Jim Callender

Europe & Eurail Traveler

What happens when you don't "mind the gap".

When did you go on your Europe trip?
July-September 1993
How old were you when you took this trip?
21
Including your air ticket and other expenses (incl. air ticket, rail passes, etc.), about how much did your trip cost?
£1000
Nationality
England
Where do you live now?
Sunny Wargrave, England
Did you buy a rail pass?
Yes
What pass(es) did you buy?
Set-route 2-month pass
Occupation

Before your trip: student
Now: web designer

How did your travels affect your career when you got back?
It has left me with emotional scars.. Only joking, it really built on my developing character with many life skills – Communication, organising, problem solving.

What is the route you took/places you visited?
London - Holland - Germany - Austria - Italy - France - London

Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
It covered the majority of Western Europe, and cities we hadn't visited before.

What did your family, friends, co-workers, etc. think of your trip? Were they supportive of you? What is their opinion of your traveling and railing around Europe?
Of course they were supportive, it was time off from college. And an opportunity we possibly would never have again to head out as three friends into deepest, darkest, Europe!
Out of all your experiences traveling around Europe, what was the:
- Best Moment
  Venice – taking photos of each other.
- Worst Moment
  Being woken up by a thunderstorm and running for cover to the train station, where we met the Corfu boys.
- Biggest Hurdle, Obstacle or Difficulty?
  Trying to find a decent meal each day!
- Biggest surprise?
  That we could actually get by with just a bag on our back... with very little organisation at all!
Who is the most memorable person you met on your trip and why?
Mr Bilikans, of course. Jon's Long Lost Uncle – who was Town Mayor in Venlo, Holland. He treated us like kings with a slap-up steak dinner, after many Dutch beers.

How much planning and preparing did you do?
Planning is for tourists

What was your favorite piece of gear?
The Bavarian hats we picked up in Heidelberg.

What did you bring, that in hindsight you could've left at home?
A tent!

How did your trip change your life? How did it affect and change you as a person?
It made me accept change, and adapt to new surroundings quicker and more confidently. As does all travelling.

If you had to sum up your trip in one sentence, what would it be?
One sentence? Tough one! Er, "We were very, VERY lucky to have so many amazing experiences."

Are you planning more trips and travels for the future? Are you planning another trip to Europe?
Oh yeah, of course, travel is in the blood for good. Europe is cool, but there's nothing like the thrill of stepping out of a foreign airport after a long haul. Maybe it's a case of doing the more difficult countries to travel in now, before I get too old!

Why do you think people should take longer trips like this? Why not just take a regular old one- or two-week vacation instead?
Because this is life on the road, "shall we head north or south today!" – a choice which packaged tours do not cater for!

What is the most valuable thing you learned?
Learning how to drink wine from a carton on a moving train.

What is the biggest myth that people have about traveling Europe by rail?
That you need a timetable booklet. Just turn up! We did!

Why do you like to travel?
Because you never know what's waiting for you in the next destination!

What is your advice for people planning their own Europe trip?
Have a loose itinerary, as plans change.

What is a tip about Eurailing you would have, that would help other travelers who are using train travel in Europe?
Check the trains you get on, as different train services to the same destination have supplements.

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