----- Original Message ----- From: "Alex Harford" Subject: Re: [OT]: Travelling to Europe > First of all, y'all are assuming that I'm American. :) Think further north. :P OK, so you're a NORTH American > from Malaga to Lisbon to get an idea of the scenery. This is all a > bit different from travelling in Canada, where taking a car from > Vancouver to Kelowna (~400km) is an easy day trip. I wouldn't write off the idea of a car. Although Europeans rarely travel great distances by car, the roads are good through most of Europe, and except in a few cities, driving really isn't that much of a chore. The main thing is the price of gas. Also, the cost of a one-way rental can be kind of breathtaking. But there is a lot to be said for renting a car. Parking isn't like it is on this side of the pond, however. In most cities, you are doing well if you can park with 10 or 20 blocks of where you want to be. The good news is that the walk will be interesting and enjoyable. If you are the high-strung type, however, I would avoid driving through the center of Paris or Milan. Driving directions are something else, however. On this side of the pond we say to get on the 410 east, in Europe they say to go in the direction of Strasborg. You need to carry a map of Europe around in your head. A few comments about hotels. It rarely seems to be a problem to find a hotel when you are ready to stop. Also, check ahead on specific cities. In some cities in Europe, a hotel reservation means nothing. All it does is delay you from looking for a room while you fight with the place you thought you were going to stay. Doesn't seem to matter whether it's a big chain or a small hotel, either. It seems to be a characteristic of the city. It is customary in Europe to ask to see the room before you accept it. I have noticed that in some places, the longer you examine the room the cheaper it gets. Be open minded! There is a lot of difference between Europe and BC. If you go with the wrong attitude, those differences are a problem. With the right point of view, they are part of the fun. --McD -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.