Train of Thought- A Quick Guide to Rail Travel

Traveling by rail is one of the most convenient ways to get around Europe. Europe has an advanced high-speed rail system that connects major destinations throughout multiple countries. The best way to take advantage of this system is to purchase a Eurail pass. Depending on the package you choose the pass offers up to twenty one countries for three months. Chances are you won't be visiting 21 countries in that period of time, so there are customized plans available depending on what countries you intend to visit. Visit RailEurope.com to see what itineraries and timetables are available. Here are some important tips to consider when traveling by rail.


When traveling long distance by rail consider using the night train. You may want to see the European country-side by train, but the fact is that much of the ride will be hindered by ditches, tunnels, and sound barricades. Taking the night train will also allow you to catch up on some rest before arriving at your next destination.

Brief Glimpses of Tuscan countryside. 

 

 

An efficient way to plan your itinerary is to set destinations four hours apart. For example; on my first trip to Europe I planned my rail trips from Paris to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Hamburg, Hamburg to Copenhagen, Copenhagen to Oslo, Oslo to Bergen. Not all of these routes were four hours but they were planned in a way that I would not waste too much time sitting on a train. Also I did not get burned out from traveling long distances continuously. These photos were taken from the two hour train trip from Florence to Rome.

 Most inter-city and high-speed trains require a reservation to be made before boarding. Go to the ticket counter to do this. The reservation fee is ten Euro. 

Be aware of promotions from the Rail Europe website. There are certain passes available at discount at certain times of the year. I was lucky enough to find my Rail Italy pass for 20% off. Youths, couples and seniors can also receive discounts on their passes.

DO NOT FORGET to fill out your rail pass date. I made this mistake once traveling from Rome to Venice. There was no tolerance from the rail official and I was fined fifty Euro. That ruined my plans to hit up Venice, and had to spend the rest of my time in Florence.

Have fun. Take advantage of the benefits from your rail pass. Many places will offer discounts to rail pass holders. Be sure to research more in depth before your journey. There are many day-trips that can be made by rail depending where you are staying. A lot of commuter trains won't require a reservation to board. Have any questions or advice? Leave a comment, and I will be sure to reply. 
     

Going Solo!

Traveling solo was one of the most liberating experiences of my life. I was 21 when I first left the United States for Europe alone. Many people I told were surprised to find out I would be going far off on my own. Admittedly it wasn't the ideal situation for me at first. I wanted to bring along a friend to have some company and share my experiences with, but that's why I'm here writing to you. The fact is a lot of people prevent themselves from a spectacular vacation because their friends cannot make the time or afford to go along with them on the journey. I was faced with that situation, but I would not be deterred. It was my dream to visit Europe; I wanted to witness everything I had read about in high school for myself. Those who really want it won't allow anyone to keep them from it. I had about a year to save for my trip, (making minimum wage) so to pass the time, I was researching everything I needed to know. I bought several guides to Europe to research and plan my itinerary. I started deciding which cities to stay in, and finding hotels that suited my budget. I bought a guide to the rail system in Europe to plan the order of my visits. (an upcoming post will explain how to use rail in Europe.)

The biggest concern for the solo traveler will be security. How will I keep myself and my valuables safe? Here are a few strategies I used for myself.( some that I picked up from my guides.) I made my best effort to fit in. Nothing screams tourist like someone sporting a giant backpack with a map in their hands. Try your best to avoid exposure with all your valuables in your possession. I tried to stay at hotels in close range to the train station so I could store my pack in a locker and walk around like a local while I find the place. It may seem like a lot of walking but keep in mind that you move twice as fast when you're not carrying anything. Another important thing is to keep only a small amount of cash in your purse or wallet. I would keep the rest in my money belt. Rick Steves Silk Money Belt, Natural is a link to where you can buy one. Also keep your passport safe. It is common knowledge that pickpocketing is one of the most common types of crime in Europe. I have never had a problem until one of the last days of my trip to Barcelona. I was coming back from a bar with a friend I had met at my hostel, when we were approached by a jubilant guy who seemed to be in  the mood to celebrate. He told me "Let's do the Ronaldinho dance" being a fan of FC Barcelona, and being a bit off guard from having some drinks in me; I decided to humor him and partake in the ritual. He grabbed my arm in his and wrapped his leg with mine. We began jumping in a circle it was kind of fun- until I felt something going on in my pocket, and no I wasn't that happy to see him! What was happening quickly dawned on me and I caught him red handed. I took back my room key, cussed him out in Spanish and before we let him go we suspected he might have something else, but it was just some fake euros I had from people passing out fliers. This proved that it could happen to me, and it can happen to you too so keep your guard up always.

Traveling alone is a wonderful thing. You won't have to worry about going to a boring museum your friend wants to see, you can travel on your terms. If you want you can totally improvise your trip while you are there and you wont need to worry about inconveniencing anyone but yourself. You will have plenty of opportunities getting to know the locals and the freedom you feel will be the ultimate reward. There are times you may feel lonely but they pass and are fixed with meeting new friends and going out on another adventure.

       

Hotels or Hostel what to pick?

Both Hotels and Hostels have their benefits and drawbacks. Hostels offer affordability and a fun atmosphere, but are typically geared towards young travelers. While being inexpensive the hostel may not be suited towards individuals who value their privacy. Hotels offer more privacy than hostels, but they are obviously more expensive. Furthermore, staying in a hotel the entire trip may prevent the traveler from encountering great social experiences while being abroad.

