Schedule and preparation for discussions

Are 4 digit PINs really necessary? Paying a traffic ticket from Florence.. is this a moral issue? Any suggestions on restaurants for vegans? Paris museum pass ... oui ou non? Rue Cler ... yea or nay?

Backpack or wheels? RailEurope or (fill-in-the-blank)? Buy Euro at home, or get there? Credit cards vs cash/travelers checks? Reserve now, or take my chances once I'm there? Bring hair dryer/iron, or buy there? Railpass or point-to-point? Pompeii or Herculaneum? Sorrento or (fill-in-the-blank)? White tennis shoes/sneakers?
I wanna tramp around Europe for 6 months - is that OK? Whew - that's all I could squeeze off in 90 secs ;-) All in good fun, People, all in good fun...8^D

-What airline has the best prices -money belt vs armpit belt -getting the smell out of armpit belts -laundry techniques -purse vs backpack vs messenger bag -Check my itinerary- 27 countries in 14 full days. -Is London worth a stop

Point and Shoot or DSLR Converter vs adapte Adapter neeede? Electronics--what comes, what stays. Car rental vs train Walking shoes-- are there any that work with a skirt As Eileen said, whew!

Anyone know of an out of the way non touristy place near Cinque Terre? Airline ticket prices are unbelieveable! Does anyone know of a secret website to buy tickets for less than $500.00? BTW, I want to travel in July! Should I buy my airline tickets now or should I wait to see if the prices come down? And BTW, when will they come down? Can someone suggest a good restaurant in Paris What can I wear? I don't want to look like a tourist. How can I avoid pickpockets? Any suggestions on a day trip to Normandy? What items, toiletries, should I bring? Are they available in Europe? I'm going to Munich, which beer garden is fun? Please suggest an intinerary for me, I'm overwhelmed! My bank wants to charge me a service fee for using my credit card in Europe, how can I avoid this, or should I get travelers checks from them? We're renting a car in Amsterdam and driving to Athens, we'll have the car for a week, any suggestions on what is a "must see" in Spain and Italy? My parents want me to email once a week so I'm taking my laptop, can I get wifi there?

OK, I'll play. Heathrow or Gatewick? How do I meet relations at ___ airport? Heathrow Express or ___? What is a SAFE neighborhood in London? Should I rent an apartment or hotel room? Should I trust Home Away, ARBO, etc? What should I see in Cotswolds?
Rolling suitcase, two or four wheels?

What will the weather be like in ____ during ____? Is it safe to email credit card info to the hotel? Bottled water or drinking fountains? Where can I get a diet coke with ice?

1. Sheep reproductive practices.

What are the must see sights in London? Good hotel or B&B in London? How do I use an Oyster card in London? Any advice for me? Traveling to Europe with two infants, a tiny dog in my purse, three teenagers, and my 95 and 101 year old grandparents.

Will my cell phone work in _____? What will weather be like in __? Can I wear shorts in the Vatican? Is Turkey really in Europe? Is Stonehenge worth it? Should I by Euros before I go? Oyster or Travel card? Can I be assured I can get bottled water in _____? Hostel vs Hotel? BB vs Apartment.

* Should I bring a roll of toilet paper with me ? * Could I sleep in a railroad train, travelling at night ? * Are there any camping sites (for my tent) at convenient locations in Germany ? * Are women allowed to go topless at all swimming pools in Germany and France ? * Can I buy or reserve a ticket for riding on a big boat on the Danube river from Melk to Krems in Austria, before I travel to Austria ? * What number of minutes does it take to go to the top of the Eiffel tower, including buying the ticket, and return to the ground, on a week day afternoon in May. * How can I put every thing that I want to bring into a carry - on size bag ? * Which hotel (moderately priced) in Bruges (in Belgium) has a computer that I can use for accessing the internet ? * Do you recommend that I travel in First Class train cars in Italy ? * What is a good souvenir item to buy at Venice ? * What are good items (low priced) for me to bring from America, to give to children in Europe ? * When I am in an airplane, at night, flying from U.S.A. or Canada to Europe, may I take my shoes off ?
* In France, are French people rude to tourists from the United States of America ?

Is Europe safe? Can I buy toiletries there or should I bring giant bottles of everything? I want to go to Europe but I don't know what countries to visit. I also won't tell you what I'm interested in. Suggest an itinerary for me. If I wear the right clothes, no one will know I'm a tourist, right? Isn't Europe really small? Can't I visit England, France, Germany, Italy, and Greece in 2 weeks?

