Do you have a wifi phone that you could unlock? If so, then that could simplify your netbook/ipod/phone calls (and maybe pics and video clips) solution. You will need a plug adaptor for it. If that’s more than you want to sort out, then just get a plug adaptor, a good padlock, and enjoy your travels.

Yea I do plan to buy a device that has a good camera, MP3, wifi and has enough memory to hold some music as well. I guess that would solve the problem. Definitely would solve the problem just would be as easy to write about the places I go. Thanks

I almost never travel without my netbook (these days anyway, I used to always travel with my laptop ). That said, Don’s question is spot on. If you have an unlocked phone with wifi you really don’t need a netbook. It’s just one more thing that can break/get stolen/to lose and in my opinion you want to minimize those risks as much as possible.

As for the help you requested, in Luxembourg just stay at the youth hostel. It’s one of the best I’ve ever seen. Hell, I even stayed there when I lived in Luxembourg (driving was often not an option anymore after a night on the town ). Paris, look at the districts that are a bit further out. I have stayed a couple of times in a lovely little hotel in the 11th that was very affordable but not used by tourists a lot as it was a) in the wrong neighbourhood (lots of immigrants) and b) too far out. In my experience though the ‘immigrants’ helped me have an amazing time and the metro took care of problem b. That said, rudimentary knowledge of French is a requirement as few people speak English there.

Amsterdam, get stoned and go to the red light district. Once you’ve crossed that of your to do list go to a bar on Rembrandtplein or Leidseplein and talk to the locals. They’ll be more than happy to recommend places for you to go. Don’t stay in any of the hotels in the center as they are ridiculously overpriced. For what you pay and what you get you’re better of staying in a hostel. Milan… Skip it altogether unless you’re into fashion. Italy has so much more to offer but then, you already have a lot of places in Italy on your list
Venice… keep in mind that in summer the stench can be horrific. That said, I’ve only been to Venice once but the one thing that stands out is the sunrise when I was driving into town.
Prague, just wonder around. Prague is gorgeous. Prague is amazing. Prague is where all of us deserve to be. Now forget everything I said as you’ll be disappointed if you go in with expectations that are too high

Berlin.. again, just wonder around. Ride the S-Bahn, walk along the river. Go to the beach. Like Amsterdam, the locals will be more than happy to tell you where to go if you spend some time chattting to them in a bar.

I took mine on my last trip and it was totally worth it. I stayed in hostels everywhere I went, and they all had free Wi-Fi. Like you said it’s not that big, and it doesn’t weigh that much. I didn’t have to wait in line to use the “free” computers that everyone else were sharing is a big benefit too. I could use the usb, and charge my iPod too.

Yes if you have a laptop from the US you will need to get adapters for the different regions that you will be traveling too.

Your netbook will accept 220 volt input, so you don’t need a converter. You do need adapter plugs (one for Europe and a different one for UK/Ireland) to fit the wall outlets. My netbook has a grounded, 3 prong plug, so doesn’t work that well with the standard adapter plugs.

I really wish I’d had one during my trip earlier this month. Relying on hostel internet that is decent at best sucks. Also, you almost always have to pay to use a computer terminal, and often wait for other people, whereas with your own netbook, most of the time it was free wifi provided.

have to agree with oldlady

I don’t have a netbook now, but plan to get one soon. I know I’ll need adapters for the wall outlets. I’m just curious about WIFI in Europe. I plan to take advantage of free hot spots. Is there anything I should be sure my netbook has before I buy it? Do I need to worry about it being ‘Global Ready’ or does this only apply to our service providers? This will probably be my only connection home so I don’t want any surprises.

If you want to use free wifi, then it just needs to be wifi capable. “Global ready” or whatever doesn’t matter for that — only for calls or internet over wireless providers (very expensive when roaming out of country!).

Consider buying a month of Boingo to extend your likelihood of finding hotspots. It’s $10 a month for laptops if I recall, and you can cancel after 1 month (IIRC). They have maps of where their hotspots are located—there are thousands.

Boingo for a month is probably a good idea. Many airports have boingo hotspots which can be really handy if there’s a glitch in flight plans. I found boingo available at more places than were listed on its website.

I’d suggest buying your netbook from some place that at least has enough on-site service/help to help you power it up the first time. Mine came with absolutely no instructions except the manual which was on a CD — the netbook doesn’t have a CD drive. Take some time to learn it’s oddities (like how to turn on/off the net card and the situations when it turns off it’s net card) before you leave home.

you take Don’s advise. I’ll suggest the same thing

Thanks Guys!

Just a little tip about this sort of thing….

I was just back in Rotterdam and my laptop would not connect to the free hotel wifi, but my wifi-enabled phone would connect with no problems. After searching and searching a solution, finally found out that TCP/IP settings had to be adjusted to automatically assign address. I hadn’t bothered the settings previously, and never had a problem like this before in any country. So… if your laptop or netbook has been connecting to other hotspots and suddenly decides it just won’t do it, try fiddling with TCP/IP settings. It worked for me.