See Savvy Seniors for
up dates
Serbia Train Travel was a Night Mare!!! Do your
clients a favor and DO NOT sell them a Balkans Flex Pass!!
The trains in Serbia are absolutely awful!!! Dirty, poor or no service,
train cars are ram shackled, old, dirty and generally a disgrace. The so
called "1st Class" car smelled like urine and excrement --it is awful and
the toilets are some of the worst I have ever seen and I have about covered
the globe! The Train personnel are some of the worse yet---most cannot
communicate except in Serbian or Russian--are totally uncooperative, unconcerned,
unprofessional and have some of the worst attitudes I have seen outside the
Soviet Bloc. They have about 4-5 people doing the job of one person and are
lazy and worthless.
Our train yesterday was 6 1/2 hours late getting into Sofia---a trip
requiring only 8 hours total! There was a series of long delays, including
a very very long delay at the border. We arrived at 0010
am in the morning (scheduled 1835 pm) and the station was almost deserted,
was told it would close in 20 min!! We were very
lucky to have someone picking us up and our apartment is super with outstanding
support provided by SaraTours(
saratours@gmail.com) , our young
agent Yanita Tsenova is super and this outfit provides very reliable friendly,
personal service if you have anyone coming this way.
Some Canadian passengers lived a nightmare of a trip from Belgrade to
Skopje. They were also on a Balkans Flex Pass and were pulled from their
sleeper car (which they had paid for) at 0300 am and kept in a small guard
shack on the border for hours without food, water or any means of communicating
with anyone. No one spoke English and they were completely obstinate and
unprofessional. They finally got on a train going back into Serbia and joined
us on the way to Sofia. I have checked with the Macedonian
Embassy here and there is NO REQUIREMENT for either US or Canadians to have
a visa!
The so-called reservation that we were required to pay for from Budapest
(to Beograd ) is a joke! The 2nd class cars were modern and clean,
even had a hook up for my laptop-- and were about 25% occupied---the 1st
Class car where we have reservations was old coach type seats and had "1"
other passenger in the entire car!!!
None of this is your fault or your doing -- so please do not be upset. I
just felt you should be aware of what is going on here and the situation
in this area, so you can advise your clients.
Cheers, Johnny 22 September 2006
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Train
Travel Tips & Mis-adventures for Europe
Night
Trains & Discounts
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Sleeper Train Feedback Just some feedback
on the passes you sent me. We didn't have any problems using them. The sleeper
compartment was not quite what we expected. We got a private compartment,
but the speed of the train combined with the curves in the track made for
a very shaky night. Still nocomplaints.
I did take advantage of the seniors discount in England. After paying for
the seniors pass, with the trips we made we came out about 20% ahead.
Thanks for
your help. G B of Sumas, WA 5 July 06
Jeff here. Just thought I'd drop a line and let you know the train tickets
in Spain & Portugal worked fine and I'd recommend those Spanish trains
to anyone. They were great and very comfy. Also great food included in
the 1st class tickets. The double sleeper from Lisbon to Madrid was excellent.
The Portugese trains weren't that great but were on time to the minute as
were the Spanish ones. Unlike always late Amtrak. Thanks for your help. Jeff
of Oak Ridge, TN 10 July 05
I've been curious about something about those sleeper trains.
How do you know when it's time to wake up? I'd be afraid to
fall asleep for fear I may sleep past my stop. Janice of LA Ca 24
April 05
Fortuneately the attendant for your car will make sure
you get up and out when he returns your passports he collected when you checked
in. Also. Venice and when you return, Paris are the last stop of each
of these routes. Mele of TERC
Hi Mele, The train from Paris to
Madrid was fine. I remembered (to late) that I never asked you how
early to show up at the train station! We got there about 1 or 1 1/2
hr. early, so we were ok. Just wanted to say hi and let you know
that rail passes and reservations are going smoothly,
and we are having a great time so far! Liana of Northbrook, IL
4 July 04
Arrive at a train station about 20-30 minutes before
departure time so you have time to find your track, make sure the correct
train is there, and then check in with attendant. First travelers there
get the best luggage storeage if you are using a 4 or 6 person couchette
compartment. Mele
Train Reservations in Italy: <<We have arrived in Milano today
and had a question on the railpasses we purchased. We were told to make a
reservation to get to Firenze, but it cost an additional ¤22. Are we
required to purchase these reservations? I was under the impression that
the passes we purchased covered us for most of the travel we were to do.
