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    <location name="Europe" avg_rating="5" content_source="2" created="2007-07-11 21:41:08" creator="154" hidden="0" id="150" inherited="0" latitude="52.4827802220782" longitude="6.6796875" ltp_level="0" merged_to="" modified="2007-07-11 21:41:08" modifier="178" style="1" type="2" votes="24" zoom="3" />
    <trips id="64" created="2009-09-08 09:21:15" creator_id="614240" creator_name="forgetmenot" creator_status="1" default_for_user_id="" description="Touring through Europe usually means you'll visit Rome, Paris, London and maybe Barcelona, Berlin &amp; Vienna. Why not leapfrog these famous but crowded places and enjoy smaller cities, towns &amp; villages where famous food originates from. There you can experience how your favourite dish/ingredient is made and try them on the spot -there is nothing fresher than that! Food samples also make a good souvenir, just buy enough so there is still something left over when you arrive back home." marked_deleted="0" modified="2009-09-14 10:46:54.456689" modifier_id="614240" privacy="1" static_map_url="http://maps.google.com/staticmap?hl=en&amp;maptype=roadmap&amp;format=png&amp;markers=51.275371,1.338550,reda%7C51.276300,-2.775069,redb%7C45.737423,0.240090,redc%7C47.327213,5.043988,redd%7C46.940703,7.783291,rede%7C44.804446,10.332515,redf%7C44.647080,10.925220,redg%7C46.161278,13.011111,redh%7C52.010271,4.709833,redi&amp;key=ABCDABCD&amp;size=123123123x123123123&amp;path=rgb:0x0000ff,weight:5|51.275371,1.338550|51.276300,-2.775069|45.737423,0.240090|47.327213,5.043988|46.940703,7.783291|44.804446,10.332515|44.647080,10.925220|46.161278,13.011111|52.010271,4.709833" status="0" sum_locations="9" sum_votes="6" title="Trace down famous food " triplocation_id="150" />
    <trips id="67" created="2009-09-08 09:21:16" creator_id="614240" creator_name="forgetmenot" creator_status="1" default_for_user_id="" description="There's more than McDonalds, Burger King &amp; KFC. While on the road in Europe why don't you  try new chain restaurant concepts? Fresh, fast and with a european touch they offer an alternative to the ubiquitous U.S. chains and cater to the local taste of the young and urban. Check the websites for other locations!" marked_deleted="0" modified="2009-09-08 16:45:48.811129" modifier_id="614240" privacy="1" static_map_url="http://maps.google.com/staticmap?hl=en&amp;maptype=roadmap&amp;format=png&amp;markers=51.514248,-0.139374,reda%7C48.872643,2.335022,redb%7C48.866696,2.344479,redc%7C40.458240,-3.685570,redd%7C45.430586,12.322444,rede%7C47.375723,8.537013,redf%7C50.837786,4.362084,redg%7C53.553116,9.987214,redh%7C53.549781,9.992784,redi%7C55.684360,12.565980,redj%7C55.675430,12.545620,redk&amp;key=ABCDABCD&amp;size=123123123x123123123&amp;path=rgb:0x0000ff,weight:5|51.514248,-0.139374|48.872643,2.335022|48.866696,2.344479|40.458240,-3.685570|45.430586,12.322444|47.375723,8.537013|50.837786,4.362084|53.553116,9.987214|53.549781,9.992784|55.684360,12.565980|55.675430,12.545620" status="0" sum_locations="11" sum_votes="5" title="Better Fast Food" triplocation_id="150" />
    <trips id="145" created="2009-09-08 09:21:40" creator_id="614240" creator_name="forgetmenot" creator_status="1" default_for_user_id="" description="WANTED: sweet tooth, chocoholics and foodies! For this culinary tour we are looking for everyone who is of the opinion that the four basic food groups are milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and chocolate truffles. Every person who is addicted to chocolate and who always wanted to know how a cocoa bean turns into a delicious piece of chocolate should join this tasting. For many years there has been the discussion which country produces the best chocolate ever, but actually “taste is in the mouth of the beholder”, so just go and visit a range of chocolate factories and museums in Austria, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland (four countries with exquisite chocolate). You will feel like one of the children from the movie “Charlie and the Chocolate factory”, winning a Golden Ticket for tasting new flavors and getting a sugar rush. Unfortunately you are not going to