european vacations tips and bits

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If you can find a good deal into europe, flights in europe, if you can book ahead of time and travel light can be very economical! you can find accomadations throughout europe for what you would pay here in canada, the same goes for car rentals. You can even find some all Inclusive resorts in Spain! Some of the charter/tour companies are offering direct flights from canada into not only Germany, Holland and the UK, but also into Spain France, Greece and Italy, you can also book them with accomadations and cruises, and not only can you fly directly to one of these countries, you can actually return into canada from a different one that you have arrived at! Besides the charter, there are many direct flights into europe from canada, and the earlier that you can book generally the better the price will be. My now favorite airline is KLM that flies out of calgary direct into amsterdam, and onward to many europian cities, the inflight service is fantastic! They seem to do thier best to make sure that you experience is comfortable, with blankets, pillows and headsets to start you off! so while I get comfortable to watch one of the many movies available on my TV, my husband take the opportunity to play some video games and then went to learning phrases in spanish! They seem to always be coming around with thier snacks, meals and beverages.
Within europe we tend to find Ryanair and Air Berlin offering the best prices to where we would like to go, if you are using one of these carriers, they are very strict on luggage wieght so make sure that if you are packing more that they allow for a carry on, check a bag, as if you leave it until you arrive at the airport, the over wieght charges are not cheap, keep your plastic bag for your small liquid containers, as some airports will charge you for them, also make sure you have printed your boarding passes ( with ryanair), they also offer priority seating, but it seems that once you get to the tarmack, its a free for all, another thing - make sure that you use the washroom prior to boarding as I have heard that they are going to empliment the pay for pee. One of these days I would like to try the blind booking that is offered by German Wing, these are last minute product that they offer at a set price and you don't know where you will end up until after you have completed your booking, they fly out of certain cities in germany and they will offer a choice of Western Europe, Eastern, culture, party & beach flights! So if you have a little adventure in you, this might be a great way to see places thet you may not have thought about going to but for the prices that they are offering, why not!
Speaking earlier about washroom use, many european cities have washroom attendents, this is thier job, so you will be expected to pay to use the washroom! Some have a posted sign, some will just have a bowl for you to place your money into, and there are also some that are coin operated, you will find these all over, including restraunts, bars, rest areas, train stations even in macdonalds ( have yet to see them at an airport) so mack sure that you have change before excusing yourself to leave for the washroom! But for the most part - at least you will know that they are clean; the bathroom adventure can be very different depending on where you go - in some places in france, there is nothing but a hole in the floor, in amsterdam there are urinals that are in the middle of downtown, no doors just sheltered at the sides, and if you are visiting an island some have rules that you are not allowed to put any toilet paper into the toilet, this has to do with thier waste management, so I would advise you to stay away from public washrooms!
No matter where you plan on travelling, always read up on the country and thier customs - as you would not want to offend the people of the country that you are visiting! If anyone has any other tips to offer please post them - looking forward to hearing them!!!

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