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Australia & the Pacific | Central America | South America | North America | Southern Asia | Northern Asia | South East Asia | Indochina | East Africa | East Africa | Southern Africa | West Africa | The CIS | The Middle/Near East | France/UK | Guides & Other Books  |
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There is very little on Europe on this site due its sheer size, diversity and number of attractions. However several readers have contributed their thoughts on a few of the most visited countries. » It is worth looking, if you have not already, at the example layout to see the guidelines each section of information is based on - or for other travel advice and site home head for www.travelindependent.info
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France
Intro:
The key word to introduce France is
diversity (although you could probably also pick 'beauty'
and 'money-draining'). From the
snowy peaks of the Alps, Renaissance castles in the Loire
valley, beaches in the South, laid-back countryside landscapes,
Roman ruins… France has a lot to offer. As tourist numbers testify
(France is the world's most visited country) it probably has something for
everyone and it doesn’t matter too much when you visit. The
country is dense enough in sights, both natural and cultural, that
you could easily spend months within its borders. It is safe/easy to explore, and
as such (along with the UK and Italy) makes a perfect
introduction to Europe.
However the plain fact is that for too many travelers, France is summoned in one
city – the most visited in the world, Paris. It is
unfortunate that almost every French cliché is actually a Parisian stereotype –
rude waiters, poor English, fashion shows - you know the
rest. Now
it’s true that France is very much centralized around its
capital, on both an economic and cultural stand-point, and
that a peek to the Mona Lisa or the Eiffel Tower ranks high
among travelers’ expectations. Nevertheless the country around Paris
deserves more than its share of attention – so, instead of
taking the first plane to Rome to get a pizza and a photo in front of
the Coliseum, take some time to explore the rest of the country!
Highlights: Paris (and all that comes with it), Provence (a Van Gogh painting, only better), the little-visited countryside regions of the central area of the country where French cuisine, landscape and rural life are best experienced (Périgord, Auvergne, Jura, Midi-Pyrénées…), Brittany, Corsica, the Alps and the lesser-known Pyreneans.
Lowlights: Sticking to must-sees and touristy rip-offs in Paris, Mont Saint Michel (a tourist trap), the French Riviera in summertime (overcrowded, overpricey and overrated; a better playground is to be found in nearby Italy or Spain, along the Atlantic Coast or in Corsica), mosquitoes in Camargue during summertime and the weather. Note we excluded the people!
Visa strategy: No visa required for the usual suspects. All European Union (EU) and EEA citizens can live and work in France for as long as they like. France is part of the Schengen area and has the same visa policies as the most of the EU. There are almost no controls at land borders with its EU members neighbours. In case of trouble, pretty much every country has an embassy in Paris.
Typical tourist trail: Sadly, most people stick to Paris and the sights accessible by RER - the rapid transit system serving Paris and its suburbs - Versailles Castle and Disneyland being the most common day trips. The much-travelled route to “do” France uses the TGV from Paris south to Nice (via Lyon for the city itself and the nearby Alps, Marseille/Avignon/Aix as a gateway to Provence) and then off to Italy. If going to Spain, Toulouse, Bordeaux and the Basque country (especially Bayonne and Biarritz) are popular stopovers.
Dangers: The country safe with no natural hazards. The most trouble travelers are likely to run into is petty theft and pick pocketing in Paris’s busy areas, but these are easily avoided. As with all countries, some of the major towns’ suburbs should be avoided at night – but a tourist isn’t likely to go there in the first place, so nothing to worry about.
Hot/cold, wet and dry: France is a temperate country with many different climates prevailing on its soil. The sunniest and driest part is the Mediterranean coast, making it a domestic tourist’s magnet for summer vacations. Paris has a continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers, and gets an even amount of rain year-round (less than say, London). Cold is to be expected over the winter in the mountainous areas and in the centre of the country.
Costs: On a 2-person [sharing] basis, with basic accommodation in a double room, cheap meals (sandwiches, cheap restaurants or cooking your own food), plus one or two attractions a day, 50€ a day in Paris, Lyon and the seaside, and 30-40 € elsewhere [each]. If you plan to move around, adding train tickets or renting a car, the bill can rise up to 70-100€/day/person.
