12 Days in Northern Europe
Jul 23rd, 2009, 02:54 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
12 Days in Northern Europe
Hi all,
I have to attend a meeting in Amsterdam in September and my wife and I thought we'd take a holiday prior to the meeting. We've got about 12 days available and can fly into Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Stockholm. On this basis we've narrowed the possibilities down to 3 options:
1. The Netherlands (Amsterdam, Haarlem, Antwerp, Delft) and Belgium (Bruges, Gent, Brussels).
2. Germany (Munich, Berlin, Hamburg & Cologne)
3. Scandinavia (Stockholm, Oslo, Bergen, Copenhagen)
We're not overly interested in museums and art, preferring instead to experience the culture, achitecture, food & wine. We'd also prefer to take the train if the trip is less than say 4 hours.
We'd greatly appreciate your thoughts.
I have to attend a meeting in Amsterdam in September and my wife and I thought we'd take a holiday prior to the meeting. We've got about 12 days available and can fly into Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Stockholm. On this basis we've narrowed the possibilities down to 3 options:
1. The Netherlands (Amsterdam, Haarlem, Antwerp, Delft) and Belgium (Bruges, Gent, Brussels).
2. Germany (Munich, Berlin, Hamburg & Cologne)
3. Scandinavia (Stockholm, Oslo, Bergen, Copenhagen)
We're not overly interested in museums and art, preferring instead to experience the culture, achitecture, food & wine. We'd also prefer to take the train if the trip is less than say 4 hours.
We'd greatly appreciate your thoughts.
Jul 23rd, 2009, 04:07 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not seeing how that great German and Dutch cuisine can be attractive . . .
If you have the money, Scandinavia is a good choice. The palaces and castles in Sweden and Denmark are excellent and it is a very distinct part of Europe.
Flying into Stockholm, touring it, Malmo or Goteburg and then going to Copenhagen before a trip to Amsterdam would be one itinerary. Flying to Stockholm then Oslo then Bergen (then probably a flight back to Amsterdam) would be another.
If you have the money, Scandinavia is a good choice. The palaces and castles in Sweden and Denmark are excellent and it is a very distinct part of Europe.
Flying into Stockholm, touring it, Malmo or Goteburg and then going to Copenhagen before a trip to Amsterdam would be one itinerary. Flying to Stockholm then Oslo then Bergen (then probably a flight back to Amsterdam) would be another.
Jul 24th, 2009, 02:58 AM
#7
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is better to reserve your Scandinavian train connections some time in advance. Doing this can save quite a lot - Orangr, Minipris dicounts etc.
Might be helpful http://europetrainsguide.com
Might be helpful http://europetrainsguide.com
Jul 24th, 2009, 03:11 AM
#8
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I too would pick door #2 for the bulk of your trip, but you could reserve a day or two closer to your arrival in Amsterdam to go to Bruges, which is a lovely restored medieval city with canals and great restaurants. I definitely wouldn't skip Bruges when you're going to be so close.
Jul 24th, 2009, 03:35 AM
#9
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Big Russ,
Part of what caused me to recommend door #2 was the original poster's mention of wine, since Germany has great wines, and the other destinations don't. Had he said beer, I would have recommended Belgium in a flash.
I'm less a fan of Bruges than most people, and I wouldn't go to extra efforts to see it if otherwise I was having a fine time someplace else. If I had a great craving for great Belgian food and drink (and I probably would), I would slip away from beautiful Amsterdam on the canals and go to Antwerpen for its restaurants, beer and jenever bars, unique and fantastic. And the architecture is soaring.
Part of what caused me to recommend door #2 was the original poster's mention of wine, since Germany has great wines, and the other destinations don't. Had he said beer, I would have recommended Belgium in a flash.
I'm less a fan of Bruges than most people, and I wouldn't go to extra efforts to see it if otherwise I was having a fine time someplace else. If I had a great craving for great Belgian food and drink (and I probably would), I would slip away from beautiful Amsterdam on the canals and go to Antwerpen for its restaurants, beer and jenever bars, unique and fantastic. And the architecture is soaring.
Jul 24th, 2009, 04:12 AM
#10
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,049
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I vote for door #3. Arrive in Stockholm, train to Oslo, Norway in a Nutshell to Bergen and back. Overnight train from Oslo to Copenhagen, end up in Amsterdam.
