We Choose the Global Pass Flexi to travel Europe

Exactly a year ago I ventured on an exciting trip to Europe with my mom and my sister. Since we came from the Philippines, traveling to Europe is a long way. We took the Korean Air from Cebu and stopped over Incheon Korea for about 15 hours. Luckily, the Incheon airport in Korea is a very beautiful airport with the best and most comfortable seats I have seen in all the airports I have been to. We were given a hotel while waiting for the long stay so it was a real nice way to start a long and beautiful trip. Our holiday consist of going for a week trip to Toronto before heading to Europe and then back again to Toronto for the Christmas holiday. We had a total of 90 days holiday. We had a long and exciting trip ahead. A long stay in Incheon kinda' prepared us for a much longer and more interesting trip ahead.

After a week stay in Toronto, It was time to go to our ultimate destination- EUROPE. We left Toronto at about 7ish pm of October 6. I was particularly excited to have my mom in this trip together with me and my sister for the first time. I have been to Europe twice but only with my sister. We stopped over London to change plane going to Switzerland. About 2 in the afternoon of october 6, 2009 we arrived in Zurich, Airport.

I always think that Switzerland was our first stop even though we passed by Toronto and London. It was in Switzerland where we started this Rail travel in Europe. We bought the Global Flexi Pass for our trip. We bought the rail passes while we were still in the Philippines. The Flexi pass allows us to save a bit on the rail pass since we were to travel together all the time. The Global Pass Flexi allowed us 30 days unlimited travel to 21 countries all over Europe on consecutive days. Since we were planning on visiting a lot of countries within a period of 1 month, we decided that the Global Pass Flexi was the best way to go for the kind of itinerary we had. There are different types of Eurail Passes. Each one offers different options. You can ask your travel agent which is the best pass to get for your itinerary. You can also visit the Eurail Pass website to be better informed.

First stop Switzerland.

Travel Europe By Rail

I always want to go back to Europe as many times as I can. Europe has so fascinated me with its beautiful scenery and awe inspiring architecture. We all know that visiting Europe can sometime means spending our fortune. However, there are some ways to limit your expenditure and instead enjoy more.

Europe is very well known of its efficient railway system. This is very important in allowing you to visit as many countries as you want without spending so much. You can also choose to visit this continent by taking tour buses or by taking a car to different places. In my tour last year with my mom and my sister, we choose to take the train as our primary way of transportation.

The train offers a cheap way to go and visit from one country to another. Hopping from one place to another is easy and convenient with the train. There are few things to know once you decide to travel by train in Europe.

If you decide to take railway travel you need to decide how many days you are going to spend in your holiday. Are you going alone or with a group? what countries are you interested to visit and how many? These are some of the relevant questions you need to ask yourself before buying your rail pass.

A Eurail Pass is a very practical way of enjoying your holiday in Europe. What is better way to tour this beautiful continent that by train. It allows you to relax and enjoy the passing view on your way to the next destination. The train offers all the convenience you want for an exciting trip. This offers a diner, a bed for over night trips. It also allows you to meet a lot of of other travelers along the way.

Flagstaff Arizona, A beautiful Base point before going to the Grand Canyon

The North America Rail pass was one great find we had during our U.S trip. We had the option to go wherever we want, in whatever time within a one month period. We had a 3 day stay in Florida and had so much fun in Universal Studios. From Florida we headed to a one of the highlights of our trip....the trip to Grand Canyon.

We left around 8 am from Florida. From Orlando we passed by Washington D.C, Philadelphia, and some other states( I already forgot to count) before reaching New Mexico. I think we had almost 2 days on the train before reaching Flagstaff, Arizona. It was about 11 pm, I was so anxious to get off the train because it was already late and I still need to look for our hotel.

I didn't realized that my watch was actually set to central time, which was an hour ahead compared with Mountain time. I was relieved to know it was still 10 p.m when we reached our destination. We arrived in Flagstaff, Arizona and the place looked peaceful so I was even more at ease. We checked in at the hotel and I was glad we had a prior reservation. Besides being assured of a room even when it's already late at night, we also paid for a lower rate. One couple came in and took a room and they paid 20 dollars more than what I paid for. So, I was so glad we had made prior bookings to all our destinations.

Flagstaff, was a charming place. We looked for a church the following morning since it was May 10, my dad's birthday. We saw some beautiful shops where we bought some souvenirs. There were also a lot of tourists roaming around the area. Flagstaff is the gateway to the Grand Canyon. This is usually the place most tourists choose to their base before going up the the Grand Canyon. It is about 80 miles from the Grand Canyon, about 2 hours drive.

I Miss My Blog

I have been juggling between designing several kitchen units, installing them and designing the interior of an office, residence, and a hotel room for HRM students. Its fun nevertheless. During my daydreaming moments, I am planning another trip this time hopefully with my mom. Probably another European trip. There is so much to see in Europe and my mom have been praying to visit Lourdes ,Rome and some other religious places.

I have not yet written much about my previous travels but I wish to travel more and share with you my escapades.

However, now I have to get back to work and save, save , save for my future trip.

