European Vacation Ideas for
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Benelux and Beyond - Northern European Vacation Ideas for the Benelux Countries You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Benelux Countries > Benelux and Beyond - Northern European Vacation Ideas for the Benelux Countries Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Europe for Visitors Benelux and Beyond - Northern European Vacation Ideas for the Benelux Countries 5 Countries in 14 days? Why Not? If you have a short vacation and want to travel through the most varied cultural landscapes in a short time, why not consider Benilux--Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg--along with adjacent pieces of the bookend countries of France and Germany? Short distances and the availability of high speed rail connections mean that you won't spend all your time looking out a window on a moving landscape. Plus, Benelux rail 'n drive packages give you the flexibility to see it all by train and car. The Benelux countryside is flat and watery--you can bike or walk on tow paths along the many canals to observe calming rural vistas for hours. Benelux Countries - Benelux Rail Map Benelux Map © 2005 by James Martin, licensed to About Why Benelux? Benelux is compact. It's 123 miles between Brussels and Amsterdam, 184 miles between Paris and Brussels--and both of these destinations are served by high speed rail that'll speed you between Paris and Brussels in one hour and 25 minutes. Folks in Benelux countries are quite likely to speak English , since the local languages are confined to a relatively small goegraphic area. Benelux hospitality is legendary --you might want to consider a farm stay while you're there--especially if you have kids--to test the friendliness of the natives and get a feeling for what it's like (more below). Variety - and France and Germany are just across the border. Not only do you have three countries to visit, all within an hour or so travel time between each other, center to center, but France and Germany are easily visited as well. Lille, just across the border in France, was a European capital of Culture for 2004, and it's a major rail hub for high speed trains. Koln (Cologne) and its famous cathedral are also close, and the landscape around Trier--a colonial capital under Roman Emperor Augustus in 16 BC and Germany’s oldest city--is beautiful, and the city isa good starting point for trips into theMosel Valley and cruises on the scenic Mosel River, Germany’s mainwine-producing region--just in case you get tired of the almost infinite varietyof Beer styles you find in Belgium that is. Getting to the Benelux Countries You'll probably start your vacation from a large city. Major airports usually offer the best fares from the US, so you'll probably be starting from Paris, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam. If you find a good fare to London (or wish to add that city to your visit), you can take the Eurostar from London to either Paris or Lille, and continue your Benelux vacation from there. Getting Around the Benelux Countries While rail is highly recommended, and trains can get to most cities in the Benelux countries, you might want to also view a little of the countryside. Rail 'n Drive passes make this easy. Plan Your Benelux Adventure Transportation Rail Passes (Including Rail 'n Drive Passes) for Benelux, France and Germany. Thalys - High Speed Train Information - The thick blue line on the map is the Thalys route. Eurostar - All About the Eurostar - London to Lille, Paris, and Brussels. If your end point is Brussels, you'll get a free pass to any other stop in Belgium, just in case you wish to avoid Brussels altogether. Destinations in or Accessable from Benelux Lille, France Reims and the Champagne Region of France Belgium: Belgium Guide | Belgium Map | Belgium Pictures Netherlands: NetherlandsGuide | NetherlandsMap | Amsterdam Guide Luxembourg: Luxembourg Guide Cologne, Germany Dusseldorf Germany Frankfurt, Germany Trier, Germany Farm Stays in Belgium Many "farm" stays don't set you down in a real, working farm. I've found the Spreeuwenburg farm in a perfect location in the Belgian countryside not so far from the Netherlands border and nearby to the justly famous old smuggler house turned into a restaurant bar, Roste Muis. Read more: A Pleasant and Inexpensive Farm stay in Belgium . Benelux - The Final Word I hope you'll check out the Benelux countries. The major cities are interesting and chock full of art from old masters. Belgium cuisine is considered one of the best in Europe, and the beer is outstanding as well. Amsterdam is an amazing city, and if you want to visit a city that's mostly ignored by tourists, look into Antwerp, Belgium. Peter Paul Ruben's house makes an outstanding visit--and even Antwerp's main train station is worthy of the label "Railway Cathedral." From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Advertisement Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... 