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Travel tip of the week

10 Jan

Don’t be victim of the dreaded pick pocket – we’re here to make sure you don’t

What an incredibly exciting time this is for you. You’re finally in Europe (or are getting here very shortly) to begin the best semester of your life on the old, fun side of the pond. In the next few weeks, you’re going to be out and about, exploring your new home cities and soaking it all in. Yes! Go out and see it all, visit those iconic buildings, historic monuments, and popular sites. Definitely. But one big tip to always keep in mind is that you need to be very aware of your surroundings when you’re in these places. There are people who make their entire living off of targeting unsuspecting people in tourist spots around these cities and executing scams or pick pocketing strikes. Guys, keep your wallets in a safe place, not just hanging out of your back pocket. Girls, zip up your purses and hold one hand on them at all times, in front of you, not on your side or behind you. When approached by someone, be very cautious and hold onto your things very tightly. If your gut is telling you to get out of a situation, just be polite and walk away. You can try to blend in all you want, but at the end of the day a lot of people are going to know you’re American. That’s completely fine though! Have fun. Just be careful, smart, and aware of those around you & enjoy these times exploration and discovery.

Tips for a successful semester traveling

5 Jan

You’re all embarking on your semester in Europe and rumor has it Europe is an extremely easy place to get around. Maybe you have heard the same and chose to study abroad in Europe for this exact reason. Here are some travel tips we at Bus2alps use when studying or traveling abroad that will help you to better take advantage of cheap and easy ways to explore your new backyard.

1) Book early - Many airlines, tour companies, and trains release ridiculously cheap fares months in advance. If you plan ahead you can reap the benefits of cheaper deals. In addition, many tours, flights, and trains fill up quickly, especially on popular weekends like Oktoberfest. Don’t live vicariously through your friend’s photos of Prague get out there and take your own!

2) Go where you want - As a social society, it is natural to want to be with a group of your close friends. However, not all your friends or roommates are interested in traveling to the same places or on the same dates as you. Don’t let this deter you from going to a destination you truly desire! If the idea of navigating Europe solo freaks you out, join a group tour. Venturing out on your own gives you the opportunity to meet friends you may never have met otherwise, while sharing the beauty of the French Riviera or Paris.

3) Always travel with your original passport - If you have left your study abroad country yet, you have realized the sad truth that since the European Union became so friendly, the days of stacking up stamps in your passport are over. That being said, you still ALWAYS need your original passport for border crossings. Do not get stuck at the border because you thought a copy would suffice.

4) Get outside the norm - Surely Europe has the definitive destinations you must visit while here. How could four months in Europe be complete without visiting at least one or two of its major cities, like Paris, Amsterdam, London, or Barcelona? Of course you should check these out, but keep in mind the less visited destinations like Budapest or Croatia, which offer incredible experiences at a fraction of the cost.

5) Money, money, money - Whether your budget is big or small, keep in mind that you are already in Europe; the most expensive part of the trip, the flight from the United States, has already been covered. As your time abroad winds down, you may be crunched for cash. Don’t let this deter you from checking out one or two more destinations you truly want to visit! You may not think you have that extra 200 euro to spend now, but keep in mind it will cost you over $1,000 to fly back at a future date. Take advantage of exploring Europe while you’re here!

Get your MOVE on

4 Jan

With thousands of students about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime, be it study abroad or gap year, we figured it was that time of year again to pay homage to some incredible videos to get you excited about your time abroad. So to kick off the spirit, we present you with “Move”, created by Rick Mereki, Andrew Lees and Tim White and STA Travel AU.

Tips for tipping

2 Jan

Back in the US we enjoy a formulaic way of tipping which we’re used to.  Living and traveling in Europe will present you with a few questions when it comes to showing your appreciation for a service.  It’s not the same in every country, or situation, so we’ll go through several countries and circumstances to help you out.

Taxis-  usually just round up or tip 1-2 euros, but don’t tip if they’ve driven you around in circles or otherwise tried to take advantage of you.  Be aware that fares can change if you have lots of luggage or are riding at night.

Bars – Tips are not expected at bars, but if it’s your first time at a particular bar and you want to go back, it may be a good idea to tip a euro or two after your first drink because it’ll usually mean they’ll help get you another one more quickly.  If you become a local at a place, then it’s fine to tip a few euro at the end with your tab.

Restaurants:

Italy – waiters get paid well and don’t work for tips the way they do in the America.  You also might notice a cover or service charge on the bill already (coperto, or servizio).  Standard is to pay a euro per person (or up to 10%) if you liked the meal, and pay the tip with cash even if you paid for the meal with a card (the waiter wouldn’t otherwise get the tip).

