I returned home this past Friday after almost four weeks in Europe. While there, I hosted a barge trip that ended in happy tears, bookended by two river cruises. I’ll be writing more about those trips in the coming weeks. For now, I wanted to share a few things I learned while traveling Europe in the hope that what I took away will help other travelers.
Trains, Not Planes. The best way to get around Europe is by train. Rather than flying to Basel for my first river cruise, I flew from the U.S. to Paris (cheaper business class fares than flying into Basel), stashed one of my bags at my hotel and took the fast train to Switzerland. From central Paris, I was in Basel and on my river cruise in under four hours – and for only around 100 euros to travel in first class by train.
Bikes On Board. I traveled to Basel to scout bike trips for my October Dream Cruise. AmaWaterways, as well as a few other cruise companies, have bikes on board for guided and independent adventures ashore. For the cycling enthusiast, however, I highly recommend looking at river cruises offered by Backroads. I’ve been on three trips with Backroads, all by invitation, and all three were off-the-charts good.
Laundry On Board. AmaWaterways’ laundry services were quick (often laundry was returned to my room the same day) and cheap. In fact, prices for laundry seem not to have increased since we published a list in our story: Laundry Services or Facilities: Which River Cruise Companies Include Them in the Fare? In 2013, the cost to launder underwear was €1.20 on AmaWaterways. On my recent trip, the cost was still the same.
Inflation, What Inflation? Inflation did not seem as severe in Europe. Plus, the strength of the U.S. dollar made Europe seem like a bargain when compared to home. Dining in Paris, for example, was priced similar to that of Asheville (North Carolina’s most expensive city) but without gratuities that typically add 20 percent or more. Plus, our restaurants are now adding additional fees for all sorts of things, such as kitchen appreciation. Likewise, a baguette in Asheville costs nearly $3. In France, the cost was about €1. Trains were cheap, Uber to get around was easy, fast and inexpensive. Hotel rates were about the same as in the United States. That said, I got some bargain rates when I canceled and rebooked at 50 percent less at one hotel. The front desk clerk told me that management had priced rooms thinking that this year would match last year’s stellar performance. But that has not been the case so far. Though Paris was bustling, and busily preparing for the Olympics, most of the folks I talked with said American visitors weren’t yet coming in the numbers that they came last year.
Apple Pay. I never had to pull out my credit card or dole out euros to pay for anything. Everywhere I went, from restaurants to hotels to taxis to trains to convenience stores and patisseries accepted Apple Pay via my iPhone. All I needed to do was tap. Not only was Apple Pay easy but also safer than using credit cards because your card numbers are never exposed. Read more about Apple Pay.
Fast Data. I sailed on two AmaWaterways’ ships. Both had fast internet while docked and while sailing. In fact, speeds seemed comparable to what I experience at home. I also added a mobile international data e-sim to my iPhone so that I could have fast data ashore. The cost was less than $30 for the duration of my stay.
Stay Longer. Combining three cruises, while paying for one roundtrip business class air ticket, worked well for me. Each of the cruises was punctuated with hotel stays in Paris before and after each cruise, a perfect combination of time afloat and time ashore. I found that 3.5 weeks was the perfect duration, although I admit I could have stayed longer.
Europe Is Wonderful. No matter how many times I visit, Europe still charms as much as it did on my first visit more than four decades ago. River cruising provides for a great platform to explore Europe, a home base that floats from one beautiful place to another.
Pack Less. I did a pretty good job packing before leaving home, but still I packed too much. On all three cruises, I met other men who packed a sports coat to wear, as I did, only once during their cruises. You could certainly get by without one. Because Ama’s laundry service was so good, I could have gotten by with fewer items of clothing too. I came home with a few shirts that went unworn. My luggage contained dress slacks (three pair); dress shorts (two pair, one went unworn); dress shirts (two); bike jerseys (two – I like having the back pockets that the bike jerseys feature); merino wool t-shirts (3 pair, one unworn); wool socks (six pair); shoes (four pair – including hard-sole bike shoes, slip-on shoes that were convenient for airports, trail runners and dress shoes); down vest; merino long-sleeve shirts (two pair, one went unworn); and ten pair of underwear. I also had two belts (could have gotten by with one), bath essentials, converters for plugging in my devices, iPad, iPhone and a small mirror for my bike rides.
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