Catherine D'Ambrosio

Europe & Eurail Traveler

When do you leave?
June 2002
How long do you plan to be away?
A Few Weeks
How old are you?
24
How much money have you saved?
US$1,500
Did you buy a rail pass?
Yes
What pass(es) did you buy?
Europass Youth
Nationality
USA
Where do you live now?
Feasterville, PA, USA
Occupation
Media Coordinator
Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
It's my career
Have you traveled Europe before?
No
Have you bought or used a European rail pass before?
No
What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
Paris, Amsterdam, Interlaken, Florence, Rome, Cannes, Aix en Provence
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I haven't really traveled much (except for going to Canada and Mexico), so I thought it was about time that I got out to see the world. I plan to do even more traveling it the future!
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Not having enough time to do and see all the things I want to.
Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your traveling and railing around Europe?
Yes, my company is even letting me take 3 weeks off so I can take this trip.
How much planning and preparing have you done?
Just Enough
What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
I'm not really sure what to pack yet!
How do you think your trip will change your life? How do you think it will affect and change you as a person?
I hope to meet some interesting people and learn a little bit of history along the way.
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your Europe in one sentence, what would it be?
I'm so excited!
Why do you think people should travel Europe by rail?
It's more convenient and economical.
Why do you think people should take longer trips trips like this? Why not just take a regular old one- or two-week vacation instead?
It's more fun to plan your trip on your own and not be confined to the restraints of a planned tour. If you feel like staying in Paris for 2 weeks instead of 4 days you can!
What is the biggest myth that people have about traveling Europe by rail?
I'm not really sure yet, since I haven't actually been on a train in Europe.
Why do you like to travel?
I love to visit places that are different from where I live.
What is your advice for people planning their own Europe trip?
Plan enough so you don't waste a lot of time searching for hotels/hostels or buses etc., but not too much that you are confined to a certain schedule.

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