christellefv

Ok... People will find this very vast post... But I need help!

I have one weekend to spend in a European city I have not visited yet (in mid July). I will be living in Amsterdam. I already seen: Paris, Nice/Monaco and Brussels. So the choice for a weekend city getaway is HUGE!

I like cultural stuff & nice architecture. Would also like a city that has nice sunny weather. I like shopping. I will be on my own.

Which European city should I choose? I've been thinking about Madrid or Copenhagen. Any other suggestions? Where have you been in Europe and was your favorite spot?

Thanks for helping me decide where to go!

LoveItaly

Have you thought about Rome? Or Venice? You could fly to Venice very quickly and have a beautiful weekend. Lucky you, I imagine you will be having a lot of weekend trips. Have fun! BTW, Venice is a great city for a solo woman travelller.

christellefv

Rome seems too big for only 2-3 days to explore right??

And Venice I thought would be depressing on my own no? The romantic city with all the couples... I'll check what kind of flights are possible anyhow. It is a beautiful city indeed.

cmt

I vote for Venice. It's a very easy city to visit alone.

oaklandlady

How about Barcelona? The Gaudi buildings are amazing, but there is a lot to see and do. Many people enjoy the action on Las Ramblas, the famous tree lined street with different areas of items on sale, plants, birds, etc., plus many interesting street performers. You can go up Montjuic for an adventurous ride in an aerial bucket, and The Miro Museum is a beautiful modern building housing exciting art, and the restaurant there is good, too.
I would recommend checking out El Born, the neighborhood around the splendid Gothic church Santa Maria del Mar. The Picasso museum is nearby, as well as great shops and restaurants.
Barcelona is youthful and energetic, you will probably connect with others if you go to a wine bar.

LoveItaly

Hi christellefv, if it would be the only chance to see Rome a few days in better than none but I would imagine you will have other opportunities. And it would take longer to fly to Rome plus getting from airport to the city proper.

christellefv, I understand your concern about feeling lonely in Venice as one does tend to think of it as a "romantic city". And it is.

But don't forget, Venice has her residents. And many singles go to Venice and have a beautiful time. Also lots of family visit Venice. There is a 3 generation thread right now Fodors. Venice does not just consist of romance and honeymooners.

In that you have cultural and architecture intrests I truly think that Venice would be very enjoable for you. And it will be sunny. Regarding the shopping, if you are thinking of clothes shopping I will say that Venice is not the city I would choose. But I would think that you will be so busy exploring Venice you won't even think about shopping .

Many woman have a beautiful time in Venice and from what you say about yourself I would be inclined to think that you would also. Search here on Fodors search box for Venice. There are ton of threads you might be interested in reading. Whatever you decide, have a beautiful weekend.

Eloise

Someone else asked a similar quetion a few days ago. Maybe there are some ideas there.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34626783

ballbuster

if you haven't been to London you should probably go there

nytraveler

I think mid-July would be a great time for Copenhage - and it has the advantage of being fairly close. It;s definitely at it's best in the summer.

I would never do Madrid in the summer - way too hot (but then I would never do Madrid again at all - not my favorite place - the only place in europe to which I would not return.)

Also - how about Berlin - or even London - other places I think best in the summer and easy/quick to get to.

Beatchick

Paris is sunny mid-July and I love Paris so my vote goes to...



(drum roll, please)


PARIS!

(didja ever have any doubt?)

WillTravel

Not to disagree Beatchick, but last summer in mid-July, Paris was rainy several days of my weeklong stay. So - you're probably right statistically, but I didn't want to raise anyone's hopes.

LoveItaly

Paris has already been visited by christellefv so if I understand her post correctly she wants to go somewhere different.

WillTravel

I think Copenhagen is a great idea in mid-July. I've been there at that time, and the nights are long and the weather was (mostly) good. You only have a weekend, and I think it would be easier to do Copenhagen in a weekend than a major metropolis.

christellefv

Yea I've been to Paris already. London does not attract me because it's English speaking. A country with a new language seems more exotic, like I'm really exploring somewhere new/different.

Thanks for the suggestions all!! I'll continue looking around.

zootsi

Vienna - beautiful city - clean, safe. Lots and lots of culture and shopping.

ira

Another vote for Copenhagen.

suze

VENICE! Having been to Venice twice I didn't find it particularly "romantic" at all nor was I depressed while I visited as a single person -LOL.

It IS a fantastic, beautiful city. Contrary to what you said, I found it a great solo destination, because you can walk to everything you want to see, and it is small enough in the central area to cover a lot of ground each day. Also without car traffic it is not too hectic a place, so was not overwhelming like I picture Rome to be (having not visited there myself).

travelnd

I loved Slovenia--I would recommend a day and a half in Piran and the rest of the time in Lake Bled/Lake Bohinj. These aren't big cities, by any means, but beautiful naturally and very charming.

christellefv

Ok... I think I'll make 2 trips.

One weekend in Copenhagen.

The other I'll flip a coin between Barcelona and Venice...