European tours

[krishakulit]

mga sis me nag dala ba ng pc/loptop sa trips nyo?me free internet access ba dun sa mga airports,hotels sa europe?
did you encounter hussel ba sa airport like do they check ur programs kung orig?

[mama squeak!]

Almost all airports in Europe have WIFI so no problem with keeping in touch. Some hotels though only have modem jacks, better check first kung may bayad yung usage. Or you can always look for Starbucks hehe 

No hassle naman bringing your laptop. But I prefer netbooks, ultra portable. Usually at the airport security screening they'll ask you take it out from your bag and xray it separately. So far, wala pa naman nag-check ng OS ko kung orig or not. I don't have to worry anyway because all original mga programs ko.

 

[krishakulit]

hehe ganon ba..sige nga madala nga notebuk ng sis ko..antagal kc namin mag aantay sa airport..

[teacherteacher]

Mi ultimo dream tour!

My husband and I are seriously planning to go there this year, between October to November (we can't afford to leave in any other month).

I just have some queries:

1.  Is it a good idea na mag-travel agency kami?  We have friends in Germany, Austria and Italy, and they are inviting us to stay with them.  Well, especially Germany.

2.  Ang must-go ko ay Switzerland, Venice & Milan (Italy), Paris (France) and Cologne (Germany).  How many days dapat i-allot namin?

3.  How much do you think should we bring?  Wala naman kaming papasalubungan, yung sa amin lang takaga.

TIA!

[fabulosity]

Hey ladies! I just came back from my fabulous trip (April 6-11) to amsterdam, finally! It was short and sweet with a side trip to london (stonehenge, bath, and salisbury) en route. I loved it positively, and the Dutch are one of the nicest people you'll meet.

Highlights of my trip:
-promenading along the canals
-renting a bike and riding it with the locals around the city (scary at first, it was 10 years back since I last rode one...)
-enjoying masterpieces at the van gogh museum (ahh, going back to my art appreciation days... I found the "Potato eaters" always compelling, it is also where you could see the "Bedroom", "Sunflowers", and Starry Night")
-the obligatory but always amusing, canal cruise!
-munching down vlaamse frites (translates to greasy french fries soaked up in mayo) at a fair (sounds disgusting but it's addictive!)
-the touristy but fun day trip to Zaanse Schans (where the wind mills are), and the fishing villages of Volendam and Maarken, complete with a wooden shoe (clogs) making demo and a stop to a cheese factory (bought edam cheese, same as queso de bola back home)
-how can I forget the flower fields and Keukenhof?! It was absolutely breathtaking! Wish I had time to bike around the fields! Took tons of pics here.
-enjoying mushrooms at a "coffee shop"... kidding! but they really exist! crazy stuff!
etc. etc. etc.

I'm sad to say I didn't enjoy Anne Frank house, possibly because I don't know her and I haven't read her story/diary. But this is just me.

Stay away from the red light district if it's not your thing, which was in my case. btw, if you plan on going, never take pics of the show windows, they're not allowed!

I recommend staying at the Victoria Park Plaza which is in the dead center of amsterdam, and get an executive room, a lot nicer and comes with buffet breakfast. It's near the canal hop on hop off stop, trams, Lindbergh tours, bike rental, shops, restos, and best part, 5 min. walk to Central Station, which is easy to get to from the airport, although the airport shuttle was cheap as well at 22 euros round trip. Skip the taxi, ridiculously expensive if there's less than 2 people in your group. Figure  more or less $5000 for 2, food accomodation, airfare (from chicago), souvenirs, tips, etc.
There's not much shopping to do in amsterdam compared to paris and italy. I don't recommend getting a diamond there, expensive and not necessarily nicer. I got cheese, clogs, van gogh stuff and I'm a happy camper! I loved amsterdam and I can't wait to come back!

Well I hope these info help. Any Q's are welcome! I'll be glad to answer them. Dag!   

[mama squeak!]

I just found out that my cousin's being posted at The Hague.    Happiness! We have a place to stay at na when we go to the Netherlands. Laking tipid with hotel bills   

[st3ph_17]

Hi,

Do you know which month is the cheapest to go to Europe (go to several countries in one trip  )? Is November cheap? Or should I go January/February?

I plan to go sana but with a travel agency here in Manila. Hopefully everything is already included: airfare, hotel, food, entrance fees, etc. Do you know any travel agencies in Manila who are famous for Europe tours?

Thanks!