Can I get a refund on roaming charges from using my Iphone in Europe? What do I do with teenagers who insist on hamburgers at least once a trip? Will I go blind if I eat mayonnaise with my frites if no one sees me? If I stay in a soulless charmless hotel, even at an airport, will my travel karma be ruined?
If i wear a Hawaiian shirt with sandals/socks and a camera, will I be targeted on the subway?

- Should we go to Florence or Tuscany? - Can I daytrip to the Cinque Terre from Venice/Rome/Sorrento/Florence? - Is the night train from Venice to Florence a good idea? - We spent 3 days in ________ 10 years ago. Where else should we go?
- Does anyone know a hotel in __________ where we can get a room for 6 people for €100/night? - Do I have to pay the fine if I ride a bus/metro/train without a validated ticket? EDIT: Will my 3-month-old have fun in _______?

Will I be able to get a good American breakfast in Europe? Will my protein powder make it through security? How many days is 180? Will it be cold in the winter? Will it be hot in the summer? Is it rude to speak above a whisper? Will my Rick Steves Forum membership be denied if I check my suitcase? Can I get a probationary membership if I do laundry in the sink? Is it ok to ask the locals to dress in costumes so my pictures look more authentic?

I have a question. I'm seeing a lot more proposed itineraries that include Garmisch-Partenkirchen lately. Now, knowing the patterns on this website over the years, when you suddenly see a new location receiving a lot more attention, it usually means that it's now part of the Blue Book Canon. For example, see the way Ghent went from being mentioned by nobody except Nigel, Eli and me to now receiving regular inclusion on Benelux trips. So, did GaP finally make the book?

What is a safe neighborhood in Paris? Should I stay in Rue Cler or __________? Are there bathrooms in Paris?
How do I avoid pickpockets?

-What's a double bed? -What does ensuite mean? -How big are the beds? My husband weighs 400 pounds and is 6'10" -Do I have to eat the specialty of the country, even if I'm allergic to it? -Can I drink the water in (name the country)? -Should I buy euros now for travel in 2020? -Is there any other guidebook other than Rick Steves? -will we have to get up at 3AM on a Rick Steves tour?
-Will we get to go to bed on a RS tour?

Thanks guys, it looks like I hit the Mother Lode.... ;-)

How do I avoid roaming charges on my __ phone? What electronics are vital to my survival? Where's the best place to purchase a cell phone in Europe that will be compatible EVERYWHERE? What will the weather be like in ____ 6 months from now? Do I need to take 3 winter coats and snow boots? I want to look fashionable. How can I do that and still take only a small back pack? Is it ok to take my newborn (elderly, disabled family member) to_____? I want to see all the big/important sites in __ country, but don't want to visit the big cities. How can I do that? I am visiting ____ (big city). I want to see lovely rural countryside and scenery and hike and do outdoor activities. How do I do that? I have a very limited budget. How can I visit _____ and still stay in a "nice" hotel and eat at "good" restaurants? We're a family of ___ (4,5,6...) and want to know the "best" way to travel around __.
What the heck is a travel/oyster/2-4-1 deal? I don't enjoy museums, history, art, architechture, crowds, or shopping. What is there for me to do in _ (big city)? I don't enjoy hikng, walking, sheep, or outdoor activities? What is there for me to do in ___ (rural area)? Why isn't there better public transportation in ___ (rual/wilderness/ low population area) as I don't want to drive? Can I get from _____ to ____ and have time to see EVERYTHING all in one day? What are the best day trips from _____? Will I loose my Rick Steves credentials if I stay at a 4 of 5 star hotel sometimes?

Daytrips: - Daytrip from Munich - Hamburg, Vienna or Berlin? - Paris as daytrip from London, or London as daytrip from Paris? - Venice as daytrip from Florence, or Florence as daytrip from Venice? - Seville as daytrip from Barcelona? - Switzerland as daytrip from Rome?

Will the adults let this post stay when they show up later today? Thanks, Nigel, for starting this thread. I needed some laughs!

Best place to have Afternoon Tea.....(not high tea which is an evening meal)

What's wrong with just going to see big cities on my first trip? Why don't these 3 star hotels in France and Germany have an ice machine like American motels/hotels back home? Why are the airports used by the discount airlines so out of the way? Can I sit in a second class car with my 1st class rail Pass?