We spent almost $500 on these passes, but if a ¤22 reservation will
be required each time, what did the $500 passes buy us?>>
Yes you are If the route requires a reservation.
But there are routes that do not require Seat reservations. You can ask for
these departure times.
The Italy Rail passes
cover the cost of point to point tickets AND do not cover reservation
fees if requried. In my 6 July email to you re Timetables, etc.
I did say "I am going to put the printed timetables into the US mail so you
can have them to take with you. Keep in mind ES or Eurostar Italia Trains
require an additional $19 per/person per/train seat reservation before you
can board. Time tables that say "Please reserve" mean it is not required
but suggested. " Did you get the timetables before you left???
<<Please help us out as we are leaving today, but obviously want
to be prepared if this will happen on our travels each day."
I no longer have your e-mail with your list of destinations
and dates of travel. Send me your destinations, dates of travel and desired
time of travel, I and will find routes for you that do not require seat
reservations. I will then e-mail timetables to you.
I'm sorry the possibility of making reservations was
not made clearer to you before you left. Unfortuneately Italian
train system has some of the most expensive reservation fees in Europe.
Be assured that your rail pass saved you money over purchasing point to
point tickets. Ms. Mele Fujiwara, Travel
Consultant e-mail: tercmele@aol.com
PS: Thank you so much for the information. We have figured out our
way around and avoided most fees. After we looked, we were definitely
happy about the deal you provided us. Thanks for your time in responding
and helping us out. Joseph Falcone 28 July 04
Just wanted to let you know to advise people that it really might NOT
be possible to schedule Spanish trains on the spot.
The train in Perpignan, France was easy to schedule on the spot -- though
we could not take our first choice--had to take a later milk run -- but the
train from Barcelona to Malaga was completely sold out for days and
the station in Barcelona required waits in 3 numbered queues taking almost
4 hours for general information, then information on that particular line,
then the purchase line where it was finally possible to establish that it
was impossible to take the train--
We went to the Europecar office in the station and changed our rental so
we drove 1000km to Malaga--which provided further adventures and worked just
fine--
We had a great trip overall and of course want to go back and spend more
time and know to BOOK some things sooner the next time! Karen of
Alaska 11 August 03
Booking Trains & couchettes in Europe via cyberspace The
train trip from Copenhagen to Paris was ALMOST uneventful. I found the schedule
online at DB website, then my cousin Ole
booked train and reservations by phone from the Danish equivalent of AAA
in Roenne, Bornholm. The whole trip cost me 1500 DKK (less than $200). The
couchette reservation was only 190 Kroner (about $20.00!). The only thing
that went wrong was when I boarded the last leg (the night train) in
Hamburg to go to Paris. The car/cabin I was booked into was jam-packed, and
I was in with 5 high school kids. Not only that, but I was in the
even less spacious top bunk. I tried to get to sleep, but without success.
SO I spoke to the conductor, and he moved me to a couchette which had only
1 other man in it, and that ended the problem. SO much for the "almost"
uneventful trip! Jim Swensen (from his
May 2000 Road Reports)
First Train Adventure:. Aside from getting on the wrong train at
Rotterdam, and having to change later to the Amsterdam train, it's been
relatively simple to get around. I had a happy accident on my train to Amsterdam.
The car I rode in was marked 1-No Smoking and 2-smoking (this is a double-decker
train) and I thought this meant what it said, but it turned out that 1
was first class - NOT 1st floor! Anyway, no one came by to check
my ticket, so it was not a problem. I guess this was my first first-class
upgrade..
Scandinavia Train Tip: Don't spend extra money for a FIRST CLASS
ScanRail pass unless you're willing to make reservations WELL in advance
(like a MINIMUM of 3 days). I have not been able to get a first-class seat
yet, they're always full. And I can't get on the night train to Stockholm
tonight, (it's full) so I have to leave tomorrow morning and waste a whole
day on the train. Jim Swensen (from his June '99 Road
Reports)
Sold on Training
My husband and I used trains exclusively
on our Europe adventure and loved it. We found every one very obliging. Roasting
in our sleeper car between Rome
and Paris, we told the conductor, and he turned the heat off—for the
whole car. We also learned that there is no difference between first class
& second class sleepers for two, except for price. We had the locked
compartment and never had any one added to our sleeper. From then on we reserved
second class sleepers and saved money. Mele, emphasize the idea of initiating
conversations with European companions in your train compartment. We
met so many interesting people this way. Europeans like to practice their
English if you start talking first. Valarie
Chinn—Kaimuki Budget Europe Student
Get to Chunnel Departure
Earlier The recommended 20
minute pre-boarding time for the Chunnel crossing was too short—you
could miss your train. I recommend people show up at least 40 minutes
before departure. Lines are long. We found there were two lines—one
for people checking luggage and one for us light packers with carry ons.
