Roaming Through Europe

Roaming Through Europe--About Us

Roaming Through Europe provides the latest information about traveling in Europe. Personal opinions about European travel, photographs and experiences will be highlighted in this blog. Our goal is to make your travels to Europe safe, exciting and memorable. If you are unable to travel to Europe, we hope that this blog will be your eyes to all the wonders of Europe. Please email us if you have any comments, experiences to share or questions.

I have been traveling in Europe for 30 years always guided by my philiosphy--meeting and engaging with people in their unique part of Europe is the true reason for traveling. Recalling all the castles, cathedrals, museums, monuments, historical public buildings and famous cafes is an impossibility for me and most travelers. Pictures and guidebooks can refresh most minds. Sharing a drink and small conversation with a Parisian, skiing the Alps with Europeans, relating differences and similiarites with strangers over dinner who later become friends are the unexpected travel moments that create lasting memories. Everyone who travels to Europe has a favorite country or city--mine is Paris. Every time I return to Europe, I always stop in the most beautiful city in Europe--Paris. I take travel groups to Europe and am a travel photographer. See you in Europe, Traveling Bill

Paris In Spring--Outside Activities

*Eat a baguette from Au Duc de la Chapelle Patisserie in the 18th.

*Visit the sculpture garden of Rodin Museum.

*Sit in the Luxembourg Gardens for idle people watching.

*Stroll down Rue Mouffetard on a Sunday.

*Skate through the streets of Paris with locals and tourists during the Friday night skating tour.

*Dance the night away by the Seine with the locals.

*Celebrate the dead at Paris's famous cemetery--Pere Lachaise.

*Take a long walk through Paris's many neighorhoods.

*See the sights of Paris on a Segway tour.

*Toast the city at sunset on the Pont des Arts.

*View the varieties of flowers at the Jardin des Plantes.

*Get a picnic lunch at the Richard Lenoir street market on Thursdays and Sundays.

*Walk through Marais to view the many manisons and unique shops.

*Get aboard the Batobus to see Paris from the Seine.

*Take a morning walk on the Promenade Plantee.

*See Paris with a local guide.

*Observe a game of boules.

*Enjoy a mint tea in the courtyard of Paris's beautiful mosque--La Mosquee de Paris in the 5th.

*Enjoy a Lebanese lunch at the Le Ziryab on top floor of the Institu du Monde Arabe.

*Enjoy the Paris's cafe culture--people watching.  

Credit for article--Travel News From Fodor's Travel Guides.

Baggage Lost At Sea--Worth $100 to $300

Although airlines will reimburse up to $3300 if they lose your bag on domestic flights, cruise companies limit their liability to $100-$300 a bag.  Most cruise companies are not responsible for  jewelry, electronics or other valuable items.  Even locking them up in an in-room safe or at the purser's desk will not change the $100-$300 ceiling.  To protect your bags, you must take out travel insurance.  Don't bring what you can't afford to lose.  Make your bag stand out with colorful tags or straps.  Put your contact information inside and outside your bag.  Finally, always read the fine print of your sea voyage contract.

Although airlines will reimburse up to $3300 if they lose your bag on domestic flights, cruise companies limit their liability to $100-$300 a bag.  Most cruise companies are not responsible for  jewelry, electronics or other valuable items.  Even locking them up in an in-room safe or at the purser's desk will not change the $100-$300 ceiling.  To protect your bags, you must take out travel insurance.  Don't bring what you can't afford to lose.  Make your bag stand out with colorful tags or straps.  Put your contact information inside and outside your bag.  Finally, always read the fine print of your sea voyage contract.

Happy 50th Birthday Eurail!!!

 

The Eurail pass celebrates its 50th Birthday this year.  The prepaid multicountry ticket is still the easiest way to see Europe.  Take a look at the numbers.

5,000 passes sold in 1959

500,000 projected passes to be sold in 2009

21 countries included in the Golbal Pass

12 Millon Eurail customers to date

160,00 miles of train track covered by Eurail

There are 4 different kinds of passes:  Global Pass, Select Pass, Regional Pass and One Country Pass.

Prices are based on three catagories:  Youth, Adult and Saver.  The prices in these groups are based on usage--number of days or months.  The Saver catagory can be used when 2 or more people are traveling together.  

For many years, traveling by train in Europe was the cheapest way to travel.  With the introduction of discount airlines, this is not the case today.  The greatest benefit for traveling by train is convenience and speed.  Since there are many fast trains in Europe, you can get to your destination as quickly by train as by airplanes with less hassle.  Most train stations are located in the center of the city which makes it easier to get to your hotel.

