GAH! Decisions Decisions - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**verstehen** · 08-04-2003, 05:40 AM

Right, so I fly into Paris on August 31, and fly out again on September 30, that's a month to kill, and I can't decide what to do with it.

There's one thing I HAVE to do, and that is visit the Nurburgring in Western Germany and race the wheels off of a rental car on it. (It's like nirvana for sports-car racers all over the world) It's open on the 14th and 15th of September which lines up nicely with my birthday, so I absolutely have to do that.

Beyond that, I'm pretty open.

Originally I had decided to do Paris, Munich (BMW Factory, my chosen race steed), run up through Amsterdam and that region, then back to Paris. Given the discount for using the Eurial select (pick a few countries bordering each other and get a discount) I went ahead and picked those countries, and selected 10 days of travel. I would have prefered a full pass, but I'm low on funds. Now fast-forward two days..

I give dad a ring to catch up on things and discuss my plans. He questions whether the restricted pass is a good idea and he offers to give me a little boost to get the full one if I can upgrade/refund it. He also suggests some wider travels in France. The next day a buddy suggest the French Riviera (Nice, Marsailles, etc)

I start looking at a map and I notice all the ferry lines to the islands and to Rome from the French Riviera, and Rome/Itally start looking really cool.

The only hitch there is that I'll be in Eastern Europe from 2004-2006 with the Peace Corps and that could put me really close to Italy (across the Adriatic) so I could easilly visit there later on my month of vacation time.

So basically I'm sitting here wondering to myself "do I go North, or South?"

I'm not looking for someone to make the decision for me, just soliciting exeriences/opinions.

**travelpunk** · 08-04-2003, 07:37 AM

You get a month off when you´re in the Corps. Do you know if that will be in the summer or winter? The French Riviera and other parts of France will be stunning at this time of the year. As will Italy and anything on the Med. Sea. This is probably the route that I would take, given the options you gave. You can try to find a quick cheap charter flight to Adam for a couple of days flying out of Paris. Then fly back and pick up where you left off.

You can also do a part of Italy, like the southern part and then hit up the north when you´re in the Peace Corps. What about Spain, Portugal, and Morroco? Any interest there?

**verstehen** · 08-04-2003, 07:51 AM

Some interest in those countries, yeah, but I'm trying not to over-extend myself this time out. I've done plenty of those non-stop crazy tours, and this one I'd like to keep sane. I need to go buy a full rail map and road map so I can lay it all out on the table and try to figure out where I can get, how long it will take, and how much it will cost.

The vacation pretty much can be taken whenever I like in the two years, in whatever length up to the limit. I'm sure there may be some limitations, but the impression I got is that it's up to you.

Thanks for the thoughts.

**Canadian Dude** · 08-04-2003, 12:31 PM

If ya really don't care, I would say flip a coin, you will have a great time either way you go dude... B) B)

**travelpunk** · 08-05-2003, 06:03 AM

Here´s a link with some interactive maps o the Eurail.

The exclusive France route sounds better and better to me. It´s definitely a country that I´d love to thoroughly explore some time.

08-10-2003, 08:07 PM

hi, umm what currency are those prices for eurorail in. I am confused as they are a lot different to what I was quoted here in Aus. I have not got mine yet but there is about a $500aud difference which is huge (for a uni student anyway!)
Thanks again. Have a super day.

butternut punkin · 08-10-2003, 08:09 PM

sorry. last comment was from me, I forgot my password!