Travel in Europe -- An Introduction.<title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta name="Classification" content="Europe, travel, culture, residence"> <meta name="Description" content="An introduction to independent budget travel in Europe."> <meta name="KeyWords" content="Europe, travel, budget, independent"> <meta name="ROBOTS" content="NOODP"> <style> a:hover {background:yellow} h2:hover {background:yellow} h1:hover {background:yellow} h2 {font-family:verdana,arial,helvetica} h2 {font-size:16pt} h3:hover {background:yellow} </style> </head> <body text="#000000" bgcolor="#7070ff" link="#0000FF" alink="#00CC00"> <font face="Times New Roman,Times"> <center> <font size="+3" color="yellow"> <b><i>The original do-it-yourself travel guide to Europe</i></b> </font> <sup> <font face="verdana,arial,helvetica" size="-3"> SM </font> </sup> <table border=0 CELLPADDING="0" width=662 bgcolor="FFFFBE"> <tr ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <td colspan=3> <center> <h1> <font size=+4> What's It All About? <br> </font> <font size=+3> <i> In Europe, Travel Like a Native </i> </font> </h1> <h3> Why write a travel guidebook that doesn't really guide you to anything? <br>Because this is a do-it-yourself travel guide to Europe — the original. </h3> </center> <hr> </td> </tr> <tr ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <td colspan="2"> <table border=0 CELLPADDING="0" width=160 bgcolor="FFFFDD"> <tr> <td> <script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> <br> <hr> <br> <script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> <br> <hr> <br> <script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> <br> <hr> <br> </td> </tr> </table> <table border=0 CELLPADDING="0" width=160 bgcolor="00FFDD"> <tr> <td> <center> <font face="verdana,arial,helvetica"> <font size="-1"> <hr> <br> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0940792699/enjoyeuropewi-20"> <img src="http://enjoy-europe.com/images/0940792699.jpg" vspace="0" border="0" alt="How To Europe The Complete Travelers Handbook by John Bermont" style="width: 140px; height: 205px;"><br> How To Europe<br>The Complete<br>Travelers Handbook<br>by John Bermont </a> <br> <hr> <br> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1741045916/enjoyeuropewi-20"> <img src="http://enjoy-europe.com/images/1741045916.jpg" vspace="0" border="0" alt="Europe on a Shoestring Lonely Planet" style="width: 140px; height: 218px;"><br> Europe on a Shoestring<br>Lonely Planet </a> <br> <hr> <br> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/184157838X/enjoyeuropewi-20"> <img src="http://enjoy-europe.com/images/1841578320.jpg" vspace="0" border="0" alt="European RaiI Timetable Winter 2007 Thomas Cook" style="width: 151px; height: 240px;"><br> European Rail Timetable<br>Winter 2007<br>Thomas Cook </a> <br> <hr> <br> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/2067122479/enjoyeuropewi-20"> <img src="http://enjoy-europe.com/images/2067122479.jpg" vspace="0" border="0" alt="Michelin Guide 2007 Main Cities of Europe" style="width: 139px; height: 240px;"><br> Main Cities of Europe 2007<br>Michelin Guide </a> <br> <hr> <br> Shopping easy at <br> <img src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/nav2/images/skins/teal/logo-off._V46904752_.gif" width=109 height=25 border=0"> <hr> </center> </font> <font size=+2>T</font><font size=-1>he links in this green field take you directly to a page at <i>Amazon.com.</i> That page details the item, and in some cases includes candid and critical comments from others who have bought the item. <br><br> <i><font size=+2>A</font><font size=-1>mazon.com</i> pays my site a small commission when you click and order an item, if you put it in your shopping cart within 24 hours based on the cookie they set on your computer. If you don't want to make a quick decision just put it in your shopping cart, think it over, and come back later. You benefit when buying here because <i>Amazon.com</i> has a <b>20% to 30% discount</b> on many items plus a <b>free shipping deal</b>. The third bonus is that there is <b>no sales tax</b> on internet purchases in most states. Delivery is fast even when it is free, and returns are easy if you are not happy with the product. <br><br> <font size=+2>Y</font><font size=-1>ou win we win. Thanks for your support!! <br><br> <font size=+2>H</font><font size=-1>ave a good trip in life, <br> <i>John Bermont</i> <center> <br> <hr> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BMFHLE/enjoyeuropewi-20"> <img src="http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/318DZCBRGBL._AA280_.jpg" width=140 height=140 border=0"><br> Electrical Plug Adapter <br> USA to Continental Europe </a> <br> <hr> <br> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BMFH7I/enjoyeuropewi-20"> <img src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/317A7HZ2GSL._AA280_.jpg" width=140 height=140 border=0"><br> Grounded Adapter <br> USA to Continental Europe </a> <br> <hr> <br> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BMFH78/enjoyeuropewi-20"> <img src="http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/31B36PQG72L._AA280_.jpg" width=140 height=140 border=0"><br> Grounded Adapter <br> USA to England & newer buildings in Ireland </a> <br> <hr> <br> <a 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</font> <br> </font> </font> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> A page from </font> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/"><font size=+2><i>Enjoy-Europe.com</i></font></a> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif>by </font> <font size=+2> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/author.htm"> <I>John Bermont</I> </a> </font> </font> <a NAME="top"></a> <hr> <br>You can't swim in a car pool. <br><br><b>AN ALMOST FATAL MISTAKE</b> <br><br><b>Transfer To The Netherlands</b> <br><br>My boss walked into my office one fine California morning in 1975 and asked how I would like a transfer to the company's office in The Netherlands. This doesn't happen every day. I begged for some time and after a few days of thinking it over I decided what the heck and accepted. A few weeks later I landed on a chilly drizzly October morning at Amsterdam's <i>Schiphol</i> airport to begin a two year adventure in Europe, though I was lucky to live through the first month. <br><br> <b>Just a Leaf</b> <br><br> Shortly after arriving, I borrowed a friend's car to run some errands. While driving on a narrow street, another car suddenly came speeding from the opposite direction. The Dutch driver flashed his lights and honked his horn but continued to race ahead as if I was just a leaf on the pavement. He seemed eager for the inevitable head-on collision, and was probably cussing as loud as I was but we couldn't hear each other. <br><br> My only escape was to jump the curb and drive across someone's front lawn. Then I circled the block to see what, if anything, I had done wrong. The only visible sign at the street where I turned in was a round red board with a white band across it. That was something I had never seen before. Later, a Dutch neighbor explained that this road sign means "Do Not Enter — Wrong Way." It's always posted at the exit end of one-way streets. A similar sign is now used in the United States on expressway exit ramps, with the wording which is never on the European signs. Heck, even if the sign had the wording I couldn't read it anyway so soon after arriving. <br><br> <b>GENESIS OF A BOOK</b> <br><br> <b>Living and Working in Holland</b> <br><br> Within a few weeks I had found an apartment and started to settle in. I made the short drive to the office every day, by car or bike. Though it was the same work I had done in California, the office environment and worker attitude were totally different. <br><br>After work was much different also. Being single, I didn't have much in common with most of the Americans in Holland. Most of them had families and socialized through the American Women's Club. My life was almost entirely among the Dutch and I got to know them quite well. That was especially true of the friendly crowd who habitated a bar we called the <i>Proef</i>, strategically located around the corner from my apartment in Haarlem. I was the "Yank" — a name the Dutch affectionately use for Americans. <br><br> Shipping my car over turned out to be an excellent move. I put it to good use on the roads all over northern Europe. Drives up to Stockholm, over to the former East German border, down to the Italian Riviera, and many areas in between were covered on weekend and one-week trips. I learned how to drive in Paris like a local, drive 120 mph on the German <i>Autobahnen</i> (expressways), and maneuver around Sunday strollers on rural roads. <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0117.jpg" width="462" height="276" hspace="0" vspace="10" alt="My home in Holland overlooked the Gravestenenbrug on the Spaarne River in Haarlem, The Netherlands. