Lauren Asaro

Europe & Eurail Traveler

When did you go on your Europe trip?
March 2002 - March 2002
How old were you when you took this trip?
36
Including your air ticket and other expenses (incl. air ticket, rail passes, etc.), about how much did your trip cost?
$650
Nationality
USA
Where do you live now?
Goucester, Massachusetts, USA
Did you buy a rail pass?
Yes
What pass(es) did you buy?
4 day flexipass
Occupation

Before your trip: chef/waitress
Now: chef/waitress

How did your travels affect your career when you got back?
It didn't, it was just a vacation.

What is the route you took/places you visited?
I took trains to Holyhead, Wales and around northern Wales to Beaumaris Castle, Conwy Castle and visited some of the neighboring towns and villages. Also spent St Patty's Day weekend in Dublin, also spent 4 days in London. For the most part of my trip it was spent in Holyhead, northern Wales at a friend's house.

Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I have friends all over the UK. i find taking the trains cheaper and easier than renting a car. and the trains are close to where I was going. I love it there, and everytime I go I find some new and exciting place to see.

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?
My friends, co-workers and family were very supportive of my trip. I am a single mother with 2 kids and deserve to do something for myself once in a while! I have recommended to them taking the rail. It's safer and easier to get to where you are going if you have a long way to travel. You can rest and enjoy the sites while you are traveling.
Out of all your experiences traveling around Europe, what was the:
- Best Moment
  St Patty's Day in Dublin
- Worst Moment
  Delays on the train due to work on the lines
- Biggest Hurdle, Obstacle or Difficulty?
  Didn't have any
- Biggest surprise?
  Didn't have any, just had a nice time
Who is the most memorable person you met on your trip and why?
I'd have to say my friend Dave whom I have chatted to online for 4 years. It was nice to spend a day in London with him and have him show me around London and some intresting sites that I wouldn't have known about unless I lived in that area. It's nice to finally meet a dear friend and find out that they are just as dear in person.

How much planning and preparing did you do?
Winged it a lot

What was your favorite piece of gear?
Suitcase w/ wheels! A must!

What did you bring, that in hindsight you could've left at home?
Travel books - and one less suitcase.

How did your trip change your life? How did it affect and change you as a person?
Didn't really change my life. It was nice to get away from it all and see new places. Seeing new things enriches your mind, and seeing history facinates me.

If you had to sum up your trip in one sentence, what would it be?
NOT LONG ENOUGH!!

Are you planning more trips and travels for the future? Are you planning another trip to Europe?
Yes, planning another trip to the UK next year. If I could afford to go every year I would. But I can't so I save to go every other year

Why do you think people should take longer trips like this? Why not just take a regular old one- or two-week vacation instead?
Seeing what you want when you want, with no pressures from a tour group, is much more enjoyable. If you want to see something longer you can, if you don't want to see something you don't. You can go anywhere you want, when you want; that is a bonus not being on someone else's schedule. And if there is somewhere you want to go that isn't on the tour you miss it; this way you can go where you want!

What is the most valuable thing you learned?
Take a longer vacation next time!

What is the biggest myth that people have about traveling Europe by rail?
That the British people are rude. I found everyone to be pleasant and very helpful, and the people that work for the rail are most helpful, helping you get to where you are going. A lot of them go out of the way to help get your bags onto the train for you.

Why do you like to travel?
I love history and seeing new places and things I have read about and seen on TV. It's interesting to see how people in other countries live. I especially love the old buildings, churches and catherdrals; it is amazing to see buildings that are thousands of years old.

What is your advice for people planning their own Europe trip?
Pick an area of places you really want to see. You can always find great deals on hotel with airfare. For my trip I got a great deal of $406 with 3 nights hotel in London and round-trip airfare. When I got off the plane I took the train to northern Wales and spent 8 days there, and taking the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin for the St Patty's Day celebration. I spent the last 4 days 3 nites at the hotel in London so I wouldn't have to take a long train ride back to London and get on a long plane ride. The only thing I wish I did was spend the money for a few more days in London. Next time I will.

What is a tip about Eurailing you would have, that would help other travelers who are using train travel in Europe?
Flexipasses are the way to go!!

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