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Post by q8 on Aug 23, 2005 12:12:00 GMT
 Hi Lads. Now at that lovely meet I had several chats with DD and one of them was an idea for a forum continental HOLIDAY that involves touring somewhere on the continent in general and the rails systems (including metro's) in particular. Dave said he thought it was a good idea so I am putting this post to start things off. There will be several new polls posted within the next couple of days regarding the notion as to where/when/how/what and who. Now let this be understood from the very beginning:_ 1. The trip MAY cost up to £1000 EACH (that is not to say it WILL) so you will have to think carefully first. 2. You MUST ensure that ALL personal belongings are insured SPECIFICALLY against Loss/theft/damage whilst on the trip. 3. Please make sure that you are covered by insurance for medical/accidental happenings during the whole trip. 4. DD nor any other of the "officials" of this website/forum neither can, nor will, take any responsibility for any/all, accidents/loss's/damage's arising or incurred in the duration of the trip. 5. Wives, GF's and partners are welcome to accompany any members providing they also abide by the conditions set out above and can stand a bunch of rail loonies for however long the thing lasts. 6. Members of school age or students under 18 are also welcome BUT they MUST repeat MUST have written and signed consent from their parents/Guardians to go. They will not be expected to contribute to the pot personally but via their elders. I will TRY to put a little money aside for the younger ones to cover any whims they may have if they go. 7. DD has a vacant account to which money may contributed for the cost of the trip. He will be in SOLE charge of the finances of the thing and will know who has put in what and when. A further announcement from him about that account will be made in due course after you have all decided the venue and method of procedure. Right, there you have the basics of the thing. DD will be online sometime soon to put his side of things and make any suggestions I have overlooked. But remember we must decide by the end of the year the criteria of the thing so that bookings may be made in good time. The ABSOLUTE DEADLINE for your participation will be December 31st 2005
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Chris M
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Forum Quizmaster
Always happy to receive quiz ideas and pictures by email or PM
Posts: 19,762
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Post by Chris M on Aug 23, 2005 13:07:39 GMT
I like the idea of this, but until I know more details then I can't say whether I'll be interested. For example, I don't know that I could afford a £1000 holiday, but a £500 I could manage (based on current circumstances of course).
In terms of work comitments, I do get a more generous holiday allowance than most (30days + Bank hols + 2.5 "priviledge (sp?) days" + flexi time) but I tend to use my holiday. This means that I will probably have an effective maximum of 7 days holiday available for the trip (not including weekends), depending on whether my friends and I go for one or two weeks next year.
I suspect that in common with most people booking the time off is best done as far ahead as possible, particularly if its during school holidays.
In terms of ideas for destinations, I have heard that the German railway is one of the cheapest and that even journeys through Germany (e.g. Belgium - Switzerland) qualify for the German rate. The cheap rates stop being available closer to the date of travel than is the case in the UK.
Chris
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Post by zman on Aug 23, 2005 23:54:23 GMT
Here's a few tips from someone (me) who travels A LOT and who can point out some things to help.
1) Try to go to places when it's the 'off' season. Airfares and hotels tend to be a LOT cheaper during off times. Like, for example, cities like Paris and New York are WAY more affordable in January, February and March.
2) Only buy insurance for belongings if you are carrying high ticket items or items that would be financially difficult for you to replace in the event of loss. Otherwise it would be a waste of money.
3) Always have your passport with you on your person. This can come in very handy when you go shopping so as to receive refunds on sales taxes or if challenged by a person of authority for proper identification.
4) If planning to shoot pictures/videos of trains, ask the operating authority (before leaving home) if permits are required. This can save you a big headache later on. One thing that transit authorities tend to frown upon however are tripods.
That's all that I can think of. Any questions? Don't hesitate to ask.
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Post by q8 on Aug 24, 2005 11:55:56 GMT
I went to Berlin in '96 and had a fabulous time. The city is extremely easy to get around and the accomdation is varied and good. There are eateries by the score too. You can buy a travel ticket that covers the whole U-Bahn and S-Bahn and buses, trams and some regional railways as well. These tickets are very good value for money as the ones we bought in '96 were only £18 for a week. When I went the old 476 S-Bahn stock was still running at 70 years of age. They made a lovely CP like motor noise. The S-Bahn is a very extensive system with the largest station being Ostkreuz. If you stand on the platform there you will see an absolute endless procession of trains. Even more that Baker Street or Earl's Court. It is also on two levels. Berlin is not all trains however. There are two towers to ascend. The Funkturm at Messegeland which is for radio transmission and has a restaurant halfway up. (incidentally the road bridge adjacent is a doubledeck structure with the road on top and the U-Bahn below with the unusual feature that you can see out of the side of the tunnel when crossing the bridge) The other tower is the Fernsehturm which is even higher than the BT tower and has the most fabulouse view from the revolving restaurant at the top. There is also the checkpoint Charlie museum and other cultural places to see too. We went to Berlin all the way by train as follows. By Eurostar from Waterloo to Brussels then by DB train all the way to Berlin via Hanover and Magdeberg. Mind you it is a very long day. Leaving Waterloo at 6 in the morning and reaching Berlin Zoo at nine that night but a lovely trip. Berlin is my top choice and as I can speak (croak) some German a place I would love to go to again. www.bvg.de/e_index.htmlcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Berlin_S-Bahn |
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Hi Lads.
