First Time Europe Trip
Feb 12th, 2016, 05:53 AM
#21
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I too would drop Luxembourg. In the context of a first trip to Europe, it's not a city that floats my boat. I guess I'd also question Cologne. It's just not that compelling for a first trip.
My son is about your age. The cities he loves are Dublin, London, Paris, and Amsterdam (as do I). Berlin gets rave reviews from younger people. I'm going there for the first time in September, so have no first hand knowledge. Those 5 seem like good selections.
If I took the days from Luxembourg and Cologne, I might suggest getting a cheap flight and heading south. Barcelona or Rome might be two suggestions. That might improve your chance of good weather in late November. And you can fly open jaw (into Dublin or London, home from Barcelona or Rome). If you are at all budget sensitive, I might suggest you drop from Prague to Budapest and finish the trip there. I lived there for 2 years. My kids all loved it. It's a great city for someone of your age.
My kids are quite spread in age. When my eldest did his Europe thing in his 20s, he tended to travel by train. My daughter last summer tended to fly discounted airlines. You may be able to cover quite a bit of ground if you use inexpensive flights vs. train travel. I rarely take long haul trains as flying is almost always cheaper.
I won't comment on time. At your age, 3 or 4 days in a city is actually quite slow (I'm old, I like to sit a spell). Many on this forum will disagree with that advice. Personally, I think you are moving at a good pace for your age. If this were my trip, I would remove Lux and Cologne, I'd carve it into another spot.
Lastly (then I'll shut up, I promise). Dublin is very well served by RyanAir. You might want to start in London, fly to Dublin.. and then fly from Dublin to your next city (just don't fly RyanAir into Paris).
Have a wonderful trip.
My son is about your age. The cities he loves are Dublin, London, Paris, and Amsterdam (as do I). Berlin gets rave reviews from younger people. I'm going there for the first time in September, so have no first hand knowledge. Those 5 seem like good selections.
If I took the days from Luxembourg and Cologne, I might suggest getting a cheap flight and heading south. Barcelona or Rome might be two suggestions. That might improve your chance of good weather in late November. And you can fly open jaw (into Dublin or London, home from Barcelona or Rome). If you are at all budget sensitive, I might suggest you drop from Prague to Budapest and finish the trip there. I lived there for 2 years. My kids all loved it. It's a great city for someone of your age.
My kids are quite spread in age. When my eldest did his Europe thing in his 20s, he tended to travel by train. My daughter last summer tended to fly discounted airlines. You may be able to cover quite a bit of ground if you use inexpensive flights vs. train travel. I rarely take long haul trains as flying is almost always cheaper.
I won't comment on time. At your age, 3 or 4 days in a city is actually quite slow (I'm old, I like to sit a spell). Many on this forum will disagree with that advice. Personally, I think you are moving at a good pace for your age. If this were my trip, I would remove Lux and Cologne, I'd carve it into another spot.
Lastly (then I'll shut up, I promise). Dublin is very well served by RyanAir. You might want to start in London, fly to Dublin.. and then fly from Dublin to your next city (just don't fly RyanAir into Paris).
Have a wonderful trip.
Feb 12th, 2016, 07:07 AM
#23
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Another, "don't bother with Luxembourg" when there is so much more to see and enjoy.
And Cologne except for a quick visit IF it is en route. I'd add to Paris for sure.
And if Ireland is really a big desire, do it. If not, add to some of the other places--you'll save a little money on transportation costs.
If you take some places out and add anything, I think Munich is a worthy stop.
And Cologne except for a quick visit IF it is en route. I'd add to Paris for sure.
And if Ireland is really a big desire, do it. If not, add to some of the other places--you'll save a little money on transportation costs.
If you take some places out and add anything, I think Munich is a worthy stop.
Feb 12th, 2016, 07:13 AM
#24
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I have to defend Cologne.
Cologne has layers of history, dating from Roman times. And it is a lively, vibrant city with lots of things to see and to do.
I have taken numerous international guest from USA, Australia, Japan, Brasil and other countries to Cologne, and each of them - without any exception - was fascinated.
Cologne appears to have a not-so-good reputation among Americans, but this is mainly the effect of American guidebooks which tend to neglect the Northern half of Germany totally. You may call it prejudice. Or ignorance. Whatever, here the reasons why you should visit Cologne:
- The Cathedral (Dom). It is one of the few gothic cathedrals that had been completed (including two spires). It is one of the largest and one of the most beautiful ones. It has priceless works of art inside and the shrine of the Three Magi. The Treasury is one of the best at all. The Cathedral is UNESCO World Heritage since 1996.