[krishakulit]

hi mga sis..just got back from my european cavalcade adventure tru trafalgar..dream come true...just want to extend my tnx sa lahat ng mga sisies na matyagang sumagot ng mga tanong ko..
well because this thread help me a lot nun ng planning ako ng european dream vacation ko,well just wanna share din sa ibang mga sissies na nag pla-plan and dreaming to go...
di ko nga lang alam kung how to start..
ito pala un mga napuntahan namin.barcelona,amsterdam,rhineland,lake lucerne,liechtenstein,innsbruck,verona,venice,rome,sorrento,florence,nice,lyon,and paris. and we did it in 23 days..hehe kya as in bitin talaga and rush...but im glad na nakarating na din ako sa europe.ganda dun.enjoyed it talaga.
di ko kyang ma narate  ng organze like sis fabulosity but i agree with her about the people of amsterdam..warm and nice sila..un mga na kausap namin,marunong mag english.tourist friendly sila dito.madaming maps kya di ka maliligaw...hehe we went to
dam square-liked it naman.
redlight district-well kakaiba..hehe too bad di ko nakunan ng pix..hehe di din kami nag tagal.just took a peek.well its not everyday na makikita mo un mga girls na nasa glass window diba...nope..didnt try the coffee shops either..but bought a  candy na kalasa daw ng marijuana..well lasang grass eh but matamis..candy lang un kya [textspeak!] naman tama..
zaanse schans-super nagustuhan ko dito...loved it here..mas gusto ko dito than voledan and marken
cheese factory-well kasama sa tour eh.kya pumunta na din kami..uyy ang sarap kaya ng mga free taste na cheese..enjoy ako sa kaka taste..sayang sna may tinapay akong dala..haha

was not able to see the museums and ann franks house or do the canal cruise..kc gahol sa oras.sayang nga eh..

loved the souvinir shops..kc naman makulay..puros magnets nabili ko..haha at pang pasalubong na mga ceramic and wooden mini clogs.madami din benta mga kinky stuff..un tipong pang bridal shower items..haha kaaliw lang tignan...

inabot kami ng ulan at hangin sa amsterdam..grabe..lamig dito..hehe but nevertheless..loved it here...

[mama squeak!]

^^Usually the off season months are October to April except during the Christmas/New year holidays.

Check this website for sample tours:

http://cosmos.com/

 

[mama squeak!]

@krisha - I'm happy you enjoyed your trip. Sa dami ba naman ng pinuntahan ninyo in 23 days talagang super bitin yun!

Oh so next time, DIY ka na ha since na-experience mo nang Europe. Madali lang naman as long as you carefully plan it. Sa yo pa oras mo, mas ma-enjoy mo pa yung mga places.

 

[krishakulit]

tnx sis^ hay saya saya talaga..uu siguro nga mas may confidence na ako siguro mag hehe but bka matatagalan pa yata..ipon hehe
^^ sis st3aph_17 before i went with trafalgar,i was planning to go with a tour organized in manila as well..kyalang di natuloy kc small agency lang di sila naka buo ng group. but why dont you try to inquire sa panpacific? ang tour nila around $4000+ full board meal na.around 17days kasama na pati london. meron mga mas cheaper na tours..(tours r us) but di ko alam kung sikat sila or something..mas mura sya,but di full board meal and mas konti lang ang days..more or less it will depend siguro sa budget mo at sa places na gusto mong i-visit..mas mura talaga kapag sumama sa locally organized tour kc nga all in na..but tignan mo un no of days ha.kc minsan ang daya..17days nga tapos 3days na ang nasasayang dahil pati papunta at pag uwi kasama pa sa bilang.pati arrive in manila ba naman bilangin as last hehe well good luck..sna matuloy kayo..ganda dun...

mas mura yata pag medyo malamig dun..like march-april.kesa sa may.

[st3ph_17]

thanks krishakulit and mama squeak! for the info!

wow ang mahal pala ng local all in.. i was planning kasi na mga $3500 [textspeak!] eh. [textspeak!] mga major spots in central europe na un pupuntahan. I checked din sa mga trafalgar and cosmos kaso puro mga no meals e and bka pag add add baka lagpas lagpas din sa $4000. i plan to see rome, vatican, venice, switzerland (mt.titlis), paris, amsterdam, london. sana sa mga november [textspeak!] mga pan pacific na tours cheaper na. I don't mind going in winter (sana nga may snow eh! haha! but baka wala pa by november) sana [textspeak!] cheaper. I couldn't find info about the tours r us here in the philippines. do you have contact info? thanks!!!

[fabulosity]

welcome back krishakulit! Sounds like you had a blast! Glad to have answered your Q's.

Whoa, that was a looong trip! I don't think I could've endured 23 days... but then again, you've seen so much so I'm envious! You've inspired me to plan my next trip.

Amsterdam was fun, isn't it? We both haven't scratched the surface yet, we need to come back!

So how was Sorrento? And what was your favorite city? 

