{"id":21497,"date":"2019-09-14T12:27:33","date_gmt":"2019-09-14T16:27:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/johnesimpson.com\/blog\/?page_id=21497"},"modified":"2019-10-12T16:54:10","modified_gmt":"2019-10-12T20:54:10","slug":"taking-off-master-references-resources-list","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/johnesimpson.com\/blog\/taking-off-master-references-resources-list\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking Off: Master References\/Resources List"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This will be just a page of links, more or less (maybe with minimal commentary)&#8230; Some of these we&#8217;ve turned up on our own, others have come courtesy of various online fora (e.g., the Rick Steves Europe Facebook group, the uktravel subreddit, etc.).<\/p>\n<p class=\"smalltext\"><em>[<strong>Note:<\/strong> the silver bar of links is repeated above\/below each main section for easier navigation.]<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-table su-table-responsive\">\n<table>\n<tbody style=\"font-size: 75%;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;width: 75% !important;font-family: Lato, san-serif !important\">\n<tr style=\"background-color: #ffffe7;border-top: 2px solid brown;border-bottom: 2px solid brown\">\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#general\"><em><strong>General References<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#transport\"><em><strong>Transportation<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#lodging\"><em><strong>Lodging<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#other\"><em><strong>Other Stuff<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><a name=\"general\"><\/a><em><strong>General References:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>All countries\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"Complete series?\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ricksteves.com\/watch-read-listen\/video\/tv-show\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rick Steves travel videos<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/RickStevesEurope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rick Steves Europe<\/a> (Facebook)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/Europetravel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">EuropeTravel<\/a> (reddit)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/AskEurope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">AskEurope<\/a> (reddit)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/Home-g4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">TripAdvisor: Europe<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/seniornomads.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Senior Nomads<\/a> (retiring via Airbnb)<\/li>\n<li>Quora: <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quora.com\/topic\/Visiting-and-Travel-in-Europe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Visiting and Travel in Europe topic<\/a><\/li>\n<li>The Great Courses (some free, some not):\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatcourses.com\/courses\/the-great-tours-england-scotland-and-wales.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">England, Scotland, and Wales<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatcourses.com\/courses\/the-great-tours-experiencing-medieval-europe.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Experiencing Medieval Europe<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatcourses.com\/courses\/great-tours-greece-and-turkey-from-athens-to-istanbul.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Greece and Turkey<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatcourses.com\/courses\/history\/the-smithsonian-guide-to-essential-italy.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Guide to Essential Italy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreatcourses.com\/courses\/the-fundamentals-of-travel-photography.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fundamentals of Travel Photography<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/uktravel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">uktravel<\/a> (reddit)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/102486093177364\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">American Expats in the UK<\/a> (Facebook)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/glanier.wordpress.com\/category\/general\/moving-to-the-uk-general\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Moving to the UK<\/a> (blog series &#8212; very thorough, even if just visiting)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"su-table su-table-responsive\">\n<table>\n<tbody style=\"font-size: 75%;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;width: 75% !important;font-family: Lato, san-serif !important\">\n<tr style=\"background-color: #ffffe7;border-top: 2px solid brown;border-bottom: 2px solid brown\">\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#general\"><em><strong>General References<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#transport\"><em><strong>Transportation<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#lodging\"><em><strong>Lodging<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#other\"><em><strong>Other Stuff<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><a name=\"transport\"><\/a><em><strong>Transportation:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Air travel search\/booking\n<ul>\n<li>General info\n<ul>\n<li>Rick Steves on &#8220;<a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ricksteves.com\/travel-tips\/transportation\/budget-flights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Budget Flying Within Europe<\/a>&#8220;<\/li>\n<li>Transitions Abroad: <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.transitionsabroad.com\/listings\/travel\/articles\/cheap_air_travel_in_europe.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Guide to Cheap Flights Within Europe<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Lengthy TripAdvisor discussion on <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/ShowTopic-g1-i10702-k8793446-Flying_within_Europe-Air_Travel.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Flying with Europe<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Sites\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dohop.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dohop<\/a> (intra-Continent)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skyscanner.