Europe Solo & Not Expensive

[Tennesseer]

Nov 17, 2016 19:49:40 GMT -5 debthaven said:

It's really late here so here are some random thoughts:

- I'd do Paris and London.
- But, if you're dying to go to Italy, there are night trains, which would save you a night in a hotel.
- The sooner you book ANY train (Eurostar or night train), the cheaper they are. The Eurostar website has an English option, I think the SNCF (French train site) does too.
- Hotels in London are crazy expensive. I'd try to find an AirBnB. We used to use LondonTown for hotels (last minute deals) but I'm not sure it still exists.
- If you're a woman alone you'll want to stay in a safe neighborhood. I'd find hotels / accommodations near Tube / Metro stops. Parts of Paris (or any major city) can be pretty dicey. 
- If you have a Uber account, know that it works internationally.
- The Eurostar takes 2h20m to 2h40m. But it's still much faster than flying because both the Paris and London airports are a ways out of the cities, especially if you're flying with checked-in luggage. Also check the airport ... if you opt for a cheap (European) flight, know that Beauvais is considered a Paris airport, even though it's 1.5h-2h from Paris (there's a good bus connection but at least be aware).

Hope this helps, feel free to ask me more as you make your plans.

Good suggestion on night trains. I took an evening train out of Florence and ended up in Copenhagen the next morning fresh and ready to go.

[justme]

Group reply:

The Louvre is definitely on the list - assuming I can do it without having to wait in lines. Beyond that I need to look into more specifics on the cities. Picnic in front of the Eiffel complete with wine is on my bucket list (the movies don't lie, you can do that right? And it's not sad doing it solo, right?). As well as seeing it at night. Driving around to see the City of Lights would be awesome but I'm afraid I may die so I might have to do a tour. Catching a concert or play would be nice - but not sure a play in French is worth it for me though. Oh and grabbing a few clothes from designers over there that I can't get here would be awesome.

As for how I'd get there - the bit I've looked the time & cost of a train is prohibitive, but I will admit I could be looking into the wrong places...it seemed like the night train was way more than a flgiht! I can probably get a round trip to a city in Italy for around $100 by plane.

You guys are killing me with the London!! I wanna go there. (Back in college I was planning a London>Paris>Barcelona>Milan>Venice>Florence>Rome but that never happened) I loooove Italian wine and want to sip some while I eat delicious fresh pasta while I look out at the landscape.

My grand, un-thought through plans were to fly into Paris. I'd get there early in the morning because they're all night flights. So hopefully I'll just take an ambien and wake up mostly ok. So then I'd be there a couple days and catch a flight to Rome or Venice spend a couple days there and then fly back probably the day I fly home. So fly Thurs, arrive Fri, stay in Paris until Wed/Thurs, stay in Italy until Sunday and fly back sometime that night (though maybe train might make more sense and sleep on it) and fly home Monday. Maybe Tues.

Though now that I think about that, I wonder how the airbnb or VRBO works over there. I know here it's pretty hard to get only a night or two. Though hotel on the last night would be ok.


As for luggage/traveling. I don't travel super light unless I really have to (thanks to meds and not always doing well on random hotel toiletries, and well kinda liking clothes). My plan was to check a back that has my stuff and just carry on my camera (maybe, probably) and just stuff I need on the plan. So basically the checked bag and everything else fits in a big tote I can throw over my shoulder.

[Apple]

I'm for doing the trip you want, so if you want Paris and Italy, do Paris and Italy.

The overnight train can be expensive depending on how you do it, but remember it also doubles as a room for the night.  You might not get the best sleep, but you can sleep and travel all at once, so not much wasted time.  If you don't book a train before you go, book one the first day you are at destination city #1, in case the first day you plan on doesn't work (train full, etc).  There are different "levels" of sleeper rooms-- you can share (we did this the first night, my son and I ended up in a sleeper with two women), that will be the cheapest.  Or, depending on route, you can get your own single room.

Flights could be cheaper though, just have to look around.  Rome2rio.com is handy to look up different routes/methods/prices.  Routes from Paris to Rome: www.rome2rio.com/s/Paris/Rome

We used Booking.com and did not have any issues.  I looked for a cheap room, high rating, near a bus/metro/train station.  After we got back someone said they are sometimes considered a "bully" company, but I don't know that, and if the people running the rooms felt that way, they never once let on and we were always treated well.  I mostly booked the night before, during the middle of summer, and didn't have any trouble finding a room in any of the cities we visited.

