Comments on: 6 essential strategies for planning your next European vacation http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-essential-strategies-for-planning-your-next-european-vacation/ The last honest travel site Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:48:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jada http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-essential-strategies-for-planning-your-next-european-vacation/comment-page-1/#comment-6349 Jada Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:55:24 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5053#comment-6349 Thank you so much for this article! I plan on visiting Europe in the Fall of 2009. I have not been since I was a little girl. I was all set to decide what cities to hit, make hotel reservations and worry about the train when I got there.... I will now make sure to plan well in advance. I would have been horrified to arrive and not be able to gain admittance to an attraction of interest! Thanks again! Jada Thank you so much for this article! I plan on visiting Europe in the Fall of 2009. I have not been since I was a little girl. I was all set to decide what cities to hit, make hotel reservations and worry about the train when I got there…. I will now make sure to plan well in advance. I would have been horrified to arrive and not be able to gain admittance to an attraction of interest!

Thanks again!
Jada

]]> By: Jessica, Italy Logue http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-essential-strategies-for-planning-your-next-european-vacation/comment-page-1/#comment-4555 Jessica, Italy Logue Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:56:26 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5053#comment-4555 The people for whom a trip to Europe is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, who don't plan to make a second trip to "see what they missed the first time," these tips aren't depressing - they're great, and will save people from frustration and the heartache of missing out on a museum because it's sold out. And whether we consider ourselves to be those kinds of travelers, that's still a big segment of the travel population. Yes, it's more enjoyable for some to travel out of the high season, not book anything in advance and play everything by ear - but that's not every person's travel style. And it's a good thing it's not, too... If everyone traveled "out of the high season," pretty soon the low season would *become* the high season and we'd be stuck with the same problem. ;) I think your tips are spot-on, Charlie. The people for whom a trip to Europe is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, who don’t plan to make a second trip to “see what they missed the first time,” these tips aren’t depressing – they’re great, and will save people from frustration and the heartache of missing out on a museum because it’s sold out. And whether we consider ourselves to be those kinds of travelers, that’s still a big segment of the travel population.

Yes, it’s more enjoyable for some to travel out of the high season, not book anything in advance and play everything by ear – but that’s not every person’s travel style. And it’s a good thing it’s not, too… If everyone traveled “out of the high season,” pretty soon the low season would *become* the high season and we’d be stuck with the same problem. ;)

I think your tips are spot-on, Charlie.

]]> By: Charlie Leocha http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-essential-strategies-for-planning-your-next-european-vacation/comment-page-1/#comment-4523 Charlie Leocha Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:41:57 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5053#comment-4523 I just did a story about renting a car in Europe. You'll find it at http://www.tripso.com/columns/europe-at-8-a-gallon-not-so-bad/ The problem in this story is that I was sending an 18-year-old niece through Europe and the rental option is not available. Charlie I just did a story about renting a car in Europe. You’ll find it at

http://www.tripso.com/columns/europe-at-8-a-gallon-not-so-bad/

The problem in this story is that I was sending an 18-year-old niece through Europe and the rental option is not available.

Charlie

]]> By: Brian Stern http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-essential-strategies-for-planning-your-next-european-vacation/comment-page-1/#comment-4522 Brian Stern Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:31:48 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5053#comment-4522 Charles, Why not suggest renting a car in Europe? I just returned from Slovakia two weeks ago. There, last year in Poland and 3 yrs ago in France I rented a car. It’s so much easier than worrying about trains and buses and you can travel at will, not having to rely on schedules and reservations. Granted, as Americans, it’s a bit more expensive, as we have to ask specifically for an automatic transmission, but it’s well worth it. I’ll also argue that the really fascinating stuff is outside the major cities. The easiest way to get to those places is by driving. And with GPS systems, finding your way isn’t all that intimidating. Obviously, if the person is too young to rent a car, that kills the whole argument, but otherwise, I’d highly recommend it. Charles,

Why not suggest renting a car in Europe?

I just returned from Slovakia two weeks ago. There, last year in Poland and 3 yrs ago in France I rented a car. It’s so much easier than worrying about trains and buses and you can travel at will, not having to rely on schedules and reservations.

Granted, as Americans, it’s a bit more expensive, as we have to ask specifically for an automatic transmission, but it’s well worth it. I’ll also argue that the really fascinating stuff is outside the major cities. The easiest way to get to those places is by driving. And with GPS systems, finding your way isn’t all that intimidating.

Obviously, if the person is too young to rent a car, that kills the whole argument, but otherwise, I’d highly recommend it.

]]> By: Tim L. http://www.consumertraveler.com/columns/6-essential-strategies-for-planning-your-next-european-vacation/comment-page-1/#comment-4516 Tim L. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:32:26 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5053#comment-4516 That is one of the most depressing travel articles I can remember reading this year. What a nightmare! To think you're paying double what you would on most other continents for a bed, meal, or museum yet you still have no hope of being spontaneous. (Meanwhile, you can still backpack through Southeast Asia or Central America without a care in the world, plans or no plans.) Dealing with those crowds on top of the sky-high prices seems like a double whammy of unpleasantness. The clear lesson to me is either avoid Western Europe altogether or do as you have in the past and go well outside of the summer. That is one of the most depressing travel articles I can remember reading this year. What a nightmare! To think you’re paying double what you would on most other continents for a bed, meal, or museum yet you still have no hope of being spontaneous. (Meanwhile, you can still backpack through Southeast Asia or Central America without a care in the world, plans or no plans.)

Dealing with those crowds on top of the sky-high prices seems like a double whammy of unpleasantness. The clear lesson to me is either avoid Western Europe altogether or do as you have in the past and go well outside of the summer.

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