You Showed Your Thai Partner Europe

[THAIPHUKET]

My Lady has been repeatedly on an individual basis with me to Germany, Netherlands, Belgium.

Now I want to show her more.

How did you do it? Any good agencies here to arrange a package tour to have the least headache and good service? Or rather fly to Europe and book a package from there?

What was your experience?

Foot traps to aviod?

[KhonJaiYen]

Hi, we travelled around Europe in a camper van a couple of years ago. Great way to travel and the camping sites are really great. We rented from a company in Munich and visited Germany, Austria and the absolutely marvellous Italy (our favourite). We saw snow in summer in Switzerland and my wife absolutely loved the whole experience. I would strongly recommend this way of seeing Europe.

[WilliaminBKK]

Make your way to the UK then join a coach tour, Cosmos/Leger Holidays offers some decent pacakges all over Europe. You can also contact Flight Centre in the UK and see what is on offer.

[TerraPosse]

How about getting this one and then buying an Interrail ticket and Bob's your uncle.

[PattayaParent]

I've been looking at this myself.

There's coach tours around Europe but you seem to spend most of your time sitting on a coach so I've decided when the time comes the Eurail pass will likely be the best bet.

http://www.raileurope.co.th/rail-products/rail-passes/article/eurail-global-pass

http://www.eurail.com/eurail-passes/global-pass

http://www.eurorailways.com/products/trains_passes/multi_countries/eurail_passes/flexipass.htm

[THAIPHUKET]

Very interesting ideas, thank you. Q=

1.Camper is perfect for country site but in the cities? At least in Germany you are not allowed to stay overnight in a camper. Big pro= no hassle with luggage.

2. Europe by train very enticing, puts you in the middle of a city, no airport stress.

How would you arrange for accommodation? Pre-book, book as you go?

This might be where a smart phone comes in handy, I could book last minute on the way.

(But no printed voucher , solution= email voucher to hotel??)

[PattayaParent]

^It would depend on how long you are going for.

I'd pre-book hotels using someone like Agoda, you can print a few hotel vouchers before you go and the rest book as you go and print the voucher in the prior hotel or internet cafe.

[beano2274]

Or booking.com for hotels is another good one.

[yermanee]

Hi there,

First make sure your wife has the right visa for the countries you wish to visit.

Plan an itinerary.

Book a ticket to your first destination and return from the last country (Multicity ticket possible with most airlines).

Rent a car.

Book your hotels whilst your on the way. (email on your smartphone is equivalent to voucher) that way you have absolute liberty.

My last trip was France, Belgium, and Germany. (If you want to shut-up your wife about temples take her to the Mont St.Michel)

Hope to have helped

Yermanee

[theoldgit]

I've been looking at this myself.

There's coach tours around Europe but you seem to spend most of your time sitting on a coach so I've decided when the time comes the Eurail pass will likely be the best bet.

We are looking at this also. I have never done a coach tour in Europe but I did a coast to coast tour in the US and whilst I enjoyed it overall, I vowed I would never do it that way again.

Most of the passengers were older, and I'm no spring chicken, and whilst in their own right they were all ok, the days revolved round extended breakfasts, lingering lunches and frequent stops for snack and toilet breaks. We stopped at some great places overnight but invariably got there too late to see them properly.

I am researching my own tour for 2013 where we can be in control of our route and timings, using a combination of trains and low cost airlines.

[craigt3365]

Hi there,

First make sure your wife has the right visa for the countries you wish to visit.

Plan an itinerary.

Book a ticket to your first destination and return from the last country (Multicity ticket possible with most airlines).

Rent a car.

Book your hotels whilst your on the way. (email on your smartphone is equivalent to voucher) that way you have absolute liberty.

My last trip was France, Belgium, and Germany. (If you want to shut-up your wife about temples take her to the Mont St.Michel)

Hope to have helped

Yermanee

Excellent advise. A tour is not required. Just a bit of research on your part, a good guide book and have fun! If you are not traveling during the high season, pre-booking hotels is not required. And you can sometimes find some really good deals by just showing up and negotiating with them. They are always happy to rent a room at 6PM for a discount that would otherwise probably stay empty.

Europe is easy to navigate, whether by public transportation...or better yet...in a rental car. Can't wait to go back!

P.S. sometimes a round trip to/from a particular city is cheaper than an "open jaw". If so, just get a cheapie one way back to your point of origin with the many discount airlines operating in Europe. And pack lightly! It makes a huge difference.

[wolfmuc]

Hi, we travelled around Europe in a camper van a couple of years ago. Great way to travel and the camping sites are really great. We rented from a company in Munich and visited Germany, Austria and the absolutely marvellous Italy (our favourite). We saw snow in summer in Switzerland and my wife absolutely loved the whole experience. I would strongly recommend this way of seeing Europe.

