Maybe it's just me, but has anybody else been totally confused and daunted by the Rubik's Cube which is European train travel? Perhaps I'm the only one who's been escorted by a overly-protective grandfather-type back to my hotel after asking him which train takes me from downtown Naples to Pompeii. My friend and I weren't exactly sure what he was saying as he spoke no English and we very little Italian, but I managed to make out "American" "girls" "alone" and maybe "bad." Naples, while fantastically rich in culture and kind inhabitants, has some very rough areas, particularly around the central train station - and this assessment is coming from a Detroiter! Add to that the epic garbage strike creating trash mountains in the city that day, this sweet, elderly man would not have us wandering the streets without a clear sense of direction. So, with a box of Christmas Panettone in hand, he made us get on a bus with him. I'm pretty sure he told the front desk staff to not let us wander out again.
After the Pompeii fiasco, I vowed the next time I traveled to Europe I would be a veritable train expert. Well, perhaps not an expert, but I certainly am not flying by the seat of my pants during my honeymoon from Munich to Rome (occurring as you read this). As soon as my husband and I settled on a multi-country itinerary, I knew I would need help negotiating the train companies from one country to another. Though hopping on a train just as it pulls away may seem romantic, there is a decided lack of romance in a conductor kicking you off at the next stop because you didn't realize you had to reserve your seat in addition to purchasing your ticket.
After a bit of Google searching I came across Budget Europe Travel Service.
"Hmm...I'm going to Europe, I'm on a budget and I deifintely need some service concerning my travel," thought I.
I called and was connected with Byron. Byron is a train travel genius and has the patience of a saint! He steered me in the direction of the most budget-friendly multi-country pass, and didn't try to up-sell me on any frivolous extras. He warned me that I would have to purchase a $5 supplementary ticket for a 10 mile part of my train ride through Austria which would occur on my Munich to Zurich leg. If my husband and I didn't, we'd be ticketed and out an extra $100 by the end of our journey! How the heck was I supposed to know that on my own?
Byron is truly fantastic, and has come through on the multiple times I've called him for advice and guidance. He even told me exactly where to find the Naples-Pompeii platform within the Naples station, so I wouldn't be grandfathered away from the Villa of the Mysteries yet again. I received my train tickets, my necessary seat reservations and a complimentary train schedule book from Byron in the couple weeks he said I would get them. So, if your idea of awesome Euro-tripping is not worrying about anything train-related, talk to Byron at 800-441-2387, from 9-5 EST. I'll probably call him and tell him how much fun I had when I get back!
Ciao from Roma,
Beth
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