I have used the eurail pass often in Europe and find it to be easy to use and often cheaper since there is very little or no charge for baggage. The  pass must be purchased in America and validated at a train station the first time it is used.  It is recognized by most train personnel in all 21 countries.  If you are using it for 1st class or taking a fast train, you must have a reservation.  Unless you must have a specific departure time , you can purchase your reservations in Europe at a much cheaper price than buying them through Eurail.  Remember that the listings on the departure destination board at the train statiaon only lists the last stop which may not be your stop.  If you have questions, go to the information booth--someone will be able to speak English.

Enjoy the countryside and have a meal on the train--this is a great way to see Europe.

For more information, go to www.eurail.com.

2009 EUROPEAN ART EXHIBTS

 

If you are going to Europe this year, these are some of the attractions you may want to visit.

SWITZERLAND

The Kunstmesuem Basel presents "Vincent Van Gogh--Between Earth and Heaven: The Landscapes between April 26-September 27, 2009.

HUNGARY

Budapest's exciting new venue: The Palace of Arts features an impressive lineup of musicians, orchestras and theatrical performances throughout the year.

ROMANIA

The Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest will be the main venue for the 19th George Enescu Classical Music Festival from August 30-September 26, 2009.

BELGIUM

The new Rene Magritte Museum is opening in Brussels on June 2, 2009.  It will be the new home for the over 200 paintings by the surrealist painter.

GERMANY

The East Side Gallery celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 2009.  A preserved section of the Berlin Wall with 106 paintings and graffiti by local and international artists represents the world's largest open air galley.

SPAIN

The Museo del Prodo in Madrid is showing 100 paintings by Sorolla between May 26-September 6, 2009.

HOLLAND

The New Hermitage Amsterdam opens June 20.  The inaugural exhibt "At the Russian Court Palace and Protocol in the 19th Century" includes 1,800 treasures from the Hermitage St. Petersburg.  This exhibt runs from June 20-January 31, 2010.

For more information  about these exhibts, go to www.artsineurope.com.

A Safe Port For Cruising--GET TRAVEL INSURANCE!!!!

Unfortunately, no one but the owner knows the liquidity of a specific cruise line.  If a cruise line goes bankrupt, you will be left on shore with a worthless certificate.  With these tough economical times, cruise lines are selling less cabins than last year.  To be safe, you should purchase a travel insurance policy that includes the failure of a line as a covered peril.  These policies are bought on a per-trip basis and are priced as a percentage of the total trip cost--usually about 5% to 7%.

You should consider the following items before buying such a policy:

1.  Don't buy the policy directly through the cruise line.  If the cruise line goes under, the policy will not pay off.

2.  Be careful when you pay for the travel insurance policy.  Many policies require that you purchase it before 15 days of making the initial payments on the trip.  If this is not followed, the policy will be worthless.  If you hear the cruise line is in financial trouble after you are making the payments, it will be too late to purchase the policy.

3.  Be sure the policy includes coverage in the case of financial default.  Not all do.  Look under the "trip cancellation benefits" section of the policy's fine print.

Since you are paying a lot of money for your cruise, the small amount of money this policy will cost is nothing compared to the lost of the total amount you have paid.

New Monet Museum At Giverny, France

The Musee des Impressionnismes Giverny will open on May 1, 2009 on the site of the famed Musee d'Art American Giverny with an exhibit of Monet's works.  The Garden of Monet at Giverny:  The Invention of the Landscape runs until August 15, 2009.  The Musee d'Orsay  is loaning Monet works for the exhibt.  For more information, go to www.museedesimpressionnismesgiverny.org or www.maag.org.

The museum is near Monet's one time home and garden, which is visited  by painters and art lovers from around the world.

If you have never visited Monet's home, don't miss the opportunity the next time you are in Paris.  The train ride from Paris takes an hour and a ten minute bus ride from the train station to his home.  The gardens are beautiful and the house is very interesting.  Being a Monet admirer, I have visited his home several times and never miss an opportunity to view his works.  His works at the Musee d'Orsay and his murals at the Musee de l'Orangerie are a must see when you are in Paris.

Tipping in Europe

These are the guidelines for tipping in Europe.

Waiter:  Usually included, if not, 5%-15% (often leave change, but not euros); Bartender:  If service included, an extra 5% is optional; 5%-10% otherwise; Concierge:  $5-$30 (6.50-40 euros) depending on the complexity of service; Porter:  $2-$3 (3-4 euros) per bag; House Keeping:  Varies by region, from noting to $5 (6.60 euros) day; Taxi Driver:  Round up fare; Spa Services:  10%-15%; Hair Dresser:  Varies by region from nothing to $5 (often included in price); and Coat Check:  $2-$3 (3-4 euros) per item.

Tips For Cheaper Cruises In Europe

If you are planning to take a cruise this year in Europe, these tips can be very helpful.  When the economic is very tight, cruises are usually the best buy for your travel dollar, especially in Europe. There are many cruises available in Europe that allow you to see several countries in a short period of time.  American, as well as, European cruise lines have ships in many ports in Europe.  Language is not a problem, because you mustbe able to speak English to work on these ships.

