Have you traveled in Europe?  What, in your opinion, is the best way to
'do Europe"?  Do you go for the luxury hotel and fine restaurants, with
guided tours to all the best sights?  Do you prefer to sign on for a
30 cities in 15 days tour plan with 25 other folks to get to know well
along the way?  Do you buy a Eurail pass and an IYH card and pack an extra
pair of skivies and a toothbrush in your knapsack?  How about settling
in one place for the major part of your stay and "going local"?

What is your fave part of Europe to travel in?  Do you speak the language?
How big a hassle is it if you don't?

14 responses total.

I have not travelled extensively in Europe, but I *think* what I would
like to do is take anywhere from 6 months to a year to see Europe. With
that much time, you could do a little of everything.  I'd try to visit
most every country, and then perhaps camp out for a month or more in
the spots I liked best.

I could see spending a month in Paris, for example.

  for me, Spain seems to be a place that's very underrated and hugely
missed by the so called travel experts. Not that I have been to Europe,
but given the chance, I would gladly spend a month just exploring 
the Iberian peninsula  (ole)

Spain and Italy alternate as the #2 and #3 tourist destinations
from year to year, last I read (a couple of years ago).  Things
might've changed since then.

My favorite way to "do" Europe is with a friend or lover (hopefully they are
one and the same).  I like to stay in one place as long as I can even though
I really like to visit many different places.  I find if you can stay in one
spot for at least a week, you stand a better chance of getting to know the
people, and experience the culture.  You must learn the rudiments of the
language in order to 1) be polite, 2)be accepted, 3)be able to eat the food
your buy.  When my husband I travel, we split up the language.  We start many
months in advance, get out some rudimentary books and tapes.  He learns the
currency, time, and basic amenities.  I learn how to be polite, order in
restaurants, and discuss sales negotiations with clerks in stores.  We prefer
to rent an inexpensive apartment or house in a small town and do day trips
around the area.  That way, we can eat breakfast and lunch at "home", learn
to shop in local stores, and still eat out in small local restaurants at
night.  Next year,we've been thinkjing of renting aplace in a town along the
west coast of Italy within driving distance of Florence and Venice.  That
way we can have the shore and water, and do day trips to two of our favorite
cities.  We would spend at least two weeks.  If we can afford it, we would then
take the train and travel to the Italian Alps or even into Switzerland. Our
favorite European country is Italy as you may have guessed, but we are also
looking forward to someday loving the Greek Islands.

That sounds marvelous!

Has anyone had any experience using an ATM from a U.S. bank in a foreign
country?  I need to know whether the display/instructions will be in
English and if the currency exchange rate is fair.  Thanks.

When you use a US ATM card in a foreign country, the good news is you
can count on getting the bank's real exchange rate.  The bad news is
that they may charge you a transaction fee.

Thanks, Jeff.  Just curious- Is this "first hand" information or based
on another source?

It's what happened in Canada.  I used a credit card in a Canadian ATM and
was really pleased with the cheap way to get true bank exchange rates. But
the last time I tried that, I was hit with a $1.25 fee to use the ATM so I
just spent US cash and got the store's exchange rate last time I was in
Canada making small purchases. 

You'll get the same kind of charge to get cash from an ATM in the US,
so it's not a function of the foreign exchange.

Using a credit card for purchases in a foreign country has always
resulted in a transaction with a very fair conversion rate
whenever I've done it. I'd not be surprised that the same applies
to ATM cash.

I know, from experience, in England you are not hit w/a fee and do get good
exchange rates, though I feel you are better off getting money off of a credit
card to eliminate fees.  (at least my family wasn't hit w/any when they visited
me in England)  If you are going to be staying in a country for very long
(a month or more) you might check into opening an account either w/a local bank
or Building Society.  Though I no longer live in England, I left money in my
Building society account when I left (only a couple of pounds) to gain interest
until I return!

Beware of ATM's in eastern europe, there is a lot of fraud even in "secure
networks." 
This comes from experience.  :(

I am actually European (Italian) and I'm quite interesetd in how people
feels in Europe. I think that the best way accessing Europe is avoiding 
everything organized and ready-to-use (eg. travel organnized by agencyes
for groups). All you need is a toothbrush and a railway ticket. A car
is ok, but you shoul try hitchiking! That's the best way to find the 
most wonderful things elsewhere. Going alone is a particular experience
(you meet a lot of people); howewer I feel terrible to travel with more than 
2 other persons. 
Did somebody go to Eastern Europe lately? How did you find it?
(please note that the Czech rep. is my favourite nation!)

The best and only way to see Europe has to be
Euro railing (a budget rail package).
I recommend any American considering  visiting 
Europe to check it out.By the way <niky> what part

of Italy are you from? I am also 'European' (Irish)
and have lived in Britian and France. I am very keen to
visit Prague and would appreciate any survival tips!!

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