Lauren Lamet

Europe & Eurail Traveler

When did you go on your Europe trip?
March-April 2002
How old were you when you took this trip?
19
Including your air ticket and other expenses (incl. air ticket, rail passes, etc.), about how much did your trip cost?
$2,000
Nationality
USA
Where do you live now?
Benicia ,USA
Did you buy a rail pass?
No
Occupation

Before your trip: student, secretary, delivered pizzas
Now: same as above

How did your travels affect your career when you got back?
They didn't, I just took the time off of work.

What is the route you took/places you visited?
Arrived in Florence, from there I traveled to Capri, Rome and Paris, and I left out of Paris.

Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I decided to take this trip because I wanted to see other parts of the world.

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 family thought that it was great that I was so young and I planned the whole trip on my own.
Out of all your experiences traveling around Europe, what was the:
- Best Moment
  Meeting new people and sightseeing
- Worst Moment
  There wasn't one
- Biggest Hurdle, Obstacle or Difficulty?
  Not speaking anything besides English
- Biggest surprise?
  Going to a college Rugby match
Who is the most memorable person you met on your trip and why?
The Rugby team I met in the bar down the street from our hotel in Paris, they invited us to their game.

How much planning and preparing did you do?
Just Enough

What was your favorite piece of gear?
My backpack

What did you bring, that in hindsight you could've left at home?
Walking shoes

How did your trip change your life? How did it affect and change you as a person?
It has made me want to travel every chance I get. I would like to study abroad in Europe.

If you had to sum up your trip in one sentence, what would it be?
My trip to Europe was the best experience I've every had.

Are you planning more trips and travels for the future? Are you planning another trip to Europe?
Yes, I am planning a trip to Australia in the summer of 2003. I would like to return to Europe soon after that.

Why do you think people should take longer trips like this? Why not just take a regular old one- or two-week vacation instead?
Yes, I am planning a trip to Australia in the summer of 2003. I would like to return to Europe soon after that.

What is the most valuable thing you learned?
Being aware of my surroundings, the culture, money, directions to where I was going. Using my brain!

What is the biggest myth that people have about traveling Europe by rail?
I don't know, but it is a great way of transportation. I wish we had something like it in the US.

Why do you like to travel?
I don't see how people don't like to travel. I guess I'm just curious to see what's out there that I'm missing out on.

What is your advice for people planning their own Europe trip?
Plan in advance. I planned my trip a year in advance and it was only for 10-12 days. You need the use of a computer, finding sites online helped a lot.

What is a tip about Eurailing you would have, that would help other travelers who are using train travel in Europe?
If you intend to stay longer that 15 days buy a pass, if not then do not buy one because it ends up being cheaper. Always get on the train, even if you have not bought a ticket in advance, because you can pay on the train.

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