Travel advice

[emainvol]

I am trying to plan a trip to Europe for the near future (anytime between the end of this year and the middle of next). I am likely to be working on a fairly limited budget, so I am considering hostelling and backpacking with a Europass.
So, two questions, first off I will be starting in Spain and definitely travelling to Paris, is there anywhere else that you guys consider a must see?
And two, are working holidays an option for U.S. citizens, just on the chance I decide I would like to make a rather long trip across the pond.

 

[cotton]

Well, I can't speak to hostelling or whether a working holiday is a viable alternative, but I can say that, having been to Europe a few times, I consider London an absolute must see. It has a history as rich as that of any other city in Europe and is arguably more important in modern times than any city on the continent. It is a 3 hour ride through the chunnel from Paris and approximately a $2.32 plane ride from anywhere in Europe on the new discount airlines from anywhere on the continent. I really think you will miss something if you skip it.

It has art, culture, industry, history, nightlife, and whatever else you want to find that rivals any other city in Europe, only it has all of them in a combination not found anywhere else . Imagine being a Euro coming to North America and skipping New York, and you'll have a pretty good idea of what you will miss if you don't visit London.

 

[Arclight]

Berlin

 

[TennTradition]

Prague and Vienna = worth seeing (although I have heard a few bad things about Vienna recently I believe)

 

[tj4orange]

Obviously I am a tab bit biased but Germany is great. If you go after Thanksgiving and before Chirstmas, all the towns have their Chirstkendal Markets. Simply amazing. They remind you of old world times with goodies, drinks for the adults, some awsome suviners, etc. Get rump steak with crouter butter. Possibly the best steaks I have ever had. Every place has it. And the butter melted to die for. Thats just my two cents. Munich is a good choice. Koln and the Dome is neat. River rides along the Rhine is casltes galore. There is the big castle in Nuenswinder(?) that the cinderella castle is copied from. Just my two cents!

 

[hatvol96]

Sarajevo and Madrid.

 

[teddyh3ad]

I am trying to plan a trip to Europe for the near future (anytime between the end of this year and the middle of next). I am likely to be working on a fairly limited budget, so I am considering hostelling and backpacking with a Europass.
So, two questions, first off I will be starting in Spain and definitely travelling to Paris, is there anywhere else that you guys consider a must see?
And two, are working holidays an option for U.S. citizens, just on the chance I decide I would like to make a rather long trip across the pond.

Sevilla is cool.

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

Amsterdam.

 

[TennTradition]

Sarajevo and Madrid.

Do you find Spain risky to travel to? I have backed out a trip in the past over fear of transportation strikes. I don't know if that is as big of a problem now as it was a few years ago...but I was seriously concerned about not being able to get around the country....

What is Sarajevo like?

 

[TennTradition]

I just got back from Norway. While the trip was great, I think that there are other areas of Europe that I would visit before Scandinavia. Norway's fjords were as advertised - absolutely amazing. I didn't make it to Oslo, which is where most of the better museums are ... so I can't speak to that. I will say that it is a very easy country to visit as an American and english speaker. I thought Greece (which I highly recommend) was good for that as well, but Norway was even easier.

 

[BigPapaVol]

Innsbrook, Austria and Geneva, Switzerland

 

[hohenfelsvol]

From personal experience:

1. London - Oh so much to do and see. As Cotton described, London is a must see. Just realize the currency rate there makes it very expensive and getting there from Spain may or may not be costly. But if you can swing it you will not be dissapointed.

2. Munich - Good if you like seeing some historical things accompanied with some of the best beer in the world. Used to live about an hour and a half north of Munich and love Bavaria.

3. Venice - Great scenery and historical significance. Good food, beer and locals are very nice.

Personal opinion only:
Paris - Overrated. An o.k. city with a well deserved bad reputation for arrogant locals. Lots to see if you can put up with the locals. Get out into the country side and the people are much more friendly.