I've been traveling in the UK and Europe for much of 2009-present.
In 2007, I put up a post here that I was looking to travel Europe, and heard from several members who had great suggestions! It took a year and a half to work through all of the issues, from airline baggage, to computer hardware/software needs, to understanding the whole Visa thing, and the bank balance and budget, to prepare for my first solo journey, with no one back in the USA to back me up.
I stayed with Amalgamat in the Spring/Summer 2009, for 2 months in Poland. To this day, I only know 2 words in Polish, so the language barrier was tough for booking models, shopping, and trying to fix an upper respiratory infection that I caught on the plane or the change of climate from 90? Las Vegas to 50? Poland, that then settled in my eye. No TV, great Internet.
Then I went back to the US and did some major shooting projects, and bought photo/video content from a photographer that amazes me to this day, in its popularity with fans.
In 2011 I went to the UK and stayed on my own in few-star hotels and apartments, for 6 months. Did amazing shoots. Quite expensive compared to the US, but part of the learning process.
Then on the advice of a GWW member, I went to Prague for 3 months. Price was affordable, shoots were OK, language barrier was tough, no TV, great Internet. Got a lot done.
Went back to the US, stayed in southern Florida so I'd be positioned to return to Europe in 2012. Went to Berlin in the Spring 2012, and stayed on my own in an apartment for 3 months. Did 0 shoots, language barrier was tough, 1 TV channel in English, great Internet. Got a lot done.
I've been in the UK for 4 months and have 2 months remaining on my Visa. I've done 8 shoots, and quite a bit of emergency PHP programming on my 4 major sites, plus back-end accounting reports, as my web host implemented some PHP 5 changes that broke the way I learned PHP in PHP 4.
I'm weighing a few options for where to go for the Winter 2013. Europe (Schengen) is a big place. I can return to Berlin, or one of 3-4 other German cities with great models (although Berlin did not turn out to be place to find male models for small projects like mine. The city is too big, too populated with higher-end agencies).
Amsterdam is on my to-do list. As is southern France or Spain. Never considered Italy. Chad once posted that shooting in Italy is not above board.
Turkey is outside of Schengen, and would be an option for the 90-day in, 90-day out Visa dance that is Schengen. It is also outside of the Eurozone for VAT refund. I also enjoyed being in Dublin in 2011, and Dublin is neither UK nor Schengen for Visa purposes!
So I'm wondering if there still are European webmasters/studios here who have travel ideas? I know nothing is free, but I do look for find affordable accommodations, where I can shoot, have good Internet, and reasonable location to food and transport. Language translation help where needed.
I have to be out of the UK by Dec 26. Thomas Cook has some interesting travel bargains, but those don't necessarily come with shooting options!
If there are members with viable travel ideas, I'm open to learning more. On my next trip to Germany or other Schengen country, I'm going to look into applying to extend my allowed time in Schengen. 26 countries is a big place for only 90 days!
Thanks in advance,
- Nick
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