scarycarrot22

Hi all. My husband has been invited to a conference in Geneva, Switzerland in mid-August. We are hoping to spend six days in Europe prior to the conference taking in the sights as my husband has never been to Europe before (I have). He wants to visit areas that will be easy for an American to adjust to (lodging style, food selections, ease of navigating transportation). We will also be celebrating our tenth anniversary. I would love to go someplace romantic like the French Riviera or the Amalfi Coast, but I know those locations would be pretty hot and crowded in August. I'm also thinking that he should experience some of the great European cities (maybe London and Venice?). Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

nytraveler

If your husband has never been to europe and is asking for places that the "most american" I would definitely stick to either the UK or Ireland - so at least he doesn;t have to deal with a foreign language (unless he speaks something besides English fairly well).

Although there are a lot of things different - it's going to be much easier for him to cope where he can at least talk to other people, read menus and know what's going on. Perhaps after this first foot in the water - plus coping with Geneva - he will become a little more adventurous.

janisj

>>He wants to visit areas that will be easy for an American to adjust to<<

I have no idea what that means - really. Is it just that he want to stay in a big chain hotel (hilton, Marriott, whatever)? Or is it more than that? Speaking English won't be an issue most places. But if he is a timid traveler (not meant as a slam) -- London is probably your best choice.

PatrickLondon

London - Paris - Geneva might be an option. Local public transport in Paris has plenty of English-language information, if that's the sort of thing that's worrying your husband, and there's plenty of online information and how-to guides to familiarise yourself in advance.

If a suitably romantic hotel could be found in Paris, it might tick most of the boxes. And you could do the journeys between by train (2 hours London-Paris, 3 hours Paris-Geneva, which is pretty time-competitive over air travel).

But six days doesn't give you much time, bearing in mind adaptation from jetlag, for more than a taster. You'd need to be ruthless about cutting down that list of sights.

bilboburgler

Given the time scales it is hard to differ with London and Geneva. My issues would be he has to realise the cars are going to be on the wrong side of the road which may confuse the lad.

In Geneva he is going to find the place very clean, which, depending on where he comes from may be a surprise. Also watch out for the salad course in Switzerland, may shock. Also the air is pretty clean as Switzerland exported most of its pollution to other countries long ago.

Paris, with a fair smattering of English about, would offer him a slight language shock but as long as he stays in US chains, takes Taxis everywhere and only eats in Macdoo he should be alright.

Amsterdam, with bicycles and great public transport and the smell of dope in the air might take him to SF, or not.

I tried for better ideas but go for London near Grosvenor Square and he'll be fine.