Vacationing in Europe

86 911 · 86 911's Garage

I have not been on PP OT for a long time now and thought it was about time to log on. haha. Anyway, earlier this year, my friend Patrick and I made plans to go to Europe this summer. We were going to go to Germany and Poland for one month. Patrick speaks fluent German and he knows people that we could stay with while we were in Germany and I speak Polish and I have my family to stay with while we are in Poland.

Yesterday I learn that Patrick's parents won't let him go to Europe no matter what. We are both 18 and have been planning this for a while. With Partick now out of the trip, I am going alone. I only know my family in Poland but I still want to go around and visit other countries in Europe. I was thinking about still going to Germany, visiting Croatia, the Czech republic, possibly Amsterdam, and anywhere else that isn't flooded with tourists and is somewhat safe. My grandmother wants to take me to see Russia for a few days so I will probably take her up on that. My ideal vacation spots are areas that I can go clubbing at night and go sightseeing and visiting historic landmarks by day. I'm thinking of staying in hostels while I'm seeing different countries.
Where would you suggest I go? Any tips? I want something with an Ibiza-like party atmosphere yet rich in culture and hstory. Also, when and where (websites) would you suggest I get my airfares from?
TIA!

EDIT: I will be in Europe from July 15th till the end of August so I will have lots of time to spend.

slodave · slodave's Garage

If you get to Switzerland, go to Interlaken. Great place to meet young people, great hiking as well. Have fun, take a photocopy of your passport (main page) and keep it separate from your passport. This will make things easier if you loose your passport. Use your ATM to get cash. This way you can possible get better exchange rates as they change. If you take travelers checks, split them up. Don't keep all of them in your wallet. Watch your back for pickpockets.

Don't worry, the girls in the Red Light District in Amsterdam are clean. They have to get tested regularly

Dave

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Great - go and enjoy yourself! Suggest spending some time on the New York Times website on what's trendy.

Berlin is definitely a hot spot. Take a short trip over to Dublin on EasyJet and enjoy pub culture and an Irish lass. Barcelona baby! And Eastern European girls.

Oh, to be 18....

86 911 · 86 911's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by slodave

Don't worry, the girls in the Red Light District in Amsterdam are clean. They have to get tested regularly

Dave

Don, you mention Barcelona. I took 4 years of Spanish and can speak it ok. Tell me more.

BRPORSCHE · 06-20-2007, 09:08 PM

very envious matt! How did the job at the shop turn out?

86 911 · 86 911's Garage

It turned out well. I just quit there June 5th after working since September. I got about $3K saved up from working there so it wasn't bad at all. How did the 911 turn out? Tom, you can come with me to Europe if you want... just make sure your liver is in good shape!

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Here's an article in the NYT on Low Cost Travel in Europe

For airfare across the pond, Expedia is as good as any.

Joeaksa · 06-21-2007, 03:50 AM

If you want party, try Gran Canaries. They are the Spanish islands off of the coast of Africa. Yes its a bit of a flight but the low cost airlines go there cheaply and all the kids fly there to get away from the parents and PARTY!

Berlin is wonderful, Budapest and Kopenhagen is as well. The new hot spot is Talin in Estonia, lots of very nice ladies there. Russia has a lot of very beautiful women who know how to make a man feel... well, much better than most Western women make them feel.

I did Europe in 1969 for the first time and much of the time was alone. Was 16 years old and stayed in Youth Hostels. Very reasonable way to travel and might look into it.

Jim Richards · 06-21-2007, 05:04 AM

I wouldn't visit Europe without stopping in Paris. Seemingly, Paris subways = pickpockets, so be careful there. It's still a great city and I wouldn't hesitate to spend time there, if I was you.

Have a wonderful vacation!

jriera · 06-21-2007, 06:35 AM

OK, do all the things people tell you and THEN reserve a week (or a month or a year) and go to Mallorca and Ibiza (islands off the coast of Barcelona), chances are that you are not coming back ....

Jim Richards · 06-21-2007, 06:45 AM

LOL! That's an excellent suggestion, Jordi!

86 911 · 86 911's Garage

Okay, I've come up with a more finalized list of cities after researching each on the web.
1) Paris. It looks like a very nice city and english speaking bike tours look like they will be fun. I'm sure the nighlife isn't bad either.
2)Mallorca. After looking at photos, the beaches look awesome, hiking through the hills looks like fun too and I'm sure clubbing is the best you can find. Plus it's an island!!!
3)Amsterdam. It's a must. Let's see... red light.. coffee shops... rich history/culture. you get the picture. Plus, dad lived there in the sixties so he's cool with me going.
4)Munich. It's a Bavarian city that looks like fun to explore, and I hear bavarian food is excellent.

Dublin, Tallinn, Copenhagen, and Budapest are all great suggestions and I want to go although I only have sixteen days to travel before I am staying in Poland, so I think Mallorca, Paris, Munich, and Amsterdam offer a good variety.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Dumb question and sorry if this comes off the wrong way, but how the hell are you driving a BMW M3 cabriolet at age 18?

AND a 911?

Is there a line of work I need to be switching into or something?

jriera · 06-21-2007, 02:56 PM

If you think that Mallorca looks awesome, look closer to Ibiza (i.e. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187460-s402/Ibiza:Spain:Nightlife.html)

Good old days .... Pacha, Ka, Paradis, ...

Mallorca while still a party town is mostly a party town for drunken Brits and Germans (no disrespect intended) who get drunk already on the way from Manchester until they get on the plane on the way back.

Quote:

Originally posted by 86 911
Okay, I've come up with a more finalized list of cities after researching each on the web.
1) Paris. It looks like a very nice city and english speaking bike tours look like they will be fun. I'm sure the nighlife isn't bad either.
2)Mallorca. After looking at photos, the beaches look awesome, hiking through the hills looks like fun too and I'm sure clubbing is the best you can find. Plus it's an island!!!
3)Amsterdam. It's a must. Let's see... red light.. coffee shops... rich history/culture. you get the picture. Plus, dad lived there in the sixties so he's cool with me going.
4)Munich. It's a Bavarian city that looks like fun to explore, and I hear bavarian food is excellent.

Dublin, Tallinn, Copenhagen, and Budapest are all great suggestions and I want to go although I only have sixteen days to travel before I am staying in Poland, so I think Mallorca, Paris, Munich, and Amsterdam offer a good variety.