First time to Europe help...
Replies: 16 - Last Post: Nov 30, 2012 1:59 AM Last Post By: Aribo
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First time to Europe help...
I just accepted a scholarship to study abroad in Barcelona from March 27th - June 8th and will be given the weekends and any holidays in between to travel wherever I'd like to go. After my finals, on the 8th I will have the next 3 weeks to travel around Europe and discover (hopefully eastern Europe) where I haven't gone. I know 3 weeks isn't enough to travel everywhere, but I sure will try.A few questions I'd like the experienced travelers:
1. Biggest question: Where can I securely store most of my luggage while I travel other parts of Europe and return to to fly back home from Barcelona.
2. How easy is it to travel during the weekends 2-3 maybe 4 days from Barcelona to other cities/countries and be WORTH it?
3. How long is travel time between countries like Greece, Turkey, Czech, and Croatia (Eastern/Southeastern Countries I'd like to see)
4. Any other suggestions for this type of travel?
I've studied abroad before in Argentina and didn't realize how long buses took to travel anywhere excited, rather expensive to for ground transportation. I'm open to all suggestions, recommendations, or travel itineraries.
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2. How easy is it to travel during the weekends 2-3 maybe 4 days from Barcelona to other cities/countries and be WORTH it?
look at www.skyscanner.net for budget flights within Europe. You should explore the high-speed train network to go to Madrid, Valencia, etc. But regardless, every flight will take at least 5-6 hrs once you take into account getting to the airport, etc. So 2 days is real short. 3. How long is travel time between countries like Greece, Turkey, Czech, and Croatia (Eastern/Southeastern Countries I'd like to see)
It's the wrong question. You travel between places, not countries. If you want to travel from the Turkish side of the Turkish-Greek border to the Greek side of the border the travel time, by foot, is 5min.
If you travel from Kars (NE Turkey) to Mykonos (Greek island) it will probably take you 24hrs,.or even 72 overland.
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Further to MTL's advice, you should book stuff way in advance to secure the cheapest price. Except for inner city transport, European transport invariably works on a first come cheapest served basis.Consider also searching for flights on skyscanner from Barcelona Reus and Barcelona Girona airports which are popular with Ryanair. However, 2 caveats with any budget airline - 1) check exactly where the airport is and how you're gonna get there first 2) check the rules for flying with them. Things such as baggage dimensions, baggage weight, print your own boarding pass etc are strictly enforced as that's where the profit margin for them is - making money off people too lazy to read the rules.
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Any other suggestions for this type of travel?There's a lot to see and do in and around Barcelona, so don't fly out to see another "country" every weekend.
Barcelona is well connected by air to every major city in Europe, but given the total travel time involved (see #1), it makes more sense only to make city trips when you can spend at least 3 nights at your destination. On weekends when you have less time, you could explore Catalunya or take the high-speed train (AVE) to e.g. Madrid if you want.
As for the 3 weeks at the end of the trip, this amount of time would be too short to do Czechia plus Croatia plus Greece plus Turkey any justice - in fact, you could easily spend all three weeks in only one of these countries without ever getting bored - so I'd recommend you focus on a smaller geographical area and spend all your time there. That way you'll loose less time (and money) on moving around and have more time to enjoy the country/countries you're visiting.
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Hi cgreen08!Welcome to TT!
You've got good advice so far.
In weekends, I think the best idea would be to visit places nearby to Barcelona. There's plenty of choice depending on your interests and preferences.
Regarding travel times between countries, they'll depend on the exact route you want to make (i.e.: from what place (city, town, National Park...) to what place) and your budget (among other factors).
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Going to Croatia or somewhere outside Schengen, I think...., would give you more time in Sch.. after school ends.I'm I right, guys?
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Good point, gawkabout, but it depends on his nationality and type of visa. I assume he'll get a student visa to cover the period 27 March - 8 June (74 days) and can travel around Schengen without a visa, so the 90/180 day rule would apply to the last 3 weeks.Perhaps cgreen08 can tell us his nationality and what visa he'll be staying on, if any.
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I will have the next 3 weeks to travel around EuropeDoes that mean you'll have the time? Or the visa (or visa waiver) to do so?
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Thanks everyone for the tips.It looks like I will only have classes twice a week but have yet to find out when they'll be, so weekend planning will probably happen when I arrive. As well, I'll be extending leisure travel until late August to early-mid September, depending on how much my trip will cost. Does anyone know where I can budget/itinerary examples to help with savings?
You all have been very helpful and I knew I picked the write blog to ask my questions
