Best city in 3 days
May 25th, 2004, 08:24 AM
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Best city in 3 days
This fall (end of November, beginning of December) on the way home from Israel, I have the option to stop for a few days (probably 3, maybe 4)in a European city. I'd like to go somewhere I have not been before, and it's important to me to go somewhere where I get can the most out of a short trip. (We are not interested in Eastern Europe.) My ideas so far: Amsterdam, Madrid, Lisbon, Zurich, Edinburgh, Dublin. (I realize it will be cold throughout Europe in the fall.) Where should I go?
May 25th, 2004, 02:02 PM
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Of the cities on your list, I've been only to Madrid and Lisbon, each for just a few days more than 30 years ago. I was not too enthused about Madrid, possibly because I went there right after spending a week or so in Andalucia, which I loved and was sorry to leave. I liked Lisbon a lot and I want to return. I'm not too interested in Amsterdam, not at all interested in Zurich, and a little interested in Dublin. But I am really eager to go to Edinburgh. So if it were my decision to make from the list you supplied, I'd be excited about going to either Lisbon or Edinburgh. I think either one would be a wonderful place to go for three or four days.
May 25th, 2004, 04:18 PM
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I agree with MJS re Barcelona. Although I realise its 'incorrect' to say you can 'see' a city in 3-4 days, Barcelona is fairly compact and you can see the major sites in 4 days (albeit fairly busy days) and they are sites worth seeing*; plus its a great city that isnt too chaotic and has an easy to use metro (train) system for the slightly further away places. It wont be too cold, relative to the northern cities.
*: admittedly much of Barcelona's sites are architectural (Gaudi etc) with some art (almost all cubist and post cubist), just in case this isnt your 'thing'
I would then say Lisbon and Edinburgh. The latter is easier to travel around; while Lisbon offers (depending on where you are from) a different culture than the northern cities.
*: admittedly much of Barcelona's sites are architectural (Gaudi etc) with some art (almost all cubist and post cubist), just in case this isnt your 'thing'
I would then say Lisbon and Edinburgh. The latter is easier to travel around; while Lisbon offers (depending on where you are from) a different culture than the northern cities.
May 25th, 2004, 06:22 PM
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i would say skip zurich ( not a lot in my humble opinion) but amsterdam is very interesting and has some good museums, too. have you done prague, budpest, and vienna? they are all good short stops, too, i think.( if they are not too eastern for you. )i have not been to these places in the fall, but have heard they are quite lovely then. have fun wherever you decide.
May 25th, 2004, 06:49 PM
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My votes would go for Lisbon and Edinburgh. Amsterdam is a ho-hum place as far as I am concerned, Madrid I didn't like at all, Zurich I downright dislike, and though Dublin I haven't been to yet, I think in November it might be a bit dreary (suppose Edinburgh might also be, being on the same continent, but something tells me Dublin is drearier).
May 26th, 2004, 04:11 AM
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The problem with Edinburgh and also Dublin at that time of year is that it will start getting dark by 3:30 pm and won't be light until 8 am or so. Amerstdam will not be much better. This will cut into your sightseeing time considerably. I would stay further south. I live in Zurich and think there is a lot to see and do here, and you can get into the Alps quickly. The city will be decorated for Christmas at that point and will be very lovely.
Other suggestions from your list would be Lisbon or Madrid. I would add Barcelona.
Other suggestions from your list would be Lisbon or Madrid. I would add Barcelona.
May 26th, 2004, 04:16 AM
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Of your list of six, I've not been to Dublin and Lisbon. I've heard that Lisbon is quite pleasant, but my vote would go to Barcelona as well.
You didn't include cities in Germany as options. Any reason for that? Of German cities I've only been to Berlin, but that can be easily explored in a few days as well, and it's quite interesting.
You didn't include cities in Germany as options. Any reason for that? Of German cities I've only been to Berlin, but that can be easily explored in a few days as well, and it's quite interesting.
May 26th, 2004, 05:33 AM
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Hi beth
You might want to consider Sicily or Malta.
See http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34501467
You might want to consider Sicily or Malta.
See http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34501467
May 26th, 2004, 02:04 PM
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Hi
We were in Rome for 4 days in January.
It was cold, in the 40's F. It was a beautiful city to walk around in, always surprised by what may pop up around the corner. We stayed by the Pantheon and walked to most of what we wanted to see. We enjoyed Rome very much.
alan
We were in Rome for 4 days in January.
It was cold, in the 40's F. It was a beautiful city to walk around in, always surprised by what may pop up around the corner. We stayed by the Pantheon and walked to most of what we wanted to see. We enjoyed Rome very much.
alan
May 28th, 2004, 05:34 AM
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I don't know why I hadn't considered Barcelona, but it seems like a wonderful option. I am glad to hear that ppl. have enjoyed Lisbon as well. So I think it's between those 2 cities. (I may check out Sicily and Malta as well.)