The social environment of many hostels is what makes the experience one of a kind. Fellow travelers meet up in the common room and share stories, play music, or just flat out party together. During my travels I have made many friends while staying at hostels. The inclusive atmosphere makes for an experience all on it's own. Some people you meet may be willing to accompany you for a day or two, while others will offer you a beer while you discuss the differences between your cultures. While in Barcelona I met a group of French, and Dutch guys. The French men spoke little English, and Spanish, while the Dutch were fluent in English. I had to use what French and Spanish I knew to jigsaw together a tri-lingual conversation, while translating for the Dutch guys

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The dormitory style lodging of hostels may intimidate those who are shy, or use to having their privacy. The idea of sharing your bedroom with complete strangers can be a terrifying experience to some. Even I had my misgivings to this idea at first.(My first trip to Europe was almost exclusively at hotels.) I've had my own uncomfortable situation while staying at another hostel in Barcelona. I had returned to Spain from Italy, and I was staying at a different hostel closer to the center of the city. Once I received my room key I moved to unpack my belongings and settle in. I walked in to my dorm and there were at least six to eight young women in the room. There was one girl changing her top not even concerned that I had walked into their room, two others were working on a bottle of Sauza tequila having a good time. The others were just laying in their beds and conversing in Spanish. I immediately double checked my key card with the room number thinking that I must be on the wrong floor. I thought to myself that there wasn't even room for me here. There was clothes all over the place, empty beer cans on the floor, and  there wasn't a bed that was untouched. Once I recovered from my brief shock I was invited in by the ladies. I asked them in broken Spanish if I had the right room, they assured me it was. I replied "pero todos ustedes son mujeres..."(but you are all women.), and they started laughing. "Si" ,one of them replied,"y eres una mujer tambien?"  I replied, "Maybe for a couple of nights" Getting to the point, you will definitely have some surprises when staying in a hostel, most of them make for great stories and memories. The girls staying in my room for  were from Chile and they were a blast to have around, though they clearly annoyed a French couple that later arrived and their clothes seemed to occupy every new comers bed when they arrived. 

If you do chose to stay at a hostel the experience you take away will be undoubtedly a priceless one. Perhaps if it's a new concept to grasp you should set only a couple of nights out of the way to try it on for size. Another way to go about it, is to take a night in a private room to get some alone time. To find a hostel or hotel you can visit Hostel World or Trip Advisor. Travelzoo also offers some excellent deals on vacation packages.

Hostels
Pros:
-Very Affordable
-Fun Environment
-Great for meeting new friends
-Security Lockers (in most) to store belongings.
-Some offer day excursions to cultural events, and dining
Cons:
-Limited privacy
-Party environment may keep you from sleep
-Some hostels can be very seedy.
Hotels:
Pros:
-Privacy
-Comfort
-Space
-More quiet
Cons:
-Expensive
-Less chance to socialize.

Many Hotels and Hostels will offer some type of breakfast, typically bread and jam, cheese, and coffee.

Check List

When planning your trip assemble a check list of the necessary items to bring with you.
Here are some of the essentials. Also be sure to pack light, especially if you will be moving to multiple locales.


- Passport
-Money belt
- Plane/Rail tickets
- Backpack/Suitcase*
- Toiletries *
~Toothpaste/Brush
~deodorant
~Shaving supplies
~Hair care supplies
-Contact lenses/Eyeglasses (if needed)
-Maps/Guides (try to have a pocket guide to save on space)
-One week supply of clothes*
~3 to 4 pairs of jeans or pants
~5 to 7 pairs of underwear and socks
~ Pair of pants and a shirt to sleep with
~Sweat shirt or heavy jacket depending on season
~Space bags will help maximize what you can bring.
They can be ordered Here.
-Digital Camera and memory card.
-Mp3 Player. (Trust me there will be times you will need one.)
-Notepad and pens.
-Sunglasses.
-Watch.

These are the basic items that you must have on your trip. Adjust the list according to personal preference.

*If you will be flying a budget airline to other cities in Europe they have strict baggage limitations. I bought a small small to medium sized backpack for a two week trip to Spain and Italy. Here is the link to Ryan Air's carry on limitations. Most budget airlines have similar restrictions. I will dedicate an article to the type of bag to bring soon.

*You may chose not to pack your toiletries to save on space for your plane trip. You can always buy them at your destination. However, you may be too tired to hunt down supplies when you first arrive.

* A weeks supply of clothes should last you for quite a while, be warned that at least in Europe, laundry mats I have found are expensive. 3 euros for wash and another 4 Euros to dry. This comes out to be about 10 dollars to do your laundry.
You may want to save some space for shopping. You will find a lot of clothes and souvenirs to buy during your trip. If you are flying to multiple cities try to hold off on splurging until you are in your final city so you wont have to worry about the carry on restrictions. I ended up buying another bag to store all of my souvenirs.

That concludes the check list. Please send me comments if you would like me to expand upon any topics.

A change of direction!

After reflecting for quite some time, I have decided to narrow the topic of this blog to focus on my passion for travel. I recently visited Spain and Italy and would like to write about my journey and other past vacations as well. In the future posts I will share some stories and advice to help those who may be interested in traveling to Europe or other locations. Maybe in the near future I will be offering a service to research and customize vacations for travelers with specific interests. I will also cover security topics and how to fit in at your destination. My next post will cover the basics of planning an overseas trip. Please e-mail me if you have any specific questions, and If I cannot answer them I will find out for you.