Need suggestions for a one week trip in October coming from Detroit
Jul 7th, 2010, 08:01 AM
#21
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Um, considering that you're going to <b>get out of Detroit</b> and go somewhere else, wherever you pick is probably a good idea.
Brussels is just the home of the Eurocracy, not much else and baldrick's anti-endorsement speaks volumes. Belgium is a faux nation cobbled together from Wallonia and Flemish lands and created as a constitutional monarchy for Leopold I (whose heirs ran perhaps the most brutal slave colony in world history -- the ironically named Congo Free State [now Democratic Republic of the Congo] as their own private holding from 1885-1908 until international opprobrium became too strong to ignore).
Greece is for summer and the islands. Athens is viewable in 1.5 days (ooh! Acropolis, ooh! Olympic area, ugh! whole city is full of socialist housing blocks spread for miles) and the best attraction of Greece is its islands. That country is such a poorly run basket case it makes Italy seem like Switzerland.
I'd pick Italy in a heartbeat over your other proposed destinations. Do Venice and Rome. Venice because it is what it is (and it's nicer when it's not summer-hot); Rome because it is a great city. You can split your nights 3 and 5, respectively.
Brussels is just the home of the Eurocracy, not much else and baldrick's anti-endorsement speaks volumes. Belgium is a faux nation cobbled together from Wallonia and Flemish lands and created as a constitutional monarchy for Leopold I (whose heirs ran perhaps the most brutal slave colony in world history -- the ironically named Congo Free State [now Democratic Republic of the Congo] as their own private holding from 1885-1908 until international opprobrium became too strong to ignore).
Greece is for summer and the islands. Athens is viewable in 1.5 days (ooh! Acropolis, ooh! Olympic area, ugh! whole city is full of socialist housing blocks spread for miles) and the best attraction of Greece is its islands. That country is such a poorly run basket case it makes Italy seem like Switzerland.
I'd pick Italy in a heartbeat over your other proposed destinations. Do Venice and Rome. Venice because it is what it is (and it's nicer when it's not summer-hot); Rome because it is a great city. You can split your nights 3 and 5, respectively.
Jul 7th, 2010, 08:28 AM
#22
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Italy...Italy...Italy. If you must do two places I would go to Rome and Florence - if you can fly into Pisa or Rome and out of Pisa or Rome... I would stay 3 nights in Rome and 5 in Florence and take the time to see Tuscany. Lovely!
Jul 7th, 2010, 08:41 AM
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No doubt that Venice OR (not and) Rome would be perfect October destinations, but BigRuss, if you think you can see Athens in 1.5 days, you're probably not talking about Athens, Greece, but Athens, Georgia. I spent one entire week in Athens (Greece!) few years ago, just as Pat_in_Mich would, did 1.5 days of daytripping (half a day to Aegina, one day exploring Attika, i.e. Kessariani, Vravrona, Cape Sounion, to which you should add Daphni, which was closed for restoration when I was there but seems to be accessible again - check before going!), so had 5.5 days in Athens, and it was hardly enough time. Of course, Athens is not just the Acropolis; what about the Greek and the Roman Agora, the ancient theaters on the slope of the Acropolis, the Plaka, the Archeological Museum (one of the truly great of its kind), the Kerameikos, the Flea Market, the Temple of the Olympian Zeus(that's NOT the Olympic area - never heard of anybody who would be wanting or even willing to visit that one!), the Philopappou Hill... did you see any of these, BigRuss? Plus several other museums that I still haven't seen.
Pat_in_Mich, I'm the last one who'd advise against Venice or Rome (just against Venice AND Rome - you could as well stay home and watch video documentaries on those two overwhelmingly rich cities instead if you have just 7 or 8 days). I just think you should consider Athens seriously since it's so popular to demean it, which IMHO is just plain silly. Athens has terrific ancient sights second to none, and while it's true that the modern city isn't pretty, it's a lively, friendly, likeable place where streetlife easily makes you forget the not-very-inspired architecture (non-romantic people may be able to appreciate that all the more). Plus: the Plaka and Acropolis aside, it's charmingly untouristy. Most people seem to think 1.5 days are enough to see it.
Pat_in_Mich, I'm the last one who'd advise against Venice or Rome (just against Venice AND Rome - you could as well stay home and watch video documentaries on those two overwhelmingly rich cities instead if you have just 7 or 8 days). I just think you should consider Athens seriously since it's so popular to demean it, which IMHO is just plain silly. Athens has terrific ancient sights second to none, and while it's true that the modern city isn't pretty, it's a lively, friendly, likeable place where streetlife easily makes you forget the not-very-inspired architecture (non-romantic people may be able to appreciate that all the more). Plus: the Plaka and Acropolis aside, it's charmingly untouristy. Most people seem to think 1.5 days are enough to see it.
Jul 7th, 2010, 12:58 PM
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BigRuss, your post was hilarious! You managed to diss one U.S. city and two countries in three short paragraphs. 
Italy is a beautiful country, and well worth consideration. It's many years since I was last there, but have fond memories of the country.
Greece, and yes, I did mean more than just Athens in my earlier post, is equally good IMO. I love the islands, but there is much, much more on the mainland. Delphi is stunning, and although I have never visited Nafplion, know that travelerjan can recommend that and many nearby sites to keep you busy for a few days.
Just last week I spent 1.5 days in Athens, and managed to see little more than the new Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum. I have seen most of the other major sites before, and the weather was very hot, so decided to concentrate on museums this time. There is <i>no way</i> you could get more than a superficial view of Athens in 1.5 days.
Italy is a beautiful country, and well worth consideration. It's many years since I was last there, but have fond memories of the country.
Greece, and yes, I did mean more than just Athens in my earlier post, is equally good IMO. I love the islands, but there is much, much more on the mainland. Delphi is stunning, and although I have never visited Nafplion, know that travelerjan can recommend that and many nearby sites to keep you busy for a few days.
Just last week I spent 1.5 days in Athens, and managed to see little more than the new Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum. I have seen most of the other major sites before, and the weather was very hot, so decided to concentrate on museums this time. There is <i>no way</i> you could get more than a superficial view of Athens in 1.5 days.
Jul 7th, 2010, 06:18 PM
#26
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Rome and Florence. I've been to Spain (3 months},Brussels,England,France (many times,many places),etc. Only saying this because this "Italophile " believes what you want fits perfectly there. With such limited time, I'd actually spend my entire time in Rome and take a day trip to Orvieto.
If you do go to Rome let me know. I will soon plan a GTG (get together) with Fodorites and Slow Travel members there at that time.
If you do go to Rome let me know. I will soon plan a GTG (get together) with Fodorites and Slow Travel members there at that time.
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Feb 24th, 2010 07:43 PM
