Which city for 3 day honeymoon - food, nightlife, shopping, natural beauty
Jul 29th, 2012, 08:43 AM
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Which city for 3 day honeymoon - food, nightlife, shopping, natural beauty
I need help selecting a city for three days as part of our honeymoon in Europe. We'll be travelling here from October 10-Oct 13/14.
This just part of our one month honeymoon:
- we'll be in the Caribbean in the beginning of the month,
- then flying to Europe, staying somewhere for three days, and
- then flying to Turkey for 10 days.
I've considered:
- Venice -> as we'll be in the Caribbean and surrounded by water for the first part of the honeymoon, I don't know if I'll want more water. Also although its a top honeymoon place doesn't seem like there is much to do in Venice.
- Paris & London -> we're considering leaving these for the future when we have more time
- Barcelona, Amsterdam, Rome, Prague - researched a ton but cannot make up my mind.
We want:
- good food
- good shopping (we're both in our 20s)
- a lot of LIFE! We're not big on clubbing but love places that are full of life (night life and otherwise)
- architecture, natural beauty
We don't care that much for museums, history (covered in Turkey), beaches (covered in Caribbean)
I'm totally at a a loss on where to go and would appreciate any input. Thanks in advance!
This just part of our one month honeymoon:
- we'll be in the Caribbean in the beginning of the month,
- then flying to Europe, staying somewhere for three days, and
- then flying to Turkey for 10 days.
I've considered:
- Venice -> as we'll be in the Caribbean and surrounded by water for the first part of the honeymoon, I don't know if I'll want more water. Also although its a top honeymoon place doesn't seem like there is much to do in Venice.
- Paris & London -> we're considering leaving these for the future when we have more time
- Barcelona, Amsterdam, Rome, Prague - researched a ton but cannot make up my mind.
We want:
- good food
- good shopping (we're both in our 20s)
- a lot of LIFE! We're not big on clubbing but love places that are full of life (night life and otherwise)
- architecture, natural beauty
We don't care that much for museums, history (covered in Turkey), beaches (covered in Caribbean)
I'm totally at a a loss on where to go and would appreciate any input. Thanks in advance!
Jul 29th, 2012, 09:00 AM
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I have been to all the cities you mentioned except for Amsterdam. Based on your "wants" I would say Barcelona!!
Good food - there is FABULOUS food in Spain. The tapas is incredible.
Good shopping - we are shoppers too and we loved shopping in Barcelona. Several local designers there too.
LIFE - Barcelona is definitely where it's at. Dinner doesn't even start until 9pm and people are out in the streets and plazas until very late. And lest you think their economic troubles are stopping them from enjoying life - let me just mention that while we have not been in Barcelona this recently, we were just in Andalucia (Granada, Cordoba, Seville) in March and young people were out all night eating, drinking and enjoying life. (I guess they might as well enjoy it, since they have no job to go to in the morning....)
Architecture - the Gaudi architecture is amazing like nothing you will see anywhere else. With only 3 days time will be limited, but the top ones are: Casa Mila, Casa Batillo, Sagrada Familia, and Parc Guell.
Here is a link to my trip report and pictures from our trip to Barcelona.
http://www.fromhometoroam.com/2012/06/barcelona/
Good food - there is FABULOUS food in Spain. The tapas is incredible.
Good shopping - we are shoppers too and we loved shopping in Barcelona. Several local designers there too.
LIFE - Barcelona is definitely where it's at. Dinner doesn't even start until 9pm and people are out in the streets and plazas until very late. And lest you think their economic troubles are stopping them from enjoying life - let me just mention that while we have not been in Barcelona this recently, we were just in Andalucia (Granada, Cordoba, Seville) in March and young people were out all night eating, drinking and enjoying life. (I guess they might as well enjoy it, since they have no job to go to in the morning....)
Architecture - the Gaudi architecture is amazing like nothing you will see anywhere else. With only 3 days time will be limited, but the top ones are: Casa Mila, Casa Batillo, Sagrada Familia, and Parc Guell.
Here is a link to my trip report and pictures from our trip to Barcelona.
http://www.fromhometoroam.com/2012/06/barcelona/
Jul 29th, 2012, 09:44 AM
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Have been to all of these cities several times and have a couple of thoughts:
The Carib will be warm - most of these cities will be well into fall and will be alot cooler, requiring more wardrobe. (Although depending on where you're going in Turkey it can be cooler there too).
I woulnd't say any of these cities have natural beauty - they're cities - and have great museums, fine dining, interesting to fascinating architecture and a range of shopping (although given the dollar versus the euro - most everything will cost less in the US).
