Willbefree

Hi,

I have two questions for you guys. I am planning a backpacking trip
this summer, and will go through central Europe before ending in Spain
and Portugal. My route for this last leg is Geneve (Switz.) -->
Barcelona --> Madrid --> Sevilla --> Lisboa --> San Sebastian -->
Paris. The site I have been using to map out train schedules is called
Die Bahn. It lists times and routes, and is fairly exhaustive with its
information. My problem is this: I can get times for trains around all
of Europe, save Spain and Portugal. The lines that they have listed
seem to stop runnng in early June (I will be there in July). Why is
this?

You can see the site I'm talking about here:
http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en

2nd question: I want to incorporate some travel in the Balkan states,
including Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia and Slovenia. This seems to be a
more risky area to travel than, say, France or Germany, at least from
what I've read. Is there any advice anyone might have? If I stick to
the coastline, is it safer than going inland? Or is the "danger" I
hear about just minor, such as a higher risk of getting pickpocketed,
or is there really more risk of violent crime (which I somehow doubt)?
Anyway, thanks for your help.

JG

Rh

    >Hi,
    >I have two questions for you guys. I am planning a backpacking trip
    >this summer, and will go through central Europe before ending in Spain
    >and Portugal. My route for this last leg is Geneve (Switz.) -->
    >Barcelona --> Madrid --> Sevilla --> Lisboa --> San Sebastian -->
    >Paris. The site I have been using to map out train schedules is called
    >Die Bahn. It lists times and routes, and is fairly exhaustive with its
    >information. My problem is this: I can get times for trains around all
    >of Europe, save Spain and Portugal. The lines that they have listed
    >seem to stop runnng in early June (I will be there in July). Why is
    >this?

I normally rely on the Swiss railways' website www.cff.ch
Tje Swiss are also publishing printed timetables for main lines in Europe, but they always had
problems getting the information from the Spanish railways on time for print. But basically, I
would not worry. All West European railways basically adhust timetables annually in
December. The timetable that is valid in June should, therefore, also be viable in July and
August, with slight adjustments for the holiday season (less business travellers, more tourists).
    >You can see the site I'm talking about here:
    >http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en
    >2nd question: I want to incorporate some travel in the Balkan states,
    >including Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia and Slovenia. This seems to be a
    >more risky area to travel than, say, France or Germany, at least from
    >what I've read. Is there any advice anyone might have? If I stick to
    >the coastline, is it safer than going inland? Or is the "danger" I
    >hear about just minor, such as a higher risk of getting pickpocketed,
    >or is there really more risk of violent crime (which I somehow doubt)?
    >Anyway, thanks for your help.

I would consider Croatia as safe, Serbia to a certain extent as well, but I wonder about Bosnia. I
will check with a friend and let you know his personal experience later (but beware: a Serb will
say that Bosnia is a dangerous place and the other way round).

RH
    >JG

Emilia

[email protected] (Willbefree) wrote in
news:[email protected]:

    > Hi,
    >
    > I have two questions for you guys. I am planning a backpacking trip
    > this summer, and will go through central Europe before ending in Spain
    > and Portugal. My route for this last leg is Geneve (Switz.) -->
    > Barcelona --> Madrid --> Sevilla --> Lisboa --> San Sebastian -->


I would suggest you take easyjet from Geneva to Barcelona. If you plan
ahead you will not only save time but also money.
www.easyjet.com

Emilia

Nige

You should consult the Spanish Railways website as well for some
information. www.renfe.es
Basically the differences between June and July would be minimal. If you
look hard enough, you can find maps for each Spanish region showing the
railway network.

Also you can consider busses in Spain. These are very popular and cheaper
than trains. You can look at this website for
http://www.alsa.es/44/Alsaindex.asp For example - round trip Barcelona to
Madrid is Euros 40 in March.
Nige

"Willbefree" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi,
    > I have two questions for you guys. I am planning a backpacking trip
    > this summer, and will go through central Europe before ending in Spain
    > and Portugal. My route for this last leg is Geneve (Switz.) -->
    > Barcelona --> Madrid --> Sevilla --> Lisboa --> San Sebastian -->
    > Paris. The site I have been using to map out train schedules is called
    > Die Bahn. It lists times and routes, and is fairly exhaustive with its
    > information. My problem is this: I can get times for trains around all
    > of Europe, save Spain and Portugal. The lines that they have listed
    > seem to stop runnng in early June (I will be there in July). Why is
    > this?
    > You can see the site I'm talking about here:
    > http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en
    > 2nd question: I want to incorporate some travel in the Balkan states,
    > including Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia and Slovenia. This seems to be a
    > more risky area to travel than, say, France or Germany, at least from
    > what I've read. Is there any advice anyone might have? If I stick to
    > the coastline, is it safer than going inland? Or is the "danger" I
    > hear about just minor, such as a higher risk of getting pickpocketed,
    > or is there really more risk of violent crime (which I somehow doubt)?
    > Anyway, thanks for your help.
    > JG

