From what some seasoned travelers have told me, Europe is frightfully expensive, especially England. As far as the squat toilets are concerned, it all depends on what you are willing to pay for accommodations. Most decent hotels and restaurants in Asia have nice clean western toilets and my experience with taxi drivers has always been good, they are super duper nice and accommodating, as long as they know you can pay. Travel seems to be all about money, I think, the more you have, the more pleasant things will be. And that goes without saying here in Canada.
Travel in Europe?
- Thread starter Manatee
- Start date
fureverywhere
beloved friend who will always be with us in spiri
- Location
- Northern NJ, USA
If money were magically no object right now...England, Scotland and Wales, terrorists be damned.
I've run into one squatty potty in France. That's it. Very clean and porcelain. Otherwise all my squatting has been in Uganda.
The manic taxi drivers are in Rome and maybe other cities, not London. You wouldn't be taking taxis everywhere, you would take the great public transport.
It is a bit more expensive in the UK and to Americans and Canadians it seems outrageously expensive because your dollars are worth so much less.
I find the continent much more expensive than the UK even with our pound worth more than the euro. So would be very expensive using dollars.
So this also explains why more europeans visit the US. It's a bargain.
vickyNightowl
Senior Member
- Location
- canada
I have lived in Greece,U.S and I have been to Holland.I would love to go to Italy and England.
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
I would love to visit Europe as well as many other places. Terrorists don't keep me away, its financial.
Capt Lightning
Well-known Member
- Location
- Historic Buchan, Scotland
I suspect a lot of Brits say they have been to America, when they really mean they've been to Disneyland! In a similar way, visiting Europe could mean any of 50 different countries!
jujube
SF VIP
There are a lot of Americans who feel they've been to Europe, too.....and all they've done is visited Epcot.
When I was going to Florida for my 50th birthday (the SW coast for kayaking) colleagues all assumed I was going to Disneyworld. None had any idea that there was any other reason to go.
I've known many who have gone to Europe by coach tour (yes, it's much cheaper and less stressful) and they think they've seen the countries. But all they've seen are the tourist traps and never got to know the locals, or go exploring on their own, and often don't even try local foods. I noticed on my first trip to London how mobbed the Pizza Huts were with tourists.
Many people visit London and think they've seen England. Or go to Edinburgh and think they've seen Scotland. Same for Paris, etc etc. It's the same for many countries, not just in Europe.
fureverywhere
beloved friend who will always be with us in spiri
- Location
- Northern NJ, USA
A specific place...Berwick Upon Tweed...they say that's the low lands. Curious because my family came from there. Hubby's family from Sicily.
Berwick on Tweed is charming! It has changed from England to Scotland and back a few times. It's England now.
Capt Lightning
Well-known Member
- Location
- Historic Buchan, Scotland
Europe, as I said earlier, has a lot of countries. Some, especially the Scandanavian ones, are very expensive, but I found some others are quite cheap compared to the UK. I do find that hotels and eating out are expensive here compared to many other places.
I visited Lisbon for the first time last year and found the food was excellent and great value. Hotel prices were not bad for a capital city.
I visited Lisbon for the first time last year and found the food was excellent and great value. Hotel prices were not bad for a capital city.
applecruncher
SF VIP
- Location
- Ohio USA
Everybody? :laugh: Puhleeze. Since (for whatever reasons) the US is one of your favorite targets, you should consider becoming better informed.
I nornally keep you on ignore but will reply to this. You really should listen to your own advice on being informed about places outside your own little world. You have bashed Canada, Scotland, all of Europe, and most of the world actually. Is the reason for this that you need to try to prove to yourself or others that 'your' country is superior to the rest of the world? It isn't.
GeorgiaXplant
Well-known Member
- Location
- Georgia
LOL at this thread!
A good many Americans who haven't ever traveled outside the US seem to have the notion that people in other countries lack morals, eat out of cans, live in substandard conditions and wish they could live here.
