Trip to Europe
So a few weeks ago buddy and I were talking about our nearly annual Vegas trip and thinking although we could still get down there for a $50 flight is it really worth it with the dollar in the tank? Vegas is fun for sure but really missing all that much?
I've always wanted to go to Europe and if going to go big might as well go really big... Hopefully I would like to go for at least 3 weeks and hit up the following places, Paris, Nice (and Monaco), Amsterdam and Berlin...this is just rough very early stage but leaving in say September roundtrip flight Vancouver-paris is about a grand...not too bad when I look at prices to fly within Canada.
Has anyone here done a trip like this? Any tips? What kind of budget should I have? Would 3000-4000 Euro be enough to be comfortable there?
I've always wanted to go to Europe and if going to go big might as well go really big... Hopefully I would like to go for at least 3 weeks and hit up the following places, Paris, Nice (and Monaco), Amsterdam and Berlin...this is just rough very early stage but leaving in say September roundtrip flight Vancouver-paris is about a grand...not too bad when I look at prices to fly within Canada.
Has anyone here done a trip like this? Any tips? What kind of budget should I have? Would 3000-4000 Euro be enough to be comfortable there?
Comments
To save a few bucks you could stay in hostels in the Netherlands. I did it years ago and it was the experience of a lifetime.
Try and travel as light as possible since you will be on and of the train so often.
the Netherlands. Flew out of Amsterdam. Don't know if you are into war history like I am but, the Vimy Memorial is a breath taking sight. Also, if visiting a commonwealth war grave, Tyne Cot is the largest one I think. They really give you a sense of the ultimate sacrifice these men made. The scale is unbelievable. Also, if you get a chance, go to town of Ypres. This is the area the CEF contingent of Canadians got their first taste of the war during the Second battle of Ypres. The Canadian soldiers called the town "wipers". The Canadians were the first victims of the very first gas attack to be used in warfare. They held the line. At the Menin Gates memorial in Ypres, which has over 60,000 names of commonwealth soldiers names with no known grave, inscribed on panels. These are the men that fell in Belgium. Everyday since the end of WW 1, they honour the fallen by playing the 'Last Post' at the Gates. It's a very moving experience. I think they do it at 6pm every evening, (check the time if you go). If you are travelling to bigger cities like Amsterdam, try to book your accommodations at least a couple days in advance of getting to the next city on your planned route. Particularly on the weekends. Hotels fill up fast in some places, and this will save you time running around trying to find a place to stay. If you happen to rent a car to tour around, one with a built in GPS is a must. Food can get pricey, along our route when it was lunch time we would stop in a local grocery and pick up bread, deli meat and some wine off the shelf....made for a good picnic type lunch and saved a few bucks along the way. I'm looking to go back in 2018 for the anniversary of the end of WW 1. Have a great trip!,
Also......$50 flights?!?!? Am I trading that right? Or is that based off of using points or the like to get discounted flights?
Including my upcoming trip to Turkey and Georgia, I have visited many of the European countries and I would rank those places in the following order: Monaco, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam and Nice.
We are all bringing > U$3,500 each for our one-week trip, so I don't think 4K Euros for >= 3 weeks will be enough, depending on your sightseeing, poker, accommodation and other options. I also use a U$ credit card to put as many of my expenses on the card.
As others have mentioned, you should look into non-hotel options if you want to save money. My two roommates and I referred each other to airbnb.ca, got the referral cash discounts, & paying only C$26/night each for a 3 bedroom apartment. The host will be our airport transport and sightseeing guide in a Mercedes Benz. He said to look for him at the airport with the sign "Bingo Buddy" tho. :-[
I don't think there would be much gambling, maybe one day or two but not heavy... I guess Monaco would be the place? But I hear there no poker at Monte Carlo and they have a cover
?? Lol
But if players wanted to have fun and profit they would just play the super soft cash games and enjoy the town whenever they feel like;) 1.4x $50 is only $70 after-all.
+1
Vegas is fun for sure but enjoying Europe is a once in a lifetime experience, everyone should do it at least once, irregardless of poker.
And this is where you lost your cred
Also has anyone been to Octoberfest? Part of reason why I'd want to go that time too.
Anyone be willing to help with a budget? I thought 4k Euro would be enough for spending and rooms hmmm
1) sleep in your rental car (or just don't sleep every night)
2) steal food (lots of street vendors, should be easy)
3) make friends with locals and sleep at their place for a night (must be charismatic)
4) pretend to be a tour guide and make tourists pay you to see the sites (i.e. mark up price and use extra to pay for yourself)
Those are good tips...but I wouldn't be getting a rental car
I had that?
The Netherlands casinos are owned by the government, and there is a poker room in Amsterdam - https://www.hollandcasino.nl/en/establishments/amsterdam. There is a casino at the Amsterdam airport, but no poker.
Unlike North American casinos, some casinos in Europe charge a fee just to enter, parking, pop, and even a bottle of water! For example, WPT Dusk Till Dawn and WPT Aspers London charged for drinks, while WPT Valkenburg Holland tried to charge for all four. I think the Monaco casino had a cover charge with no poker, and I had to wear a suit and tie.
Indeed....there is not a blade of grass that is out of place in the CWGC cemeteries. I have relatives that were killed during WW 2 in both of the cemeteries that you mentioned. The museum at Overloon is worth a visit too.
No more so than any other senior . . . let it go.
I forget which one it is (Grosbeek I think), but one of them does an evening candle light ceremony on the Dutch Remembrance Day (the Day before their Liberation celebrations) where Dutch school children place hurricane lanterns at each marker. the photos my cousins posted this year were incredibly moving. The Dutch do a FANTASTIC job of honouring those who gave their lives to liberate their country, particularly "their" Canadians.
Oh of course that's why I want to go... If I did any gambling it would probably be just for an afternoon in Monaco just to say I was there or whatever.