The continent of Europe and its feel is so very different from that of any other continent or country. Most of the continent is a fine blend between the narrow and tiled streets from the 16th, 17th and 18th century and the skyscrapers dominating the skies and showing the economic might of the continent and it’s comprising nations.

Europe Geographic Location

Europe is mainly defined by the Arctic Ocean towards North, Atlantic Ocean on the west, by Mediterranean Sea down South and the Ural Mountains, Ural River, Caspian Sea and Black Sea towards east and southeast. Although Russia is the largest country among all the European nations, its contribution towards tourism is almost negligible as compared to most of the western European Countries.

A Brief History

Before the Industrial revolution, Europe was plunged deep into the dark ages. During those times, exploitation of labor, fight for control over land and people and corruption in the churches had made life a living hell for most of the people. Although Industrial revolution struck Europe in the 16th century and changed the things upside down, it also gave wings to art and architecture. It was only during the 16th, 17th and 18th century that great artists and philosophers of the likes of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Picasso and Galileo were born and changed the way people looked at the world around them.

Most of these men were also responsible for the creation of various breathtaking pieces of art and architecture. Most of the European churches date back to a few centuries and still boast of paintings by master artists of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Places of Interest in Europe

Europe is such a beautiful continent and has so many places that can said as a must visit. But it is almost impossible list beyond a few of them. But, you don’t need to get disheartened because we will try and pack in as much information here as we can and tell you where you can find the rest of the information that you are searching for.

Some of the major cities of Europe are Paris, Munich, Berlin, London, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Stockholm and Helsinki. These are just some of the most important cities in Europe in the context of travel and tourism and also as power centers. But, this goes without saying that there are many other places that are as beautiful as these cities.

Paris - the capital city of France, the city of love, is one of the biggest travel and tourism attractions in Europe. Paris is also called as the fashion capital of the world. There is always something happening in the city and there is something for just about everyone. When in Paris, you should not miss the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre (glass pyramid) and the Notre Dam cathedral.

Berlin - the beer capital of Europe and as well as whole Germany famous with some of the most modern fleet of trains. Apart from huge beer steins, Berlin also boasts some of the finest museums and cathedrals in the world. And of course, you must not miss the Berlin wall – an important, although sad symbol of the previous decades.

Amsterdam - the European capital of pleasures, popular with its wild and free life. The city itself is also very impressive, boasting old cathedrals, great architecture and countless tourist attractions. But Amsterdam is also equally popular with its cuisines and of course, Hash Brownie.

Travelling in Europe

Travelling in Europe is a very pleasant surprise for most of the first timers. Almost entire continent works like a single nation and leaving aside a few, most of the countries use only one currency - Euro, which means that you can save time on exchanging traveler’s checks for local currency and bringing only one currency in many of the European countries.

One of the most popular ways of travelling across Europe is by the Eurail. Eurail is one of the most economical ways of transport across the European countries. Also to be noted here is that a visa issued by any of the European Union member country holds good in all the rest of them too. So, you can use Eurail for travelling between almost any of the European countries and enjoy the breathtaking countryside views on the way.

You can also fly on many of the cheap, no frills flights or make use of the bus service called Eurolines which connects more than 500 European cities. Another popular and fun way of traveling between many cities in Europe is by ship. There are many ferries and large ships that transport people and shipments across different European cities and also offering all the luxuries romantic cruise liner.

Although, we have tried to pack in as much as we could here, we still missed out on so much of what one can see and enjoy in Europe as a tourist. But, we don’t want you to miss out on anything, and in case you are more curious about Europe, so can find more information and take a virtual trip to Europe on the site below. Still one can truly experience Europe only if visit the Old Continent himself!

Protecting both yourself and your belongings on a Eurail vacation can seem like a challenging task at first. Many travelers, carrying only what they will need for the trip, worry that because they are on a train, others have relatively easy access to the places in which their things are stored. Also, most travelers on a train are in one compartment or one train car for extended periods of time, which can result in a feeling of vulnerability. Missing a stop, or getting on the wrong train is a setback, but is usually not a major one

The most common story is lost luggage, which occurs on just about every kind of transportation. Aside from problems arising during travel, travelers on Eurail should be very careful at stops as well. Although most individuals you will encounter are friendly, there are those who want to take advantage of vacationers. Overall, there are a number of general rules that can be followed to help keep both yourself and your belongings safe while traveling Eurail.

