2 weeks in Europe- please help plan our itinerary

amanda hor$t · 11-11-2013, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW E90

I was going to bring a dslr...perhaps i should bring a point and shoot instead?

dslr screams helloooooo! i'm a tourist! most commoners use phone cams. and if you want to say "psssst i'm rich" get some victorinox stuff

JasonCSU · 11-11-2013, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amanda hor$t

and if you want to say "psssst i'm rich" get some victorinox stuff

Well that is interesting to know, as I've got a Victorinox suitcase that I always travel with.

P1 · 11-11-2013, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW E90

I was going to bring a dslr...perhaps i should bring a point and shoot instead?

No, bring your DSLR. Italy is too gorgeous not to take high quality pictures. Just don't wander off into small alleys and visit the little villages and cities instead. That's the real taste of Italy.

BMW F22 · 11-11-2013, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amanda hor$t

dslr screams helloooooo! i'm a tourist! most commoners use phone cams. and if you want to say "psssst i'm rich" get some victorinox stuff

That's what I was afraid of. But I think as long as I pay attention it should be okay. I think if I use common sense I should be safe (i.e. don't go alone at night in deserted areas).

Quote:

Originally Posted by P1et

No, bring your DSLR. Italy is too gorgeous not to take high quality pictures. Just don't wander off into small alleys and visit the little villages and cities instead. That's the real taste of Italy.

The smaller cities and villages look fun and interesting. That's mostly what Rick Steves talks about: exploring Europe through the back door.

ibarry92 · 11-11-2013, 10:36 PM

I ditch my neckstrap, and I keep my DSLR in my messenger bag. When I need to take a picture, I take it out and put it away. I tend to stray away from flip flops and athletic shorts/Under Armour shirts, since that type of attire does scream tourist. Flip flops should not even be an option because of all the walking your going to do.

hudamang · 11-12-2013, 01:01 AM

I've always taken a DSLR and had no problem in any European country. Some dude in Barcelona was acting weird asking us (Obviously tourists) for directions but the police came over within 10 seconds and made him leave.

Just be aware of your surroundings. It's not much different than traveling to a large US city or Vegas, etc.

KingOfJericho · 11-12-2013, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW E90

So how do you guys carry your licenses, credit cards and/or cash? I forgot whether they check passports or not when going from one country to another.

I put them in my front pocket, loose. I only take my license, credit card, and cash. It looks like my pockets are empty. It's never been an issue everything else stays in the room safe.

FWIW, I HATE carrying my DSLR and usually opt for my small Canon point-n-shoot or my iphone, but if you're going to the Colosseum just take the DSLR. EVERYONE there is a tourist anyway so just use your noggin. Another thing I hate doing is looking at a map in public. I'll either buy some prepaid data for my iphone or plan my day/route before leaving the hotel/apartment.

el jimador · 11-12-2013, 10:19 AM

Take your DSLR but just be careful as in no camera bag and don't wear it around your neck. I usually use a small Pacsafe backpack to store the camera, map, guidebook, jacket, etc when out. As others have said, just use your noggin and be aware of your surrounds, especially in cities on public transportation (watch out for children, they are 100% pickpockets).

As for an itinerary, have you thought about Munich, Lucerne, Lake Como region, Milan, Salzburg, Vienna? The whole Alps/Lake region is spectacular and driving through the Alps, especially the Stelvio pass, is a lifetime experience albeit a scary one at times. Small towns and villages are what makes Europe so great.

As long as you going in between EU countries, you shouldn't need to show your passport but since you will have the zoll plate, who knows.

BMW F22 · 11-12-2013, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el jimador

Take your DSLR but just be careful as in no camera bag and don't wear it around your neck. I usually use a small Pacsafe backpack to store the camera, map, guidebook, jacket, etc when out. As others have said, just use your noggin and be aware of your surrounds, especially in cities on public transportation (watch out for children, they are 100% pickpockets).

