If I visit Europe only once...what do I HAVE to see?
Oct 11th, 2010, 09:18 AM
#61
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Judging by some of the postings I've read on Fodors over the years, there are a fair number of people who "eat their way through" Europe and other continents. Eating is immensely pleasurable to some people, myself included, but I wouldn't put together a trip that focused on it, where every meal had to be an "experience." I don't have any objection to those that do, though (I just can't eat that much!).
Oct 11th, 2010, 11:23 AM
#62
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Consider pairing two destinations for contrast.
Examples:
Munich and Rome
Amsterdam and Paris
London and Athens
Check out open jaw flights (from US to one city and back to US from the other)
Check out cheap flights between countries (www.whichbudget.com)
Get an apartment in each of the two cities and combine regular sightseeing with a few day trips to more countryside locations.
And for off the beaten path experiences look for ethnic neighborhoods in even more mainstream cities. (Example, see current edition of AFAR magazine which features a number of ethnic neighborhoods in Paris with African, Asian and Middle Eastern flavors.)
Examples:
Munich and Rome
Amsterdam and Paris
London and Athens
Check out open jaw flights (from US to one city and back to US from the other)
Check out cheap flights between countries (www.whichbudget.com)
Get an apartment in each of the two cities and combine regular sightseeing with a few day trips to more countryside locations.
And for off the beaten path experiences look for ethnic neighborhoods in even more mainstream cities. (Example, see current edition of AFAR magazine which features a number of ethnic neighborhoods in Paris with African, Asian and Middle Eastern flavors.)
Oct 15th, 2010, 12:31 AM
#64
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For me, when I fly long distance, I completely lose my appetite for about a week after arriving, its terrible when I see all this yummy looking food and I just can't stomach more than a mouthful.
Anyway, another vote for Venice - its totally unique, and for me it really is a 'must see'. I was awestruck by it.
Anyway, another vote for Venice - its totally unique, and for me it really is a 'must see'. I was awestruck by it.
Oct 15th, 2010, 03:01 AM
#65
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stcirq I agree with you. I've often surprised about the detail that people can recall about their meals. They must make extensive notes at every meal. To me, and I"m not saying everyone, it's a waste of time to sit in a restaurant for hours at lunch time and then again at dinner time. I like to spend my time exploring where ever I am. Anyway that's getting off topic.
ean - If you want to immerse yourself and live like a local for 10 days then you might as well stay home. By that I mean, that you are on holiday and very much a tourist whether you like it or not. For starters, you probably won't be able to speak the language in most of the countries you are visiting. You don't have a job to commute to, you don't need to do grocery shopping, pay bills or wash the dog etc.
I think you have lots of ideas now and should be able to narrow down some choices and then come back to us for more specific help.
ean - If you want to immerse yourself and live like a local for 10 days then you might as well stay home. By that I mean, that you are on holiday and very much a tourist whether you like it or not. For starters, you probably won't be able to speak the language in most of the countries you are visiting. You don't have a job to commute to, you don't need to do grocery shopping, pay bills or wash the dog etc.
I think you have lots of ideas now and should be able to narrow down some choices and then come back to us for more specific help.
Oct 15th, 2010, 05:27 AM
#68
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As my name implies... I do have a favorite place to visit 
When someone mentions wanting to go to Europe and see something very differrent, Turkey is, IMHO, one of the places. It is NOT the first place I would go if choosing Europe, just an answer to what I think would be the most different.
I still think a guided tour is best. The Contiki tour I mentioned visited London, Paris, french vineyard, Cannes, Rome, Pisa, Venice, Vienna, Munich, and Amsterdam. That's not a bad slice of the continent
If a coach tour is definitely out, Amsterdam-Paris-Rome, 3/5/5 days. Fly in Amsterdam, fly out Rome.
You will not be a local. You will be a tourist finding your way around. You will not be able to see all of these cities, you will get an overview.
You will eat well, and you will want ot go back.
When someone mentions wanting to go to Europe and see something very differrent, Turkey is, IMHO, one of the places. It is NOT the first place I would go if choosing Europe, just an answer to what I think would be the most different.
I still think a guided tour is best. The Contiki tour I mentioned visited London, Paris, french vineyard, Cannes, Rome, Pisa, Venice, Vienna, Munich, and Amsterdam. That's not a bad slice of the continent
If a coach tour is definitely out, Amsterdam-Paris-Rome, 3/5/5 days. Fly in Amsterdam, fly out Rome.
You will not be a local. You will be a tourist finding your way around. You will not be able to see all of these cities, you will get an overview.
You will eat well, and you will want ot go back.
Oct 15th, 2010, 08:43 PM
#70
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Chalk me up as someone who dislikes Paris. It just doesn't do anything for me.
Must sees are places that exert some "pull" deep inside you.
It's much better to visit places that hold some allure for you based on images you have seen, stories heard, histories read, or cultures which fascinate you etc..
It's easy to find people who love, and people who hate anyplace. You would be better off doing a little freelance research than basing your hard earned vacation dollars and time on what someone else says should be revered above all else.
The only must-sees are what you want to see.
Must sees are places that exert some "pull" deep inside you.