One of the most basic measures to ensure the safety of luggage is simply to pack less. One bag to keep track of is always easier then two. Eurail generally allows for three bags to be taken on a trip. Taking time to fumble through luggage or trying to find a way to carry it all can leave a tourist vulnerable to devious individuals. The fewer bags the better.

Another precaution that can be taken is using a bicycle lock to secure luggage that is in an overhead compartment. This prevents thieves from easy access, and that fact alone will often keep them away. Cable locks probably work the best as they are the most flexible without losing resilience. Another handy tip for avoiding trouble with luggage is to avoid storing things underneath your seat. It can be very easy for somebody to use an umbrella, cane or other such device to commandeer your bag without your knowledge, take what they want, and return it to its place before you even notice. Keeping close guard over bags that must be kept under seats is strongly recommended.

Locking your luggage up is not the only important lock to keep track of. It is a good idea to keep your compartment door locked throughout the evening. Another night time tip is to keep your money on your body while you sleep, and to sleep clothed in case you need to quickly get moving. If you are traveling alone, another way to keep yourself safe is to not listen to music or movies through headphones. Wearing headphones makes you less aware of your surroundings, and sets you apart as a target for pickpockets and other sorts of thieves.

Other methods of protection rely on how you interact with other people. One of the most significant measures is avoiding conversations involving travel plans with other passengers. Con-artists and others who may take advantage of being able to follow you around will listen for people discussing their destinations and means of getting there. These individuals might watch you for a longer period of time in order to find a way to steal from you, or attempt to gain your trust over time and use that trust against you. There are many ways that people who know your plans can take advantage of you. However uncommon this scenario may seem, it is a good idea to be as careful as possible.

There are other, more tangible precautions that you can take as well. Keeping your passport and ticket information close at hand before they need to be presented is a good way to avoid fumbling around in your bags and leaving yourself open to a bad situation. If you already have this information ready, you will prevent many watchers from seeing where you are storing your money and other such documents. This gives you an advantage over a pickpocket. You can also use safety or diaper pins to pin your pockets shut to keep prying hands away. This can make things challenging for you when it comes to getting into your own pocket, but many vacationers feel it is worth the hassle.

There are many things that can go wrong in any travel situation, and many ways in which a traveler can be taken advantage of. However, there are also many ways to remain safe. It can be difficult to constantly focus on not trusting people, and keeping your belongings closely guarded. This is where human instinct comes into play. It’s important to remember that everybody is not trying to con you. As with every other transportation option, there are definitely challenges associated with Eurail travel, but these challenges are not to an extent that travel should be avoided. Instead these concerns indicate that passengers need to be careful when they are enjoying their vacation.

One of the most confusing things about any trip is navigating through the reservations and the specifics of the travel package. With so many options available, it can be easy to overlook certain options that could be perfectly suited for your vacation. Eurail offers many types of passes, and they all have specific purposes. It is often helpful to have all of the necessary information in front of you when making decisions for your vacation. Eurail has many options and passes all with separate advantages. The following is a list of Eurail passes that includes a summary of what they actually do and do not allow, as well as some additional general information.

Travel Day

A travel day is a 24 hour period from midnight to midnight in which one can travel on as many trains, even internationally, and have it only count as one day. Another beneficial factor comes with the 7PM rule. This rule states that, if you board a direct, overnight train after 7PM one evening, then only the following day will count as part of your travel day. The five hours from 7-12 are essentially free.

Flexi-Pass

Certain passes allow for a variation of the usual system termed “flexi-pass.” The Global Pass is the easiest explanation of this. If you are travelling on a “fifteen day pass”, you can travel as much as you want in fifteen consecutive days. If you have a “fifteen days in two months pass”, it means that you can spread those days out however you wish as you travel. This version is the flexi pass.

Saver Pass

This pass allows a group of 2-5 passengers to travel together at all times on a single pass that is 15% less expensive than a normal pass. This pass is a terrific option for families or friends traveling together. Not all members on the pass must be present at all times, but since there is only one ticket, it can only be used by one sub-group at a time.

Youth Pass

The youth pass offers a 35% discount for passengers under the age of 25. Youth can stay in first class cabins, but they must pay for an adult pass.

One Country Pass

The One Country Pass allows for travel in one of seventeen European countries offered by Eurail. They are excellent for a short survey of one country, and Italy has historically been the most popular location for a one country visit. Each nation’s pass is good for a number of days. Most time increments are anywhere from 3-8 days, with some that go up to 10. All time increments must be within a month of time. Some of these One Country Passes allow for special discounts in hotels and other location specific amenities. One popular example is Greece.

