That’s why they’re the world’s biggest exporters. I live in Portugal and this isn’t the best example of a European country but at least Healthcare is totally free. An few days ago I saw on 60 Minutes Americans complaining that because they didn’t have insurance they had to pay more than if they did have. Basically with insurance the bill would have been around $19.000 but because they didn’t have it was around $50.000. They explained that they give Insurance companies a discount. I pay an extra €16 per month for private Healthcare but that’s because I want to. One thing that I also like about Portugal is that education is totally free even University (€ 800 per year, If you poor they give you subsidies)
I have been to Europe a few times and everytime I return, can't wait to go back. I personally enjoy visiting Germany, Switzerland, Italy... I can go on and on. For those that think that you need lots of money..not true. You can rent an apt. for 15 days at 450 euros, transportation can be arranged for another 350euros for 15 days. All you need is your passport and set up a travel day, period.
When I cycled round the only time we didn't tent was in Pampalona (off season) and in Houten with friends. Inflation would have changed the figures but it was very cheap and a very special experience. I did other trips including drunked skiing in Austria (is there any other kind) and a couple of weeks driving round. All fantastic and I'm green every time my London based sister announces she's popping over.
I don't like being part of the EU. I don't like the way some of our laws and regulations are governed by some random country which 95% of our country doesn't even know the location of. I don't like the way our taxes goes towards Eastern European to pay for their roads and stuff, in countries that noone in the UK cares exists and does nothing for us. I don't like the way they try and make Europe a superstate to rival the US. I think Europe is great as a continent and we're lucky to have such great holiday places to visit on our doorstep, but I don't agree with spending money on countries I don't care about and giving it controls over our country.
I have worked and travelled extensively across Europe. Western Europe seems to have lost a certain spirit of vitality. Its people appear to be corrupted by bad thinking. They seem to have given up hope for a positive future and they instead long for the comfort and safety of the past. Eastern Europe has a different flavor. The feeling there is of an enormous group of people who have woken up after a bad dream. The majority of Eastern Europeans are also subjugated by the bad ideas stored in their own minds, but the trend line does seem to be in a positive direction. The only Northern European country I have spent significant time in is Norway. Norwegian culture is dominated by oil revenue. As such, they are in an odd sort of time bubble where growth and change are not necessary or desired -- until the oil money runs out. Of Southern Europe, I have not seen much. I hope to explore more in the next few years. I cannot make myself think of the U.K. as being part of Europe.
I did not say that you can stay for under 1,000 Euros. I said it would cost to rent an apartment and a car rental for under 1,000. Your expenses are extra. Still people think that it is a dream or very expensive to travel to Europe.
If we sat down to analize every country in the world, how many bad things could we find to say it is not a perfect world.
Europe is cool. Besides my country (Romania) I've also spent some time (18 months) in London, UK and - as a tourist - I loved it. As a resident I preferred to stay in my country. But I plan to visit more of Europe as soon as possible. Romania should be joining the European Union on Jan 1st, 2007 and that should make plane tickets much cheaper. Yay!.. Once again, I think Europe rocks your socks!
It also depends in which country and what area in that country you visit. If you come to Portugal and got to the Algarve (Faro) in August to play golf you can expect to pay around that per day. If you choose a more quiet area you will spend about a week with the same money. It all depends on what you want to do.
I've been there a several times too. Growth isn't on their agenda, they rather drink beer, party and enjoy their nature. It's not much important things that happens there. Their government has decided to spare most of the oil money for the future to avoid further inflation. Prices are very high there and you are lucky if you can get a beer for 10$. Many norwegians travels to shopping centers along the Swedish border and many Swedes go to norway and work, since they can get much more money over there.
I've been there too, one of the few countrys I've ever visit and I have to say that it was fun but it gave me a travel-back-in-time feeling. Most people looked very poor, the number of hot blonde girls was fewer than at home and the buildings was in a trash-like shape(especially in the suburbs). Actually, I can't imagine any worser ghetto on this planet.
The rich people live in the South (Kingston, Richmond). In London, areas like Kensington the only cars they drive are Porches, Ferrari, Lamborghinis, Bentleys and obviously Jaguar. The funny thing about this is that they park the cars outside next to the sidewalk, to go to work they use the underground.
Yeah I've seen such cars there but I see them at home too. Nothing special. The only special is all poor crackheads surrounding you, wherever you go.