tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69278751886251121712024-03-19T02:47:20.579-07:00Red Wine Helps You Sleep on Trainsand other essential advice to help you survive backpacking Europe when you're just plain poorScott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-72472671476768422362012-11-01T06:28:00.002-07:002012-11-01T06:31:14.297-07:00Scotland Travel Choices"Hello!<br />
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We love your blog and videos and are planning a trip to
scotland in early May. We were mostly wondering about whether to "hire" a
car or try to catch buses to each place (we'd like to see Edinburgh,
Glasgow, Inverness, Skye, and possibly Loch Lomond and Ben Nevis.) Also
if there's any particular advice you'd like to impart we'd be grateful
for it :)</div>
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Thanks so much!"<br />
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Your trip sounds very similar to what Krystin and I did in Scotland so we can tell you what worked for us.<br />
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1351723685271_398">We
took a train from London to Edinburgh, and I'm pretty sure it was a
train up to Inverness. Edinburgh and Glasgow are such large cities,
there will be plenty of trains back and
forth between those areas. Once we reached Inverness we took one of
those day tours that drops you off at a couple castles and takes you out
on a boat on Loch Ness in search of Nessie. The tour company was
Jacobite and must have been affordable otherwise we wouldn't have done
it. </span></div>
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After
Inverness there was a bus that goes out to the Isle of Skye, which has
amazing scenery on the way there. The larger coach type bus dropped us
off in Portree, and a commuter bus makes a large circle around the
island to hop on and off. We even hitch hiked a couple times around the
island when we got
bored of waiting for the bus. Skye is one of the most beautiful places
on earth!!!!</div>
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So
to answer the question if a car is "necessary"? You can get around
most of the UK by public transportation and see most of the things on
your list. Krystin and I only hired a car twice when we lived in
England. Once was for a day to get us from Bath to Oxford, and we
wanted to stop at Stonehenge and Avebury, which us driving was cheaper
than the tour bus. The convenience is also great to stop in the small
villages along the way and we also wouldn't have been able to walk in a
crop circle if we
didn't have the car.</div>
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The
other trip was to the Lake District and it was very nice to have since
we were camping and had a ton of gear. We could also get to those
random hiking trails the normal tour bus or commuter bus can't get to.
Also the convenience of stopping and taking a photo as often as you
want.</div>
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Both
have their ups and downs and it might come down to budget. If it were
me I'd probably get between the bigger cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh
and Inverness by train. Then if you want to have the convenience of a
car, pick one up in Inverness to see all your Lochs and the Isle of
Skye. Drop it back off in Inverness after a few days and head out by
train back to the big city airport. Remember that a one way ride in a
car adds a big fee, gas is about $10 a gallon (granted the cars are
small and will most likely get 30-40 mpg), most cars are manual
transmission, and insurance is extra. I paid the extra 15 pounds a day
and used it on my one way journey - when dropping the car off in Oxford,
I was looking for the return lot more than at the road and crushed a
curb with the wheel 100 yards from the parking lot. I told the guy when
I returned the car, he looked at
the paper, said I bought the insurance and not to worry about the rim I
demolished.</div>
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Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-48969774001721974872012-05-09T05:51:00.000-07:002012-05-09T05:55:11.454-07:0010 Days Away from Takeoff!!!I’ll be traveling to Italy next week for 16 days, visiting Florence, Sienna, Pisa, Lucca, Cinque Terra (my favorite), Venice, Montepulciano and Rome. This trip will be a completely different experience for me than all my previous European journeys. This time I’ll be accompanying a college class that met one day each week this semester discussing Italian art and architecture, literature, photography and travel etiquette (my teaching part was the last two).<br />
Now that I’m about 10 days out from my departure day, there should be a few things to be starting to think about and checking off a list – lists by the way are a great invention for backpackers, travelers, tourists, or however you want to define yourself.
In no particular order, hopefully you have done most of this, or will be doing it ASAP before you arrive at the airport.
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- Request off work<br />
- Print all tickets or conformation numbers for flights and print or write down any confirmations for first hostel/hotel or two.<br />
- Acquire some sort of luggage. Backpacks for those of us who want to travel as light and be as mobile as possible, or bags on wheels (which is 95% of the class that I will be accompanying are using)<br />
- Get some Euros, about 50-100. The rest can be withdrawn from ATM’s when you’re there. Just have enough for the first meal, bus faire and something in case of emergency.<br />
- Do a pre-pack and see what fits in your bag and what you can leave at home. Remember that if the baggage limit is 50 pounds, you’ll want to leave some pounds for souvenirs to bring home. Our class had an assignment to bring their luggage packed and we walked about ½ a mile with plenty of stairs in the way to see how everyone would cope with their luggage choices. Everyone did surprisingly well.<br />
- Call your bank and credit card company to let them know you will be overseas. They will ask what dates you will be there and also the countries. Give yourself a couple day window on either side in case a plane is delayed. The last thing you want is on the return journey for your flight to be cancelled and you can’t withdraw Euros for a good night’s sleep in the neighboring hostel. Also tell your bank the country you have a layover in, even if you don’t plan on going there. For instance, I have an eight hour layover in Germany before I get to Italy, if I don’t tell my bank I’m going to be in Germany and I use my card there, it will send up red flags and I might have to waste precious time on the phone trying to get my card working again.<br />
- Right down all your friends and family’s phone numbers and addresses in case you want to send them a post card.
- Make three copies of your passport. Leave one with a trusted family member or friend, put one in your bag and keep the other in a travel buddy’s bag in case yours gets lost.<br />
- Book the first hostel or two<br />
- If you’re leaving for more than a month, be sure to pay any bills so your apartment hasn’t been leased out from under you.<br />
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I know it’s fun to leave room for spontaneity, but always do some planning so you get the most out of your trip as possible.<br />
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Please post comments as to any items I may have forgotten that you did about a week before your plane took off.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-57452662957447360092012-02-02T07:36:00.000-08:002012-02-02T07:59:38.701-08:00Around the World TravelI got a question from someone who had the great fortune to take a year off and travel around the world for a year. I have never had the pleasure to do this but I'll try to offer some guidance on the matter. The main question was how much it would cost, which is very vague and I wish I could put an exact price on it. In a few books I’ve read about people selling all their belongings and traveling for a year, they claim they spend less traveling than they would at home with rent, utilities, insurance, car payments, etc. Krystin and I lived in Lincoln, England for a year to get our masters degrees and came back about even with our jobs we had gotten working 20 hours each week and making minimum wage. We also did some traveling and had fun money.<br /><a name='more'></a><br />A great book to check out "One Year Off: Leaving It All Behind for a Round-the-World Journey with Our Children" by David Elliot Cohen. It's about a husband and wife and their three kids who sell all their belongings and see the world for a year. It's all about their experiences more than the airlines they used, how much they spent, etc, but it made me want to get out of my house and job to see more of the world.<br /><br />A year is a hard length of time to put a price on but I'll do my best to map out a little budget that might get you on the right track.<br /><br />The easiest way to figure out a budget is take your normal weekly spending on food and multiply it by 52. Your food cost should be equivalent, especially if your going for a year chances are your finding a place to sleep that has a kitchen and you can cook most of your own meals. And this will be even less in many areas like Asia, north Africa and the Pacific. Some places the dollar goes further. England, Switzerland, and Norway, Sweden and Finland, it doesn't go very far - so we'll average it at $40 a week.<br /><br />If you were to spend every night in a hostel the average cost is about $25, or $750 a month. However, for the long period of time your likely to be finding a place that rents by the month which would be cheaper, and if your splitting it with friends, even cheaper - probably closer to $200 a month. My rent for a studio in Lincoln, England was about $250 including utilities and private bathroom. Paris, London, Zurich, Rome and Sydney will be more expensive than a small town, but it depends on how you want to live and what you want to experience. <br /><br />The trickiest part of planning will be working out a rail pass since most are consecutive days or travel within a month or two, so this will take some planning. For instance, do you want to travel around for two weeks and then pick a location you want to live in for a couple months, or do you want to skip the rail pass and simply buy tickets from one destination to the next and live in 12 different cities for a month each?<br /><br />There are around the world plane tickets that allows you to hop on and off just like a railpass but it of course has more cost and less freedom. I found a few sites that offers some advice and help:<br /><a href="http://www.staralliance.com">www.staralliance.com</a>, <a href="http://www.airtreks.com">www.airtreks.com</a>, and <a href="http://www.roundtheworldtickets.com">www.roundtheworldtickets.com</a>, or if you're a member of AAA, asking their advice should be part of your membership.<br /><br />I did a mock Itinerary starting in NYC, going to London, Cairo, Bangkok, Shanghai, Sydney, LA and back to NYC and the cost was $6,500 from staralliance and between $3,200-4,200 from airtreks. (of course there would be much travel around in-between, but this option would get you around the world.) I'm going to Italy in May and the ticket is $1,300 from ATL to Florence, so for 3-5 times the cost you get around the world. These tickets can be used within months or spread out over a longer period of time, check each site for their specific terms and conditions.<br /><br />Think about the possibility of getting a small job when you’re there – wash dishes, wait tables, clean a hostel, be a tour guide, be a street performer or can you do your current job freelance? This will of course defer the cost and keep you out of the red if you don’t have a ton of savings or you want to come back with some cash – if you come back at all (I mean that you decide to live in Thailand, not that you get kidnapped and no one finds you).<br /><br />So break it down your budget and do some research as to housing. <br /><br />Food - $40 a week x 52 = $2,080<br />Rent - $300 x 12 = $3,600 (this is no hostels but finding cheap monthly places - very hard to put a price on)<br />Travel - $5,000ish<br />Fun - $2,400 ($200 a month)<br /><br />Total - $13,080<br /><br />Or if you want to over plan, maybe closer to $15,000.<br /><br />Could you sell your car, big screen tv, XBOX, furniture and make the money for most of the trip?<br /><br />Just an idea.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-86843863314475852412011-07-29T21:25:00.000-07:002011-07-30T11:55:21.833-07:00Smart Phones, Laptops and Tablets<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_dq6XJdVvIsqYOUojDbWwepZ9hMT-Ceod4Z8WfK-S2y4Po8I-igMCuuXvUfgGeY-BBWGZ8dMmuU-HnLRgE6UpbJZ38x7sSOEYJNJdRGLXVLA_dqujwIudwDeFpRGX1FoIzFqKVTB4NU/s1600/4e1d0821889c44868f765ea2767f2254-TEP-pocketwifi-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_dq6XJdVvIsqYOUojDbWwepZ9hMT-Ceod4Z8WfK-S2y4Po8I-igMCuuXvUfgGeY-BBWGZ8dMmuU-HnLRgE6UpbJZ38x7sSOEYJNJdRGLXVLA_dqujwIudwDeFpRGX1FoIzFqKVTB4NU/s400/4e1d0821889c44868f765ea2767f2254-TEP-pocketwifi-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635220845385721890" /></a><br /><br />I have always been a huge advocator for not taking phones or laptops abroad. The first time I backpacked through Europe the only people who owned phones that could access the internet were tie wearing business types with Blackberries. Now it seems like everyone has their head stuck in the sand looking down at the bright colors on their phone.<br /><br />The main reasons why I personally recommend not taking your phone with you to Europe:<br /><br />1. Aren't the sights and sounds of Europe more important than facebook and twitter?<br />2. Lost or stolen. There is so much else going on in a strange place that it might be hard to keep track of your new device.<br />3. Recharging. Not all hostels have plugs in every room, so if you want it charged, you might have to leave it behind the front desk all night, or hang out inside with it while your burden free friends enjoy the bier garten, walks on the Mediterranean, etc.<br /> <br />Having used an iPhone recently in a strange city I have found the uses of maps, restaurant locators, internet capability that can look up opening times of museums, and instant contact with family extremely useful. There is no way I or anyone will be able to convince you that your phone should be left at home. So for those of you that are attached at the hip to your social media, a new service is available to take advantage of. It's called Tep wireless. <a href="http://www.tepwireless.com">www.tepwireless.com</a><br /><br />There appear to be two choices, a prepaid smartphone that you rent and use while abroad, or a small device that emits a wi-fi signal for up to five devices (travel group friendly). The wi-fi device seems more appropriate for most applications in my opinion. It works with tablets, phones or laptops. Their web site does not give current prices but below is my "live chat" and I was surprised with the cost that I found. (I made up travel dates and locations so they may differ greatly. Contact tep wireless for accurate rates)<br /><br />Ben: May I know your travel date please?