Regional Pass

This pass mimics the one country pass in being best suited for shorter periods of travel. Eurail offers 25 combinations of countries that can be visited in 3-10 day increments. These passes can be stretched over a two month period. Similar to the One Country Pass, special country specific offers are often available.

Select Pass

This pass allows for true flexibility of options. You get to choose between three, four or five bordering countries to visit. These visits can fit into 5, 6, 8 or 10 travel days over two months, and can, for five country trips, be stretched to fifteen days.

Beyond the basic rules, there are many extra benefits that go along with the Select Pass. Among these benefits are the relatively common frills of discounted train, ferry or bus fares when using associated companies. Another perk comes in the form of potential hotel discounts. These benefits are not available at all times in all countries, and are limited by conditions of use that should be checked prior to making reservations.

Global Pass

The Global Pass option is by far the most extensive package available. It opens up the bearer to almost unlimited travel in twenty nations. There are many options in terms of duration in this plan that range from 15 days, to 3 months, to 10 days in two months, or 15 days in two months. This variety of dates combines with the number of nations available to be visited make the Global Pass the grandest of Eurail’s options. Although the Global Pass has the largest scope in terms of nations and time, between this option and other passes available Eurail has something for every vacationer.

Proper preparation is the most important aspect of time management on any trip. On Eurail you are likely to travel between several countries over the course of a few days. This prospect can be rather daunting, but proper preparation can allow you to maximize your time. Considering all of the possible countries, cultures and languages you may encounter it is a good idea to make sure you fully understand where you are going and when you are supposed to arrive and depart. Learn the specifics of the type of pass you have purchased, and what exactly the pass allows and does not.

Additionally, there may be special offers for a particular country you are going to visit. Due to this, it is a good idea to do a bit of research just prior to leaving so that you do not have to waste time on your trip finding information on special deals and packages. Other basic planning that can be helpful is an event calendar. At the risk of not being spontaneous or overly prepared, an event calendar can provide an overview of the major events that will take place in Europe over the course of the year, and specifically when you are visiting. This resource will allow you to better plan your journey before you have even begun, and to better manage your time overall.

As far as accommodations go, there are many resources online that can provide detailed information about the best places to stay on a Eurail vacation. From hostels to bed and breakfast inns to five star resorts, these resources provide you with information about countless lodging options. Also, this careful planning can afford you time on the train to enjoy the passing landscape instead of looking into places to stay.

Plenty of information is also available about popular activities vacationers enjoy in the various countries Eurail runs through. Before you reach your destination, it is important that you research currency conversion, maps of the area, and common phrases of the local languages. In many Eurail destinations, there are tourist offices for vacationers. Also, for those travelers who will require easily accessible internet, it is also a good idea to find internet cafes in the countries and cities that you plan on visiting.

Another aspect of planning that can be very helpful on a Eurail vacation is understanding the timetable of your train. Stops are sometimes unannounced, and when they are announced it may be in a language you don’t understand. This makes it very important that you are aware of the place and time you are scheduled to stop. One of the most fear inducing parts of train travel is the thought of missing an important stop. This can potentially sour the overall mood of your trip. Having a good idea of the schedule of your train can help relieve that stress. Another way to help relieve confusion is to view Eurail’s list of city names. Most cities will be announced and listed in their local spelling. While this factor is minor, it can alleviate some potential confusion.

Now that various logistical details have been hammered out you can be free to enjoy your on-train time. This is one of the most unique aspects of Eurail. Train is one of the only modes of travel that takes the stress of driving away from you, moves you through the landscape at a good pace and allows you the freedom to move around. Cars create the stress of navigation and maintenance, planes prevent you from enjoying the landscape intimately and buses can’t provide the same freedom for movement as you are often traveling along bumpy, winding roads.

Eurail trains are able to offer a variety of amenities that become difficult in other means of travel. Restaurant trains are among these resources. Most long distance trains feature entire cars devoted to providing quality meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many trains, even those without restaurant cars, will feature buffet and bar cars to meet other dining needs. Vendors will also be present to periodically survey the aisles if you are in the need of a snack. At-seat meals are also served on some trains. Information as to whether or not these services are available on a specific trip can be found online or at the station. You are also welcome to bring your own food on the train. Many stations have grocery stores nearby, and some even have grocery stores on the premises.

These convenient options can allow you the freedom to sit back, relax and enjoy your ride. Whether you want to play cards, plug in your laptop, listen to music or just enjoy the scenery as you rest peacefully, Eurail offers many ways in which you can manage your time and enjoy your trip through Europe.