Money: The currency is the euro (€) – like in all the neighbouring countries, save for the UK and Switzerland. For groceries, train tickets… credit/debit cards are accepted almost everywhere, although you’ll have better chances with Visa of Mastercard than with an American Express. ATMs are everywhere and cash is the way to go for smaller expenses like bread, museum tickets, etc. The law requires all shopkeepers to display their prices, and with tax included.
What to buy: Obviously, if you’re not on a budget, a fine bottle of wine or a saucisson will delight folks back home. It would be a crime to visit France and not spend a penny on one of its wonderful cheeses.
Getting around:
For large distances, travelling by train is undoubtedly the best
option – the network is dense, travel times are short and
the system is efficient, in spite of the occasional delay. But
book in advance (www.voyages-sncf.com)
as a TGV ticket bought on the spot can reach 100++€ for a
Paris-Marseille trip during peak hours! Your Euro-rail pass will
cover you for France.
Car hire is highly recommended and really needed to explore the countryside
and get to many of the [cheap] campsites, but as trains/buses go everywhere,
it’s never compulsory. The roads are on the whole excellent, but
the main highways are not free to use. On long journeys the
costs mount very quickly and if you can hire a car for 'local'
exploration it makes sense rather than for a full country tour. If planning to explore the whole
country by car at least check the prices of tolls before you
leave to understand this extra cost. Marseille - Paris will be
around 50EUR. Like the rest of Europe fuel is also very
expensive.
Guide book: The Lonely Planet is not bad. The Paris edition is worth its salt if you stay longer in Paris and want to leave the crowds. The Michelin guides are somehow pointless. Of course, the best detailed guides for each region are in French (Le Routard, Petit Futé…).
People vibe:
Locals: Very blasé in Paris; being rudely asked in English for the 25th time that week where the Sainte Chapelle is probably gets old quickly. A few French words and a smile will go a long way. People are much more stress-free and accessible outside of Paris and other major urban areas. Speaking some French makes a big difference.
Other travellers: Every country must have a tourist in Paris – loads of American, Japanese and Chinese group tours. Outside of Paris, you will find many expatriates or regular visitors (most of them German or British) and of course, many domestic tourists, especially along the beaches!
Tourist factor: Paris: 9.5/10, 10.5/10 at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Elsewhere: ranging from 6/10 to 9/10 for the most popular spots.
Accommodation: Pricey. Hotel rooms in Paris are expensive and hostels where you find them are not world-class. Given that hostels are not that common outside of backpacking hubs, for budget options it’s worth considering couch surfing or taking a tent (if you have your own transport and not visiting during winter) and investigating the cheaper (and depressing) motel chains.
Average cost: typically around 60-80€/night in Paris for an okay double room. Much less in rarely visited areas (as much as half as much). Global chains like Ibis often provide basic and unimaginative but cheap accommodation around France.
Communications France is a developed country, so the Internet is everywhere, much of it wi-fi.
Media:
Books: Several English libraries can be found in Paris, Lyon, Marseille or Lille. It’s much harder to find anything elsewhere as France is very protective of its language. So why not learn some French on the road?
TV: Most hotels feature at least one English speaking channel (usually BBC and CNN) and every major town has a movie theatre playing subtitled movies in English – look for VOST in movie schedules.
Food: It’s good, but maybe not as fantastic as you expected it to be. Top-notch cuisine in Paris is for the happy few, and too many tourists end up eating in average restaurants with poor value for money. The further you’ll be from famous landmarks, the better and the cheaper your meal should be – just watch where the locals eat, and follow. Just like there’s no Chinese cuisine, there’s no French cuisine, but many regional specialties; to get the real thing, travel there. The best value is found at restaurants adjacent to farmhouses or small villages that do not cater to foreign tourists; finding them is difficult, but very rewarding. The same goes for wines. If you stick to cities, Lyon offers a range of gourmet opportunities that many French people deem superior to Paris’.
Vegetarians: No problem for vegans, actually some of the country’s most famous specialties are meat-free (like ratatouille, tapenade, omelettes, etc.)
Hassle and annoyance factor: 2/10. Some touts and annoying street sellers in Paris, but they aren’t very insistent.
Drugs, cigarettes and alcohol: Drugs are illegal and youngsters-packed buses from Amsterdam are very often inspected by Belgian and French customs. Cigarettes are heavily taxed and the law prohibits their use in public places such as bars or restaurants – people smoke outside. Like anywhere else, being hammered in the street is likely to get you into trouble.
