Europe & Sth America Recommendations

A

alex

New member
Hey everyone,

I've just finished my Uni degree and have the rest of the year off until I start my grad position in March next year so I'm taking this opportunity to do a bit of travelling. I'll be spending 2 months in Europe (Oct, Nov), 2 months in South & Central America (Dec, Jan) and then 6 weeks in the USA.

I'll be going at it alone through Europe before meeting up with a friend to do the Americas. We've got our South America route fairly down pat and most of Central America. We're thinking Santiago > Buenos Aires > Iguazu > Rio > Asencion > Salta > Uyuni > La Paz > Cusco/Machu Picchu > Quito > Bogota > Cartagena > Panama > Costa Rica > Mexico then into the USA. Still not sure about the time between Costa Rica and Mexico. It's really expensive to fly throughout South and Central America so we're doing it all by bus, but the countries between Costa Rica and Mexico seem a bit dodgy/I don't know if they're worth going to.

For those that have been to Europe, South America or Central America, where do you recommend I check out?

Thanks in advance for any tips!
 
I went through Europe on my own about 10 years ago. I'd thoroughly recommend getting a Eurail pass - the European train system is fantastic and IMO the best way to travel. As for places to go, I enjoyed Spain, Germany, France, and Hungary the best. Netherlands and Scandinavia are good but very expensive.
 
Agree with Yoss about the Eurail.

I loved France, Germany and Austria. London is fantastic too.

I recommend you visit Bayeux in Northern France and see Omaha beach and Mont St. Michel. Absolutely beautiful area and the locals speak pretty good English which makes it easy to get around. Paris is great as well and despite what people say, the French are friendly people and I found the illegal immigrants hocking shoddy souvenirs and other tourists the only downer.

Germany and Austria are beautiful as well. I'd recommend you visit Dresden and Salzburg as they are remarkable (especially if you're into classical music as well.)
 
Watch out for MS13 gangs in Central & South America. Worst in the world. They run the neighborhoods.
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Be sure to be adventurous and try head over
eastern Europe as well - I am talking places like Bosnia, Kosovo and Montenegro. Amazing places, great people, minimal tourists and the cheapest prices in Europe to eat, sleep and drink.
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And whilst you're in that part of the world - Croatia is the go to place. On the coastline, good beer and bbq, great swimming and sailing, cobblestoned streets full of cafes and rakia and pretty pretty women, nudist beaches, scuba diving, big fishing. Its just across the water from Italy. A boat should do it. Its the birthplace of Marco Polo, the place where the pen and tie were invented, the first parachute ever made and cant forget Nikola Tesla who discovered alternating current albeit from New York City. And whilst there check out Dubrovnik - arguably the most beautiful town in Europe.
 
Thanks for all the tips everyone! I've heard good things about Croatia and the Czech Republic. As I've got two months, I'm definitely keen to check out the lesser visited parts of Europe too, rather than just the main obvious places like London, Paris, Rome etc.

And you sure know your stuff about Croatia AHX!
 
Alex, ive been to Croatia with Martin Henderson, the main actor from the film 'The Ring' back some years ago, and when we got back to New York City he told me that out of all the places in Europe that Croatia was majestic & the best. He thought the Greek Islands were great but surprised that Croatia blew him away. Still undiscovered because of its past but one thing that you must take into consideration that Croatia did have some tough times in its past due to neighboring countries endeavoring to invade Croatia for its golden jewel- the divine & beautiful Adriatic coast. Croatia overcame & the rest is history.
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I only saw Rome, Florence, Venice and Paris (and places in between, looking out the train windows). I loved Rome and Florence but thought Venice was a bit of a let down. Paris wasn't as good as I was expecting but that may be because it was winter and the city was bland without the leaves on the trees…

I am very jealous that you are doing this great trip. If I had my time over, I would have liked to travel more before starting work. Now with young kids, I don't know the next time I will be able to do it!
 
