Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Europe - Scotland, England, France, and Germany

Europe - Scotland, England, France, and Germany

Old Jun 7th, 2010, 11:59 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Europe - Scotland, England, France, and Germany

We am planning a trip to Europe featuring the above destinations. It's for our 25th anniversary. What is the best thing to do and see in each of the above places? We are both history buffs and love sight seeing and cultural activities, like theatre or museums. I want to plan this for the Spring of 2012 and complete the trip from the US and back in 21 days. Would especially like recommendations for travel between the destinations and comfortable lodgings.
dhchance is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2010, 12:18 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hmm, well these are all big countries. Anywhere in particular you want to go? In 21 days, you could spend all your time in the British Isles, for instance, of France. So I think you need to drill it down a bit. Do you want to:

- hit a few big cities, with rail or air between?
- meander around in a car seeing quaint villages, castles, gardens?
- What type of history are you interested in?

If it were me, I would drop at least one country, or focus on a city or two in each country, and fly in between.
WWanderer is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2010, 12:39 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think you probably need to do some more indepth research on each of these countries to determine what interests you.

Why did you pick these particular countries in the first place?

Only you know what you expect to get from this trip.
bettyk is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2010, 12:54 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I lived in Scotland, and since you mentioned a love of history and culture, I'd recommend focusing on Edinburgh. Edinburgh was, according to much of what I've heard, a main cultural hub for Europe in the late 1800s (I think). Edinburgh successfully maintains a very "old" feeling. I'll warn you though, Edinburgh smells like dog food a lot of the time, especially on a warm day (I think this is because of the distilleries in town).

So for history and culture focus on Edinburgh, Stirling, maybe shoot through Perth on way to the Highlands. Aberdeen's downtown is worth seeing (basically every building is made of Granite and it looks amazing in the sunlight and very depressing in the rain). I personally wouldn't bother with Glasgow, especially since you have so much ground to cover in 21 days.

Edinburgh is my #1 recommendation, then Stirling (one day in Stirling will allow you to see the castle and tower). Everyone loves the Highlands, so if you feel you have time I'd go up there.

Like the other responses I'd recommend dropping one of your destinations. It'll give you more time on the ground enjoying yourself instead of travelling.
Gnarmac is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2010, 12:59 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You can't cover 4 countries in 212 days - you can do 4 cities - or several cities in 1 or 2 countries. I really think you need to focus more on what your must sees are - then people can help you string them together into a trip.

(I've been to each of those countries 4 or 5 times, London and Paris at least a dozen times each, differnt parts of Germany probably 11 or 12 times - and there is always more to see. So - you need to provide more info to help us help you.)
nytraveler is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2010, 01:13 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Of those countries, I have only been to Germany and highly recommend it. You could spend the entire 3 weeks there if you wanted to. My husband and I spent 2 weeks just in southern Germany - Munich, Nuremberg, Ansbach, Rothenberg, Dinklesbuhl, Fuessen, Hohenschwangau - and didn't see everything we wanted to. So we are going back next year to pick up some of the things we missed

I agree with the other posters that narrowing things down is important. What is it that draws you to these places? Also, how quickly do you want to move around on this trip? Are you looking for a trip where you'll be on the move or do you like to slow things down and savor places a bit?
november_moon is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2010, 02:02 PM
  #7  
sap
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wow, I'm impressed that you're planning so far ahead. It's great that you still have so much time to work out these details.

Have you been to Europe before? If not, since you like culture, museums and theatre, you may prefer to spend one week each in a larger city with a couple of day trips from each. For example, one week in London, one in Paris, one in Berlin or one of the cities that november_moon mentions. You might even consider Amsterdam, which is often recommended by Fodorites.

Do you want to see any of the countryside or smaller towns & villages, too, or do you think you want to spend most of your time in cities? Once you narrow things down to a city and its surrounding area, then you can start looking at what sites/sights fit with your particular interests and see how your days start to flesh out.

Also, as soon as you decide that there is a particular city or area you want to ask about, the information may start to pour in and you can wade through all that to suit your needs.