[Apple]

If you take buses, write the name of your stop and where you are headed in the local language.  On some of the less-clear routes, I would show the bus driver and they would signal for me when we were at my stop.  It really helped when we were out in the middle of nowhere.

For the Louve, get your tickets before you go, because that is one line that gets crazy long.  If you go to Versailles, there are ticket machines inside the building, you don't have to wait in line to get tickets at the counter.  Run in and get the tickets, then go stand in line (or get the tickets before you go).

We packed light, so if you can fit everything into a carry-on sized bag and a tote, that would be an advantage if you plan to change hotels/rooms very often.  If you'll just be staying in two locations, it's not as big of a deal.  I didn't have any trouble finding a laundromat when I needed one, and I even ran into a family from my home state when I was in Germany!

As for seeing a play, I highly recommend it, even if you don't understand the language.  Just pick a style you would enjoy anyway.  We saw Spamalot in Munich, and it was hilarious.  We only understood 1 1/2 songs, but it's a physical enough comedy (and we'd seen MP and the HG), so we could follow along pretty well.

We went to Gladiator School when we were in Rome, so always  up for fun stuff. 

[justme]

I didn't even think of things like Gladiator school!! That sounds like so much fun!

I was thinking packing light, but then I thought and with only 10 days I don't really want to waste the time with laundry. If I had an apt with laundry in it where I could clean while sleeping/whatever then I could probably manage it. But with only 10 days I don't really want to waste 2+ hours doing laundry. Though, really, unless March is really cold in those areas (awww crap, is it cold?!?!?!) I wouldn't need a ton. I just know my "carry on" bag is technically just a bit bigger than it should be. No US carrier has yelled at me over it, but I dunno how strict they are in Europe if I'm flying there. I've done 7 days with my carryon - but my second bag was almost as packed and it was kinda more of a pain than just a larger checked bag. But if I have to pack warmer clothes - forget it! This FL girl is sitting in her apt that is currently at 74* w/o heat/ac in a sweatshirt and yoga pants.

[Tennesseer]

Nov 17, 2016 22:04:24 GMT -5 justme said:

Group reply:

The Louvre is definitely on the list - assuming I can do it without having to wait in lines. Beyond that I need to look into more specifics on the cities. Picnic in front of the Eiffel complete with wine is on my bucket list (the movies don't lie, you can do that right? And it's not sad doing it solo, right?). As well as seeing it at night. Driving around to see the City of Lights would be awesome but I'm afraid I may die so I might have to do a tour. Catching a concert or play would be nice - but not sure a play in French is worth it for me though. Oh and grabbing a few clothes from designers over there that I can't get here would be awesome.

As for how I'd get there - the bit I've looked the time & cost of a train is prohibitive, but I will admit I could be looking into the wrong places...it seemed like the night train was way more than a flgiht! I can probably get a round trip to a city in Italy for around $100 by plane.

You guys are killing me with the London!! I wanna go there. (Back in college I was planning a London>Paris>Barcelona>Milan>Venice>Florence>Rome but that never happened) I loooove Italian wine and want to sip some while I eat delicious fresh pasta while I look out at the landscape.

My grand, un-thought through plans were to fly into Paris. I'd get there early in the morning because they're all night flights. So hopefully I'll just take an ambien and wake up mostly ok. So then I'd be there a couple days and catch a flight to Rome or Venice spend a couple days there and then fly back probably the day I fly home. So fly Thurs, arrive Fri, stay in Paris until Wed/Thurs, stay in Italy until Sunday and fly back sometime that night (though maybe train might make more sense and sleep on it) and fly home Monday. Maybe Tues.

Though now that I think about that, I wonder how the airbnb or VRBO works over there. I know here it's pretty hard to get only a night or two. Though hotel on the last night would be ok.


As for luggage/traveling. I don't travel super light unless I really have to (thanks to meds and not always doing well on random hotel toiletries, and well kinda liking clothes). My plan was to check a back that has my stuff and just carry on my camera (maybe, probably) and just stuff I need on the plan. So basically the checked bag and everything else fits in a big tote I can throw over my shoulder.

Justme-the night train cost you are looking at may entail paying for a sleeping couch/berth. If you sleep in your seat, the cost may be lower. Also, taking the night train saves you the cost of a hotel room. Just a thought. Here's a link to read too.

