Did some thinking and research about SuperTrip this weekend.

The goal for the trip that blends ambition and modesty in a workable combination, for me, is to set foot on all six inhabited continents. I’ll save Antarctica for my honeymoon, I think.

So, here’s what I know/what I think/what I read about the following:

*Where I wanna go the most:
Europe:
England (London–St. Paul’s Cathedral, Stonehenge?)
France (Paris–Eiffel Tower)
Spain (Madrid–bull fights) Plus, several of us speak Bragenzer.
Italy (Rome–Forum and Colosseum, Vatican–Sistine Chapel, Venice?)
Greece (Athens–the Acropolis)

Africa:
Egypt (Pyramids at Giza)

Middle East:
Israel (Dead Sea–try futilely to sink, laugh)

Asia:
India (Taj Mahal)
Hong Kong (skyline, out of control overpopulation)
Japan (Tokyo, Mt. Fuji)

Australia:
Sydney

South America:
Eh, Brazil.
Maybe Lake Titicaca. I know it’s remote, but you can’t travel the world without seeing some Titi.

Not, not, not ruling anything out. Omission from this list doesn’t mean jack. I don’t secretly hate Germany or anything.

But anyway, the sooner we can get together on where we want to go (and I’m sure we’re all flexible and all that), the better. Having an itinerary could put a lot of stuff in motion. I’m still working on dredging up my overseas contacts. I’ll give you what I have in a couple of days.

*Travel Expenses:
Passports are pretty easy to get. There are a lot of post offices that will take care of the whole thing. Certain countries have Visa requirements, even to visit. Another reason why we need to know where we’re going. Other countries have inoculation requirements or recommendations–another reason. But I digress.

As far as Planes, Trains, and Busses…well, each industry seems to offer time-limited passes. Like, you can get a railpass good for 15 days of traveling in a 2 month period for a flat rate. A rather high flat rate, like $800, but Europe is supposed to have a great system of trains. If we’re going to use trains as our primary way to get around once we’re in Europe, an extended train pass like this might be the way to go.

Oh, there’s this consortium of 25 airlines called Europebyair (europebyair.com), that offers flights from many, many European cities to many, many other European cities for $99.
150 cities, I think.

*Lodging:
Staying with friends is free. Really good option.

Hostels, even youth hostels, have no age limit (except in Bavaria, I’m told). About $30/night/person.
Some travelers have been able to get around Europe for long periods of time without paying for places to sleep. Sleep on trains, in train stations, airports, wherever.

*Food:
This one guidebook writer loves picnics for being cheap and authentic. You buy local bread and cheese and fruit and you save tons of money.

*Packing:
You gotta pack light, they say. Very light. One really good backpack should be enough. It’s best if you don’t have to check any luggage.
And there’s this contraption called a money belt that you’re supposed to have, for your valuables. I think it’s kind of a cross between a girdle and chastity belt.

*Miscellany:
A good travel guide is a good investment. Even if the book costs 25 or 30 dollars, without a good guide you could easily waste that much money on your first day in a new place. This advice was written in a travel guide, of all places, but I can’t argue with it.

All right, well, I picked up lots of other little tips. But that’s enough for now.

Categories: The SuperTrip