Euro Rail Beckons

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Want to get from here to there in record time and enjoy Europe’s scenery? There’s an easy solution. I should begin by saying I always have a valid Rail Pass. It gives me the get-up-and-go freedom I crave when I want to travel “from here to there.” Driving in France, unless you have a cast iron stomach, can be a killer. Plus, there’s nothing worse than chafing in a traffic jam that moves an inch an hour. Lord help you if you happen to hit a jour rouge when it’s practically guaranteed your car journey will take three times the usual time. Also, when you factor gas and tolls (and those stops for a little something to eat) on the autoroute, more often than not, it’s cheaper to hit the rails where you can pack a gourmet lunch and a bottle of wine since you’re not the one who’s doing the driving. Because of air deregulation, there are now some no-frills airlines flying within Europe. However, be aware that the cheap prices are only valid if you reserve at least two weeks before your day of departure. And generally, these little planes fly in and out of airports that are so far out of the city center that you save neither time nor money when you arrive at your final destination. On top of that, there’s early airport check-in and increasingly time-consuming security checks. I must have something written on my face that screams “search this woman” as I seem to be stopped at every turn. The silver lining on the European travel cloud is the railway. What makes train travel even more attractive is that this is a REAL bonus year for U.S. travelers. Rail Europehas trimmed its prices and added new packages to meet myriad demands. Personally, I’m a big fan of the Rail/Drive plan that offers the best of both travel worlds. Train to the city or town of your choice and then pick up a car so your can tour the surrounding area. It’s an ideal way to escape the city and explore the neighboring countryside. Many of the “most beautiful villages of France” necessitate visiting by car. Many of you have noticed that the dollar has plummeted against the Euro. But because Rail Europe is billed in dollars, you’re still ahead. Even if I don’t use every day allocated in my plan, I’ve done the math and know I’ve saved money. I’ve also been able to enjoy the scenery, get up and walk around, read a book and perhaps even write an article or two. The passes must be shipped to a U.S. address. As I’m currently in the States, I’ll order two; the passes require validation within six months of purchase.
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