I got an opportunity to be in Antwerp, Belgium for 90 days (Aug-Oct, 2010) in an official assignment. I visited some European cities during that time. The tourism in these cities have many commonalities, and this post will list these features and how a budget traveller can use it to the maximum.
1. Mode of travel : [Bus, Train, low cost flights]
Bus : 'Eurolines' is the famous international bus company in Belgium. http://www.eurolines.be/
Cheaper than any other modes of travel.
For example, train journey [Antwerp <==> Paris] in Thalys train costs you atleast 3 times more than your Eurolines fare [~50 Euros]. Average speed : 80 to 100 Kms / hour
Train : SNCB is the Belgium's popular train network, http://www.b-rail.be/main/index.html .
You can precisely plan the time, cost of your travel, intermediate stations, even the platform number !. You can find trains to many stations in around Belgium, Netherlands in SNCB. If you buy a 'weekend ticket', it will be valid from Friday night to Sunday midnight. You can hop off in any intermediate station, spend some time there and catch the next train in that weekend time.
If you want to experience a very high speed train journey, you can try Thalys [France]. http://www.thalys.com/be/en/?time=1289651320
Flight : Brussels (Belgium) has two major airports.
i. Zaventem : Big International Airport serving many flight careers.
http://www.brusselsairport.be/en/
ii. Charleroi : International Airport serving low cost airlines.
http://www.charleroi-airport.com/en/
'ryanair' is one of the good budget flights.
I like their excellent website to plan the flight journey in few clicks. http://www.ryanair.com/ie
Most of the airports are usually located outside the city. So, if there is no direct train to airport, you have to find a nearby train station, and bus timings operating from the Railway station to Airport.
For example, to catch a flight to Rome 'Ciampino' airport from Brussels 'Charleroi' airport, first I check the flight timing, fare, availability in 'ryanair' website. Then, I check the train from 'Antwerpen-Central' to 'Brussels Zuid, Charleroi' in 'SNCB' site. Then, I check the mode of connection to Airport in the 'charleroi airport' website, especially the first and last bus time, journey time.
2. Accomodation
i. Youth Hostels : http://www.hihostels.com/
Youth hostels are usually cheaper than any other accommodation in that city. More over, it gives you many facilities like breakfast, sporting facilities as part of the price. You might meet some like minded travellers in your dormitory room.
Though the youth hostels in India can not match that of European countries, I knew this wonderful concept and participated in few of their trekking programmes in India. http://www.yhaindia.org/
If you are an avid traveller, I recommend you to become a life time member in this.
ii. Google it.
Etap, accor, F1 are some of the popular budget accomodations.
You can find more options in the official tourism website of your city.
3. Food
Tough part :-), if you are a vegetarian, and does not like foreign cuisine.
McDonalds, Subway can help you to some extent.
I used to bring Apples, Bananas, Chips, Roasted bread with Jams, Fruit Juice and some snax.
You can try the local food also. For Europeans, food includes Beer, wine also.:-)
The restaurents are usually placed near open squares, and they really rest, relax with their friends in the restaurent :-) more than eating their bread.
4. How to tour around the city
1. Official tourism websites are great source of information. Many sites even help you to plan your day, depending on your interest. I will be happy if Indian official tourism websites benchmark with that of European websites.
Google the official tourism website of your dream city. Usually, The site URL names are like 'visit'.
Ex.) http://visit.antwerpen.be/bze.net?id=1470
2. wikitravel is a must read. http://wikitravel.org/en/Antwerp .
It gives you every small details to plan your day.
Just try your own city name, you may come across many information you don't know about your place ! .
3. Some other websites worth mentioning are :
Practical reviews, forums from other travellers. : http://tripadvisor.co.uk/
48 hours in article series : http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/48-hours-in/48-hours-in-antwerp-1855089.html
Virtual Tourist : http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/France/Ile_de_France/Paris-99080/TravelGuide-Paris.html
Brief information about the city : http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/world.htm
Take a print out of useful information from these sites. You can read them during your lengthy journey time !. Take a print out of the city maps, metro, bus, train network maps.
5. Live the plan :
Now, you are all set to connect the dots of the picture you have in your mind, about your dream city :-).
Once you landed in your city, first go to the official tourist information center, (usually near the Central railway station, Bus station). They can give you all the information, answer your doubts, plan an itinerary for you. You can get maps, Passes for local bus, train, museums, churches, attractions.
European cities generally have atleast 10 museums of different genre !. Then, they sell a Pass which gives you free entry to all these museums, buses, train, metro, tram networks. ex.) Roma pass, Amsterdam card. Except Loure museum in Paris, Other museums are not must see. It depends upon your interest about how you want to spend your day, whether in museum or somewhere else. It is not worth to buy the card in all the cities, as you can not see all the museums in 2 days and you will be bored after 2 museums. You can roam around the city by walk, by bicycles, bus, metro, tram, train, boat cruise as per your choice, of course after buying the relevant Pass.
Call your hotel from near by telephone booth to confirm your arrival.
If you have a big luggage, go to the hotel and keep it there. The dormitories usually have a locker facility, but you have to bring your own lock.
Remember to know the last train / bus to your hotel, how secure your city is in night.
6. Prepare a checklist of the things. My checklist for 2 days travel is here.
7. Partying and Nightlife are biggest attractions in many European cities. I do not have much idea about that.
Thats all ! Happy Travelling !
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