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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 , 6,757 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 , 131,880 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
01-Dec-2009 11:12
by: thejollyherring »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 11:12
by: thejollyherring »

0 replies , 5 views location: Spain

VISA for Taiwan National

Hello I have a Taiwanese friend who wants a VISA for spain, and she is currently residing in England on a tourist VISA. Can she get one here in England, or must she travel back to Taiwan?

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posted
01-Dec-2009 10:05
by: bobberwyn »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 10:05
by: bobberwyn »

0 replies , 7 views location: France

Brignoles, Provence

A little info and some nice pics of a lesser-known town in Provence:
http://1worldimages.com/2009/10/29/557/

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posted
01-Dec-2009 09:54
by: gottagoski »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 09:54
by: gottagoski »

0 replies , 11 views

Pyrenees or Picos in May or June?

Thinking of doing the Pyrenees or Picos de Europa or both in May or June. Wondering if anyone has done any trekking there during that time? Do we need to worry about unstable weather? Snow on the high passes? Mosquitos or bugs?

What is the best guide book you've found for trekking in this area?

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posted
01-Dec-2009 09:50
by: missmally »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 09:50
by: missmally »

0 replies , 10 views

Italian Student Visa + travelling afterwards

Hi all, first time poster here, somewhat long time lurker. The advice here is great!

I have a question regarding the Schergen visas. I have an Italian student visa for the length of my studies, the length of my stay is 70 days. I went to the Italian Consulate and they told me that once I left Italy, I could travel around the Schergen countries for 90 days afterwards. I've found contrary advice on this forum.

Anyway, I don't need 90 days because I'm only planning onspending about 2 weeks in the Schergen region after Italy. So here's my question. Because my student visa was issued for 70 days, should I be fine to travel around the Schergen Region for 2 weeks afterwards or am I not able to? I know the rule is 90 days in 180 days of travel. I will call the consulate tomorrow to double check but I want to make sure before I make concrete plans!

Thanks for any help! more »

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posted
01-Dec-2009 08:44
by: misk »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 10:50
by: tony_b »

4 replies , 42 views location: Spain

December trip to Malaga -Alicante or Barcelona

hi,
my fiancee and I are planning on departing Ireland on Dec the 28th or 29th and spending 4 days in either Malaga, Alicante or Barcelona.
I am researching it at present but hope that someone might be able to give me some good advice on this adventure.
We are looking for a warm break away with some activities to keep us busy as we are in our late twenties. I am making the assumption that the weather is excellent in Spain at Christmas, that is to say, i am planning on wearing shorts and at-shirt. I hope that is a valid assumption to make!!!!
What kind of activities would be on offer during the Christmas period also?

Any reccomendations\advice is warmingly welcomed.

So far flights are coming in as follows:-
Dublin to Barcelona €356 return for 2
Dublin Alicante €260 return for 2
Dublin Malaga €400 return for 2

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posted
01-Dec-2009 08:39
by: jenlee1024 »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 10:46
by: jenlee1024 »

2 replies , 29 views

A sensible plan?

Trying to plot out my 3 weeks in Italy beginning Jan 1. I am most interested in Tuscany (this being my first time to Italy) and want time to "settle in" somewhere there, perhaps at an agriturismo near Siena.......who knows. Would you all be so kind as to tell me what you think of this plan:

Nights 1 & 2: Rome
Nights 3-5: Florence
Night 6: Lucca
Nights 7-13: Siena and surrounds (Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano, San Gimignano)
Nights 14-16: Back to Florence
Nights 17-18: Venice
Night 19: Rome
Leave on the 20th.

Grazie!

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posted
01-Dec-2009 08:10
by: Paulistano77 »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 08:10
by: Paulistano77 »

0 replies , 10 views location: Italy

Accommodation in Turin

I'm searching for cheap accommodation in Turin and I got to know that YHA Ostello di Torino will be closed in early January. Does anybody know another budget place to stay in Turin?
Tks

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posted
01-Dec-2009 07:05
by: mrf22 »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 08:42
by: sfgirl42 »

1 replies , 20 views location: France

Apartment for two in Paris

Hi All

I am taking my girlfriend to Paris in early January 2010 for 5 nights and would like to rent a modern apartment in a good, central area.
We are big foodies and ideally would like to stay near a great food market where we can buy fresh produce and take it back to the apartment to cook.