Rating: (With a healthy budget, time and the right climate) 9/10. On a budget: 7.5/10
Miss at your peril: Paris and the best of the French country-side, without a doubt, one of the world's
great cities and most beautiful countries - 'Highlight of Independent Travel'
England/Wales
Intro:
The land of King Arthur, the Beatles, Buckingham Palace, Shakespeare, the Sex Pistols
- even Carl Maxx lived/died here. England has an unbelievably diverse range of
characters and attractions,
and enough to keep a traveller occupied for months.
London, the capital, is one of the most diverse,
international, stimulating
– and expensive - cities in the world, with an unequalled range
of culture and entertainment. The famous cathedral and
university cities of Oxford, Cambridge, York and Durham and
the Roman settlement of
Bath are also on many travellers’ itineraries, as is Shakespeare’s
city of Stratford-on-Avon and the iconic
Stonehenge. Plus the beaches of Cornwall are not too bad...
if, like the rest of the country - the weather holds out.
Highlights: London: its diversity, museums, parks and general buzz. Cathedral and university towns (Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, York, Durham). Cornwall, the Lake District and Brighton. Getting away from the crowds to some of the stunning National Parks.
Lowlights: Midlands and Northern industrial cities, food (outside London) and the prices. Plus of course the weather. The jury is out on the English/Welsh drink culture, it can be as fun as it can be menacing.
Visa strategy: All EU and EEA citizens can live and work in England for as long as they like. Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders receive six months free on arrival and Americans three months. Working visas are available for young Canadians, Australians, South Africans and New Zealanders and indeed with the current strength of the pound, many have taken advantage of this opportunity. British ancestral visas are worth considering for those with a British grandparent. Almost all other nationalities require a visa, which unfortunately is become more of a pain for many. The UK is unfortunately not part of Schengen like most of mainland Europe.
Typical tourist trail: The vast majority of visits
start and end in London, and indeed many never leave as the
capital has so much to offer. Most visits that explore
the rest of England at all include some combination of Windsor,
Oxford, Bath, Stonehenge, Cambridge, York, Cornwall, Cardiff and the
Lake District. Brighton (debatably England's San Francisco)
due to its proximity with London is often visited.
Often
ignored over the many attractions and bright lights of London,
the two major Northern cities of Manchester
and Liverpool
are not without attractions and a much better example of 'real'
England than the parts of London most tourists will only ever
see. Obviously a must for music fans and some soccer (football) fans, others will find the pace
less rushed and people more accommodating (if only harder to
understand). If visiting only briefly, it is easily possible to
see both cities in one day although you wouldn't get to see
that much. A train from Manchester to Liverpool city centres
take only about 45 mins. Equally, a high speed trains from
central London can have you in Manchester or Liverpool in less
than 2 hours (although you need to travel outside of rush hour
and if possible book in advance on the internet to get a reasonable
ticket price).
Dangers: No exceptional dangers, other than a small risk of violent crime. Many shopping streets in city centres are best avoided when the pubs are closing.
Hot/cold, wet and dry: England has a mild, fairly damp, temperate climate, which gets colder the further north and wetter the further west you go. It rarely drops much below freezing in the winter, or rises much above 27C in the summer. It is, however, famously unpredictable, and what starts off as a nice sunny day can turn damp or thundery without warning, and then change back again.
Costs: England is currently one of the best value countries in western European and the developed world. The GBPound long overvalued came down to earth with a crash after the financial crisis of 2008 and still remains weak (so you get for GBP for your USD/AUD/CAD..). You still pay over the odds for virtually everything in London, but it is much better than before. Unless camping, it is difficult to get by on less than USD 50-70/day, and easy to spend much more. London is more expensive than the rest of the country for accommodation, though can be cheaper for eating out as competition can keep prices low and quality high, plus many excellent museums are free to enter.
Money: ATMs are everywhere, and most don’t charge a fee. All banks take travellers cheques and you can find many Amex offices which cash them commission free.
Getting around: England is relatively small and heavily populated, and almost everywhere is accessible by public transport.
Train tickets, like plane tickets, are
more expensive the closer to the date you buy them, so that
£10 ticket to York a month in advance can become £80 if
bought on the day. Book your train tickets as far in
advance as you can from
www.nationalrail.co.uk. Euro rail
passes are not valid.
Megabus does some inter-city bus journeys
for as little as £1.
Internal flights
are not really worth it, except between London or Cornwall
and the far north.
