Amy_D

For the next five weeks, in honor of Fodor’s To Europe we decided to have a little bit of fun with a feature we’re calling “European Face-off.” Each week, we’ll post a story with the topic for the week and a match up between two destinations. Since our forums posters are some of the most well-traveled and passionate European advocates out there—I’d like to personally invite you to give us your thoughts.

Our first European Face-Off topic is "Great European Beaches for People-Watching." Would you rather gawk at passersby in St. Tropez (France) or Paradise Beach (Mykonos, Greece)? The poll will close at 12:00 PM EST on May 26th, and we'll crown the weekly European Face-Off winner later that afternoon.

You can vote here: http://www.fodors.com/news/story_4004.html

Have more to say than just a simple vote? Feel free to write a comment to explain your opinion, share a memory of one of the destinations, or simply tell us we're off our rocker because we didn't include your favorite spot in the match-up.

ekscrunchy

I wonder how many people frequenting this forum are likely to be hanging out at either of those two beaches. Isn't Paradise known as being "clothing optional?"

klondike

re: ekscrunchy's "I wonder how many people frequenting this forum are likely to be hanging out at either of those two beaches. Isn't Paradise known as being "clothing optional?"

...doesn't matter, some of us ALWAYS have an opinion

Michel_Paris

Sounds like I should plan to go to Paradise

maitaitom

Just my opinion, but the people who post on the Europe Forum are not exactly the "gawk at passersby" crowd. A friendly suggestion would be for the editors to research what are popular topics on the European board to be able to ask better questions. I don't think I have ever seen a post with a title about Paradise Beach in Greece, although I did like Paradise City by Guns N'Roses.

StCirq

>

It was pretty much no clothing at all 25 years ago, the last time I was there. And I must say, the imagery is still with me. So I'd be voting for Paradise (not, of course, for that reason alone....)

But I do agree there's probably only a teensy percentage of regular Fodorites who would consider this a question that relates to their kind of travel. Just seems goofy and immature.

Echnaton

Dear Amy,

this is really not the Fodorites' level.

There is no "St. Tropez Beach". St. Tropez is a tiny fishing village that has no beach but a port. There are several beaches near St. Tropez, e.g. La Bouillabaisse or Plage de Pampelonne. Which one do you mean?

BTW, your choice of two beaches which are thousands of kilometres apart is ridiculous. Europe has zillions of beaches and it is nonsense to pick just two of them.

Sorry that I am opinionated, but we are usually much more precise here on this forum.

danon

agree with PP on goofy.. not what most people her do.

danon

sorry, here (not her).

Tulips

Am I a teensy percentage of fodorites?

I've head some wonderful lunches at 55 in St Tropez, great people watching with a cool glass of Chateau Minuty.

ekscrunchy

I don't mean to be offensive, but that contest sounds as if it were dreamed up by someone who was not very well traveled and just did a Google search for "famous European beaches."

adrienne

Oh give Amy a break. At least this is not another "what should I wear" or "is xyz city safe" or "can I drink the tap water" or the one million and one post "where should I stay in Paris."

danon

At least this is not another "what should I wear" or "is xyz city safe" or "can I drink the tap water" or the one million and one post "where should I stay in Paris."

Yes, but what is the point in asking the question most cannot answer?
It seems that rather small percentage of posters spend a lot of time time on the beaches of Europe. But, i could be wrong.

Aduchamp1

I am with the gang.

It sounds like the editors have never read these boards. And it is the Jerry Springer approach to travel. And while there are not many Wittgensteins here, it also does not seem like the type of crowd who would chant "Jerry, Jerry."

Seems overly contrived.

How about which city would choose if you were going for the meals?
If you love museums,which city would you choose?
If you love architecture where would you go?
Where would you advise someone to go for their first Euroepan trip, if there were a blank slate?

Lexma90

I agree with all of the posters above, though it's a cute question for those who like to hang out at beaches.

For questions that have more of a face-off format:

Great Small Foodie Cities: Bologna or Dijon?

Great People-Watching Piazzas: Piazza Navona in Rome or ____? (Or name specific cafes)

Great wine regions (this will really get some folks going): Bordeaux and Burgundy on one side, and the Piedmont and Tuscany (Brunellos) on the other

Great mountain day hikes: Somewhere around Grindelwald or ______?

Great castles: Chenenceau or Beynac? (Or any of many others)

Amy_D

Thanks for all your feedback. We tried to pick match ups that would be fun for everyone to vote on and debate, even people who might never have visited the locations. I, for one, am happy to dream about glamorous European beaches on this rainy day in NYC. Aduchamp1 and Lexma90, thanks for your suggestions. I think you’ll be happier with some of the Face-offs to come in future weeks.

danon

Having never been to Bologna, Dijon, Bordeaux, Piedmont, Grindelwald , or Beynac, I have to agree with Adu.

The more specific the question, the fewer people can participate.

Padraig

Lexma90 wrote: "Great Small Foodie Cities: Bologna or Dijon?"

The answer is Lyon.

Bellachefa

I prefer my bologna fried with hellman's mayo - never dijon.
But I do like dijon on my frankfurters

Echnaton

Amy, I am sorry that it is raining in NYC. We enjoyed 10 days of wonderful weather in NYC over Easter.

But when it comes to beaches: Europe has so many fantastic beaches that it is a sacrilege to select just two (or even 20). Better start a "name your favourite beach in Europe" thread and you will be amazed by the outcome!

BTW, somehow, I have the feeling that Aduchamp's and Lexma's posts were quite ironic.