I have started in Helsinki with a few days in Helsinki and a day trip to Tallinn Estonia. Overnight Silja Line Ferry to Stockholm and then the same route but ending up in Brussels.
I have started in Helsinki with a few days in Helsinki and a day trip to Tallinn Estonia. Overnight Silja Line Ferry to Stockholm and then the same route but ending up in Brussels.
Jul 24th, 2009, 04:42 PM
#11
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 685
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've done all three and I'd do all of them over again if given the chance. Everyone has made excellent comments. Based on your preferences, some additional comments:
#1)Belgium gets points for food, architecture and culture. Belgium would win if you were a beer drinker.
#2)Germany wins for wine. Food can be "traditional" and delicious or "modern" and delicious. You just have to look a little harder for more creative menus. Castles, churches, architecture of all sorts.
#3)Very expensive, especially compared to #1 and #2. And, a much different culture than #1 and #2. I did not find anything exceptional about the food or wine. Palaces, castles, old wooden churches and homes...a different kind of architecture than #1 and #2. It will also be a bit cooler than Belgium or Germany. And, longer travel times to consider.
Whatever you choose, I think you'll have a great time.
#1)Belgium gets points for food, architecture and culture. Belgium would win if you were a beer drinker.
#2)Germany wins for wine. Food can be "traditional" and delicious or "modern" and delicious. You just have to look a little harder for more creative menus. Castles, churches, architecture of all sorts.
#3)Very expensive, especially compared to #1 and #2. And, a much different culture than #1 and #2. I did not find anything exceptional about the food or wine. Palaces, castles, old wooden churches and homes...a different kind of architecture than #1 and #2. It will also be a bit cooler than Belgium or Germany. And, longer travel times to consider.
Whatever you choose, I think you'll have a great time.
Jul 24th, 2009, 11:26 PM
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As an Aussie I must admit to a certain fondness to beer (well, that's probably a bit of an understatement!), but beer or wine, it doesn't really matter as long as it's good and there's somewhere cool to drink it.
Thanks for all your suggestions & comments.
Thanks for all your suggestions & comments.
Jul 28th, 2009, 01:07 AM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The good news is that we've freed up a bit of extra time. The latest itinerary looks like this: 3 days in Stockholm, 3 days in Copenhagen, 4 days in Berlin, 3 days in Brussels/Bruges and 2 days in Amsterdam (I've been there before). What do you think of the balance of this?
We plan to fly between cities, with the exception of Brussels to Amsterdam (train), though we're also considering taking the train from Stockholm to Copenhagen. Is the trip worth 5+ hours in a train?
We plan to fly between cities, with the exception of Brussels to Amsterdam (train), though we're also considering taking the train from Stockholm to Copenhagen. Is the trip worth 5+ hours in a train?
Jul 28th, 2009, 02:18 AM
#15
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your itinerary sounds reasonable. Here are my comments:
3 days for Stockholm is much. And Stockholm is weak when it comes to food and drink.
Copenhagen is a very beautiful city - however food is weak and alcoholic drinks are outrageously expensive.
Berlin is a city with a vibrant nightlife, reasonably priced restaurants of all kinds - from traditional to gourmet - and certainly deserves four days.
When you save one day in Stockholm, you could take the train from Berlin to Köln and spend a day there - also a very attractive city with good food and beer.
From Köln, you can take the Thalys train to Brussel.
>>> Is the trip worth 5+ hours in a train?<<< I do not quite understand this question. You probably save two hours or so by flying. If it is worth is a matter of fares.
3 days for Stockholm is much. And Stockholm is weak when it comes to food and drink.
Copenhagen is a very beautiful city - however food is weak and alcoholic drinks are outrageously expensive.
Berlin is a city with a vibrant nightlife, reasonably priced restaurants of all kinds - from traditional to gourmet - and certainly deserves four days.
When you save one day in Stockholm, you could take the train from Berlin to Köln and spend a day there - also a very attractive city with good food and beer.
From Köln, you can take the Thalys train to Brussel.
>>> Is the trip worth 5+ hours in a train?<<< I do not quite understand this question. You probably save two hours or so by flying. If it is worth is a matter of fares.
Jul 28th, 2009, 02:46 AM
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for your comments traveller1959.
