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posted
26-Jun-2008 20:01
by: Irene_Adler »

last reply
13-Jan-2009 12:14
by: Irene_Adler »

0 replies , 6,730 views

Thread Locked Welcome to the Western Europe branch!

Welcome to the Thorn Tree's Western Europe branch.

We hope you find plenty of useful information about travelling to Western Europe here. It is highly recommended that new users check out the Western Europe FAQ thread before posting a new thread as you may find many of the answers you seek there. It also contains helpful information about how to search the forum, advice for how to post your questions, and obsolete information was deleted as recently as June 2008! If you are a returning user or a Europe guru, please help us keep the FAQ thread up-to-date by adding important information which is absent, or pointing out information which is no longer being represented accurately.

Choosing a country to post to:

When you make a post and choose a country from the drop down menu, your post will be added to that... more »

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posted
07-Jun-2003 05:22
by: Luddite »

last reply
03-Oct-2009 18:07
by: lea81 »

109 replies , 131,748 views

Pages 1 2 3 4 ... 8

Western Europe FAQ thread

This branch covers: Western Europe.

I've made a start with a load of links. Please add to this if you've got some useful information that'll answer questions that come up again and again and again.

Here are some simple tips about looking for information:

1. Research before asking a question. It will help you get better, more detailed and useful answers from the community if you've already done some homework. It's also polite. The community is here to help, but we're not your personal search engine. Invest some preliminary time and we'll help you fill in the gaps.

2. Explore Lonely Planet's Destinations online, which has a wealth of key info and tips.

3. Have a good look around the Thorn Tree before asking your question - quite often your question (or one very similar to it) will have been asked and answered many times al... more »

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posted
29-Nov-2009 01:51
by: jgayle »

last reply
29-Nov-2009 06:50
by: laketraveller »

1 replies , 35 views location: Italy

Recent Trip to Italy

Ciao! My friend and I just returned from Italy and had a wonderful time, thanks in part to the helpful folks here. I thought I would post some things we learned to help out those planning a trip. The only accomodations we booked in advance was the hotel in Venice; we had no problem booking the others as we went along. We travelled everywhere by train; Italy's train system is very convenient and easy to use. All hotels were booked through www.venere.com. All cities we found to be quite walkable and rarely used public transport. We flew into Venice and spent two nights. It was so valuable to have a hotel located close to the bus station once we saw that we'd have to haul our luggage up and down so many flights of stairs on the bridges. We had easy access to everything being low-tourist season, but if you want the secret tour of the Palazzo Ducale, you still need to make reservations a d... more »

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posted
29-Nov-2009 01:00
by: berttreb »

last reply
29-Nov-2009 01:00
by: berttreb »

0 replies , 16 views location: Spain

Telephone SIM card

Hi,

I will be in Spain for a week.

Can I get a pay-as-you-phone SIM card for my cell phone at the Madrid airport / supermarket or any other store without having to register the SIM card before using it ? I do not have an address in Spain.

What are the names of cell phone companies that sell pay-as-you-phone SIM cards ?

How much do they cost ?

Thank you for any help,

Loic

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posted
28-Nov-2009 22:33
by: kaaskoper »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 22:33
by: kaaskoper »

0 replies , 15 views location: Greece

Finding a bike in Greece / Thessaloniki?

Hello,

I am going to spend 2 weeks in Greece in December and am looking for a bike for trekking. My flight is to and from Thessaloniki, so it would be best to find a bicycle there.

My web searches have unsuccessful and the tourist information office says renting a bike is not possible in Thessaloniki- I'd have to buy a bike. That does not make much sense for 2 weeks.

Can anyone help me with tips, information, suggestions? I'd appreciate it.

(PS I can't bring a bike because I don't have a suitable one and because luggage restrictions for my flight).

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posted
28-Nov-2009 22:13
by: guitarsnow »

last reply
29-Nov-2009 03:24
by: guitarsnow »

2 replies , 48 views location: France

Paris - Open mike nights and cafes/clubs for impromptu performance

Lots of great info on this forum...thanks

I'm a guitarist & songwriter headed to Paris for 2 weeks soon. I'd like to try to play an acoustic guitar set (or a couple original songs) at a Paris cafe/bar/club

Does anybody know of open mic nights in Paris?

I assume there must be some because every other major city I've been in has them, often multiple ones per night. Normally you go and sign up a few hours in advance, such as at a cafe or bar. Problem is my french is not too good so I haven't figured this out yet for Paris. (btw, this isn't for money or busking, just the fun experience)

Thanks for any help, bar/cafe names and links,
Chris

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posted
28-Nov-2009 19:02
by: sotogrande »

last reply
29-Nov-2009 07:07
by: neckervd »

2 replies , 41 views location: Italy

Public transport from Turin to Briançon (Barcelonette)

Can any one out there help me? We are getting into Turin airport on a Saturday and planning to travel by public transport from Turin to Briançon (actually its to Barcelonette we have to get to, but that's even more difficult to get to and a friend can pick us up at Briançon as long as we arrive there during day light!!!) on a Sunday. By train it takes about 9 hours!!! and it'll be dark before we arrive. In short can you help?

