Need some traveling tips (Europe)

13 years ago

We are planning on taking a European summer vacation. We plan on being gone for 3 weeks and am just in the planning stages. We don't have our plane tickets yet, but are thinking of doing something like this: Fly into Zurich or Lucerne, rent a car and go visit our ancestral homes in the Black Forest. Then head to Krakow, where my Polish sister-in-law will be visiting her Mother for the month of June. Bro and their 2 girls will be there for a week, and we'd like to spend that week with them. Then head over to Ukraine to see DD.

Questions I have for you are: What to pack that will be good for a three week trip. Any ideas on places to stay? Any train tips? Any place you've been in the above destinations that we should see? And anything else you can think of to tell me.

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Comments (12)

sushipup1
13 years ago
Best to try to fly into Frankfurt, it's the largest airport, and it may be easier/cheaper to get flights there. Where in the Black Forest area? My grandmother was born in Gengenbach.

http://www.black-forest-travel.com/gengenbach/

Here is a link that might be useful: Rick Steves
OklaMoni
13 years ago
Pack compatible clothes. each piece should be able to be worn with all the rest of the pieces.

Less is more... :) as in you don't need to haul so much if you don't take so much.

Make sure your clothes are wash and wear, even in a sink.

comfortable shoes!!

extra memory cards for your camera

rain jacket!!!

have fun!
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Kathsgrdn
13 years ago
We went with backpacks 2 years ago and we still brought too much with us. We were there 3 1/2 weeks and moved around too much. The kids were miserable driving from place to place. Wish I had picked one place and spent the entire time there with small day trips to nearby places. The kids hated getting up so early to make it to the next destination.

I did think about using the trains instead of renting a car but it was too expensive.
lesterd
13 years ago
I'm leaving for Europe this Sat and will start thinking about what to take later on today!

When going to Europe, I ALWAYS take:
a raincoat and a sweater

a collapsible umbrella

very comfortable walking shoes. If you wear white sneakers, you will be easily identified as an American, a look I try to avoid.

1 all purpose, mix/match skirt with flat/low heel dress shoes.

1 jar of instant coffee, tea bags and packets of sugar/sweetener and creamer, as needed. 1 spoon.

Check on the voltage of the places you'll be visiting. You may need a set of adapters for electrical appliances you bring - ie hair dryer.

Maps - the most detailed are the best.

Krakow is one of the most beautiful cities I've been to as it wasn't bombed during WWII. I would not skip Krakow. It's not a huge city, but it's well worth getting out to see it's sights. Warsaw, on the other hand, was bombed and was all rebuilt in the square, concrete ugly building style.

If you want the flexibility to come/go in the Black Forest, definitely rent a car. However, for the rest of your trip, from how you've described it, I'd take trains... unless the cars of the residents are super small and won't fit you/your DH when you go out and about. Trains are so much easier. Will you need a car when you hook up with DD?

Traveling is always fun!
fran1523
13 years ago
Those are some good suggestions, especially the ones about not overpacking. I personally love road trips in Europe. Seeing the back roads and getting lost once in a while are part of the adventure. See if you can rent a GPS with a card that includes European maps. We found it very helpful in Italy a couple of years ago. Don't bother taking traveler's checks. Change your money at an ATM machines. They are found pretty much everywhere. Just let your bank know ahead of time that you will be travelling abroad.
jannie
13 years ago
Been to Europe twice, most recently 1985. Yeah, I realize my information is ancient/ maybe not helpful. Pack lightly, make sure everything coordinates. And make sure your clothes are hand washable, so you can wash in your hotel bathroom and hang to dry by morning. Don't plan on doing any ironing, only no-iron clothes. And bring clothes you can layer in case nights are cool. I brought a jacket and coat that I could wear together And definitely comfy shoes suitable for hiking. And get your passport early!
colleenoz
13 years ago
Krakow is lovely in June, we were there last year. If you're there over Corpus Christi there should be a truly magical street procession from the main square through town to the Planty (park at the edge of the old town). It happened on my birthday last year (June 6). We also enjoyed touring the castle, a trip to the Wieliszka Salt Mines and I wouldn't say we "enjoyed" touring Auschwicz but it was interesting and informative.
Not all Warsaw was rebuilt ugly. A large part of the old town was rebuilt as an exact replica of the bombed original.
Look into the low cost airlines (Air Berlin, Easyjet etc) as we found the prices compared very well compared to train fares. We flew with Air Berlin from Berlin to Krakow and it was cheaper and faster than the train, even going via Dusseldorf (that was the only flight available). From Central Europe the trains are cheaper, so it depends on your route how you could best get to Ukraine.
Don't book trains using RailEurope unless you want to pay a LOT more than you would pay buying your ticket from the railway in question.
Get paper maps as well as GPS as GPS can tend to direct you down roads that can't easily be driven on (too narrow, not actually a road etc). Plus if the road has been closed for roadworks or something, the GPS will get hysterical trying to get you back onto the (closed) road and you won't easily be able to find an alternative way.
You can ask questions and get information at www.tripadvisor.com. Go to "forums" then select the forum/s for the place/s you plan to visit for information and to ask questions.
lowspark
13 years ago
Don't bother taking traveler's checks. Change your money at an ATM machines. They are found pretty much everywhere. Just let your bank know ahead of time that you will be travelling abroad.

The best advice I got when I went to London a few years ago was exactly that. I used my credit card for most purchases and got small amounts of cash at ATMs using my debit card as needed. Worked great!

I also agree that you should let your bank and credit cards know you will be traveling abroad - countries and dates. Two purposes served here: they will be alerted that your credit card will show foreign charges so that they will not put a stopper on them, AND they will know when to expect those charges to stop. It just takes one phonecall for each card and the number to call should be on the back of the card.
cate52
13 years ago
Check out cell phone service overseas with your provider. Make sure you hand carry your prescription meds. Remember that you can purchase almost anything needed... I had friends that found the Oxfam [thrift] stores had a wealth of stuff that would have been bulky to pack.. But then I'm from the 'cheap' traveller group that figures I'm never seeing these people again - so who cares .. Sounds like you're going to have a great time!!
chisue
13 years ago
Have you looked at air fares to Europe? (I just looked at our fares to Hawaii for next winter.) Brace yourself!
susanjf_gw
13 years ago
you're seeing krakow at a good time...when my mother went, it was still old guard and she hated how depressing it was...

i had her pack like 3 pair of slacks... black, blue, and brown. her tops all mixed or matched...

this is great time to pack your oldest undies and toss as you you go. she used the extra space coming home for goodies...
marie_ndcal
13 years ago
Years ago when DH and brother were traveling, they found if they mailed items home from where they bought them it was cheaper and safer. They tried to us UPS as much as they can. Also they insured the items and everything came thru fine.

Need some traveling tips (Europe)

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