Vacation perils

Planning the perfect trip for dummies

In the spirit of the upcoming holiday I will make it easy for myself. For my own and your convenience I will narrow down the choices to Europe alone, and not include exotic resorts and exciting destinations overseas


By CELINE TE BRAAKE
from Groningen, the NETHERLANDS


Every year the unavoidable question comes up to anyone who wants to get out now and then. Where to go this vacation? The options are countless, which seems like a bliss, but mostly the only make you doubt. Do I want sun? Culture? Action maybe? Here is a helping hand.

In the spirit of the upcoming holiday I will make it easy for myself. For my own and your convenience I will narrow down the choices to Europe alone, and not include exotic resorts and exciting destinations overseas.

Low airline fares make it possible for many to travel all around the world and all of us are probably at least tempted to use this possibility. That is good, in the way that apparently we want to see the world and are not afraid to get acquainted with the big 'other'.

Just for today I think it is a bad thing. Some people are so eager to go as far as possible, that we would almost forget that there are many beautiful things worth to be seen in our own Europe. Besides that, it is just too much work…

Things to do

For culture most major cities in Europe will do. Museums, theater, good food, most cities can offer you all that. My personal favorite is Rome, with representative architecture of many periods and schools, ranging from grotesque Catholic churches to pagan Roman miracles, breathtaking Renaissance art to modern day lifestyle expressions.

London and Paris have always been popular, but since the fall of the Iron Curtain also western tourists have discovered the many beauties of, for instance, Prague, Budapest and Warsaw. You do not have to spend tons of money to stay in one of these cities for a week or so, but you will not lack any culture or fine cuisine.

For action, the usual options are water and/or mountains, and both are well represented in Europe. Survival, hiking, mountain biking, you can do it anywhere you want. Several organizations can hook you up with a weekend filled with survival activities in the Belgian Ardennes. Testing your nerves on a rope bridge or abseiling will make you forget all your worries at home. Or go cycling, maybe in the Alps (only for the advanced!), with a small tent and the bare minimum luggage. The tanned pattern - brown arms and legs, body white like a sheet - may hold you back, but that is nothing a suntan studio can not handle.

Action on water is also very popular. You can get a good exercise, but the nearby water will prevent overheating. You can alternate water sports with lazy hours on the beach. Popular, but unfortunately expensive, is island-hopping in Greece. The clear blue water and fantastic weather, together with the Mediterranean way of life stand for a luxurious and Poseidon-like feeling. Surfing the beaches of France or diving in Spain, you can do it all. Combine your wet activities with some beach volleyball or football and come back home in a beautifully tanned and tight body.

Of course, all this strolling around beautiful cities and exercise on water is a little too much for some. On vacation, one needs to rest! Although I am a firm believer of clearing your head by a change of environment and not necessarily by doing nothing, there is something to be said for a lazy holiday. All you have to do hop on a plane, check into a nice hotel and roll yourself to the beach. There is nothing to it, easy as pie. As for where you go, in summertime it does not really matter. Even northern countries have sunny summers. As long as there is sand and an ocean or lake, nothing can go wrong.

Maybe you decide you do want to have something on your hands, but do not want to feign interest in art or wear yourself out with exhausting and extreme sports. Even for you, there are options. Europe has plenty of theme parks, pieces of heaven to bring joy, not only to children! You can find them in all countries, varying from uninspiring rip-offs to wonderfully laid out and well thought of parks.

Also you can go to one of Europe's music festivals. There is Roskilde in Denmark (June 5-8), Rock Werchter in Belgium (June 28-July 1), Sziget in Hungary (August 8-15), Lowlands in the Netherlands (August 17-19). A visit to one of these festivals will erase your regret you were not around when Woodstock was going on.

Means of transportation

Whatever you want to do on your vacation, first you have to get there. If you own a car, nothing can probably stop you from using it. Nothing is easier than pack your vehicle and just leave whenever you are ready to go. Not everyone is that lucky though. Alternative means of transportation are needed for them.

Go cheap and fly. Environmentalists do not applaud the rapid upcoming of low-fare airlines, but not driving a car and using public transportation all year makes up for one flight, does it not?

Of course, there are trains. Very often, depending on your starting point and destination, the train is more expensive than flying. It also takes more time. My experience however, is that traveling by train adds to your feeling of 'going away'. There is a lot of charm to it, especially abroad. You can tell a lot about the a country by using the railroads. For instance: the Swedish are clean and concerned about the environment. Trains are spotless and have a conference room atmosphere. No passenger leaves without taking with them their personal litter bag, hanging at every seat, to throw them where they belong. Czech trains are also clean, but have a more living room feeling to them. People make themselves at home and have picnics while they travel. I could tell you more stories like this, but what is the fun in that? Go and find out for yourself!

If you really want to save money, but do want to cover a considerable distance, you might want to consider a bus. Not as comfortable as a train or plane, but it gets you where you want to go for almost nothing.

Then there are boats. They are nice for journeys like between Croatia and Italy, or to islands anywhere. They have the same charm of trains and take even longer to get you to your destination; the perfect holiday feeling!

Many more questions will come your way when you plan your trip. Do I go alone or with a group? Am I going on an organized holiday or am I taking care of everything myself? The options I have laid out for you are only the top of the iceberg. The things you can do are countless. Of course you can always mix 'n match, if you do not want to be limited. Good luck picking your holiday. If all goes wrong and you can not make a choice, well, maybe you have a back yard you can stay in!