<br />→Oct. 5 for about 10 days<br />Ben: Do you need a pocket wi-fi of smartphone?<br />→I think pocket wi-fi, it will power multiple devices at once correct?<br />Ben: You can connect it with up to five devices at the same time.<br />Ben: What country will you be traveling to?<br />→France, Germany, UK, and Netherlands. How do prices work, is it per day, per amount of usage, country? <br />Ben: Let me check it out.<br />→thanks <br />Ben: The rental price is £52.10 (£4.74/day) [Current conversion today is $7.78 per day]<br />→Is that for a max amount of usage per day?<br />Ben: pocket wifi (Europe) - 50 MB per day from 05/10/2011 to 15/10/2011<br />→Ok. If I go over the 50 MB what happens? <br />→Is there a feature that tells me to stop before an extra cost kicks in?<br />Ben: The charges would be 1.5 pounds for 1gb.<br /><br />I can't seem to find out exactly how much 50mb will get you, but many smartphones get that allotment a month. Now if five members in your group will be using at once, the usage will get eaten up pretty quickly.<br /><br />Getting from town to town can be boring and it would be a dream to get some of your research and hostel booking accomplished while on the train, bus or ferry. Internet cafe's vary greatly on usage costs, normally by the hour fee. $2-$5 per hour is about normal so if 2-4 members in your group are buying an hour, you've paid for the tep, but you don't need internet daily.<br /><br />In my opinion smartphones and laptops should stay at home, but for some of you who have the extra money and need access to everyone from almost anywhere, this may be a good travel option for you.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-35424424667992928902011-07-14T09:10:00.001-07:002011-07-14T11:14:18.955-07:00SUN BURNIt's not a bad idea to take some sunscreen if you plan on making it a point to sit by the beach. Common sense right? Well the after affects are much worse on a backpacking trip with lobster arms than on a spring break week.<br /><br />I got too much sun over the Fourth of July weekend and days after took a hike and was forced to endure the severe shoulder pain with a tiny backpack on my back, let alone a heavy pack.<br /><br />Keep you shoulders covered or reapply the sunscreen as often as possible to stay away from shoulder burns that will make carrying your pack a living hell.<br /><br />Europe sells sunscreen so don't feel like you have to take it, but I always find it is one of those items that seems rather expensive. It can easily get overlooked when a bottle of it can be the same price as dinner.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-58246287603641736532011-01-09T09:15:00.000-08:002011-01-09T14:38:11.723-08:00Amsterdam HostelsOne of Red Wine's followers in Canada asked a great questions about hostel accommodation in Amsterdam. All the hostels he was finding ranged from $50-60 a night.<br /><br />I have been to Amsterdam twice and I really enjoyed it. Whether you're into the drug scene, or just to see Amsterdam as a really nice and laid back town.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IMvs2yYUWSObMr2bQ3JIYwZ_DWnKWkjOHEok5k8Lm4OPx2oLTjI-RObJ-YnC3wnwbawO0EZMfghqEtvAhfBy-7txGpW8gdfqsYXoCMrsQ-fDS1LMsDzpoAIY-6tIUnD0w4eDbyqpTMM/s1600/amsterdam_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IMvs2yYUWSObMr2bQ3JIYwZ_DWnKWkjOHEok5k8Lm4OPx2oLTjI-RObJ-YnC3wnwbawO0EZMfghqEtvAhfBy-7txGpW8gdfqsYXoCMrsQ-fDS1LMsDzpoAIY-6tIUnD0w4eDbyqpTMM/s400/amsterdam_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560316118372817250" /></a><br />The first time I went I staid in a town close by called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utrecht">Utrecht</a>. I had an unlimited rail pass so the journey into Amsterdam was free and maybe only took 30-45 minutes. I just looked in my journal and it was 15 euro a night (this was a few years ago, but still can't be 50-60) and it had free internet and free food. All types of pasta, cookies, cakes, bread and eggs. I didn't write the name of it down, but after looking at hostelz.com it might be <a href="http://www.hostelz.com/hostel/710-Hostel-Utrecht-City-Center">this one</a>. It will also give you the chance to see a city other than Amsterdam in the Netherlands.<br /><br />It says it has free internet, breakfast and lunch and only cost 16 euro for a dorm bed (but $30 for booking online, so it might be worth sending an email to double check price). I will preface that this place wasn't the cleanest, and was crowded, but if a bed is all you want, it might be worth it. Not sure if it had lockers, so you might have to ditch your bags at either the Amsterdam or Utrecht train station which might cost a few extra Euros, but if you get free meals, it's hard to beat.<br /><br />The second time I went to Amsterdam I stayed in the city and it's nice because after a few beers and coffee bars, it gets hard to remember the train schedule to make it back to Utrecht. All I've heard from anyone who go to Amsterdam is the hostels they've stayed at aren’t the cleanest. I think they jack up the prices so they don't get the bums, drifters and drug addicts staying there, but try to keep it safe by accommodating young travelers hoping to see a sex show and buy weed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzvT8ufxD8ugh09HHc32gPYwaKiX24Sosqb5T31xW7o_4uoaPdRJRVu8xOWz-9H1UaLoV-SVKu2G4uUoWiWCCTuEinaM-PrpqxDgN8lLI4cvfTWYg5mKXINxBHJpgDwUnNGjshHTbLDs/s1600/Amsterdam_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzvT8ufxD8ugh09HHc32gPYwaKiX24Sosqb5T31xW7o_4uoaPdRJRVu8xOWz-9H1UaLoV-SVKu2G4uUoWiWCCTuEinaM-PrpqxDgN8lLI4cvfTWYg5mKXINxBHJpgDwUnNGjshHTbLDs/s400/Amsterdam_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560316249308712930" /></a><br />If you look at a <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=amsterdam&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl">map of Amsterdam</a>, find the train station. See all the canals that make a series of "U" shapes? The closer to the station in the center of the "U" is the main part of town with all the coffee shops and red light district. The further you get out of town the cheaper a hostel should be. <a href="http://www.hostelz.com/hostel/2923-Shelter-Jordaan-Hostel">This one</a> for instance is $30 per night.<br /><br />The only bummer is no smoking or alcohol is allowed, but if that doesn't bother you, it might be up your alley. The area around <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vondelpark">Vondelpark</a> I thought was nice and it's not that far from the city center.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-14935450583095844182010-12-08T17:07:00.000-08:002010-12-08T17:19:29.767-08:00Cold Weather Traveling?A cold weather question from a fan.<br /><br />"Hi guys-<br /><br />I was directed to your blog by a friend who spent this past summer backpacking across Europe, and she swore by your site! <br /><br />My boyfriend and I are getting set to do some of our own traveling in Europe toward the end of February and through March. My question is how to properly pack for the cooler weather at the beginning of our trip without weighing down our packs. Do you have any tips on how/what to pack for this time of the year?"<br /><br />"The first step I would take is to visit <a href="http://www.weather.com/">www.weather.com</a> or the local tourist web site for the countries you’ll be visiting and find out exactly what the temperatures will be (look at past year averages). I haven’t done much traveling in cold months, but I have traveled to cold countries. Scotland will be much different than Italy and Greece different than Switzerland.<br /><br />The quick and easiest answer for you is layers. Even when I was exploring in fall and spring, evenings can get very cold and I always had the option to wear a t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve/collared button down shirt, hooded sweatshirt, windbreaker/rain jacket and my pajama pants under my jeans which always kept me pretty warm when I needed it to. Doing this meant I really only got the layer closest to my body dirty.<br /><br />One bummer with the cold is your outer garment will be the same in every photo you take, and you won’t have room for two winter coats. Even when it was cold, my wife always took off her rain jacket for photos. Her being a style aficionado, she would also recommend to make sure everything matches to either black or brown, so if you take an extra sweater, make sure it goes with everything.<br /><br />Companies like <a href="http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/index.html">The North Face</a> and <a href="http://www.arcteryx.com/?EN">Arc’Teryx</a> (among many, many others) make all kinds of cold weather shirts, pants, coats and hoodies. They are specially designed from fabrics to keep the body warm when extremely cold and cool when it gets warm. The fabrics breath easily and help whisk moisture away from the body. These items are great but they get very expensive. These are made for weight conscious people when every ounce in your pack counts. You can easily drop $50-100 for one shirt. However, if you plan to do more traveling or you like hiking and camping, a couple of these might be worth the investment, but I’m always about saving money when traveling, not spending hundreds before you leave the country.<br /><br />Like I said with my packing list of layers above, I would also take a sweater so when I was in a museum or at dinner, I didn’t have to wear my hoodie all the time. I would also take one pair of gloves and one hat and if you’re a scarf person take one of those too, but I wouldn’t do more than one of each. I might also change my normal pajama pants for thermal long-underwear. Granted this stuff is not heavy, but it is bulky.<br /><br />I have received many emails and comments about cotton hoodies vs. fleece. Like every person in the US, we all own a hoodie with our high school, college or favorite sports team name on it. I own one of these so I took that and not fleece. Many avid campers and hikers have told me that fleece is much warmer than cotton, dries quicker if it gets wet and also much lighter. I have personally never done field research on this, but I believe what I've been told. I chose my hoodie because it had a hood instead of taking a hat, a nice front pocket instead of gloves and most importantly, I already owned it.<br /><br />Do some research with the temperatures and try out my list of layers to see if it keeps you warm enough. (granted if you live in Florida it might be hard to recreate the English winter). I personally would not take a “winter coat”. What I mean by “winter coat” is one that is heavy and warm enough to only wear a t-shirt underneath and be warm. My packable wind/rain resistant jacket was great and it packed up very tiny. When you go inside a place for a meal or internet café, it packs up to fit in your day pack instead of having to lug around a big coat.<br /><br />Safe (and warm) Travels!!!!<br /><br />p.s. A little word or warning, it might not happen to you, but it did to me a few times, especially in eastern Europe, but the trains did not have heat. During the day I didn’t notice it, but when it was dark and I was trying to sleep, it was bitter cold.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-49966275875016021622010-12-05T08:46:00.001-08:002010-12-05T09:07:00.382-08:00Travel Clothing from SCOTTEVESTI stumbled across an advertisement for some pretty cool travel clothing. I'm not endorsing these items because I've personally never tried them out, but I thought I would point everyone in the direction to check it out for yourself, especially with Christmas around the corner it might not hurt to put it on your list since the items are a bit costly.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKaP2Cl_GV1sHkUtarzVnXX8a9Vg3AdPAWaA7Mhv-dguu2oHGakKhrx9_kb668LpZ-yu2LqyhjbACeW7cEbtngy9wS6kmWNbX4TXiSj96p1-hs81ADjbit7PjuqRrdX-TcMPuflIwxaU/s1600/SCOTTEVEST.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKaP2Cl_GV1sHkUtarzVnXX8a9Vg3AdPAWaA7Mhv-dguu2oHGakKhrx9_kb668LpZ-yu2LqyhjbACeW7cEbtngy9wS6kmWNbX4TXiSj96p1-hs81ADjbit7PjuqRrdX-TcMPuflIwxaU/s320/SCOTTEVEST.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547245013183916530" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.scottevest.com/"><br />SCOTTEVEST</a> sells all sorts of travel clothing from hats, winter coats, pants, hoodies and more. The main draw to the clothing is the many hidden pockets to fit all your important travel documents and expensive gadgets. The main goal behind starting the company was for the CEO to carry all his stuff without having to lug around a man-purse.<br /><br />My initial thought on the clothing is that it seems very useful, especially the Revolution jacket that has 26 pockets and fits your MP3 player, phone, iPad, water bottle, has a hidden passport pocket and more. The price for this is high at $175, but it seems pretty cool for people who might be traveling in cold months and don't want to carry a day pack. The only bummer I can see about this is having anything in the pockets and then trying to wear your pack. The straps would inevitably overlap something important and make it uncomfortable or crush something. The other is trying to get through security with this thing seems like a nightmare. I'd never get all the metal out of the pockets.<br /><br />I few of the items seem ridiulous like a hat with space in the bill for cash and boxers that have a pocket for your smart phone, but I guess if you have the money for it, why not have underwear with pockets?Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-29991413558425890152010-11-11T10:36:00.000-08:002010-11-11T10:50:43.614-08:00Screwpop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdu8OITggaDOxtSx9GK94LUFfP19ytohbvVh2iPCUsi8ydqgKdgaGDK0XbhiZgJwqmT1UCd4BXhXu6vIevf-Csz9YwtDfWUXKXorxrirbbcdBSzrCY2jAuFEMHDco36cl9IaQQfd-TK7A/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdu8OITggaDOxtSx9GK94LUFfP19ytohbvVh2iPCUsi8ydqgKdgaGDK0XbhiZgJwqmT1UCd4BXhXu6vIevf-Csz9YwtDfWUXKXorxrirbbcdBSzrCY2jAuFEMHDco36cl9IaQQfd-TK7A/s320/IMG_0003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538363642594396514" /></a><br /><br />Recently I picked up a little tool to try out thinking it might have some travel uses. Since I’m in love with my Swiss Army Knife, I thought this would make a great companion. The item is called <a href="http://www.screwpoptool.com/index.html">The Screwpop</a>, named because it has a phillips and a flat head screwdriver and a bottle opener.