Night Trains in Europe

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

For the 2 weeks we were in France, we took a carry on bag and a backpack each.  Part of the reason was that if you take public transportation you are going to have to lug your bag up and down the Metro steps.  Our hotel in Paris did not have an elevator either, so you get to haul it up those stairs too.

I think TD washed out underwear and socks a couple of times, I did once.  Most of the hotel's we stayed at had a towel warmer and that did a pretty good job of drying clothes.  

Every place we went had a line.  Worst line was the Rodin museum, where even the ticket holders had to wait.  There were lines to go up the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.  The Armory Museum and Musee d'Orsay wasn't too bad, but we got there early in the morning.  The line for the Louvre was outrageous.

I would really suggest that the first day you get a ticket for a hop in, hop off bus.  It can give you the lay of the land so you don't get turned around.  We stayed near the Arc de Triomphe, were about 2 blocks from the Metro.  Hotel was about $100/night, but as we went a month after the nightclub shootings, we got a good deal on it.  But it turned out to be a very good location for us.   We were near bistros, boulengeries, a few small markets and a drugstore.

BTW.....I thought I'd buy myself a souvenir from Paris, Christmas Eve day, we were strolling down the Champs Elysee and I found a purse I liked in the window.  I went into the store to check it out, and I got the sticker shock of my life.  I was not going to pay 2400E for a purse, just because it was made in Paris.  I got similar sticker shock from a lot of things.

[justme]

OMG!!!! The highs over there are in the 50s in March?!?!?! Yeah, not sure my Florida ass can do a carry on now. I'd freeze. FREEZE!!!! On the upside it's kind of an excuse to get cute warm stuff. And I do have a warm 3 in 1 jacket I bought back when I thought I was moving north. Mmmmmm...excuse to buy a pair of nice leather boots I can walk around all day in....

My luggage would probably be a bigger than carry on roll on (though it'd be that big for warm clothes so shouldn't be that heavy) and just one bag so it shouldn't be too bad. I dealt with DC's metro with more crap than I should have thanks to piggy-backing on a work trip where I had to wear suits and such plus it was cold. And all of that was with a broken foot!!! As long as I'm only rolling one thing I'm ok.


I like the bus idea The Walk of the Penguin Mich ! I did like that when I went to San Fran I took a city tour that took up half the day. But I got to see the highlights and decide where to go back to. And the guide had pretty good suggestions when I asked.


I definitely like the idea of the night train. It just might have been that I wasn't looking in the right places? But I feel like not only was it not cheaper than flying, I also had to hop on at like 6pm and didn't get in until 8am or later. Have to consider it because I'd save a night of hotel, but I also felt that it wasted a lot of evening time I could be out enjoying a city - vs a flight that was at 9am landing in Italy by 11am so I'd be out a morning, but even traveling I probably wouldn't get up until 9am without a flight to catch so I wouldn't miss that much time.


Has anyone here switched out their SIM card for one over there to get a pay as you go type plan while you're in Europe? Do hotels have wifi as much as the states do? I know my parents will want me to check in a bit if I go solo. And having some data would be nice to satisfy my spontaneous travel side - but I don't know if that's going to be cost prohibitive or if free wifi is a prevalent in Europe as it is in the states. I know it's not very prevalent in Canada, so I'm worried that Europe might be the same.




Also one friend just bailed on the cruise unless the price comes down by a lot. Like probably several hundred. So it's looking more and more this might happen. Though if I could snag a cruise out to the British VI for cheap on another week I might go for that and save some money while i'm still upgrading my condo. 

[Apple]

I've never traveled with an operational cell phone, just what I could use connected to wireless.

I didn't have any issues last summer.  Debthaven let me in on the "trick" of McDonalds and Starbucks--they always have free wireless.  I don't travel to foreign countries to visit these places, but if I need wireless when I'm out and around, I'll stop in and get something inexpensive.  However, a lot of little restaurants have them, there are many places that have public wireless (we booked theater tickets in the middle of "downtown" in Munich).  Every room I booked had wireless, and I booked some small rooms, rooms in apartment buildings, tiny hotels, etc.

Yes, having a sim card or operational cell phone would have been nice at times, but we managed ok for five weeks without one.  I did have to email my dad and have him book a Normandy tour for me though, they only took reservations over the phone, and it was the easiest way I could come up with to make it happen.

It would have helped if I would have downloaded some sort of phone app before I left too--couldn't do it while I was overseas, the computer knew I was in Germany and the credit card I was using was from the USA.

[dee27]

www.eurocheapo.com/blog/buying-a-sim-card-in-europe.html -info about sim cards

We went to Paris in mid-March a few years ago, and it was warmer than 50ish degrees. Since we lived in NE which is colder in March, we wore mid-weight coats on the plane but brought a sweater and lightweight jacket for the trip. By noon, it was warm enough without them. Bringing a rain jacket or poncho that you can roll up in your daily backpack is a good idea. Trip Advisor-Paris message board-had good hints about clothing choices. I brought clothes that I could mix and match and layer. Definitely wear a money belt when you are out walking. We saw a lot of pickpockets especially by popular sightseeing areas.

Our hotel had wifi, but there was a daily or weekly charge for it. However, it was very slow. The lobby of our hotel had computers where we could check local news, weather, and print flight info. The local McDonalds supposedly had wifi, but it never worked when we tried to use it. Besides the bus that Mich mentioned, there is a hop on/off boat ride, and the ticket is good for the entire day that you buy it. If you decide to eat in a restaurant for dinner, ask the concierge to make a reservation for you. Many popular places book up quickly.

Since most US flights arrive in Europe during the early morning hours, you will want to bring your luggage to your hotel. Some hotels now charge to hold your luggage until your room is ready for occupancy in the afternoon. When you fly between cities, the weight limit is much less in Europe than flights in the US. Extra weight is very costly. A short cab ride in the city was 25 Euros, and a ride from Charles de Gaulle Airport to our hotel was 50 Euros.

[debthaven]

The weather in March is totally unpredictable ... it can snow or be warm enough to eat lunch outside.

A lot of my US friends use What's App or FaceTime for phone calls when they come here. As Apple said, Starbucks and McDonald's and Burger King (since they're in Paris again) always have free wifi. I think any decent hotel would too.

You can switch out your SIM card but most people don't bother anymore.

And as Dee says, LOTS of pickpockets in tourist areas.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Nov 19, 2016 2:24:15 GMT -5 debthaven said:

The weather in March is totally unpredictable ... it can snow or be warm enough to eat lunch outside.

A lot of my US friends use What's App or FaceTime for phone calls when they come here. As Apple said, Starbucks and McDonald's and Burger King (since they're in Paris again) always have free wifi. I think any decent hotel would too.

You can switch out your SIM card but most people don't bother anymore.

And as Dee says, LOTS of pickpockets in tourist areas.

Since you're a local, how do locals safely carry money, credit cards, etc.? You're not all secretly wearing money belts under your YSL, Chanel, and Thierry Mugler outfits, are you??!! ;-)

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Has anyone here switched out their SIM card for one over there to get a pay as you go type plan while you're in Europe? Do hotels have wifi as much as the states do? I know my parents will want me to check in a bit if I go solo. And having some data would be nice to satisfy my spontaneous travel side - but I don't know if that's going to be cost prohibitive or if free wifi is a prevalent in Europe as it is in the states. I know it's not very prevalent in Canada, so I'm worried that Europe might be the same.


Yes, we did this in South Africa to my iPhone.  I think that 100 min of talk and data cost us about $20 (but South Africa is VERY inexpensive).  You do have to have an unlocked cell phone though.  I'm not sure how much it costs in France as we did without when we went.  For us, it was a lifesaver as it was nice to confirm that 'yes' we were going to be at our hotel, but later than expected.  As most of our hotels were guest houses, they usually did not have reception open 24 hours.  Also, we used it for Uber.  When we first got to SA, we took a cab (OUCH!) to the hotel as it was after 10pm and both of us were exhausted.  TD didn't want to drive, so we scheduled our rental to be picked up the next morning.  To go back to the airport to pick up our rental car (and also to get the SIM card), the concierge used his Uber account to get us back there and the cost was about half of what the cab ride had been the previous evening.  As we had a rental for the rest of the trip, it really wasn't necessary but had we been without, it would have been nice.

Wifi is available in most hotels (ok, when I chose hotels, I made sure that it was included).  I don't seem to remember open wifi is as readily available though.  There were a few Starbucks in Paris, but I don't seem to remember them being as prevalent as in the US.  I know we went to one on Champs Elysees, when I needed to sit and rest and that was the only one I saw the entire time we were in France.