win a chocolate factory like Charlie Bucket in the end of the movie, but after a day full of chocolate you can still fulfill your dream of having your own little chocolate factory, by buying a chocolate fountain and then just enjoying your personal chocolate waterfall at home. But don’t forget to brush your teeth afterwards!" marked_deleted="0" modified="2009-09-08 09:21:40.918431" modifier_id="614240" privacy="1" static_map_url="http://maps.google.com/staticmap?hl=en&amp;maptype=roadmap&amp;format=png&amp;markers=46.972995,15.929706,reda%7C48.151482,16.333007,redb%7C45.973911,8.873324,redc%7C47.413312,9.165145,redd%7C50.932350,6.964060,rede%7C50.846250,4.352790,redf%7C46.430284,6.926649,redg%7C46.221213,6.147790,redh%7C47.316667,8.550000,redi%7C50.845810,4.350200,redj%7C50.832675,4.411388,redk%7C51.210779,3.226147,redl%7C48.189640,16.343300,redm%7C48.134994,11.577669,redn&amp;key=ABCDABCD&amp;size=123123123x123123123&amp;path=rgb:0x0000ff,weight:5|46.972995,15.929706|48.151482,16.333007|45.973911,8.873324|47.413312,9.165145|50.932350,6.964060|50.846250,4.352790|46.430284,6.926649|46.221213,6.147790|47.316667,8.550000|50.845810,4.350200|50.832675,4.411388|51.210779,3.226147|48.189640,16.343300|48.134994,11.577669" status="0" sum_locations="14" sum_votes="4" title="Charlie and the chocolate factory" triplocation_id="150" />
    <trips id="5636" created="2009-09-24 14:14:07" creator_id="614240" creator_name="forgetmenot" creator_status="1" default_for_user_id="" description="I dedicate this trip description to my Australian friend who told me couple of months ago that he will come to Europe next year. The big question now is which cities should he visit during his 10 weeks of holiday? Is there a TOP10 of the most beautiful cities in Europe or does the saying &quot;everyone to his taste&quot; hits the bull's eye in this case? The first cities that pop up in my mind are London, Paris and Vienna. Why? LONDON: the Queen, the British accent &amp; the red telephone boxes. PARIS: the Eiffel tower, delicious crêpes &amp; the Louvre. VIENNA: the architecture, the Wiener Schitzel &amp; the Schönbrunn palace. Then I would also recommend at least a weekend in Barcelona, Copenhagen and Berlin. BARCELONA: la Rambla, the works by Antoni Gaudí &amp; the beaches. COPENHAGEN: the little Mermaid, the Tivoli Gardens &amp; the bicycles. BERLIN: the East Side Gallery, the tv tower &amp; the Reichstag building. And let's not forget Amsterdam, Florence and Stockholm. AMSTERDAM: the canals, Rembrandt &amp; the cannabis coffee shops. FLORENCE: Michelangelo's David, the Ponte Vecchio &amp; ice cream. STOCKHOLM: the Old Town, Skansen &amp; the boat tours. Last but not least I would add PRAGUE as the 10th city to MY TOP10 because of the castle at night, the brigdes &amp; Milunić and Gehry's Dancing House.Of course this is just a personal selection and if I keep on thinking I'd probably also add other cities like Rome, Munich, Venice, Lisboa, Genève, Bordeaux to this list, but unfortunately my Australian friend will only stay 10 weeks here, and even in the case he stays here for the rest of his life, he would not be able to visit all European cities because of time and not to forget money matters. 


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    <trips id="130" created="2009-09-08 09:21:37" creator_id="614240" creator_name="forgetmenot" creator_status="1" default_for_user_id="" description="                                                                                                                                                                                                                         " marked_deleted="0" modified="2009-09-08 16:36:00.785231" modifier_id="614240" privacy="1" static_map_url="http://maps.google.com/staticmap?hl=en&amp;maptype=roadmap&amp;format=png&amp;markers=50.835787,4.375029,reda%7C50.907569,2.727238,redb%7C50.895942,2.721262,redc%7C51.301152,4.690859,redd%7C51.284722,4.656667,rede%7C51.549012,5.112679,redf%7C51.254535,5.478593,redg%7C51.298642,5.489586,redh%7C50.161579,5.222234,redi%7C50.161579,5.222234,redj%7C49.648576,5.339086,redk%7C49.618900,5.331362,redl%7C49.983437,4.340764,redm%7C50.048327,4.311828,redn&amp;key=ABCDABCD&amp;size=123123123x123123123&amp;path=rgb:0x0000ff,weight:5|50.835787,4.375029|50.907569,2.727238|50.895942,2.721262|51.301152,4.690859|51.284722,4.656667|51.549012,5.112679|51.254535,5.478593|51.298642,5.489586|50.161579,5.222234|50.161579,5.222234|49.648576,5.339086|49.618900,5.331362|49.983437,4.340764|50.048327,4.311828" status="0" sum_locations="14" sum_votes="3" title="Seven deadly sins from Belgium" triplocation_id="150" />