I think a camper van would be the best choice even though the Eurail pass is a good idea. But don't forget the hotel prices in most parts of Europe. Not same same as in Thailand. And take care of the weather. I would suggest May, June or July for your trip to Europe. In that case there should be good weather. - Another opportunity would be 'changing homes'. Recently I found 2 links: haustauschferien.com and Homelink.de.

They charge 80 to 140 Euro for arranging this. But I'm sure there's a lot of agents to be found on www.

Have a wonderful trip.

[THAIPHUKET]

Thanks, you helped me to focus, it will be

Start and finish Berlin

Paris, Mont St Michel,

http://mont-saint-michel.monuments-nationaux.fr/en/

Then to Zurich/Genva

http://www.glacierexpress.ch/en/Pages/default.aspx

North Italy

Perhaps 2 months

And I will study the Homelink more, B&B seem to be possible, I like that more than sterile hotels.

If you have more suggestions to the mentioned areas, pls let them hear. Haven't been to Paris or North Italy in ages.

[yermanee]

And I will study the Homelink more, B&B seem to be possible, I like that more than sterile hotels.

If you have more suggestions to the mentioned areas, pls let them hear. Haven't been to Paris or North Italy in ages.

A website with non-sterile hotels, chateaux and auberges can be found here : http://www.chateauxhotels.com/

Yermanee

[craigt3365]

Wow. 2 months. Fantastic. Paris and Mont St. Michel are great. We did a 6 week trip 2 years ago that included this along with a few weeks in Spain and Portugal. Paris is fantastic. If you are a war buff, Normandy is a must.

I travel a lot and found the Rick Steves guide books, Europe Through The Back Door, to be really good. He only focuses on the big sites, but the information is great. Including sample itineraries, places to stay that have character and are more interesting, best restaurants, etc. We stayed in a castle, stayed in the middle of a vineyard, found a great hotel in Mont St. Michel. Fantastic!

Have a blast.

[TerraPosse]

For accommodation I would only pre-book in places that are popular all year round like Paris or Florence. Otherwise as suggested keep it flexible and sort something on or near arrival especially if you travel outside school holidays and using a regionally flexible train ticket.

Nothing worse than being slave to some schedule when you want to actually spend more time somewhere or take a small detour on a whim. We have done it on some of our trips where we meant to stay somewhere for a night or two and ended up staying a week because our hosts where so welcoming and the place was fantastic. Following are some of my favourite resources for finding a home away from home...

If you prefer your accommodation to be budget and lively try: http://www.hostels.com/

or wanna move in with some locals? Try: http://www.couchsurfing.org/

Like the local flavour but more privacy and/or comfort? Try: http://www.airbnb.com/ or http://www.9flats.com/

[craigt3365]

An inappropriate post has been removed from view and a warning has been issued.

[THAIPHUKET]

Terraposse, you are wonderful. I totally had forgotten that I am a couch provider on http://www.couchsurfing.org/, never used it myself. I met so many interesting young people trveling the world. I'm a bit shy, as of a certain age I simply feel better, if I pay for a service rendered.

Will look into http://www.airbnb.com/ or http://www.9flats.com/ .But I will also spoil myself at http://www.chateauxhotels.com/

[PattayaParent]

Thanks for starting the thread OP, I'm planning a 2 month tour of Europe next year and this has provided a great source of info and saved me some leg work.

[craigt3365]

Rick Steves also has a pretty good travel show. Worth checking them out if you have the time. I'm pretty sure he's done a show on every major city/destination in Europe.

[yermanee]

Rick Steves also has a pretty good travel show. Worth checking them out if you have the time. I'm pretty sure he's done a show on every major city/destination in Europe.

Hi Craig,

Thanks for the tip. Found this gem :

And I can vouch for the omelet at La Mere Poulard. (Allthough I still prefer the oysters at St. Malo )

Cheers

Yermanee

[THAIPHUKET]

Can't tell you happy you made me with that video, you just saved me 1 day. Immediate claustrophobia, such throng of people, nowhere to run. Reminds me of Kyoto http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html or Williamsburg

http://www.mytravelguideposts.com/2011/01/places-to-visit-in-williamsburg-va.html. Totally unreal, shopping, shopping souvenirs,

I rather spend time in Versailles http://www.idntourism.com/palace-of-versailles-one-of-the-best-historic-buildings-in-france/ or Fontainebleau http://goo.gl/YzuU5

I will not be alone but the places are so grandiouse and grande that I can stroll for hours, hear baroque music in my mind, am dressed like a nobel man. In France I might have been one because

the French concept of nobility was very different from the English one. Whereas, in England, only a peerage bestows nobility on the holder, in France, nobility was a quality, a legal characteristic of the individual, which was held or acquired in specified ways, and which conferred specified rights and privileges. And such noble characteristics I, most certainly had had possesed, in my dreams.

There is so much more to see.

[craigt3365]

Great video Yermanee! What a fantastic place to visit. Sure brought back great memories for me.