 

1. Plan and Pay Ahead.  Planning and paying way ahead of departure can result in serious discounts.

2. Play the Waiting Game.  Discounts can be great for those who play the waiting game--the choice of cabins will be limited the longer you wait.

3.  Stowaway.  The traveler selects a 30-day window for departure and a cabin class and makes a deposit.  If it's available, you can get a discount rate (usually 25%).  If not, you get a refund.

4. Become a Groupie.  If you can get 15 or more people to go with you, you can go free.

5. Be a Regular with the Cruise Line.  The more cruises you take with a specific line, the better the perks are.

6. Agent Secrets.  Booking through an agent is the sure way to the inside track for upgrades.

7. Be Special.  Make sure the cruise line knows if this is a special occasion, like an anniversary or birthday.  This can get you special perks.

8. Act Your Age.  Many cruise lines offer discounts for folks over 55 or 65.

Scotland's 250th Birthday of Robert Burns Festival

Do you  have ancestry from Scotland?  If you do, Scotland has organized a year of festivities to celebrate the 250th birthday of its national poet, Robert Burns.  As seen in the picture, Edinburgh Castle will host a  large Scottish clan gathering in July.  In September, the lsle of Barra is throwing a Whisky Galore Festival.  There will be gala dinners and whisky tastings.  Also, in July there will be Highland Games.  For more information, go to www.homecomingscotland2009.com  

Avoiding Lines at European Attractions

If you have ever been to Europe during the height of the tourist season, you have probably stood in line for some of the most popular attractions.  This is an unfortunate way to waste a lot of touring time.  The following suggestions can eliminate this problem.

1. Reserve an entry time or purchase a ticket online or at a ticket agency.  Most museums offer tickets for sale in advance--go the day before and purchase the ticket and avoid the lines.  You can use an agency like FNAC which has locations all over Europe.  I used them for a concert and a ticket to see the 400th anniversary of Rembrandt in Amsterdam.  I walked past hundreds of people waiting in the cold and went straight to the exhibit.

2.  Spring for a pass.  Most cities offer passes to the major attractions at their tourist offices.  These passes will be valid from 2-6 days.

3.  Hire a guide.  It'll cost you, but you will avoid the lines and receive additional information during your visits to the attractions.  You should contact the tourist office for guide recommendations.

4.  Join a tour.  Most European cities have tours that show you all the major attractions.  These are very good for families with children who don't want to wait in long lines.  The tourist office has a list of all the tour groups.

5.  Visit in the off-season.  During the off-season, the crowds are less, but the opening hours are sometimes limited.  You must check with the tourist office for the hours of operation.  Also, make sure you know the days of operation--during off-season most attractions aren't open daily.

Beware!!! European Discount Airlines May Not Be So Cheap.

Everyone wants to fly as cheaply as possible to their destination.  The internet is full of cheap flights everyday.  Often the cheapest airlines to fly in Europe are European discount airlines. They published flights for 10 to 80 euros which are based on the destination and time.  Before you book a flight, you must read every charge they have in order to know the total price of the flight.  Since the flights are cheap, they make their money by charging extra fees at every opportunity.  These fees include: excess-baggage fees, airport taxes and fees, charges for credit card payments, priority boarding, airport check-in versus online check-in, meals, checked luggage, charges for changing schedule, fees for carrying infants onboard, charges for making reservations on the telephone instead of online, and charges for travel insurance.

My experience with European discount airlines has not been great.  The luggage requirements are enforced to the ounce and the fees are expensive.  Once on Ryanair, my excess luggage fee was more than the ticket.  Some of the airplanes are old and not very clean.  Although the staff speaks English, they are usually not very helpful.  The  carry-on bag size must be the stated size or it becomes your second checked bag with a fee.  I had to reschedule  my flight in Spain and the fee was 60 euros--the same price as the ticket.

These discount airlines have made travel in Europe easier, faster and cheaper, but you must purchase the ticket with care and read all the requirements for travel.  Once you are at the checkin, it's too late to make changes to your luggage weight. The fees can add up quickly. 

If you have had any experiences with European discount airlines, please post a comment that will help other readers.

Lucerne International Summer Music Festival--Aug 12 thru Sept 19, 2009

The International Summer Music Festival will be held from Aug 12 thru Sept 19 in Lucerne, Switzerland.  It's an impressive affair that attracts top soloists, orchestras, conductors, and scores of fans from around the world.  Concerts will take place in the Jean Nouvel-designed concert house that seems to float on the famous Lucerne lake.  While attending the concerts, you can enjoy the beautiful city of Lucerne.  With its many bridges, it is a city for walking.  Dinning at the historic Old Swiss House is a must.  There are many museums to see, especially the Rosengart Collection and the Richard Wagner Museum.  The Hotel Wilden Mann that encompasses seven town houses is an ideal place to stay.  It has been a hotel since 1860--http://www.wilden-mann.ch.  Several years ago I took a day off from skiing and spent it in Lucerne.  I found the city a great place for sightseeing, shopping and enjoying the German and Swiss food.  It's an easy city to visit--a great place for walking--and the citizens are very friendly and helpful.