Croatia is beautiful and the food incredible. Dubrovnik one of the worlds great cities… A must visit country.
Italy is spectacular, wasnt real fussed about Venice though.The architecture is amazing but there is a stench to the place that takes some getting used to. Rome was great.
I really loved the Netherlands, laid back friendly place. Amsterdam a must.
Rented a car and drove through Switzerland it is also spectacular.
Greece is a must. Easy to get around.

As for South America,
Ecuador - particularly the Galapagos islands,
Peru,
Argentina
Colombia,
Chille
Brazil are my favourites.
 
Stryker - congrats on the good work. Life is short & u seem to have been around the place. Let's get a beer soon. I wanna hear your stories. & Alex congrats on finishing the degree! Been there done that. The journey is long but life is short. A contradiction in terms.
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Thanks again everyone, really love hearing all your stories and history.

@stryker said:
Croatia is beautiful and the food incredible. Dubrovnik one of the worlds great cities… A must visit country.
Italy is spectacular, wasnt real fussed about Venice though.The architecture is amazing but there is a stench to the place that takes some getting used to. Rome was great.
I really loved the Netherlands, laid back friendly place. Amsterdam a must.
Rented a car and drove through Switzerland it is also spectacular.
Greece is a must. Easy to get around.

As for South America,
Ecuador - particularly the Galapagos islands,
Peru,
Argentina
Colombia,
Chille
Brazil are my favourites.
Click to expand...

I'll be starting off in Amsterdam with my family for three days. A few of us are then heading to England for another few days then I'm going solo. Unfortunately the Super League Grand Final is on Saturday October 6\. We get to England on the Monday night. Would have been cool to go to that, or any ESL game!

After Europe I'll do South and Central America with a mate, starting in Santiago. All those countries are on our list, although we may spend less time in Peru and Ecuador as we're very keen to check out Costa Rica, Guatemala and Belize, which all look like a lot of fun.

@AmericanHistoryX said:
& Alex congrats on finishing the degree! Been there done that. The journey is long but life is short. A contradiction in terms.
Click to expand...

Thanks AHX, much appreciated! Giving myself a little treat after three and a half years of studying and before I hit the real world in March!

@Juro said:
I only saw Rome, Florence, Venice and Paris (and places in between, looking out the train windows). I loved Rome and Florence but thought Venice was a bit of a let down. Paris wasn't as good as I was expecting but that may be because it was winter and the city was bland without the leaves on the trees…

I am very jealous that you are doing this great trip. If I had my time over, I would have liked to travel more before starting work. Now with young kids, I don't know the next time I will be able to do it!
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I'm half Italian so will devote a bit more time to Italy. We've got some family back there who are in the north so good to know that Florence is a winner!
 
I'm half Italian so will devote a bit more time to Italy. We've got some family back there who are in the north so good to know that Florence is a winner!

am in nth Italy at the moment.

Milan (where I live) is a nice city, but not a 'major' european city - its a good place to stop between the lakes in the north (Como, Garda, etc.) and Genoa/Liguria on the coast.

Train goes up the coast from Florence to Genoa - it a few hours and u change at Pisa - Cinque Terra is a place to go.

Depends what you like and what you want to do.
 
Bud, If you still need some help let me know - I work in the industry for a youth / student company and can hook you up with some deals - PM me!

Trip sounds amazing,just be careful with the local buses in Sth America - can get quite dangerous.

PM me and I will give you my work email.
 
" there's a buzz & undeniable star appeal to Croatias coast. You'll get plenty of glitz & glamour in Dubrovnik & Hvar where night action & celebrity spotting, designer cocktail in hand is de rigueur, and fancy yachts dock in droves. For those wanting peace & quiet, hideaways aplenty wait to be discovered, including remote lighthouse islets, fetching fishing villages, secluded coves & Robinson Crusoe style atolls. Families flock to the string of safe beaches & sip on their beverages while eating culinary foods dished out by celebrity chefs."

And if in Croatia don't forget Zagreb which plays 2nd fiddle to Vienna which has a cafe life, contemporary museum, ancient attractions & festivals around the clock.

From introducing Croatia.
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