Spain – just like Italy, except as of Jan 2, 2012 their waiters are better at soccer

Great Britain and Ireland – check to see that a service charge hasn’t already been added, if not then tip 10-15%

France – service charge usually included, so just round out bill with small change

Germany, Czech Republic, and Hungary – restaurants typically expect a 10% tip

Switzerland – service charge is included already, so tip a small amount if the service was exceptional (round to the next Swiss franc if a small amount and a couple francs if it was larger)

Tipping is not necessary for cafes or snack shops.

Definitely tip in Tipperary, if only for the pun.

The top New Year’s Eve spots in Europe

30 Dec

It looks as though we won’t be upstaging Taio Cruz this year, or getting to be extras in this year’s smash hit New Years Eve. So, we decided to have a look into our own backyard, and dial up our top 5 places in Europe to revel in the NYE (that’s us trying to sound cool by using the acronym for New Years Eve).

Honorable Mention. Barcelona only because of its reputation – The Catalans don’t go out until 2am on a weeknight. How do you expect them to get rowdy before midnight when they don’t have work the next day?

5. Paris – Paris rests at the 5 spot only because it sounds so cliché to put it any higher. I think it is pretty evident how bad-ass it would be to cuddle up next to your loved one with a bottle of wine and watch the fireworks explode over the Eiffel Tower. We recommend avoiding the highly posh districts and head up to Montemarte. From the top of the hill at Sacre Coure you will see the entire fireworks show, and can then join the massive street party on the main boulevard. Plus this is the Red Light District, so you’re bound to see something weird. Isn’t getting weird what starting fresh is for?

4. London – If you have been to NYC, LA or any other major US city on NYE, then you have a decent idea what to expect; smashing clubs with open bars, lots of noise makers, and a crazy fireworks show over the London Eye. Now throw in English drinking songs and the fact that they start partying real early and go hard all night and you have the chemistry for a lot of razzle and quite a bit of dazzle. This year, New Year’s falls on a weekend, which means Premier League Football will only add to the adrenaline.

3. Amsterdam – The Dutch know how to party! You should have seen them celebrate after winning the 2010 World Cup. Wait, they didn’t win? That was Spain? Sorry. Anyway, the point is Amsterdam is still the biggest party scene in this part of Europe. Despite the cold, the Dutch will take to the streets for any celebration. Every street, square (“plein” in Dutch), bar, and club in town goes wild on New Years Eve.

2. The Baltics (Riga, Tallin, Vilnius) – They don’t all look the same, but the relatively new freedom experienced in post-Communism has made ever major ex-Soviet state a haven for wild and crazy parties. Add in frigid temps this time of year, and you know the vodka and local brew will be flowing to warm everyone up. Oh, did we mention some of the most beautiful people in the world are rumored to hail from here. So it should be easy to find a model to cuddle with.

1. Edinburgh – Scotland you say? Yea we thought the same the first time we learned of Hogmony, the massive four-day raging party that rings in the New Years for the Scots. For four solid days there are outdoor concerts, street parties, and fireworks, culminating in a polar plunge into the icy waters of the Firth of Fourth that is sure to bring you out of your 4-day haze.

Traveling the unbeaten path on a budget

29 Dec

The following blog entry was written for the Bus2alps blog by Nisha, the the editor for Holiday365. 

For those bitten by the travel bug, there will never be a moment when the hunger will seem satisfied. As each region, territory and country is conquered, he or she will excitedly perform hours of online research in order to plan the next excursion.

Unfortunately, while the economy continues to struggle, rewarding oneself with a trip to Hawaii, family holiday park or an exotic destination may remain just that of a plan. More and more people have adjusted to living pay check to pay check, barely making enough to scrape by one rent and other bills are paid along with keeping nourishment on the table. This reality can be particularly devastating to the season traveller as the longing to seek newer and more daring destinations becomes replaced by the haunting thought of “I can’t afford this”.

If the traveller already has enough to make it to his or her destination, but doesn’t want to break the bank upon arrival, there are many ways to cover the basic necessities without having to sacrifice too much. If not particular about lodging, consider staying at a local hostel. Many of these places also provide their guests with a quick, take-away breakfast which will help save the traveller the cost of a pricey pastry and coffee. If opposed to the thought of a hostel, don’t pay attention to the common misconception that only 4-star resorts in Europe are the only hotels that feature private bathrooms. Thanks to the internet, it is very easy to find a hotel within budget that will also provide the basics.

Every meal does not need to take place in a restaurant. Sometimes the greatest meals will be found on the street and are perfect for grabbing while on the go to the next museum or attraction. These meals are typically cost efficient and popular with the locals meaning they must be good! After a week of chicken sandwiches off of the cart, plan a night for one special dinner with the money saved.

Travellers may spend wisely when booking a hotel or selecting a meal and, yet, will still go nuts at the souvenir stands and shops. When visiting multiple cities, it can be hard not to fall in love with everything seen and, even though he or she may only be purchasing $5.00 items, buying 20 of those can certainly impact any well planned budget. Instead, perform research and pick out one larger souvenir that is unique to area. Try to only pay cash for souvenir items and leave the credit cards for emergencies.

If staying at a hotel, ask the front desk for any coupons or discounts that they may have for museums and other tourist attractions. More often than not, they can provide the traveller with vouchers to receive access to a number of locations for the price of one and can even suggest the best, off-the-beaten path tours that are more cost-efficient than the ones that have spent thousands advertising themselves.

Even though the traveller may prefer exploring on his or her own, joining a group tour may help save money. These types of tours typically include breakfasts, some dinners and admission to many of the most popular attractions. They may also have access to sites that aren’t normally accessible to the public, giving the traveller a unique experience as well as extra money in the bank.

My name is Nisha I work as the editor for Holiday365. I have been representing the business for the last 2 years now.

Bus2alps Features

27 Dec

This past week Bus2alps was featured on two popular websites for college students. The first, Ubumm, is a website geared towards study abroad students, or what they call, Ubies. The second featured article was on the wildly popular online webzine, College Magazine.

Check out the College Magazine article here.

Check out the Ubumm Q and A with Sydney here.

12 days of packing for abroad

22 Dec

You would think the most stressful part of the holiday season is crossing off every gift on your shopping list. Well how about checking everything off of your packing list? With many of you leaving for Europe, Australia, South America and more in the coming weeks, the question lingers: “What the hell do I actually need during my study abroad experience?” With airlines clamping down on your allotted “free” luggage and the desire to bring your whole life, let alone your favorite shoes and your family picture album, packing for purpose and efficiency becomes quite the conundrum.

Keeping up with the holiday cheer, we are going to do this to the tune of the “12 days of packing while going abroad.” If it makes you more festive picture one of Bus2alps‘ finest guides singing along.

On the 12th day of packing, I packed for life overseas….

1. Clothes - Ok, so I am pretty sure you planned to bring clothes, but what clothes? Keep in mind that you may be abroad for 4 – 6 months, and the weather will likely change drastically in your time. If you are headed to Europe in January, pack a heavy coat. Whether you are headed to Southern Spain, the Swiss Alps, or Prague, remember it is still winter the first few months you are there. Do not bring your entire wardrobe and bring clothes you are willing to throw out. Study abroad is an opportunity to outfit yourself with all new clothes that match a completely new, unique style. Leave your suitcase the room to bring these home. Do not bring your ski or snowboarding gear. This will take up large spaces in your allotted luggage. Once you are in the Swiss Alps, you can rent high quality versions of your favorite snow swag for the same price as overweight luggage.

To get an idea for the weather in your city, have a look at: http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/ITXX0067

2 - Comfortable Shoes - Comfortable day-to-day shoes are essential because you’ll probably end up walking a lot, and if you are in an old city, you get to do it on cobblestone. YAY!!! Beautiful, charming, but hell on your feet without the proper footwear.  If you find yourself in need of footwear from dress shoes to running sneakers, you can find a pair once abroad. If you wait you are in luck; Italy, Australia, England and most other cities supply sweet kicks you can’t get in the States.

3 - Medicine - Honestly your hard earned money should be spent on traveling, booze, and really anything except for shipping medicine overseas that you left on your dining room table. Pack your own meds, and bring vitamins- you’ll want to be healthy all semester and while there are plenty of pharmacies, they might not have exactly what you’re looking for and it’s easier bringing your own supply.

4 - Food - Again, they will have food no matter where you go, and the local food will be fantastic. However, if you are impartial to things like Peanut Butter (like myself), keep in mind some of these classic US dishes are either not to be found in your local grocer abroad or will cost you a large amount for nothing. Cheap and weightless are oatmeal packets. Especially if you are headed to Southern Europe, breakfast can be very basic. Add a little American fuel to your European morning.

5 - Debit and Credit Card - Travelers cheques and exchanging money at the border is a thing of the past, and we don’t recommend bring blocks of gold to exchange direct for Euros. Your Debit and Credit Card will claim the exact exchange rate of the day and you will only have to pay your bank’s fees, which is extremely minimal compared to the sheisty exchange points you will find in most major cities.

