Don't rent a car in Europe because it's expensive, slow and a pain-in-the-ass compared to public transport. Yeah, I get it "you don't mind long drives". I grew up road-tripping as a kid and once drove from Toronto to Ottawa for lunch so I know the feeling. However, you need to approach the trip differently when you take increased fuel costs/tolls/parking and the availability of public transport. As a general rule, driving is not a very good way to get from point A to point B in most of the itineraries that we see on travel; in France, most people will think you're insane if you say "I'm going to rent a car in Paris to go to Nice for a weekend". That's at least nine hours behind the wheel, 77 EUR in tolls and about 80 EUR in fuel instead of a direct TGV in six hours (there's a train today for 70 EUR and you can find them for as low as 20 EUR). You also don't need to rent or park the TGV upon arrival ;). All that said, buying a car in France was one of the best decisions that I made while living in Grenoble. Road trips to/in San Sebastian/Pamplona/Bordeaux, the Algarve, Barcelona, Corsica, Lake Como, Cassis/Les Calanques/Gorge du Verdun, Belgium/Luxembourg and Slovenia/Croatia were unforgettable and having a car was an amazing way to get off the (super-well-)beaten-trail. So I would highly recommend renting a car in Europe when the trip calls for it. Anyway, here are some things that I think people should think about while deciding to rent or not in Europe. Keep in mind that most of my driving experience was in France and Northern Italy. In countries without tolls the costs will obviously go down. Fuel * Right now in France you're looking at about 1.40 EUR per litre (2.20 CAD per litre, or 6 USD per gallon). At that price, it would have cost me 120 CAD to fill up my car! * Highways will have the most expensive fuel, followed by brand-name gas stations. I bought almost all my fuel at the big grocery stores (Carrefour, Casino, Leclerc and the like). Tolls * The French highway system is great, I miss the hell out of it every time I get back on a 400-series highway in Ontario * But you pay for it. Over the two years I had my car, I spent almost as much on tolls as I did on diesel. * One really rough example is Grenoble to Turin. It's under three hours but you'll rack up 16 EUR to get to the Italian border + 45 EUR for the Fréjus Tunnel + 14 EUR to get the rest of the way to Turin. Flixbus would cost 15-20 EUR. * Italy takes this a step further with ZTLs. Did you miss this sign? Now you've got a fine coming! * Some countries require you to have a sticker in order to use their highways. In Switzerland this is 40 CHF whether you use the highway for a day or a year. * Note: you can use ViaMichelin to get an idea of tolls and fuel costs Parking * If you're used to parking in wide-open lots for free then this is the stuff of nightmares. If you're parallel parking on-street in a French city then there's a very good chance that you'll be making bumper contact with the cars in front and behind you. * unless you're in the countryside you'll probably be paying (maybe out the nose) for parking. I paid 50 EUR to park for two nights in Barcelona. * Theft of belongings is a huge problem. An unscientific poll of my friends shows like 90% of them having had a window smashed and something stolen at least once Sometimes a rental is a great idea, sometimes it's an unbelievably poor one. The important thing to do is to actually evaluate your options and figure out what works best for you.
Ask yourself if you really need it? You may only need a rental for a few days in the middle of the trip, especially if doing so can help you avoid one-way drop-off fees. You certainly don't need the car because you want to be flexible during your week in Venice-Rome-Florence!
Use ViaMichelin (website or app) to get an idea of tolls. Occasionally choosing one highway over another can save you a fair amount.
Use online aggregates to find the best deal
Keep the parking situation in mind when you're planning something. AirBnB's are notorious for saying "free parking" when really they mean "you can park somewhere in the neighbourhood" that may-or-may-not be free.
Learn how to drive a manual. Even if you reserve an automatic, it's not a 100% guarantee that they'll have one when you get to the desk.
What have your experiences with rental cars been like? Have you rented a car and wished you didn't need to find parking in Amsterdam and Brussels? Or have you tried to visit a chain of far-flung villages before wishing you'd taken a rental?
