Been There, Done That, Don't Bother -- Europe
Dec 28th, 2000, 02:20 PM
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Stonehenge--fabulous. Pisa complex (plus Galileo's chandelier)--terrific. Mona Lisa--green (yes, she is). Winged Victory--stunning. <BR> <BR>But staying on the Rhine, hotel across the river from train tunnel so that every 10 minutes all night long it sounded as if a train were coming through our room is an experience not to be duplicated! At least I hope not. (I'd almost forgotten this one till Gina's posting.)
Dec 28th, 2000, 04:02 PM
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
Lucca, Italy. Tried it twice! Still cannot figure out the rave reviews from people on this post. We were there in Sept 99 and again in July 00. Love Italy...can't see the allure of Lucca, wall and all. <BR> <BR>Tiny, tiny, tiny statue of the mermaid in Copenhagen. The pictures never show you anything next to her. Boy! That mermaid is tiny! Take a zoom lens with you on that one. <BR> <BR>
Dec 28th, 2000, 05:11 PM
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
I think the only thing in Paris that I could have skipped was the Seine river dinner cruise. Yes, the river is beautiful, and cruising it is a good way to see it. But three hours was way too much, and the dinner was poor. I'd say don't bother with the dinner cruise, and instead just do a quickie cruise if you must cruise. Personally, I liked strolling along the river better.
Dec 28th, 2000, 05:52 PM
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re Leaning tower of Pisa, Granted I was there when you could climb up it, but the real significance was the incredible history and the laws of physics that were articulated there by Gallaleo, namly that all bodies fall at the same rate of speed were demonstrated as well as the law of the pendulum.
Dec 28th, 2000, 09:39 PM
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
What an enjoyable thread. Tastes differ, but overall I admire the taste you all display, and I like the strng note throughout that people should see what they choose to see, not what they find in some set list of "attractions". From London I'll add Madame Tussaud's, Parliament, and Big Ben. <BR> <BR>It might be fun to name something better, as other people have named Lucca. Here goes. Much of the theme of Madame Tussaud's is covered in the National Portrait Gallery by Trafalgar Square -- free, no queues, and good public lectures. Parliament is not worth time outside, and the queue for Lords and Commonds debate is long. The better way is to phone the day before, pick a Standing Committee meeting, and go, without a queue, to spend an hour at that. You see much of the ceremonial area, and get a good discussion. <BR>There are older and better crown jewels in Vienna and Hungary. To learn when a courtier needed a tiara, and when a sapphire pin, there's a well-documented exhibition in Kensington Palace. The changing of the guard and Stonehenge are as cold and dull as people have said. There's a fine da Vinci portrait, not surrounded by pressing crowds, in the art gallety in Krakow: the "Lady with an Ermine". I saw little litter in Edinburgh, and found the citizens polite. Like London Edinburgh is a prosperous city that sells professional competence of many kinds, so need not fawn on tourists. I like the Cotswolds in spring and summer, but there's plenty of good country in England not over-visited -- west Sussex, the Weald of Kent, the Shropshire hills. The little mermaid is a fine illustration of the pointlessness of unthinking tourism. On the Seine, Cindy has a good idea, to divide touring from eating. I can add that there's plenty more poor food in Paris, laid out for tourists. <BR> <BR>As I say, a fresh and well-written corrsspondence. Thank you all. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>
Jan 2nd, 2001, 03:45 PM
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
We thought Edinburgh was by far the best city we visited on our vacation. It was alot cleaner than London and seemed a bit more friendly. I have also been to Pisa and thought it was well worth the trip. I enjoyed watching the people walking around,riding their bikes,walking their dogs etc..in that little park like area between the Bapistery and the leaning tower. I'm glad I was able to see it.