Hi st3ph_17! I hope you don't mind me butting in, but I've gone on a Euro tour late Jan/ early Feb. I just got lucky with the weather since it did not rain much for 12 days (only twice, in Florence and London as expected). Though, I would suggest going December instead. Weather would be milder especially in Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, etc. and there would be much less tourists around, which is great.

Why not try booking online? I think it's easier and most tours are discounted. If you got more Q's, I'll be around.

[krishakulit]

yup sis did have a blast.super saya ko talaga bec of the trip .medyo kakapagod nga lang talaga..but it was worth it naman..kayalang you can see tru our pix na sa last leg ng tour namin,medyo pagod na mga faces namin...and also may mga places na nakakalimutan ko coz of sobrang rush un pace ng tour..buti nalang i have pix and journal to remind me of the places..( since i dont have the luxury of time and money to go back often hehe,this is the way to go for me talaga..)

sa dami ng pinuntahan talagang may favorite no..ang nag stand out talagang experience sa akin is the mt. pilatus excursion sa lucern switzerland..probably because i have never seen snow,kya super enjoy ako dito..but also sobrang ganda ng view ng alps..words cant discribe un happiness na naramdaman ko when i saw it.priceless talaga ito for me. pag baba sa lucern,you can also see the snowcapped alps..ganda talaga..
sa shopping naman,bought un cheapest swiss army knife nila.15swiss pounds.dont know if its really cheap here ha..but here you can have your swiss army knife engraved with your name..(which i did.hehe) and also a nail cutter.9sp. may mga cow na may bell stuff toys din available.cute nila..sa watches...hay i asked un tag..parang wala pa din sa budget eh..(di pa din yata super hehe asa lang ako)hehe

sorriento naman sis ^ enjoyed naman..we went to capri and ana capri.natuwa ako dun kc parang nasa greece ako.nice view from the top..me mga cliff pa..tapos mediteranean.but super rush..di ko nakita kung me beach..we also visited pompeii didnt enjoy this as i though i would..3 bodies lang ang andun when we where there.but nakaka lungkot nga un place knowing madaming namatay dun..ang kakaiba dun meron na palang prostitution den dun nun sinaunang panahon..me mga drawing pa ng mga sex positon sa wall..civilized talaga sila hehe

sis st3ph_17 medyo madaming plus plus pag sumama ka sa mga international tours..like un sa amin,other than the tour itself na binayaran ko,and the airfare, paid around 700 plus euros to join the optional tours..but its up to you if you want to join or not..(but ang sa akin lang eh andun na ako,kung di ako sumama,di mo makikita un mga sites...) kya medyo mas mahal nga lumalabas...but kc nagustuhan ko sa internationally organized tour,mas madaming choices ng IT available.un dito sa atin,un mga popular spots lang tagala pinupuntahan. but mas mura yata talaga lalabas kung dito ka kumuha...un sa meals naman,well if matipid kang kumain you can buy mga cheap food din naman.

ito ang tipid tip namin ng sis ko...pag breakfast,its usually included.so we eat a lot nalang pag breakfast.or minsan nag babaon ako ng fruits from the buffet table LOL un mga kasama namin aussie nga tinapay pa binabaon no...
also may mga mura din naman food available.(mura in their standard ha..mahal pa din yon for us dahil sa exchange rate)kung simple ka lang,you can eat mga sandwich or pizza or bread lang.mga 3 -5euros un.medyo malaki naman.so i share it with my sis nalang.pag medyo gutom naman,we went to mcdo..6 euro un bigmac with drinks and fries na un.pag burger lang around 3 euro yata yon. or sa mga rest stops me mga 6euros din na meal.pag nasa mood kami kumain,sa rome naka eat kami ng 2 course meal with glass of coke for 11 euros.(nka set meal sya salad,pizza or pasta )
 sa water naman..(not for the weak stomach ha) i drink from tap water lang eh..(i asked our agent kung safe.sya daw kc un ginagawa..i tried it,di naman sumakit tyan ko.so drink away ako...) around 1.80 per bottle of water eh.

well ska na un ibang tips ha..isip muna ako...

[krishakulit]

sis st3ph,ako din before our trip i was hopping na mag snow,hehe but pag di ka pala sanay sa lamig,di pala comfortable...like kami when we where in amsterdam..grabe sa lamig.(coz windy at umuulan) tapos we cant feel na yon hands namin.at un mga heavy coats,ang bulky dalhin...so if konti lang ang difference sa price,suggest ko yon medyo ok na weather na piliin mo.hussel pag umuulan panget sa pix.(which luckly twice lang nangyari sa buong stay namin) in amsterdam and florence yata kami inulan...
suggest ko din pala,hanap ka sa news paper..when mo ba balak umalis soon ba?kc may mga offer din yata sa june or july.though di ko alam kung ok season yon ha..just remembered nun nag iinquire ako..

[st3ph_17]

hi fabulosity and krishakulit, thanks for the tips! I really think doing the trafalgar tours would be more expensive, plus nakakatamad na dami pang iisipin pagdating dun. At least pagayus na lhat, wala na problema. I don't have problem with food kht tipid tipid nlng, pero un nga [textspeak!] kakatamad pa mag hanap and magisip hahaha! I plan to go winter time na siguro... november or december siguro. di pa naman siguro super winter ng time na un so okay pa weather. I checked na with mga local travel agencies, their prices are super mahal, mga $4000+ tpus [textspeak!] iba wala pang london. I have another alternative, kasi my mom lived in Hongkong before so she knows how to speak cantonese, we have heard other people say that the Europe tours organized by HK travel agencies are cheaper versus here in the Phil. I checked their prices and it's true! Un nga [textspeak!], kelangan ko pa dagdag [textspeak!] price ng pagpunta sa HK.. pero cheaper pa rin eh kahit anong gawin kong compute! another problem dun is Cantonese speaking [textspeak!] mga guide! limited [textspeak!] alam ko sa Cantonese so kelangan ko ask sa mom ko kng ano sinasabi... but I guess okay na rin un. Mag research nlng ako before I go. Lumalabas kasi sa HK mga USD$3000 all in na pati na [textspeak!] mga tip and all. Tska what I like about the HK travel agency is [textspeak!] mga tours niya punta ng punta sa mga sites, konti [textspeak!] [textspeak!] free time. [textspeak!] mga local travel agency kasi lumalabas mga 17 days pero mas konti parin [textspeak!] pinupuntahan kesa dun sa HK travel agency na 13 days. [textspeak!] sa local kasi puro mga free day for shopping... e di naman un ang pinunta ko dun! Hahaha!  But I'm still hoping na may PROMO [textspeak!] mga local travel agency especially in November kasi cheaper daw that time. budget ko is around $3500 [textspeak!] kasi haha!

[kittenpaws215]

I just found out that my cousin's being posted at The Hague.    Happiness! We have a place to stay at na when we go to the Netherlands. Laking tipid with hotel bills   

The Hague is a nice and quiet place. Very laid back nga lang.

-enjoying masterpieces at the van gogh museum (ahh, going back to my art appreciation days... I found the "Potato eaters" always compelling, it is also where you could see the "Bedroom", "Sunflowers", and Starry Night")

Sis, you're bringing back a lot of good memories. I think we took the same day tour. LOL. did you also visit their famous jewelry shop near the central station?

i was also drawn to Potato Eaters. For some reason, i was mesmerized by it. i bought several boooks and Van Gogh posters inside the museum.

[krishakulit]

^^wow mura pala sa hongkong ang tours?hehe well thats an idea..will ask around nga..hehe.but nako bka mahirapan ako hindi me marunong mg cantonese...kc meron kami kasama sa tour na limited lang un english nya..medyo hirap sya.may mga sinasabi un guide..di nya talaga ma gets un orientation..

isa pa palang favorite city ko ay ang venice...
never have i thought na ma enjoy ko itong city na ito.,maybe [textspeak!] akong masyadong expectations.[textspeak!] kc akong masyadong alam about venice..but it took me by surprise.i enjoyed the gondala ride.may music and singers pa.hehe nice views of the houses along the canals..colorful sya took nice pictures..
we went to st. marks square. ganda..picture with the pegeons.
enjoyed shopping for morano glass accessories.(good idea for pasalubong sa kikay friends.)may mga 5E to 10E un simple design na necklace.un set 15E bili ko(earing necklace and ring). un mga unique designs,mas mahal...also bought a couple of venitian mask..
dito pla ako gumastos ng pinaka mahal na cr..1.50E..=P
yup its true.sa italy common pala talaga me bayad ang pag cr..most of .50E ang bayad.maski sa mcdo minsan may bayad.sa ibang countries(like paris),meron din..but pinaka wlang free cr sa italy..so what we do,minsan hanap kami ng malls..may mga ibang me bayad,me iba free..

[maribeth]

Wow, sis krishakulit and fabulosity, am glad na-enjoy niyo ang aming little city. Let me know next time na you have longer time to stay. I'd be very glad to meet with you guys. But you are right, visiting Zaanse Schaans is enough to experience the cheese and windmills..

[mama squeak!]

^sis, questions please. How far is the train station in Amsterdam from The Hague? Is there a train service between the two? And how many train stations are there in Amsterdam with services to Frankfurt? Sorry dami tanong ha I'm planning our trip next year and might go to Amsterdam first since my cousin's posted at The Hague, then go na kami Frankfurt.

Thanks!