard of the Europass a long time ago, is it still in effect? Is train the best way?

Obviously without destinations I can't ask for details, but thinking would like to see London, Paris and any other areas near by. Looking at a 2 week trip

Any, and all, recommendations appreciated :cheers:
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
User avatar
caller
Hero
Hero
Posts: 10957
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 6:05 pm
Location: Hua Hin

Re: Europe travel

Post by caller »

It would take 2 weeks to just do those two cities! Two of my favourites. Use Eurotunnel for travel between the two. To avoid lots of travel, as you say, go somewhere else nearby. Perhaps north to somewhere like Amsterdam, or somewhere in Switzerland. Or head North from London to Edinburgh. Another great City and easily manageable on foot.
Talk is cheap
User avatar
STEVE G
Hero
Hero
Posts: 12798
Joined: Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:50 am
Location: HUA HIN/EUROPE

Re: Europe travel

Post by STEVE G »

If you want to travel by rail, you could cover most of the major cities in Northern Europe in two weeks but I would consider avoiding London as it's a bit out on a limb. You could do something like Paris, Brussels, Amsterdamn, Hamburg, Berlin, Prague, Munich, Zurich.
User avatar
Big Boy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 44945
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:36 pm
Location: Bon Kai

Re: Europe travel

Post by Big Boy »

I would think avoiding the UK could be easier, in terms of visas as well.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Preston NE :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Points 41; Position 18
User avatar
Blacky
Specialist
Specialist
Posts: 232
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2014 12:21 pm
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

Re: Europe travel

Post by Blacky »

I would also include Salzburg....wonderful city!

https://www.salzburg.info/en

Cheers,
B.
_____________________________________________________________________
I believe that everyone else my age is an adult whereas I am merely in disguise
User avatar
MDMK
Ace
Ace
Posts: 1289
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2016 1:55 am

Re: Europe travel

Post by MDMK »

It might be worth playing around with your airline if railtravel in Europe is what you want to do. Instead of flying in and out of the same airport (or country) ... if you chose an airline like Emirates (but there are others) then you could for instance fly into say Austria .. travel through Austria Germany France Belgium and Holland. Flying out of Holland back to Thailand. That way you never have to double back on your own tracks.
User avatar
caller
Hero
Hero
Posts: 10957
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 6:05 pm
Location: Hua Hin

Re: Europe travel

Post by caller »

STEVE G wrote: Thu Jun 21, 2018 12:36 pm If you want to travel by rail, you could cover most of the major cities in Northern Europe in two weeks but I would consider avoiding London as it's a bit out on a limb. You could do something like Paris, Brussels, Amsterdamn, Hamburg, Berlin, Prague, Munich, Zurich.
But you won't see hardly anything or get to savour the atmosphere of a place. It's just like having a tick-box - done, done, done.
Talk is cheap
User avatar
Ginjaninja
Ace
Ace
Posts: 1634
Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:51 am
Location: Never lovin land

Re: Europe travel

Post by Ginjaninja »

Get hold of a motorbike and ride anywhere around the Alps.....
:idea:
:thumb:
GN.
handdrummer
Addict
Addict
Posts: 5389
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 11:58 am

Re: Europe travel

Post by handdrummer »

caller wrote: Thu Jun 21, 2018 11:16 am It would take 2 weeks to just do those two cities! Two of my favourites. Use Eurotunnel for travel between the two. To avoid lots of travel, as you say, go somewhere else nearby. Perhaps north to somewhere like Amsterdam, or somewhere in Switzerland. Or head North from London to Edinburgh. Another great City and easily manageable on foot.
This is the best advice here. I lived in Paris for 3 months and could have stayed for years and not seen enough. If you're an art lover the museums alone could occupy a week. Check out Rick Steve's website. His travel advice and books are excellent. Especially what to pack and what to leave out. Great itineraries for short visits, hotels and restaurants for every budget. Have a great trip!
User avatar
Nereus
Hero
Hero
Posts: 10869
Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:01 pm
Location: Hua Hin and Bangkok

Re: Europe travel

Post by Nereus »

Used to be a good economical way the travel, but with the huge increase in available services and better competition from airlines, it may not be now. But still a good way to see mare of the countryside.

If you go the Switzerland the Jungfraujoch is a MUST do!

https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/

https://www.eurail.com/en/eurail-passes ... sYQAvD_BwE

And what time of the year do you have in mind?
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
User avatar
redzonerocker
Rock Star
Rock Star
Posts: 4777
Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2007 3:55 pm
Location: England

Re: Europe travel

Post by redzonerocker »

Two weeks will really be a whistle stop tour.

You would really struggle to see much of the capital cities, if for obvious reasons, London and Paris are top of the list.
Apart from those two, Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Rome, Barcelona, Bratislava and Dublin are all worth a visit.

There are many other cities and regions across Europe worth visiting, if you had the time as have been mentioned by other posters.
I'm sure there will be plenty of helpful suggestions once you have a plan in motion.
Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
User avatar
STEVE G
Hero
Hero
Posts: 12798
Joined: Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:50 am
Location: HUA HIN/EUROPE

Re: Europe travel

Post by STEVE G »

caller wrote: Thu Jun 21, 2018 2:04 pm
STEVE G wrote: Thu Jun 21, 2018 12:36 pm If you want to travel by rail, you could cover most of the major cities in Northern Europe in two weeks but I would consider avoiding London as it's a bit out on a limb. You could do something like Paris, Brussels, Amsterdamn, Hamburg, Berlin, Prague, Munich, Zurich.
But you won't see hardly anything or get to savour the atmosphere of a place. It's just like having a tick-box - done, done, done.
In my younger days, I did 30 days around continental Europe on the trains, it was a brilliant experience although I wouldn't do it now as extreme as we did it then, sight seeing in the day and sleeping on trains through the night!
User avatar
PeteC
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 29921
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 7:58 am
Location: All Blacks training camp

Re: Europe travel

Post by PeteC »

I been told that wearing tan khaki long pants is a dead giveaway that you're a Yank. Beware! :laugh: I used to wear them all over the place there in the 80's and it seemed like locals were wearing them also. So, things have changed or the whole thing is BS. Pete :cheers:
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
User avatar
caller
Hero
Hero
Posts: 10957
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 6:05 pm
Location: Hua Hin

Re: Europe travel

Post by caller »

STEVE G wrote: Thu Jun 21, 2018 4:32 pm In my younger days, I did 30 days around continental Europe on the trains, it was a brilliant experience although I wouldn't do it now as extreme as we did it then, sight seeing in the day and sleeping on trains through the night!
I did the same thing myself Steve, in the inter railing days, even went over to Morocco as part of the package. But I'd already discovered Asia by then.
Talk is cheap
User avatar
migrant
Addict
Addict
Posts: 5856
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:15 am
Location: California is now in the past hello Thailand!!

Re: Europe travel

Post by migrant »

Thanks for the ideas! Please keep them coming! I didn't mention my wife has a US passport.

I think in the two weeks we want to limit to 2-4 towns in order to at least hit the high points
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.
Post Reply