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0117.jpg"> <br clear="all"><i> This was my first home in Europe — in the city of Haarlem, The Netherlands, about 17 minutes from the heart of Amsterdam. For two years I lived in the ground floor apartment of the house on the right at the corner of the river Spaarne and the canal Bakenessergracht. Most of the buildings in this neighborhood are about 300 years old. The Teylers Museum, the oldest museum in The Netherlands, is the building with the wings on top. The </i>Sint Bavokerk<i>, also known as the </i>Grote Kerk<i>, (Big Church) rises above the city. This counter-weighted lift bridge, the Gravestenenbrug, is attended full time during working hours and is raised dozens of times a day to let boats pass up and down the Spaarne. Swans love all the rivers and canals in Holland, and here are five of them on an afternoon cruise. [</i><i><font size="-2">0117</font>]<br></i> <br><b>Returning for Adventure</b> <br><br>After two years in Holland I went back to California but it wasn't long before I started to regret leaving Europe. I decided to return, but this time strictly as a traveler. I was still single and had saved enough money to take some time off from the usual work routine. <br><br>To get ready for the return trip, I quit my job and spent two months in full-time preparation. While sorting through most of the popular guidebooks, plus a library of books, pamphlets, and maps accumulated while living in Holland, it appeared that a new book would be helpful. For example, up until 2006 you could not find a description, much less a reasonable illustration, of the "Do Not Enter" sign in any European guidebook. The only popular book in which you can find it also plagiarizes a lot of other material from <i>How To Europe</i>. I guess he knows a good thing when he sees it. <br><img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0115.jpg" align="left" height="387" hspace="10" vspace="10" width="189" alt="Street signs in Amsterdam, including the do-not-enter sign. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0115.jpg"> <br><i> <br><br> The round red one with the white belt is "Do Not Enter." Learn more about the rest of those important round signs in chapter 18, <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap18/auto.htm"> Driving in Europe</a>. Seeing as how this is Amsterdam, a city with one of the finest public transportation systems and most confusing driving conditions on the whole planet earth, just don't drive here, unless you can read those little white boards with other qualifiers written in good crisp Dutch while a taxi snooks up your tailpipe and two bicycles brush you on the right as a pedestrian and dog step out in front of you on the left. If you feel lucky enough to drive in A'dam you should take a taxi to the casino where all you can lose is your cash and not your life. [<font size="-2">0115</font>]<br></i> <br clear=all> My nearly fatal mistake on the one-way street was only one of many "dumb foreigner" blunders I made in Europe. Each cost me time, cash, or grief, or all of the above. Sometimes the local citizens were not very amused. Many things are different over there and I had to learn it all the hard way. As I learned the ropes, it became apparent that other Americans on their first trip were just as confounded by the mores of Europe as I was when I arrived. <br><br> Many guide books present little more than superficial facts, presume a reader's familiarity with the new surroundings, sometimes copy mistakes and overstatements from each other, and are usually wordy and flowery galore. <i>How To Europe</i> would serve as an introduction to the art of travel through the multi-culture of Europe, spiced with personal anecdotes to enhance an understanding of the new adventures travelers will experience on their first trip to Europe. <br><br> So a year after leaving Europe I returned with a notebook, a camera, and a three-month <i>EurailPass</i>. I covered most of Europe in almost constant travel, from Bordeaux in western France to Vienna in eastern Austria to Narvik in the north of Norway. Then I spent an additional three months visiting and studying in Amsterdam, Paris, and London. After another three-week refresher trip through nine countries in 1981, I published the first edition of <i>How To Europe</i> the following spring. <br><br> The book reviews were very nice. <br> American Library Association's <i>Booklist</i> said ". . . outstandingly practical . . ." <br><i>The Los Angeles Times</i> said ". . . exceedingly complete . . ." <br><i>The International Travel News</i>, the best travel journal there is, said "Bermont has a knack for picking out and clarifying the things that usually baffle American visitors." Many others echoed the same sentiments. <br><br> The following year I was back again hitting the four corners of then Western Europe — Helsinki, Finland to Dublin, Ireland to Lisbon, Porugal to Athens, Greece — crisscrossing by train and boat for ten weeks ending in early 1984. The second edition went to press later that year and sold out three printings in three years. <br><br><b>The Changing Times</b> <br><br> Europe has undergone incredible changes in some aspects over the past three decades, but most things are still the same. The things that are still the same are the artifacts and natural wonders that people have always gone to Europe for, and always will. <br><br><b>Eastern Europe: </b>The most significant change is the fact that the Berlin Wall is down and the communist dictatorships are gone. We are now free to travel in most of what was once a huge prison, the so-called Peoples Democratic Republics. There are still a few of these bastardizations left in other parts of the world but Europe is rid of them, with the possible exception of Russia and a couple of its friends. <br><img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0104.jpg" align="right" width="318" height="245" hspace="10" vspace="10" alt="Gypsies with their dancing bear in Constanta, Romania" http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0104.jpg"> <br><br><i>Uh oh, they saw my camera. This couple with their pet grizzly came quickly to get a donation. We were stuck in traffic in Constanta, Romania but got moving before the bear paws reached us. [<font size="-2">0104</font>]<br clear=all></i> <b>New Technology: </b>The technological revolution of the 1990s has helped Europe immensely. It has brought the archaic telecommunications systems up to and above the quality we enjoy in the USA. The caliber of transportation — plane, train, and auto — has improved dramatically. Unfortunately so has the frequency of traffic jams and overcrowded trains. <br><br><b>Living in France, Germany, and Switzerland</b> I've also changed. I moved to Paris in the summer of 1986 to study French and to work on the third edition. There I met Elizabeth and <i>amour</i>, which lasted about 10 years. Our daughter Stephanie was born in late 1987. Then, the company I worked for transferred us to Germany in 1991 for a three year period. Taking advantage of the new freedoms in the east I drove throughout eastern Europe, going into Ukraine twice. We finished up the German experience with a one month drive as far as Istanbul, returning back to Germany via Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, and several other countries. My most recent trip in January 2006 included travels by bus through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, all of which were former captives of the commies in Moscow. This internet edition will get you up to speed on travel in the former "Evil Empire." <br><br><b>Europe's New Money:</b>The <i>euro</i> is the new currency of 15 nations and a few tiny principalities in Europe. This is a momentous step for Europe, and a great benefit to travelers. No longer do we need to exchange money every time we cross the borders of many countries in Europe. How sweet it is. There are still more than 30 other countries in Europe which have their individual currencies, though the euro is legal in some of these. <br><br> <b>Unmovable Artifacts: </b>But for the most part the character and charm of old Europe remains — the monuments are still where they have been for hundreds of years. Notre Dame Cathedral plus a thousand monuments and museums have not moved a millimeter, and won't. You do not need this year's date on the cover of your guidebook. <br><br> <b>WHAT IS THIS BOOK?