If heading for rural areas such as
the
Cotswolds and/or hitting many places in a short space
of time then car rental can be considered
as rates are not too bad and there are practically no toll
roads (although note a charge for driving in some parts
of central London and some bridges/tunnels. Nevertheless,
the cost of fuel is among the world's highest. 99%
of roads are free to use (unlike France/Italy)
For those using public transport in London,
the transport
for London website is really the holy grail. It provides
the best routes from A to B combining the underground, buses,
trains and trams. Also up to second travel information is
available and route plans are adjusted when problems occur.
A tip for those planning to use the underground at weekend,
repairs and upgrades area always done on weekends so anyone
travelling on the underground at weekend must check that
there are no closures to there line. You will usually get
a replacement bus service but this can easily double your
journey time in central London.
People who stay for
longer than a few days would be advised to get a Oyster
card, it a little plastic top up card that is used instead
of cash fares and can hugely reduce the cost of getting
around in London. They can be picked up for a refundable
3 pound deposit at all manned ticket booths. Final tip anyone
travelling on the underground should make sure to stand
to one side so people can past, as most people are in a
hurry. Tourists blocking escalators and standing back view
of direction signs on the underground is a pet peeve of
many people, as even after years of use most tunnels look
very similar so can be hard to be sure the right direction
to go.
Guide book: You’re spoilt for choice. Rough Guide or Lonely Planet both produce weighty, worthwhile tomes. If you are on a European tour it might be worth getting a European guidebook, all of which include England (just!). If you are just sticking to London, there are numerous capital specific guides.
People vibe:
Locals: Mostly friendly and welcoming, except sometimes in central London. Aggressive drunkenness is a real social problem on Friday and Saturday evenings in town centres.
Other travellers: The full range. You never know who you’ll meet next in London or on the British backpacker trail. A disproportionate number of Commonwealth citizens, many of whom are on working holiday visas.
Tourist factor: 8/10
Accommodation: Very expensive and generally poor quality for what you pay.
Hot water: Universal.
Average cost: at least 30 USD for a bed in a basic hostel, much more in London. Many hostels still have curfews and lockouts. A double room in a one or two star hotel can be 80 USD and up, much more than that in London.
Communications: Internet cafes are everywhere in major towns, most public libraries have free Internet. As in many other countries, payphones are being replaced by mobiles.
Food: In addition to the famous fish and chip shops and the universal fast food chains and pizza and pasta places, Chinese and (especially) Indian restaurants are hugely popular and ubiquitous. In London the variety and quality of restaurants are stunning, but the rest of the country can be disappointing.
Vegetarians: Fine
Hassle and annoyance factor: None
Women alone: No exceptional hazards.
Drugs, cigarettes and alcohol: England has adopted
many American customs, but Prohibition has never stood a chance.
The traditional centre of male (and increasingly female) social
life in England has always been the pub, and indeed it can be
difficult to socialise without drinking. Some world argue,
the further north you go the better/crazier the nightlife
is. Tobacco is extremely
expensive and smoking in public areas is banned.
The police
increasingly turn a blind eye to soft drugs use, however contrary
to many reports, Marijuana use was never decriminalised. It
was briefly downgrades from a class B to class C, meaning lighter
penalties but is again a class B drug. Like in much of Europe,
you are unlikely to be arrested if you are caught with it on
you but if caught smoking in public especially in areas nears
children i.e. playgrounds and schools it is highly likely that
you will be. Besides as with all destinations in Europe
(Holland aside), there is no traveller drug culture that
you might come across as in Africa/Asia. With Holland a
[from] 50USD flight away, why would you bother if you are
interested in such.
Rating: 7/10
Miss at your peril: London, without a doubt, one of the world's
great cities - 'Highlight of Independent Travel'
Scotland
Intro: Scotland's a country with a reputation of punching above its weight. Full of friendly folk and superb countryside / scenery. Public transport is generally good, allowing you to get to almost any area using train, bus, plane (hardly required for internal transport) and post bus in remote areas (where you share a lift with the postal delivery). There has been a recent revival in the traditional patriotic nature of the Scots with the introduction of a Scottish Parliament with devolved powers.
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As in Ireland, the tradition of a booze loving nation is apparent by their liberal drinking laws compared to some other parts of the UK. The country has the rolling hills of the central lowlands and Borders to rugged mountainous terrain further north.
