Sort of Like a Eurail Pass on Wheels

Eurobus, a bus service that links 23 cities in 12 European countries, is offering a special rate to travelers who purchase passes by Feb. 29. Not only can travelers avoid rate increases scheduled for April 1, they will also get a 10% discount on present rates.

Eurobus links France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Belgium, the Netherlands and England.

Eurobus passes enable travelers to hop on and off at different stops along the route, taking from two weeks to three months to complete their journey.

This service is less expensive than Eurail, but the route is fixed. You won’t have the opportunity to visit as many countries, or the flexibility to choose a fraction of as many cities as the popular rail pass offers.

But Eurobus driver/guides can provide insights on what to see and do en route, plus door-to-door service to specific hotels, hostels and campgrounds.

The coaches are outfitted with washrooms, travel libraries, and travel videos are shown on board.

If you buy a pass before Feb. 29, it can be used any time between the time of purchase and Sept. 15 and will cost $170 for a 14-day pass or $125 if you are 26 or younger; $234 for a one-month pass, or $179 for those 26 or under; $292 for a two-month pass, or $292 for ages 26 and under; and $360 for a three-month pass, or $292 ages 26 or under.

For more information call Eurotrips at (800) 517-7778. Or write Eurotrips, P.O. Box 1288, Lake Worth, FL 33460-1288.

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Short-term work abroad can be a way to extend a foreign adventure or to gain valuable international experience, but to work legally you need to obtain permission from the government, and that’s not always easy. Fortunately for students, national student travel services have been able to work with their foreign counterparts to arrange reciprocal programs that help young travelers cut through the red tape.

The nonprofit Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) will, for a $200 fee, help students get legal authorization to work. About 6,000 students signed up for the service last year, which includes help in finding housing.

This year work-abroad programs are available in Britain (up to six months any time of the year); Ireland (up to four months any time of the year); France (up to three months any time of the year--and three-month extensions are now possible for study-related work experience); Canada (this year, for the first time, you can work for up to five months at any time of the year); Germany (work for up to three months between May 15 and Oct. 15--or up to six months for internships); New Zealand (work between April 1 and Oct. 31); Costa Rica (work June 1 to Oct. 1); and Jamaica (work June 1 to Oct. 1).

For details, contact Council Work Abroad, 205 E. 42nd St., New York, NY 10017-5706.

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A new magazine geared to young travelers is being published in California. It’s called Trip.

It’s designed for people who “would rather spend a month in Peru than a night at the Four Seasons for the same price.” Fortunately, in issue No. 2, the editors of the 50-page publication toned down the travel-to-foreign-lands-and-get-wasted stories.

The issue has articles about river rafting in Chile, dancing in Brazil, snowmobiling in Yellowstone, riding the Trans-Siberian Railroad, skiing in Schweitzer, Ida., driving across Australia, stopping for a sports weekend in Chicago, snowboarding in Vail, festivals around the world, and exploring the San Joaquin Valley (or how to make the most of your trip between San Francisco and Los Angeles).

Focusing on South America, writer Eric Noyels gives a short account of cycling from Patagonia to Boliva and staying with families in private homes, which he arranged through the international nonprofit organization Servas. Mark Williamson reports on getting employment as an English teacher to supplement his visit to Buenos Aires.

Trip can be ordered from 9 Latimer Road, Santa Monica, CA 90402. You can also find them on the Internet at: https://www.tripmag.com/tripmag.