</b> <br><br> Most people think of travel books as guidebooks. <i>Au contraire, mon ami</i>, for <i>How To Europe</i> is not really a travel guidebook. This means that it is not a catalog of hotels, restaurants, and sights, telling you what is "comfortable" or "cheap" or "charming" or whatever. There are many good and many not so good guidebooks doing this already. You'll find recommendations and cautions for buying guidebooks in chapter 10, <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap10/guide.htm"> Guidebooks, Maps, Dictionaries</a>. <br><br> <b>A Travelers Handbook</b> <br><br> Rather than a specific guidebook, <i>How To Europe</i> is a general and practical handbook for Americans planning a do-it-yourself trip to Europe. It is essential reading for first-time travelers and will probably enlighten and amuse even experienced Europhiles. I've received letters from native Europeans telling me how much they learned from this book. Other much better known travel writers have told me how much they like this book. Some of them have even copied from it. Among my advantages as a travel writer are that I have lived in four countries in Europe, speak some of the languages, have European relatives and friends whom I visit, and have traveled just about everywhere and by any means. <br><br> <i>How To Europe</i> is zero-base. This means it does not presume that you know how to drive on a German expressway, use a French telephone, get service in a Dutch restaurant, find a hotel in Ukraine, or board an Italian train. Amongst many other things, what it does do is show you how to find the best values in any city in Europe without guiding you and a thousand other Americans to the same cheap hotels and restaurants. You'll learn how to travel like a European, thus getting the most from your time and money while dodging the travel gremlins. <br><br> At least as important as anything, <i>How To Europe</i> teaches you how to avoid becoming another victim of the ever-present pickpockets and baggage thieves operating throughout Europe. Thieves are concentrated in the major cities and resort areas, but can strike anywhere and anytime. This ubiquitous army of villains, usually not native to the locale, can mess up your trip — very seriously. Security should always be on your mind. See the first section of chapter 8, "Cash, Check, and Credit Card." <br><br><b>Photos To Learn By</b> <br><br>Together with the captions, the photographs explain many of the mundane but essential points of life in Europe, those things that differ from our upbringing in America. Reviewers of the first two editions have especially noted the uniqueness and value of these photos. And for flattery, after teaching another travel writer how to take photos he has copied many of mine in his own books. My travel photography tips are at chapter 12, <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap12/fotograf.htm">Photography in Europe</a>. <br><br> I took all of the pictures in the book and on this web site, except for a few as noted or as obvious. Most of the chapters available on line do not include the photos because of the size of the files. A single photo has about the same file size as the text of a complete chapter. Also, if you order the complete book at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0940792699/enjoyeuropewi-20"> Amazon.com</a> please be aware that the photos in the book are all black and white. Some of the photos in this internet edition are in color and are different, and there are a number of text differences in the two editions. <br> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0108.jpg" width="462" height="676" hspace="0" vspace="10" alt="A map of Arrondissement V posted on a street in Paris, France. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0108.jpg"> <br> <i>The Fifth </i>Arrondissement<i> (fifth ward) of Paris welcomes visitors with this street side map locating hotels and sights. The bulls eye is accompanied by the words </i>vous etes ici<i> (you are here). My Paris apartment was just a tad southeast of the bull's eye on rue des Trois Portes, 200 yards from the back door of Notre Dame Cathedral. Check the inset "Paris V" to see where you are in the city — I should say THE City. [</i><i><font size="-2">0108</font>]<br></i> <br><b>Really Straight Talk</b> <br><br>Here and there I recommend some products, publications, and services, and offer a few words of caution about other things which did not measure up. I paid retail for everything in my travels and received no payment or other consideration for any comment in this book. I mention this because virtually all travel writers accept free air travel, ground transportation, hotels, and/or meals from companies in the travel business. That is why you rarely, if ever, read a travel article with the least bit of criticism of anything. Those who bite the golden hand are not invited to eat again. I didn't take any freebees so I can tell it like it is. <br><br> I have been to every place I've discussed in this book. I did not hire others to "research" or write this book or take the photos. If you see a book with a famous author's name on the cover — it is marketing bull. Most of the popular guide books these days are written by hired writers for politically perfect corporations. The travel writers are paid to travel. I pay to travel, on my own tight budget. <br><br> From the Algarve to the east side of Ukraine, Iceland to Istanbul, Narvik to Naples, I've traveled the rails and roads throughout Europe. I've slept in hotels deluxe and on deck chairs, dined in gourmet restaurants and picnicked on park benches, and walked the boulevards and back alleys of cities big to small. I was lost and found, rained on, frozen, sun burnt, insulted, complimented, ripped off, embraced, and scorned. <i>How To Europe</i> gives it to you straight, no matter what your schedule, budget, or attitude. <br><br> <b>EUROPE, WHY NOT?</b> <br><br> Why go to Europe? Curiosity, culture, entertainment, sports, adventure, relatives, roots, education, business, a job, diet, or just plain fun may entice you. If you haven't made the decision yet, the holdup is probably due to one of three things: money, time, or timidity. <br><br> <b>Can't Afford It?</b> <br><br> A major problem is the high cost. Travel is expensive. But some things are cheaper in Europe, most are negotiable, and airline and hotel bargains can be found with diligent searching. Despite the high cost of travel, you can budget accurately with the information presented in chapter 2, "On Budget in Europe." The key to low cost travel is up-front smarts and cautious shopping. Do a little home budget swapping to tide you over. You might want to postpone buying a new car to put some European flavor in your life. <br><br><b>Don't Have Time?</b> <br><br>Another problem for most of us is lack of time. A standard American corporate vacation of two or three weeks is hardly enough to see one country, much less the four dozen or so in Europe. Request an extra four or five weeks of unpaid leave from your job and go on your own. A longer tour will enable you to get your feet on the ground and wander off the trampled tourist trail. By the way, Europeans are horrified when you tell them that you are allowed a two week vacation. In most of Europe the standard vacation is four to six weeks. Some companies even pay their employees for a "13th month" so they have enough money to enjoy themselves on vacation. <br><img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0109.jpg" align="right" width="304" height="259" hspace="10" vspace="10" alt="Celebrating Koninginnedag, the Queen's Day festival in Amsterdam, Holland. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0109.jpg"> <br><br> <i>A couple of celebrants brandish their beers at the annual </i>Koninginnedag<i>, (Queen's Day) festival in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I kept pace. What a beautiful day. If you suffer from ochlophobia stay out of Amsterdam on April 30. [</i><i><font size="-2">0109</font>]<br clear=all></i> <b>Afraid of All Those Foreigners?</b> <br><br> Aside from the limitations of time and money, many Americans are afraid to go. The adventure of travel is not always fun. On the road, aggravations often outnumber the laughs. Travel is not always relaxing. It can be tiresome visiting strange places with different languages, money, customs, food, and poor service. Why leave the security and comfort of home to find yourself lost in France in the rain? Look at this from another perspective: your nest is just another place on our earth and those strangers are just as human as you and your home town neighbors. <br><br> If you really do find yourself in trouble over there, help is readily available and it usually comes with a bigger heart because you are a foreigner. Just ask. Women, of course, must be a little more careful than men. For encouragement and advice, ladies should consult the books of Mesdames <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0877010722/enjoyeuropewi-20"> Georgia Hesse</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1572840447/enjoyeuropewi-20"> Louise Purwin Zobel</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0912944552/enjoyeuropewi-20"> Eleanor Adams Baxel</a>. Some of these books are decades old but the advice is timeless. <br><br>And after reading <i>How To Europe</i> you should have as much confidence in visiting Europe as you have in going to your corner grocery store. <br><br> <b>The Terror</b> <br><br> The unspeakable monstrosity which struck America and civilization on 9/11 cannot be ignored by those planning a trip, or even by those going to work every day. Many more innocent people were killed at their desks than were killed on the planes that day. A new and brutal war without limits or front lines is all around us. It is just beginning. The enemy is well organized, financed, and concealed. The head of the evil is at large. When that head is cut off another will take its place. <br><br> I personally experienced the effects of terror years ago. My first edition published in 1982 and all subsequent editions are dedicated to an early victim of a terrorist bombing. She is Annette Kampinga. She was murdered on December 31, 1980 in Nairobi, Kenya. The coward who killed her and 15 other people placed a bomb in his closet at the Norfolk Hotel and then flew off to Malta and then on to Saudi Arabia without checking out of his room. The time bomb exploded just above the ballroom as the New Year's Eve party was getting underway. <br><br> Closer to my own body, I was evacuated from Los Angeles International Airport along with hundreds of others when someone phoned in a bomb threat. I flew to Amsterdam and traveled on to Paris just a few days after President Reagan bombed