OMG!!!! The highs over there are in the 50s in March?!?!?! Yeah, not sure my Florida ass can do a carry on now. I'd freeze. FREEZE!!!! On the upside it's kind of an excuse to get cute warm stuff. And I do have a warm 3 in 1 jacket I bought back when I thought I was moving north. Mmmmmm...excuse to buy a pair of nice leather boots I can walk around all day in....

France was unseasonably warm in December when we went.  I brought a squishy down coat (yes, it did fit in my carry on) and threw a fleece in at the last minute.  As it turned out, I wore the fleece more than my down coat as the weather was in the 50s.  I had gotten a several cashmere sweaters on sale and they were warm enough and packed compact enough that they really were all I needed.  I had a couple of LS cotton shirts that I could have worn underneath, but as it turned out I didn't need to.

[debthaven]

Locals carry money in their wallets / handbags but they are probably more vigilant than many tourists who are busy looking around.

My DS3 was pickpocketed the first time he took the metro by himself. The same thing happened to his best friend.

[justme]

That's the camera bag I've traveled with so far. I like that it's crossbody and is expandable so that I can shove a lightweight jacket or umbrella in it. Downside is the inside is basically just one big pocket, so I don't think there's a small zipper compartment to throw a wallet in. Though it hits where my arm rests across it and I can put the zippers where they all are in front of me so it can't get unzipped behind. Though I'd have to be mindful to shove it in front of me rather than behind when I take photos.

Not sure whether that would be preferable or one that looks like a purse?


I often got mistaken as a local when I was in DC or San Fran. Probably because I was solo, often had earbuds on, and rarely stopped to pull up directions in the middle of the sidewalk. Probably won't get that in Paris.

[Tennesseer]

Nov 19, 2016 12:50:36 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Locals carry money in their wallets / handbags but they are probably more vigilant than many tourists who are busy looking around.

My DS3 was pickpocketed the first time he took the metro by himself. The same thing happened to his best friend.

Dead giveaway to being a tourist: spending a lot of time looking up. It's like that all over the world be it Paris or New York City.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I got pick pocketed the first time I stepped onto the Metro.  I carried a purse, but it had an easy to undo clasp.  Not smart on my part.  I did get my wallet back, but lost all my cash (about $200 combo of $$ and E).  Good lesson, I trealky did need to be more globally aware.  I got pushed into a group of women on the Metro, and it started up.  I grabbed the pole to catch my balance and that was when it happened.  Looking back, the Metro car was almost empty, that should have been my first clue seeing several women very close together.

At the end of our trip, I wound up in a similar situation and I made a lot of noise about it.  The woman got really pissed off at me, and yelled at me but I didn't care.  I think she was pissed that I caught on to the trick.

[dee27]

I used a money belt for my ID, passport, some cash and a CC. I put 20 Euros in my front pocket. DH had a sturdy backpack for his camera, water bottles, and our windbreakers. I put a small make-up bag in his pack, and left my purse in the motel. Any other valuables were locked in the safe.

[Deleted]

Ah, pickpockets.  DH has been pickpocketed in St. Petersburg, Russia (group of kids shoved him when he was walking up steps, he did hold onto his camera), Rome (WHY did a man who lived in NYC for years have his wallet in his back pocket on the subway? ) and in Barcelona (bunch of young people behind him pushed and shoved aggressively to get out at a stop and in the process lifted his money clip with $50 US out of his front pants pocket).  He was over 60 and moved slowly, so he was a target.  When I was caught by the transit cops in Paris at a transfer station because I'd carefully thrown away my ticket and had to pay a fine on the spot, my credit card didn't work and I had very little cash. I explained that I carried so little because of the well-known problem with pickpockets.  They asked if DH had any cash.  I almost laughed.  No, he was no longer allowed to carry cash!  (In Paris you get a ticket, get it stamped, and then are supposed to save it to prove that you paid for the trip rather than jumping over the turnstile.  The police were polite and just doing their job.)  They eventually let me go and I thanked them.  Half an hour later, the credit card worked at a grocery store.