What a special way to celebrate your 25th!
sap is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2010, 07:47 PM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Excellent advise so let me narrow it down for everyone - I've been to Edinburgh and London. I spent two weeks in Edinburgh for my kids to participate in the Fringe Festival. We got to see the Military Tattoo and hit all the highlights of that beautiful city. We also went up to Stirling and the Trossachs. Problem is my husband wasn't on that trip so I'd like to show it to him.

I was only in London for a day and really missed out on seeing it. It was a stopover from the States to Edinburgh.

My husband has been to Paris and I haven't. Neither of us have been to Germany but have friends who recommend Augsburg sp?

I'd love to spend the majority of time in the major cities with side trips to the surrounding countryside either in transit to another destination or as a day trip.

For example, I have imagined we might land in Edinburgh and spend three to four days there, then motor down to London with stops at some English countryside sites - Stratford, Stonehenge,etc. Spend four days in London, then take the train to Paris and spend four days there and then motor to somewhere in Germany - or take a train. Then fly home out of Germany??? Germany is the big unknown. I want a "typical" Bavarian city, I guess. If I had to drop one I'd drop it. I could always come back and take in Amsterdam, Austria and Germany together if need be, on a separate trip.

We stayed in Student Halls in both London and Edinburgh. I hated Bankside House in London but LOVED Pollack Halls in Edinburgh. Don't really want to spend my 25th anniversary in dormitories, however. So, I would like recommendations on nice but affordable accommodations in Edinburgh, London, Paris, English or Scottish Countryside, and as-yet-unnamed location in Germany.

And, I am going to cry wimpy American and state that in Paris and Germany I want to be able to communicate with the concierge! So, I need places that "tolerate" Americans and speak English. I had eight years of French in high school and college (was on my way to being an interpreter with the UN) but that was ages ago and I can't parlez-vous my way out of a paper bag now.

We took the train from London to Edinburgh and I LOVED it so that would be my preferred mode of travel between destinations - I know that will add a day of travel between destinations that's why I kind of said four days in each location with one day of travel between. One to travel over and one to travel back.

Thanks for all the help!
dhchance is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2010, 09:33 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,629
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Just skimmed your last post - will come back in the morning to read it more in depth and post some ideas.

But the "land in Edinburgh and spend three to four days there, then motor down to London with stops at some English countryside sites - Stratford, Stonehenge,etc. Spend four days in London," bit stood out.

That is already about 11-12 days worth. And that is only giving you 4 days in London. Only leaving you 8 or 9 days for Paris and Germany.

W/ 3 weeks you could have a really lovely trip divided up something like 4-5 days in Scotland; 3 days traveling down to London (this is a bit rushed but you probably don't have time for more); 5 days in London; 7 days in Paris w/ one day trip to somewhere like Giverney or Chartres or Normandy.

You need to account for one day to get to the UK, one day to recover from jetlag, and one day to fly home so don't over schedule your 21 days.
janisj is online now  
Old Jun 8th, 2010, 07:07 AM
  #10  
sap
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Dhchance: Thanks for such great details and background, which really offered a clear picture of what would work for you. Based on that, I really like janisj' suggestion about how to divide your three weeks. She's always spot on.

When you said, "If I had to drop one I'd drop it. I could always come back and take in Amsterdam, Austria and Germany together if need be, on a separate trip," I was thinking that might sadly be true. You already sensed there was just not enough time and I think you'll have to set that dish aside as your plate is full.

Narrowing it down to janis' suggestion (and your leanings) to Edinburgh, London and Paris, you can start searching this forum and the web about those places, grab those specific guidebooks and start accumulating specific lists of sights & hotels/B&Bs. You've obviously got a good head start on your knowledge of the Edinburgh area.

Janisj is one of Fodor's UK specialists, so she'll have loads of answers for you when she returns. Also, you may sometimes find that you get faster, more accurate answers to specific questions by occasionally starting new topic threads. Good luck!
sap is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2010, 10:57 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have to agree with the others...you are biting off a little too much. I lived in Germany for 2.5 years and have nothing but good things to say about it, but given what you have posted I think janisj offers a good suggestion to stick with the UK and Paris environs. You'd be taking a lot of time to travel to Germany (especially all the way to Bavaria) and then have hardly any time there.

