Wakeforce139

Hi all - new to this forum and read a lot of great posts. I am looking for some advice with my unique situation: I will be in the UK next month for a week on business. At the end of that week (a Friday) I will be meeting up with my cousin in Cambridge for a night, then London through that Sunday. I am looking for suggestions on where to go from there, I will have all of Sunday through Tuesday free, then I need to be back in London by Tues night to catch a 10:30 AM flight home on Weds out of London.

I am guessing some people will suggest I stay in London for the entire time because I've read a lot of posts about how London deserves a lot of time. But I'm leaning more toward seeing another country to get the most out of my trip over. Some places that interest me include Prague, Munich, and Amsterdam but I'm an open book.

I'm looking for a good mix of history / sights and pub / night life. I will be traveling alone. Any insight or suggestions greatly appreciated!

PalenQ

I'm looking for a good mix of history / sights and pub / night life. I will be traveling alone. Any insight or suggestions greatly appreciated!> Amsterdam would fulfill this and also be of a manageable size to see enough of it in 2-3 days - also via the Eurostar train it is only about 4 hours now from London - as quick as flying and if you book way in advance for the limited in number discounted tickets can be cheaper as well.

There is also a boat connection London-Harwich-boat-Hook of Holland-amsterdam with boat trains on each end but it takes all day or perhaps there is an overnight service.

dfourh

Try going to www.skyscanner.net and plugging in your dates of travel. For origin and destination type in FROM London ("any airport" unless one airport is clearly better for you), TO "Everywhere", and see what jumps out at you, that isn't on Ryanair, with decent flight times (for short trips, the timing of the flights and ease of comings and goings is essential to maximizing your travel experience). If it's November, you might want to go south (Barcelona? Italy?) to catch some glimmers of warmth, though jackets in the evening; either that or anyplace with lots of vitality and bright lights (it will be DARK at lot of the time) and still glimmers of charm (Prague, Barcelona, Rome, Bologna, Venice come to mind).

Tabernash2

Do you have to fly home from London? If so, I suggest you stay close-by and visit Paris. The Eurostar is convenient to and from.

Sassafrass

Bath
Dublin
Amsterdam
Paris
With the short time you have, Bath or Amsterdam would be great, and since you want another country, Amsterdam.

msteacher

I would go to Paris via Eurostar. Taking the train, which travels from city center to city center, will be more efficient than flying, as just getting to and from the airport will eat up too much of your limited time.

Wakeforce139

Awesome replies. Yeah I am concerned about the travel time to the airports and then flights - probably lose half a day or more to that. So I'm going to rule out air travel.

How is the train option to the Netherlands? I am leery of Paris for a few reasons. My girlfriend and I are taking a trip over next year and Paris is one of our destinations. Also I've heard (I know, I know, I shouldn't be going based on what others have said) that they aren't as friendly to Americans as other places and I'm really looking for a friendly atmosphere.

BrunoTraveling

Amsterdam or Paris. I did those both with London and loved it. Amsterdam is so cute/quaint/beautiful. Everyone speaks english was my all time favorite. Paris great food and more romantic vibe depends on what type trip looking for.

Tabernash2

You haven't clarified if you absolutely have to return to London for your flight home. If so, I think Amsterdam is too far.

We took the train from London to Paris to Amsterdam, and the last leg is relatively long. You'd just get there and have maybe one full day. Not worth it IMHO. We loved our 5 night stay in Amsterdam.

So, if Paris is out, how do you feel about the English countryside, or Ireland? Or just stay in London.

bilboburgler

"Also I've heard (I know, I know, I shouldn't be going based on what others have said) that they aren't as friendly to Americans as other places and I'm really looking for a friendly atmosphere." ! !!!!

One concept people fail to understand is that different cultures are, well, different. Any American coming to France for the first time will not find a gurning European waiting to greet them like their long lost cousin.

Anyway, November will be chilly and possibly wet so make sure you bring clothes for the conditions, and you may want to dump your business clothes somewhere for this trip. If you are returning to the same London hotel they might look after them for you if you have sufficient bags.

Amsterdam/Dublin/Paris/Bruges are all easy to get to. But you might prefer to get to say Barcelona where it will be a bit warmer or even head to the south of Spain and try to fit in Seville, Malaga, Cordoba, Granada.

Further out Prague, Budapest and Vienna look good. Easyjet is the most likely flight company though you could try in torture class with Ryanair..

Wakeforce139

Sorry Tabernash, you are right I didn't answer that. My trip home is out of London so I will have to be back there for an early flight on Weds morning at 10:30am.

In light of replies here I am considering just making it a London adventure to simplify things and get the most out of my time.

Bilbo, I totally agree with your cultures comment, but I also believe some cultures are more "welcoming" in general. But hey I've never been to Paris so not a bad idea to find out for myself.

BrunoTraveling

Strongly suggest Amsterdam. Cute/Charming/Lively/nightlife. My favorite place. Also Paris is good suggestion easy to get to. If you are looking to meet people Amsterdam is easier to do this as everyone speaks English. In Paris they do not speak English really and not as many people wanting to chit chat with tourists. both are great suggestions though but def pick Amsterdam if you had the option.

jamikins

Consider the overnight ferry to Amsterdam, great way to save time in transit and easy!

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-adventure.cfm