Traveling by train is the way you'll want to see Europe, though you'll see it quick from the super-fast Thalys -- about 1 1/2 hours from Paris to Brussels, for instance, on this high speed train linking Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels. Move fast and you can grab 50 percent off Thalys tickets through 8/15 for travel through 8/29.

• Learn more and buy Thalys tickets direct (learn about other current Rail Europe pass credit sale, too)

More reading about European trains:

• About High Speed TGV Trains
• About Point to Point European Train Tickets
• Eurail Student Travel Discounts
• About Eurail Passes: How Eurail Passes Work | What's one travel day on a Eurail pass? | How Night Trains in Europe Work | About Validating a Eurail Pass

Photo: Rail Europe | Student Travel blog home | Share on Facebook |

From the long beloved by travelers like the Taj Mahal to the less well loved but equally lovely like Iguazu Falls, UNESCO's world heritage sites, a designation dealt out to spots with truly cool cultural or natural heritage, now number 890 (16 added last month). Have a fantastic fantasy about visiting them all, starting with this blog carnival featuring quite a few from About.com's Travel Guides:

• Blog Carnival: A Look at UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Related reading: Blog Carnival: Trains Worldwide | Blog Carnival: New Seven Wonders of Nature | Weird and Wacky Festivals Worldwide | Ancient Sites Around the World Blog Carnival | Adrenalin-Charged Blog Carnival

Screenshot courtesy About.com, Martha Bakerjian and James Martin | Student Travel blog home | Share on Facebook |

One of what's looking like Europe's best July concerts, the awesome Oxegen music festival this weekend in Dublin, has got a new and improved mobile phone app for this year's festivities. Take note if you're going, as it looks indispensable: live sitemap, list of stage times (including a real-time now and next feature), latest Oxegen news as it happens, travel and safety info, artist profiles, stage by stage guide, video highlights, live games, torch, people (like your companions) finder, virtual lighter, links and upload facilities for Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube,and even more.

Starting today (Wednesday, July 8), text OXEGEN to 51000 or Bluetooth the app onsite beginning Thursday, which is also when camping sites open for pre-function fun and entertainment. Big music starts Friday; enjoy the weekend!

• Learn more: Ireland's Oxegen Festival

Related reading: Top Summer Concerts in Europe | Good Dublin Hostels | Ireland and Britrail Youth Train Passes | Backpacking Europe 101

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One of the best tips I've seen on keeping bugs at bay while traveling in skeet-central spots: roll some bug dope around the edge of your bed before turning in. Roll-on bug dope is rare, though, and all bug dope which really works stinks to high heaven -- except Crocodile natural insect repellent, a DEET-less all natural insect repellent which happens -- yes -- to come in a roll-on.

I have reservations about getting personal with goop that I must pat lightly on my clothes for fear that it may touch my skin (that would be DEET), but I'm all good with this stuff after field-testing it for a few years now on roughly umpteen bazillion mosquitos and sand fleas. Check it out:

• Crocodile Natural Insect Repellent

Related Reading: About Malaria and Travel | Insect Repellent (DEET, Picaridin) and Malaria | Do You Need Immunizations for Travel? | How to Avoid Infectious Disease Abroad | Camping

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