My thread from 5 years ago is still on Fodor's, my promises before going to Switzerland, I kept them all

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...witzerland.cfm

I would never rent a car not knowing if it were diesel or super gas (been there, done that).
I would never leave the rental lot without knowing how to put the car in reverse (see above).
I would never travel with a negative attitude.
I would never order "American coffee."
I would never order a lamb chop again at Ditirambo in Rome.

If in Iceland, I will never ask why can't they put a cork in that d**n volcano

There is very little that would prevent me from going to Europe.

I wouldn't willingly visit EuroDisney but if someone were taking me on an all expense paid trip, I would enjoy it.

I don't take ice in my drinks anyway so it doesn't count.

A traveling companion who slept in every morning wouldn't bother me, as long as they didn't expect me to wait around for them. I would leave a note.

I hope I never have to say to another person "Do you speak English?" It would mean that my plane has made an unscheduled stop in a country that speaks a language I'm not prepared to speak. That would be the only circumstance I would find it excusable to be so rude.
After all, it's not usually a surprise to me that I find myself in a country where English is not the first langauge.

Have been in May and first half of June and it ws fine - yes, some tourists - but not huge throngs - and usually not too hot yet.

What I won;t do:

Stay anyplace without AC in the warmer countries
Do multiple one night stops (prefer at lest 5 nights in a city and 3 in a town - but can include day trips)
Visit any of the "folk" entertainments (have been bored silly by the ballet folklorico in Mexico, the top dance troupe in St Pet and an evening of "Scots entertainment" in Edinburgh. (Got conned into the latter by friends and left halfway through - the food was totally inedible and the "traditional entertainment" was borscht belt leftovers.)

About ice in drinks--it's fairly common in many bars and cafes in Europe. Why not ask? All anyone can so in "no." Now, ice in a single malt scotch is another matter entirely.

I'll never eat Chinese food in Prague again.

I'll never bring my own pastry to any cafe. Gee, I didn't know I had so many nevers.

I've been to Europe many times, in all seasons. Alone, with small groups, big groups, families, etc.

Best trips by far

a) June & July
b) with under 12yr olds

wouldn't have done it any other way.

I will not underestimate the size of the countries though they seem so much smaller than the U.S. It really does take a long time to drive to where you're going! Road don't go straight there.

I WILL take into account the VAT tax. Grr..

Interesting thread!

While I would otherwise agree with the under-12 thing (having gone from the culture shock of being an only child to raising a blended family of 5 kids), my youngest is a strange exception. Now 13, he has always been the best travel companion anyone could ask for and has been so since he was a toddler: Interested in and appreciative of everything around him; always well-behaved in public & friendly with everyone; and unusually gregarious with adults. (At three, he had a rather embarrassing habit of striking up conversations with the nearest locals and tourists, giving them our address and then inviting them over for dinner.) I think he was just born with an adult mind & personality, probably enhanced by being surrounded by much older siblings. Admittedly, he does have a somewhat sophomoric sense of humor -- but I know a lot of grown men who haven't shed that (DH included).

Frankly, the worst travel companion was my 2nd daughter as a morose and negative teen, though I think she would be fun now as a bohemian college student.

Something I would never do: Take a tour bus or cruise. I want absolutely to be in control of my own itinerary.

Never say never... that's my rule and it tends to lead to less instances to "eat my words"

bdjbenson wrote:

1. Take an infant/toddler or teenage girl with me.


The teenage girl is the reason for our European trip....

1) I would never bring "energy bars" to Europe to stash in my purse in case I get hungry during the day (isn't that why they have cafes?)

2) I will never travel in Europe with my 2 children (under 12), during July & August, without booking rooms ahead of time for each night. That was the ONLY bad thing about our summer trips with kids - learned my lesson on that one.

Gosh, this is starting wrong for me.

I'm traveling on June-July AND with a daughter under 12.
Oh well, I'll add after I'm back in August.

pooky, we're traveling (with our teen) in July-August as well. It wouldn't be my first choice, but we're limited by the public school schedule.

Oops, I meant June-July. Someday I learn to think and type at the same time.

Pookymimi,

2 years ago took the entire family to Rome for Christmas. That included a 9 and 7 year old. They all had a great time. The 7 year old loved the Sistine Chapel, because the week before they were studying it in her 2nd grade class. The 9 year old loved Ostia Antica. They never complained about anything.

As to the original post..

1) Never eat at McDonalds
2) Never eat at McDonalds, KFC, Burger King or any other of our fast food places.

However, I have sat in a MikeyDs and used the internet and have purchased a coke to not feel guilty about using their bathroom.

dave

I've been to Europe only 5 times so far. 4 of the trips were in the summer months. I had a GREAT time. I think 2) is just plain silly.

For one reason, there are many wonderful local festivals that, of course, happen in the summer months. That you will miss out on with this arbitrary restriction.