Questions about travelling around Europe...

[rrali33tt]

Either before or after our Germany ABD trip next year my fiancee and I plan to travel to Paris and Venice and possibly Rome too. We can't afford a 2nd ABD trip so we are trying to do it on our own.

We decided on ABD for our honeymoon because we did not want to have to worry about he hassles of travelling around Europe on your own and dealing with luggage etc. We decided we want to start a family right away so we are trying to see some more of Euorope while we are there and we have both never been to Europe.

I should get to the main question. I am used to arriving in Disney much earlier than check in time (or any other U.S. travel destination). I have no reservations about leaving my luggage with concierge etc. But I am terrified to do this in Europe. I don't plan on bringing any valuables but do not want to lose all of my clothes and souveniers from previous destinations or my expensive luggage.

Is it safe to leave luggage at hotels in Europe?

We are also deciding on whether to take trains or planes around Europe. I was thinking planes might be easier and faster. The flights from Munich to Paris and Paris to Venice are not too bad. We are also considering night trains but then that brings me back to the luggage issue. What do you think is better to get around Europe, planes or trains?

thanks!

 

[sayhello]

Either before or after our Germany ABD trip next year my fiancee and I plan to travel to Paris and Venice and possibly Rome too. We can't afford a 2nd ABD trip so we are trying to do it on our own.

We decided on ABD for our honeymoon because we did not want to have to worry about he hassles of travelling around Europe on your own and dealing with luggage etc. We decided we want to start a family right away so we are trying to see some more of Euorope while we are there and we have both never been to Europe.

I should get to the main question. I am used to arriving in Disney much earlier than check in time (or any other U.S. travel destination). I have no reservations about leaving my luggage with concierge etc. But I am terrified to do this in Europe. I don't plan on bringing any valuables but do not want to lose all of my clothes and souveniers from previous destinations or my expensive luggage.

Is it safe to leave luggage at hotels in Europe?

We are also deciding on whether to take trains or planes around Europe. I was thinking planes might be easier and faster. The flights from Munich to Paris and Paris to Venice are not too bad. We are also considering night trains but then that brings me back to the luggage issue. What do you think is better to get around Europe, planes or trains?

thanks!

I would say the safety leaving your bags with the concierge is the same as any place. ie, it depends on the hotel and the location! Do your research (check out www.tripadvisor.com) and go from there.

The only thing I have to note about flying around Europe is that a lot of the internal-to-Europe flights, while well priced, are really, *REALLY* strict about size & weight of your luggage & carry-ons. Be sure you know exactly how much you can take on those flights ahead of time. It can be EXTREMELY expensive if you go overweight on those airlines.

Sayhello

 

[carpenta]

We have traveled in Europe a number of times and always found it quite safe to leave luggage with the front desk in our hotels. We stayed in mid-ranged hotels. Always get a receipt though for some employees who retrieve the bags don't speak much English and it gives you assurance in the fact that you did leave bags with the hotel. We also never travel with many valuables either and towards the end of the trip I for one am wishing for someone to relieve me of some of the dirty clothes so to lighten my load. You should look into items in the "Pacsafe" product lines ( handbags, wallets, backpacks) that foil pickpockets. Europe I feel is very safe as to major crimes but pickpockets do exist in major cities and do work in train stations. Rick Steves has good ideas how to protect your valuables such as passport and credit cards. Various credit cards do exchange Euros to dollars without large fees and those cards are good to have if you are doing a lot of bushwacking on the continent. As Sayhello states the airlines are quite strict on weight limits and I have come to find you really can pare down the amount of clothing necessary if you plan ahead. Airfares are less expensive on local trips but also think that some airports are outside the city so include transportation in your cost/ benefit. We usually fly for most fights are up and down type flights for Central Europe is quite close relative to states in the U. S.