July 24, 2006

I've been back in the US for five days now, but it seems like a lot longer. I've been pushing myself, ignoring the jetlag, and visiting or calling lots of family and friends. And now it is catching up with me -- I'm exhausted, and I've lost my voice. I also wake up starving at 6 am EST every day because in Europe at that hour it is time for a nice big lunch.

Sooooooo, I'm going to slow things down this week...I can't get it all sorted out at once. They say it takes one day of recovery for each hour of time difference, and if that is the case, I've got at least one more day of catch up ahead of me. So tomorrow, I will really rest. And try to keep things low key for most of this coming week.

I'll try to get back here before the end of the month with some final thoughts on five months of train travel through Europe. Be sure to ask your questions about Eurail tickets or European train travel in the comments section and I will do my best to answer them (between naps, of course :)

Posted by Kelly Amabile | Read Comments (0) | Related: Kel's 06 Trip

July 06, 2006

It's just so hot! I love it here in Italy, but I am moving at a snail's pace these days. This heat just eats at my energy...

I spent a long weekend in Asti with my wonderful cousin and extended family, then two days couchsurfing in Lucca with a great group of folks, and I am now staying with more gracious hosts here in Florence. I continue to be showered with kindness from folks all over the world.

The trains have been fine -- slow and late and hot -- but fine. The first class car I was in from Asti to Genova on Monday had no air conditioning or electricity for about a half-hour, but thankfully when we got to Genova they put a new battery in and things improved dramatically for the rest of the trip down the coast to Viareggio. That was the only major inconvenience of train travel this week.

I don't think I'll be taking another train until the very end of my trip, when I am in Rome. I'm headed to a somewhat remote villa in Tuscany this weekend for a full week away, so this may be it from the Eurail blog until the final days of my five month adventure. Stay cool and don't forget to cheer for Italy on July 9th!!!

Posted by Kelly Amabile | Read Comments (0) | Related: Italy, Kel's 06 Trip

July 02, 2006

Tomorrow I will take a quick train trip along the Italian coast from Asti down to Viareggio. Then I'll visit Lucca, and two days later take another train to Florence. After that I will be off to the Tuscan countryside for a week and probably not able to write at all...but I'll try to check in once more from Florence with any last minute summer train tips for travelers.

The Italian trains have been fine so far...I have been booking my reservations about a day or so in advance, and taking advantage of my first class Eurail pass to secure first class seats whenever possible. The reservations usually cost about 3 euros and are most often the same price whether booking first or second class.

Posted by Kelly Amabile | Read Comments (0) | Related: Florence, Italy, Kel's 06 Trip

July 01, 2006

I took a train from Nice to Genova on Friday, and had several hours to wait for my next connecting train. I was pleasantly suprised with how much I liked the city during my quick visit. Even though it is a port city with industry along the water, there is lots of beauty here too...are tons of fantastic old buildings and mysterious alleyways to wander through. There are many art galleries and museums to explore as well.

But I only had a few hours, so I basically just walked around. You can store your baggage for 3,80 euro for up to five hours at the train station. The baggage office is to the left as you exit the main station, Principe. And on the right just before leaving the station is an excellent tourist office. The guide there gave me a free map and suggested a two hour route that would give me a basic lay of the land during my short stop over.

Best thing about the visit was that it was not swarming with tourists...since it is not know as a popular beach town (even though it does have beaches) it is not as popular with summer travelers. But I think it should be, there is a lot to see here and I def plan to make a return visit one day.

One more tip about the train station, there is a small second-hand bookstore with many books in other languages, including English. I picked up two for 8 euros...like I need to be buying more books on this trip! But handy hint to know if you make a stop here...

Posted by Kelly Amabile | Read Comments (0) | Related: Italy, Kel's 06 Trip

June 29, 2006

...I'm tired. I think it is about time for me to admit that things are not always so rosey when traveling. I have developed a habit of only sharing the good stuff...which is easy to do, since the majority of my travels have been super fantastic.

But here is some honesty -- four+ months on the road is starting to take its toll...the hostels, museums and streets are so much more crowded now. And the heat! It is unseasonably warm for Europe right now...I love warm weather, but it really wears you out when constantly on the go...I am ready to get rid of the backpack now...it is soooooo much easier to travel in off season, especially if you have already been on the road as long as I have. But of course, if I was in Nice in March, I would not have been able to lie on the beach today and walk around Old Town with a gelato for lunch. So I'm not complaining...just sharing how I'm feeling today.

I guess I got a little spoiled staying with family and friends a lot during the past month...this is my first youth hostel stay in a few weeks and it is a totally different vibe in summer, especially a beach town! I'm staying in a very popular youth hostel in Nice, with perks like free internet access, free towels, great food every night and a very social atmosphere. But with that comes drinking...and excessive drinking...which leads to puking sometimes. And a girl in my dorm room gave us all a gift about 2 am this morning. Fun stuff.

Considering how long Ive been traveling, it is a wonder it hasn't happened sooner. It's all part of the stories that make up this adventure, and I am still enjoying it all so much...but now with a much increased longing for home too...

About two weeks or so left, and all in Italy, which I know will be fantastic. And hopefully pukeless!