I think you've been talked out of flying in and out of London, but I did want to reinforce the advice about train vs. plane, especially for London.  Some cities, such as Brussels, have inexpensive, efficient train service from the airport to the city center.  For Heathrow, you have 3 choices that I know of (this is pre-Uber experience).  One is the Underground, which can take up to 2 hours and require a change of trains, depending on where you're going.  Another is the Heathrow Express- much faster, more expensive and it goes to Paddington Station.  Period. So, you need to get to your destination from Paddington.  There are also the classic black cabs.  You should ride in one at least once for the experience, but they're expensive and get slowed down by traffic.   So, wherever you go, if you're flying you should research how to get from the airport into town.

DH and I typically stayed in one or two cities, with day trips when we felt like it.  Brussels is a wonderful base; so are Munich and most of the major cities in Italy.  I tried to minimize trips booked in advance so we could wake up in the morning and decide what we wanted to do.  We did find that it was better to get train tickets at least the day before so we weren't waiting in long lines at the train station in the morning.

Have a great time!  There are many places in Europe I haven't explored but I'm headed to Panama and Costa Rica in April.  Gotta pace myself.


    

[Lizard Queen]

Nov 19, 2016 13:19:13 GMT -5 justme said:

That's the camera bag I've traveled with so far. I like that it's crossbody and is expandable so that I can shove a lightweight jacket or umbrella in it. Downside is the inside is basically just one big pocket, so I don't think there's a small zipper compartment to throw a wallet in. Though it hits where my arm rests across it and I can put the zippers where they all are in front of me so it can't get unzipped behind. Though I'd have to be mindful to shove it in front of me rather than behind when I take photos.

Not sure whether that would be preferable or one that looks like a purse?


I often got mistaken as a local when I was in DC or San Fran. Probably because I was solo, often had earbuds on, and rarely stopped to pull up directions in the middle of the sidewalk. Probably won't get that in Paris.

I like it, but if you're looking for something more secure, I'd check out Travelon bags.  (Some people I did travel abroad with just used a safety pin to pin the zipper to the bag, so access is made harder for would-be pickpockets.)  I'd also keep passport and majority of cash in a money belt, or travel wallet under your clothes.  I used an Eddie Bauer coat that had all kinds of pockets on the inside.  It was great for rain, and keeping valuables secure.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Nov 20, 2016 10:03:21 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Nov 19, 2016 13:19:13 GMT -5 justme said:

That's the camera bag I've traveled with so far. I like that it's crossbody and is expandable so that I can shove a lightweight jacket or umbrella in it. Downside is the inside is basically just one big pocket, so I don't think there's a small zipper compartment to throw a wallet in. Though it hits where my arm rests across it and I can put the zippers where they all are in front of me so it can't get unzipped behind. Though I'd have to be mindful to shove it in front of me rather than behind when I take photos.

Not sure whether that would be preferable or one that looks like a purse?


I often got mistaken as a local when I was in DC or San Fran. Probably because I was solo, often had earbuds on, and rarely stopped to pull up directions in the middle of the sidewalk. Probably won't get that in Paris.

I like it, but if you're looking for something more secure, I'd check out Travelon bags.  (Some people I did travel abroad with just used a safety pin to pin the zipper to the bag, so access is made harder for would-be pickpockets.)  I'd also keep passport and majority of cash in a money belt, or travel wallet under your clothes.  I used an Eddie Bauer coat that had all kinds of pockets on the inside.  It was great for rain, and keeping valuables secure.

We just used the hotel room safe to store passports and large amounts of money.  After I was pick pocketed, I think I only kept about 30E on me.  I figured it was enough to get me back to my hotel by cab should TD and I get separated.

[debthaven]

I use something like this when I travel.

www.rayonrando.com/accueil/366-pochette-de-voyage-neck-wallet.html?gclid=CPW4to_1t9ACFU46GwodyZgAnw

My Greek friend advised us to get one before we went to Athens a few years ago. Getting off the bus from the ferry DH felt something in his pocket, and actually grabbed a man's arm. The man's hand was IN DH's front pants pocket! Happily DH's wallet was not. She had warned us to be extra careful when getting on or off trains / buses / ferries because you're dealing with luggage.

[Deleted]

Nov 20, 2016 13:04:08 GMT -5 debthaven said:

I use something like this when I travel.

www.rayonrando.com/accueil/366-pochette-de-voyage-neck-wallet.html?gclid=CPW4to_1t9ACFU46GwodyZgAnw

Yes, I've got a well-traveled neck wallet.  I also carry an ancient Sportsac that zips closed but if anyone were to grab it they'd get guidebooks, ticket stubs and munchies.