Libya in April 1986. While living in Paris that summer I was walking past the Hôtel Dieu in the center of the city. Suddenly a police car zipped around the corner and almost rolled. A few blocks further I happened on a building with all of the windows on the 4th floor blown out. Cops were everwhere later on. The story I read was that the bomb went off in a men's room of what is the French equivalent of the FBI. The assistant director was killed. In following days other bombs were set off around Paris. One was in the post office of the Hôtel Dieu, a small post office I used often. Some people were murdered in that bombing. Patrols were everywhere. In all train stations 3 man squads armed with carbines marched continuously through the crowds. This was deadly serious business. I flew into Frankfurt in January 1991, a few days before the Gulf War started and flew out a week later on PanAm while the other five in our group jumped ship and thought they would be safer on Lufthansa. I was in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia in July 1996 on the night that a terrorist gang blew up the Khobar Towers and murdered 19 American servicemen. That bomb went off a couple of miles from my apartment with effects remarkably similar to those of the Oklahoma City bombing. The truth on the Al Khobar sneak attack is still concealed, though Osama bin Laden was the mastermind whispered about at the American Consulate when I made my regular Friday visit to the library. <br><br> On the other hand, one of my brothers was murdered in Chicago. He stopped his taxi for the wrong "customer" who immediately shot him. The Chicago cops supposedly know who did it but never arrested anybody. <br><br> The point is that you never know when or where or how your Maker is going to call you back. Look at the situation in our schools. Vulnerable teachers and students are killed in their classrooms every year. This is murder and mayhem and a violation of citizens rights, but typically the only rights being respected are those of the mad dogs who do the crime, even when they are filmed in the act and caught with blood on their hands. It is actually more dangerous being in school than flying on a plane in the USA. <br><br> Have no fear, but be alert and ready for action. Those people on the "shoe bomber" flight from Paris saved themselves. Perhaps, some day, so must you. <br><br> Security is tight and causes delays in airports. You are advised to get to the airport early. I arrived at Los Angeles airport in January 2002 before the Northwest Airlines people opened check-in. After checking in I went to security and they were still closed. I had to wait a half hour till 5:00 am to get clearance to enter the boarding area. I found a place to plug in my laptop and get to work on this book for a few hours. If you're not writing a book, bring one and relax. <br><br> Security personnel at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport have been giving me a final pat down in the departure lounge since the mid 1990s. This is after x-rays and electronic checks. I guess that a single guy traveling light is high on the profile list. <br><br> The bottom line on mass murder by terror is that it can and probably will happen again. But the odds are that it will not happen to you if you fly every day for the next 50 years. Let your Maker select your inevitable last day. You enjoy your life while you have it. Don't let the bastards get you down. <br><br> <b>You Are Already Too Thin?</b> <br><br> My last reason for not going to Europe is not especially profound. If you've watched the evening news at all for the past few years you certainly have heard about the French paradoxes. One has to do with their extraordinary consumption of wine and their less than (American) average incidence of heart disease. The other has to do with their dietary intake of beautiful rich foods — lamb, duck, paté, cheeses — with their inverse correlation to the American waistline. You rarely see fat French people. So, if you don't want to lose weight, don't go on a one-month French restaurant crawl. Especially, I encourage everyone to stay out of <i>Bourgogne</i> (Burgundy), one of the least touristed regions of France and my favorite for food and wine. <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/p1200192.jpg" width="462" height="357" hspace="0" vspace="10" alt="The crew of this hostel information stand in the Krakow, Poland train station will help you find a low cost bed for the night. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/p1200192.jpg"> <i>The crew of this hostel information stand in the Krakow, Poland train station will find you a low cost bed for the night. They were very helpful to me. It was a cold January morning and the station is not heated, but these dedicated people tolerated the deep freeze with a smile. Krakow is a city you must visit. [</i><i><font size="-2">P1200192</font>]<br></i> <br> <b>WHEN AND WHERE</b> <br><br> <b>In Season</b> <br><br> Americans traditionally travel in the summer. That's equally true in Europe. Northern Europeans head for the sand, sea, and sun around the Mediterranean in July and August. Many also take winter holidays, skiing in the Alps and other cold climes. <br><br> <b>Out of Season</b> <br><br> Those who have the opportunity to travel off-season are lucky. You can travel more economically and in far less crowded circumstances with a spring trip. Air fares are drastically lower off-season, and the roads and trains are noticeably less crowded. Off-season is anytime other than July and August and the holiday periods around Christmas and Easter. April through June is the best off-season travel period. On my 30 day trip in January 2006 the trains were nearly empty except for rush hour and I found myself alone in hostel rooms with up to a dozen empty beds. <br><br> The obvious feature of off-season travel is that it is cooler in the south and colder in the north. The opposite is true of in-season travel, since it can get uncomfortably hot and humid in southern Europe during the summer. Spring is the driest time of year in northern Europe. You are less likely to get rained on in April and May, and the length of daylight is about the same as in July and August. <br><br> A significant problem when traveling in the fall is that hotel space may be scarce or impossible to find in major cities. This is caused by the plethora of trade shows and business conventions in the big cities. These are known as <i>fairs</i> and <i>congresses</i> to most Europeans. If you have a chance go to one. These exhibitions feature everything from French cuisine to hazardous waste treatment, and many are open to the public, not just to those in the trade. <br><br> <b>All the Seasons</b> <br><br> Those with a transportable profession can enjoy Europe throughout the year, and have someone else pay the bill. Just get a job in Europe. I've lived and worked in The Netherlands and Germany. Not only do you get a salary boost but there can be other financial rewards as well, depending on your employer. See more about this in chapter 22 part 1, <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap22/moving.htm"> Moving to Europe</a> and chapter 22 part 2, <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap22/living.htm">Working in Europe</a>. <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/p1110128.jpg" align="right" width="265" height="349" hspace="10" vspace="10"; alt="Tivoli Garden, Copenhagen, Denmark" http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/p1110128.jpg> <br><br><i> <br><br> Tivoli is an amusement park in Copenhagen, Denmark, right across the street from the railway station. It is great for kids and adults of all ages and not as stodgy or as expensive as another famous place which seems to have copied some of its designs, and added a talking mouse. Enjoy Tivoli Garden from mid spring to the end of fall, though exact dates vary from year to year. It also has a Christmas season from mid November to the end of the year. [<font size="-2">p1110128</font>]<br></i> <br clear=all> <b>Special Events</b> <br><br> Your interest in special events may dictate your timing. Oktoberfest, for instance, is held in late September in Munich. The tulips bloom at Keukenhof, Holland, in early spring, weather permitting. These and other events can live with you for life. <br><br> <b>Where is the best place to go?