Based on your expectations you will probably like Barcelona, since it has the greatest chance of being somewhat less cool and is a party city. If it were me I would do Prague - since you can see quite a bit in only 3 days, it has incredible architecture (due to being the one major central european city not destroyed in WW II) and it has a very active music and cafe/pub scene in the evening. But - it will be fall and chilly/rainy is likely.
The Carib will be warm - most of these cities will be well into fall and will be alot cooler, requiring more wardrobe. (Although depending on where you're going in Turkey it can be cooler there too).
I woulnd't say any of these cities have natural beauty - they're cities - and have great museums, fine dining, interesting to fascinating architecture and a range of shopping (although given the dollar versus the euro - most everything will cost less in the US).
Based on your expectations you will probably like Barcelona, since it has the greatest chance of being somewhat less cool and is a party city. If it were me I would do Prague - since you can see quite a bit in only 3 days, it has incredible architecture (due to being the one major central european city not destroyed in WW II) and it has a very active music and cafe/pub scene in the evening. But - it will be fall and chilly/rainy is likely.
Jul 29th, 2012, 09:53 AM
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Another vote for Barcelona. The medieval El Born area is a good base, close to everything, great tapas bars, cafés, restaurants, shopping and nightlife in and around here. http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html
Hotel Banys Orientals could be a great option, 100€ for a double: http://www.hotelbanysorientals.com/
http://www.cntraveller.com/guides/eu.../where-to-stay
Several great hotels in and around upscale Passeig de Gracia, a 10-15 min walk from El Born. Majestic is one of them: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/majestic.en.html
Maribel's guide to Barcelona gives excellent advice on hotels, restaurants, nightlife etc. etc: http://maribelsguides.com/mg_barcelona-03-09.pdf
Hotel Banys Orientals could be a great option, 100€ for a double: http://www.hotelbanysorientals.com/
http://www.cntraveller.com/guides/eu.../where-to-stay
Several great hotels in and around upscale Passeig de Gracia, a 10-15 min walk from El Born. Majestic is one of them: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/majestic.en.html
Maribel's guide to Barcelona gives excellent advice on hotels, restaurants, nightlife etc. etc: http://maribelsguides.com/mg_barcelona-03-09.pdf
Jul 29th, 2012, 09:54 AM
#5
Both Rome and Barcelona would qualify, although slightly we were much older and with kids when we visited.
We actually preferred the streets of Rome to those of Barcelona for aimlesly walking and having a drink or a cup of coffee at any of a multitude of small and large squares. Barcelona is a much more modern city, but interspersed with the wonder of Gaudi.
Barcelona is not Andalucia. the Catalans are not as friendly as the Spaniards and neither of which are as friendly as Italians.
The food is very different at both and although some of the world's best restaurants are in Spain, we found that the standard Italian restaurant in Rome has better food than the standard Spanish restaurant at any spanish city. Possibly because we are more used to pizzas and pastas and the good barnacles, paellas and corizos can be more expensive.
An advantage of both cities is the other towns within driving or train distance. Cape ligat and Figueras in spain come to mind, while there are many in italy not far from Rome, even Siena.
Either way, whichever you choose, you will enjoy it.
Just be very careful against pickpockets and muggers, especially at the Ramblas in Barcelona and be prepared to fight the taxi scams in rome. make sure you give exact amount and show and count the money before handing it over so that he cannot say you gave a 5 Euro instead of a 50 Euro note. do not take a pirate taxi from the airport.
We actually preferred the streets of Rome to those of Barcelona for aimlesly walking and having a drink or a cup of coffee at any of a multitude of small and large squares. Barcelona is a much more modern city, but interspersed with the wonder of Gaudi.
Barcelona is not Andalucia. the Catalans are not as friendly as the Spaniards and neither of which are as friendly as Italians.
The food is very different at both and although some of the world's best restaurants are in Spain, we found that the standard Italian restaurant in Rome has better food than the standard Spanish restaurant at any spanish city. Possibly because we are more used to pizzas and pastas and the good barnacles, paellas and corizos can be more expensive.
An advantage of both cities is the other towns within driving or train distance. Cape ligat and Figueras in spain come to mind, while there are many in italy not far from Rome, even Siena.
Either way, whichever you choose, you will enjoy it.
Just be very careful against pickpockets and muggers, especially at the Ramblas in Barcelona and be prepared to fight the taxi scams in rome. make sure you give exact amount and show and count the money before handing it over so that he cannot say you gave a 5 Euro instead of a 50 Euro note. do not take a pirate taxi from the airport.