No matter what utterly nonsensical recommendation I make in response to a question, my travel prowess is underscored by the number of nights spent in Europe, which I have noted boldly for your edification. My opinions, naturally, exude an air of superiority and are always right. I'm better than RS. Or I might just have a problem with Cognitive Distortion.

How much will my trip cost? Is it ok to wear jeans in Paris? My co-worker's cousin's neighbor's uncle said a French person was rude to him so I don't want to go there, where should I go instead?

* Do you think I will get laughed at if I wear my white shoes and it is after Labor Day? Do they even have Labor Day in Europe? What about a 4th of July? * I only want clean hotels, can someone recommend one? It needs to be safe too. None of those dirty, unsafe hotels please. Also, we will be 6 adults, can we all fit in the one room? * Can I use dollars there or do I have to buy Euro? * What if it rains? What should I do then? * Is there anything to see there? Is it worthy?

* Who sees the images of naked people from a human body scan machine at the security scanner place in some airports ? :>( * At which hotels at Zurich can I get a ten percent discount from the price for a room if I present my AAA membership card to the hotel receptionist ? (The AAA is the American Automobile Association)

(For Jo) My flight lands in Frankfurt, but I know there's nothing to see. How quickly can I get away from there?

My husband and I will be in London on Thanksgiving, will anything be open?

Please give me exact details of how to plan for spontaneity.

@ Karen - Frankfurt is like Hotel California, you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Well...maybe not gods but certainly disciples? or a few traitors here and there....

So funny! I've had a great time reading these, but I think that if we're going to poke fun at the questions we should also turn it around and poke a little fun at the ANSWERS some of the regulars give. Here are a few of my favorites: Don't fly Ryanair. I hate them because the airports they fly into aren't where I think they ought to be. I don't know the answer to your question and I've never heard of such a thing. (but I'm giving you this non-answer anyway) I don't have time to answer your question. Just read Rick Steves' books. Don't take your children to Europe. I didn't and it was fine. Take your children to Europe. I did and it was fine. Don't follow any typical RS itinerary. I don't follow his advice and don't believe in his philosophy (yet I'm glued to the RS Helpline everyday) Nobody cares what you wear. Wear whatever. I certainly don't care what I look like. Don't bother with a moneybelt. That's paranoid. Just be aware of your surroundings. I've been to Europe X times and I've never been pickpocketed; therefore, you'll be fine. Always wear a moneybelt. I've been to Europe and was pickpocketed; therefore, you will be too. To your question about which wheeled bag to buy: don't use a wheeled bag! I don't! They weight something! Take the lightest thing you can find, maybe a paper bag! My way is right! Your question has been asked many times before. Look it up yourself. I'm tired of it and bored with it and don't have the time or inclination to answer it. (yet I have the time and inclination to chastise you for it) I can help you with your trip if you give me more details. Just tell me where, when, what, who, how, which, and why of everything about it. (then you won't need our help)

"I like good food, good beer, good music, history, architecture and culture. Where should I go?" Does anybody not like those things?

D.D. has really stumbled onto something (all in good fun, of course). Helpline experts routinely opine that only an idiot would fly Ryanair...they're a bunch of liars using abandoned airfields in the middle of nowhere. Oh, I've never flown with the airline. Who wouldn't take the train for 15 hours instead of flying? Idiots. Who would stay in a hotel? Unbelievable. Rent a car? What a moron. Visit well known tourist sites? Good god. Creep in on my top secret tourist spot, which in reality has actually been a well-traveled tourist spot for centuries? What the! Use RS travel guides? That's the epitome of stupid. Indeed, the answers are often more baffling than the questions. You probably need two lists. :)

I think Nigel has created a monster.

It's like Chief Brody said in Jaws, "You're gonna need a bigger boat."

Good point, Michael. The first rule of trip planning should be to do your own research first, and solicit opinions from well, the likes of us, maybe to clear up small issues of confusion or get a range of advice, but certainly don't regard it as the Word of God. After all, we all know that's RS. :)

O.K. Nigel, As God tempers the wind for the shorn lamb, here we go... Is it hard to drive around Venice? Is it ok to hook up with someone in a bunk if there are other people in the compartment? Why can't they just use dollars here, like back home in Alabama? We just went and saw the President's house at 10 Downing Street. Does Queen Victoria really live in that big of a house? Why don't they drive on the correct side of the road? Hey, that sign says "A serious view will be taken of anyone past this point." Get your camera ready! Must be very scenic! Do I wear the fanny pack in front, or in back? Which is safer?
How do I get tickets for Red Square?