- 12 (twelve) romanesque churches which are even older than the cathedral.
- The Romano-Germanic Museum with outstanding archeology from Germanic and Roman times, including mosaics, a huge burial monument, jewellery and the finest glassworks of Roman times in the world.
- The ruins of the Roman Palace in the cellar of the medieval City Hall. These ruins include a 200-meter-long, 2,000-year-old sewer which is walkable.
- Remnants of a Jewish Mikwe in front of the City Hall.
- World-Class art museums, one for medieval art and one for modern art.
- Around a dozen microbreweries, producing a light local beer (called "Kölsch") and serving local fare.
- A rich cultural scene.
- A chocolate museum that includes a working chocolate factory that produces small pieces of chocolate which are given to the visitors as souvenirs.
- A riverfront with a park, beer gardens, bars and restaurants in historical houses.
- In addition to history, you will see some bright modern architecture which will fascinate you, too (especially near the chocolate museum).
Cologne has layers of history, dating from Roman times. And it is a lively, vibrant city with lots of things to see and to do.
I have taken numerous international guest from USA, Australia, Japan, Brasil and other countries to Cologne, and each of them - without any exception - was fascinated.
Cologne appears to have a not-so-good reputation among Americans, but this is mainly the effect of American guidebooks which tend to neglect the Northern half of Germany totally. You may call it prejudice. Or ignorance. Whatever, here the reasons why you should visit Cologne:
- The Cathedral (Dom). It is one of the few gothic cathedrals that had been completed (including two spires). It is one of the largest and one of the most beautiful ones. It has priceless works of art inside and the shrine of the Three Magi. The Treasury is one of the best at all. The Cathedral is UNESCO World Heritage since 1996.
- 12 (twelve) romanesque churches which are even older than the cathedral.
- The Romano-Germanic Museum with outstanding archeology from Germanic and Roman times, including mosaics, a huge burial monument, jewellery and the finest glassworks of Roman times in the world.
- The ruins of the Roman Palace in the cellar of the medieval City Hall. These ruins include a 200-meter-long, 2,000-year-old sewer which is walkable.
- Remnants of a Jewish Mikwe in front of the City Hall.
- World-Class art museums, one for medieval art and one for modern art.
- Around a dozen microbreweries, producing a light local beer (called "Kölsch") and serving local fare.
- A rich cultural scene.
- A chocolate museum that includes a working chocolate factory that produces small pieces of chocolate which are given to the visitors as souvenirs.
- A riverfront with a park, beer gardens, bars and restaurants in historical houses.
- In addition to history, you will see some bright modern architecture which will fascinate you, too (especially near the chocolate museum).
Feb 12th, 2016, 11:41 AM
#26
Ryan-when in Prague, try Krusovice beer. It is somewhat of a premium beer in the eyes of Czechs. Oh, so good. A mug of it is like eating a steak dinner. Tastiest beer I've ever had. Pronounced Kroos-o-vee-chee.
Feb 12th, 2016, 09:19 PM
#27
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I would recommend any of the YHA properties. We used several around the UK (not in London, unfortunately) and we've always been impressed with the rooms and the overall quality of their hostels.
www.yha.org.uk
Lee Ann
www.yha.org.uk
Lee Ann
Feb 13th, 2016, 03:13 PM
#28
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Traveller1959 and JulieEC, I want to thank you for your thought out responses to the questions I had. I greatly appreciate you sharing your advice and experiences
Tomboy, as someone who loves to try new beers I will definitely take your suggestion and try Krusovice.
Everyone else who commented, I appreciate all you had to say. Your advice will definitely help me plan my trip.
Even though it is 8 months away, I am already getting very excited based on all your responses!
As far as the local cuisine in the places on my itinerary, which foods would you say I would have to try?
Tomboy, as someone who loves to try new beers I will definitely take your suggestion and try Krusovice.
Everyone else who commented, I appreciate all you had to say. Your advice will definitely help me plan my trip.
Even though it is 8 months away, I am already getting very excited based on all your responses!
As far as the local cuisine in the places on my itinerary, which foods would you say I would have to try?
