The Eurrail (Interrail for non-Europeans) stuff does seem to include the “unlimited travel for x consecutive days”, but I can only see 1st Class, unless you’re under 26. Still, good to know it’s there

Bari – I think you’re actually eligible for the European variety, interrail – you’ve been living here long enough to be an honorary European

Noirin

I disagree with Norin on Venice – I would consider it a must-see city. It’s canals are different than Amsterdam’s, and used in a very different way – just don’t pick a hotel that’s in Venice-Mestre!

Rome is also a must see merely for it’s history. I do have to admit that Italy is not one of my favorite places, and I’d say visit once, never go back!

I’ve only been to England once, and only in London, but I’d love to get out and see Stonehenge and Bath as well as Glastonbury, but those are my tastes.

I really think that what you want to see depends on what you’re interested in. I loved the “oldness” of Rome, but I could have cared less about all the art museums – I saw the highlights of the Louve in one morning – that should tell you how interetsed in art I am Give me the old buildings

I disagree about Venice though, it’s lovely. It’s also great fun trying to navigate around and getting lost because sometime there isn’t a bridge where you need one to be…

Monte-carlo is very interesting to drive through. (although I have only experienced the motorway between Italy and France) since it has the highest no of Ferrari’s per sq mile in the world (yes, even more than the Ferarri factory!!)

And I sympathise about Michelin starred locations, I was dragged to far too many vinyards all over France in my childhood. Yeuck!

I thought about writing what you should see in Norway here, but I think I will make an entry in my own blog in stead

I’ll just add that I am one of the persons who hate Paris – I have been there three times, and it never got better. Especially the centre is horrible – too many people, too much chaos and traffic and generally not much that can’t be seen elsewhere. I’d highly recommend Lyon, though – lots of good food, much more relaxed and very beautiful. If you absolutely HAVE to be in Paris, stay clear of the centre. Ok, do the compulsory tour, I’d recommend boat on Seine, it’s quite nice, then head out of the centre. Parc de Luxembourg is nice and conveniently close when you are completely fed up of the city, and I regret not going to Versaille. It’ll definitely be on my list next time.

I’ll also say that going to the countryside of UK outside season is great. We went to Scotland during the last week of September last week, and albeit raining for a week it was great. But be aware that most attractions close at weekdays (and weekends for the less famous ones) from October to, hm, Easter, I suppose, so check that first. I also visited Ireland during Easter several years ago, and had a terrific stay in Dublin and Galway. The coast in more rugged wheather is GREAT! (And that goes for Norway as well.) Of course, bring a good raincoat (not an umbrella – it will be windy), a warm sweater and good shoes (leather or some fabric that can be sprayed with a waterproof-thingie).

An advantage of going off-season is also that you don’t have to book accomodation in advance, at least if you can stay in bigger places (in smaller places hostels, hotels and B&Bs often – but far from always – close off-season, so check or have a bigger place as backup). A major difference from USA is that public laundries are less common in Europe, and getting laundry done in hotels can be INCREDIBLY expensive (we’re talking 10 euro for a shirt here). Of course it depends on where you are, but e.g. in Scandinavia not even university cities have public laundries, since most students either live in a dorm with a laundry, or have their own washing machine. (I mention this because I have spent way too much time being worried about lack of clean clothes )