Where can I meet some locals in _______? And will they be bored and deaf after I talk loudly about myself and my trip for an hour nonstop in my loud American voice?

"or a few traitors here and there...." We prefer the term "heretic".

* Can any person at this blessed Traveler's Helpline help me find, in Rome, a place for washing and drying my clothes, in one day. (I do not want to spend a Trillion Euro for laundry). I heard : not many machines for drying clothes exist in ITALY. * When you were at Europe, what did you do that helped you pronounce (enunciate) foreign words correctly ? A music teacher at an American college said : when he was in France, his talking in the French language was better after he ate French bread. My friend said he could say Italian words better when Parmesean Cheese was on his tongue. * What is your favorite flavor of Gelato in Rome ? * In the section "To the East ...", What is the name of the best restaurant at Varna for eating Japanese vegan food and drinking non distilled tsipouro.
* In Paris, may a person carry his pet Boa Constricter snake in a METRO train car ? (under ground train).

Is it possible to wear too much safari clothing? (answer: no.) Sub-theme: Is it possible to wear too much Khaki?
(answer: no.)

Nigel, by the time you read all this ______ you will have missed your flight. Can you rebook?

Will I get kicked out of Italy for ordering a cappuccino after 10am?

European towns that are open... wait, someone just asked that question.

All good stuff.... a much bigger boat ... @ Rik - ROFL

Hey Nigel...is that you trolling elaborate posts to stir things up that include the terrific minute by minute itinerary of Paris where Saint Chappelle gets 30 minutes and Hard Rock Cafe Paris gets one hour (as does the entire Musee d'Orsay)? I really enjoyed the same poster saying she does not know what there is to do in London, or what she may see at the Louvre as she's not sure they have anything "precious or rare" contained within their walls! Ken has been so good about addressing each and every one of those posts (or maybe he's just trying to break 20,000 posts before the end of the year).

Flying Ryan Airlines...I'll be glad to fly with them since they go to Paris-Beauvais...a lovely and interesting town. From Beauvais I can get to see Amiens and then to Paris. After all, I'm paying the same as for fish and chips. A great post here !

Not me, Ceidleh, and I don't normally get involved in itinerary posts.

How about referring to RS as Steve...as far as I'm concerned he is a travel icon and deserves to be called by his initials. Unless someone can come up with something more creative!

The name "Steve" lives in eternal infamy on this website. Better "RS", "Mr. Steves", "Rick", but not "Steve".

I'm 79 years old. Would I be considered a "senior citizen" in Europe? If I get a headache in London, will there be a place to buy an aspirin? I don't like French food. Would it be too much of a hassle to bring enough Wonder bread and Skippy
peanut butter to last me 3 weeks? I'm afraid of getting a bug from drinking the water in Paris. Do they have Evian or Eau de Vie like we do here in Texas? Can I still use francs in Paris and deutsch marks in Germany? (a friend said I could) In order to avoid taking a hair dryer to Barcelona, I'm thinking of growing my hair long and wearing it in a bun. What do you think? I really hate the thought of worrying about doing laundry all the time. Do you think wearing the same outfit 21 days in a row would be a problem? (I'll be in Rome in July) I can't bear the idea of leaving my kitty, Snuggles, alone for 3 months while I ride the rails thru Europe this summer. Any advice on taking him with me would be greatly appreciated. (He's a Tom, weighs 33 lbs., does NOT like being in a carrier, and hates the heat.) What happens if I lose my passport, all my money, credit cards and return plane ticket? Do I have to stay in Europe the rest of my life?

You know someone is gonna ask about how they can spend 6 months travelling through Europe, so we will have to go through the whole Schengen issue again- to someone who doesnt want to believe

I think I saw the best one today, certainly the shortest one I remember: The entire question was: "Cheapest, cleanest and best locale?".

Round table discussion-Is a more reserved but less friendly service in Europe better than a too friendly but more helpful service in America? General philosophies and personal anecdotes welcome.

This entire thread is hilarious. At what point in one's leisure traveling career does he consider himself no longer a newb but a well-seasoned expert, making it fitting to deride others for their naïve and unintelligent travel questions? BTW, my vote is for reserved and less-friendly.

I second reserved and less-friendly.

@ Nigel, and I'm still trying to figure out how "cheapest, cleanest, best locale" is only going to see the BOTTOM of the Colosseum but not the top!

