Rev 1.. Plan for the trip..

So here is the first draft of my Europe trip. I bought one of those cheesy travel Europe cheap books.

Believe it or not, it was actually quite usefully in helping me plan the trip. I had not planned on going to Copenhagen, but after reading about the city it was an easy choice to include it in my plans. Also Dusseldorf, where they have the largest bar in the world (or so they claim), Munich to visit the best beirgardens, Vienna to enjoy the Christmas markets and some fine wine, and Budapest to enjoy inexpensive living, cheap beer and some of the best clubs in the world. Did you know 1 USD is 220FT (the currency of Hungary) and beers at most bars were under 180FT... Yes that means a beer for less then 1 dollar in a Bar.. its like penny pitchers all night long! This is just the night life.

Also I learned a lot of necessary hostel living information. For one, you need to bring a fast drying towel, possibly a sleep sack (a queen or full sheet folded in half and sowed shut on 2 and half sides.. mimicking a sleeping bag). Also found out that doing your laundry in a sink is a great idea. Through my googling search I found a couple great websites that have information about backpacking:

www.backpackeurope.com

www.europeforvisitors.com

Both filled with great tips and secrets for getting the most out of your experience, avoiding danger spots and trouble, and getting the most out of your gear.

Through these recommendations, I also bought a 15 day Eurail Pass most of Europe. It will allow me unlimited travel around most of Europe via train. There is a catch for those contemplating this solution.. the train rides are not exactly "free", you are still required to pay a "reservation" or "couchette" fee for some trains esp. the over night or long distance ones. But they are pretty nominal normally under 20 USD.

More to come as the trip gets closer.. my backpack is on the way and I have a feeling there will be some fun with it to be told

At Work ... Secretly Researching My Trip

So here I sit.. waiting for this endless meeting to end, all the while secretly searching hostels, and train routes for my up coming trip.

For those that don't know me all that well, My name is Frank Antao. I am a 24 year old Indian from the great state of Wisconsin. Although my work travels (another great story on to itself) have brought me to Laurel, MD (about half way between Washington DC and Baltimore). I love to travel, love to drink, and love to drink and travel. Pretty much what most people my age like to do.

But getting back to the action at hand. I am sitting on a phone call with people all around the world about some useless organization change that normally at does not effect my everyday life. The bureaucracy of big business huh? In my mind there is only one thing I am thinking about though.. Europe.. and European Alcohol.

Not that all I think about is booze.. but it is a large part of it, followed up with women.. but once again single 24 year old.

Getting back on track again.. My plan was to fly in to Amsterdam on December 14th, travel via train to all assorted European destinations, spend Christmas in Rome and Venice, and fly back on the 30th of December to enjoy New Years in the Nation's Capital.

So I am looking for good places and things to see.. the best of the best as it were.. Tell where to go and why and do it quickly so I can get it done. Please send email suggestions to francis.antao@gmail.com or post on here.