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Typical tourist trail: Typical tourist trails will involve a visit to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Skye and Mull with the more adventurous heading to Aberdeen and outlying islands known as the Outer Hebrides, or further up the west coast. A brief introduction to each area is providing by joining the minibus tours such as the Haggis tours, MackBackpackers, or Rabbies trail burners. These provide hop on, hop off itineraries
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Dangers: No real dangers to speak of. Although petty crime will happen, there is not generally the same risks as in some other western countries.
Hot/cold, wet and dry: Four seasons in a day. Generally cold and wetter in the winter months, but not as cold as other countries lying this far north. Summer can vary from beautiful hot days to snow on the mountain tops. Sometimes all this happens in a day. Be prepared for damp weather any time of year, particularly if you venture more into the hills or the west coast. The Scottish Midge can become very prevalent in the countryside in the summer, and some people say 100% DEET won't even repel them. Don't be put off adventuring but buy a midge net if camping on a non windy day in summer. Avon "Skin so Soft" comes as an unusual recommendation to ward them off from the outdoor community!
All travel is on relatively modern transport. The rail network is notorious for making it difficult to purchase tickets well in advance. Competition has driven down the prices of intercity bus services to the point where you can travel between Edinburgh and Glasgow or Perth for as little as US$1.50. If using Megabus or CityLink it can be far cheaper to buy online if you can print your own ticket. |
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» Scotland The Best - Not
your standard guide, this book gathers together what is
best about Scotland. If on a budget and public transport
you may want to compliment it with a Rough Guide or Lonely
Planet. |
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Links:
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People vibe: Generally Scottish people are renowned throughout the world as being friendly as shown by the national football (or soccer!) team's following fan base The Tartan Army. The west coast are generally known as being a bit more friendly than the east, and in Edinburgh sometimes you'll think its been invaded by the upper class English. You will experience a huge range of dialects and accents spoken throughout the country, to the point you may wonder whether they are speaking a different language. There's a good social pub culture throughout the country and if you are in smaller west coast communities you could find yourself a lot more immersed in their traditions than in the big cities.
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Food: A wide variety of foods for all tastes and budgets are available. A sandwich will cost £2-4, main courses £6-15 on average. Look out for pre-theatre and Bring Your Own Booze restaurants to limit the cost.
Hassle and annoyance factor: Compared to other western regions there are not any significant dangers. The most chance you'll have of getting hassled is in the early hours of the morning when the nightclubs kick out.
Smoking is banned in pubs and other public areas. Equally and unfortunately some areas (Glasgow as an example) have banned drinking alcohol in public to cut down on nuisance. |
Despite what some people may think, Cannabis is still illegal although due to a recent downgrading to a class 'C' drug you are unlikely to be arrested if found in possession with very small amounts although this is not a general rule. If you flout it in public you are still asking for trouble, although at large outdoor music festivals you'll see it in abundance. Other drugs are likely to be available if you go looking although you're asking for trouble if caught. |
Rating:6.5/10
For sheer diversity considering the size and population, its a winner, although be prepared to go off the beaten track, and enjoy the outdoors, to experience the most of the country and its stunning character. Plus have the cash to do so.
Scotland Mini Guide: © Darren Craig - subs
'at' darrencraig.com
"Circumstances are beyond human control, but our conduct is in our own power”
Benjamin Disraeli - (British Prime Minister, 1804-1881)
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Some things you might want to know in the way of backpacking,
budget travel country advice, tips, info and summaries for:
France, England/Wales and (never to be
forgotten) Scotland.
Do note
that information here is contributed from various authors and not the
main site
author. The views and facts expressed here are well-research
and good quality, but just bear in mind they should perhaps
not be compared directly to other country summaries by other
authors.
Lowlights:
Don't expect everyone to be walking around in kilts,
eating deep fried Mars bars, shooting drugs as in the
film 'Trainspotting', or bouncing around the streets
after being intoxicated by Whisky. Ginger hair and bushy
beards are not as common as you are led to believe!
![[Book]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/0907521576.02.TZZZZZZZ.jpg)
...just
one small tip, best recommended not to turn up in Edinburgh
on Six Nations rugby weekends as well (just like the
Festival) with no hotel room booked - especially if
there's 35,000 Welsh or Irish fans in town! Finding
a room can be a total nightmare!! For people to check
when these weekends are, suggest they visit Scotland
rugby's website,