As for an itinerary, have you thought about Munich, Lucerne, Lake Como region, Milan, Salzburg, Vienna? The whole Alps/Lake region is spectacular and driving through the Alps, especially the Stelvio pass, is a lifetime experience albeit a scary one at times. Small towns and villages are what makes Europe so great.

As long as you going in between EU countries, you shouldn't need to show your passport but since you will have the zoll plate, who knows.

Salzburg is in the plan as we enjoy listening to Mozart. The Stelvio Pass is definitely something we are trying to fit in as well.

KingOfJericho · 11-12-2013, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW E90

Salzburg is in the plan as we enjoy listening to Mozart. The Stelvio Pass is definitely something we are trying to fit in as well.

Make sure it's open as it does close for the winter months.

Myrder · 11-12-2013, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW E90

I was going to bring a dslr...perhaps i should bring a point and shoot instead?

I would bring both. As others have mentioned don't wear sandals. Be aware, don't go down small empty alleys, and memorize Liam Neeson's speech from taken.

BMW F22 · 11-12-2013, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Make sure it's open as it does close for the winter months.

Ah good to know as i wasn't aware of this. Thank you! We will going in the Spring time though so I think it should be ok.

BMW F22 · 11-12-2013, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myrder

I would bring both. As others have mentioned don't wear sandals. Be aware, don't go down small empty alleys, and memorize Liam Neeson's speech from taken.

Lol. Off the top of my head: I have a very special set of skills- skills that make me dangerous to people like you...if you let my daughter go, that'll be the end of it. If you don't, I will hunt you down. I will find you, and I will kill you.

Myrder · 11-12-2013, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW E90

Lol. Off the top of my head: I have a very special set of skills- skills that make me dangerous to people like you...if you let my daughter go, that'll be the end of it. If you don't, I will hunt you down. I will find you, and I will kill you.

Close enough

adriang · 11-15-2013, 03:36 AM

I didn't have any problems with anything... kept my wallet on me as normal in my back pocket, carried my camera in my hand or pocket also, and usually left my passport in the car or in my pocket.

Never had any problems to be honest...

11-11-2013, 10:36 PM	#49
ibarry92 Second Lieutenant 48 Rep 249 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW 328xi Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: North America iTrader: (0)	I ditch my neckstrap, and I keep my DSLR in my messenger bag. When I need to take a picture, I take it out and put it away. I tend to stray away from flip flops and athletic shorts/Under Armour shirts, since that type of attire does scream tourist. Flip flops should not even be an option because of all the walking your going to do.
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11-12-2013, 01:01 AM	#50
hudamang Enlisted Member 10 Rep 46 Posts Drives: Hopefully M4 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	I've always taken a DSLR and had no problem in any European country. Some dude in Barcelona was acting weird asking us (Obviously tourists) for directions but the police came over within 10 seconds and made him leave. Just be aware of your surroundings. It's not much different than traveling to a large US city or Vegas, etc. __________________ To M3 or M4...that is the question.
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11-12-2013, 10:19 AM	#52
el jimador Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Nova iTrader: (0)	Take your DSLR but just be careful as in no camera bag and don't wear it around your neck. I usually use a small Pacsafe backpack to store the camera, map, guidebook, jacket, etc when out. As others have said, just use your noggin and be aware of your surrounds, especially in cities on public transportation (watch out for children, they are 100% pickpockets). As for an itinerary, have you thought about Munich, Lucerne, Lake Como region, Milan, Salzburg, Vienna? The whole Alps/Lake region is spectacular and driving through the Alps, especially the Stelvio pass, is a lifetime experience albeit a scary one at times. Small towns and villages are what makes Europe so great. As long as you going in between EU countries, you shouldn't need to show your passport but since you will have the zoll plate, who knows.
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11-15-2013, 03:36 AM	#59
adriang ****** 66 Rep 751 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW X2 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	I didn't have any problems with anything... kept my wallet on me as normal in my back pocket, carried my camera in my hand or pocket also, and usually left my passport in the car or in my pocket. Never had any problems to be honest...
	Appreciate 0 Quote