    <trips id="250" created="2009-09-08 11:39:13" creator_id="919056" creator_name="becki09" creator_status="1" default_for_user_id="" description="" marked_deleted="0" modified="2009-09-08 11:44:32.586913" modifier_id="919056" privacy="1" static_map_url="http://maps.google.com/staticmap?hl=en&amp;maptype=roadmap&amp;format=png&amp;markers=50.940664,6.959912,reda%7C49.753735,6.646247,redb%7C48.690789,6.182504,redc%7C47.327213,5.043988,redd%7C45.767299,4.834329,rede%7C43.604363,1.442951,redf%7C41.390976,2.170143,redg%7C39.470239,-0.376805,redh&amp;key=ABCDABCD&amp;size=123123123x123123123&amp;path=rgb:0x0000ff,weight:5|50.940664,6.959912|49.753735,6.646247|48.690789,6.182504|47.327213,5.043988|45.767299,4.834329|43.604363,1.442951|41.390976,2.170143|39.470239,-0.376805" status="0" sum_locations="8" sum_votes="3" title="Fahrrad" triplocation_id="150" />
    <trips id="20794" created="2009-11-13 20:35:57" creator_id="72" creator_name="cristina" creator_status="100" default_for_user_id="" description="Doing the Trans-Siberian is a big trip in itself, but if you have the time, why not just keep going?  Then you can brag to your friends that you went overland all the way from Beijing to London, and elicit all sorts of 'oohs' and 'ahhs' from the room.  Theoretically, you could go all the way from Vietnam to Spain, but if you want to keep it simple, this itinerary is for you.  I chose this route because I had to end my trip in London and also because it's a pain in the ass to go through Belarus, but it did stop in some pretty incredible places along the way.  If I had to do it over again, I would do the exact same thing.

Of course you have to see Moscow and St. Petersburg.  Many travelers on the Trans-Siberian will stop at Moscow then fly home, but you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't spend a few days in 'the Venice of the North.'  From St. Petersburg, you might be tempted to go straight to Riga since Tallinn looks a bit out of the way, but go to Tallinn.  It's easily the best of the Baltic capitals.  Skip Riga (unless you want to party with British stag do's) and if you're craving more charming Baltic cities, head to Vilnius.  Low-key, lived-in but still alluring, more than one traveler has stayed awhile here.

From Vilnius, head to Krakow (via Warsaw).  I like to think of it as the more charming alternative to tourist-infested Prague, but if you must go to Prague, go there between Krakow and Berlin.  I skipped it; I had met hordes of backpackers who said they hated Prague because of how crowded it was with tourists, and they all preferred Krakow.  In any case, Berlin is an absolute must.  You'll get a break from the charming cobblestones of Eastern Europe - Berlin does its own thing, and it's awesome.  

From Berlin, you might be tempted to skip Brussels, but if you're a chocolate fan, this is a great place for you.  And you'd probably kick yourself for missing the Grand Place.  Brussels to Paris is a short journey, and Paris to London is a wisp in time compared to what you've done on the Trans-Siberian.

Trains are more expensive in Europe, particularly if you're not planning ahead.  Warsaw-Berlin is a decent price if you book a few months ahead, as is Brussels-Paris and Paris-London.  But if you're rolling up to the ticket counter like on the Trans-Siberian, forget about it - you're looking at 100 euro fares for a 2 hour ride.  A cheap alternative is the bus - eurolines.com is the main company, but usually there are a couple other companies with ticket sales at the main bus depot.  " marked_deleted="0" modified="2009-11-13 21:08:08.855036" modifier_id="72" privacy="1" static_map_url="http://maps.google.com/staticmap?hl=en&amp;maptype=roadmap&amp;format=png&amp;markers=55.759577,37.619247,reda%7C59.939039,30.315785,redb%7C59.432943,24.745674,redc%7C54.684022,25.290685,redd%7C50.064650,19.944980,rede%7C52.523742,13.409500,redf%7C50.846694,4.352417,redg%7C48.861553,2.349701,redh%7C51.500152,-0.126236,redi&amp;key=ABCDABCD&amp;size=123123123x123123123&amp;path=rgb:0x0000ff,weight:5|55.759577,37.619247|59.939039,30.315785|59.432943,24.745674|54.684022,25.290685|50.064650,19.944980|52.523742,13.409500|50.846694,4.352417|48.861553,2.349701|51.500152,-0.126236" status="0" sum_locations="9" sum_votes="2" title="After the Trans-Siberian: Going Overland From St. Petersburg to London" triplocation_id="150" />
    <trips id="13719" created="2009-10-18 20:35:31" creator_id="840420" creator_name="Koruko" creator_status="1" default_for_user_id="840420" description="" marked_deleted="0" modified="2009-10-30 18:50:36.831473" modifier_id="840420" privacy="1" static_map_url="http://maps.google.com/staticmap?hl=en&amp;maptype=roadmap&amp;format=png&amp;markers=36.719674,-4.420036,reda%7C51.495890,-0.144010,redb%7C51.499380,-0.128231,redc%7C51.500595,-0.124562,redd%7C51.504920,-0.075860,rede%7C51.507948,-0.127984,redf%7C51.500244,-0.141131,redg%7C51.509900,-0.134760,redh%7C51.507300,-0.169773,redi%7C51.515714,-0.138023,redj%7C51.513867,-0.132186,redk%7C51.114414,-0.184330,redl%7C60.315564,24.965928,redm%7C60.170754,24.939353,redn%7C62.599938,29.774129,redo%7C62.600989,29.763534,redp%7C66.498560,25.708190,redq%7C66.497870,25.719936,redr%7C66.503300,25.738400,reds%7C66.509280,25.722740,redt%7C66.477570,25.757240,redu%7C60.169879,24.938408,redv%7C60.166812,24.962380,redw%7C60.168700,24.941794,redx%7C60.165770,24.969280,redy&amp;key=ABCDABCD&amp;size=123123123x123123123&amp;path=rgb:0x0000ff,weight:5|36.719674,-4.420036|51.495890,-0.144010|51.499380,-0.128231|51.500595,-0.124562|51.504920,-0.075860|51.507948,-0.127984|51.500244,-0.141131|51.509900,-0.134760|51.507300,-0.169773|51.515714,-0.138023|51.513867,-0.132186|51.114414,-0.184330|60.315564,24.965928|60.170754,24.939353|62.599938,29.774129|62.600989,29.763534|66.498560,25.708190|66.497870,25.719936|66.503300,25.738400|66.509280,25.722740|66.477570,25.757240|60.169879,24.938408|60.166812,24.962380|60.168700,24.941794|60.165770,24.969280" status="0" sum_locations="30" sum_votes="2" title="mi viaje" triplocation_id="150" />
    <trips id="15609" created="2009-10-24 21:44:08" creator_id="384036" creator_name="gymjock" creator_status="1" default_for_user_id="" description="Get away with a twist. Visiting family and hiking he alps. Then off to Paris for Bastil day and the off to London via EuroStar." marked_deleted="0" modified="2009-10-24 23:20:59.831373" modifier_id="384036" privacy="1" static_map_url="http://maps.google.com/staticmap?hl=en&amp;maptype=roadmap&amp;format=png&amp;markers=49.004600,2.530010,reda%7C49.003760,2.571200,redb%7C47.559614,7.580611,redc%7C46.594948,7.907490,redd%7C46.559748,7.893782,rede%7C46.546952,7.892669,redf%7C48.876040,2.358860,redg%7C48.861553,2.349701,redh%7C48.864208,2.361025,redi%7C48.849490,2.368290,redj%7C48.803440,2.125460,redk%7C48.859240,2.337970,redl%7C48.854720,2.348757,redm%7C48.860610,2.352050,redn%7C48.853540,2.348440,redo%7C48.873660,2.295830,redp%7C48.858333,2.294167,redq%7C48.871750,2.341850,redr%7C48.853540,2.348440,reds%7C48.880260,2.353720,redt%7C51.503502,-0.114069,redu%7C51.500152,-0.126236,redv%7C51.511645,-0.132762,redw%7C51.495890,-0.144010,redx%7C51.156760,-0.159760,redy&amp;key=ABCDABCD&amp;size=123123123x123123123&amp;path=rgb:0x0000ff,weight:5|49.004600,2.530010|49.003760,2.571200|47.559614,7.580611|46.594948,7.907490|46.559748,7.893782|46.546952,7.892669|48.876040,2.358860|48.861553,2.349701|48.864208,2.361025|48.849490,2.368290|48.803440,2.125460|48.859240,2.337970|48.854720,2.348757|48.860610,2.352050|48.853540,2.348440|48.873660,2.295830|48.858333,2.294167|48.871750,2.341850|48.853540,2.348440|48.880260,2.353720|51.503502,-0.114069|51.500152,-0.126236|51.511645,-0.132762|51.495890,-0.144010|51.156760,-0.159760" status="0" sum_locations="26" sum_votes="2" title="Europe 2010" triplocation_id="150" />
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