I am planning to go to Croatia (solo) this summer (early July) and since there are no direct flights from the US to Croatia I will need to first fly into another European city first... so I figured I will make the best of it and plan to explore my stop over city/country for a couple of days (eat, drink, shop and general exploration)... So, if you only had a couple of days (2-4) which would you go to and why?

I have been to all three repeatedly so I would pick the one that allows me a stopover at the cheapest and most convenient overall fare and schedule. But such a short stopover, barely enough to get over the lack of sleep from the flight over, in a city as big as London or Paris, doesn't make too much sense.

Can you really fly nonstop from the US into Prague on a fare that then gets you to Croatia a few days later on the same ticket, all at a good price? Then I suggest Praha, it is the most manageable of the three cities by far for a short sojourn.

But why not fly to Venice (there's a city worthy of a stopover!) and take the ferry to Croatia?

I've never been to Prague, and I have been to London and Paris several times each. I think any one of them sounds great for a couple of days, why not? I don't agree with the advice that a short visit is a waste of time in any city, and in these three there is always some way to have fun. I especially like the first couple of days in a city in Europe, since my body clock is still on US time, and I end up staying up late enough to enjoy the nightlife (waking up late too, but I'm on vacation).

I would pick the city that appeals to you the most or that has the best price and schedule for your trip if you don't have a distinct preference.

My own choice? Hard to say. London for theater, Paris for French food and culture, Prague just because I've never been. No bad options here.

thanks everyone - I should have mentioned that from what I have found so far I can get a flight for about the same price from each of the cities I listed and my plan is to spend the last few days of my trip there as I want to get to Croatia as early as possible (it's busy season).

I love Italy! I didn't list it because I've been there before and thought as much as I want to go back I also want to see a new city/country.

Yes, I realize 2-4 days is relatively short and that I why I plan to concentrate on one city.

Oh.. and for anyone caring to give adivce I found another option. I can fly to Dublin and then from Dublin to Croatia...

thanks everyone!

I have been to London and paris before, so for me, I would definitely pick Prague.

But in your case, I assume you haven't been to any of these cities before? I think you'll find plenty to do in any of these cities.

I expect London and Paris will be jam packed with tourists in July, and probably the same with Prague?

London will be the most expensive city among the 3.

BTW, if your timing is around mid-July for this stopover, it may be fun to be in Paris for Bastille day celebration.

thanks YK - I'll have to look into Bastille Day...

anyone else have any other thoughts/suggestions? where would you spend a few days and WHY?

Any would be good. Paris would be my first choice because it is my favorite city, and easy to get around. I have stopped for a day or two in similar situations.
Prague would be OK, too, but I have not been there in over 10 years and have heard tell that it has become more expensive and crowded with tourists.
London would be OK, too. Dublin is a nice place to visit for a couple days.

I guess it's flip a coin time!

Thanks Seamus - you see why I am having a hard time choosing... can I ask what it is about Paris that makes it your favorite?

Since many of you have been to all four destinations (and clearly liked all four)... is there one you would recommend specifically for a solo (female) traveler?

Having been to all 3 (more than once), if you only have 2 days I'd definitely say Prague. It's city center is much more compact than London or Paris and you could see more. It's a beautiful old city with fascinating architecture and history. It's very walkable and would be very easy to get around for a single person.

If you have 4 days, that's a little more difficult although you'd barely scratch the surface in London or Paris. Still probably doable. Both are much more spread out than Prague, but public transport makes access to the main attractions pretty easy.

To us London has the history, the cultural connection with the US, wonderful people, great museums and galleries, and theatre. London is more diverse than Paris IMO which adds a different dimension. Paris is just gorgeous and at night there's no place like it. Also has great museums, but then of course there's the food, history, it's own architecture, and obviously an entirely different culture. Between these two, I think it depends on your interests. I think either place would be fine for a solo traveler.

Hope this helps.

Prague is small enough for a two day trip but tends to get very packed with tourists. Good musuems, great trams and good food (mainly meat based). Prague is internationally priced unlike the rest of Czech or indeed all of croatia.

Paris could fill 2 to 3 weeks and again will be busy but is big enough to absorb people. Even so may want to book a few things. Limited working hours of employees means that best restaurants may not have space for a single drop by.

London is so big that you could take 2 months to enjoy it all and the falling currency should mean that everything will be well priced if earing in dollars. Uk in early July is before the rainy season but might coincide with Wimbledon (if it does you need an umbrella)

(if it does you need an umbrella)



We've also been to all three -- Paris and London multiple times, Prague just one -- and I agree with the others....with just 2-3 days, I'd probably choose Prague, simply because it's smaller and more compact than the others. We were there 4 days, and found time to see all the sights in which we were interested.

Paris - I've been for as few as 4 and as many as 9 days at a time. If you've never been before, 2 days is just too few -- you'll be dying when you have to leave! -- but 4 would give you a very nice taste. What is so wonderful about Paris (compared to, say, London or New York), is that it's "low" -- very few highrises, and those that there are are not in the center. Paris has great museums, churches, touristy things (Eiffel Tower, boat cruise on the Seine)....there you go, I've already filled up more than two days for you!

London - one of my favorite cities in the world, but then I'm an "urban" person, love big cities. London is akin to New York -- big, brash, crowded, just more "urban" than either Paris or Prague, both of which seem more "fairy-tale" like as cities go. In order of fairy-tale-ness, I'd say Prague-Paris-London, in order of sheer urbanity, I'd reverse it London-Paris-Prague.

Prague - you can see it all in 4 days
Paris - you can get a good taste and see many of the sights in 4 days (unless you spend all day at the Louvre for example).
London - you'll get a feel for the city in 4 days.

Nice choice to have! I'd have difficulty choosing myself but I'd probably pick Prague as I've not been yet...had plans for last Oct but a job change meant it wasn't on the cards.

Prague
Paris
London

or ask me tomorrow and the order might change!

My order for those three would be:

1. Prague
2. London
3. Paris

For what you want to do with 2-4 days I believe Prague would be perfect. It is small and very easy to see with limited time. At the same time, you can get a good taste of the city in just a few days. However, I can only imagine how busy it would be in July - but then many places are.

I agree with the suggestion of going to Venice and taking the ferry over. When my husband and I go to Croatia we fly to Venice, spend a couple of days there then pick up a car and drive to Croatia.

Croatia is going to blow your mind - it is my idea of paradise!

thanks everyone - I can see why I'm having such a hard time making a choice! I've decided to narrow it down to either London or Prague and will probably let the flight times/prices make the final decision since they both sound great! I am going to save Paris for another trip since I would love to explore more of France...tour the wine regions and coast.. also think it's a place I would rather save for a trip when I am traveling with someone(s)...

Been to all three cities numerous times. My votes:

1. Paris
2. Prague
3. London


I only picked Paris first because you said you're going in early July and you like shopping. If you're a shopaholic and like to check out high fashion for low prices, Paris is a good place to be in early July for les soldes.

Other than that fact, I'd pick Prague first because it's so different than western Europe. Great walking city, subway/metro is very easy to use, great beer, friendly people at the pub...these are pluses you might like as a solo traveler. Not that you couldn't do this in London or Paris, but there's something about the essence of Prague: its history, architecture, and people...that makes it so unique and remarkable.

Plus, it's a bit less expensive to eat/drink in Prague than in London/Paris - another advantage if you're a budget traveler (costs could vary according to your spending style - some stay at hostels but spend more on dining, others like 5-star hotels but don't care for breakfast, etc.).