6 - Copies of your docs - You should always travel with your original passport, especially when traveling across country borders. You should also have several copies of every major document (passport main page, passport student visa page, your credit and debit cards). Store these in a safe place in your apartment. If for any reason any of your originals go missing, it makes life at the Embassy or with your bank that much easier.

7 - Outlet Converter/Adaptor - These can be bought in Europe, but it is good to have one with you ahead of time. A good investment is a Universal Converter, which can be bought at a Walmart or Radio Shack. Especially if you are in Europe or Southeast Asia, voltages and outlet sizes will be different in each country you visit. The Superman of converters will cover you anywhere you go so your Blackberry never dies. Note: If you like to blow dry your hair or charge your laptop, double check with the sales associate that the convertor or adaptor you buy is appropriate for the voltage of your appliance.

8 - Backpack - These things are great for your books for the classes you plan to attend, but even better for travel. You will likely travel a lot, and you will likely be traveling on modes of transportation that limit luggage size. Some buses, trains, and all discount airlines will charge you for checking large and heavy luggage. Your backpack is the perfect size to fit all of your weekend belongings and fly under the radar of the excess baggage fees.

9 - Travel size things - Because that is the best word to describe these “things.” In collaboration with the 8th thing you should bring, travel size toiletry containers, towels, etc. allow you to shrink your bulky belongings into a travel friendly compartment. In addition, any airline you fly will restrict you from carrying on large liquid bottles. Putting your shampoo in travel size bottles will prevent you from having to wash your whole body and shaving with a bar of soap.

10 - iPod, Kindle, Game Boy (the original) - Travel times by bus or train, or waits in airports can be lengthy, especially if you are traveling around Australia. Bringing a small electronic device that you can listen to, read, or interact with will keep your brain occupied, especially if you are traveling alone.

11 - Journal - Whether you are studying, or extending your travel, you are likely going to be away for at least 4 months. In this time you will see incredible things, travel frequently and try so many new things they may all start to merge together. In addition, you will undergo a massive personal change in your outlook on life. Keeping a journal will help you keep track of early memories you will possibly forget, give you a way to chart your own personal growth, and provides an outlet for you to vent, reflect, and fine yourself.

12 - An open mind - Pack as much of this as you can because it will not take up any space in your suitcases. You are going somewhere very unlike the world you have spent the last 20 or so years of your life. London may look similar to New York City, but it is not. The menu at a restaurant in Florence may have similar dishes to the one you go to at home, but Italy is definitely not the United States. You will go through culture shock, you will get frustrated that every store is closed from 1pm – 3pm when all you need to grab is some hangover, I mean headache relief (should have packed the meds), you will have a travel mishap (whether it is missing a train, booking the wrong day for a flight, paying too much for a leather jacket). These things happen. I know it is hard to tell you this now, and even when they are occurring, but these can be your best times abroad.

Keep an open mind and pack as many memories and experiences (good or bad) you can into those suitcases. It is the only one an airline won’t exploit you for having excess.

Happy Study Abroad Days everyone!

8 Crazy Nightlifes of Europe

21 Dec

Today is the first full day of the festival of lights, Chanukah (see also spelling Hanukah, Hannukah, and well 17 other ways). To commemorate the Maccabees revolt, we will be spinning you with some fun celebratory party information that is the only thing hotter right now than the Chanukah Candles. Despite their lack of resources, the Maccabees kept themselves lit when the sun went down. Here is your guide to do the same in Europe.

Since one city to party in is not enough, here are 8 Crazy Night[life]s.

