Laverne Ferguson-Kosinski - Europe by Eurail 2021

LaVerne Ferguson-Kosinskiand her late husband, Lt. Col. George Ferguson, first coauthored this unique and comprehensive how-to guide in 1980.

After battling a long illness, George, who was globally and affectionately known as Mr. Eurail, passed away in 1997 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

LaVerne wanted to ensure that accurate British and European rail travel information would continue to be available. She is devoted to producing comprehensive, practical, yet friendly guidebooks for the independent rail traveler or armchair dreamer. Her technical writing and editorial background; academic education in English, world history, and communications; and experience in research and development for an international research institute have added considerable substance to her three decades of traveling the rails in Britain and Europe.

Her dream of exploring the world began in third-grade geography class when she first began collecting travel brochures. After attending Ohio State University, LaVerne lived in and traveled throughout Europe. She resides in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, with her husband, Joe Cool Kosinski, a structural engineer.

Heartfelt thanks and appreciation go to you, the readers, whose comments, suggestions, and corrections help keep both guidebooks accurate and up to date.

Researchers for Europe by Eurailalso included the late Matthew Palma, Major Robert Bean,Margaret Keith, Joseph Kosinski, and C. Darren Price. Major Robert Bean, a true train enthusiast, has played an ongoing, much appreciated role with both Europe by Eurailand Britain by BritRailfor several years. His attention to minute details and knowledge of rail travelers needs is superb. Margaret Keith,a certified Red Badge Guide for France, an artist, and a longtime European rail expert, has provided her invaluable input to Europe by Eurailsince 1982. Joseph Kosinski,aka the Steel Man, has been instrumental in Internet research, setting up databases, and accompanying his wife/author, LaVerne Ferguson-Kosinski, on her treks throughout Europe. Foremost a top structural design engineer in Florida with his own firm, J.C. Kosinski Engineering, Inc., Joes creativity and attention to details are unsurpassed as can be seen in his design of the Pentagon renovations in Washington, DC.

We also wish to extend thanks to Raffaela Essayan, Frank Berardi, David Brever, Bill Schroeder, and the entire staff of CIT Tours; Jean Heger of Rail Europe Group; our many, many friends in the European tourist offices; and our travel partner professionals throughout Europe.

Three sample rail-tour itineraries are presented in response to readers requests for sample itineraries combining several base cities and day excursions into a rail-tour package. These itineraries are similar to those used in previous tour programs and are considered route-tested.

The base cities and day excursions in these itineraries are described elsewhere in this edition. Each itinerary may be completed with a 15-day Eurail Global Pass/Global Pass Saver or a 15-days-in-two-months Eurail Global Pass Flexi/Global Pass Saver Flexi.

Gateway cities are an important pretrip consideration. We have included airport information in base-city descriptions for your assistance. When suggested gateways are cities other than the rail-tour base cities, we have included rail schedules to assist in your planning, but as stated previously in this edition, our rail schedules are for planning purposes only. Europe by Eurailand its publisher cannot be held responsible for the consequences of either schedule or train changes occurring after press time or for inadvertent inaccuracies.

The following rail-tour schedules have been compiled on the basis of what we consider to be the best trains running at the best times; however, in almost every case, there are several other trains departing at other times that may be more convenient for your purposes. For this reason you may want to consult other schedules by contacting one of the companies listed in the Appendix.

Hotels suggested for the itineraries have been selected for their convenient locations near the railway stations and/or close to public transportation. Hotel price ranges are quoted in euros or local currencies for planning purposes only and are subject to change without prior notice. To convert the rates to U.S. dollars, consult the Foreign Exchange listing in the financial section of your hometown newspaper, contact your bank, or visit www.oanda.comand go to the cheat sheet for travelers page (you can print the rates for the countries on your itinerary and carry them with your other travel papers); another great site is www.xe.com/ucc/for universal currency exchanges.

Confirm hotel rates either through your travel agent or directly with the hotel. Most of the hotels listed have U.S. representatives through whom your travel agent can make reservations at no additional cost to you.