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National Highm-poon's European Vacation...
Yeah. So I'm headed to Europe on a 6 country odessy beginning on June 7th and ending July 7th. My cousin and I are planning to invade London, Paris, Barcelona, Ibiza, Florence, Zurich, Stuttgart and Munich, in that order. We go from Munich to London and spend the last 5 days or so in London before we jet back across the pond.
So I'm posting this to a. rub it in, and b. ask if you can share me your knowledge.
You recommend any restaurants in the aformentioned cities?
Any club nights/festivals I should be aware of and shot at if I don't go to?
Any cool hostels?
Any package deals to Ibiza?
Has anyone taken the ferry to Ibiza? If so, did you meet a lot of girls?
Any tourist traps I should avoid that are only stupidly obvious to the locals??
And finally...
Any clubs in Florence?? Any?? ANY?? Really...I can't find jack on Florence nightclubs...
That is all for now. Ten Ton Tanks in advance!! 
off the top of my head...
here's a bit of advice:
bring your student IDs for discounts for train and subway and bus travel in any country 
just ask for a student rate..
www.ryanair.com for the cheapest (and i mean that) flights within europe..
www.gobycoach.com if you wanna take the bus anywhere (perhaps to the airport to take a ryanair flight at stansted airport 
)
don't eat dinner in the center of any city- they're the biggest tourist traps..
keep your money and credit in separate places (money in one pocket, cards in the other, for ex.)
if you're in the UK during june 25-27, u must hit up the Glastonbury Festival.. it's legendary.. www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/
awesome thread on travel in the UK: http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&forumid=14&threadid=77829
for hostels, check out any "Let's Go" guides in your local borders. or you can do research online (i wouldn't recommend it unless they have reviews of the hostels you're checking out. some are horrid.)
anyways, congrats and good luck and have fun.. be safe
oh, and whatever you do, do not take the ferry to ibiza.. i've heard horror stories. and you can get flights there that are probably just as cheap and a much shorter ride.
also, question: why are you going to munich and stuttgart? unless you wanna see the mercedes benz factories, there's not much to see in stuttgart.. and berlin > munich fo sho.. just MO u kno
oh and go to DC10 in ibiza for the sickest house parties 
Re: National Highm-poon's European Vacation...
rub it in big boy..
lol
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Highmay Yeah. So I'm headed to Europe on a 6 country odessy beginning on June 7th and ending July 7th. My cousin and I are planning to invade London, Paris, Barcelona, Ibiza, Florence, Zurich, Stuttgart and Munich, in that order. We go from Munich to London and spend the last 5 days or so in London before we jet back across the pond. So I'm posting this to a. rub it in, and b. ask if you can share me your knowledge. You recommend any restaurants in the aformentioned cities? Any club nights/festivals I should be aware of and shot at if I don't go to? Any cool hostels? Any package deals to Ibiza? Has anyone taken the ferry to Ibiza? If so, did you meet a lot of girls? Any tourist traps I should avoid that are only stupidly obvious to the locals?? And finally... Any clubs in Florence?? Any?? ANY?? Really...I can't find jack on Florence nightclubs... That is all for now. Ten Ton Tanks in advance!! |
Sounds like a nice trip...
hostelworld.com for all your hostel needs...
London: Last time I went to London I stayed at the Astor Museum Inn near the Holburn tube station I think. It's probably the cheapest hostel with a really great location in London. Decent showers and clean sheets too. Beware of people that actually live in the hostel rooms though.. they can be a bit strange...
Paris: Hmm, I stayed at two hostels here. The Montmarte or something like that and the Peace and Love Hostel. The first one was alright. It was in a fun district (within walking distance of Sacre Coeur and the Red Light district) but it wasn't very popular so it didn't really have that charming hostel atmosphere. The Peace and Love Hostel was crap. Too many drunk americans screaming about how they love the drunking laws in europe. One night some frat boy puked right next to my bed. I moved out... I recommend you not stay at the two places I just mentioned. Find something a little more centralized...
