<p>lol. “Appreciate their cultural offerings” is not on the agenda this trip. This is all about excitement and frivolity. Spring Break meets Europe. They may stumble on some real “culture” while they are there but it will most assuredly be accidental. 
</p>
<p>I do appreciate the point but we are talking different trips here.</p>
<p>
Now you’ve got it! That’s what they are looking to find!</p>
<p>DS just returned stateside from 3 weeks “down under”. He’s still on the other coast, awaiting his next flight, and adjusting to day/time (they served breakfast on the plane about an hour before it landed-- and it landed in LA at 4:45pm! LOL).</p>
<p>Anyway, I digress. He stayed with friends in Australia, but in Hostels in New Zealand and said he met lots of very nice folks who have been travelling for months, picking up day jobs here and there to pay their bills. He didn’t mention that any of the day jobs were …er… shall we say … hourly. They did odd jobs like working at the hostel, at restaurants, etc. They are starting to hire for the ski season there too. So, from our brief conversation, sounds like hedidn’t see or have any issues at the hostels. Or none that he shares with dear ol’ mum. Oh, apparently vegemite is gross. “An acquired taste”.</p>
<p>
I’ve had it. It is NOT good.</p>
<p>well, [I know this isn’t relevent to curm’s kid’s trip] I disagree strongly about spending 2 weeks in one city. I mean, sure, you can, but I would rather see more places. I saw everything I wanted to see in Rome in 4 days (including the Vatican). 2 days in Prague was sufficient for my tastes.</p>
<p>Now, I would like to plan a 10-14 day trip to the alps to enjoy some hiking.</p>
<p>Well, D and her bunch fly to Rome tomorrow. She’s done a (surprisingly) good job of keeping the budget under control. The itinerary changed a little. Arrive Rome, Rome to Barcelona by air, Barcelona to London by air, London to Venice by air, Venice to Florence by train, Florence to Rome by train. Rome home. 5 cities 15 days on the ground. Not quite speed-dating but still…</p>
<p>She has a back-up plan for London being shut down. </p>
<p>She has reservations everywhere and (as much as possible) feels comfortable with her choices. She’ll send me the final itinerary with flights, trains, hostel and hotel names , #'s, and addresses tonight. </p>
<p>I believe she says they will have @$80/day each to spend on intra-city transportation, meals , calling cards (mostly relying on wifi with all data turned off on her iphone although I bought the buy-down call minutes for emergencies) , and entertainment. Not a lot, but should be enough if they keep it simple. (I’m thinking loaf of bread, hunk of cheese, jug of wine simple. And some form of breakfast is included at most of her places. ) She’s researched the cheapest airport transfers and attraction/subway/bus passes in each city. Some are good deals…some “not so much”. </p>
<p>When she gets back I’ll post where she stayed and a (basic) review as I know others are headed over shortly. I’m excited for her but dang…I’m panicky about med school logistics and she…is not. Hope she likes the dorm. ;)</p>
<p>thanks, folks. I sent her all the data and websites and hopefully she put them to good use.</p>
<p>Wheeee, the fun trip begins! Keep us updated. I can’t afford to travel this summer and must fill the need with other’s trips…</p>
<p>Curm, she picked a great time with the euro at a four year low. I’m going to Valencia Spain for 10 days June 2. For once I got the timing right and it won’t be as ridiculously expensive as last year when we did France/Spain.</p>
<p>I told her if she sleeps till noon everyday I get half my share back. ;)</p>
<p>Curm, am sure she’ll have a wonderful time! My D1 flies to Europe in two weeks. At age 23, this is her 7th time there and 5th time living there. That is WAY more than me. My D2 flies over there in about two months and she is 21 and it is her third time in Europe. Why do the kids have all the fun?</p>
<p>(at least I am not paying for it, but neither are they!)</p>
<p>Quick question and I apologize if this had been discussed before. </p>
<p>D is heading to Barcelona tomorrow. How much Euro should she have to start out with ? She will be there for about 2 months but possibly extending her stay to travel throughout Europe. </p>
<p>I know about get money from the ATMs but am wondering if she needed more cash on hand to start ? </p>
<p>Should we get her American Express traveler’s checks ? </p>
<p>I guess we are getting last minute jitters.</p>
<p>Not sure about the amounts but I would definitely spread out the money. In other words, do some travelers checks, some euros, and keep the money in different places. Barcelona is notorious for pickpockets. When I was there I asked some locals about why the police don’t do more. They said the tourists are easy targets and often don’t report crime.<br>
She just needs to be alert, particularly to people walking too close or bumping her on the street.</p>
<p>Thanks ebeeeee. She has some Euros. We are now just wondering if she has enough to start out with. </p>
<p>I will head out and get her some American Express travelers checks today. When I went to Europe many moons ago I didn’t use any travelers checks at all, so I thought it was unnecessary at first. </p>
<p>I will make sure she has and hopefully use a money belt. Don’t know how it would fit under those skin tight shirts though.</p>
<p>My daughter just flew to Barcelona on Sunday night. She is having a great time!</p>
<p>I am a AAA member and got her a “cashpassport” Visa card loaded with Euros. About $300 to start. It is reloadable and I can reload it from here in 150 euro amounts. We got the going exchange rate - the only charge is $1.75 ATM charge for each withdrawal. </p>
<p>Also her bank only charges 1% exchange rate when using her debit card overseas.<br>
Euro’s are cheap, cheap, cheap right now!</p>
<p>Curm - what’s this about London being shut down? for volcano ash or something else?</p>
<p>We live in Canada so I don’t know about the preloaded card. It’s too late anyway. I will ask the local bank if she can use her debit card in Europe. Thanks JustAMomOf4 ! </p>
<p>As I said, I am getting last minute jitters. She has traveled before but only in North America. I may even go to Europe to visit her if I can spare the time. How’s that for helicoptering ? :o This may be sexist, had it been the son traveling I am sure I won’t be obsessing like this.</p>
<p>I just heard a report on the news last night how the airlines have figured out a way to charge for a ton of mini things to increase the price of the ticket for every single day this entire summer with the exception of July 4th. It sounds like that day may not help you, but just an fyi for booking flights for this summer. We have been to Europe several times and the flight is one of the most expensives for the trip. Make sure you collect the airline points for your next trip though…you will get quite a few! </p>
<p>Also, if you are planning to ride the train to get from place to place in Europe…that is the way to go. It is pretty inexpensive, you will end up in the right spot and you can sit back and enjoy the ride/scenery…pack some snacks, that is always nice if it is a lengthy trip! Word to the wise, if you are riding a train from Milan area to Venice…make sure you upgrade your ticket! If you don’t, you will feel like an immigrant trying to load the boat to America! It is unbelievable the difference in that area!! </p>
<p>I hope you go, it is such a wonderful experience. If you go, please be sure to post an update on your trip!</p>
<p>munchkin, my D has travelled and lived in Europe now many times and is about to leave and live there for a year. We no longer bother with travellers checks or getting Euros in advance (though some Euros in advance is not a bad idea). She just gets some Euros at the airport using her ATM card when she arrives. She uses her home debit card while overseas. She lets the bank know ahead of time the dates she will be in Europe so that they don’t stop the card when they see it being used overseas.</p>
<p>Good suggestion, soozievt!
Most major credit cards do the conversion for you and you get the best rate when exchanging your dollars for euros. The euro just went down so now may be a good time to buy.</p>
<p>A friend recently travelled all over Europe and had his luggage stolen on the train. Unfortunately he got on the wrong car and when he moved he didn’t move his luggage. Be sure if you use one of the luggage compartments it is in your relative sight…</p>