When we came back to the States after the war, I remember being questioned a lot about what we wore, what we ate, whether we lived in grass shacks, what the "natives" were like, whether anybody spoke English...it struck me as odd even back then when I was only about six years old. The men didn't wear loin cloths, the women didn't wear grass skirts, we didn't live on a diet of poi, and it was rare to meet someone who didn't speak English with the exception of elderly native Hawaiians. We lived in Quonset huts provided by the US military that were thrown up in a hurry so had electricity but not running water (which came from long rows of "bath" houses, one for each two rows of Quonset huts). It was wartime, after all, so we did have to make do! The general population lived in houses or apartments with running water, flush toilets and electricity. Imagine that
Those people at home felt sorry for me, "the little Filipino girl", although we lived in Hawaii. They were as well informed about geography as about how people not in the US lived.
Fast forward 40 years when I lived in Germany...you would be surprised how many Germans had their own provincial ideas about how Americans lived...no morals, eating out of cans but living in splendor out West where there were cowboys.
As far as I know, nobody I knew in Germany had a burning desire to leave hearth and home and rush off to America, nor did anybody I met in the UK, the Netherlands or anywhere else I've lived.
And nobody at home after the war had the smallest inclination to go to Hawaii and live in "primitive" conditions.
A good many Americans who haven't ever traveled outside the US seem to have the notion that people in other countries lack morals, eat out of cans, live in substandard conditions and wish they could live here.
When we came back to the States after the war, I remember being questioned a lot about what we wore, what we ate, whether we lived in grass shacks, what the "natives" were like, whether anybody spoke English...it struck me as odd even back then when I was only about six years old. The men didn't wear loin cloths, the women didn't wear grass skirts, we didn't live on a diet of poi, and it was rare to meet someone who didn't speak English with the exception of elderly native Hawaiians. We lived in Quonset huts provided by the US military that were thrown up in a hurry so had electricity but not running water (which came from long rows of "bath" houses, one for each two rows of Quonset huts). It was wartime, after all, so we did have to make do! The general population lived in houses or apartments with running water, flush toilets and electricity. Imagine that
Those people at home felt sorry for me, "the little Filipino girl", although we lived in Hawaii. They were as well informed about geography as about how people not in the US lived.
Fast forward 40 years when I lived in Germany...you would be surprised how many Germans had their own provincial ideas about how Americans lived...no morals, eating out of cans but living in splendor out West where there were cowboys.
As far as I know, nobody I knew in Germany had a burning desire to leave hearth and home and rush off to America, nor did anybody I met in the UK, the Netherlands or anywhere else I've lived.
And nobody at home after the war had the smallest inclination to go to Hawaii and live in "primitive" conditions.
tortiecat
Member
- Location
- West Island, Que.
Did bus tours through Great Britain and parts of France and Italy. Did river boat trips on the Danube and
Rhone rivers. Used a "squattie pottie" once in Italy, actually it was in Pisa, very clean with a flusher and
hot and cold water at the sink.
Once when travelling in Australia our flight from Cairns to Sydney was late. When we got to our hotel the
dining room was closed so several of us went across the road to a "McDonalds", never lived that one down!
Rhone rivers. Used a "squattie pottie" once in Italy, actually it was in Pisa, very clean with a flusher and
hot and cold water at the sink.
Once when travelling in Australia our flight from Cairns to Sydney was late. When we got to our hotel the
dining room was closed so several of us went across the road to a "McDonalds", never lived that one down!
LOL at this thread!
A good many Americans who haven't ever traveled outside the US seem to have the notion that people in other countries lack morals, eat out of cans, live in substandard conditions and wish they could live here.
When we came back to the States after the war, I remember being questioned a lot about what we wore, what we ate, whether we lived in grass shacks, what the "natives" were like, whether anybody spoke English...it struck me as odd even back then when I was only about six years old. The men didn't wear loin cloths, the women didn't wear grass skirts, we didn't live on a diet of poi, and it was rare to meet someone who didn't speak English with the exception of elderly native Hawaiians. We lived in Quonset huts provided by the US military that were thrown up in a hurry so had electricity but not running water (which came from long rows of "bath" houses, one for each two rows of Quonset huts). It was wartime, after all, so we did have to make do! The general population lived in houses or apartments with running water, flush toilets and electricity. Imagine that
Those people at home felt sorry for me, "the little Filipino girl", although we lived in Hawaii. They were as well informed about geography as about how people not in the US lived.
