Europe
- Thread starter vraiblonde
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Penn
Dancing Up A Storm
I believe it was in Paris, France where they had these narrow kiosks that were semi-circular, were open at the top and at the bottom, had two steel footprints that you'd turn around, drop your drawers and do your thing at.crabcake said:my first time copping a squat in a public restroom at the train station in venice made me appreciate the gas station and fast food establishment bathrooms immensely!
Traffic going by, as well as people; see, they look at things a bit different than we do here.
Hey! It's a Public Restroom! Whatya expect??
My daughter just read your post and I think you've successfully talked her out of Paris.Penn said:
crabcake
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vraiblonde said:My daughter just read your post and I think you've successfully talked her out of Paris.
The one I had to use in Venice was a stall in a typical public restroom sized facility, and it was basically like a one-person shower floor (place for the feet, hole in the middle ... thus "cop a squat").
Not all the facilities are like that though. That was the only one I came across. DO be prepared though to pay to use a bathroom someplace if you are NOT buying something there. We got chased out of a coffee shop for using the potty but not buying anything.
Penn
Dancing Up A Storm
Oh non, non, madamoiselle! You must experience the Phrenchh way of doing things! You can only find them in Paree!vraiblonde said:My daughter just read your post and I think you've successfully talked her out of Paris.
On the serious side, the smells of fresh backed bread, pasteries, candies, heck, all sorts of open-air cooking stands will drive you to eat, literally.
The sidewalk cafes with their umbrellas(where do you think we got 'em from?) are a treat: just sit there, eat drink, and watch the world go by.
It's cool!
F
fishn guy
Guest
Did A med. cruise in the navy and went all over Europe.
Have to say my favorite was either Greece or Bulgaria. Greece has lots to offer for your whole family, Italy was pretty but it was dirty and the people dont like us as much as some people believe. You WILL get ripped off.
Have to say my favorite was either Greece or Bulgaria. Greece has lots to offer for your whole family, Italy was pretty but it was dirty and the people dont like us as much as some people believe. You WILL get ripped off.
Penn
Dancing Up A Storm
I never did get to Italy; no leave built up, or low on financial resources, were the key problems. However, Paris is much like what you say, in that outside of the main streets/boulevards - the Champs-Elysee(sp?), the Rue-de-la-Paix, you only had to go off on a sidestreet, maybe 2 blocks, and you'd be amazed at the filth, the smell of rotting garbage/waste in the side alleys.fishn guy said:
Totally different scene! Uh, we did not linger for very long thereabouts!
We had a thread, a few weeks ago, discussing Germany. My experience in all the major cities we toured, was that the same didn't hold true for the Krauts.
Very clean, even outside of the main thoroughfares. Like they take great pride in the way their cities, towns and little burgs look.
crabcake
But wait, there's more...
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Vince
......
I think the only European countries I've been to are England, Germany, Spain, Scotland, and Portugal. The best by far, I thought, was Scotland. Went to an RAF base that looked like something out of WWII. The curled barbwire fence, old style buildings, etc. Had to ride to town by train. The people were great. Also had a fun time in the Canary Islands. Think the name was Las Palmas. Nude beaches. 
Vacation spot for Europeans. But then I've been to some real holes too. Loved New Zealand. The women were very friendly. 
Vacation spot for Europeans. But then I've been to some real holes too. Loved New Zealand. The women were very friendly.
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We took 5 teenage boys to London this summer and they had a blast. We based ourselves in London and did some day trips from there. Rent an apartment if you can - it is the way to go if you have more than 2 people going.
Most places sleep 4-6 people and you can do breakfast in, eat out lunch and switch between eating in dinner or eating out. Saves $$ in the long run.
I've done Italy as well, Rome, Tuscany and Florence. The kids would love Rome and maybe Florence. I don't know about Tuscany.
I don't usually go with package deals. I like to control my time and have the ability to be flexible about what I do and see.
I think that most anyplace you take them in Europe will be a great trip provided they don't expect things to be like they are at home. Nothing is worse they traveling with people who keep expecting things to be like it is in the States. I mean isn't that the whole purpose of going on trip to another country - to experience another culture?
Most places sleep 4-6 people and you can do breakfast in, eat out lunch and switch between eating in dinner or eating out. Saves $$ in the long run.
I've done Italy as well, Rome, Tuscany and Florence. The kids would love Rome and maybe Florence. I don't know about Tuscany.
I don't usually go with package deals. I like to control my time and have the ability to be flexible about what I do and see.
I think that most anyplace you take them in Europe will be a great trip provided they don't expect things to be like they are at home. Nothing is worse they traveling with people who keep expecting things to be like it is in the States. I mean isn't that the whole purpose of going on trip to another country - to experience another culture?
Alex, did you all rent a car when you were there or rely on taxis and such?
Daddy Warbucks? Vrai - I rented a car over the internet and picked it up in Italy. I got a really good deal with Alamo or Thrifty, sorry can't remember which one now. I really loved that car it was a Lancia Estate Wagon. Held 4 adults and our luggage without any problem, plenty of room for all even in the back and great on gas!. Of course you have to remember that they sell gas by the liter not the gallon. My brother thought it was the gallon and couldn't understand why 20 euros hardly filled the tank.
The only problem with Italy is you really need to buy the insurance for rental cars. Get all you can. Also, make sure you totally inspect the car BEFORE when you first pick it up and that ALL dings, etc are noted on the paperwork. They WILL inspect it when you return it for any damage.
In London we did the Tube (subway), buses or trains.
The only problem with Italy is you really need to buy the insurance for rental cars. Get all you can. Also, make sure you totally inspect the car BEFORE when you first pick it up and that ALL dings, etc are noted on the paperwork. They WILL inspect it when you return it for any damage.
In London we did the Tube (subway), buses or trains.
PrepH4U
New Member
vraiblonde said:
Go for it, it's a great experience! We lived in Holland for 3 years and took weekend trips to Germany every other month. You can base yourself either in Germany, Holland or Belguim, drive around and see Austria, Liechenstien (1/2 day for whole country) & Switzerland. You can also rent apartments for a week in any country also. We did in Austria, Switzerland and Denmark. So much history to visit. The language is not a barrier in most of Europe, its where my kids learned a lesson in the proper usage of bidets! The only minor adjustment I had traveling over there was even in 5 star hotels they usually did not provide washcloths. That was a simple fix, I just learned to pack them.