Ibiza: Definitely fly there. The ferry takes ages although you might be able to meet some girls there... hahaha.. who am I kidding? Ibiza is the land of drunk british men/boys... You'll have to fight them off to get to the girls and yes, they will be on your ferry. My best advice for Ibiza: Stay in the south... do not stay in San Antonio.. that place is like little england... you'll get british food (nasty), british girls (uhhh.. i don't know), and british club nights (judge jules...).
Zurich: Bring lots of money or gold. This place is damn expensive. When I'm there I stay with family because hostel's cost as much as a decent hotel in other cities. It's a great little town though. In summer it's kind of a fantasyland. People leave work early to hang out by the lake or chill at some lakeside cafe. They have this huge movie screen that they raise by the lakeside to show old feature films. You can watch a movie under the stars overlooking the lake.. good stuff. Zurich has some incredibly attractive women too. You get a good mix of southern italian and northern germanic beauty...
hope that helps a bit...
and Daniela's right... berlin >>> stuttgart and munich
Re: off the top of my head...
We purchased the 10 day Eurail Youth Flexi Pass and our EuroStar ticket from London to Paris leaving that Wednesday the week we arrive. Thanks for the RyanAir thing, but we might do that Goby bus thing to Heathrow instead since that where our flight is...
Ok, no restaurants in the center of the cities...well, we're stayin at the generator hostel in russell sqaure...recommend anything around there that's not considered touristy?? And if not, where can we eat dindin? I'm not going to have happy hour for dinner every night..
I hear there's, like, an entire subculture of pickpocketing there...like you can buy a copy of Pickpocketer's Monthly on the newsstand if you like...Sami and I purchased a money bag that straps around your waist in this wierd way...So we're doing that. I'm also packing traveler's cheques and a huge backpack. And if any of that won't work, I'll just beat the living shit outta anyone I suspect of even dreaming about touching me...
We might still be in Germany from the 25th - 27th, but Glastonbury is definitely an option since Holden's spinning there. We're saying Munich for now, but we can always change it. We're gonna decide everything on the fly and feel our way around. We're staying in Stuttgart for a small layover b4 heading out into the rest of Germany. We're leaving that same day, though..
You heard horror stories about the ferries...why? And yes, Circo Loco @ DC-10 is a given, but thanks for the headsup
Don't have any advice to give other than wrap it up Jayme and have a fucking blast bro......Take lots of pics too!!!
cools.. i'm leaving for my European trip on the same day you are.. we'll prolly arrive in London around the same time .. 
check the GTA (German Tranceaddict) forums for an international TA meetup thread. It takes place during the Love Week (Love PArade weekend) and ends off with a party at Columbiahalle for Love from Above with PVD, Tiesto, Timo Mass, and NuNRG..
cya there.. 
| quote: |
| Originally posted by dEsidEL check the GTA (German Tranceaddict) forums for an international TA meetup thread. It takes place during the Love Week (Love PArade weekend) and ends off with a party at Columbiahalle for Love from Above with PVD, Tiesto, Timo Mass, and NuNRG.. cya there.. |
You are gonna have the time of your life, man... there's a reason my location says "Body in NYC, heart in Europe"!
Florence
Not a city that's big on clubs at all. I would recommend you take a break from clubbing while there and enjoy the art, architecture, and culture. But if you really wanna know, I remember I went to a bunch of cool bars while I was there, can't remember their names for my life; just ask the locals for a recommendation as I did...
cool bar
I did go clubbing: went to a club called Central Park... it's actually in the middle of a park, hence the name 
It was 2 rooms, all Italians in there, no tourists... one room with tribal house and jungle, one with pop/dance stuff... moderately expensive drinks and about 11 euro cover on a Friday + coat check fee. Ask the bartender for the strongest drink he can make you: this one bartender made us this green shit that was CRAZY. 
But if you're looking for that Italian hospitality, you won't find it in the clubs or bars... people were pretty cold, maybe because we were a group of American kids making a lot of noise and getting drunk... heheh... I heard from locals I talked to that many clubs in the city are pretty shady. One we walked by called Discotheque looked like Soundfactory #2. Would not recommend.
