Favorite European City
 

Hello. I was just wondering what anyone's favorite European city is. I know mine would have to be Copenhagen. I just love the sea breeze, half timbered houses, and pedestrian walkways. I know that this question has probably been asked before, but I would like to hear everyone's opinion. Thanks.

I saw the thread title and immediately thought "Copenhagen!" So not to unbalance the thread, but I have to fully agree with you , JCK. Kbh. is an "alive" city--people live in the city centre, and don't just work and shop there. I've been three times in the past four years and will continue to return.

My favorite would be Budapest followed cloosly by Salzburg <BR>

Mine would be Vienna followed closely by Lucerne and Paris!

No place has ever impacted me as much as my first impression of Venice. And that hasn't waned!

If you've seen my name up here at all, you'll see that it's almost always associated with Heidelberg. It's my favorite place in the world. Bar none.

my favorite is always the last place I went to, I'm fickle.Well, maybe Venice has an edge.

Paris, of course. Just thinking about it makes me smile. <BR> <BR>Thanks for the question, JCK. I love reading the 'whats' and 'whys' from travelers!

Rome!

Vienna. No question. I lived there for a year - an amazing place. Went back last year and got engaged there, so the place means a lot to me! <BR> <BR>2nd: Prague <BR> <BR>And seeing the sunrise over the canals in Venice was beautiful as well.

Berlin! then Kobenhavn and Oxford.

Venice--from the moment we stepped out of the train station and saw the Grand Canal, we were hooked!

Madrid is my favorite because when we first got married my husband was assigned to a base near there and we spent a 5-year honeymoon near Madrid and I just love the city and it's surroundings and history and its people. I love London and Paris too though and I may be strange but I really love going to Athens too.

Hey, how can you pick! There are so many. And favorite for what--a quick trip, or live there for a year? Oh well, here goes...in rank order, descending, <BR>Vienna, London, Salzburg, St. Petersburg, Rome. <BR>Smaller places would include Heidelburg, Bamberg, Florence. <BR> <BR>But then, I've not yet seen Venice, so what do I know?

I love questions like these! OK, here goes: <BR># 3 Dublin for the people and the pubs plus I used to live there. <BR># 2 Venice. Just like another poster, I got out of the train station saw the Grand Canal and my feet didn't touch the ground for the rest of the trip. <BR># 1 Paris. Paris has the most personal, emotional, lovely, funny, interesting memories of my life running through every street of it. How can you not love that?

What a great question!! <BR>1) Venice - got engaged there (on one of those canals) <BR>2) Vienna - I just loved the whole city <BR>3) Rome - the history in that city is beyond reality <BR>4) Paris - the art and the history and the romance...... <BR>5) Lucerne - another amazing historical place...the paintings on the buildings are wonderful! <BR>It would be easier to list the ones I didn't like - but I wouldn't like that column - so let's not do that...

Geeeeeeeez... <BR>Paris <BR>Venice <BR>Paris <BR>Lubeck <BR>Paris <BR> <BR>Did I mention Paris?

These questions should be titled "What is your favorite city you have visited in Europe?" Since I have not yet been to Italy or Spain, two countries with many marvelous cities, my answer will be incomplete, but here are the top five I have visited: <BR> <BR>1. Paris <BR>2. Prague <BR>3. Vienna <BR>4. Budapest <BR>5. Luzern <BR> <BR>Honorable Mention goes to: Freiburg, Munich, Strasbourg <BR>

Geeeesh, you're right,Dan! How could I forget about Prague?!?!?

Obviously, I haven't been everywhere, but the city I am in during my European trips is my favorite, at the time. But looking back (& forward to cities I want to visit again)--Favorite-Edinburgh, then Oslo - people & history, Then Paris, London, Salzburg, & a tossup between Munich, Stockholm & Copenhagen. But it is hard to exclude the smaller cities & country surrounding those cities(within a day trip).

For different reasons, I have a few. Prague (Old, and mysterious, and cheap!), Venice (Romantic beyond description), Strasbourg, France (charming and great day trips into pristine wine country - best food I have evr had), and Paris.

Barcelona -- for the wonderful mix of sea-going Mediterranean and more cosmopolitan flavors, unique indigenous culture, old and new, vistas and architecture, and great food.

Prague, a fascinating, captivating time machine. Rome and Segovia: runners-up.