</b> <br><br> Friends and students are always asking me which place in Europe I like the most. My preferences would be of little value to anyone else. These places are mostly associated with memories of the people I met there, whether locals or other travelers. <br><br> Pick your own pleasure. Prepare thoroughly for your travels using the general and specific information in this book, as well as other books discussed in chapter 10, <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap10/guide.htm"> Guidebooks, Maps, Dictionaries</a>. Make your own itinerary based on your lifestyle and preferences. Chapter 30, <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap30/melding.htm">Melding with Europe</a>, presents an overview of the kinds of activities that are possible, although I don't pretend to list everything. Nobody can prescribe a universal list of all the "good stuff" or "the best." Chapter 30 is just a peek at the menu. You must make your own selections. <br><br> <b>HOW TO GO</b> <br><br> Should you travel alone, with a friend, or with a group? Each way has its advantages. <br><br><b>Solo</b> <br><br>When single I usually traveled alone. Now that I am single again I travel alone again. This offers the best opportunities for meeting local citizens and other travelers. Getting in a train compartment or sitting at a table on a ship, I would tell the others "Sorry, I only speak English." At least half the time, this would result in a non-stop conversation with a local citizen that lasted until one of us got off the train, or the boat docked, or one of us fell asleep. Sometimes I would practice my French or German or Dutch, depending on the situation. If I happened to meet another vagabond or two from some spot on the planet we would sometimes team up for a couple of days. These are great experiences. You're never alone unless you want to be. <br><br> When traveling with a EurailPass in first class, you are likely to meet educated Europeans and other travelers from the United States, Canada, Australia, South America, Japan, and China. It is even easier to meet others on the overnight ferries between Ireland and France, between Greece and Italy, between Sweden and Finland, and others. Seating in the bars and restaurants is crowded, and you'll have a lot of spare time. Only a hermit could avoid meeting someone on board. Travelers have a great deal in common, develop camaraderie, and help each other with tips on hotels, cafes, sights, and rip-offs. <br><br> You don't have to be a man to travel alone. I've met American and Australian college girls, and even a few ladies in their sixties, on their own, all over Europe. At the Romanian border leaving Bulgaria we met a young French woman traveling in a Citroën 2CV with her dog. That's adventure in a tin can, the auto known as the "duck." 2CV was pronounced "dough-che-vo" in Holland. They are probably all in junkyards or museums by now. <br><img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0105.jpg" align="left" width="303" height="209" hspace="10" vspace="10" alt="Two telephones in Aachen, Germany - one accepts coins and the other accepts plastic cards. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0105.jpg"> <br> <i>Use a coin or a card. The German phone on the left accepts coins. The one on the right accepts telephone cards. This picture reminds me of a study done by a sociology professor at the University of Aachen, Germany. On side by side phones he put a "Nur Herren" (men only) sign on one and a "Nur Frauen" (women only) sign on the other. A couple dozen people used the phones while he and his class observed at a distance. All the men used the men's phone and all the women used the women's phone, with one exceptional exception. They rushed over to interview the woman to discover why she had shown contempt for the German obsession with obedience. She was French. You might think that maybe she couldn't read German, but that is unlikely. More likely she proudly displayed the French addiction to disobedience, especially regarding anything that is not French. Viva la France! [<font size="-2">0105</font>]<br></i> <br> <b>With Friends</b> <br><br> Traveling with a friend, or friends, requires compromises from each. Preferred itineraries must be agreed on, and it sure helps if everybody is on the same general budget. Being with a small group puts you in a better bargaining position when negotiating the room price with a hotel keeper, and gives each a bit more courage walking the streets at night. Another advantage of traveling in company is that the hotel rooms are better. You get a lot more comfort at a lower per person cost in a double room. <br><br> <b>Family With or Without Child</b> <br><br> When I was married, most of my traveling was with Elizabeth, and often with our daughter Stephanie in the car or on the train. Family people will recognize the pilot/navigator scenario with nearly constant back-seat commentary "Are we there yet?" until the little one falls asleep. The extra hotel cost is usually none or negligible, though a soft drink for the kid normally costs more than a glass of beer or wine. <br><br> Excess baggage in the extreme was a problem when traveling on the trains and negotiating the train stations with two-year old Stephanie. A kid of that age has more luggage than two adults. Families have the option of parking the kid(s) with a relative so mom and dad can have a vacation on their own. <br><br> <b>Package Group Tours</b> <br><br> It can be a lot of work traveling on your own. Do-it-yourselfers make many decisions every day. If you choose to travel with a group on an organized tour, you'll find that tour directors do most of the work and make most of the decisions for you. Group tours usually include hotels, air and ground transportation, guided sightseeing excursions, many meals, and time off for independent side trips. <br><br> Advertised tour prices are always per person, double occupancy. Solo travelers pay a "single supplement." Tours are ideal for the timid, for those who do not have time or inclination for detailed travel planning, and for those who would rather sit back, enjoy the sights, and leave all the routine details in the hands of experienced tour managers. <br><br> I scoff at package group tours for anyone except the physically handicapped. Tours are overpriced, rigid in schedule, and full of Americans looking out the bus window. Anybody who has graduated from high school can travel independently in Europe, especially after reading <i>How To Europe</i>. <br><img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0110.jpg" align="right" width="315 height="295" hspace="10" vspace="10" alt="This economical, clean, and comfortable little hotel in Biarritz, France is way up the hill from the city. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0110.jpg"> <br><br> <i>Traveling off-season in May I was probably the only guest in this Biarritz, France hotel. This economical, clean, and comfortable little hotel is way up the hill from the city, and that is a hike. In compensation, there is a great little Basque restaurant a few blocks away. [<font size="-2">0110</font>]<br clear=all></i> <b>THE COST OF TRAVEL</b> <br><br> Prices of products and services are mentioned on a very limited basis in this book. <i>How To Europe</i> is designed to be valid for several years into the future. Therefore only indicative prices are given for a few representative items. Remember that most books which include prices are in error before they are printed, which is many many months before you get your hands on them. The "2008" editions of some popular travel books were in the bookstores in August of 2007, supposedly "updated" with information from six months ago. By the time you travel in the summer of 2008 the information is already 12 to 15 months out of date. For other sins of travel writers and the guidebook industry see chapter 10, <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap10/guide.htm">Guidebooks, Maps, Dictionaries</a>. <br><br> In chapter 2, "On Budget in Europe," you'll learn how to make a detailed budget for your travels. First, here are some general notes to keep in mind. <br><br> <b>Prices</b> <br><br> In virtually any major city you can find meals for $5 or $500. The same goes for sleeps, but with a floor price of about $20. Be a frugal traveler, but don't pick the cheapest places to bunk in. Select what appears to be clean and amenable. Pass it up if the price is not right. For hotels, negotiate — <u>always</u>. See the detailed discussion on negotiating for a hotel room in chapter 14, "Hotel, Hostel, B&B, Private Home; Sleep Options for Travel in Europe." You can save 20% to 50% at almost any hotel with any number of stars almost every night almost anywhere no matter what your budget and no matter how expensive the hotel. My negotiating strategy has nothing to do with the fact that I wrote a travel book since I travel under my real name, not mentioning my <i>nom de plume</i> "John Bermont" or anything about this book, except sometimes on check-out if I need some additional information. <br><img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0102.jpg" align="right" width="238" height="582" hspace="10" vspace="10" alt="A beautiful street in Salzburg, Austria. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0102.jpg"> <br><i>This beautiful walk street in Salzburg, Austria, can turn your clock back a few decades. Parking within reach of the No Parking sign (blue and round with a red slash) is a common European pastime. The other sign prohibits entry to bicycles and mopeds. [<font size="-2">0102</font>]<br></i> <br><b> Inflation</b> <br><br> Another reason prices are not given in <i>How To Europe</i> is that dirty "I" word — inflation. As we all know, prices are always changing, usually up. In some European countries inflation is higher than in America. In others it is less. <br><br> However, the inflation rate for the overall economy does not translate equally to the inflation rate for the discretionary economy. Travel services are cyclic in demand, but fixed in supply. They don't haul extra hotel rooms into Paris when tourist season starts. Small changes in demand can move the price dramatically. Big changes in demand, for instance between off season and in season, can change prices by an order of magnitude. Nothing demonstrates this better than the price of flying to Europe. Compare a ticket in February to one in May to one in July. <br><br> In the chapters dealing with air travel, hotels, and dining, I present tried and true strategies for reducing your outlay regardless of your budget. You might think it cheesy to negotiate and/or shop around over these things, but just call it a game for profit because you can save beaucoup bucks. Depending on your situation you can save enough for a tea kettle or a new Porsche. <br><br> <b>Dollar Exchange Rate</b> <br><br> Another cost factor in the travel equation is the value of the dollar. Currency exchange rates change continuously. The dollar may be worth more or less in European currencies at the time of your travels. The dollar dipped to record lows in 1978. For a number of years it was on a strong upward trend. It set record highs against many European currencies in 1985. Then by the mid-1990's the dollar fell well below its levels of ten years prior. <br><br> After a nice 40% bounce upward in 2002 the dollar began to sink again. As of the close of 2004, the dollar had ended its upward trend, given up all of its gains of 2002, and plunged to new lows versus the <i>euro</i>. Throughout most of 2005 the dollar had been a rising star, up about 15% as of late November. Then it started falling gradually until mid April 2006 when it suddenly fell off the cliff. As of winter 2008 it is still deep in the dumps. <br><br> What this means to travelers is that a hotel room priced at €60 costs about $90 in early 2008 whereas a few years ago a €60 room was only $50. The difference is an 80% increase in terms of dollars. Where the dollar goes from here can only be determined with tomorrow's newspaper — something like the weather. <br><br> There is much more about money in chapter 8. The <i>euro</i> is the new currency of the European Union, most of the members that is. The <i>euro</i> symbol is <b>€</b>. Other major currencies of Europe are the British pound and the Swiss Frank. For current exchange rates see <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/exchange.html">Exchange Rates, Euro and Other Currencies</a>. <br><br> <b>GET READY</b> <br><br> "If it wasn't for the last minute, a lot of things wouldn't get done." But a successful and favorably memorable trip requires careful preparation. You are better off planning far ahead and using that last minute to eat the last good hamburger you will have until you get home. <br><br> <b>Your Schedule</b> <br><br> There are many things to do before you go. The first is to make a planning schedule, notwithstanding the old adage about the plans of mice and men. This assures that you will get everything done without a last-minute panic. The earlier you begin, the easier it will be. Two months of preparation is appropriate, but six months would not be out of order for a long journey. If you wait until the last minute you will have to hurry and be faced with the old Dutch adage: "The hurrier you go the behinder you get." <br><br> For a planning schedule, a large wall calendar, self-made on drafting paper, the back of shelf liner, or any large sheet of plain paper will do. A square of about 2" by 2" for each day, plus a six-inch wide margin for each week for additional notes will suffice. Or use a calendar desk pad, available at stationery stores. Keep it in a conspicuous place as a daily reminder. <br><br> <b>Lists</b> <br><br> Next, begin your check lists. A long piece of adding machine paper is ideal. Have at least three lists: "Things to do before leaving," "Things to buy before leaving," and "Packing list." Carry these lists in your pocket, reviewing them daily, scratching off items as they are done, and adding new items which come to mind. Review chapter 5 <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap05/clothes.htm"> What to Wear in Europe</a> and chapter 6 <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap06/packing.htm">A Packing List for Europe</a> to get you started. A summary packing list is presented in the appendix, "Last Call," not on line yet. <br><br> Additional lists such as "Things to buy in Europe" and "Things to do and see in Europe" can be made as you study guidebooks and tourist brochures and talk to other travelers. <br><br> The first thing on your list should be "Get a passport." That should also be the first one you cross off. Due to new travel regulations imposed by Congress the State Department fell way behind in issuing passports in early 2007. Nobody knows when the backlog will clear out, but rumor has it that the government is almost up to its normal slow behavior as of early 2008. Go to your local post office and get an application right now. It can take up to three months with normal processing. The process can be expedited to a week or so if you pay a heavy fee. <br><br> <b>GENERAL NOTES</b> <br><br> <b>Redundancies</b> <br><br> Because of the relationship between several topics in the book and my objective of making every chapter as complete as possible on the subject at hand, there are some redundancies in the book. These second looks are not long and usually concern items like the Michelin, Lonely Planet, and Thomas Cook rail publications, and <i>The International Travel News</i>, a ridiculously inexpensive and extremely informative monthly magazine on newsprint. These should be emphasized anyway. <br><br> <b>Terminology</b> <br><br> For brevity, throughout the book, certain areas of Europe are referred to without listing each of the countries to which a comment is applicable. The conventional and created terms used throughout the book are: <br><br> <b>The Continent:</b> all of Western Europe excluding Ireland and Great Britain. <br><b> The Islands:</b> Ireland and Great Britain. <br><b> Scandinavia:</b> Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Finland. <br><b> Iberia:</b> Portugal and Spain. <br><b> The Mediterranean countries:</b> Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Malta. <br><b> The Eastern countries:</b> All of those formerly under communist domination. The names have changed and some have broken up into pieces. As of this writing, the names are Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldavia, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Macedonia, Yugoslavia (which prefers to call itself Serbia and Montenegro), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Former East Germany is not necessarily in this group. It received special privileges from former West Germany which has brought it into the modern world much faster than the others from the former Soviet Bloc. I first visited a dreary Dresden in 1992 and then had the privilege of seeing the rejuvenated city in 2006. It was much improved, and probably has the best tram system in Europe. Some people in the "eastern" countries prefer to say they are in "central" Europe. Technically they are correct. The center of my National Geographic map of Europe is in southeastern Poland. But, for the time being, Eastern Europe is still that part of Europe formerly known as "peoples democratic republics" — the countries from which citizens used to risk their lives fleeing. I know one man who made it out alive. Many others were shot in the back. <br><br> Of course, Portugal does not front the Mediterranean, but France does, and some people do not consider Finland to be part of Scandinavia. But these six groupings indicate convenient demarcations in customs, food, weather, and the general character of the peoples. Examples will be seen throughout the book. <br><br> A small piece of Turkey lies in Europe. This is a good enough reason to go to Istanbul, truly a fascinating city that you don't want to miss in this life. <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0116.jpg" width="462" height="290" hspace="0" vspace="10" alt="Dining car crew on the Ukrainian railroads. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/0116.jpg"> <i>The dining car crew consented to pose with a smile during my 21 hour rail journey across the Ukraine. [</i><i><font size="-2">0116</font>]<br clear=all></i> <br> <b>Spellings and Speaking</b> <br><br> There is no consistency in this book on spellings of cities and places. This is deliberate because there is no consistency anywhere on spellings and pronunciations. You have to stay loose and get a smell for things — like Corinth and Korinthe, Munich and München, Göteborg and Gothenburg, Basel and Bâle, and scores of other places with two or more names. If you try to buy a train ticket to Orleans when you are in France be prepared for a blank stare. The French pronounciation is something like Oh-lee-ohn. Tip: write it down. "Orleans, 2nd class, time of departure, number of persons." <br><br> Generally, foreign words are <i>italicized</i> in this book with the American translation in (parentheses) right next to it. I say American translation, not English, because there are some dialectical differences between American and British "English." See more on this subject in chapter 26 <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap26/language.htm"> Languages, Numbers, Alphabets: <i>Encounter the Tower of Babel in Europe</i></a>. </td> </tr> </table> </table> <table border="0" CELLPADDING="15" WIDTH="662" BGCOLOR="#FFFFBE"> <tr ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <td colspan=5> <center> <hr> <br> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/author.htm"> Who wrote this? </a> <br> <br> <hr> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com">Home and general index.