<br /><br />The price of only $4.95 and name first attracted me to the product. I’m not a keychain person because I hate things poking me and having a huge bulge in my pocket (hahahaha). This isn’t very large but very heavy duty in it’s construction which makes it able to open any bottle and even have use as a screwdriver. However, since I always have my Swiss knife, I never need a bottle opener or flathead screwdriver. That being said, in the two weeks it was on my keychain I did use the phillips attachment to change my license plate, but I only did so to prove whether or not the product works. I should have saved some time and frustration of using the tiny tool and simply ran up to my apartment and got a real screwdriver.<br /><br />The tool also has a ¼” Hex. Nut driver and honestly I can say I’ve never used one of these during any home or car application, it simply works to hold the screwdriver in place – which it does very well. When you put it in your pocket however, make sure the Phillips attachment is facing out because the flat head will poke you in the leg all day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUFmEmpLgPKl0mnbrMJYD-5BdcTAVEs_MzAGiYPJVB8IiO_lqVhDsLCbuV2XpkvXOJi_b_HC5TfY45h1A_MaFc2Y7t9rqmXvnltHhLJ6UrtBoe2-qZ2MRj7TdA0698mKaRFzT5UUe58c/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUFmEmpLgPKl0mnbrMJYD-5BdcTAVEs_MzAGiYPJVB8IiO_lqVhDsLCbuV2XpkvXOJi_b_HC5TfY45h1A_MaFc2Y7t9rqmXvnltHhLJ6UrtBoe2-qZ2MRj7TdA0698mKaRFzT5UUe58c/s320/IMG_0005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538363763686931330" /></a><br /><br />This thing did make it through security at an airport so if you decide to not take a knife and check a bag this might be the way to go to have a couple features other than a simple pocket bottle opener. But for me, I can open a bottle with a lighter, spoon, railing, table, stapler, scissors, another bottle, a rock or even a frying pan so it wouldn’t be on my list of must haves for a trip to Europe, but it is definitely a great stocking stuffer for a friend who thinks he is MacGyver.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-65600753992953396692010-08-04T05:09:00.001-07:002010-08-04T05:14:47.099-07:00The Innocent AbroadInterested in going to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific? There's a great new web site/blog that has information and discussions about it. <a href="http://www.theinnocentabroad.com/">The Innocent Abroad</a> was started by Melissa who is American but has lived in Australia before and will be going back for another year soon. She has some great advice and a site that is a perfect place to start planning your trip!<br /><br /><br />Red Wine Helps you Sleep on Trains was included in one of her posts about what it means to be a backpacker - <a href="http://www.theinnocentabroad.com/can-you-call-yourself-a-backpacker/">check it out!</a>Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-59280607198953142212010-06-20T08:13:00.000-07:002010-06-20T09:22:31.721-07:00Creating a Travel BlogWhile traveling to a new place, it is often tempting to want to send out a mass e-mail to family and friends, update your Facebook status and Twitter feed, and load photos of your experience along the way. Unfortunately, this takes a lot of time and effort, which are two things you don't want to waste when the Eiffel Tower or Vatican Museum are calling your name. <br /><br />We have found that the easiest way to keep up with everyone at home is to set up a blog before you leave. Whether you use <a href="http://www.blogger.com">Blogger</a>, <a href="http://wordpress.com/">Wordpress</a>, or another blog storage service, this tool serves as an online journal that allows all of your friends and family to become part of your trip. This is not something you need to update on a daily basis, but is good to utilize for a quick post before bed to let everyone know what you have been up to. <br /><a name='more'></a><br />One of the best parts about a blog is that you can connect your blog to your social media. Blogging companies realize that we want to have seamless social media compatibility, so it's easy to find a blog that suits these needs. One of our friends is currently blogging on <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>, and all of her posts link directly to her Twitter feed and Facebook newsfeed, so we always know when she has put up something new. <br /><br />There are also many blog hosting sites that cater directly to travelers. Two of our favorite Red Wine followers, Kyle and Krista, are currently traveling through Europe and using <a href="http://www.offexploring.com/">Off Exploring Travel Journal</a>. (You can check out their adventures <a href="http://www.offexploring.com/kyleandkrista">here</a>.) This is a great tool to let other travelers know about your experiences and allow them to prepare for their own journey by reading about your adventures. There are many great features on this site, including maps, video and photo uploads, and the option to link your blog to Facebook.<br /><br />While blogging on the road is a great idea and serves as an online record of your trip, there is still nothing like keeping a real journal. Scott and I now have a few notebooks full of our adventures, and there is something very personal about putting your thoughts and impressions into writing. Scott's journals are full of momentos from his trips, including clovers from Ireland, museum ticket stubs, and labels off beer bottles. We are not saying you should sit down in every city and write a novel, but you can always write an entry on the train (and trust us, you will spend a lot of time on trains). The best thing about a journal is that it's portable, so you can always have it with you and jot some stuff down whenever you have a few minutes. Computers crash and technology moves forward every day, but a journal lasts forever.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-45290862371335247062010-06-19T20:18:00.000-07:002010-06-29T17:46:24.391-07:00Hometown Series: Cleveland, OhioKrystin shares her ideas about what makes Cleveland, Ohio, a city worth visiting. And yes, she is aware that Cleveland is famous for the Cuyahoga River catching fire, being called "the mistake on the lake," and for generally being one of the most made fun of cities in film and television. But she is out to prove that this city has something to offer, something that makes her proud to be a Clevelander. <br /><br />"I was born in Cleveland in 1984 and raised in Streetsboro, a suburb 30 minutes outside the city. My family moved out to Streetsboro because my parents wanted my sister and I to grow up somewhere safe, which tells you a little bit about the state Cleveland was in during my youth. Fast forward 25 years and Cleveland seems like a completely different city than the one I was born in. Major improvements have been made to clean up the city and make it a location worth exploring. <br /><br />One of the highlights of Cleveland is, of course, the <a href="http://rockhall.com/">Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum</a> that opened its doors on the bank of Lake Erie in 1995. The admission is a bit steep (regular admission is $22, college students pay $17 with a student ID), but you get to spend all day perusing Jim Morrison's hand-written letters, Jimi Hendrix's clothing collection, Janis Joplin's Porsche, John Lennon's glasses, and many more relics that make the visit worthwhile. The building itself is an impressive architectural monument to rock created by revered architect I.M. Pei, who is most famous for designing the additions to the Louvre in Paris.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOdPm_Uhxqow8xqQbjEPBJfvvJ_rTMSylcFdzcjiQ2RwN1s-5hER0QvjjuHIADh3Ap2hkHPhfXPvLcLMZxVDGPeQk84OTcOrqq6j-6io1sg1dyWi7ZQQRNZq2wtQ2O_G7cCo5KbhxM5A/s1600/rock+hall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOdPm_Uhxqow8xqQbjEPBJfvvJ_rTMSylcFdzcjiQ2RwN1s-5hER0QvjjuHIADh3Ap2hkHPhfXPvLcLMZxVDGPeQk84OTcOrqq6j-6io1sg1dyWi7ZQQRNZq2wtQ2O_G7cCo5KbhxM5A/s320/rock+hall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484872945931485346" /></a><br />I grew up going on field trips to the <a href="http://www.clemetzoo.com/">Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and The Rainforest</a>. I have been to zoos all over the U.S. and Europe, and Cleveland's is really one of the best. Founded in 1882, this is one of the oldest zoos in the country, but it is always making improvements and additions. There is a wide variety of every animal you expect to see - giraffes, gorillas, monkeys, sea lions, bears - but the wolf exhibit is a must-see along with the newly renovated elephant area that will open in 2011. The Rainforest is also really impressive, featuring over 6,000 plants and 600 animals in a two-story building that really makes you feel like you have been transported to the jungle. Depending on the time of year, admission is between $7 and $10, which is a steal considering most zoos and aquariums run around $20. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqDJS4eA5hhL46__hAUgGfJf_NzQqXV-T0bc1BSgTALB4N5FRCFN6tb7cBS8zmm_h2vI7Fb02s463ZoLFCo2ZRyiruvsJB1D7GF8qp_tXhthkq2mCIhSbxSceQbN4NDp4FDiV93Spp84/s1600/zoo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqDJS4eA5hhL46__hAUgGfJf_NzQqXV-T0bc1BSgTALB4N5FRCFN6tb7cBS8zmm_h2vI7Fb02s463ZoLFCo2ZRyiruvsJB1D7GF8qp_tXhthkq2mCIhSbxSceQbN4NDp4FDiV93Spp84/s320/zoo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484873155694026018" /></a><br />Another spot I often frequented on school trips in my youth is <a href="http://www.clevelandart.org/">The Cleveland Museum of Art</a>. I visited the museum with Scott recently, and I still think it is an impressive collection even after visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Tate Modern in London. Major works are featured by famous artists including Dalí, Matisse, Renoir, Gauguin, Degas, Monet, van Gogh, Picasso, Warhol, and Pollock. One of the best parts of the museum is that it's free, so you can spend the day exploring and still have cash in your pocket for the evening.<br /><br />As for the nightlife in Cleveland, the main spot to go out is called The Flats. Major renovations took place in this area during the 80s and 90s, making it a great place to grab a drink, eat a meal, or catch a gig. One of my favorite spots to catch a show is The Odeon, a smaller venue with an industrial feel. Of course, Cleveland also has a House of Blues if you prefer to visit a more mainstream venue. If you like to try local beers, make sure to get some <a href="http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/">Great Lakes Brewing Company</a> specialties. Scott's favorite is the Dortmunder. <br /><br />A fun way to see Cleveland and to appreciate all the changes its been through it is take a trip on the <a href="http://goodtimeiii.com/cms/">Goodtime III</a>, the city's largest excursion ship. It's $15 for a two-hour narrated cruise through Cleveland (save a buck by visiting the site and printing the coupon). The Goodtime has been around since 1924, and riding down the river really gives you a sense of the history of the city. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEta47QJVu07ai9pdl3Uyh0ybLBEMUI171aj76ekA3LO9zvlitVrDLauuc7hpdX3OqnLd3YA-STlS94yfp2j-iYNZ6GBSF-onSnnPvx0WPqMPhwcToI1acqdkqUDeC3Gu0DtF6KgFMqy0/s1600/good+time.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEta47QJVu07ai9pdl3Uyh0ybLBEMUI171aj76ekA3LO9zvlitVrDLauuc7hpdX3OqnLd3YA-STlS94yfp2j-iYNZ6GBSF-onSnnPvx0WPqMPhwcToI1acqdkqUDeC3Gu0DtF6KgFMqy0/s320/good+time.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484873345054363874" /></a><br />As for seasonal activities, if you happen to be in Cleveland during the Christmas holidays and are a fan of the classic film A Christmas Story, there are two musts for you. A little known fact is that this movie was filmed in Cleveland, and the home used for the filming has recently been renovated to look exactly like it did in the movie, complete with a museum and gift shop where you can purchase your very own leg lamp. Admission to the <a href="http://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/">A Christmas Story House and Museum</a> is $8. You can also visit <a href="http://www.towercitycenter.com/">Tower City Center</a> and Public Square to see the lights and visit the spot where the Christmas parade scene was filmed." <br /><br />For more information on the latest happenings in Cleveland throughout the year, check out <a href="http://www.clevelandmagazine.com/ME2/Default.asp">Cleveland Magazine</a>.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-45856410184174946032010-06-09T13:41:00.000-07:002010-06-19T20:04:36.731-07:00Beer Gardens in the UKAs we were checking e-mail on Yahoo.com, we came across an article about the <a href="http://uk.travel.yahoo.com/p-promo-2902225">Top Ten Beer Gardens in Great Britain</a>. These pubs have been chosen by the editors of <a href="http://www.thegoodpubguide.co.uk">The Good Pub Guide</a>, UK’s #1 bestselling guidebook. When traveling around Great Britain, you’ll see signs in pub windows that show off the fact that the establishment was included in last year’s guide.<br /><br />Unfortunately, we can't say we have been to any of the pubs on the top 10 list. However, we have been to many fantastic pubs in two England cities we've lived in and would definitely recommend visiting: Lincoln, Lincolnshire and Exeter, Devon. Our favorite beer garden in Exeter is The Imperial, which is located in front of Exeter University, making it a popular student hangout. One of the best parts about this pub is that there is a huge area to sit outside that overlooks the train station. The building itself is interesting because it used to be an old hotel and was home to a massive glass orangery (or conservatory) before that.<br /><br />The only bummer about The Imperial is that it is part of a pub chain, so it lacks some of the character that privately owned pubs possess. The chain is <a href="http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk">Weatherspoons</a> and can be found throughout Britain. What makes it a chain is the menu, drinks and employee uniform (once you visit one, you will be able to recognize other Weatherspoons-owned pubs). Because the Imperial is part of Weatherspoons, they have some of the cheapest drink prices you’ll find in England - one of the best parts of this chain!