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Chicago tourism - Chicago vacation reviews - Chicago vacations - TripAdvisor Chicago vacations - Chicago tourism Sign in • Sign up Home > United States > Illinois > Chicago > Chicago Tourism Chicago tourism: Overview Hotels Flights Attractions Dining Deals Getaways Forums Maps, etc. Chicago itinerary | All Chicago reviews | Getaways from Chicago Search (e.g., Chicago hotels, Las Vegas, Paris art museum) Chicago Chicago Overview Chicago Itinerary All Chicago Reviews Chicago Getaways Chicago Hotels Flights to Chicago Chicago Deals Chicago Attractions Chicago Restaurants Chicago Forum Chicago Maps Chicago Discount Hotels Chicago Vacation Packages Free Newsletter Get deals, news and articles on Chicago Plus weekend trip ideas from your hometown e-mail this page to a friend Traveler Reviews Write a review . What was your experience with Chicago? Tell others what's hot and what's not. 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Disney World vacation packages: France travel Disney World vacation packages: France travel France travel - Disney World vacation packages: enter in the magic world of Disney: its amusement parks, its hotels, its golf and Disney Village ! To make the most of your vacation at Disney World France, book your hotel room in the magic. Disney World vacation packages: France travel France travel, Disney vacation packages, hotels, Disney World vacation packages, amusement parks, magic place, vacations, Disney World France, Disney Village, book hotel, golf Disney World vacation packages: France travel Every day's a party at Disneyland Park! France travel, Disney vacation packages, hotels, Disney World vacation packages, amusement parks, magic place, vacations, Disney World France, Disney Village, book hotel, golf Disney World vacation packages: France travel You'll be amazed and astonished by the fantastic shows and parades dreamt up for your entertainment. France travel Discover Disneyland Park, a place so magical that the whole family will remember it: France travel , Main Street, frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Discoveryland... France travel - Disney World vacation packages: enter in the magic world of Disney: its amusement parks, its hotels, its golf and Disney Village ! To make the most of your vacation at Disney World France, book your hotel room in the magic. Disney vacation packages Park Entrance Tickets allow unlimited, free access to attractions, shows and parades, Disney vacation packages ... Park maps for each Park contain information on the attractions and event times and are given to you upon arrival. Enter into the kingdom of shows and magic and discover a world full of emotion, fun and laughter. Disney World vacation Plan for your stay at Disneyland Resort Paris and start enjoying yourself as soon as you arrive! Useful advice and information to help you plan your holiday: Disney World vacation . - Hotels in the Magic - Hotels near the Magic If you have bought a Direct Eurostar package, you will go straight to the Disney Theme Parks. Consult our website our the sitemap .
European Vacation - 12
Saving Money on your European Vacation - 12 Frugal Vacation Tips You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Europe Travel Planning > Saving Money on your European Vacation - 12 Frugal Vacation Tips Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Europe for Visitors Cheap Picnic Food - The Market at Pontremoli, Italy. James Martin Stay up to date! Cheap Picnic Food - The Market at Pontremoli, Italy. James Martin Email to a friend Print this page European Vacation Cost Your European Vacation: What Will it Cost? How I Travel in Europe Save on Transportation: Rent a Turbo Diesel European Transportation Renting or Leasing? Car or Train? Rail Travel in Europe. What's it cost? European Lodging Secrets of Cheap and Charming Hotels Hotels and their Star Ratings Self-Catering: Renting Houses and Apartments Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors Saving Money on your European Vacation - 12 Frugal Vacation Tips From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! A Dozen Ways to Save without Sacrifice Europe on $5 a day was great while it lasted. But in those days we sacrificed lots--sleeping in train cars and in train stations and staying at fleabag hotels featuring one bathroom every 12 rooms or so. But when you think about it, those memories are priceless.