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Skyscanner<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.omio.com\/flights?utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_campaign=SEM_US_EN_Flight_Desktop_ACQ_[DSA_00_Gen|Pro_0]_B:DSA&amp;utm_content=SEM_US_EN_Flight_Desktop_ACQ_[DSA_00_Gen|Pro_0]_B:DSA&amp;utm_term=&amp;currency=USD&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzMCC2eae5AIVy1uGCh2QeQW1EAAYAyAAEgLFofD_BwE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Omio<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/flights\/booknow\/cheap-flight-tickets?fpaffiliate=coa-google-brand&amp;fpsub=cheapoair&amp;utm_campaign=brand-coa&amp;utm_term=cheapoair&amp;utm_term_id=kwd-3036434406&amp;utm_source={google}&amp;utm_medium={cpc}&amp;device=c&amp;fpprice=&amp;campaignID=59292846&amp;adgroupId=2042629326&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwwIPrBRCJARIsAFlVT880Q7SxeYfJokDr-pu7hHY3gNIvZ7UAwswWeyq3wQp67uUeaTMpZYAaAr9tEALw_wcB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CheapoAir<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/flights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Google Flights<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hopper.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hopper<\/a> (requires app; site is just general info about and download links for the app)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayak.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kayak<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.momondo.com\/horizon\/sem\/flights\/general?lang=en&amp;skipapp=true&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwwIPrBRCJARIsAFlVT8-DPF6LrvUwcrHhLpHZKqdGlOa1-ssU_yFQdvtx6ipFDcX4WyW5M0QaAq7IEALw_wcB&amp;aid=58776300391\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MoMondo<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/scottscheapflights.com\/?_ga=2.263757828.984683527.1566647360-228769553.1566647360\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Scott&#8217;s Cheap Flights<\/a> (email subscription\/notifications)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.secretflying.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Secret Flying<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/CheapFlightsHome\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">TripAdvisor<\/a> (meta-site &#8212; checks Priceline, Expedia, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Rail travel search\/booking\n<ul>\n<li>General info\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/money\/2018\/feb\/10\/where-to-move-for-best-rail-connections-property-tom-dyckhoff\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Where to move [in the UK] for rail connections<\/a> (Guardian)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Urban_rail_in_the_United_Kingdom#Largest_commuter_rail_networks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Largest commuter rail networks [in the UK]<\/a> outside London (Wikipedia)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitbritain.com\/us\/en\/plan-your-trip\/getting-around-britain\/travelling-around-britain-train\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Traveling Britain by Rail<\/a> (Visit Britain)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ricksteves.com\/travel-tips\/transportation\/trains\/online-schedules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Checking European Train Schedules Online<\/a> (Rick Steves)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"http:\/\/www.traveller.com.au\/top-8-cities-in-europe-to-see-by-rail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Top 8 Cities in Europe to See by Rail<\/a> (traveller.com.au)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/travel\/2019\/jun\/23\/five-great-interrail-rail-itineraries-across-europe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Five great Interrail itineraries across Europe<\/a> (Guardian)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tripsavvy.com\/europe-by-train-planning-1509102\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Planning Your Trip by Rail in Europe<\/a> (TripSavvy)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/ShowTopic-g1-i12483-k4086560-Traveling_by_Train_Europe-Train_Travel.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Traveling by Train Europe<\/a> (TripAdvisor discussion, including &#8220;avoid Rail Europe and Eurail and their ilk&#8221; comment)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Sites\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thalys.com\/be\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thalys<\/a> &#8211; general travel around western portion of continent (book no more than 4 months in advance)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eurostar.com\/us-en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">EuroStar<\/a> &#8211; London to Paris\/Brussels\/Amsterdam (book no more than 6 months in advance)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"http:\/\/www.railteam.eu\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Railteam<\/a> &#8211; specifically for high-speed rail travel<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thetrainline.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trainline<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.omio.com\/trains\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Omio<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bahn.com\/en\/view\/index.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DB<\/a> (to\/from\/within Germany)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.raileurope.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rail Europe<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.interrail.eu\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">InterRail<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/eurailplanner.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Eurail Planner<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Britain specifically:\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalrail.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">National Rail<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/tfwrail.wales\/homepage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Transport for Wales<\/a> (<em>Trafnidiaeth Cymru<\/em>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Car rental\n<ul>\n<li>General info<\/li>\n<li>Sites<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>River cruises\n<ul>\n<li>General info\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neverstoptraveling.com\/river-cruises-germany\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">River Cruises in Germany: the Best Towns to See<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.adventure-life.com\/romania\/bucharest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Best Danube River Cruises to Bucharest<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mundycruising.co.uk\/cruise-news\/cruise-advice\/best-european-luxury-river-cruise-lines\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">6 of the best <em>luxury<\/em> river cruise lines<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Travel + Leisure: <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelandleisure.com\/cruises\/river-cruises\/european-river-cruises\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Best River Cruises for Exploring Europe This Summer<\/a> (2018)<\/li>\n<li>Afar: <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.afar.com\/magazine\/best-european-river-cruises\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Best European River Cruises<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Conde Nast Traveler: <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cntraveler.com\/story\/guide-to-european-river-cruises\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">How to Choose the Right European River Cruise for You<\/a><\/li>\n<li>USA Today: <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/travel\/cruises\/2019\/09\/27\/european-river-cruises-your-guide-major-companies-and-routes\/3776501002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">European river cruises: Your guide to the major companies and routes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cruisecritic.com\/articles.cfm?ID=3158\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">8 Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing for a European River Cruise<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Sites\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tauck.com\/tours-and-cruises\/european-river-cruises\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tauck<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gate1travel.com\/river-cruises\/europe-river-cruises\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gate1<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.adventure-life.com\/europe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">AdventureLife<\/a> (tours)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cruisecompete.com\/specials\/deals\/river_barge_cruises\/1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CruiseCompete<\/a> (meta-site)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.avalonwaterways.com\/River-Cruises\/River-Cruises-Europe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Avalon<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vikingrivercruises.com\/cruise-destinations\/index-v2.html#noscroll\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Viking<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vantagetravel.com\/ourjourneys\/deluxe-river-cruises\/european-river-cruise\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vantage<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/f\/river-cruise\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">TourRadar<\/a> (meta-site)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"su-table su-table-responsive\">\n<table>\n<tbody style=\"font-size: 75%;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;width: 75% !important;font-family: Lato, san-serif !important\">\n<tr style=\"background-color: #ffffe7;border-top: 2px solid brown;border-bottom: 2px solid brown\">\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#general\"><em><strong>General References<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#transport\"><em><strong>Transportation<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#lodging\"><em><strong>Lodging<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#other\"><em><strong>Other Stuff<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><a name=\"lodging\"><\/a><em><strong>Lodging:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>General info\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"per 'The Portable Wife'\" href=\"https:\/\/theportablewife.com\/living-abroad\/moving-to-london\/find-flat-in-london\/?fbclid=IwAR1NP3oN4VzNUeLVKYUJup-fdNQxs-5XpqNWbCO61vK4T7ukZ70XhjTbYvM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ultimate Guide to Find a Flat in London<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Per 'Country Life' magazine\" href=\"https:\/\/www.countrylife.co.uk\/property\/the-50-best-places-to-live-near-london-2296\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">50 best places to live near London<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Filters we&#8217;re using (not all available at every site):\n<ul>\n<li>Square footage (if size in meters, multiply by a little over 10 to get approximate sq ft)<\/li>\n<li>Furnished only<\/li>\n<li>Neighborhoods\/Proximity to transit<\/li>\n<li>Rentals\n<ul>\n<li>Short-term only<\/li>\n<li>Many sites: &#8220;shared accommodations&#8221; seems to be default; maybe select separate\/entire unit instead?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Amenities on our all-but-must list (at least for more than overnight stays):\n<ul>\n<li>Private bath<\/li>\n<li>WiFi<\/li>\n<li>Stove<\/li>\n<li>Microwave<\/li>\n<li>A\/C may be optional depending on locale\/date, ditto heat<\/li>\n<li>Washing machine if staying a week or longer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Sites\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.airbnb.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Airbnb<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vrbo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">VRBO<\/a> (affiliated with HomeAway, below)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"subsidiary of 'Country Life'?\" href=\"https:\/\/countrylife.onthemarket.com\/to-rent\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">OnTheMarket<\/a> (properties to rent)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rightmove.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rightmove<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plumguide.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Plum Guide<\/a> (high-end)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehomelike.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Homelike<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nestpick.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nestpick<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.onefinestay.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">One Fine Stay<\/a> (high-end)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spotahome.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spotahome<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zoopla.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zoopla<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.primelocation.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PrimeLocation<\/a> (JES likes)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.homeaway.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">HomeAway<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"su-table su-table-responsive\">\n<table>\n<tbody style=\"font-size: 75%;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;width: 75% !important;font-family: Lato, san-serif !important\">\n<tr style=\"background-color: #ffffe7;border-top: 2px solid brown;border-bottom: 2px solid brown\">\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#general\"><em><strong>General References<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#transport\"><em><strong>Transportation<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#lodging\"><em><strong>Lodging<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#other\"><em><strong>Other Stuff<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><a name=\"other\"><\/a><em><strong>Other Stuff:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tour guide resources:\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.toursbylocals.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ToursByLocals<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GetYourGuide<\/a> (including iOS\/Android apps)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.withlocals.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">WithLocals<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/globalgreeternetwork.info\/home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Global Greeters<\/a>: network of volunteers &#8212;\u00a0<em>free<\/em>, but slightly limited (around 200 cities worldwide, e.g. Iasi but not Bucharest in Romania)<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.viator.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Viator<\/a> (TripAdvisor subsidiary)<\/li>\n<li>TripAdvisor lists many, but organized geographically (pick a city first): start with <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/Attractions-g4-Activities-Europe.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Things to Do<\/a> and drill down from there<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.airbnb.com\/s\/experiences\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Airbnb Experiences<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Rick Steves guides mention specific recommended guides &#8212; crosscheck vs. ratings on TripAdvisor to confirm<\/li>\n<li>Specialties:\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/cooknwithclass.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cook&#8217;n with Class<\/a>: cooking classes &#8211; tour markets and restaurants before actual course begins (just Paris and Provence)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Note:<\/em><\/strong> if a preferred guide is unavailable, they&#8217;ll often be happy to suggest another.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Exchange rates (as of <strong>2019-09-21<\/strong>):\n<ul>\n<li>1 GBP = 1.25 USD \/ 1 USD = .8 GBP<\/li>\n<li>1 EU = 1.10 USD \/ 1 USD = .91 EU<\/li>\n<li>Other?<\/li>\n<li><div  class=\"cbcurrencyconverter_list_wrapper cbcurrencyconverter_list_wrapper_shortcode\"><h3 class = \"cbcurrencyconverter_heading\">List of Currency<\/h3><ul class=\"cbcurrencyconverter_list_to cbcurrencyconverter_list_to_shortcode\"><li class=\"cbcurrencyconverter_list_to_from\"><span class=\"cbcur_list_to_country\"><i class=\"currency-flag currency-flag-usd\"><\/i>USD<\/span><span class=\"cbcur_list_to_cur\">1.00 $<\/span><\/li><li class=\"cbcurrencyconverter_list_to_to cbcurrencyconverter_list_to_to_gbp\"><span class=\"cbcur_list_to_country\"><i class=\"currency-flag currency-flag-gbp\"><\/i>GBP<\/span><span class=\"cbcur_list_to_cur\">0.00 \u00a3<\/span><\/li><li class=\"cbcurrencyconverter_list_to_to cbcurrencyconverter_list_to_to_cad\"><span class=\"cbcur_list_to_country\"><i class=\"currency-flag currency-flag-cad\"><\/i>CAD<\/span><span class=\"cbcur_list_to_cur\">0.00 $<\/span><\/li><li class=\"cbcurrencyconverter_list_to_to cbcurrencyconverter_list_to_to_aud\"><span class=\"cbcur_list_to_country\"><i class=\"currency-flag currency-flag-aud\"><\/i>AUD<\/span><span class=\"cbcur_list_to_cur\">0.00 $<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>ATM usage\n<ul>\n<li>Video: <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/v1Hh8kY_hOY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Avoid these machines<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Consulate\/Embassy info (most will be specific to country or even city in which we&#8217;re located at the moment)\n<ul>\n<li>State Dept\/Bureau of Consular Affairs\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/international-travel\/before-you-go\/travelers-with-special-considerations\/schengen.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Traveling in Europe<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/international-travel.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">International travel generally<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/traveladvisories\/traveladvisories.html\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Europe Travel Advisories<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"su-table su-table-responsive\">\n<table>\n<tbody style=\"font-size: 75%;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;width: 75% !important;font-family: Lato, san-serif !important\">\n<tr style=\"background-color: #ffffe7;border-top: 2px solid brown;border-bottom: 2px solid brown\">\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#general\"><em><strong>General References<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#transport\"><em><strong>Transportation<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#lodging\"><em><strong>Lodging<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;background-color: #dfdfdf !important\" width=\"25%\"><a href=\"#other\"><em><strong>Other Stuff<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This will be just a page of links, more or less (maybe with minimal commentary)&#8230; Some of these we&#8217;ve turned up on our own, others have come courtesy of various online fora (e.g., the Rick Steves Europe Facebook group, the uktravel subreddit, etc.). [Note: the silver bar of links is repeated above\/below each main section [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","h5ap_radio_sources":[],"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"activitypub_content_warning":"","activitypub_content_visibility":"","activitypub_max_image_attachments":3,"activitypub_interaction_policy_quote":"anyone","activitypub_status":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-21497","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"entry"},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P6kZSG-5AJ","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/johnesimpson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21497","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/johnesimpson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/johnesimpson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johnesimpson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johnesimpson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21497"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/johnesimpson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21497\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21649,"href":"https:\/\/johnesimpson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21497\/revisions\/21649"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/johnesimpson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21497"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}