I originally had pencilled in Köln into my itinerary but it dropped off at some point. Perhaps I should consider putting in back in?
With regards to the train ride from Stockholm to Copenhagen - 5 hours is a long time to sit in a train. Whilst you might save 2 hours total travel time by flying, I might be willing to take the train if the scenery is attractive.
I originally had pencilled in Köln into my itinerary but it dropped off at some point. Perhaps I should consider putting in back in?
With regards to the train ride from Stockholm to Copenhagen - 5 hours is a long time to sit in a train. Whilst you might save 2 hours total travel time by flying, I might be willing to take the train if the scenery is attractive.
Jul 29th, 2009, 01:20 PM
#17
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just chiming in here, as we just got back from Copenhagen and Sweden, where we spent our time in Lund, in the southern part of the country (Skane region). I have to say that my memories of Copenhagen from 30 years ago were very positive, but this time, I'd had enough after 2 days--it was VERY crowded and VERY expensive (we paid about 30 DKK for a small beer at lunch--about $6--with the total bill for 3 of us around $85!), and you can see most of the major sights relatively quickly, as they're fairly close together. If you thought that you were going to be able to see some of the sights outside of the city proper, then I think you could use the extra day.
As for Sweden, I spent a month in Stockholm when I was a graduate student and loved every minute of it--you could easily fill 3 days. I particularly loved the Vasa Museum (a restored Viking Ship) and walking around the old town. Stockholm also has a great park, Grona Lund, with amusement rides (the "Swedish Tivoli"). If you have 3 days, you would probably also have time to take a boat ride to one of the islands off Stockholm, which are really beautiful and give you a great sense of Swedish life outside the city. Food is heavy on seafood, especially shrimp, salmon, and herring--LOTS of herring--so it depends on what you like. I happened to love all the shrimp sandwiches and lox, so I was happy (the herring, not so much...).
If you had an extra day, Lund is also worth a visit and only about an hour from Copenhagen. We were there because my husband was visiting colleagues at the University, and it's really a lovely town with a great vibrant atmosphere. The major attraction is a 12-century cathedral with a fabulous astronomical clock, but there are also lovely parks, charming narrow streets with lots of shops and cafes, and a great open-air museum (Kulturen) with exhibits about different eras of Swedish life and culture.
We did not get to Stockholm on this trip, due to the long travel time--we had a car, and it would have been about a 6-hr. drive. But if you had the opportunity to break up your trip between Stockholm and Copenhagen, that might help you out.
Hope that's helpful...
As for Sweden, I spent a month in Stockholm when I was a graduate student and loved every minute of it--you could easily fill 3 days. I particularly loved the Vasa Museum (a restored Viking Ship) and walking around the old town. Stockholm also has a great park, Grona Lund, with amusement rides (the "Swedish Tivoli"). If you have 3 days, you would probably also have time to take a boat ride to one of the islands off Stockholm, which are really beautiful and give you a great sense of Swedish life outside the city. Food is heavy on seafood, especially shrimp, salmon, and herring--LOTS of herring--so it depends on what you like. I happened to love all the shrimp sandwiches and lox, so I was happy (the herring, not so much...).
If you had an extra day, Lund is also worth a visit and only about an hour from Copenhagen. We were there because my husband was visiting colleagues at the University, and it's really a lovely town with a great vibrant atmosphere. The major attraction is a 12-century cathedral with a fabulous astronomical clock, but there are also lovely parks, charming narrow streets with lots of shops and cafes, and a great open-air museum (Kulturen) with exhibits about different eras of Swedish life and culture.
We did not get to Stockholm on this trip, due to the long travel time--we had a car, and it would have been about a 6-hr. drive. But if you had the opportunity to break up your trip between Stockholm and Copenhagen, that might help you out.
Hope that's helpful...
Jul 30th, 2009, 02:59 AM
#18
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>>I might be willing to take the train if the scenery is attractive.<<<
I am afraid, it is just rather flat country with forests, fields and an occasional lake - pretty much the same as everywhere in the Scandinavian lowlands. When it comes to scenery, a highligt will be a cruise through the archipelago in the Stockholm bay.
I am afraid, it is just rather flat country with forests, fields and an occasional lake - pretty much the same as everywhere in the Scandinavian lowlands. When it comes to scenery, a highligt will be a cruise through the archipelago in the Stockholm bay.
