Scottroos European tour...

[scottroo]

Heading to Europe on Saturday for 14 weeks, theres 7 of us going, will try and add photos to here as we go.

really just looking for any must see places/bars/etc in the citys we are going too

Itinerary is as follows

London for 9 days
Edinburgh for 4 nights, doing the military tattoo
Istanbul for 4 nights
tour of gallipoli and troy
Amsterdam
Barcalona
Madrid
Valencia (LA TOMATINA)
Ibiza
Athens
Mykonos
Santorini
Rome
Milan
Vienna
Salzburg
Munich (OKTOBERFEST)
Florence
Venice
Nice
Paris
Driving trip of Ireland

[Sploosh]

Sounds like an absolute cracker of a trip. Although I've been to perhaps just over half of the places on your list, nothing immediately springs to mind as 'must see' things, apart from the usual landmarks, but given that list it would seem impossible for you NOT to have an amazing time.

[Q.]

Given I'm a bit of a nerd these might not be up your alley, but...

Salvador Dali blows my mind. Check out his exhibit while in Madrid. Also plenty of good tapas bars and normal bars with live music.

Catch the train to Monaco from Nice. Go to Jardine Exotique and marvel at the massive cacti garden...Okay, not everyone's idea of fun, but - being a collector of columnar cacti - I was in heaven. Still go to Monaco though - hit up the famous casino.

Florence...hmmm...just gorge on food. Outdoor markets that are open into the night and with an array of delicious street food (see below).

[Sploosh]

Rome: It's hardly "off the beaten track", but going to the Vatican/surrounding buildings etc is completely worth it, even for the non-religious (like me)

[Stumps]

Nothing says florence to me like roasted pineapple

[Dutchy]

Have a great trip Scott, would be great if you can give us a live blog of your trip when you get a chance

[Footy Chick]

Have a good trip Scottroo, is this a contiki thing?

My brother and his mates are heading over on August 11, with tour leaving London on August 20 I think. pretty much going to the same places I reckon.

[Q.]

Is this all pre-booked?

There is a hostel in Thira, Santorini, which is a must-stay.

[scottroo]

Yeah its all been pre booked, forgot where in santorini we are staying, but santorini is definately up there on the places im most excited to see, Footy Chick, its not a contiki, theres 7 of us going so weve decided to do it all ourselves, 2 years planning and now only 4 days away, getting very excited

[JAS]

This is a great little place to eat in Florence...

http://www.laspadaitalia.com/en/

Treated my mate to a birthday dinner there...small, crowded but great mix of locals and tourists...and gorgeous food at a good price.

...and this was great fun and wasn't in any guidebook...working models of Da Vinci's inventions that you can play with...great for kids big and small....

http://www.mostredileonardo.com/site.as ... Pagina=180

Regards
JAS

[Q.]

Yeah its all been pre booked, forgot where in santorini we are staying, but santorini is definately up there on the places im most excited to see, Footy Chick, its not a contiki, theres 7 of us going so weve decided to do it all ourselves, 2 years planning and now only 4 days away, getting very excited

Awesome. I bet you're at that stage where you think it's not going to actually happen because it's been in the works for so long!

[scottroo]

haha yep, my last day of work is tommorow and it hasnt sunk in

[scottroo]

this reminds me, when im driving in ireland, do i need an international drivers license or is my SA one recognised over there as its in english?

[JAS]

this reminds me, when im driving in ireland, do i need an international drivers license or is my SA one recognised over there as its in english?

This might help you or link to a site that can...

http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/ ... n-Ireland/

Regards
JAS

[smac]

Go to RAA and grab an international licence before you go. That will cover you if you ever decide to drive anywhere. Costs bugger all too.

[Footy Chick]

Yep, just take your normal licence, a passport sized photo and $30 into any RAA branch and they'll do it on the spot for you. To save time you can download the application form from http://www.raa.com.au

*edit* IDP definitely needed if hiring any sort of vehicle overseas.

[devilsadvocate]

Go to RAA and grab an international licence before you go. That will cover you if you ever decide to drive anywhere. Costs bugger all too.

That's some brilliant advice. I drove through France without one shitting myself. Not having one also prevented me from getting insurance in Canada without handing in my Aussie license.

[devilsadvocate]

Yep, just take your normal licence, a passport sized photo and $30 into any RAA branch and they'll do it on the spot for you. To save time you can download the application form from http://www.raa.com.au

*edit* IDP definitely needed if hiring any sort of vehicle overseas.

Depends which country you're in.

France - yes.
UK, Spain, Portugal, Canada, USA - no

[scottroo]

okay, so tommorows the day and im shittn myself but so excited, anyone wanna help me with a checklist of things i need?

[Q.]

okay, so tommorows the day and im shittn myself but so excited, anyone wanna help me with a checklist of things i need?

If you forget anything you'll be able to buy it on the road...anything. For instance, I got an Aussie plug adaptor in Verona and had half of Ouagadougou chasing down a memory card for my camera.

Take heaps of photos and have a blast!