Re-Tracing Back My North America Rail Trips

The Amtrak rail service works a little differently compared with the rail system in Europe. Although the train travel system in Europe is very efficient, I also find it a little more stressful compared with my trips using Amtrak. With Amtrak, I was forced to be in the station an hour before my scheduled trip. It works similarly like taking the plane. This gives me time to relax while waiting for my trip.

Our first Amtrak trip was supposedly from Toronto to New York. However, my cousin offered to drive us all the way to New York from Toronto, an 11 hours drive. We toured around New York and visited famous landmarks including the Empire State building, Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller, Times Square and so on. From New York we visited a friend in Delaware. From Delaware, our friend drove us to Washington D.C. In D.C we took a day tour and visited the white house and the surrounding tourist areas. Stayed over for two days and then headed to Florida.

We left the Union Station in Washington D.C. around 3p.m and headed to Orlando, Florida. We stopped over Philadelphia Union Station for our dinner and continued our trip to Florida. At 8:30 a.m the following day, we arrived at Orlando, Florida. From there we took a taxi going to our hotel near the Universal Studios. We stayed in Florida for 3 days. From there we continued our trip and headed to Flagstaff, Arizona. The trip from Orlando to Flagstaff almost took us two days, if I remember it right. We arrived in Flagstaff, Arizona about 11 p.m. according to my watch set to central time. Check time zones when travelling. Arizona is under mountain time which is an hour earlier than central time.

Prior to travelling, I have already looked for a tour operator going to the Grand Canyon. I was so glad I found the AMERICAN DREAM TOURS. Their service was outstanding. Our guide, Kevin gave us a very personalized tour complete with high powered telescopes, lunch with champagne, and loads of fun along the way.

From Arizona we proceeded to L.A. Unfortunately in L.A. I booked a hotel almost an hour away from the City Center. Spend $100 for taxi alone which was not worth it. Anyway, frustrations are part and parcel of any trip, but you have to go on and not let disappointments ruin your holiday.

From L.A we went to Chicago on board the AMTRAK SOUTHWEST CHIEF. The route coming from L.A to Chicago is very historical, passing along New Mexico, the reservation area, it was such a fun and educational route. There is usually a tour guide on board these routes. It took us almost 3 days in the train but it was fun nevertheless, meeting friends and people along the way. That's the beauty of every trip we make. Meeting people and gaining friends not just visiting places. It is more our interaction with people and seeing life unfold before our eyes as we look out through our train window.

From Chicago, we went to Milwaukee and stayed for a week visiting friends and family, After which we travelled to Denver, Colorado and then Colorado Springs. After three days we went back to Wisconsin and then Toronto.

We enjoyed our trip no matter how long. We could not have done it if not for the North America Rail Pass. We were able to travel miles and miles, saw places and people. We could have spend thousands if we took the plane or spend arduous hours on the road if we drove to those destinations.

Booking Train Tickets Using Your Rail Pass

As per experience the best thing to do in order to completely utilize and enjoy the benefits of the North America Rail Pass is to plan your travel. Scheduling is important. You need to know where you want to go. Get a map and plot the places you want to visit. Check for places of interests or visit an old friend along the way. After plotting the places you want to go, decide how long you will stay in a specific place. Do you want to stay for three days gambling in Las Vegas or spend a night or two in the Grand Canyon? the Amtrak website shows detailed train schedule. This is very helpful in planning your trip. It will help you estimate the time of your travel, how long it will take you to travel from one destination to the other.

With your completed travel plan call the Amtrak customer service and book all train your trips. An issued ticket is required everytime you take the train. Once everything is booked, go to a train station and present the booking reference provided by the Amtrak customer service during reservation. Tickets will be issued to all your rail trips, just show your North America Rail Pass.

Aside from booking your trips, it is also advisable to book your hotels ahead in time. Early bookings will save you a lot of money. Most hotels and their booking affiliates offer lesser rates compared with the regular rates given to walk in clients. There are internet travel sites like Agoda which offers cheaper hotel rates for early bookings. Besides saving hundreds of dollars from early hotel bookings, this will also provide you the assurance and security of getting a hotel room especially when arriving late in your destination. You don't want to go checking for a hotel which suits your requirement at 1am in the morning after arriving from the train station. Pre-booking will also allow you to choose the best hotel that is suitable to your taste and budget.
You can also arrange to have a hotel transportation service. This is especially important when arriving at your destination during very late hours.

Where To Get the North America Rail Pass

I was surprised that most people I talked with don't know about this type of rail pass. I asked some Canadian friends and they never heard about it. I went to a rail station in Toronto(not a major one though)and asked the staff about it but they only gave me a puzzled look.

I checked some travel agencies but they don't know either, well at least the few I approached had no any idea what I was talking about. I was so frustrated. Where could I get this pass? it should be available in any train stations or a travel agency according to the research I did in the internet.

I found my way to Toronto's Union Station- the main train station. Finally, I got hold of a North America Railpass ticket. Then realized that these types of passes can only be obtained from the main train stations.

With the pass in my hand, I can now travel to as many destinations in the U.S and Canada as I can in one month.