Are there any other streets in Paris besides rue Cler? If I can make the guards at Buckingham Palace laugh, do I get in for free? AND
If I can make a Parisian waiter smile, do I get a meal for free? Does Geneva, Switzerland really exist? I can't find it in any of Rick's books. How do I know if the chicken I eat in Paris is one of those special award-winning ones? Will it have a blue ribbon around its neck? I love Champagne, but find the bubbles annoying. Could I ask the waiter to remove them? Why aren't the subways in European cities above ground? I would like to take the bus to the Eiffel Tower, but am afraid of getting lost. Will anyone know where it is? I've heard that French people eat snails. Do I have to find my own in the hotel garden or will the restaurant provide them? If I bring my own, do I get a discount? Someone told me that France is about the size of my state, Texas! yee haw!! If that's true, how many oil wells and cattle ranches are there? (I'll bet not as many as Texas!)

I'VE NEVER FLOWN BEFORE, so . . . Is it just media hype, or will security really take away my shotgun? What is the cheapest airfare to Europe? (I'll be going in 2014). I can't decide between a seat in coach or one of those big seats in the front that makes into a bed. Also, is there any price difference? I've heard of jet lag, but never had it. Is it a European disease? (If so, where do I get the shots?) Which airline will let you smoke if you open a window? Will we be dining with the captain like you do on a cruise ship? If so, is there assigned seating in the dining room? Will they be showing a movie I haven't seen before? How many bags of hot, buttered popcorn are we allowed? And does the concession stand sell Milk Duds? (my favorite!) Is there always enough hot water for everyone to take a shower? I'm a little worried about checking a bag. Someone told me that a bag got lost last year. I've heard that flights often depart late. Would it be OK to arrive at 11:15 for my 10:00 flight? How do I reserve my electric blanket? Why are the planes from Europe to America so much faster than the planes from America to Europe? According to my itinerary, I leave Texas at 12:30 PM and don't arrive in Paris until the NEXT day at 8:15 AM. Coming home, I leave Paris at 10 AM and arrive in San Antonio at 5 PM the same day. Weird!

Gosh, we're all so danged smart. See also Homer Simpson's famous quote.

I miss U.S. style service. I am used to German service now and it doesn't bother me anymore - unless I'm late to see a movie and jesus I budgeted 2 hours of time and why is it still taking me 45 minutes to get the check! - but I enjoy having waiters who are actually interested in my satisfaction. It's nice.

Did anyone notice that Rick's current FB post to the right of this helpline is very similar to this thread? That's right-he's copying off of us! We're his muse!

Did no one mention layovers? - I have three hours at CDG, is that enough time to see Paris? - 3 hour layover at Heathrow, what should I do while in London? - 4 hour layover in Schiphol, what is the best way to see Amsterdam?

I have a 3 hour layover in Paris at one of the airports(who can tell them apart anyway?) I'd like to see the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, an authentic cafe (you know, one with a handsome French guy wearing a beret and sipping wine), the Orsay museum, Napoleon's Tomb, every bridge across the seine and still have time for lunch at a nice, famous restaurant. My budget is 10 euros (but can bump up to 12 euros if necessary). Also, how much is a taxi from whatever airport I'm landing at? What will be weather be like?

I'll be in Italy for 10 days and I plan on seeing Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Sicily, Pisa, Pompei, Verona, Lake Como, Cinque Terra and maybe a side trip to Switzerland if I have time...can anyone recommend a good itinerary?

Isn't it about time for another bedbug question to pop up somewhere?

Me thinks this post may be immortal, it may NEVER die!

This website needs a "like" button! You people are funny ;-)

How about: Will I get lectured by RS or banned from this site because I check luggage? My favorite often repeated question: What kind of bag can fit in the overhead bins? While not about europe I love this question my relative got while working for an airline:
Is New Mexico part of Mexico?

Janet, so true about New Mexico, I grew up there, when I was a teen in the late 60's I was visiting relatives in Kentucky, I met some kids there and told them where I lived, they thought it was just like the western movies showed, thought I rode and horse and traveled on a stagecoach! And years later when I joined the Navy, while in bootcamp I had someone asked me why I was in the United States Navy!

In a couple of weeks I'm traveling to France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and England. Do I have enough time to learn those languages fluently? I'm particularly concerned about England, because I've been told those people speak funny and don't even use "y'all"!