<br /><br />The best beer garden in Lincoln is <a href="http://www.thejollybrewer.co.uk">The Jolly Brewer</a>. They have regular open mic nights and jam sessions, great real ales, local cider in barrels on the counter and plenty of outdoor picnic tables and heaters in the winter. Beer prices are decent and the atmosphere is extremely diverse and friendly with an eclectic mix of locals, students, professionals and artists. It is more than worth it to visit the Brewer just to people watch for a night to see the unique characters that frequent it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0OA8KyLBowIKGYpC6eS39QA2TGWh8tjhkgRzl0_Ap3GrjJng76XHnUs7-xlSGsD4SmLbw5RzrJtk80vmljAl9i6aIKPEdvvESBFBlvL_LPJoSEZ9oC0OK6gpixGRC14GWBKGc6Iu2WU/s1600/Strugglers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0OA8KyLBowIKGYpC6eS39QA2TGWh8tjhkgRzl0_Ap3GrjJng76XHnUs7-xlSGsD4SmLbw5RzrJtk80vmljAl9i6aIKPEdvvESBFBlvL_LPJoSEZ9oC0OK6gpixGRC14GWBKGc6Iu2WU/s320/Strugglers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480878231356556162" /></a><br />For a great "real" pub experience in Lincoln, try The Strugglers Inn located just outside Lincoln Castle. The pub got its' name because this is the spot prisoners would visit for their last pint on the way from court inside the castle to the gallows located just down the road. This pub is great for a glimpse into life of the locals and what a real English pub looks like. There is almost always a fire burning a dog wandering around beneath the tables. <br /><br />No matter what city you visit throughout the UK, the best idea is always to ask the reception staff at your hostel what pubs they would recommend. If you are looking for something specific (cheap drinks, local ales, live music), be sure to ask for pubs that cater to these criteria. The best part about the UK is that no matter how small the town is, they will always have a local pub. The second best part is, that pub is more than likely within walking distance of where you are staying. Remember, the walk home is half the fun. Make sure to stop at the all-night chip shop where locals will be lined up and grab some chips and gravy for the walk home.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-631183824703330972010-05-30T08:21:00.001-07:002010-05-30T13:00:04.128-07:0017 Days in ItalyTwo of our friends recently spent a couple weeks in Italy and were nice enough to give some tips and advice about their experience.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTraC19HbYdeWnOjZfczFOGWcCnxgzsXut4bxAiBA9hBVK6447sJkGnhWAiGe8J0Nm3OuFCtbtqYyWPM4qpfNCGM_7j4u_J4l_1US6PNmzpU9AWz5g_s7iDXZEhUKWwfvko2PSM7XlGIc/s1600/Together"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTraC19HbYdeWnOjZfczFOGWcCnxgzsXut4bxAiBA9hBVK6447sJkGnhWAiGe8J0Nm3OuFCtbtqYyWPM4qpfNCGM_7j4u_J4l_1US6PNmzpU9AWz5g_s7iDXZEhUKWwfvko2PSM7XlGIc/s320/Together" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477142546932070162" /></a><br />"Ahhhh, Italia. Ryan and I spent 17 days playing in this beautiful country and it breaks my heart to be away. We decided to fly into Milan (as this seemed to be the cheapest option). We were told by many people that Milan is not worth the stop.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-erWxHrRKjzr9FagAGSRW3gaF6swkbsQtHZs52pBZVuKbyI8irQMSTFJIUWntgztrpRxIDrFJT69hH7YqIpu6mjIN_MxRvx6IdbkDUk_U9fqacpXeVzdBUDnanBbbkCgn9e152zS4Lk/s1600/Top+of+Duomo"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-erWxHrRKjzr9FagAGSRW3gaF6swkbsQtHZs52pBZVuKbyI8irQMSTFJIUWntgztrpRxIDrFJT69hH7YqIpu6mjIN_MxRvx6IdbkDUk_U9fqacpXeVzdBUDnanBbbkCgn9e152zS4Lk/s200/Top+of+Duomo" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477143117158373714" /></a> However, Ry and I were glad to be able to spend the day exploring the city; walking on the top of the beautiful Duomo, exploring La Scala Opera house, window shopping, indulging in copious cups of gelato, etc.<br /><a name='more'></a><br />From there, we took the train to the stunning Cinque Terre - now one of my favorite places on earth. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURjcpOP4ZA9WxiKJ0QsT4IksuUb6mmrB72LQQUSoy035pDg3f6yFNeVkN-xQGr4800eZBKnCpJ_3fpT-ZU8vYAt_vxlTyeGwHc4bU2AlwYYYTilysVpmBymCLAWUy1fqbWMRMLXvJtoI/s1600/Cinque+Terra_2"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURjcpOP4ZA9WxiKJ0QsT4IksuUb6mmrB72LQQUSoy035pDg3f6yFNeVkN-xQGr4800eZBKnCpJ_3fpT-ZU8vYAt_vxlTyeGwHc4bU2AlwYYYTilysVpmBymCLAWUy1fqbWMRMLXvJtoI/s320/Cinque+Terra_2" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477143402128909122" /></a><br />We booked a room at La Dolce Vita Rooms (which I highly recommend if you choose to stay in this town) in the southern most town of Riomaggiore, which is charming, but not my favorite of the five. Next time, we will be staying in Manarola. The fish was the freshest I have ever tasted (try La Lampara in Riomaggiore, but have a reservation or be prepared to wait quite a while) from mouthwatering anchovies to enormous mussels - you can't get anything close to that in the States.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHLOZLVehrSSm3xvRVvJXssyhpx3AWheWwfr0z-FKZOPztwiqxEY-e9OioXmCyosKxQaGSlF7OiXpArBhUjsh-UIPXqIptN_BbTdA7jlQ-naZsGv24TLT4datpmIXn0alAS3zZ4534sA/s1600/Food"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHLOZLVehrSSm3xvRVvJXssyhpx3AWheWwfr0z-FKZOPztwiqxEY-e9OioXmCyosKxQaGSlF7OiXpArBhUjsh-UIPXqIptN_BbTdA7jlQ-naZsGv24TLT4datpmIXn0alAS3zZ4534sA/s200/Food" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477144319569272754" /></a> <br /><br />We hiked the easiest two trails our first day, then dedicated one day to each of the remaining three. Couples, don't forget to bring a padlock for Villa del 'Amore! Simply breathtaking.<br /><br />I shed a few tears as the train pulled away from Cinque Terre, but we were onto Venice for Easter Weekend. I had been to Venice before, so I knew what I was getting into. Arguably, the most touristy city in Italy. Overpriced and, quite frankly, disappointing food, extremely expensive lodging and C-R-O-W-D-E-D. It is definitely a "must see" once in your life, but I would not stay longer than two days. Buy LOTS of Murano glass. We ended our weekend there with Easter mass at St. Mark's and an Easter egg hunt in the square.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwAzHPOci7TQVUG0jQRHhFw6xohH6QrrcywUt0gjlBtIUJ-eZf45yBAALd3MAil0ci4-ycUIELckJhc2cMdbLr1d4XiV7ACAL-gfESuIgzcUKur4VZCfbpfZD2KaRG-3tB2iRiViKeGI/s1600/tourists"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwAzHPOci7TQVUG0jQRHhFw6xohH6QrrcywUt0gjlBtIUJ-eZf45yBAALd3MAil0ci4-ycUIELckJhc2cMdbLr1d4XiV7ACAL-gfESuIgzcUKur4VZCfbpfZD2KaRG-3tB2iRiViKeGI/s320/tourists" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477145310244526114" /></a><br />Tuscany. What's not to love? We spent three days in Florence, one of my favorite cities and stayed in a GREAT hostel - <a href="http://www.hostelarchirossi.com/">The Archi Rossi</a>. I could have spent a few more days there (in fact, I could pack up and move there tomorrow). Go to the Antica Sosta Degli Aldobrandini. You can create your own paninis and salads and relax outside with a Moretti. Beware of gypsies and restaurants serving frozen pizzas!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaN1piX8rTfoYL1KM5ug9WIB0Cq_Jeo09UAkjOHpCUJNuHsdjKPA8FrdPCQptIeX7eCxf5px-4CmUumbJ0NWhIgfHxuVnqsbKF_yYCpVnNYgaWNqO9JaMtNIbXdpQpJI4aWwECH6FCN4/s1600/wine+tasting"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaN1piX8rTfoYL1KM5ug9WIB0Cq_Jeo09UAkjOHpCUJNuHsdjKPA8FrdPCQptIeX7eCxf5px-4CmUumbJ0NWhIgfHxuVnqsbKF_yYCpVnNYgaWNqO9JaMtNIbXdpQpJI4aWwECH6FCN4/s200/wine+tasting" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477148175179606210" /></a>We left for Siena, where we spent two days in the beautiful Medieval city. You can explore the sites in a half day, so be sure to plan some sort of tour, for it is the only way to see the Tuscan countryside. Ry and I chose to do the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brunello_di_Montalcino">Brunello Wine Tour</a>, which was AWESOME.<br /><br />Finally, Rome (but not before making a pit stop in Florence to our favorite panini place... we missed it). We purchased the <a href="http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2">Roma Pass</a>, which was great. Free entrance into your first two sites (and skipping the lines!), unlimited Metro pass and lots of discounts. Totally worth it. Stay away from the tour guides outside of the Colosseum - worst tour we have ever taken. Definitely do the "Night Walk" through the city from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campo_de%27_Fiori">Campo de' Fiori</a> to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Steps">Spanish Steps</a> (step by step tour through Rick Steves' Italy Guide!) - it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.<br /><br />What else can I say? It was a truly magnificent trip and I am dying to go back. Thanks to Krystin, Scott and the Red Wine Web site for all the help!"Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-49984086472967854492010-05-19T13:55:00.000-07:002010-05-23T09:01:14.607-07:00Do I Need Travel Insurance?We have never purchased travel insurance because we are cheap, but it doesn’t mean that it is not worth the money. We’ve simply been very lucky and never lost our backpacks or had medical emergencies during a trip.(Krystin did forget to grab her bag in New York from London and recheck it for the connecting flight and arrived in Florida with no clothes, but that is another story). Scott does, however, have insurance on his camera gear. <br /><a name='more'></a><br />Travel insurance can cover many different options depending on the type of trip you're planning and the number of people being covered. Most plans cover trip cancellation and interruption, medical expense and transportation, lost or stolen baggage and 24/7 travel assistance. One time in Brussels, our flight was canceled and we were rerouted out of Paris the next day and were forced to get to the airport on our own dime. The flight was transferred with no extra fee, but the train and bus to the airport was probably about and extra $100-150, which travel insurance would have covered if we had it.<br /><br />With all the flights being canceled in Great Britain and all over Europe due to the ash from that crazy volcano, travel insurance in theory should cover the hotel and new flight. Scott checked a travel insurance provider to view prices and to see what is included. The first one that popped up on Google was <a href="http://www.travelguard.com/">Travel Guard</a> and a quote for a month-long journey costing $3,000 (including "Adventure Sports Coverage" since you never know when cliff diving into the Mediterranean will seem like a good idea) is $135 per person.<br /><br />This includes 50 percent reimbursement of the cost of the trip if it's canceled within 48 hours of departure, $10,000 medical coverage, $1,000 baggage recovery (with $200 deductible so you really only get $800) and $500 in case of flight delay. To us, this seems like a lot of money for not enough coverage. Most airlines will reimburse you for lost or stolen baggage to a certain degree. Insurance only covers $500 for a delayed flight? If that volcano/terror threat/strike has been holding me up in London for a week, what is $500 (or £300) going to get me – two nights in an airport hotel?<br /><br />Scott checked out <a href="http://www.insuremytrip.com/">www.insuremytrip.com</a>, which is a comparison site, and many of the plans from 20 companies were very similar in price and coverage. In our opinion, travel insurance is for families spending many thousands of dollars for flight, rental car, resort and tours. We especially think this because Scott checked a quote for a family of four spending $15,000 and the quote was very similar to one backpacker spending $3,000. <br /><br />Instead of purchasing travel insurance, you may want to consider the benefits of an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which is an internationally recognized student ID. An ISIC offers discounts on travel, museums and even online purchases that go far beyond normal student discounts.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxKK5phFAPhMpPGTDYWQ8QCUQCU9-MtKkFESMdSrDwAthplsT74ze56lMTCZQ5QdX5AugBXI7ce_jL6AHkn0eXhyphenhypheni9SUNNiSETtJ3Ga7z9GJtCTRKXDa_WvPlcxM11cyYhfurKXcqW2Y/s1600/isic_card_FINAL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxKK5phFAPhMpPGTDYWQ8QCUQCU9-MtKkFESMdSrDwAthplsT74ze56lMTCZQ5QdX5AugBXI7ce_jL6AHkn0eXhyphenhypheni9SUNNiSETtJ3Ga7z9GJtCTRKXDa_WvPlcxM11cyYhfurKXcqW2Y/s320/isic_card_FINAL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473089616058095218" /></a><br />The card costs $22 and is available to students of any age. If you are not a student but are between the ages of 12 and 25, you can purchase an International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) for the same price. Both are valid for one year from the date of issue.<br /><br />The biggest advantage of these cards for United States citizens, aside from discounts, is a series of insurance benefits including $300,000 medical emergency transportation and $25,000 accident medical expense. The card also covers travel document replacement and costs incurred from travel and baggage delays and offers a 24-hour free emergency helpline for legal, medical or travel advisors. For a full list of benefits and to purchase your card, visit <a href="http://www.isic.org/home.aspx">www.isic.org</a>.<br /><br />We have a tendency to take too many cameras with us when we travel to document our trip and, of course, make the occasional YouTube video. We’ll have a point and shoot, SLR with extra lens, tripod, video camera, extra memory cards and batteries for each, not to mention chargers and adapters. Anything could happen to our gear (except getting lost on a plane since it is always in our carry-on bag). We have purchased a $10,000 personal property plan for only $125 a year from the same insurance company we have our car insurance from. This includes loss, theft, damage or anything else that happens to any camera, computer, iPod or other device I have included on the plan anywhere in the world. It cannot replace photos that are lost, but it can give some peace of mind if you decide to travel with a camera, computer and/or iPhone. (Like we always say, a camera is justified when traveling Europe. The other two are not.)<br /><br />Before you leave the country, check with your insurance company to see if they offer personal property plans, ask if your medical provider covers you when in Europe and see what your renters or homeowner’s insurance covers. Some credit cards also offer insurance on items purchased with the card – accident coverage on rental cars, for instance.<br /><br />Anything can happen on a trip abroad or even just a trip to the grocery store, and it always feels good to know you're safe and someone is watching over you. No one wants to find out halfway through a trip that flights are canceled, your friend broke a hip on a crazy night out at the club or someone grabbed your backpack at the airport carousel by mistake. <br /><br />Be safe and enjoy the ride!Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-27310380408675715642010-05-12T18:30:00.000-07:002010-05-23T08:50:40.502-07:00YouTube Video CommentsOne of the great things about Youtube is receiving comments from viewers. It is fantastic to know we helped someone with his or her future travels. However, sometimes the comments can be off-kilter and we have no problem taking comments down if we think they may lead other viewers to make bad decisions on their trips. All over YouTube, there are millions of viewers with way too much time on their hands who enjoy writing something that makes no sense or might confuse someone just for kicks.