So the Euro is up this year and that vacation you planned is likely to cost you more. The trick is to have a great time without sacrificing anything important. Here are a dozen tips that just might save you money.
Tickets: Save Transportation Cost with Open Jaws
Want to see a lot of Europe? Plan you trip in one direction, say from London to Rome. Then buy an Open Jaw Ticket, say landing in London and returning from Rome.
Plan to Visit the Cheaper Countries
Cheapest countries in Western Europe: Portugal and Greece, although the Euro and European monetary policies are tending toward equalizing the price differential in these poorer countries.
Transportation: Where to find Cheap(er) Gasoline
Last year it was Spain, where gasoline was frequently found at less than 80 Euro cents per liter. Compare this with a cost over 1 Euro for many other destinations. (3.79 liters = 1 gallon, so .80 Euros per liter = 2.99 per gallon.) Gasoline in Europe is expensive, but the automobiles in Europe are generally more efficient, so a balance is achieved.
Interesting tidbit: "Compare the price of gasoline ($1.75/gal) with Coca Cola (~$2.50/gal). Gasoline first requires crude oil to be explored and found, than extracted from the ground, shipped to a refinery, refined, then distributed and ultimately pumped into your tank. Meanwhile, Coca Cola is essentially colored, sugared tap water."
Cheap Transportation: Train
Italy is still known for its extensive rail network and low ticket prices. If you are traveling around Italy, a rail pass may not net you much savings. Just buy your tickets as you need them at the ticket window or the ticketing kiosks.
Admissions: Card it!
Most large cities in Europe have discount cards that allow you to visit many museums at a discounted price. Check them out when you go to the local tourist information center--and remember that many have a time limit which may make them less useful to folks who don't want to see lots of museums in a couple days.
Trains: Trolling for Bargains
When you go up to the ticket window in a European train station, be ready to spout off your destination, whether you want a one-way or round trip, and the departure time of the train you've selected. If you're getting your tickets in advance, ask at the window if there are other trains that might be cheaper that day--you never know. I've saved up to 60% of the price of a ticket just by taking a slightly slower train an hour later than the one I'd originally chosen.
Renting Cars: Rent or lease a Diesel
Specify a Diesel car when you rent or lease. In many countries, diesel fuel is subsidized, and costs far less than gasoline. It is also widely available, no need to worry about finding it. Many turbo diesels get great gas mileage as well, sweetening the deal. Leasing, or buy-back deals, can also save you money if you're renting for more than 17 days.
Lodging: Rent a house or Apartment
Vacation rentals are becoming more popular. You'll get room to stretch out and a kitchen to cook in, saving tons of cash over eating out all the time.
Hotels: Share a bath.
No, I don't mean bathe with someone else, although that can save you money too. There are still some one and two star hotels in Europe with bathrooms down the hall. In many countries, especially expensive ones like Switzerland, sharing a bath can cut the price of a room almost in half. Look for small, locally owned, one and two star hotels or a family hostel. Most of them won't have an Internet presence, so you might have to hoof it a bit to find one, or ask at the tourist information point in or near a train station.
Eating: Picnic with the help of an Open Air Market
At least once a week most towns in Europe feature a traveling market. Even if you don't have cooking facilities, you can usually buy cured meats, olives, cheeses, roast chicken and pork, and bread, enough for a great picnic and a good way to try the local cuisine.
Eating: Have your "big" meal at mid day
In countries like Spain, restaurants offer full three course meals, often with wine or beer and coffee, for a set price at lunch time, often for less than 10 Euros. You'll see the notice on restaurant windows. And remember, that price is all inclusive; nobody's gonna add tax, and service is included.
Eating: Follow the Workers
Those guys in the paint-splattered overalls know where to get a bargain. Don't look just for a restaurant, look for these guys wolfing down huge amounts of food--they know where to get it cheap. Don't count on dainty and delectable gourmet tidbits--you're more likely to come away with great mounds of mama's pasta with tomato sauce and a slab o' roast beef. Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There