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Published: June 22nd 2009
First and foremost, welcome to our travel blog. We wanted to share our travels with all our families and friends. So please make sure to keep in touch and give us lots of suggestions on things we absolutely can't miss.
Trip Prep
So we have been planning for several months now. We have our plane tickets (West Palm Beach, FL to Madrid, Spain then Amsterdam to West Palm Beach), Eurorail passes (21 days unlimited travel within Europe) and most of our hostel stays booked. Now we are just trying to figure what we really need to pack. Everything has felt so unreal up to this point. It seems like it was only a few months ago that Mitch and I were joking around about going to Europe. Now we are only about a week and a half away.
Master Plan
So it took alot of reworking to get to this point. We started with a alot of places in mind. First the plan was to start in Spain and then circle Europe, stopping in Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, Amsterdam, Brussels, England and France. Of course all of this wouldn't really fit into a month, so we shortened it down to the following itinerary.
Madrid Spain to stay with a freind.
Pamplona Spain to participate in the running of the bulls.
Barcelona Spain for some sight seeing and nude beaches.
Cinque Terre Italy for some hiking, incredible views and amazing pesto.
Rome Italy to catch up with our main man the Pope and game it up in the Colosseum.
Munich Germany for ridiculous amounts of beer and pretzels and drunken bicycling.
Prague Czech Republic to take the walk of kings and live it up in the closest thing to eastern Europe that we will get.
Berlin Germany to get us a chunk of the wall and hang out with some friends.
Essen/Leverkusen Germany to hang with some more friends and family.
Brussels Belgium for what else, beer and waffles.
Finally we end it all in Amsterdam to check out M.C. Escher's house and Anna Frank's.
So that's it for now, hope to read all of your comment and keep in touch throughout the trip.
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Rachel O.
non-member comment
Things You Should Know
Hey, just wanted to share some things I wish I would've known before hopping the pond: First, your Eurail passes probably only cover the base fare for a train. If you have to take a high-speed train, you'll have to pay extra. Second, in the Cinque Terre, hike North to South. Most people do the other way around. Trust me, you'll be better going North to South. Second, if you see a path labeled "Guvano Beach" or "Spiaggia Guvano" or whatever, DONT go down the path. It's a death trap. If you're dead-set on going to the beach, pay the 5 euros to use the tunnel. It'll take you to the nude beach, but you should be able to walk past it and get to the non-nude section...or carpe diem and enjoy the beach in the buff. Third, are you staying at the hostel in Biassa (Ostello Tramonti)??? If so, and if possible, check out the pizza shop in town for lunch or dinner. Their pizza napolitana is amazing (yes, it's anchovies but don't knock it til you try it!). Fourth, Rome. Where are you staying? And please watch out for pickpockets!!! They frequent the bus lines, especially the ones between the city and the Plus Camping Hostel. They often work in groups. Also, if you have time, climb up the Aventine Hill (l'Aventino). It looks like there's nothing there, but at the top of the hill is a little square. There's a big white wall with a locked gate that borders the garden of some monastery. There is a keyhole in the gate. Look through it. It's worth it. Finally, have an amazing trip! Oh, and take lots of photos, so those of us stateside can live vicariously :)