1 - Prague <BR>2 - Prague <BR>3 - Paris <BR>4 - Prague again.....

If we take a quick survey of the responses so far, this is what we have: <BR> <BR>FAVORITE CITY IN EUROPE: Tie between PARIS and VENICE. <BR> <BR>RUNNERS-UP: PRAGUE and VIENNA <BR> <BR>HONORABLE MENTION: COPENHAGEN <BR> <BR>MADE "THE CUT" (at least one mention): Barcelona, Berlin, Budapest, Edinburgh, Heidelberg, Madrid, Rome. <BR> <BR>SURPRISING ABSENCES: London, Munich, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Dublin. <BR> <BR>P.S. Second best were not counted for survey.

great to see someone list Bamberg! An off-the-beaten track wonder in northern Bavaria that just seems to miss the bus tours of Americans...

Being a veteran walker, I like cities I can take in on foot for the most part. So I would have to list (in no particular order): Munich, Bergen, Lisbon, Lyon, Quimper, Geneva, Florence, <BR>Salzburg, Innsbruck, Split, Istanbul.

Stockholm, Stockholm, Stockholm - <BR> <BR>I have been to most of the above cities but Stockholm is my favourite by far.

Prague, London and Rome.

We agree with Elaine, the last place we were is our favorite place. My wife and I will be leaving for Italy, first time, in a week. I look forward to seeing Venice after reading everyone elses comments. Antwerp will also always be a favorite of ours, it is so comfortable and has something for everyone.

Berlin, Berlin, Berlin! <BR>So much to see, so much to do, historically mind-blowing... <BR>The night-life just has no comparison. <BR>And, IMHO, the public transportation system is by FAR the best I have ever come across (I've come across a few).

I have a problem with the term "city". <BR>To me ,they fall into 3 categories and it is hard to compare Paris with Siena. <BR>Given that qualifier, here are mine. <BR> <BR>BIG CITIES---PRAGUE & PARIS <BR>MEDIUM CITIES--SIENA, TOLEDO, SALZBURG <BR>SMALL CITIES--HALLSTATT,PORTOVENERE <BR> <BR>I could talk all day about my dislike <BR>for most big cities, and find that the best way to travel Europe is to not plan <BR>by city detinations but by regions. <BR>Therefore, travel to Tuscany not Florence. Explore Provence not Avignon. <BR>You get the idea. Great question though

This is kinda like asking about desert island foods; thanks be we don't actually have to choose. <BR> <BR>Still, I'll vote for Amsterdam, with Edinburgh in hot pursuit. I love Paris, and Prague is beautiful, for sure, and Venice is gorgeous, etc. But what I like about Amsterdam is its livability, its very human scale, its tolerance, and its relative silence - more bike bells than car horns. The beer is good too. <BR> <BR>Otherwise I think Edinburgh has the edge on pubs, vistas, and history in your face. Could use better football teams, though.

Florence! Florence! Florence! The Duomo, the Arno, the art, the food, the people!!

PARIS!!! It is a magical place. I am just starting on my world travels. Of the 5 cities I have been to I rank Paris #1 and Bath #2. London at #3.

1. Vienna (for a million reasons, it'll always be my second home) <BR>2. Lisbon <BR>3. Budapest

The most exciting city I've ever experienced was Rome. I can't explain why; it was trembling with thousands of years of history - you could feel it... But so have other places I've been, like Athens and Taos Pueblo. Would I ever live there? NO!! But it was incredible.... My favorite livable cities were Paris and Munich.

Berlin first, Prague, Florence, Interlaken, London, Hamelin

I haven't been to many places, YET! <BR> <BR>However...of the places I've been... <BR>1)Edinburgh - the history <BR>2)Brugge - the romance <BR>3)Amsterdam - the relaxed atmosphere <BR>4)Ayrshire, Scotland - the beautiful coast and friendly people (I know it's not a city, but it had to make the list) <BR>5)London - so many landmarks

Great fun!! I have loved every place I have ever been, but... <BR> <BR>Salzburg: the most adorable town <BR> <BR>Munich: beer, museums, brats, beer, shopping, beer (all within minutes of my hotel) <BR> <BR>Spoleto: my first risotto (gave me chills!) <BR> <BR>Audrey <BR> <BR>