I' ll be much obliged

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posted
28-Nov-2009 19:00
by: sotogrande »

last reply
29-Nov-2009 07:05
by: tony_b »

4 replies , 81 views location: France

Public transport from Turin to Briançon (Barcelonette)

Can any one out there help me? We are getting into Turin airport on a Saturday and planning to travel by public transport from Turin to Briançon (actually its to Barcelonette we have to get to, but that's even more difficult to get to and a friend can pick us up at Briançon as long as we arrive there during day light!!!) on a Sunday. By train it takes about 9 hours!!! and it'll be dark before we arrive. In short can you help?

I' ll be much obliged

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posted
28-Nov-2009 17:52
by: siemprepatty »

last reply
29-Nov-2009 03:47
by: cubita »

1 replies , 25 views location: Belgium

Brussels at Christmas

I arrive in Brussels on December 23rd. Is there any not-to-be-missed Christmas type of activity, event, church service or ???? that I should or could go to? I've been before so don't need any general travel information, just Christmas-related stuff. Thanks......

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posted
28-Nov-2009 14:58
by: lizsc »

last reply
29-Nov-2009 02:49
by: tony_b »

3 replies , 56 views location: Italy

Cinque Terre January train transport

I am planning to go to this area with my boyfriend in January. I am aware it is winter time and it is cold but we are keen hikers and do not mind a bit of the cold. Does anyone know if the trains still go to the villages in winter time. I thought this would be the case however when checking the timetable on Trenitalia the timetable exists for November but once mid December hits there are no timetables for the villages but timetables for other areas in Italy.

So my question is do trains run in January to this area. No point in planning on going if we cannot get there.

We are wanting to go from Milano to Cinque Terre.

Any help would be appreciated

Cheers
Liz

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posted
28-Nov-2009 13:58
by: doctorbrown »

last reply
29-Nov-2009 00:17
by: cobb »

2 replies , 61 views location: Italy

To Rome or Not to Rome?

My new wife and are going on our honeymoon to Italy in January of 2010 and trying to finalize a few of our plans. We are spending most of our time in Tuscany but will be flying out of Rome (flying into Munich). We have both been to Rome, so are considering not spending any time there this time around. If we will be traveling by car from Tuscany via Umbria to Fiumicino Airport are there any suggestions for places to stay in the general vicinity of the airport other than Rome? Nice town by the coast maybe, pretty countryside worth having a stopover in? Or should we just stay in Rome and explore it together for the first time? We will have a couple of days. Thanks!

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posted
28-Nov-2009 10:43
by: nataliadacosta »

last reply
29-Nov-2009 00:22
by: sushi75 »

5 replies , 110 views location: Spain

granada

Hola,

el fin de semana del 11 de dic voy a granada con una amiga. Me podeis recomendar sitios para salir y algun sitio para cenar? la música que nos gusta es alternativa, pero también nos gustan los grupos españoles!
la comida...en general todo está bien! lo importante es que esté bien de precio...
por cierto, existe todavía el bar de "los planetas" ¿
y por ultimo...hay algun concierto de pop o rock programado para esas fechas?
muchas gracias!
natalia

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posted
28-Nov-2009 09:50
by: laura01060 »

last reply
29-Nov-2009 00:17
by: Tommi1 »

3 replies , 68 views location: France

Book trains in advance?

We're traveling in France just before Christmas, and at some point we'll take a train from Paris to Strasbourg. We might make other train trips, not sure yet, and we'd like to be able to be flexible. Does anyone know if we need to book these in advance, or can we just buy tickets at the station the day of the trip? When we lived in Switzerland, we NEVER booked trains in advance, just bought them that day and got on the train. The price was the same no matter when you booked, and there was always space. But our experience in England has been that you pay WAY more when you buy tickets the day of travel.

Anyone know what it's like in France? Thank you!

Laura

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posted
28-Nov-2009 08:45
by: kngohps »

last reply
29-Nov-2009 03:18
by: superlufti2000 »

11 replies , 160 views location: Germany

Traveling to Germany.

I will be traveling to germany after graduation. I will be going for 1-2 weeks. Was wandering thoughts on prices and what places to see. I've heard citites like Berlin, Frakfury, heidelburg, cologne, hamburg, dresden, munich, amsterdam now clearly wont have time for all these but was wandering what people thought were the best. And any thoughts on a best route.

Thank you for any information.

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posted
28-Nov-2009 08:08
by: 51sparky »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 18:36
by: Kira »

1 replies , 43 views location: France

Train Travel

Can someone please help me I have to travel from Carcasonne to Homps.Is there a train / bus between these towns.
Thanks

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posted
28-Nov-2009 05:33
by: dockjock »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 11:40
by: BlandineForberg »

2 replies , 55 views location: Germany

Christmas markets in Cologne

Hi,

I have two days in Cologne in December. I am going especially for the Christmas markets. Does anyone know which markets in Cologne are best? I've read that there are seven but I'm not sure if I'll have time to visit all of them. Also, if I actually have some time left over, I'm considering going to Bonn for a few hours to check out the markets there. Thought on the markets in Bonn? Worth a visit?

Thank :)

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posted
28-Nov-2009 04:28
by: Kally_Annie »

last reply
28-Nov-2009 23:08
by: Ribeira_Sacra »

10 replies , 200 views

One month in Europe

Hi there,

I am intending to spend the month of May in Europe. I'd be interested in any advice or comments regarding the route best to take, the countries and places not to miss and the best mode of transport recommendations etc.

It will be for two people. And I'm also wondering how much we should budget for this trip?

Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Kally

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