Western Europe Hostels

Besançon … Besancon is absolutly worth a day or two. Especially the walk up to the castle with a their various museums and the zoo -- I normally do not like zoos but this one is not only in a great location (great views) but the those lions and tigers are impressive and well-housed.

The Schöens Wochenende (Happy Weekend) train ticket is an amazing deal if you have more time than money. For only €28 up to five people can travel all weekend on local trains (that's €28 total for up to 5 people!). If you wanted to, you can travel all the way from Berlin to Switzerland on nothing but local trains (but it takes about 10 train transfers and 10 hours to do it). Buy a pass at any German train station.

Copenhagen - what a grooooooooovy city! Sex in the city!!! ;) And tequila in the tequilabar!

Modena is wonderful. Very peaceful with wonderful food.

You will learn that streets are not marked as obviously in Europe as they are in the states—look up on the corners of the buildings for placards. Train is the likely way you will arrive in Nice if you are a backpacker—just listen up for strikes because the trains and then the trains and the buses went on strike the week I was there which had some people stranded when they were over due to get out of France—but I thought the protesting in the streets was cool—there was singing and music parade-style in the mornings and I sure wanted them to win! And when you are there remember to give give yourself time for daytrips to Cannes and Monaco—it’s just an air conditioned bus ride away (as long as they are not on strike that is!).

I absolutly loved the town. It left Florence looking like another overcrowded, dirty metropolis by comparison. Siena has everything you could ask for, more history in a mile than you could imagine.

Wengen is wonderful, a great place, we had a fantastic time.

In reality, you really don't need to know a word of Norwegian to successfully get around Oslo or Norway in general. Know that "Heisann" is hello and takk (pronounced "tuck") is thank you. Everyone there speaks English. Also, ladies, Norwegian boys are hot and have cute accents.

Perugia is a wonderful place to visit. The people are very friendly and there is a lot to do both in town and in the surrounding areas. I can not wait until I visit again.

The main reasons people come to Zermatt are for the Matterhorn and the skiing. There are great views of the Matterhorn and other mountains from the town (and better views from Kleine Matterhorn and Gornergrat) and most of the skiing is in the difficult range.

I loved my time spent in Järpen, Sweden. It is a most beautiful space -- I look forward to visiting again with my friend Frida.

Uncastillo is an incredible romanic vilage, houses made of stone and lovely people and food.

Go out on the Marktgasse. Bars close early, so start early. Clubs can be located within reach. Zurich is a great city, enjoy it and be respectful.

I visited Falun with my family in the winter of 2000. We stayed with my friend Kent Hurtig, in his parents' beautiful home. I loved Falun. I returned to Falun in the summer of 2004, after a brief stay in Stockholm. It was totally different in the summer. I saw P-Floyd on that Saturday night in July - a very good band. Thank you Sverige.

Lyon has the best food in France, period. Save money by cooking in Paris, eat out in Lyon. Night life is good Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

I have visited Sorrento twice. I absolutely love it there, it is one of my favourite places in the whole world. I would strongly reccomend anyone to visit Sorrento and the surrounding area, as it is beautiful and the culture is fantastic! I can't wait to go back!

Palencia is a lovely province, or was when I stayed there in 1989. The part I was in - the Aguilar de Campoo region - is sort of high desert and on the fringe of some pretty healthy mountains. This part of Palencia was fairly unpopulated and can get pretty cold in the winter and at night. But the days are lovely with clear skies and brilliant sunshine. The area would be great for painters. There are many attractive villages around and close lies the source of the river Ebro (I think!). A shortish but rugged drive on a good dual carriageway from Santander, this is an area worth a visit, with much more than this brief comment can encompass.

Salerno is definitely less dangerous than Naples. I duly recommend it to use it as a base for touring around the area (1 day in Pompei, 1 day on the Amalfi Coast, 1 day in Capri). Salerno has nothing really special to offer, but is quieter than Naples and from the train station to the hostel is a nice walk. From Salerno Harbour leaves boats to the Amalfi coast and Capri (2 different boats leaving from 2 different parts of the harbour). The train to Pompei is a 20 minute journey.

Baden-Baden is fun to explore especially with all of the staired ally ways that lead into seemingly secret courtyards with foutains. Bring a good pair of shoes because the town is very hilly.

Arezzo is the city where the famous film "La vita è bella" by Roberto Benigni was filmed. Around the city there are around ten to twelve panels telling which scenes have been filmed there. For those who like that film and for those who do not know it but are looking for a marvelous, quiet, Tuscan city -- Arezzo is the place!