High-Speed Trains in Italy

Trenitalia, Italy's national railroad, has introduced a new high-speed rail service.  It runs between Naples and Milan and reduces the travel time from Rome to Milan to 3 and a half hours.  The train takes 65 minutes to go from Milan to Bologna, 2 hours 10 minutes between  Milan and Florence and 4 hours 50 minutes between Naples and Milan.  The perks on this train are free newspapers, beverages and snacks.  For reservations and more information, go to www.italiarail.com.

HANG UP THE CELLPHONE/MOBILE!!!

Everyone wants to answer that cell phone when it rings even when we're driving.  This can be very expensive when you are traveling in Europe.  Many cities and countries in Europe have laws against this usage.    It is very important to know the various laws of the  countries because they may change as you cross the borders.  The fines can be very expensive.

In European countries the fines can be small or very large.  Often you must pay on the spot.  For example, the fines in Italy are $762, and in Portugal $769.  For European laws, go to the U.S.Department of State's country specific information pages at www.travel.state.gov.  You can also contact the country's embassy, consulate or tourism information office for specific laws. 

Personnally, I would use Bluetooth headsets or car kits to avoid any problems.  The fines will often cost more

TRAVEL EUROPE SAFELY

Although no one should be afraid to travel in Europe today, the European traveler's major concern should be safety. Often, we get caught up in th excitement of our trips and don't concern ourselves with common safety measures. The following suggestions are based on my travel experiences.

1. Dress like a local. You should wear neurtral clothing that blends with local dress. Don't wear clothing with logos, baseball caps, or flashy clothing from home. If you required fancy clothing, purchase it at your travel destination, so you will blend with the locals. You should know local dress codes. For example, if you are in Paris, you don't wear shorts, even in summer, and you don't wear white tennis shoes.

 2. Stay at local hotels. You should stay at local hotels in the city's neighborhoods. You should always avoid American chains and 5-star hotels. As seen recently, these are the choices of terrorist's attacks. Avoid accomandations with women-only areas. Women traveling alone are considered by kidnappers to be more vulnerable. Avoid hotel rooms on the first floor and on any floor above the 7th floor. Fire equipment cannot reach beyond the 7th floor.   Another choice is renting an apartment at your destination.

3. Avoid riot areas and labor strike parades.   If you come upon a riot or strike, make a quick detour. These situations often become violent.  I had to show a well-dress British couple in Paris a safer route to their restaurant, because they were walking to an area where a strike was occuring--for them it was dangerous. 

 4.  Be wary of gypsy cabs.  Even though the cab looks professional, it could be a gypsy cab which will cost you more money or it may take you to a dangerous place.  If the cab has no meter and no city information and regulations posted, get out of the cab immediately, even if he quotes you a cheaper price.  The best approach is to have your hotel call you a licensed cab.

 

 

Although no one should be afraid to travel in Europe today, the European traveler's major concern should be safety. Often, we get caught up in th excitement of our trips and don't concern ourselves with common safety measures. The following suggestions are based on my travel experiences.

1. Dress like a local. You should wear neurtral clothing that blends with local dress. Don't wear clothing with logos, baseball caps, or flashy clothing from home. If you required fancy clothing, purchase it at your travel destination, so you will blend with the locals. You should know local dress codes. For example, if you are in Paris, you don't wear shorts, even in summer, and you don't wear white tennis shoes.

 2. Stay at local hotels. You should stay at local hotels in the city's neighborhoods. You should always avoid American chains and 5-star hotels. As seen recently, these are the choices of terrorist's attacks. Avoid accomandations with women-only areas. Women traveling alone are considered by kidnappers to be more vulnerable. Avoid hotel rooms on the first floor and on any floor above the 7th floor. Fire equipment cannot reach beyond the 7th floor.   Another choice is renting an apartment at your destination.

3. Avoid riot areas and labor strike parades.   If you come upon a riot or strike, make a quick detour. These situations often become violent.  I had to show a well-dress British couple in Paris a safer route to their restaurant, because they were walking to an area where a strike was occuring--for them it was dangerous. 

 4.  Be wary of gypsy cabs.  Even though the cab looks professional, it could be a gypsy cab which will cost you more money or it may take you to a dangerous place.  If the cab has no meter and no city information and regulations posted, get out of the cab immediately, even if he quotes you a cheaper price.  The best approach is to have your hotel call you a licensed cab.