[Song of the Week] The Resistance: I Belong to You
[Song of the Week] The Resistance: I Belong to You General info: First off I would just like to say thank you to ExtraButterPopCorn for letting me do another one of these. The song I Belong to You also known as I Belong to You + Mon Cœur S'ouvre à Ta Voix and Delilah is a song by muse that was used for the Twilight movie New Moons soundtrack. So because of this two versions of the song now exist. The original mix of the song which clocks in at 5:38 and the new moon mix of the song which is cut short at 3:12. The only differences between the two versions is that on the new moon mix, the French section is cut out and there appears to be more guitar work than usual thus making this version appear more "up beat" than the usual version. A link to both versions can also be found below in this thread. "I Belong To You" has a slow rhythm. The song's middle section is sung in French and the latter section includes a bass clarinet solo. According to Chris, the song's middle-section was inspired by the opera "Samson and Delilah". The song, which he says has a different rythmic feel, is therefore one of the more unusual songs of the album, but has become one of his personal favourites on The Resistance. Matt said that, "This song is influenced by silly circus sounds, 'Sgt. Pepper's', 'Pet Sounds' and a general 'anything goes' approach to music. It is about feeling in debt or grateful to someone for being an inspiration for creating music. The middle is from the aria called 'Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix from the French opera 'Samson and Delilah' composed by Camille Saint-Saens. The song features a bass clarinet solo which we wanted to sound like a theme tune from a children's TV program featuring teddy bears in a garden."[6] In one interview, Matt said "I really like the aria section from Samson and Delilah by Camille Saint-Saens. I tried singing the parts translated in English but it sounded horrible so I ended up doing it in French. Sorry for my pronounciation!". He also feels this song and "Exogenesis" are the two tracks he can't believe made it onto the album." also to note.... "When the name of this song was released on musewire, it was appended with "(+Mon Coeur S'Ouvre A Ta Voix)", which translates from French into "My Heart Opens Itself To Your Voice", and is the name of an aria from Camille Saint-Saëns' opera Samson and Delilah. An operatic partial cover of this song is included as the interlude in "I Belong to You". "The song makes several self references, namely "Guiding Light" and "Overdue", the common use of the word "soul" in Matt's lyrics, and the band name, "Muse" itself." "Matt can be heard popping his mouth with his finger right before the verses and the chorus. This is also shown on "The Making Of The Resistance" as shown here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWPntBv_bMU" -MuseWiki http://www.musewiki.org/I_Belong_to_You_(song) Artwork: Theres not really a artwork for this song, however since it appears on the soundtrack for new moon I guess I will just link the album cover for the soundtrack. http://imgur.com/RuFDqTE Song meaning: There doesn't seem to be much anywhere about the meaning of this song however, at one part of the song Matt sings "She attacks me like a Leo, when my heart is split like Rio" which according to Matt in one of his famous tweets is: "Rio is pretty divided, 5 Star hotels and favelas close together. Leo star sign." Lyrics: When these pillars get pulled down It will be you who wears the crown And I'll owe everything to you How much pain has cracked your soul? How much love would make you whole? You're my guiding lightning strike I can't find the words to say They're overdue I've traveled half the world to say "I belong to you" And she attacks me like a Leo When my heart is split like Rio But I assure you my debts are real I can't find the words to say When I'm confused I've traveled half the world to say "You are my mu..." Mon Cœur S'ouvre à Ta Voix (My heart opens itself to your voice) Ah! Réponds, (Ah! Respond,) Réponds à ma tendresse (Respond to my tenderness) Verse-moi, verse-moi l'ivresse! (Pour out to me, pour out to me the euphoria!) Réponds à ma tendresse! (Respond to my tenderness!) Réponds à ma tendresse! (Respond to my tenderness!) Ah! Verse-moi l'ivresse! (Ah! Pour out to me the euphoria!) Verse-moi, verse-moi l'ivresse! (Pour out to me, pour out to me the euphoria!) Réponds à ma tendresse! (Respond to my tenderness!) Réponds à ma tendresse! (Respond to my tenderness!) Ah! Verse-moi l'ivresse! (Ah! Pour out to me the euphoria!) I belong I belong to you alone "...use" Woo! I can't find the words to say They're overdue I've traveled half the world to say "I belong to you" Music video: Now since there isn't any music videos of this, I will instead post a lyric video to it.... Original Mix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQoqM7l-vlQ New Moon Remix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ7j6TsZQPA Live versions: Despite this song not really being commonly live, below I have included some of my favourite performances of this song.
And as a little bonus, have this rehearsal footage of the song which was taken from the New Moon special features. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SstKCN7GkgQ Fun Facts: First live performance 25th May 2010 Latest live performance 10th September 2010 This isn't the first song they have done for Twilight, with the other song being Neutron Star Collision / Love Is Forever. It was recorded at Studio Bellini, Lake Como and Milan, Italy, in 2009. Rate song: Ayyyyyy I actually remembered to make a poll this time. http://www.strawpoll.me/10524140 Previous song of the week: [Song of the Week] The 2nd Law: Unsustainable by Legrosbobhttps://www.reddit.com/Muse/comments/4o8xya/song_of_the_week_the_2nd_law_unsustainable/
Just booked ten days in France and Switzerland. Any advice or suggestions?
