Conference turris::scandia

394.0. "INTER RAIL European Holiday" by VANISH::HALL (Run that by me again) Fri May 18 1990 09:45

I thought I'd get some more response from the following note I placed in
HOLIDAY_TRAVEL (921) by posting it in conferences relating to the relevant
countries. Hopefully I won't get zapped!

================================================================================

	"N O o o O O o !" he cried as the twelfth chime rang out.
	--- No more would he qualify for an INTER RAIL pass! ---

I'm hoping to take at least one month off work this Summer and dash around
Europe for a 'holiday' on INTER RAIL. This depends on the conditions of my
contract renewal, (assuming I'm offered one!) due at the end of July.

What I was hoping to find by writing this note is anyone willing to put me up
for <a> night while I see the sights of Europe! Also useful would be a guide to
show me around their particular town/city. I don't expect to be offered a roof
over my head just like that. If you would like more details please mail me.

Due to my volatile position I haven't set any dates, planned a timetable or
even decided what is worth seeing but here is a list of the places I expect to
visit with other possibles bracketed:

Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm, (Helsinki), (Oslo), (Hamburg), Munich,
Salzburg, Vienna, Belgrade, Istanbul, Izmir, (Greek Islands), Athens, (Naples),
Rome, Florence, (Pisa), Venice, French Riviera, Madrid, (Tangiers), Lisbon,
Paris and back to England.

As you can see it will be a hectic schedule but it's my last chance to see
Europe before I'm too old to qualify for the pass, [ sob! 8^( ] so it's now or
never!

If you have any offers or suggestions of places to see, e.t.c. then please mail
me. 8^) Anyone done this kind of thing before? Any tips e.t.c?

Can you suggest any other conferences that may create more response?

Mail VANISH::HALL or VANILA::HALL

Thanks.
Stuart.

P.S. This note is posted in HOLIDAY_TRAVEL, HOLIDAY_RESIDENCE and other
     conferences relating to relevant countries.

I Eurrailed it around Germany and Scandinavia in January.  One thing you can do
is to plan 7-8 hour train rides at night and sleep in the trains.  I know this
works (because I did it) but you don't want to do this more than a few 
(3-4) nights in a row without a real rest in a bed somewhere.  

Also, the universal answer:  Youth Hostels


Good luck

Chad

ps:  I even went out of my way to get a longer ride Munich -- Hannover to
sleep.  I went N�rnberg -- M�nchen -- Hannover instead of just plain 
N�rnberg -- Hannover.  I mean, it doesn't cost any more :-)

Be careful about sleeping on the trains if you are planning on
sleeping in the normal compartments (ie. not paying extra for a
sleeping car berth). I travelled Europe by rail 8 years ago and 
found this possible only during the winter as there aren't many
passengers and one can have a whole compartment to oneself.
During the summer this is not possible due to overcrowding -
particularly in souther Europe. 

Also, not all countries have train compartments suitable to
sleeping in them. The best are in West Germany where the seats
can be pulled together to turn the compartment into one giant
mattress. The Danish compartments are very unsuitable as you
must sleep across the bench (I am 6'3") - it's sort of like
sleeping on the back seat of a medium sized American car. 


Good luck!