</a> </td> </tr> </table> <table border="0" CELLPADDING="15" WIDTH="662" BGCOLOR="#FFFFBE"> <tr ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <td colspan=5> <hr> <font face="Univers,Arial,Helvetica" size="+1"> Read half of the book for free: </font> <br> <br> <center> <font size=+3> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/hteurope.htm"> HOW TO EUROPE</a></font><br> <font color="#000099" size="+1"> The Complete Travelers Handbook </font> </center> </td> </tr> <tr ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <td width="40"> </td> <td width="120"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <font size=-1> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap01/europe.htm">Europe Intro</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap05/clothes.htm">Clothing</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap06/packing.htm">Packing List</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap07/luggage.htm">Luggage</a> </font> </font> </td> <td width="131"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <font size=-1> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap10/guide.htm">Guidebooks</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap11/electric.htm">Electricity</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap12/fotograf.htm">Photography</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap17/rail.htm">Trains</a> </font> </font> </td> <td width="131"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <font size=-1> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap18/auto.htm">Driving</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap19/phone.htm">Telephones</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap22/moving.htm">Moving to Europe</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap22/living.htm">Living in Europe</a> </font> </td> <td width="142"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <font size=-1> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap23/shopping.htm">Shopping</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap26/language.htm">Languages</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap27/metric.htm">Metric System</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap30/melding.htm">Seeing Europe</a> </font> </font> </td> </tr> </table> <table border="0" CELLPADDING="15" WIDTH="662" BGCOLOR="#FFFFBE"> <tr ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <td colspan=5> <hr> <font face="Univers,Arial,Helvetica" size="+1"> Learn the basic infrastructure: </font> <br> <br> <center> <font size=+2> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/about.htm"> Prime Travel Data </a> </font> <br> <font color="#0000ff" size="+1"> <I>Elementary Travel Information for Europe</I> </font> </center> </td> </tr> <tr ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <td width="40"> </td> <td width="120"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <font size=-1> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/austria.htm">Austria</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/belgium.htm">Belgium</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/czechia.htm">Czech Republic</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/denmark.htm">Denmark</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/finland.htm">Finland</a> <br> <br> </font> </font> </td> <td width="131"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <font size=-1> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/france.htm">France</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/germany.htm">Germany</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/greece.htm">Greece</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/ireland.htm">Ireland</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/italy.htm">Italy</a> <br> </font> </font> </td> <td width="131"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <font size=-1> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/luxembou.htm">Luxembourg</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/netherla.htm">Netherlands</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/norway.htm">Norway</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/portugal.htm">Portugal</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/spain.htm">Spain</a> </font> </font> </td> <td width="142"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <font size=-1> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/sweden.htm">Sweden</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/switzerl.htm">Switzerland</a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/unitedki.htm">United Kingdom</a> </font> </font> </td> </tr> </table> <table border="0" CELLPADDING="10" WIDTH="662" BGCOLOR="#FFFFBE"> <tr ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <td colspan=5> <hr> <font face="Univers,Arial,Helvetica" size="+1"> Utilize John Bermont's exclusive: </font> <br> <br> <center> <font size=+2> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/head.htm"> <i>TRAVELERS YELLOW PAGES </i></a> </font> <br> <font color="#000099" size="+1"> A Directory of Links to Products, Services, and Information </font> </center> </td> </tr> <tr ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <td width="4"> </td> <td width="40"> </td> <td width="201"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif size=-1> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/airlines.htm"> Airlines to Europe</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/ntos.htm"> National Tourist Offices</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/citytos.htm"> City Tourist Offices</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/cityinfo.htm"> City Information and Tours</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/countryinfo.htm"> Country Information and Tours</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/luggage.htm"> Luggage and Backpacks</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/discount.htm"> Discount Air Travel</a> </font> </td> <td width="200"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif size=-1> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/villas.htm"> Villas and Homes for Rent</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/hostels.htm"> Hostels in Europe</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/hotels.htm"> Hotels in Europe</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/autorent.htm"> Auto Rental in Europe</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/rail.htm"> Rail Services of Europe</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/eclectic.htm"> Eclectic Travel Sites</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/search.htm"> Internet Search Engines</a> </font> </td> <td width="200"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif size=-1> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/photo.htm"> Photography</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/books.htm"> Guide Books for Europe</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/educates.htm"> Educational Programs</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/newslets.htm"> Newsletters from Europe</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/pwebpage.htm"> Personal Travel Pages</a> <br><a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/typ/planning.htm"> Personal Trip Planning</a> </font> </td> </tr> </table> <table border="0" CELLPADDING="10" WIDTH="662" BGCOLOR="#FFFFBE"> <tr ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <td colspan=4> <hr> <font face="Univers,Arial,Helvetica" size="+1"> Get open hours, costs, locations, and more: </font> <br> <br> <center> <font color="#0000ff" size="+2"> Travelers Portfolio </font> <br> <font color="#0000ff" size="+1"> <I>Essential Visitors Information for the Top Sights of Europe</I> </font> </center> </td> </tr> <tr ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <td width="4"> </td> <td width="215"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <b> Amsterdam </b> <font size=-1> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/tpf/annefrank.htm"> Anne Frank Huis (Anne Frank House) </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/tpf/rijksmuseum.htm"> Rijksmuseum (National Museum) </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/tpf/vangogh.htm"> Van Gogh Museum </a> </font> </font> </td> <td width="215"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <b> London </b> <font size=-1> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/britishmuseum.htm"> British Museum </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/buckinghampalace.htm"> Buckingham Palace </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/nationalgallery.htm"> National Gallery </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/naturalhistorymuseum.htm"> Natural History Museum </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/westminsterpalace.htm"> Palace of Westminster </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/stpauls.htm"> St. Paul's Cathedral </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/toweroflondon.htm"> Tower of London </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/westminsterabbey.htm"> Westminster Abbey </a> </font> </font> </td> <td width="215"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <b> Paris </b> <font size=-1> coming soon </font> <font size=-1> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/arcdetriomphe.htm"> Arc de Triomphe </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/toureiffel.htm"> Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower) </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/invalides.htm"> Hôtel des Invalides (The Invalides) </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/armymuseum.htm"> Musée de l'Armée (Army Museum) </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/opera.htm"> The Opera </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/montmarte.htm"> Montmarte </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/notredame.htm"> Cathédrale Notre Dame </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/orsaymuseum.htm"> Musée d'Orsay </a> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/portfolio/louvre.htm"> Musée du Louvre </a> </font> </font> </td> </tr> </table> <table border="0" CELLPADDING="10" WIDTH="662" BGCOLOR="#FFFFBE"> <tr ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <td colspan=5> <hr> <font face="Univers,Arial,Helvetica" size="+1"> Exchange rates, weather, maps: </font> <br> <br> <center> <font color="#0000ff" size="+2"> Up-To-The-Minute </font> <br> <font color="#0000ff" size="+1"> <I>Be informed before you go.