For Australians, by far the worst thing about going to Europe is the length of time it takes to get there. Or more specifically, having to spend around a day cramped up in a plane. Unfortunately, there is absolutely no way of making this journey a pleasant one. I've done it far too many times now (including, on one occasion, twice in six days. That was lovely). I'll be straight up with you; I've learned a few ways of making it slightly less hideous, but there's only so much you can do. Unless you're in first class in your own personal lounge, being fanned and having grapes popped into your mouth, then it's a day of discomfort.
In recent years Eastern Europe has opened up, and is becoming increasingly popular. It's a little more hit-and-miss out that way (there are some truly grim Soviet cities, hotels can be poor quality and a Cold War service ethic can prevail) but there are some absolute diamonds waiting to be discovered
So, the Aussie dollar is taking a dive against European currencies and a trip to Europe is now rather more expensive. How can you cut the costs without reducing the fun and enjoyment?
For those who have been living in a cave with pencils in their ears, the Australian dollar has taken something of a tumble in the last month or so. This fall, of course, is not good news for anyone about to go travelling in Europe. Arguably the best way of looking at it is that the Aussie dollar has been extraordinarily strong in the last year or so. Now it has just fallen back to its "normal" level. So it's not suddenly got expensive to go travelling — it's just that recently it has been unusually cheap.
Right. Let's get the blatantly sexist stuff out of the way first. I think the hottest chicks in Europe are from Switzerland and the Ukraine (insert adolescent smutty giggle as appropriate).
The global financial crisis has hit Iceland hard, which might actually be good news for travellers.
Are you a laid-back, go with the flow type of traveller, or do you need everything plotted out in advance? What’s the better style of travel?
Which are the most useful European languages to learn?
There are certain differences that, try as I might to have an open mind, I just can't take to in Europe. So instead of being all magnanimous about it, I'll just be crushingly immature and say that, in the following instances, Europeans are just wrong!
One of Europe's finest traditions is that every country has its very own vile drink that is practically guaranteed to make you dash for the toilet in a bid to purge it from your system. Either that or you're so drunk when you have it that you don't quite notice how revolting it is.