It's much better to visit places that hold some allure for you based on images you have seen, stories heard, histories read, or cultures which fascinate you etc..
It's easy to find people who love, and people who hate anyplace. You would be better off doing a little freelance research than basing your hard earned vacation dollars and time on what someone else says should be revered above all else.
The only must-sees are what you want to see.
Oct 18th, 2010, 10:46 AM
#72
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You aren't along regarding Paris Aramis. My brother doesn't like it at all and I love, love, love it. We were there on the same two trips, did the same things, ate the same places, interacted with the same people and yet for my brother is was a huge snooze and I just got more hooked. My last trip to Europe was nine days in just Paris and I was in heaven.
Oct 18th, 2010, 11:57 AM
#74
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I didn't see the OP's preference for tour versus independent travel. I would never recommend Italy for independent travel unless the person is a very experienced European traveler, and even then... But Italy would be fine on a tour.
Independent travel on trains opens things up significantly. I'd probably start in Switzerland, train through France to Paris, then on to Brussels, and over to Berlin. It's a mini northwestern Europe jaunt easily doable in the time allotted and gets them to some big name destinations through some exciting topography. Also, there shouldn't be any language issues in these areas.
Independent travel on trains opens things up significantly. I'd probably start in Switzerland, train through France to Paris, then on to Brussels, and over to Berlin. It's a mini northwestern Europe jaunt easily doable in the time allotted and gets them to some big name destinations through some exciting topography. Also, there shouldn't be any language issues in these areas.
Oct 18th, 2010, 12:41 PM
#75
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The replies to the query are so so one dimensional, city after city after city- Get out of the big cities for at least half of the holiday to vary it a bit. For this you could try south Poland, south of Krakow and a few days in the West of Ireland visiting the Aran Islands (google for images). Alternatively the Italian lakes north of Milan such as Lake Como. These are a great contrast to the man made wonders you will see in cities.
Oct 18th, 2010, 02:11 PM
#76
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You can take the 14 days and travel around Italy. Go to Rome, Sorrento, Florence, Venice, or the Cinque Terre, Lucca,or Tuscany.
Pick 2 or 3 places and plan that way. I would recommend Rome, Tuscany and/or Florence and Venice.
Pick 2 or 3 places and plan that way. I would recommend Rome, Tuscany and/or Florence and Venice.
Oct 18th, 2010, 02:12 PM
#77
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If the assumption is that this will be your only trip to Europe then I should think you will want to visit more than one country. You don't say what your budget is and you don't say where you are coming from. Assuming we take out at least 2 days for travel to and from your home country- that leaves you with at most 12 days to plan where to go. I would fly in to your farthest city west first and then using a railpass train across Europe in an easterly direction and depart from your last city. This way you do not double back. Perhaps Prague might be the best to start and then train east finishing in what I consider a must do city - especially if you are not able to return to Europe- and that would be Paris. Allow 3 days in each of your cities and you might be able to work in 3 or 4 cities this way.
Of course 3 days in any of the great cities of Europe is not enought to see and do everything but remember- this might be your only trip to Europe so I would want to get a taste of a number of great cities. Get the eurrail map and timetable and see what you can work out.
On our first trip to Europe we flew into Vienna and then used a rail pass to train across Europe finishing in Amsterdam.
Riding the trains of Euroipe is great, relaxing and a great way to see the countrysides of these countries.
Of course 3 days in any of the great cities of Europe is not enought to see and do everything but remember- this might be your only trip to Europe so I would want to get a taste of a number of great cities. Get the eurrail map and timetable and see what you can work out.
On our first trip to Europe we flew into Vienna and then used a rail pass to train across Europe finishing in Amsterdam.
Riding the trains of Euroipe is great, relaxing and a great way to see the countrysides of these countries.
Oct 19th, 2010, 05:40 AM
#78
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Correction to above. Assuming you are coming from the US I meant to say fly as far East to your first destination and then travel West using Eurrail pass flying home from your last city. This requires an open jaw flight plan.
Oct 19th, 2010, 07:01 AM
#80
Since you asked:
Fly into Paris and out of Rome.
Take the train between Paris and Venice.
4-5 days in Paris and environs. The rest in Venice (possibly Florence, depending on time of year), and then Rome, with a stop or two between in a smaller town in Tuscany or Umbria that is rail-accessible.
Since you are asking for opinions and will assess vis a vis your needs accordingly, my trip would be Paris, train to Venice, 3 days in Venice (spending time out of the San Marco hub), possibly day or two in Florence if not during summer; then I'd stop at Orvieto on the way to Rome and last few days in Rome.
Fly into Paris and out of Rome.
Take the train between Paris and Venice.
4-5 days in Paris and environs. The rest in Venice (possibly Florence, depending on time of year), and then Rome, with a stop or two between in a smaller town in Tuscany or Umbria that is rail-accessible.
Since you are asking for opinions and will assess vis a vis your needs accordingly, my trip would be Paris, train to Venice, 3 days in Venice (spending time out of the San Marco hub), possibly day or two in Florence if not during summer; then I'd stop at Orvieto on the way to Rome and last few days in Rome.
