Kaiserslautern, Germany
After much research and countless hours spent wading through plethora of various Eurail pass combinations I finally ordered the transportation for my journey. In about a week I will receive 1 Eurail pass valid for one month of unlimited travel in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Luxembourg, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. To accent the pass and allow me to visit Prague and Auschwitz I also ordered the European East pass allowing five days of travel in a one-month period in Austria, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.
The passes include first class trains as well as ferry transport where required along with other bonuses on lodging, rentals, etc. I have also renewed my Hostels of Europe membership for discount hostel prices. I’m slowly getting together my pack and contents as well as pouring over guidebooks and internet sites so I have a good feel for things I might like to see and do.
My intended route is to leave Kaiserslautern and head up the Rhine (riverboat cruises are covered by the Eurail pass). Then I’ll hop a train to Amsterdam and spend a few days indulging in the nightlife of the city before branching out to explore the rest of Holland. From there I’ll probably head south to Paris and then to Barcelona for some sand and surf. Bidding farewell to the seafood and sands of Spain I’ll move across to Italy to savor some true Italian cuisine and explore what’s left of Ancient Rome.
After I have my fill of Italy I’ll hop a Ferry to Greece for a few days before taking another ferry to Venice.
By then the validity of my Eurail pass should be dwindling as I make my way to Austria where my European East pass will take me into the fabulous architecture of Prague. I have made a firm decision to see the concentration camp in Poland and will most probably make a day-trip from Prague to accomplish it. At that point, my time will be about up and I will make my way to Munich where I can cheaply purchase a ticket back home.
I’ve thought out the route and have a basic plan. But I have no strong desire nor am I going to make any requirements of myself whatsoever to stick to that or any other route. There are a few things I most definitely want to see and do… Notre Dame, Auschwitz, Prague, Dinner in Italy (specifically in Bologna), The Van Gogh House in Amsterdam, seals in Texel if I can work it in and to walk in Socrates’ footsteps in Athens would be nice.
But this is to be a true Kerouacesque endeavor whereupon the journey, not the path, dictates the destination.
The passes include first class trains as well as ferry transport where required along with other bonuses on lodging, rentals, etc. I have also renewed my Hostels of Europe membership for discount hostel prices. I’m slowly getting together my pack and contents as well as pouring over guidebooks and internet sites so I have a good feel for things I might like to see and do.
My intended route is to leave Kaiserslautern and head up the Rhine (riverboat cruises are covered by the Eurail pass). Then I’ll hop a train to Amsterdam and spend a few days indulging in the nightlife of the city before branching out to explore the rest of Holland. From there I’ll probably head south to Paris and then to Barcelona for some sand and surf. Bidding farewell to the seafood and sands of Spain I’ll move across to Italy to savor some true Italian cuisine and explore what’s left of Ancient Rome.
After I have my fill of Italy I’ll hop a Ferry to Greece for a few days before taking another ferry to Venice.
By then the validity of my Eurail pass should be dwindling as I make my way to Austria where my European East pass will take me into the fabulous architecture of Prague. I have made a firm decision to see the concentration camp in Poland and will most probably make a day-trip from Prague to accomplish it. At that point, my time will be about up and I will make my way to Munich where I can cheaply purchase a ticket back home.
I’ve thought out the route and have a basic plan. But I have no strong desire nor am I going to make any requirements of myself whatsoever to stick to that or any other route. There are a few things I most definitely want to see and do… Notre Dame, Auschwitz, Prague, Dinner in Italy (specifically in Bologna), The Van Gogh House in Amsterdam, seals in Texel if I can work it in and to walk in Socrates’ footsteps in Athens would be nice.
But this is to be a true Kerouacesque endeavor whereupon the journey, not the path, dictates the destination.
posted by zzeyore at
12:55
