Travel Europe with Babcia and YiaYia Travel The World Babcia And Yia Yia Travel The World

It’s Us! Babcia and YiaYia! We are here to give you every hot tip, great travel hack, hidden gem, and experience based itinerary you are looking for. We’ve traveled all over Europe and we want to share our experience and expertise with you!

Thanks for joining us today! As always, we hope that our travel nonsense translates into your travel success! For more on our take on travel by train in Europe as well as your other travel options like small group travel when traveling to Europe or any of our other show notes, click here!

In this episode, we can answer:


What are the best train travel tips when traveling to Europe?


How do I efficiently plan train travel to Europe?


What are the best train experiences in Europe?


How do I find out more about European train travel?


What are the best ways to travel by train in Europe?



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Have ideas or questions about what you'd like us to cover? Please e-mail us your questions or ideas at babciaandyiayia@gmail.com

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We were last in Europe in the Summer of 2023!

Europe’s train system is one of the easiest in the world to use and 9 times out of 10 will be cheaper and faster than any airline travel you can book. 

While airports are obviously located outside of all the historic city centers that you wish to visit, the great European train stations are usually smack in the middle of the tourist districts. Amsterdam Central and Gare du Nord in Paris are two perfect examples.

Train stations don’t have the massive security lines that airports are saddled with. Usually, a ticket is all you need to go from curb to platform meaning that you just need to arrive 15-20 minutes before your train rather than 2-3 hours at an airport.

When you start doing the math, often a longer train ride is more time efficient than a shorter trip in the air. For example, to fly from London to Paris can take 45 minutes in the air but add in getting to the airport, through security, waiting for potential delays and then getting back in the city once you land can take up to five hours while the chunnel train has you leaving London and perusing in Paris in about three hours.

Trains can connect two key destinations on your itinerary together with an overnight trip. Hopping on an overnight sleeper in Amsterdam for less than $200.00 then pull into Zurich. Spend a morning in Zurich and after lunch, you can continue on to points in all directions including Venice, Milan, Vienna, Munich and more. 

Trains often offer better views than one would imagine. Yes, you’ll definitely see a slice of real life as trains leave the pristine city centers and make their way out toward the countryside. And that countryside! With patchwork quilt fields making up local farms, hills, mountains, rivers and lakes. There’s plenty to see as trains make their way from one big city through plenty of sleepy villages to another famous icon. 

Fave trains: 

Thalys Paris to Amsterdam

TrenItalia: Paris to Milan

Any train is switzerland

It’s Us! Babcia and YiaYia! We are here to give you every hot tip, great travel hack, hidden gem, and experience based itinerary you are looking for. We’ve traveled all over Europe and we want to share our experience and expertise with you!

Thanks for joining us today! As always, we hope that our travel nonsense translates into your travel success! For more on traveling to Florence as well as your other travel options like small group travel when traveling to Europe or any of our other show notes, click here!

In this episode, we can answer:


What are the best hacks and tips when traveling to Florence?


How do I plan really well when I travel to Florence?


What are the best tips when traveling to Florence?


How do I make everybody happy when I'm in Florence?


What are the best secrets for traveling to Florence?



Now follow us on ALL the social media!

Facebook   @babciaandyiayia

Twitter   @babciaandyiayia

Instagram   @babciaandyiayia

TikTok   @babciaandyiayia  (We LOVE your questions too!)

Have ideas or questions about what you'd like us to cover? Please e-mail us your questions or ideas at babciaandyiayia@gmail.com

Visit our blog and website by clicking here!

We were last in Europe in the Summer of 2023!

It’s Us! Babcia and YiaYia! We are here to give you every hot tip, great travel hack, hidden gem, and experience based itinerary you are looking for. We’ve traveled all over Europe and we want to share our experience and expertise with you!

Thanks for joining us today! As always, we hope that our travel nonsense translates into your travel success! For more on our take on Travel agents and travel insurance as well as your other travel options like small group travel when traveling to Europe or any of our other show notes, click here!

In this episode, we can answer:


What are the best travel tips when traveling to Europe?


How do I efficiently plan when I travel to Europe?


What are the best questions to ask my travel agent?


How do I find out more about travel insurance?


What are the best ways to protect my trip to Europe?



Now follow us on ALL the social media!

Facebook   @babciaandyiayia

Twitter   @babciaandyiayia

Instagram   @babciaandyiayia

TikTok   @babciaandyiayia  (We LOVE your questions too!)

Pinterest

Have ideas or questions about what you'd like us to cover? Please e-mail us your questions or ideas at babciaandyiayia@gmail.com

Visit our blog and website by clicking here!

We were last in Europe in the Summer of 2023!

Our answer is simple!!! USE A TRAVEL AGENT TO BOOK YOUR AIR!!!!

When booking air, consider asking about these questions:


Is that the best price or the best layover?



Find good layover options


Usually about the same as expedia or other third party flight choices



Does that come with baggage?


What are the seat assignments with that ticket?


Is my ticket refundable or reschedulable?



Have your air travel backed up with a little help.


If something happens while I’m on my travels, can I call you for help? 



Most airlines won’t help you if things get serious, they will insist that you call your agent. 


A home base to call should something go wrong.




Get your travel insurance plan together


What is the best kind of insurance to cover this trip?




A little investment goes a long way


The fastest way to take care of an issue away from home




What exactly does this policy cover? Air ambulance, luggage, flights, delays, hospitals….


MEDJET vs. Nomad Insurance


Who do I call if there is an emergency? Like ask for the number!

It’s Us! Babcia and YiaYia! We are here to give you every hot tip, great travel hack, hidden gem, and experience based itinerary you are looking for. We’ve traveled all over Europe and we want to share our experience and expertise with you!