</I> </font> </center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="4"> </td> <td width="215"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/exchange.html">Money Exchange</a> <br> <font size="-1"> Currency exchange rates, including the euro, British pound, Swiss Frank. </font> </td> <td width="215"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/weather5.html">Weather in Europe</a> <br> <font size="-1"> Current European weather conditions and forecasts. Good luck. </font> </td> <td width="215"> <font face=arial,helvetica,sans-serif> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/maps.html">Maps and Time Zones</a> <br> <font size="-1"> Free online maps of Europe. 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height: 434x;"> </center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <hr> <font face="Univers,Arial,Helvetica" size=+1> Read more about it at: </font> <center> <font size=+3> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/hteurope.htm"> HOW TO EUROPE </a> </font> <br><font color="#000099"size=+1> The Complete Travelers Handbook </font> <font color="#ff0000" size=+1> <br>2008 — Our 26th Anniversary! </font> <br> </center> <hr> <font size=+1> Utilities: </font> <br> <font size=-1> <A HREF="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/home.html">Home to www.<I>enjoy-europe</I>.com</A> <BR> <A HREF="#top">To the top of this page</A> <BR> <A HREF="mailto:bermont@enjoy-europe.com">E-Mail to John Bermont</A> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/author.htm"> Meet the Author </a> <br> Type <b>Ctrl d</b> to bookmark this page. </font> </font> </td> </tr> <tr ALIGN=LEFT VALIGN=TOP> <td colspan="2"> <hr> <center> <font color="#0000CD"> <font face="Times New Roman"> <font size=+4> <i> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/"> <font size=+4> <i>enjoy-europe</i> </font> </a> </i> </font> </font> <br> <font face="Kaufmann Bd BT"> with <font size=+2> John Bermont </font> </font> <br> <font size=+1> * * * Mastering Independent Budget Travel * * * </font> </font> </center> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </td> </tr> <table tableborder=5 CELLPADDING=10 width=662 bgcolor="#c8c8c8" bordercolor="#000000"> <tr> <td colspan="3"> <font face="Univers,Arial,Helvetica"> <font size=+2> <font color=blue> <center> <br> <i> FLAGS of EUROPE </i> <br><br> </center> <table> <tr> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/austria.gif" title="Flag of Austria" alt="Flag of Austria" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/austria.htm">Austria</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/belgium.gif" title="Flag of Belgium" alt="Flag of Belgium" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/belgium.htm">Belgium</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/czech.gif" title="Flag of Czech Republic" alt="Flag of Czech Republic" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/czechia.htm">Czech Republik</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/denmark.gif" title="Flag of Denmark" alt="Denmark flag" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/denmark.htm">Denmark</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/estonia.gif" title="Flag of Estonia" alt="Flag of Estonia" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> Estonia </center> </td> </tr><tr> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/finland.gif" title="Flag of Finland" alt="Flag of Finland" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/finland.htm">Finland</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/france.gif" title="Flag of France" alt="Flag of France" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/france.htm">France</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/germany.gif" title="Flag of Germany" alt="Flag of Germany" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/germany.htm">Germany</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/greece.gif" title="Flag of Greece" alt="Flag of Greece" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/greece.htm">Greece</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/hungary.gif" title="Flag of Hungary" alt="Flag of Hungary" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> Hungary </center> </td> </tr><tr> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/iceland.gif" title="Flag of Iceland" alt="Flag of Iceland" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> Iceland </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/ireland.gif" title="Flag of Ireland" alt="Flag of Ireland" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/ireland.htm">Ireland</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/italy.gif" title="Flag of Italy" alt="Flag of Italy" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/italy.htm">Italy</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/latvia.gif" title="Flag of Latvia" alt="Flag of Latvia" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> Latvia </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/lithuania.gif" title="Flag of Lithuania" alt="Flag of Lithuania" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> Lithuania </center> </td> </tr><tr> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/luxembourg.gif" title="Flag of Luxembourg" alt="Flag of Luxembourg" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/luxembou.htm">Luxembourg</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/monaco.gif" title="Flag of Monaco" alt="Flag of Monaco" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> Monaco </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/netherlands.gif" title="Flag of the Netherlands" alt="Flag of the Netherlands" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/netherla.htm">Netherlands</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/norway.gif" title="Flag of Norway" alt="Flag of Norway" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/norway.htm">Norway</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/poland.gif" title="Flag of Poland" alt="Flag of Poland" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> Poland </center> </td> </tr><tr> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/romania.gif" title="Flag of Romania" alt="Flag of Romania" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> Romania </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/russia.gif" title="Flag of Russia" alt="Flag of Russia" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> Russia </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/sweden.gif" title="Flag of Sweden" alt="Flag of Sweden" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/sweden.htm">Sweden</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/switzerland.gif" title="Flag of Switzerland" alt="Flag of Switzerland" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> <a href="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/cds/switzerl.htm">Switzerland</a> </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/turkey.gif" title="Flag of Turkey" alt="Flag of Turkey" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> Turkey </center> </td> </tr><tr> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/ukraine.gif" title="Flag of Ukraine" alt="Flag of Ukraine" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> Ukraine </center> </td> <td width=129> <center> <img src="http://www.enjoy-europe.com/flags/yugoslavia.gif" title="Flag of Yugoslavia" alt="Flag of Yugoslavia" style="width: 95px; height: 66px;"> <br> Yugoslavia <br>(Serbia & Montenegro) </center> </td> </font> </font> </font> </center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5"> <br><br> <hr> <font face="Univers,Arial,Helvetica"> <font size=+1> Keywords for this chapter: <br> </font> </font> <center> <h2>  europe travel <br>travel in europe <br>travel to europe <br>european travel <br>budget travel europe <br>independent travel europe <br><br>How To Europe <br><i>The Complete Travelers Handbook</i>  </h2> </center> </td> </tr> </table> </center> </body> </html>