<br /><br />For instance, someone said Krystin was wrong in her video about packing by saying that heavy items go in the bottom of the backpack. However, every hiking guide we have read say that heavy items should go in the bottom third of the pack, but most importantly as close to your back as possible. Maybe we should have elaborated on this fact, but we provided the general rule in the time allotted. We would hate for anyone to read that comment and think they should carry heavy items at the top of the pack, which could potentially cause physical injury to that person during their travels.<br /><a name='more'></a><br />Everything in our videos and on our Web site is the advice we would give friends and family who asked us a question about our travels. We are not experts, we do not have a Master's degree in international travel, we do not get paid to do this and we do not (unfortunately) get to spend months each year traveling the world. However, we have lived in England for two years, taken a couple long backpacking trips throughout Europe and been on numerous smaller trips around the continent as well. We have read countless books and blogs on the subject. Our goal in every post and every video is to help people make the most of their once-in-a-lifetime European backpacking adventure safely and while spending the least amount of money possible. <br /><br />One recent comment on Scott's video about packing led us to write this post, because not only was it full of bad advice, but it also completely questioned what we are about at Red Wine. We thought that the best way to handle this comment would be to leave it up and to direct visitors here to this post where we have the chance to address it in detail.<br /><br />This person said: “Jeans?! How are you supposed to clean & dry those while staying in Hostels? This method of packing is serious overkill, and not practical at all. I understand this is aimed at young Americans who are in massive groups spending too much & traveling on trains, but seriously. You don't need half that stuff.” <br /><br />We’ll tackle our responses to this post one step at a time. <br /><br />1. Jeans? We are not sure what else people are supposed to wear on their legs in cooler weather... Perhaps we could have also said khakis? The only pants Scott owns are jeans and dress slacks, so he’ll go with jeans any day of the week. Perhaps this person thinks it's better to wear shorts all the time, which is fine if you are always in a warm climate, but the weather in Europe fluctuates from country to country. As for how to clean and dry clothes in hostels, the answer is simple. Most hostels and nearly every city in the world has a Laundromat to do laundry. The last thing on our mind would be to wash jeans in a sink, as they would take ages to dry which is completely impractical when traveling from city to city. Maybe this person thinks going to a camping store and buying those expensive quick dry/breathable/waterproof pants is a good idea, but we think there is no reason to ever buy anything you don’t already own for a trip – except a backpack and passport, of course.<br /><br />2. Overkill and impractical? Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but we think this description is quite unjustified. We are both comfortable with the amount of clothes shown in our videos for a five to six-week trip. We only need to do laundry every two weeks, but people should feel free to take half the amount of clothes if they have the time to wash them twice as often. We would rather be out exploring a city than waiting for our clothes to dry. Scott has no problem wearing underwear twice, and even three times on some occasions (to Krystin's utter dismay), so if that grosses you out, take a pair for each day. Some people stink or sweat a lot, so they might need to bring along a couple extra shirts. Everyone is different.<br /><br />3. Massive groups? What in Scott's backpack told this person that he was traveling in a group is beyond us. Scott has done a lot of traveling, but it has either been on his own or with one other person - namely, Krystin. In fact, if he was traveling with a group, he would get to pack LESS, as groups can share certain resources on trips. <br /><br />4. Spending too much? The motto of "Red Wine" is to save every penny possible while traveling. If Scott was holding up flashy expensive travel gear instead of his t-shirts, ripped shorts and other modest travel gear, we could understand this comment. As it stands, the most expensive stuff in Scott's video are his backpack, his shoes and his camera... because those three things make or break a trip for him. We endorse sleeping on airport benches, picnicking in parks, and finding the free stuff in every city to pinch every penny on your trip. We have only gotten to travel as much as we have by being super-thrifty and making what some may consider sacrifices (warm beds, eating out) that ultimately make our trips unique and memorable. <br /><br />The bottom line is that we are here to help and give advice from our personal experience. If we give a specific piece of advice, that little pearl of wisdom came from something that directly happened to us and is always backed up by research that we do so that you don't have to. If you disagree with something we have to say, please contact us directly. We are always hear to answer all questions and address any concerns you may have. Safe travels!Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-14454305024693861052010-04-29T05:42:00.001-07:002010-05-23T08:16:59.675-07:00How to Tip Across EuropeTipping in Europe is difficult to figure out because most countries have different customs and even if you have the general rule figured out, it's usually still different depending on if you are ordering at a bar or sitting at a table. We generally try to stay away from any establishment that looks like a tip is needed. We've been servers and bar tenders before and appreciate tips and the hard work that goes into earning them, but it is hard for us to part with our money <br />when traveling and trying to save every penny possible.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFospLBRaTECcNSujnUWRPkWbpjaG7ilgv_IwPQFRahW_V7DdJTJFO1ftiocwN78l7l11gOjcC964g-D4DWbkXaL2Xw2m-xxt6FjOENIHzooXPisOAzgnv9kaAG7pvsx5Ib0o6GznKu8U/s1600/IMG_7091_C.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFospLBRaTECcNSujnUWRPkWbpjaG7ilgv_IwPQFRahW_V7DdJTJFO1ftiocwN78l7l11gOjcC964g-D4DWbkXaL2Xw2m-xxt6FjOENIHzooXPisOAzgnv9kaAG7pvsx5Ib0o6GznKu8U/s320/IMG_7091_C.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465554903452230994" /></a><br />Under-tipping and over-tipping can both be considered offensive depending on what country you are in. The main rule to stick with when in doubt is never tip for bar/counter service, and add about 10 percent for a sit-down restaurant. Servers in Europe make a paycheck and tips are considered a small "bonus" — to reward great service, or to simply round the total bill to a convenient number. In most countries, 5 to 10 percent is adequate and 15 or 20 percent is unheard of.<br /><a name='more'></a><br />We'll focus on Great Britain as an example since we've lived and worked there and understand their tipping customs best (this will also roll over into Ireland as well). Most pubs have zero table service, meaning customers should pick any table they wish and order food and drinks from the bar. Drinks will come immediately and food will be brought to the table a few minutes later. The waiter who brings the food rarely asks if you want refills or need anything else and will probably not come back to check on you. You do not need to tip in pubs. Even if you've been sitting at the same bar stool for five hours and spent $50, you don't need to tip - although it is courteous to offer to buy the barman or barmaid a drink. Krystin can attest to this, as she was a barmaid for a few months in England. Initially, she was shocked to find that people waited to get 5 or 10 cents back when ordering a drink. That being said, some people did tip a pound or two which was always appreciated, and usually came when the person realized she was an American working in a British pub.<br /><br />Sit-down restaurants are entirely different. Tipping is completely up to the patron. If a server greets you, brings drinks and food, comes back to check on you and takes money, you can give as little or as much as you wish. Scott worked at a posh hotel and tips varied from nil (zero) up to a fiver (slang in Britain for a five pound note). 10 percent is customary for very good service, but most people usually give a pound or two per diner. Since tips in the United Kingdom suck, just know that most service also will. Again, this entirely depends on the establishment. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha836944Hu6RuuaPeIHmmbcoB0w97x0YZba-xeLFCN91PY84tNPfBomc3d0X3s1vnJj0UnS0bRvRsVBZ0-lV7WWJHjzcc4H88H11lXG5dyG-vjJGXGC8CbRxTuUxoiUGhyphenhyphen6b0lpHojQYM/s1600/IMG_7057_C.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha836944Hu6RuuaPeIHmmbcoB0w97x0YZba-xeLFCN91PY84tNPfBomc3d0X3s1vnJj0UnS0bRvRsVBZ0-lV7WWJHjzcc4H88H11lXG5dyG-vjJGXGC8CbRxTuUxoiUGhyphenhyphen6b0lpHojQYM/s200/IMG_7057_C.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465557324357814066" /></a><br />In any country, especially France (since service is included by law), your bill may state "service compris" to indicate that service is indeed included in the total price. In any case, it is polite to round up the bill to the nearest Euro. Look on the menu or your bill to see if a tip/gratuity is included (it's usually easy to tell; "servizio incluso" in Italian, for example). If so, there is no need to tip on top of this. If you are traveling in a group of six or more, some restaurants will add this to ensure a tip for the hard work of the server.<br /><br />In Greece, a service charge is automatically included in your bill when eating out, but this does not necessarily mean that it will go to the servers. If you're happy with your service, a tip of 8-10 percent is customary. Also, be aware that during the Christmas and Greek Easter holidays, a service bonus of 18 percent will be added to your restaurant bill as a holiday extra for the servers.<br /><br />In Germany, a service charge is included (appearing on your bill as "Bedienung"), but it is normal to tip an extra 5-10 percent if service was very good. When paying and handing over the money, a very German thing to do is tell the waiter the amount they should keep. For instance, if the bill is 42 Euro, you give him 50, say to the waiter "45," and he'll bring back five in change. If you hand over 50 Euros and say "danke," the waiter might think you gave him the rest as a tip. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiem5x9lLIt58MxV22bB3_-gX86AoeivBKja9_Tgn-dn19AtDnY7fLdyPc0Ig7vKy44CvlIH2XRXmktOhh8HK3S8OsKKdL3Tw0iUZ4FLzrzJLL9oL-7EbiiRZPbfbhOeaW3W9xKyM1KAzY/s1600/IMG_8949.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiem5x9lLIt58MxV22bB3_-gX86AoeivBKja9_Tgn-dn19AtDnY7fLdyPc0Ig7vKy44CvlIH2XRXmktOhh8HK3S8OsKKdL3Tw0iUZ4FLzrzJLL9oL-7EbiiRZPbfbhOeaW3W9xKyM1KAzY/s200/IMG_8949.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465558695881085106" /></a>TAXI!<br />When riding in a taxi anywhere in Europe (which we don't recommend because it's expensive and public transport - or walking - is always cheaper), simply round the amount up to the next Euro. Of course, it's important to be very clear with the driver about where you want to go to ensure that you don't get ripped off even more Euros by taking the scenic route and being over-charged for your journey. <br /><br />If you can afford to stay in hotels (we have done this all of once in Paris, because it was the same price as the hostels available), tipping bellboys and maid staff is up to you. In the U.S., our dollars are paper bills so handing a handful of cash to someone could still only really be $4. Scott always feels like he is being cheap in Europe handing over a few coins, which is also $4, but you just can't let it bother you. Tips are a bonus for staff even though many will expect them.<br /><br />In busy touristy areas, it is best not to leave money on the table but instead to hand it to your waiter. When paying with a credit card, it is best to leave a cash tip so it ensures the money goes directly into the waiter's pocket. <br /><br />Also, be aware that many "fast food"-looking places will offer indoor dining and carry-out, and there will be different prices for both. The prices should be next to each other on the menu board; the more expensive price is to sit down and the cheaper is to take the food with you and find a beautiful park to eat in. The difference will normally be .50 to 1 Euro per item, but every penny counts when you are backpacking on a budget.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-80960501574497914212010-04-22T07:55:00.000-07:002010-05-23T07:53:34.936-07:00How to Navigate Internet Cafe's and European KeyboardsLet us be blunt. We definitely do not recommend bringing a laptop along on your backpacking trip. They’re heavy, take up space, are easy to break while jumping on and off trains, need to be charged every two hours and are very easy for someone to walk off with, not to mention you have to find a “wi-fi hotspot” to use it.<br /><br />That being said, this is 2010 and everyone pretty much owns a laptop and with Macbook Air™ which weighs three pounds and is less than an inch thick or the entire line of HP, Toshiba, Acer and Sony Mini books that cost less than $400, it can be very tempting to bring your Twitter, Facebook, video chatting and photo storage along for the ride.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTAvRGWSbtLv17SJ-OagAeawJbWWGDpyi8kTcAq0Pqapr8tziVhArI0arUHNqX8NIv4KyQEcjH0WkVTmjnV6EKKB5LNsxMrUNWZ-_fSm9g0k72XnDAXiim0DrQv0gkKZ6jqwNR-0O4PA/s1600/French_keyboard.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 107px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTAvRGWSbtLv17SJ-OagAeawJbWWGDpyi8kTcAq0Pqapr8tziVhArI0arUHNqX8NIv4KyQEcjH0WkVTmjnV6EKKB5LNsxMrUNWZ-_fSm9g0k72XnDAXiim0DrQv0gkKZ6jqwNR-0O4PA/s320/French_keyboard.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463310549148636146" /></a><br /><a name='more'></a><br />More and more hostels are noticing these modern travelers and they’re beginning to pump out free wi-fi as a method to get people in the door. These hostels generally have way too many people sitting around staring at computer screens like zombies while a beautiful city sits waiting directly behind them.