Hostels in Rome

Posted by Kelly Amabile | Read Comments (0) | Related: France, Italy, Kel's 06 Trip

June 27, 2006

Ten years ago when I left Barcelona with my two friends, we stayed on the train for a ridiculously long time, skipped our scheduled stop in Nice and pushed on to Italia...so I never set foot on the Mediteranean coast of France. So I have decided to make a definite stop in the Cote d´Azur this time, to see it for myself...not just from the train window.

I just returned from the Estacion de Franca here in Barcelona where I booked reservations for the two trains that will take me to Nice. First a morning trip to Montpellier, then a second train to Nice. I´ll arrive by 7 pm tomorrow, and spend two nights.

I am way behind on my journal writing and hope the train ride tomorrow is smooth enough to let me catch up. I wounld´t mind if it rains, because if it is nice out, I will wish that I was lying on a beach instead. But when I tried to book a night train for tomorrow evening (Barcelona to Torino) it was more than my accommodation for two nights in Nice to book a first class reservation, which I thought was very odd...

But all is set now...and I´ll probably wind up sleeping on the train tomorrow since I am off to enjoy my last night in Spain...with some more football!!!

Posted by Kelly Amabile | Read Comments (0) | Related: France, Kel's 06 Trip, Spain

June 26, 2006

The backtracking continues...I am headed back to Barcelona, a city I feel very comfortable in. I know my way around and I need a day or two in a place like this, to figure out my next move...what better place than the beach? Yes, it will be crowded and hot but I´m up for 48 hours of it. I´ll travel by night train from Madrid this evening, get to Barcelona about 8 am, check into a fairly new hostel near Las Ramblas, then take in some sun and plan my next move...I might head to Girona for a day, possibly make a daytime stop in Nice or Monaco, then push on to Italia...I will probably take advantage of the train pass and use another night train or two along the way, it saves time (less planning on trying to find accommodations) and saves money too.

Posted by Kelly Amabile | Read Comments (2) | Related: Barcelona, Kel's 06 Trip, Spain

June 24, 2006

Back in March I mentioned that Madrid´s metro was easy to navigate, and several months later I still agree...it is a breeze to get around this city...without a car. I think I would hate to have a car here, the traffic from the burbs that I have seen this week is not a pretty sight, esp. on the weekend when everyone is heading to the beaches. I´ve been staying in Aravaca, slightly on the outskirts of the city but still considered Madrid. I take a regional train one stop and am then within the extensive metro system. We´ve taken some buses to places outside the city too, and they are fairly reliable, but buses in the city are known for running late. You can get all the info you need on Madrid transportation here. It´s a fabulous city...make a visit this summer if you can.

Posted by Kelly Amabile | Read Comments (0) | Related: Kel's 06 Trip, Madrid, Spain

June 19, 2006

I left Berlin at 10:30 am on Saturday morning. Two days, seven trains and one amazing World Cup game later, I am now in Madrid. It has been a whirlwind week of international sport and travel, and I've loved every second of it...except maybe the sardine-packed trains after the US vs. Italy game in K-town.

Since leaving Berlin, I´ve taken a German ICE train, some regional trains in Germany and Spain, the sweltering Paris metro, and a French TGV night train with no sleeper car. All part of this crazy adventure I continue to have. The buzz of summer sport and heat makes traveling a bit more tiring, but also more exciting too, as World Cup fever keeps growing.

I´m happy to have about a week now to rest without any major distance train trips, although I must say the night trains and marathon travel days do help keep costs down on accommodations and save time too. If you are traveling by train in Europe this summer, just be prepared for the unexpected too -- this morning our night train from Paris, France to Irun, Spain decided to discontinue service at the second to last stop. The train crew announced that we would have to get off and take a bus to the scheduled final destination, Irun, where many of us had connecting trains to catch. What a way to wake up after a night scrunched in a train seat! Thankfully there was a short and cheap regional train we could easily take, and a nice multi-lingual passenger who helped tell us all about it (since the French train crew did nothing except wake us up and tell us to get off the train!)

It's all part of the fun of summer train travel in Europe...I´m sure there will be more unexpected bumps to come, but plenty more fun and laughs too...oh, and good football to watch, of course! I´m off to watch the Spain vs. Tunisia match here in Madrid, should be a good time.

Posted by Kelly Amabile | Read Comments (0) | Related: Kel's 06 Trip

June 16, 2006

It has been an absolute blast to be here in Berlin during the World Cup. The entire country of Germany is buzzing with excitement, but this city is the epicenter of energy, and it is thrilling to be a part of it. The Fan Fest down near Brandenburg Gate and Tiergarten Park is massive...so, no matter how big the crowd gets, there is always someplace to watch the games. I saw half of Brazil vs. Croatia there, and saw the Paraguay vs. Sweden game there last night...I love to see the fan support with their costumes, colors and chants...so, I´m heading back there this afternoon to see fans from Argentina, Serbia & Montenegro, Holland, Ivory Coast, Mexico and Angola -- all teams with matches to play today. Should be a great scene for people watching and meeting folks from around the world.

Tomorrow my friends and I will travel to Kaiserslauten for the big US vs. Italy game. (We´ve already got our reservations for the train and tickets for the game, of course!) To say that I am excited is quite an understatement. My home country versus the home of all my ancestors...Regardless of the score, I have a feeling the energy of the crowd should be entertainment enough. And for me, a win for either team will be an amazing thing to witness...

Posted by Kelly Amabile | Read Comments (0) | Related: Kel's 06 Trip

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