This line was shorter. Don't get alarmed by the seat numbers—it looked
like my husband and I weren't sitting together—numbering has skips—but
we were. Bring Food! Valarie Chinn—Kaimuki Budget Europe
Student
First vs Second Class: —next time we will
definitely get 1st class Europasses—They work great, but we will go
2nd class on the Chunnel. This trip we opted
for 1st Class Chunnel to Paris, thinking the meal would be almost worth the
extra. (They returned by 2nd class chunnel) It wasn't.
Just airline food (maybe a tad better) and service—not worth it."
From Reader's article:
A Five Week
Journey Marlene and
Martin Hall, Big Island of Hawaii.
For travelers who will be vagabonding by train, I recommend taking Thomas
Cook timetable. Some stations dosn't have English speaking train information
agents, or their hours may be limited and the information posted on the schedules
can be confusing, especially if you need to transfer trains. In my case,
I was going from Lake Como to Interlaken—The Eurail timetable had me
traveling in a round-about route via Zurich and Bern. An Australian, who
I met at the local hostel, whipped out his Thomas Cook and gave me instructions
for a more direct and scenic route via Lucerne. Robert Kaneshiro
of Honolulu
 "Toilet Training in
Europe" TERC Reader & Mele article
re. Toilets on Trains
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Scandinavia: Bornholm, Denmark: The new fast ferry
seems to be the local jinx. I was supposed to be on one of it's first
voyages today, but last week on a practice run they hit the dock too hard
in Rønne and put a hole in the side, so it went to the yards to be
fixed. So now it should go into service next Monday, if they don't break
it again! That will shorten the trip to Bornholm to about 3 hours. After
July 1st, (2000) the new Øresund bridge connecting Copenhagen to Malmo,
Sweden is supposed to open (it's finished now, but they want to have
a party....). This will mean you can take a train from Copenhagen's central
Station to Ystad, Sweden (about 1 1/2 hours) then the fast ferry to Rønne,
about another 1 1/4 hours. Jim Swensen
kermit@lava.net
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Found a cheap flight to london! finaly found a cheap flight to
london from NYC for January for $350.00 round from
http://www.imandi.com/ The site hooks
you up with agents who bid on your sale. I got five offers and this was the
best. You may want to check it out! ellie
04-Nov-1999
Plane Ticket Tips
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Any discounted ticket has restirctions. Be sure you understand these before
you buy your ticket
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Study your ticket carefully. If anything is unclear, ask for an explanation.
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When overseas, reconfirm your return flight at least 3 days before departure.
If you don't the airline may cancel your reservation and resell your seat.
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Consider an "Open Jaw" ticket, which means flying into one city and returning
from another. This can be a great time and money saver!
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Keep your tickets in a money belt—under your clothing. Make 2 copies
of your tickets—leaving one with some at home and the other with your
traveling companion—or in your bag. Lost or stolen tickets are not easily
replaced and this may help ease the process of getting reticketed.
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Know the fare you paid, flight and ticket numbers, and travel dates.
Mele
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...add
RyanAir to your
airline links -- they have some great fares. I'm flying this May from Beauvais
(just north of Paris) to Dublin, and then from Dublin to Charleroi (just
south of Brussels) for a total cost of just $109! Their site is:
http://www.ryanair.com/
Gregory Wahl,
Monday 07-Feb-2000
Europebyair.com
Purchased 12 coupons for our family - everything
went exceedingly well. I figured we saved over $1500 easily. I would highly
recommend this product for people who want to "hopscotch" around Europe.