<br /><br />Many hostels have computers and will offer internet free or for a small fee. If hostels offer it, chances are they'll only have one or two computers and if the internet is free, everyone will be lining up to use it. There will usually be a sign to limit use to 15 minutes, but this sign is very rarely adhered to. Hostel computers can be slow, so sometimes it’s best to find an internet café as they will usually be cheaper and have better equipment.<br /><br />Internet cafés could be one of the best inventions for the present-day traveler. And by internet café, we don’t mean a trendy coffee shop that transmits wireless internet. We mean a place that has computers connected to the internet that can be rented out for a certain amount of time (usually price ranges from 1-3 euro per hour). Prices, speed, and quality vary wherever you go, but don’t visit any cafés located near or inside airports or train stations. These will cost 5-10 times as much and offer less services. Some cafés offer drinks (soda, coffee or beer) and sandwiches, phone booths for cheap calls to home (internet cafés have the best prices without worrying about phone cards) and printers for hostel or tourist information. Some cafes also have the option to dump your digital memory card and burn to a disk in order to free up card space. - or transfer to a storage device you bring with you like a portable hard drive.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-n4dLktBlt87_S3gIBzdvE3amFmorlV8JMQW0t_eWM7M-mHrq52cptvYEUc0ZK0zSULXvQ6WSRhPLmT-8uNjfDceDFBeupmd4yJDLOTrDvPgtp60ZIeKEbYTpIEbqL7ZShNH4JVYVQo/s1600/IMG_9171.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-n4dLktBlt87_S3gIBzdvE3amFmorlV8JMQW0t_eWM7M-mHrq52cptvYEUc0ZK0zSULXvQ6WSRhPLmT-8uNjfDceDFBeupmd4yJDLOTrDvPgtp60ZIeKEbYTpIEbqL7ZShNH4JVYVQo/s320/IMG_9171.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465563017026488962" /></a><br />European keyboards are slightly different than ones in the United States. Most have all the letters in the same location, but we’ve been to a couple in France that were all mixed up. <a href="http://www.sussex.ac.uk/its/help/guides/keyboards/french.gif">Click here</a> to view one such keyboard. It might be worth checking out a keyboard when you go to the café to see what you’re getting into before buying an hour. Typing on a keyboard where the letters are different took us both as least four times longer than it should have, not to mention the frustration and headache it caused.<br /><br />One of the main differences on European keyboards is the location and method of use of the @ symbol. In the U.S., it is located above the 2 and only holding shift is needed. <a href="http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~elainetmaddox/german_keyboard.jpg">Click here</a> to see a German keyboard. The @ is located on the Q key and holding shift only makes the Q bigger, not making an @ at all. The ‘Alt Gr’ key next to the space bar makes the @ symbol work. Krystin remembers staying at a host home in Germany and feeling like an idiot for 45 minutes while trying to type a message to her friends and family before finally having to break down and ask how the keyboard worked. This brings up a good point, which is if all else fails, ask the person in charge.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.skype.com/">Skype</a>, a popular worldwide video chatting system, is one of the best ways to call home. Many internet cafés offer this service if they have webcams and headsets attached to each computer station. <a href="http://www.skype.com/">Skype</a> is a free program to download (although the café will likely have this already) from www.skype.com, which makes international calling cheap. Also, all Skype-to-Skype calls made on the computer are free (after paying the café to use the computer). You can also buy Skype credit which allows you to use the internet to call landlines and cell phones. The call prices vary but once the call is answered, the screen will show you the current rate being charged. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRtdf_P7ZKdLqLI23nknI-iKNtUMRVGXXDjI1_LOfC6WKbxVE3IfbL-3xdGdObNPPv8Cwwt_1xoEkldPlkxXNJPoRg70tJievw0LxJQ7nPKka5Zf51_DPw1SHn5SiuIlVEz4BlxjpF1M/s1600/IMG_9188.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRtdf_P7ZKdLqLI23nknI-iKNtUMRVGXXDjI1_LOfC6WKbxVE3IfbL-3xdGdObNPPv8Cwwt_1xoEkldPlkxXNJPoRg70tJievw0LxJQ7nPKka5Zf51_DPw1SHn5SiuIlVEz4BlxjpF1M/s200/IMG_9188.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465563506942330898" /></a>As an alternative, many internet cafés have calling booths to make international calls for a very affordable price. Be sure to check that you are getting a good rate before making a call; to phone the States from anywhere in Europe should usually cost around 5 to 15 cents a minute.<br /><br />Now that you have the skinny about using the internet abroad, here are some last-minute tips to remember:<br />-Some internet cafés ask for money up front and the computer will have a countdown timer on the monitor. Others will have a timer on the computer and you pay when you are finished for how much time you have used.<br />-Be sure to log out of all sites that require a username and password.<br />-Clear the history when you are finished using the computer to ensure no passwords are recorded by the computer.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-43981544327147153742010-04-19T14:41:00.000-07:002010-05-23T07:44:07.116-07:00The Role Weather PlaysWhen should I travel? I have summer free and plenty of time... but it's peak season so places will be crowded and hostels full, not to mention it will be hot and sweaty. Christmas break is nice because places won't be crowded... but will every place be open in the off-season? Spring break and Thanksgiving sound good... but might be too short for a visit overseas. So when do I travel? Not to mention - what will the temperature be like where I want to go at that time of year?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIgV43FN2KnfuPuZtsefq6WjE_ubwgzQciFiac873gH3e50GfPiS1HJ0Tnf3a0UeLbFprIvhuklxdvXk4uzcBIw26usnbb8q8YqMRptXv3MatPeW_QHGI6UIO2QRVXQge55EYHkRduGA/s1600/1698.weather_presenters6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIgV43FN2KnfuPuZtsefq6WjE_ubwgzQciFiac873gH3e50GfPiS1HJ0Tnf3a0UeLbFprIvhuklxdvXk4uzcBIw26usnbb8q8YqMRptXv3MatPeW_QHGI6UIO2QRVXQge55EYHkRduGA/s320/1698.weather_presenters6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462585594479393698" /></a><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />It’s not easy picking the time of year to travel and there is no right answer. We’ve taken trips in March, May, December and September. This decision completely depends on your climate preferences, what countries you plan to visit and what time of year you have free. <br /><br />Weather is obviously a major determining factor in worldwide travel. We trust The Weather Channel or www.weather.com. You can find the forecast for anywhere, from anywhere. Weather.com also has great information for trip planning including temperature and precipitation charts to see yearly averages. Towns included in the yearly averages are:<br /><a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/NLXX0002">Amsterdam</a>, <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/GRXX0004">Athens</a>, <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/GMXX0007">Berlin</a>, <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/BEXX0005">Brussels</a>, <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/EIXX0014">Dublin</a>, <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/GMXX0185">Frankfurt</a>, <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/UKXX0085">London</a>, <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/SPXX0050">Madrid</a>, <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/GMXX0087">Munich</a>, <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/ITXX0067">Rome</a>, <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/AUXX0025">Vienna</a> and <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/SZXX0033">Zurich</a>. <br /><br />You can also use Weather.com while you are traveling. Many hostels have free internet or you will be stopping at cafes from time to time, so check the weather a day or two out to plan when it’s best to spend the day on a train, in a museum or hiking.<br /><br />Our favorite travel times of the year for Europe is any time between late March through May or September into early October. These times of year are not considered peak season, so some hostels and attractions have cheaper fares and more availability of rooms (especially for large groups). The seasons are also changing during this time of year, so days aren’t too hot and nights aren't too cold... depending on where you’re going, of course. For instance, Edinburgh currently has highs of only 50 degrees and rain is predicted over the next week while Sardinia has 70-degree days and 50-degree nights. During the springtime, it might be best to move north as you travel; during autumn, go in the opposite direction.<br /><br />While in Europe, degrees will be in Celsius – C, and we never paid attention in high school to do the mathematical conversion properly to find the Fahrenheit equivalent so we’ll let you in on a little secret Scott's grandfather taught him: when converting C into F, take the C number, double it and add 30.<br /><br />We’ll slow it down. If the newspaper in Zurich says the daily high is 20C, double it (40) and add 30, and you will get 70F. 20 x 2 + 30 = 70. Now this is not the exact number, which is more like 68, but close enough to know weather a t-shirt or sweater is appropriate.<br /><br />This conversion works the other way as well when trying to tell a European the average temperature in your hometown. This time, work backward. Subtract 30 from the Fahrenheit number and then cut it in half. If the temperature you’re trying to convert is 90F, 90-30 = 60, then 60/2 equals 30C.<br /><br />Easy, right? We’re sure everyone has that app in his or her cell phone already, but now you’re way ahead when the battery dies! Or when you have your phone turned off and hidden inside your backpack, which is the best way to experience Europe - no matter what the weather!Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-65514423120402726842010-03-27T07:43:00.000-07:002010-03-28T08:08:59.196-07:00Hometown Series: Miami, Florida<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklbXb0Q70WEuwN5dw4lQmYqxsjY40RbvFVqKBI1a4RalpFqzYh0H9bYLu_F1MHzevJCUtzWrYGLqwAZ9GN67q0_ivkdW00qGZxlGP-UOY-cKnze7DveGTDvnJxJfMuZMxUKttdxdzf1g/s1600/Miami.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklbXb0Q70WEuwN5dw4lQmYqxsjY40RbvFVqKBI1a4RalpFqzYh0H9bYLu_F1MHzevJCUtzWrYGLqwAZ9GN67q0_ivkdW00qGZxlGP-UOY-cKnze7DveGTDvnJxJfMuZMxUKttdxdzf1g/s320/Miami.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453324789997172882" /></a><br /><br />Forget about what you've seen on TV from <span style="font-style:italic;">Dexter</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">CSI</span>; Red Wine follower Celia would like to give you some insight into <span style="font-style:italic;">her</span> Miami in the second of our Hometown Series. <br /><br />"Bienvenidos a Miami (Welcome to Miami)! Most people who visit our metropolis refuse to label Miami as part of the "south," rather, they accept it as just the capital of all of Central and South America (with an American twist)!<br /><a name='more'></a><br />Although you are still in North America, an English to Spanish translator or book will become incredibly useful, especially when you embark on getting to know the "real Miami," rather than just the tourist section. The majority of restaurants and locales will initially greet you in English, but be warned: some businesses do not require for the box "speaker of English" to be checked off on their job applications. Plus, you will find that the best service is sometimes given to those who attempt to speak Spanish (as in, you will hear stories of the "old country," and laugh until morning over an authentic "cortadito" [shot of Cuban coffee]).<br /><br />After visiting the "touristy" locations of South Beach (pictured above), North Miami Beach... and, well, the beach in general, rent a car (a necessity in Miami. DO NOT rely on public transportation) and drive to <a href="http://www.coralgables.com">Coral Gables</a> Miami's little "Spanish Colony." You will drive through rows and rows of gorgeous trees and houses that have an antique yet affluent feel to them. While there, visit <a href="http://www.cotlf.org">"The Church of the Little Flower"</a>, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYHcMS1Ogjl7Yc63ONZYvqD-oIimgJ7i0QKpvko4TL3B5xkALrBcuoruIvKy4TNqzQ6nuURUvNqR6hsOsQR3Iue4ktn2mc6oaU6Cxl5nUc09EZ27iOY0ka7LgXRS-pRKb7heYl8nL46g/s1600/Miami+Church"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYHcMS1Ogjl7Yc63ONZYvqD-oIimgJ7i0QKpvko4TL3B5xkALrBcuoruIvKy4TNqzQ6nuURUvNqR6hsOsQR3Iue4ktn2mc6oaU6Cxl5nUc09EZ27iOY0ka7LgXRS-pRKb7heYl8nL46g/s320/Miami+Church" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453325862702587554" /></a> Miami's number one wedding location. It does not compare to any of the beautiful churches in Europe, however, it's as close as you will get. If you time your visit right(on the weekends), you will be rewarded with the chance to witness one of a myriad of elegant weddings that takes place weekly.<br /><br />A few blocks down is <a href="http://www.biltmorehotel.com">The Biltmore Hotel</a>. A historical site, it is one of the most breathtaking hotels in Miami. Take a tour through the immense lobbies (where lovebirds chirp and sing in colossal cages), try to get the elevator to stop on the forbidden and "haunted" 13th floor (come on, I dare you!), or just sip a cup of tea and nibble on some sandwiches while a Spanish guitarist serenades you into a "siesta." Overall, the Biltmore boasts beautiful views, a large golf course, a gigantic pool (one of the largest in the U.S.) and THE BEST brunch in Miami (a tad pricey, but well worth it).<br /><br />Also in Coral Gables, you will find <a href="http://www.shopcoralgables.com">Miracle Mile</a>, which is made up of two things: wedding boutiques and exquisite restaurants/bars. Try <a href="http://www.johnmartins.com">John Martin's</a>, an Irish pub, or Ortanique's, a new-age Latin restaurant with the freshest and most scrumptious mango salad you will ever taste.<br /><br />For the true Hispanic experience, travel down to <a href="http://miami.about.com/cs/maps/a/calle_ocho.htm">"Calle Ocho"</a> (Southwest 8th street) and get a feel for the real Spanish influence in Miami. You will pass by dozens of Cuban bakeries and restaurants that serve Venezuelan, Colombian, Peruvian, Nicaraguan, Mexican, Argentinean, Dominican and countless other cuisine.