Thanks for joining us today! As always, we hope that our travel nonsense translates into your travel success! For more on our take on Travel day trips as well as your other travel options like small group travel when traveling to Europe or any of our other show notes, click here!

In this episode, we can answer:


What are the best travel tips when traveling to Europe?


How do I efficiently plan when I travel to Europe?


What are the best ways to extend my travel in Europe?


How do I make the most of my travel in Europe?


What are the best ways to extend my time in Europe?



Now follow us on ALL the social media!

Facebook   @babciaandyiayia

Twitter   @babciaandyiayia

Instagram   @babciaandyiayia

TikTok   @babciaandyiayia  (We LOVE your questions too!)

Pinterest

Have ideas or questions about what you'd like us to cover? Please e-mail us your questions or ideas at babciaandyiayia@gmail.com

Visit our blog and website by clicking here!

We were last in Europe in the Summer of 2023!

It sounds like such a great deal! But there a couple of things you should know when it comes to those too good to be true travel deals.

     You pay for how your time is used and keep that in mind for everything that you do.

Getting a group rate airfare means that there is no upgrading and not many options. In short, the control of your flights does not belong to you.

You can’t use points or miles for upgrades

You can add the trip to your account though

If there is any delay or cancellations, the tour company or cruise line will be in charge of how the problem gets remedied.

The before and after

Choose to fly in early and explore something close by or stay on later to enjoy after your tour. A few examples are PARIS, ROME, A GREEK ISLAND

Even cruises are jumping on board the extended stays! Often, these are offered as an add on but look closely and you will see that they often easily arranged and cover simple venues and activities.

The Layover

The art of the layover has been analyzed from every angle possible!!! From Anthony Bourdain’s show to movies about airport life. The Layover is a great way to capitalize on your time. 

Airport Layovers like Munich or Istanbul

Get out layovers like copenhagen or Heathrow

Airports that might have a tougher layover: Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam You need MORE than 10 hours to make these worth it. 

You have the options!

It’s Us! Babcia and YiaYia! We are here to give you every hot tip, great travel hack, hidden gem, and experience based itinerary you are looking for. We’ve traveled all over Europe and we want to share our experience and expertise with you!

Thanks for joining us today! As always, we hope that our travel nonsense translates into your travel success! For more on our take on Travel day trips as well as your other travel options like small group travel when traveling to Europe or any of our other show notes, click here!

In this episode, we can answer:


What are the best travel tips when traveling to Europe?


What should I know when I travel to Europe?


What are the best day trips in Europe?


What should I know when I am day tripping in Europe?


What are the best day trips in Europe?



Now follow us on ALL the social media!

Facebook   @babciaandyiayia

Twitter   @babciaandyiayia

Instagram   @babciaandyiayia

TikTok   @babciaandyiayia  (We LOVE your questions too!)

Pinterest

Have ideas or questions about what you'd like us to cover? Please e-mail us your questions or ideas at babciaandyiayia@gmail.com

Visit our blog and website by clicking here!

We were last in Europe in the Summer of 2023!

Zakopane

Hydra

Kinderdijk

Brugges

Lucerne

Stirling

Milan

Giverny

And more!!!

It’s Us! Babcia and YiaYia! We are here to give you every hot tip, great travel hack, hidden gem, and experience based itinerary you are looking for. We’ve traveled all over Europe and we want to share our experience and expertise with you!

Thanks for joining us today! As always, we hope that our travel nonsense translates into your travel success! For more on our take on Travel tours and packages as well as your other travel options like small group travel when traveling to Europe or any of our other show notes, click here!

In this episode, we can answer:


What are the best travel tips when traveling to Europe?


What should I know when I travel to Europe?


What are the best tour options to visit in Europe?


What should I know when I am traveling to Europe?


What are the biggest mistakes travel companies make in Europe?



Now follow us on ALL the social media!

Facebook   @babciaandyiayia

Twitter   @babciaandyiayia

Instagram   @babciaandyiayia

TikTok   @babciaandyiayia  (We LOVE your questions too!)

Pinterest

Have ideas or questions about what you'd like us to cover? Please e-mail us your questions or ideas at babciaandyiayia@gmail.com

Visit our blog and website by clicking here!

We were last in Europe in the Summer of 2023!

Dear Babcia and YiaYia-

I’ve been researching trips to Italy and Ireland. I don’t want to plan an entire trip DIY style but I don’t want to follow a package deal on a crowded bus either. So far, I haven’t found something that takes into account everything that I’m hoping to do. With so many travel and tour companies to choose from, how do I know that I’m investing my time and money correctly? I don’t want to be disappointed in the end and I don’t want to waste my time. Can you give me some advice?

Lets breakdown all the different tour packages that you can use to experience 

The first rule of travel is that you will always pay for your time. Without a slower travel pace and a flexible calendar you are not going to see a huge savings. This is especially true


All inclusive stays and tours including cruises



Add on to one of those?

The second rule of travel is that something will go wrong


Tour packages that include group based activities that may include air, etc.



Often from a church or a community group (bus tours of ___) 

 The third rule of travel is that you’ll NEVER, EVER get to everything on your bucket list

 


Boutique travel experiences that create bespoke itineraries for specific goals These kind of experiences include a consultation, and a lot of preplanning, we like to include a lot of pre and post trip communication and will even add in workshops for things like packing or passports Customized itineraries like bamboo travel reach out for more detailed travel



Not the “best of”

The fourth rule of travel is that DIY isn’t always the best option (Christmas cookie ingredient analogy)


DIYers (the Disney effect)