Fast forward 40 years when I lived in Germany...you would be surprised how many Germans had their own provincial ideas about how Americans lived...no morals, eating out of cans but living in splendor out West where there were cowboys.
As far as I know, nobody I knew in Germany had a burning desire to leave hearth and home and rush off to America, nor did anybody I met in the UK, the Netherlands or anywhere else I've lived.
And nobody at home after the war had the smallest inclination to go to Hawaii and live in "primitive" conditions.
Very true, Georgia! I get really sick of hearing/reading about this arrogant idea that everyone in the world would do anything to live in the US. I've lived and visited abroad for 16 years and only heard from a handful of people that they'd like to live in the US. Just because someone visits a country doesn't mean they want to live there. I've visited about a dozen and didn't want my home permanently in any of them except Scotland. Uganda was temporary and I really loved living there, although wouldn't stay permanently.
And of course when I call that attitude about the US being superior arrogant, I'm called anti-American. No, I'm just not blind.
McDonalds has invaded every country. It's here in Thailand as well and I won't go near it although I've been told the menu is completely different. The sign outside says they have salmon burgers. Don't know what else.
Oh, and BTW, my sister wants to do a Danube river cruise with us summer after next. What cruise company did you use and were you happy with their service? Or did you do a package deal?
mitchezz
Member
- Location
- NSW Australia
I've only been to South of France and Paris but I would love to see much more of Europe. My daughter has been twice and I have really studied her photos. I think American lifestyles would be very similar to ours in Australia so I would prefer to experience something different. Also, the feeling of history that you get strolling through a village that was there a thousand or so years ago is incredible.
France is one of my favourites. I love the medieval villages and the architecture! And of course the food and all the cheek kissing.
mitchezz
Member
- Location
- NSW Australia
France is one of my favourites. I love the medieval villages and the architecture! And of course the food and all the cheek kissing.
I was disappointed in the food.......... I only had one memorable meal................Dover Sole......I'd never had it before and it was cooked perfectly.
I actually think the food is better in Australia...........much more colourful and fresh and a wider variety.
mitchezz
Member
- Location
- NSW Australia
I was stunned to see dogs sitting up eating McDonalds in France. lol
applecruncher
SF VIP
- Location
- Ohio USA
A relative lived in UK (London) for several years. I have been to a couple of other countries. I have friends who now live in Europe, and another friend who moved to South America. None of us have ever been obsessed with trying to prove to ourselves or anyone else that the country we live in is superior nor have we spent any time (online or off) telling others that their country is crap. I also know people who have never traveled outside their native country and I have no burning desire to taunt them about it. That makes no sense whatsoever to me. :shrug:
However, looking at it from a humanitarian point of view, I guess most of us can kinda/sorta understand some of the rage. Someone lives the first 50 yrs of their life in the US, mostly in a crime-riddled area. Lots of guns there, among other things. So, when the opportunity came to leave and travel – anywhere – hooray! Most people would just be grateful to live a better life – (a life they were unaware is common in the US). But in some cases the memories and bitterness about their homeland obviously linger and the compulsion to attack an entire country never goes away. Sad. (sigh)
However, looking at it from a humanitarian point of view, I guess most of us can kinda/sorta understand some of the rage. Someone lives the first 50 yrs of their life in the US, mostly in a crime-riddled area. Lots of guns there, among other things. So, when the opportunity came to leave and travel – anywhere – hooray! Most people would just be grateful to live a better life – (a life they were unaware is common in the US). But in some cases the memories and bitterness about their homeland obviously linger and the compulsion to attack an entire country never goes away. Sad. (sigh)
mitchezz
Member
- Location
- NSW Australia
You never struck me as the Humanitarian type nor did I realise you were a qualified Psycho Analyst.