(Please do not insult anyone by assuming that all Hispanic dishes are the same. Each restaurant brings individual textures, tastes and spices to the plate). Stop by any bakery and order "una tostada con cafe con leche" (coffee and toast) to get the most authentic and delicious Cuban breakfast, and you might even witness the typical old men smoking their cigars and playing dominoes on the street! For the true connoisseur, find any Cuban restaurant (like Islas Canarias, La Carreta, Havana Miami, El Rinconcito) and order such dishes as the "Ropa Vieja" (literal translation: "old clothes," but it's actually a delicious shredded beef with rice and beans), "Bistec Empanizado" (breaded beef), or my personal favorite: "Vaca Frita" (seared/toasted beef with a plethora of lime and grilled onions).<br /><br />As for museums and parks, Miami boasts beautiful agriculture and landscapes at <a href="http://www.fairchildgarden.org">Fairchild Gardens</a> (home to countless of lakes and orchids), <a href="http://">Vizcaya</a>, <a href="http://jungleisland.com/">Parrot Jungle Island</a> (a zoo that includes a quaint Japanese garden), Museum of Science, The Children's Museum and much more. <a href="http://www.miamidade.gov/Parks/Parks/tropical.asp">Tropical Park</a> is also a beautiful place to have a picnic (the weather here is marvelous year round) surrounded by a myriad of palm trees and, in the Christmas season, it is home to "Santa's Enchanted Forrest," the closest Miami will get to a winter wonderland.<br /><br />If you favor shopping, you will literally shop-til-you-drop at the countless malls Miami offers, including The Falls (an outside mall with ponds and topiaries), Dadeland, Merrick Park, Sunset Place, International Mall, Dolphin Mall and Bal-Harbor (for those who have money or would just like to rub elbows with those who do).<br /><br />When the sun sets in Miami, there are parties until dawn just about everywhere. If you enjoy the bar scene, return to Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, or even <a href="http://www.coconutgrove.com/">Coconut Grove</a>, where you can drink and bar hop to the tune of local bands and the bay's breeze. Head on over to the Design District for unique and eccentric clubs, or drive down to South Beach for the TRUE Miami party experience... but be warned! Since this is a major tourist hub, you will definitely be overcharged.<br /><br />At the end of the day, visiting Miami is truly like visiting a foreign country without the need to show your passport (if you're a U.S. citizen, of course). The people, nightlife, sights, smells and culture will make you wish you would never leave."<br /><br />Red Wine would simply like to add that if you have a rental car already, it's worth it to take a drive out I90/41, or "Alligator Alley." This two-lane road is littered with gators on both sides as you drive through the Everglades. Scott even helped a 50-pound alligator snapping turtle cross the road last time he visited. There are many places to stop and see gator farms, take an air boat ride or stop and get too close to wild alligators.<br /><br />Thanks to Celia for submitting her story about Miami and if anyone else would like to contribute advice about their town anywhere in the world in our Hometown Series, we would love to hear from you. Please email information to redwinehelpsyousleepontrains@yahoo.com.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-48001947276561200322010-03-22T08:27:00.000-07:002010-03-28T07:38:44.663-07:00Seat Reservations on European TrainsWe would like to address a question we received from a Red Wine follower that we thought might be helpful for many other followers planning their train journeys abroad.<br /><br />The question: "The girl with who I will make the inter-rail trip and I have just found out that we need to make a reservation for a lot of national trains. Now, this is a huge bummer because we thought that you could just go anywhere national. It is also a lot harder to plan the journey, but we see it as a challenge. Now is my question for you: how did you book the national and international trains? Which Web site did you use?"<br /><br />The answer: When we traveled we only needed reservations on night trains and express trains, and we never used the express ones because they were too expensive. Night trains are great because you can get from one town to another and not waste precious daylight. The easiest way to get a reservation takes very little planning.<br /><a name='more'></a><br />Most travel groups make a semi-vague or very in-depth list of towns and length of stay in each.<br /><br />Let's pretend that part of your journey is to Hannover for two days, Berlin for three days and then on a night train to Prague. Most day trains do not need reservations, so just hop on any train as long as it is not an express train and when the conductor comes around, show him your rail pass and all should be fine. <br /><br />When you arrive in Berlin, go straight to the ticket window and hopefully you have an idea of train times to Prague that you procured either by using the hard copy train timetable Eurail offers or getting one online - <a href="http://www.oebb.at/pv/en/Servicebox/Train_schedule/index.jsp">OBB</a> (which is sometimes hard to follow but very in-depth – it’s Austrian). You can use this site to download and print PDF timetables from pretty much any city.<br /><a href="http://www.raileurope.com">www.raileurope.com</a> is very easy and user-friendly, but it doesn’t give all train line advice so I would cross reference with OBB to make sure you’re getting on the correct, reservation-free train.<br /><br />Ask the ticket agent if the train you want needs a reservation and how much it costs. Most reservations on local non-express trains will cost around $10-15, but can be up to $30 on some longer international or night trains. Now you’ll have a seat on the train and you don’t have to worry about coming back to the station until your train leaves in three days. Or if you find out bad news that all trains are full or reservations cost too much, you have three days in Berlin to decide the next step and perhaps decide to make it to Prague by stopping in smaller towns on the way.<br /><br />It seems like more and more that express trains are being used, especially the <a href="http://www.tgv-europe.com/en/">TGV</a> in France and the <a href="http://www.bahn.com/i/view/index.shtml">ICE</a> in Germany. If you look at the PDF Eurail <a href="http://www.eurail.com/downloads/eurail/eurail-timetable-2010-trains-europe.pdf">timetable</a> there are eight boxes across: departure time, days the train runs, train line*, transfer stations, transfer times, transfer train line*, and arrival time. <a href="http://www.eurail.com/downloads/eurail/eurail-timetable-2010-explanation-english.pdf">There is also a PDF that explains how to read the timetable.</a><br /><br />*If in the train line box you see TGV, ICE, THA, ESI, AVI, AVE or anything similar, it means it is an express train and reservations and more money will be needed. The $10-15 will not cover these! These are not covered on the railpass and a separate full price ticket will need to be purchased. Depending on the line, a discount might be offered, but don’t always count on it.<br /><br />The Eurail timetable only lists a few of the trains and it seems that most of the ones offered in the book are express trains. If you look up on the timetable from Reims – Paris, there are 12 trains that are all TGV. If you go to <a href="http://www.oebb.at/pv/en/Servicebox/Train_schedule/index.jsp">OBB</a> and check the same for April 21, there are 13 and three (morning, afternoon, evening) are NOT express and will be covered on your railpass. The journey takes an hour longer, but it is well worth not paying the express train fee.<br /><br />To avoid express trains and reservations, try not to think of your journey as one major city to another. Paris to Berlin, Berlin to Zurich, Zurich to Rome, Rome to Barcelona, etc... It is much easier to use the local regional trains when stopping in places on your way to the larger cities and this also means trains trips are only a few hours at a time instead of long 13-hour trips that can be a little difficult. Avoiding express trains is much easier if you have a month or more to travel. For those with only a week or two, you might need to take some express trains to save time. <br /><br />I called <a href="http://www.raileurope.com">www.raileurope.com</a> and asked a couple reservation questions and I was told all trains in Spain need a reservation. Italian trains between major cities like Rome, Naples, Venice, Florence and Milan also need reservations. Look at the train number on the OBB Web site. If it is a 9000 number, it will need a reservation. So instead of going straight from Rome to Florence, go from Rome to Perugia and Perugia to Florence with no reservation required. The agent I spoke to basically said it is easiest to ask at the local ticket counter about reservations. You can call Rail Europe and speak with someone to get a better idea, but it seems that every country is different and some countries base reservations on the time of day the train runs. For instance, not all ICE trains in Germany need reservations, but long distance or rush hour ones do.<br /><br />We know planning train trips can be stressful and it is difficult to get it together. And with the U.S. being a fairly train-free culture (except the very poor Amtrak system), the idea of using only trains as transport in countries that don’t speak English is daunting and scary. You need to come to terms with the fact that you might miss at least one train and a connection or two. It might not hurt to hang out a little longer than required at a train station and people-watch early in your journey; read the departure boards to see if you get the hang of connections, platform locations, arrival and departure times. <br /><br />Please let us know if you have any more questions. Below is word-for-word page from the <a href="http://www.eurail.com/eurail-train-reservations">Eurail web site</a> and they mention that most regional trains do NOT need reservations.<br /><br />Do I need reservations?<br /><br />There are basically three types of trains:<br />• Trains without reservations: local and regional trains generally require no reservations. <br />• Trains with optional reservations: you can make a reservation if you want to be assured of a seat, but it is not necessary <br />• Trains with obligatory reservations: Reservations are required for many high-speed trains such as the Thalys and for overnight trains.<br />To check if a train requires a reservation, check an online timetable, it will indicate reservation requirements with a 'R' symbol or a sentence like 'Subject to compulsory reservation'. If in doubt, ask at a ticket window at the station before boarding to avoid paying a higher price on the train or even getting a fine.<br />In the section on Train Reservations you can find an overview of reservation fees and advice on how to make reservations.<br />Often you can avoid compulsory reservations by taking an alternative (slower) route. See the FAQ How to avoid train reservations.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-41061963109105281472010-03-19T07:12:00.000-07:002010-03-28T08:16:55.148-07:00Three Sheets with Zane Lamprey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwLf6jUvrvGgyayokO1hwOs-04G_y1CPdcRGgGVMRPxrk4XstBX2Itw0g04aojRHNWWAYoUsq7EN1fsAiUruswfZ9WZWPKIyEqUrDW4_FX20x_kxZ6rCXfCi1FMx12uHx6XY6ob2AfIY/s1600-h/3sheets.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwLf6jUvrvGgyayokO1hwOs-04G_y1CPdcRGgGVMRPxrk4XstBX2Itw0g04aojRHNWWAYoUsq7EN1fsAiUruswfZ9WZWPKIyEqUrDW4_FX20x_kxZ6rCXfCi1FMx12uHx6XY6ob2AfIY/s320/3sheets.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450347894445686770" /></a><br />We all love Anthony Bordain and Samantha Brown, but for those of you bored with many of the travel programs out there where the hosts stay in the priciest of accommodations and then tend to complain about how difficult life is, we have the perfect show for you. <span style="font-style:italic;">Three Sheets</span> is hosted by comedian Zane Lamprey and follows him as he travels around the world learning the local drinking cultures. Yes, he is paid to travel and drink in the coolest places on Earth.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Three Sheets</span> is currently in its fourth season. We know we should have let you in on this treasure of a show sooner but all previous episodes can still be watched <a href="http://www.zanelamprey.com/projects/three_sheets">here</a>. The current season airs on the Fine Living Network, which can almost only be found on satellite or one of those extreme cable packages so watching it online or buying the DVDs seems to be the best option.<br /><br />The best part about the show is that it is interactive. Unlike most travel shows where you simply sit on the sofa and watch someone talk about the culture and drinking, Zane has made the show into a drinking game. In the first episode he assures the audience it is “not a drinking game, so keep that in mind. That being said, if it were a drinking game, the rules would go something like this: When I drink, you drink. The first person to see a monkey <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOWpTFLxEfiq5c4DrAvKVa-6s4TzBYZj9-2r-4AdjAb3dR_o1pl1Qzvc8qGUWjL_USLEMZSqlGLn0WzCYKeMmJlmjeFwGD5fT0FOXCuGprlYV2YXWuYppiVkRk6-xsZJnIhtpLfnJK24/s1600-h/,D-X-162501-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOWpTFLxEfiq5c4DrAvKVa-6s4TzBYZj9-2r-4AdjAb3dR_o1pl1Qzvc8qGUWjL_USLEMZSqlGLn0WzCYKeMmJlmjeFwGD5fT0FOXCuGprlYV2YXWuYppiVkRk6-xsZJnIhtpLfnJK24/s200/,D-X-162501-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450348286821139234" /></a>like this one gets to make someone else drink. And when I talk about a friend of mine, it’s a social.” Then Zane immediately takes a huge swig of beer for the audience’s first participation in the game. A few more rules are added in later seasons and it’s always fun to make your own as you go along.<br /><br />Zane doesn’t only drink; if he did, the show may get a little too sloppy. Instead, he gives you some history, fun facts about the local culture and details about how the local brews are made, many times helping out in the process. He also visits local bars (of course) and restaurants, and on each trip he tries out the local hangover remedy like bathing in beer in Prague, eating sausage and pretzels in Munich or just some traditional "hair of the dog" remedies in many cities.<br /><br />A few of the countries Zane visits are Mexico, Wales, Ireland, France, Belgium, Belize, Jamaica, Philippines, South Korea, Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Venice, Taipei, Costa Rica, Croatia, Puerto Rico, Japan... and even Scott's home state of Kentucky for some bourbon... and streaking!<br /><br />Zane is also hitting the road for his "<a href="http://www.zanelamprey.com/blog/">DRINKING MADE EASY</a>" comedy tour stopping in about 40 cities across the country (including Hawaii). And if that isn’t enough Zane for you, he’s got a new book out; "<a href="https://missinginkshop.com/zanelamprey/store/pre-order-three-sheets-drinking-made-easy">THREE SHEETS: 6 CONTINENTS, 15 COUNTRIES, 190 DRINKS AND 1 MEAN HANGOVER</a>" (published by Random House)! And, as you can imagine, it's a drink-along book. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZy5jdWIkTgr-cxwb0xhxl9pwrl5fgKyrGP6yM-gnfyQHQeSf2rEf84BoP0FglpjXIJbidqtzrrMs723r1K3OZKTgSFSOPW5dKTaiam8uR7TMYW2Dqiam4Kn23pHfNqToak7m-MuKVs8/s1600-h/three_sheets_header.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZy5jdWIkTgr-cxwb0xhxl9pwrl5fgKyrGP6yM-gnfyQHQeSf2rEf84BoP0FglpjXIJbidqtzrrMs723r1K3OZKTgSFSOPW5dKTaiam8uR7TMYW2Dqiam4Kn23pHfNqToak7m-MuKVs8/s320/three_sheets_header.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450348988967802594" /></a>Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-14705334023888265282010-03-14T14:54:00.000-07:002010-03-28T08:09:18.675-07:00Hometown Series: Louisville, KentuckyWe would like to start a new Hometown Series to give our Red Wine followers the opportunity to give some advice about the town you grew up in or where you currently live. The travelers you meet along the way and have experienced a destination or lived there for years always give the best travel advice. You’ll find restaurants, galleries, shops, clubs, bars and parks that are not even given the time of day in mainstream travel books. <br /><br />Scott is going to start off the Hometown Series by telling you the best places in his hometown of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky">Louisville, Kentucky</a>. <br /><br />For anyone not familiar with Kentucky, Louisville is on the Ohio River and borders Indiana. It’s known as the Bluegrass State and Kentucky Fried Chicken really is from this great state, along with Papa John’s Pizza, the Kentucky Derby, Abraham Lincoln, bourbon and nine NCAA basketball championships.<br /><a name='more'></a><br />The most unique part of Louisville is an area of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Highlands_%28Louisville%29">Bardstown Road</a> in the Highlands which is filled with great independent restaurants, music shops, art stores, bars and eclectic vintage clothing boutiques. The stretch is about three miles long and very walkable, but there is a great bus system called TARC (Transit Authority of River City) that runs throughout the city and provides an easy method to get from Bardstown Road to the downtown area.<br /><br />For restaurants to check out in this area, I’d recommend <a href="http://www.wickspizza.com/flash.htm">Wick’s</a> or <a href="http://bearnos.mealamigo.com/legacysite/index.php?action=location">Bearno’s</a> for pizza. Both are great and very different. Bearno’s cuts their pizza into squares on a thin crust and has amazing sausage, while Wick’s huge pizza has a ridiculously thick crust and a locale with more of a bar atmosphere.<br /><br />For a really strange and delicious sit-down meal, <a href="http://www.lynnsparadisecafe.com">Lynn’s Paradise Café</a> is the place to spend some time. Mannequin legs protrude from the walls, table lamps hang upside down above booths, 1950's style tables are littered with mismatched chairs... and that’s after you’ve been outside in the massive teepee-shaped waiting room/shop that sits next to a giant coffee cup and brightly painted cows. The food is delicious, but slightly overpriced due to the distinct atmosphere. If nothing else, look around the equally zany gift shop that has items you could pour over for days and find numerous photo opportunities outside with painted cutouts to pop you face through.<br /><br />If you’re in the mood for a pint, Molly Malone’s Irish pub has a great outdoor beer garden, plenty of good beer and Irish music.<br /><br />Downtown Louisville is small enough to walk around easily and very safe, even at night. <a href="http://www.4thstlive.com/index.cfm">4th Street</a> is the best place to find a club with a mixture of music venues from country, rock and contemporary dance music. There’s even an upscale, modernized bowling alley that is unlike any other I have ever seen. Just be aware that all these clubs and fun spots aren’t cheap.<br /><br />During the day, check out The <a href="http://www.sluggermuseum.org/">Louisville Slugger factory</a>, the <a href="http://www.alicenter.org/Pages/default.aspx">Muhammad Ali Museum</a>, the <a href="http://www.21chotel.com/hotel/default.aspx">Museum Hotel</a> which is an art gallery and a place to stay for a few nights. My favorite part is the two-way mirror in the men’s bathroom that is above the urinals and allows those doing their business to look out into the lobby. <a href="http://www.belleoflouisville.org/">The Belle of Louisville</a>, a 100-year old paddle wheel steam boat is docked on the river next to a very nice riverfront park which is a good place for a picnic. A short walk down the river is the <a href="http://www.louisvilleextremepark.org/">Louisville Skate Park</a> which is one of the nicest in the country and a great place to watch some extreme action if you’re not into falling off a skateboard yourself. It has 40,000 square feet of outdoor concrete skating surface including a full pipe, wooden vert ramp and restrooms.<br /><br />If you’re into theatre, check out <a href="http://www.actorstheatre.org">Actor’s Theatre</a> which has a mix of contemporary and classic plays and a new play festival in early spring.<br /><br />The best time of year for Louisville is during the <a href="http://kdf.org/">Kentucky Derby Festival</a>, which runs for two weeks up to The Kentucky Derby, the first Saturday in May. The festival is kick-started by Thunder Over Louisville, America’s largest annual fireworks display utilizing multiple barges, a bridge that crosses the river creating a waterfall of fire and sparks and many howitzers of the Kentucky National Guard. Every day during these two weeks is a celebration with events including a mini-marathon, art fairs, car shows, food cook-offs, balloon, steamboat and bed races and an event called The Run for the Rosé – a race where local waiters and waitresses run an obstacle course carrying a tray of full wine glasses - all leading up to the Kentucky Derby. If you can’t go to the Derby, <a href="http://www.churchilldowns.com/">Churchill Downs</a> is open for horse racing most of the year, and a newly renovated museum opens in April. <br /><br />This city of roughly 700,000 is packed with history, tradition, culture, music, entertainment and shouldn’t be missed on any road trip.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6_fj4PYCRiPvHaNHFbin-kSrp4AkK63HqlM9eZ4MrzmMLw939KVFQAuldO73YnWYwSu6MzRlL8VPYt_POhYZKFCfYy12dEuNwR3wvQps3nrrReVBQDC63kKiiCaAdRMUf7O2tLYWGAg/s1600-h/Louisville_pronunciationguide.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6_fj4PYCRiPvHaNHFbin-kSrp4AkK63HqlM9eZ4MrzmMLw939KVFQAuldO73YnWYwSu6MzRlL8VPYt_POhYZKFCfYy12dEuNwR3wvQps3nrrReVBQDC63kKiiCaAdRMUf7O2tLYWGAg/s320/Louisville_pronunciationguide.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448615231574019074" /></a><br /><br />Now it’s your turn to be a travel writer; type a short article about your hometown and what shouldn’t be missed during a few days in your city, town or village and send it to redwinehelpsyousleepontrains@yahoo.com.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-19198709164624279662010-03-07T10:30:00.000-08:002010-03-28T07:55:53.475-07:00Traveling by Train in Italy with TrenitaliaOne of our followers is about to embark on a trip to Italy and came up with a very interesting question we thought some of you may also come across.<br /><br />The question: "Ry and I are leaving for Italy in five weeks and are so pumped. I think we have everything figured out, but I am a little confused about the train. Have you guys used Trenitalia? If so, did you use the Trenitalia pass? It obviously seems like the best option for the amount of traveling we are doing, but I don't know much about it. I think the thing I'm most concerned about is getting from Rome to Milan to make a flight early in the morning. Do you think it's safe to buy a train ticket there, or purchase it ahead of time?<br /><br />The answer: For the Trenitalia pass, are you using Eurail or RailEurope? These two are pretty much equally priced and seem like the best deal. We have used Eurail twice and loved it. We had an unlimited pass, but the one where you purchase a certain amount of days would also be good.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />A little tip on the pass where you have a certain number of travel days: Use your days for long distances and maybe just buy a separate ticket for a day trip. For instance, if you’re spending five days in Florence but on one of them you want to go to a small town about 30 minutes away that has a ton of wineries, buy that ticket because it should only be about $10-20 per person and then use the travel days for the two-hour trip from Rome to Florence that would cost a lot more on its own. Or if you go to Cinque Terre (one of our favorite places on the coast), there are five towns connected by train and it's only a few Euro to buy a day pass between the five instead of using up a day of your Eurail pass. I wouldn’t get carried away with this, but it might save some money by buying a pass with a few less days if you need to.<br /><br />As for the train from Rome to Milan and an early morning flight that you mentioned: How early is early? I saw on the Rail Europe Web site that the train takes three and a half hours.<br /><br />The Malpensa Express departs from Terminal 1 for Milan's Cadorna Rail Station every 30 minutes. It also stops at Milan Bovisa and Saronno stations. First train departs Malpensa at 06.45, the last train departs 21.45. Journey time is around 40 minutes. <br />• Fare: EUR 9.00 one-way. Same day return is EUR 12.00, open return EUR 14.50. <br />The Malpensa Express information line is 02 20222. <br />There are also rail links from Malpensa airport to Milan Central and Milan Garibaldi Stations via Gallarate. A local shuttle bus connects the airport with Gallarate Rail Station every hour. <br />• Shuttle bus fare: From Terminal 1 EUR 1.30, Terminal 2 EUR 1.05. <br />To Milan Central trains depart Gallarate from 05.54 until 23.24. <br />To Milan Garibaldi trains depart Gallarate from 05.30 until 23.00. <br />The State Rail Information number is 848 880. <br /><br />So add another 40 minutes to your travel time, plus the normal two hours you "should" arrive before takeoff. That means you should be leaving Rome six hours and 10 minutes before your flight leaves; even a noon flight means you’re leaving Rome before 6 a.m.<br /><br />Our advice (and we’ve done it many times before) is to get to Milan the night before and sleep in the airport. (Make sure it is open 24 hours before doing so.) Every airport has canceled flights or people waiting for family to arrive so it isn’t odd for people to be there at all hours. Take ear plugs and an eye mask and be prepared for a bad night’s rest, but you won’t miss your flight. <a href="http://www.sleepinginairports.net">www.sleepinginairports.net<br /></a><br />If you’re going the night before, I would probably use my rail pass because you’ve given yourself extra hours to spare if something were to happen. If you’re going in the morning, I’d buy that ticket ahead of time so it doesn’t sell out, especially if it is during rush hour times or near the weekend.<br /><br />For a video that shows the inside of one Trenitalia train check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ3mLwQ-1DU">this video</a>, but remember that all trains are different.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOlbiaY5sBOs5efJheHQqdmD-_iJCS_dF_gkxWwJz0XqbidbEyOCy0rmMG1qNkIVRVweeYYukZe97dvNn1qL30pa4_w2CNc51iTxvseQd6msUWCPLubtfZkD558l0nK7dtM9NjncTfPo/s1600-h/IMG_9158.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOlbiaY5sBOs5efJheHQqdmD-_iJCS_dF_gkxWwJz0XqbidbEyOCy0rmMG1qNkIVRVweeYYukZe97dvNn1qL30pa4_w2CNc51iTxvseQd6msUWCPLubtfZkD558l0nK7dtM9NjncTfPo/s200/IMG_9158.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445970575353528674" /></a> <br /><br /><br />A Trenitalia train. Graffiti in, on, or around trains in most countries is very common.Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6927875188625112171.post-26787834762999558752010-03-03T13:03:00.000-08:002010-03-28T07:47:30.549-07:00How To Plan for a Long Backpacking JourneyWe recently received another great question from a reader that we want to address for our general readership.<br /><br />The question: "Hi, my buddy and I are about to embark on a 3-4 month backpack of Europe. We would like to travel by train but don't know which pass to buy. Any suggestions??"<br /><br />The answer: Eurail has a three-month pass you could look into. Make sure to look at the “saver” prices if you are older than 25 and you and your buddy always plan to be together. With the saver, if two or more people purchase the pass together, you can save about 15 percent of the cost.<br /><br />The best thing to do in your situation is to go to countries that don’t use the rail pass during the beginning and end of your journey. For instance, lets say you decide to do a four-month trip. Buy the three-month pass (it is only $254 more than the two-month) and fly to England first since the Eurail pass does not cover the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). Travel around for two or three weeks and see London, Bath, Stonehenge, Glastonbury festival, Edinburgh, The Loch Ness Monster, Newcastle and catch a rugby match or two. Then fly (check out the great deals at <a href="http://www.ryanair.com">www.ryanair.com</a>) to Barcelona or any other city you might like to spend a few days in. (Sidenote: Flight on Ryanair from London to Barcelona on April 22 is $46 per person one way, which includes one checked bag.)<br /><br />After you are finished with that town and you’re ready to move on, take the train to the next destination and get the rail pass validated. You have now been traveling for nearly three weeks and the pass has just started the three-month run. Then at the end of your journey, end up near an area that is not on the pass or in a city you’d like to relax and spend a week in. Now you have been traveling for four months and only needed to buy the three-month pass. <br /><br />We did the math on purchasing a one-month global pass and then buying a 10-day, three-country pass, but it works out better to just buy the three-month pass if you’re going to be there for that long. <br /><br />For travel in Great Britain, look into buying a young person's railcard, which saves about one third off each train ticket and also look into <a href="http://www.megabus.com">www.megabus.com</a>. Riding a bus sucks, but it can be about $3-5 from one city to the next.<br /><br />For more information on rail cards, visit <a href="http://www.redwinehelpsyousleepontrains.com/2009/11/travel-in-uk-young-persons-railcard.html">http://www.redwinehelpsyousleepontrains.com/2009/11/travel-in-uk-young-persons-railcard.html</a>Scott Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02460270113905686634noreply@blogger.com0