[debthaven]

Athena would you like a recommendation for Costa Rica? La Leona Ecolodge in Corcovado. Very difficult to access but so worth it. It's the only place I've ever been that I'd rather go back to than automatically discover something new.

We spent 3 weeks in Panama and 4 days there (it's the only place we went to in CR). Feel free to IM me here or ask on the boards.

I hope you are doing OK. DH's uncle died the same day as your DH so I think of you often.

[Deleted]

Nov 20, 2016 15:30:36 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Athena would you like a recommendation for Costa Rica? La Leona Ecolodge in Corcovado. Very difficult to access but so worth it. It's the only place I've ever been that I'd rather go back to than automatically discover something new.

We spent 3 weeks in Panama and 4 days there (it's the only place we went to in CR). Feel free to IM me here or ask on the boards.

I hope you are doing OK. DH's uncle died the same day as your DH so I think of you often.

Wow- that looks magnificent.  How hard is it to get there from San Jose?  I have 3 nights in San Jose after the cruise so it's a definite possibility.

I'm doing fine- partly, I suppose, because the worrying about DH is over and he died peacefully. We also knew it was coming and he was so weak his quality of life was pretty bad.  And, true to YM philosophies, I have no financial worries as long as I don't go crazy with the travel budget and, since I always managed the money, there are no changes to be made there.  Maybe it will hit me hard later, or maybe the grief will come out in small waves over a long period of time, which is what I expect.  One day at a time.

[justme]

Hmm just found this on groupon. Though it's only three nights in each city. gr.pn/2gtyHio looks like 1300 for solo travel, includes hotels but I'd have to pay extra cuz that price is from NYC.


Or a London and Italy tour www.groupon.com/deals/ga-go-today-london-rome-florence-venice?utm_source=uu3659976&utm_campaign=UserReferral_ma

[swasat]

justme, I am in Italy right now and will be here for the next 10 days. We are currently in Rome, have already done Pompeii and Naples and will continuing to Florence, Pisa, Assisi, bologna and Venice in the next days.

So far wifi has been omnipresent. In every hotel, on the bus, restaurants and cafes and even in small sidewalk cafeterias. You'll have no problem staying connected

Regarding cell phone, check with your cellphone carrier! We have AT&T and they have international plan that gives you international calling from anywhere in the world and 300MB of data for $80/month. We just got that for a month and we are covered.

As someone suggested, travel LIGHT! There is loads of walking and you'll have to drag your luggage over cobbled cramped streets and over lots of stairs and slopes. The heavier and bigggrt your luggage is the more you will suffer. Laundromats are common enough, you shouldn't have issues.

And just so you know, I write this from a street side cafe in Rome using their wifi

[debthaven]

Athena we went there from Panama City (overnight bus to CR, bus to Puerto Jimanez, boat, 4 h "collectivado" to Carate (I think, I may be getting it in the wrong order). Then a horse and buggy met us at Carate to pick up our luggage and we walked 40 min down the beach (only possible at low tide) to La Leona.

This said there are several entrances to Corcovado, so another itinerary may be better for you. I googled "San Jose to Corcovado" on my phone this morning. I liked this link a lot:

costa-rica-guide.com/nature/national-parks/corcovado/

We took a guide from the La Leona lodge. We sat in the Madrigal river bed for a snack on the way in. On the way back it had stormed and we were waist high in water. DS3 (12 at the time?) was crying. Bolivar (our guide) took DS3 across first, then me, then DH (who didn't need much help).

IT WAS A TOTAL BLAST!!! One day I hope to hike to Sirena.

My DS1 had gone there the previous summer with a friend, and stayed in the La Leona campground (near the lodge). He was working in Panama City, which is why we went to visit him in Panama.

He literally FORCED us to go there. We also went to the Islas Perlas, and to the Kuna Islands.

Corcovado is the most wonderful place I have ever been so far (but I haven't yet been to NZ or Australia or Alaska or Iceland. )

ETA: We had a lot of time so the long trip there was part of the adventure. But I think there are several flights per day from SJ to Carate. At the time we went (2007?) La Leona was the only lodge there, but I think there are several now. My DS1 and his friend hiked to Sirena and stayed at the Ranger Station there. That's why I want to go back, to hike to Sirena.

[Bob Ross]

Since I saw the movie "Hostel", I don't think I'd ever go to Europe alone.  

Fun fact:  all of Europe is like the movie "Hostel".