You shouldn't have any trouble finding an English-speaking concierge in Paris. You really have to get off the beaten track in France and Germany to get into language trouble. But honestly, I'll bet your French skills will return to you once you find yourself immersed there! I'm always amazed at how it comes back for me. My only problem now is that I have also learned German and I get the two languages mixed up all the time.
hausfrau is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2010, 05:26 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
dhance- like janis/hausfrau say, 21 days is too short for so many countries. pick two! UK/france or UK/germany or france/germany. then come back for advice.
scubes is offline  
Old Jun 9th, 2010, 11:02 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have a better idea... Just come to Scotland. We can show you a good time
sheila is offline  
Old Jun 10th, 2010, 11:45 AM
  #14  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Okay - we're dropping Germany for now. It's to be the UK and Paris - Paris only if we can squeeze it in. So, now - 21 days in the UK and Paris?

I really don't think I want to immerse myself too much into the English countryside. Day trips around London will suffice. And, had it not been for the fact that we were there for the Fringe Festival - ten days would have been too long to be just in Edinburgh. I'd love to take my husband up into the Highlands and to Stirling.

I loved Scotland, sheila" - everyone I met was superb!! We have friends who live in East Kilbride and thoroughly enjoy their visits to us!

For England I'd maybe like to take in some literary sites (the Bronte home, Stratford-upon-Avon, Jane Austen's cottage, etc) as day trips, and of course, go to Stonehenge. My husband would like to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and I want to catch theatre in the West End.
dhchance is offline  
Old Jun 10th, 2010, 11:58 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,629
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
>>he Bronte home, Stratford-upon-Avon, Jane Austen's cottage, etc
janisj is online now  
Old Jun 10th, 2010, 12:18 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You are SO WISE to plan this far in advance and you will have such a wonderful anniversary memory! DH took me for our 30th in 2008. We spent 2 weeks in London and took 5 day trips via trains and/or bus. You can read about that if you want here on my Fodor's trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-day-trips.cfm

We did not make the specific day trips you might be interested in (except for Stonehenge/Salisbury) but you can see how and what we did with our 14 days with 9 in and 5 out of London. Definitely look at traveling to Oxford for a day. (I get to get taken back in 7 weeks from almost this very moment with DH and DD both this time for 13 days with a car--and we still won't make it to Scotland!)
texasbookworm is offline  
Old Jun 10th, 2010, 12:21 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do 5-6 nights in Edinburgh, that can include day trips to Stirling or east Lothian or something, and includes the post-flight adjustment. Look at the Scottish Parliament building and laugh.

Do 7 nights London (take fast train from Edinburgh) and go nuts. Dover and its castle and cliffs are now just 85 minutes from London by fast train; Windsor is 45 minutes from Waterloo; Salisbury, Bath and more are close.

Do 5 nights in Paris, take the obligatory sojourn to Versailles to see the crowds, then 3 in the Loire Valley to see the chateaux and get out of the city, then 1-2 more in Paris before flying home out of that dumpster fire of an airport named after the founder of the Fifth Republic.
BigRuss is offline  
Old Jun 10th, 2010, 02:03 PM
  #18  
sap
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
IMO, the changing of the guards at Windsor is better and second BigRuss's recos re: Salisbury & Bath, too.

This is evolving into a good trip, dhchance.
sap is offline  
Old Jun 11th, 2010, 10:01 AM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,993
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
With your interest in history and Jane Austen, you should seriously consider Bath. The Roman Baths there are just amazing, the connection with US history is very interesting, plus you are getting a real sense of life during the time of Jane Austen.
Sassafrass is online now  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JulianoMelao
Europe
26
Feb 13th, 2015 06:40 AM
kuck
Europe
11
Aug 31st, 2013 11:57 AM
TravelWise555
Europe
16
Nov 30th, 2011 07:37 AM
Lizzy165
Europe
8
Aug 9th, 2011 06:12 PM
Josigirl77
Europe
15
Oct 15th, 2006 10:48 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -