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If he's traveling around Europe and visiting Italy as part of this then I could probably offer some better advice regarding food.... LOL
There is something in financial circles called the Big Mac Index. This gives people a frame of reference as to how much buying power their currency has relative to other countries.
the key to financial survival in eating here is to try to eat what the real locals eat. In Umbria where I live, you can get a porchetta sandwich for 2€- That same 2€ buys you a can of Coke.
There is something in financial circles called the Big Mac Index. This gives people a frame of reference as to how much buying power their currency has relative to other countries.
the key to financial survival in eating here is to try to eat what the real locals eat. In Umbria where I live, you can get a porchetta sandwich for 2€- That same 2€ buys you a can of Coke.
Thank god for that! I thought you were recommending McDonalds and chinese food as good eating choices in Italy!
I find the concept of this index intriguing though, as in my travels the pricing of chain food bears little resemblance to the costs of "local" food. E.g. in some Asian towns and cities I noticed that a burger at McDonalds cost more than an exceptionally good sit-down meal in what would have been considered to be a fairly good local restaurant.
I think Bob the Builder *lives* in Italy and is well acquainted with its cuisine.
We eschew MickeyD's as a general rule, especially after reading Fast Food Nation. But in Europe those golden arches can sometimes come in handy, if only for the bathroom. Also, when we, absolutely ravenous, made a brunch stop on a Sunday in Montpelier, France, the only open restaurant in town that we could find was McDonald's.
And be aware that there is a nasty practice in some McDonalds "restauarants" in mainland Europe to have an attendant who expects you to pay to use the bathroom. I'm sorry - I know they are trying to make a living, but this is McDonalds FFS. I expect the company to pay for their own bathrooms to be cleaned.
Edit: This also happens in bathrooms in other restaurants, bars and even department stores across Europe. Drives me mad.
210 Euros worth of toilletries for 3 weeks? And you have 1260 Euros for "other". I don't know what "other" means but assuming it is incidentals that is way too high of an amount, figure 100-200 euros total for incidentals.
I'm not going on this trip to try the McDonalds chains there. When in Europe, eat what they eat, right? Its always good to try some other's traditional food, even here in Alaska. Never put offered food down, not very polite. I'm up for trying anything once, well, almost anything.
Total Per Day: 200 Euros Total For 2 Weeks: 2800 Euros Total For 3 Weeks: 4200 Euros
Hi Danny,
I'm in the UK and can recommend travel lodges - they're like top quality motel for little money if you book in advance (like 32 euro's a night). I used to stay in them a lot up and down the UK when I worked for a company I worked all over the country. Only problem is they don't have them in all major cities or they might be 10-15 miles outside on a major route.
Trains in the UK are pretty cheap if you book well in advance and avoid peak times - I can travel 400 miles between my home town York and London for like 28 euro's return.
Hi Danny,
I'm in the UK and can recommend travel lodges - they're like top quality motel for little money if you book in advance (like 32 euro's a night). I used to stay in them a lot up and down the UK when I worked for a company I worked all over the country. Only problem is they don't have them in all major cities or they might be 10-15 miles outside on a major route.
Trains in the UK are pretty cheap if you book well in advance and avoid peak times - I can travel 400 miles between my home town York and London for like 28 euro's return.
There is something in financial circles called the Big Mac Index. This gives people a frame of reference as to how much buying power their currency has relative to other countries.
The only time I went in a McDonald's in Europe was to use the bathroom.
It was the one on the Champs Elysees in Paris and I peed on a marble wall. There was also a man holding a towel and cologne...
A little bit nicer than my local STD-infiltrated McDonald's/ The only similarity is that no one speaks English at either!
I've traveled on overnight sleeper trains in Russia. It's really fascinating. Somewhat dangerous too, but that adds to the allure. A MUST is a reservation for a private cabin for your party. You don't know what (or whom) you'd end up with otherwise. I think the fare is around $100 round trip to Moscow from the Baltics, not sure though. I had the good fortune to travel with a native who not only spoke the language, but rigged up a locking mechanism on the door to prevent someone from breaking into our cabin. You do need to leave, though, to go to the bathroom, and it's a little scary, but also exciting, like I said. Late at night, you get the feeling you are somewhere deep in Russia. Mysterious.
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