traveller1959

>>I have a U.S. driver's license and idk how it works with me driving in Greece.<<

No problem. Greece lives from tourism. Driving is very easy in Greece - excellent roads, relaxed drivers and hardly any traffic on the roads once you are outside of Athens (which is also easy compared to other metropolises).

bilboburgler

Food

"Absolutely right, nobody can question that. And Paris is the world's capital of food."

just don't say that to anyone who lives in Tokyo, Istanbul, Tehran or London and you'll do fine

Places for food that interest me, Lyon, Bologna, Strasbourg and anywhere you can get those amazing French chickens.

Most capitals are not known for their food as their business is business. But Paris is good, you will need to book unless you are into street food or bistro type food.

Berlin has a blind restaurant where the place is in complete darkness and the blind waiters help you to your table.

traveller1959

London - a capital of food? Bangers and mash?

PalenQ

London - a capital of food? Beans on toast?

PatW47

I always love driving in Europe to see the smaller villages and countryside. Last trip I took my 16 year old granddaughter 12 days driving from Frankfurt, Germany to Rothenburg, to Munich, to Salzburg, Austria to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, to Venice to Linderhof, Germany. Dropped car in Karlsruhe, Germany. Train to Paris for 7 days in apartment rental. Train to London 7 days (apartment rental). Flew home. Flight was only about $100 more at that time than round trip. Traveling out on Tuesday and back on Thursday which are cheaper days of week. Booked rooms for Rothenburg - Munich and apartments before leaving. Others were rented on Internet booking.com mainly and done night before heading there,

Taking my other grandchildren and asked my granddaughter which she liked best going by car, being on the move often or staying in large cities longer. She loved both. The 12 days on road--an adventure. The city stays--felt like living there. Maybe you can mix the two. Germany has cheaper rental car rates than some countries. Do have to drop off in same country.

Ireland is a gorgeous country, driving from Dublin to Kilarney. Hate for you to only see Dublin. Been to Athens and then cruise to islands. You will be back and can do those another time. I know whatever you choose will be an exciting vacation.

mariha2912

Although car hire companies rarely ask for it, an International Driving Permitt is required, otherwise you technicaly drive illegaly and there might troubles if you fall into a police check or an accident, even if it's not your fault. how easy it is to drive anywhere, relies a lot on the individual. I have seen many foreign visitors who face huge troubles with parking a car, I thought parallel parking is basic education for a driver but many people are rubbish on it as an example and usually it is necessary skill in Greece.

mariha2912

I am in deep love with Ireland but I find a visit only to Dublin absolutely fine by the way, the same way I feel about Athens and Greece.

jamikins

London food scene is world class. Bangers and mash and beans on toast are so cliche and not reflective of the amazing cuisine to be had if you did a bit of research.

PetrosB3

1) Choose Amsterdam over Dublin. I have been to both and the Dutch capital is MUCH better in culture, activities and beauty (The Old Town is UNESCO).

2) If you want to see Germany DON'T go to Berlin. The city was leveled in WWII and very few remain today. Go to Munich instead, a much better preserved wonderful city, and with a much more vibrant German atmosphere.

3) Go to Athens at all costs, and add it 1 day (taken from Munich). The Parthenon, the Museums, the Old Town and one of the greatest nightlife on Earth is NOT to be missed. (The distance is no problem, an extra hour in the airplane and 50€ less in your wallet are totally worth what you will experience in Athens)

-THE ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Amsterdam
Day 2: Amsterdam
Day 3: Amsterdam
Day 4: Travel to Munich
Day 5: Munich
Day 6: Munich
Day 7: Travel to Athens
Day 8: Athens
Day 9: Athens
Day 10: Athens
Day 11: Travel to Rome
Day 12: Rome
Day 13: Rome
Day 14: Rome
Day 15: Travel to Paris
Day 16: Paris
Day 17: Paris
Day 18: Paris
Day 19: Travel to Amsterdam
Day 20: Return to U.S.

traveller1959

>>The city was leveled in WWII and very few remain today<<

You may see how Berlin looks:

http://www.panorama-cities.net/berli...nmarkt_5c.html

http://www.panorama-cities.net/berlin/bode-museum.html

http://www.panorama-cities.net/berli..._fountain.html

http://www.panorama-cities.net/berli...niversity.html

http://www.panorama-cities.net/berli...cathedral.html

http://www.panorama-cities.net/berli..._district.html

http://www.panorama-cities.net/berli..._building.html

http://www.panorama-cities.net/berli...i_theatre.html

<<with a much more vibrant German atmosphere>>

Only if call oompah bands "vibrant German atmosphere". I would call it "Bavarian provincial".

bilboburgler

traveler and Pal, so 1980s

traveller1959

My old thread is still active:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...l-pictures.cfm

And so are the pictures of yummy British food (they are from 2005):

http://uknet.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=13448

PetrosB3

@traveller1959

Berlin was bombed 363 times in WWII, then half of it occupied by Soviets who systematically demolished the remains. The city was almost wiped off the map, and then rebuilt as a modern city. The main sights of Berlin were rebuilt, but the city itself is completely different. Today Berlin is a modern cosmopolitan city, with interesting museums and vibe. But lacks the feeling of old Germany, no doubt about it.

Munich is a much better option.

Whathello

Petros
It is YOUR opinion.
As for being bombed, it has also been rebuilt. Old Warsaw was also 30 cm high after WW2 and the center and castle have been rebuilt as before. Frauenkirche in Dresden has laid as aheap of ruins for 40 years before being rebuilt. It is now grandiose.

Berlin has some buildings dating from prior WW2 and some - lots - after. London has quite a fexw buildings dating after WW32, I'd say...

Jared : you're starting to get it all covered, with opinions and their contraries on about almost everything.

I'd like to add/confort some thougts/remarks.
- travel by flights : 'avoid that at all costs in Europe 'is one of the stupidest comment I've ever heard on a forum. However, pay attention to
. where you depart and arrive, some low cost have airports quite far away from their names ...
Brussels south in Belgium is actually in Charleroi, 40 min from Bruxelles, Paris Bauvais is 80 kms ? - 45 min from Paris etc.
. cost of luggage : some low cost cies add a significant cost on lugagge, do read the prints
. cancellation : for example Vueling modified my schedules several times- from 6 pm to 7 am - not exactly a small modif.

Food : you say you are a foodie, so check on food quality.
As for me, French, itlaian and Spanish cuisines are on a par;
Grrek is imho following
German is below and not as refined (I like it, though, but it is quite fat)
UK : I've heard that they improved a lot - I didn't see it and find the quality price ratio disturbingly bad;

I'm Belgian, don't ask me to comment on NL food ... karnemelk, traingle sandwiches and restaurants closing at 6 30 outside the main cities don't equte in my mid with great food, but I'm biased In =london and Amlsterdam I eat Indian or Asian.

Have fun whatever you choose - you cannot go much wrong !

bilboburgler

you can find bad food anywhere, the OP is looking for good food in cities.

Hence asian food in London comes from ...... London

have a great day now