  1. Barcelona –Barcelona is home to the most renowned nightlife in Europe, well except Ibiza but that place is only cool for 2 months of the year. Year-round Barcelona throws down until the early morning. Start your night out with some tapas, which means go at midnight because that is what time your night starts. Then make your way to some bars and the hit the club. Just make sure you don’t go to the club until 3 or 4am, unless you are looking for a dead-high school teen night. Bars and clubs are plentiful, but you should check out Razzmatazz, Opium Mar, Chipitos, Dow Jones, and George Payne’s.
  1. Paris – I am sure the stereotype you have of the French would imply that they don’t party. Well you are wrong monsieur! The Parisians know how to get down. The city of lights (not to be confused with the currently trending festival of lights), rocks it until the petit hours of the night with massive bar districts and grandeur clubs. If you want to do some bar hopping, check out the Montemarte District, home to Moulin Rouge and   Van Gogh’s Absinthe days.
  1. Prague – A lasting relic of Communism, massive nightlife and trance clubs are synonymous with the ex-Communist bloc. Prague is the home of absinthe, which is quite fun. Absinthe is not the hallucinogenic you may have seen in EuroTrip, but still quite potent. Expect a manic time without the threat of making out with your twin sister.  Prague has plenty, and I mean plenty of cheap underground clubs and bars, as well as Europe’s biggest Pub Crawl, The Clock Tower Pub Crawl, that cater to any nightlife craving. Speaking of cravings, check out the sausage stands in Wenceslas Square if you are hungry. Popular bars and clubs include Chapeau Rouge, Duplex, Propoganda, Karlovy Lazny (which I personally think is overrated) and Lucerna, the greatest club in the world.
  1. Budapest – Budapest is a nightlife haven. The Hungarians love life. This translates into a rocking nightlife that threads through the city like their underground cave system. In Budapest you will find funky, quirky, and flat our bizarre underground clubs at dirt-cheap prices. If you catch yourself there in the Spring or Summer, doooo go to one of the many outdoors parties.
  1. Berlin – Oh Berlin. To give you a quick 65 year history lesson, Berlin was divided in half after World War II and then put back together 20 years ago. During the time in between most people did not cross the border. When reunited Berlin became home to Europe’s most ideologically diverse city. As a result, Berlin now boasts a heaping buffet table of massive euro trance warehouse clubs, eccentric underground bars, and flat out alternative lifestyle.
  1. Krakow – Rounding out this Eastern bloc is Poland’s little big city. Home to jolly Poles who sweat out the cold, dark winters by slugging down manly shots of vodka, Krakow has the highest concentration of bars in Europe, boasting over 300 bars in its compact city center. Let’s just say yours truly was bar and club hopping from 7pm on a Sunday night until an 11am flight on Monday morning. The night, or morning, however you want to refer to it as, ended in a bar in a bookstore.
  1. Amsterdam – If you are not too “tired” from the coffee shops, check out Amsterdam’s surprisingly lesser-known nightlife, and no we don’t just mean the girls trapped behind the red lights. Amsterdam is home to large clubs, and another one of Europe’s largest Pub Crawls, The Ultimate Party. If the city is not your thing, take a 20 minute train to Utrecht, one of the Netherland’s largest college towns. If you can pry yourself away from the neon lights for one night, you will not regret it.
  1. Florence – I know, I am surprised I am putting Florence in here. My apologies to our fellow staff in Rome. I guess I am biased because I lived there. Hear me out, Florence’s massive college scene supplanted dozens of bars all within a fifteen-minute walk of each other, making bar hopping superb. Oh yea and Jersey Shore (the tv show not the actual seaside resort), spent a summer here, meaning it HAS to be the best. Check out Astor Café, the Red Garter, Twice, and the Santa Croce area (home to close to two dozens bars, lounges, and clubs).

Travel Tip of the Week – Holiday Sales

20 Dec

Spread a little holiday cheer to yourself with holiday sales that matter to you!

Tis the season for love, giving, hot wine, and spending lots of money on other people. It is the consumer rush, always marked by the dozens of holiday specific television commercials sporting their newest sale. Seriously, a 5-note tune would make you realize that your gift this year is a Lexus? And even if it does, how the hell do you hide a $50,000 car from your spouse.

We’re into realistic holiday sales, sales that put you in the seat of your great travel experiences while studying abroad. Cue up the Bus2alps December Discount Days jingle. Why do you want to travel so much while you study abroad. If you did not read yesterday’s article about the tangible reasons you should travel as much as possible while studying abroad, then you would understand the value of locking up a Bus2alps trip for as low as 50 euro.

You better watch out Lexus’ December to Remember, you better not pout Happy Hondadays, and you better not cry cute girl singing in the Hyundai commercial. Bus2alps’ biggest sale of the year is coming to town. We don’t need cheap gimmicks or jingles, just discounts for you. Ok this is a lie, we did take a photo with our bus wrapped like a present, but come on that is funny!

What was on the top of your holiday wish list? Of course it was cheap travel with Europe’s top student travel agency, Bus2alps.

Visit our event to stay updated on how you can join the cheer.

Bus2alps is busting down doors starting Wednesday at 12pm Eastern US Time for our massive 3 day Holiday Sale. Get your seat to Europe’s top destinations for as low as 50 euro, 75 euro, 100 euro and 150 euro. Discounts on trips include but are not limited to Interlaken, Munich Springfest, Amalfi Coast, Prague, Spring Breaks, and many more.

For as low as 50 euro you can adventure the Swiss Alps, prost a stein at Munich’s Springfest, join the Toga party in Greece, lay on the beach in Amalfi, and much more.

Spread the word, organize your travel dates with your friends, and enjoy Bus2alps holiday gift to you.

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