I don't think the train will be any less expensive. Leah
Monday, 01-Nov-1999
The whole Europe by Air thing went off
without a hitch. I was only able to confirm one the flights (from London
to Rome) ahead of time but there was no problem on any of them. The only
hitch is that the "airport taxes" can be pretty steep - the highest being
about 23 BP from Luton, as I recall. Marlee of Oahu 14 June 99
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We found our car a liability on this two-week
trip to Northern Italy. Parking was at a premium even in small
towns such as Menaggio and Bergamo. In Ravenna, only
residents were allowed to park in certain parts of town. Parking in
Milan is definitely a problem--we paid L42,000 per night to park in
a public lot next to the hotel. There is NO parking available on the streets
until after business hours. People here even park on the sidewalk.
We stayed in Rio Maggiore, Cinque Terra, and paid L15,000 per night
for parking and had to walk three blocks down a steep hill with our luggage
to our hotel. (That was the easy part. From there it was another block and
three flights of stairs to the room with easy access.) The areas we visited
were all lovely and we would definitely return but next time we would hook
up with a tour or take the train and backpacks. Carol Morrison
of Costa Mesa, Ca October 30, 2000
CHAMONIX, France to AOSTA, Italy: Aloha,
Bonjour Mele, It's very nice to hear from you.
We hope you & your daughter are doing well. From time to time, we get
some guests from Hawaii & they tell us how you're doing! We really
enjoy meeting you & your group , on your visit to Chamonix. Here
is the answers to your question.
The Tunnel is still closed The best way to get to Aosta is
to take the train from Chamonix to Aosta (Chamonix-Martigny-Aosta)
(You can also drive this route in about 2.5 hr.--search driving
route at:
http://www.shellgeostar.com)
Best regards A bientot 25 Aug, 2000
Laurence & Manu of Chalet-Beauregard, Chamonix
Mont-Blanc, France
www.chalet-beauregard.com
reservation@chalet-beauregard.com
tel/fax 04 50 55 86 30
UK Driving Tip: Go to a convenience store after
picking up your British Car and buy a red and white "Learner's" Sign. It
has a Big Red L on a white background. Put
it in your car window and watch the Brits give you a wide birth on their
highways. Charlene Towne of Oahu phoned in this great
driving tip.
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Amsterdam is CRAZY with bicycles. I can see why. We think we
have a traffic problem in Honolulu, but it pales by comparison. Instead of
road-hogs, Amsterdam has narrow streets with tram tracks and "bicycle lanes".
Of course, bicyclists only use them when it's convenient seeming to prefer
the walkways and pushing pedestrians around at random. Bicycles seldom stop
for traffic signals or other traffic (foot or vehicular) so one must be on
guard constantly. You'll get the finger from a cyclist if you get in his/her
way. Jim Swensen (from his June '99 Road Reports)
Italy Bike Tour worked out well altho I don't recommend
taking a 78 year old. Mom did well and the guides were very accomodating
but......... also, anyone considering such a thing should be reasonably
proficient on a bicycle and should spend some time doing at least a little
training/preparation. Ididn't and was sorry. The tour guides were very helpful
and very nice, the food was good, the lodgings were all acceptable or better.
The major disadvantage was the pretty fast pace which had us spending only
one nite in every place that we went. I'll give you their catalogue for future
reference. Bike tour web site:
http://www.frii.com/~explus/
Marlee 14 June '99
Cycling
Europe
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Copenhagen has their own "red bus". I used it and found it quite worthwhile
and informative. They have a website you can link to. It's
www.copenhagenpride.dk
Hope you find this useful, Jim Swensen 20 May 2000
In Copenhagen I used a Copenhagen card to get around on the
bus and to visit Rosenborg. It was also good for
attractions. Jim Swensen (from his June '99 Road Reports)
London: We got around London mainly by Tube. It was a great,
cheap mode of transportation, but it totally disoriented me. I had no idea
what part of London I was in. Larraine Sinclair
Rome: from the front lines of Catholicism see
Sarah's
signt seeing tips
Hi All, today we jumped on the metro to the Vatican - only to find
that we were on the wrong platform and when we had to go back out to get
to the other side, we invalidated the tickets we had just spent 5 euros on.
Dang. But now we're whizzes with the ticket machine ... so we go to the stop
for the Vatican Museums, get out, and find a Barack Obama-esque line that
goes on for blocks - and here we thought we were bright and early! - Sarah
G of Laramie, WY 18 March 2008
Get
Around Europe's Cities subway - bus - taxi
links to city public transportation in Europe
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