TP. Use Rick Steves book and you'll find out how to avoid the crowds. As we did. Come later in the afternoon and spend the night. The place is almost deserted. Leave before the crowds come and you can explore the place easily. It's a really amazing place. As is Kyoto. Crowded...for a reason. Kyoto is amazing also. One of the highlights for a trip to Japan.

Wait till you get to Versailles and have to spend an hour plus in line to get in. Then get herded around to see the castle. Which is a must, it's amazing. Yes, you can wander around...but there's still thousands of people there with you.

Crowds are a part of tourist attractions. Again, Rick's book helps you get around these things very well. Summer is beautiful in Europe, but it's packed. We did our trip in the fall.

I attached 2 pics. One of the lines at Versailles and the other of our meal at Mont St. Michel.

[PattayaParent]

To make visas simpler I'm planning to opt only for Shengen countries so only 1 visa application is required (no desire to go to UK).

[THAIPHUKET]

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound patronizing, was too quick to judge, will consult Steve Rick's book.

Yes, Schengen Visa is the way to go. It may be helpful to remember that you don't need to apply for the visa at the embassy of first entry of Schengen. Whatever embassy is more convenient (e.g.Dutch), you apply there and enter through any Schengen country (e.g. France)

[theoldgit]

It may be helpful to remember that you don't need to apply for the visa at the embassy of first entry of Schengen. Whatever embassy is more convenient (e.g.Dutch), you apply there and enter through any Schengen country (e.g. France)

The rules are quite specific for all Schengen Area Countries, you are supposed to apply for a Schengen Visa for the country that is your main destination, or where you are spending the longest time, if you are touring then you should apply for your visa for the country where you first enter the area.

Most, if not all, Schengen Consulates have this information on their websites, but I have no idea if it is enforced when considering an application, but you are required to provide indicitive details of your trip, with proof.

[yermanee]

Great video Yermanee! What a fantastic place to visit. Sure brought back great memories for me.

TP. Use Rick Steves book and you'll find out how to avoid the crowds. As we did. Come later in the afternoon and spend the night. The place is almost deserted. Leave before the crowds come and you can explore the place easily. It's a really amazing place. As is Kyoto. Crowded...for a reason. Kyoto is amazing also. One of the highlights for a trip to Japan.

Wait till you get to Versailles and have to spend an hour plus in line to get in. Then get herded around to see the castle. Which is a must, it's amazing. Yes, you can wander around...but there's still thousands of people there with you.

Crowds are a part of tourist attractions. Again, Rick's book helps you get around these things very well. Summer is beautiful in Europe, but it's packed. We did our trip in the fall.

I attached 2 pics. One of the lines at Versailles and the other of our meal at Mont St. Michel.

Yes Craig, a truly magical place as are many places in France.

And your charming spouse seems to have enjoyed the food as well as mine did.(Not to forget the exquisite wines).

Cheers

Yermanee

[craigt3365]

I hate to rely on guide books too much, but Rick's are really good. I've used them in many different countries in Europe. What I like are 4 things:

1. They focus on the main sites, not all the lesser stuff that if you are a bit busy, aren't really important.

2. They give you a good itinerary for your trip. How long to spend in a particular area, etc.

3. They give you "back door" recommendations. For example, how to avoid the lines at various places...or how to minimize them.

4. For many places, including cities, detailed guides are provided so you can avoid having to go with a tour group. You can just go it alone. His detailed walking tours for cities are great.

He's got great humor also. Like when we were in Venice at the Doge Palace and he said to look out for Sylvester Stalone's bust. Sure enough, there was one that looked just like him!

Don't mean to go on too much about this, but they are pretty good books.

[craigt3365]

Great video Yermanee! What a fantastic place to visit. Sure brought back great memories for me.

TP. Use Rick Steves book and you'll find out how to avoid the crowds. As we did. Come later in the afternoon and spend the night. The place is almost deserted. Leave before the crowds come and you can explore the place easily. It's a really amazing place. As is Kyoto. Crowded...for a reason. Kyoto is amazing also. One of the highlights for a trip to Japan.

Wait till you get to Versailles and have to spend an hour plus in line to get in. Then get herded around to see the castle. Which is a must, it's amazing. Yes, you can wander around...but there's still thousands of people there with you.

Crowds are a part of tourist attractions. Again, Rick's book helps you get around these things very well. Summer is beautiful in Europe, but it's packed. We did our trip in the fall.

I attached 2 pics. One of the lines at Versailles and the other of our meal at Mont St. Michel.

Yes Craig, a truly magical place as are many places in France.

And your charming spouse seems to have enjoyed the food as well as mine did.(Not to forget the exquisite wines).

Cheers

Yermanee

Ya had to mention wine. One of our big problems here in Thailand.

[bunnaag]

How about getting this one and then buying an Interrail ticket and Bob's your uncle.

interail ticket´: only european residents can use it