While you're in Florence, you have to look up this cafe, damn I forgot what it's called but it has the best hot chocolate. This pic tells the story:
that's some THICK hot chocolate!
Obviously you're gonna check out all the sites. My favorite was climbing to the top of the Duomo (20 minute climb + fee, WELL WORTH IT). We spent 2 hours up there and waited for sunset. Climb it right before sunset and you won't be disappointed.
the Duomo
fun on top of the Duomo
One museum that is definitely worth visiting is the Galleria dell' Academia, where a lot of Michelangelo's work is housed... quite worth the visit. The David is extremely impressive! The Uffizi is a MUST SEE, I don't care if you're not that into art, YOU MUST GO! I COMMAND YOU! There is a market held every weekend with nice gifts and souvenirs in the middle of town: look this up if you're there on a weekend. I'm sure it's mentioned in any guidebook. I got nice stuff there for cheap... Overall, my favorite part of being in Florence was when I would simply leave the guidebook at the hotel and wander the streets, turning down little side streets, seeing things for myself. Every gelato store is wonderful, and so is every sandwich shop. Eat sandwiches. Eat gelato. Marvel at the art and architecture. Enjoy Florence.
Paris
Paris is really where half of my heart is, and the other half is in Moscow (where I was born) Paris blew me away every time I was there. God, where to begin..
I had a great experience in my hostel in Paris� We would go out on the roof of this one hostel (I stayed at the BVJ � Bureau something de Jeunesse � dammit, can�t remember the full name � great hostel though! See if you can find it! It�s on Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 5 minute walk from the Louvre! Cheap too!) and smoke and drink with a bazillion other kids staying at the hostel all night. It�s the best place to meet people� I was already traveling with people from Africa, the Balkans, Russia, Japan, Brazil, etc. and I met more people from places like Turkey, the Netherlands, Mexico, etc.
chillin on the roof of the BVJ � yea, I�m a pimp
If you�re looking for a quick place to grab lunch on the go, there�s a chain of buffet-type things called Flunch all over the city� they�re cheap and fast, and the food is GOOD! The fast food of choice is McDonald�s or Quick � Quick is really pretty good� if you�re desperate for a hamburger. Actually, don�t go the fast food route at all� eat the sandwiches from street vendors. 2 Euros gets you a huge footlong with like brie and ham. Sooo good� The bread is always good in Paris, and so is the cheese� even from the supermarket. By the way, supermarkets close fairly early by American standards, like by 6pm, so if you wanna buy some alcohol for dinner, for example, you have to get it early.
At Quick Yea, go kid's meal toys!
My favorite neighborhoods in Paris are the Quartier Latin and Montmartre� climb to the Sacre Coeur church, it�s really gorgeous. And the Montmartre neighborhood is really gorgeous when the sun is shining. The Moulin Rouge is right near there, but it�s really expensive; I didn�t go. Also, the caf� where they shot �Amelie� is in Montmartre! If you wanna see, just ask anyone where the �Amelie caf� is! Steer clear of big touristy cafes on big boulevards like the Boulevard St. Michel for example, where they�ll rip you off and serve you weak stuff. Go for smaller places, or ones off the beaten path.
Sacre Coeur church in the Montmartre neighborhood
Sorry it�s sideways, this is the Amelie caf�
The Quartier Latin is where the nightlife happens� look that up. I didn�t go to any clubs in Paris, though I hear there are a few good ones.
The Eiffel tower lights up every night with lights running up and down it at 10pm, 11pm, and midnight. We had a picnic under the Eiffel tower and played soccer on the lawn and watched the thing light up at midnight. Then the night we left, our farewell right before we went to the airport was the Eiffel tower sparkling one more time� Picnics on the Pont Neuf (bridge going over the Seine) are also popular; crowds gather on Friday and Saturday nights and just eat on the bridge. This bridge is near the Louvre, and you can see the Eiffel tower from it�
my favorite picture
More about Paris: the Jardin du Luxembourg (park) is amazing with lots of flowers. The Boulevard St. Michel has many used book stores (if you read French; if you don�t, you could always pick something up for me )� one of the images I have in my head about Paris is looking through the gates of the Jardin du Luxembourg and seeing the golden light from the setting sun falling on the Boulevard St. Michel, and on all the used books lying scattered on tables outside the bookstores. Time stood still� The Notre Dame is of course gorgeous� and I�d recommend you wander around Paris� but she�s my love, you can�t have her.