A friend and I, both males in our late twenties, are flying from NYC to Paris on Aug 10th and then from Zurich back to NYC on Aug 20th. We'd like to see more of Switzerland than France. We're thinking of spending two or three days seeing Paris/Lyon, then heading over to Geneva and eventually making our way to Zurich. We're going to be renting a car. We're mostly interested in, mountains, lakes, parks/forests, outdoor adventures, hiking, biking, waterfalls, and castles. We're thinking of following this itinerary, in this order. What do you think? Paris, FR Lyon, FR Geneva, CH
United Nations
Lake Geneva
Lavaux vineyards
Montreux, CH
Château de Chillon (castle)
After lunch head forRochers-de-Naye, at 2,042m (6,698 ft.), reached by cogwheel train from Montreux. One of the greatest vistas in all of western Switzerland unfolds at the top. That night, if you're a gambler, you can descend on Casino de Montreux
Gstaad, CH
walking and hiking trails
Oeschinen, Kandersteg, CH
Lake Oeschinen
Interlaken, CH
Jungfraujoch (snow peak)
Trummelbach Falls (internal waterfalls)
Go canyoning
Lauterbrunnen, CH
View of the Alps and waterfalls
Lauterbrunnen Valley
Gadmen, CH
Trift Suspension Bridge, Switzerland
Trift Glacier
Ticino, CH
Castles of Bellinzona
Lake Como, Como, Italy Lucerne, CH
Mount Titlis (snow peak)
Lion's Monument
Lake Lucerne
Mount Pilatus, Alpnach, Switzerland. The best way to go is to take a steamer from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, where you transfer to a cog railway. With careful planning, you can also visit Rigi, 24km (15 miles) east of Lucerne. Rigi (1,680m/5,510 ft.) is the most famous mountain view in Switzerland. Even Mark Twain climbed it. Return to Lucerne for a final night.
visit theVerkehrshaus der Schweiz (Swiss Transport Museum), one of the finest museums of its kind in the world. With time remaining, you can take in one or two of the minor sites that interest you, such as the Picasso Museum, the Gletschergarten (Glacier Garden), or theNeues Kunstmuseum (Modern Art Museum). For atmosphere and good food, dine that night at the Old Swiss House.
Zurich, CH
Rhine Falls
boat trip along Lake Zurich
walk down Bahnhofstrasse (main st. for shopping)
Bierhalle Kropf (restaurant)
Landesmuseum (Swiss National Museum)
take another tour, this one by boat and aerial cableway to Felsenegg at 795m (2,608 ft.). One of the greatest panoramas in this part of Switzerland
There were multiple scenes from Casino Royale filmed on Lake Como in northern Italy.After his torture from Le Chiffre, Bond spends time recovering at the exclusive Villa del Balbianello.The final scene where Bond finds Mr. White was shot in Villa la Gaeta.There are also scenes in Venice at both the Piazza San Marco and all along the Canal Grande. Film location guide for 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale, with Daniel Craig; in the Czech Republic, including Prague and Karlovy Vary; Nassau in the Bahamas; Italy, including Venice and Villa Balbianello on Lake Como. “Among the most interesting archaeological sites in northern Italy in the early middle ages” Starting from the Antiquarium Museum, near which you can visit the Romanesque church of St. Mary Magdalene with it’s famous Gothic tower, you embark on the waters of the lake, crossing the so-called “Zoca de l’oli” to reach the Comacina Island . Tremezzina is located on the western banks of Lake Como, right in front of Bellagio, and is the result of a recent merger of the comunes of Lenno, Mezzegra, Ossuccio, and Tremezzo. Visiting Tremezzina means having the chance to enjoy a place that is rich in atmosphere, history, and attractions. The Albergo Metropole’s Webcam of Lake Como offers live stunning 360 degree panoramic images of the beauties that Lake Como offers. Villas of Bellagio. See the wonderful Villa Carlotta regarded by many as the most beautiful gardens in Northern Italy…. The casino has a very impressive building inside campione area. But starting from the entreance , casino employers and the enviroment inside the casino was like a retirement house.3 floor huge casino without any motivating enviroment. Villa del Balbianello is located next to Lake Como, Italy. In the spring of 2006, the movie Casino Royale was filmed in front of the villa. The villa doubles as a hospital where James Bond (Daniel Craig) is recovering, together with Vesper (Eva Green) and where the Swiss banker comes to get the code to transfer the money. Where to buy property at Lake Como, Italy It is reassuringly expensive to be neighbours with George Clooney Villa Gaeta, where James Bond duels with the villain in the 2006 Casino Royale film, has Lake Como is a destination with a pure beauty, a marvelous nature and breath-taking views, from where you can walk, relax, discover the peace and enjoy the calm of an holiday. Because we wish to see all of you here on Lake Como, a world within a World. Villa La Gaeta,San Siro, Lake Como, Italy This James Bond Villa is located next to Lake Como, in San Siro, Italy, surrounded by a beautiful park with paths, benches and a lit fountain. In the spring of 2006, the movie Casino Royale was filmed in front of this villa (the last scene of the movie when Bond meets Mr. White).
Harvey's Hotel and Casino Drone by Oleg Zabugorsky
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