Oopsdaisy2

    >Subject: Re: Trains in Spain/Portugal and Balkan Travel
    >From: "Nige" [email protected]
    >Date: 3/4/2003 3:01 AM

    >You should consult the Spanish Railways website as well for some
    >information. www.renfe.es
    >Basically the differences between June and July would be minimal. If you
    >look hard enough, you can find maps for each Spanish region showing the
    >railway network.
    >Also you can consider busses in Spain. These are very popular and cheaper
    >than trains. You can look at this website for
    >http://www.alsa.es/44/Alsaindex.asp For example - round trip Barcelona to
    >Madrid is Euros 40 in March.
    >Nige
    >"Willbefree" wrote in message
    >news:[email protected]...
    >> Hi,
    >> I have two questions for you guys. I am planning a backpacking trip
    >> this summer, and will go through central Europe before ending in Spain
    >> and Portugal. My route for this last leg is Geneve (Switz.) -->
    >> Barcelona --> Madrid --> Sevilla --> Lisboa --> San Sebastian -->
    >> Paris. The site I have been using to map out train schedules is called
    >> Die Bahn. It lists times and routes, and is fairly exhaustive with its
    >> information. My problem is this: I can get times for trains around all
    >> of Europe, save Spain and Portugal. The lines that they have listed
    >> seem to stop runnng in early June (I will be there in July). Why is
    >> this?
    >> You can see the site I'm talking about here:
    >> http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en
    >> 2nd question: I want to incorporate some travel in the Balkan states,
    >> including Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia and Slovenia. This seems to be a
    >> more risky area to travel than, say, France or Germany, at least from
    >> what I've read. Is there any advice anyone might have? If I stick to
    >> the coastline, is it safer than going inland? Or is the "danger" I
    >> hear about just minor, such as a higher risk of getting pickpocketed,
    >> or is there really more risk of violent crime (which I somehow doubt)?
    >> Anyway, thanks for your help.
    >> JG

The Portuguese railway website is: www.cp.pt I suspect the Renfe & CP
websites switch to their "summer" schedules the end of June......more trains on
the schedule.

The bus link provided in the pp's post is for one bus company in Spain. Keep in
mind that many companies services Spain and Portugal.....each with its own
routes. The is not one company that provides all routes.

Bosnia, Croatia and Slovenia may be a bit more "risky" than France of
Germany....but SO much more rewarding and interesting. IMHO, Croatia and
Bosnia are two of the most beautiful countries in Europe. (Zagreb reminds me
quite a bit of an old Lisbon). The coastline is breathtaking, but I think you
would be missing out by limiting yourself to the coast. The mountains inland
are something to see. Mountains and sea....great people..excellent
prices.....you can't go wrong. Use common sense travel precautions and you
will, no doubt, be fine.

Mike Harrel

You're probably SAFER in the former republic of Yugoslavia than in
Germany, France, etc. I haven't been to Serbia and Montenegro since the
war but Croatia is unchanged. You have to remember the war took place in
a small area of Bosnia and the rest was realtively unaffected. Slovenia
was never affected and is one of the best countries I have visited.

Willbefree wrote:

    > Hi,
    > I have two questions for you guys. I am planning a backpacking trip
    > this summer, and will go through central Europe before ending in Spain
    > and Portugal. My route for this last leg is Geneve (Switz.) -->
    > Barcelona --> Madrid --> Sevilla --> Lisboa --> San Sebastian -->
    > Paris. The site I have been using to map out train schedules is called
    > Die Bahn. It lists times and routes, and is fairly exhaustive with its
    > information. My problem is this: I can get times for trains around all
    > of Europe, save Spain and Portugal. The lines that they have listed
    > seem to stop runnng in early June (I will be there in July). Why is
    > this?
    > You can see the site I'm talking about here:
    > http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en
    > 2nd question: I want to incorporate some travel in the Balkan states,
    > including Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia and Slovenia. This seems to be a
    > more risky area to travel than, say, France or Germany, at least from
    > what I've read. Is there any advice anyone might have? If I stick to
    > the coastline, is it safer than going inland? Or is the "danger" I
    > hear about just minor, such as a higher risk of getting pickpocketed,
    > or is there really more risk of violent crime (which I somehow doubt)?
    > Anyway, thanks for your help.
    > JG