Also, we dont want to be too far away from the Lourve/other tourist attractions.

My budget is approx. 100 Euros per night for the both of us.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

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posted
01-Dec-2009 06:07
by: bethmitchell3 »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 08:55
by: bethmitchell3 »

2 replies , 38 views location: Italy

Help understanding train fares

Hi,
I am going to be traveling between Rome, Florence and Naples in a few weeks, and am hoping to get some help understanding how the train fares work, and also deciding whether to get a reservation.

On the trenitalia website, it looks like the best deal is for the meno30 fares, which give 30% of the base rate. As far as I can tell, these allow you to make one change to your itinerary, up to 24 hrs before departure. So if we book a train for Dec 29 but then decide we want to travel on the 30th instead, we can buy the ticket now but then make that change later without a penalty. Am I getting that right?

Also, we fly into Rome on Dec 24 and want to head straight to Florence to meet friends. I'm hesitant to buy a ticket now in case our flight is delayed. Is it crazy to plan to travel by train on Xmas eve without a reservation?

Finally - these fares seem really high to me (4... more »

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posted
01-Dec-2009 03:20
by: thejits »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 08:43
by: morag »

2 replies , 50 views location: Greece

Decent business hotel in Amaroussio

Hi all,

anybody knows a decent business hotel in Amaroussio, North of Athens, under 200€ / night.

Thanks

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posted
01-Dec-2009 02:58
by: zappa »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 02:58
by: zappa »

0 replies , 13 views

A few days at Christmas/New Year

I'm far from a party animal and like my history, architecture and cracking restaurants. I hate large crowds, excessive costs and annoying drunken fools from my Homeland (the UK).

Based on current trends, where can I go for a few days over the Christmas period that I'll enjoy and not have to spend a fortune? In addition, where can I see what I want without fear of it being closed over the festive period? Easy accessibility by air from the UK is a must.

I'm after recommendations as I've not been to Europe for a long time. Personally, I'd happily visit every city in Europe if I had the time and money.

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posted
01-Dec-2009 01:16
by: maberith »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 08:19
by: klaush »

2 replies , 55 views location: Germany

Munich to Frankfurt-

I'm trying to find the cheapest way between Munich and Frankfurt Main.

Need to travel 23rd December, not fussed about time, bus, train, rickshaw - just need to get there! I've found a train ticket for £85 which is way out of the budget, I'm hoping to spend around £20. I've checked out the German eurolines site, the Linien site, but can't find anything. There must be something!

Any ideas?

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posted
01-Dec-2009 00:13
by: seeker30 »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 02:40
by: Cyberia »

1 replies , 26 views location: Portugal

Lagos or Faro?

Hi!

A friend and I are planning a trip to Protugal over Christmas and New Year. We have the option of spending New Year in Lagos or Faro. Which palce would you recommend? We would ideally like to spend about 3 nights at one and 2 nights at the other place.

Is there much to see in Faro?

Thanks in advance

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posted
30-Nov-2009 22:43
by: bsmart »

last reply
01-Dec-2009 03:44
by: Blagger »

3 replies , 58 views location: France

Paris for the day

Going over to Paris for the day next sat with a few friends. We’ve all seem most of the sites already. Hope to see a few of the slightly obscure tourist sights. Arriving on the train early and leaving on the last eurostar to London.
We want to have a night lunch / dinner (dinner must be close to gare du nord). Any recommendations / suggestions for exhibitions which are on, good restaurants, good shopping areas, etc.

Edited by: bsmart

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posted
30-Nov-2009 21:09
by: svyryd »

last reply
30-Nov-2009 23:04
by: qwovadis »

2 replies , 63 views location: Italy

New Year in Rome

My wife and I (both 28) are planning to celebrate this New Year in Rome.

The question is what would be the awesome and special NY Eve in Rome? We have two options so far - (1) book a table in the restaurant and (2) join the crouds on the streets.

Option 1 is expensive (at least EUR100 per person) and I have no idea whether it is worth it.

Option 2 - may be good if to know what and where to watch, but we will need to have some sort of dinner and rest anyway (if it is possible at this time - I think that the city center will be completely packed).

Guys please share your thoughts and experience!

Thanks!

Sashko

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