In general, I have heard of and seen pickpocketing happening but nothing has ever happened to me. Maybe because I don�t take my wallet out in the middle of the street and don�t keep it in my pocket! Just be careful, but I wouldn�t freak out about it. The only people I�ve heard of it happening to did something stupid to attract it�
Err sorry for the long-ass post, hope you got something out of it at least... if you want any more info on Paris or Florence, just PM me or IM me on AIM Man, enjoy yourself, I envy you. I had wanted to go on a backpacking trip to Europe for 2 months by myself this summer, but that�s not happening. Maybe next summer� anyway, have fun!
uhmm miss bliss?? i was waiting for your novel to be released...and not only is there none released, but yuo deleted your post saying that you were gonna release it...sup with that??
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Highmay uhmm miss bliss?? i was waiting for your novel to be released...and not only is there none released, but yuo deleted your post saying that you were gonna release it...sup with that?? |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Miss Bliss satisfied now? |
dude have a great time and tell us stories when u get back
Re: Re: off the top of my head...
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Highmay I'm also packing traveler's cheques |
. munich is fum though, especially if you like beer. Re: National Highm-poon's European Vacation...
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Highmay Any tourist traps I should avoid that are only stupidly obvious to the locals?? |
stuttgart is merely a pit stop for my cousin and i (or my cousin and me, or simply "us"...yeah, that's good)...
thanks miss bliss on the info...i can find out the name of those places your talking about....the amalie cafe is definitely a must...
oh god reading about miss bliss talking about Paris most def makes me wanna go back ( I was supposed to be there beginning of july but wont make it ) ... I lived in paris a little bit, and even when I didn't live there I made go sure I went regurlaly.
There's so much to see over there that I wouldn't know where to start. I'll think and tell you later.
While in Barcelona visit the old olympic game grounds; it's pretty cool.
London visit the Royal Botanic Gardens.
I also recommend visiting frommers.com ... they have great info on cities etc... Walking tours etc.
thanks jdat...
Oh yeah...another question regarding london:
anyone have any info regarding nightly trips to haunted mansions? I hear it's really scary but even the natives give it good reviews...
Jayme, have fun!!! Hope you come back in one piece... And about those pickpocketers - just stay away from the crowd if you can - they usually work in big crowded areas (buses, tube stations, railway stations, etc...)
Peace
hiya jaime...
well i just got back from my european vacation too...i have some sites that i can recommend when you are in england.
www.easyjet.com<--cheap and they fly to ibiza and other countries as oppose to ryanair , they are somewhat limited.
www.thetrainline.com<--you can take this from london to stanstead airport...what i would recommend is to pay for your ticket when you are in the train..they are usually cheaper from experience
www.tfl.gov.uk<--underground (tube) information...i'am telling you, if you can go thru the nyc subways...this is a piece of cake hun if you are heading out to stanstead airport when you are leaving london..take the tube from liverpool street station...from there you take a train to stanstead. it is usually a 45 minute train ride.
enjoy, london is amazing..go to picaddily circus..its where all the shops are at.
enjoy and be safe
cheers
indy
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Highmay thanks jdat... Oh yeah...another question regarding london: anyone have any info regarding nightly trips to haunted mansions? I hear it's really scary but even the natives give it good reviews... |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Miss Bliss I had a great experience in my hostel in Paris� We would go out on the roof of this one hostel (I stayed at the BVJ � Bureau something de Jeunesse � dammit, can�t remember the full name � great hostel though! See if you can find it! It�s on Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 5 minute walk from the Louvre! Cheap too!) and smoke and drink with a bazillion other kids staying at the hostel all night. It�s the best place to meet people� I was already traveling with people from Africa, the Balkans, Russia, Japan, Brazil, etc. and I met more people from places like Turkey, the Netherlands, Mexico, etc. |
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