Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - NEVER BEEN TO EUROPE - WHERE SHOULD WE GO - FIRST TIME TRAVELLERS TO THAT SIDE OF THE WORLD

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NEVER BEEN TO EUROPE - WHERE SHOULD WE GO - FIRST TIME TRAVELLERS TO THAT SIDE OF THE WORLD

Any advise on where to go and what to see and where to stay (hotel) in europe. Plans: .2 weeks available on our schedule .we intend to go late this year (Sept, Oct, Nov) .don't really mind where we go .we are not backpackers, like to stay in medium rate to above average hotels .like to shop and explore our surroundings and blend in as much as possible eventhough staying in a hotel thanks everyone for your advise...we have travelled much to ASIA and are now we are dedicated to the Europe side...we need to explore and educate ourselves of this part of the world! cheers everyone!

We took a bus tour to Europe to get a "feel" for where we wanted to go back to and have in fact returned 4-5 times. I've been to England, Portugal, France, Greece and Italy..all on separate trips. If I had to make this sort of decision, I would want to stay in one place for a week and then move to another for another week. That way, you can do day trips and "come home" every night..get to know the area. I would choose apartments or villas or homes and not a hotel. I would spend a week in Provence and the second week in Tuscany. We actually drove from Provence to Tuscany - one long day but easily done. We actually flew into Nice, drove to Provence then drove to Tuscany and returned to Nice for return flight. Hope this helps!

I invite you to consider the fall Fodorites' trip to Italy. www.rexbickers.italy.com - - this is a totally non-profit trip, a group of travelers from this website going to Italy together. Best wishes, Rex

As Asia, Europe is very diverse. Think about what, in your mind, you HAVE to see--i.e. Paris, London, Rome--and then plan from there. Do you enjoy nature, large cities, small towns, laid-back or busy, historical, cultural? Spending a few days in a large town with daytrips to the countryside is beneficial but you will not see as much.

If you want to see a lot of Europe in two weeks, take an arranged tour. Not being dependent on public transportation, or maps/directions for a self-drive tour, more ground can be covered in the limited time. Sightseeing tours are all arranged ahead of time, hotels and meals are booked, so it is the most efficient use of time. If you don't want to do an arranged tour, then stick to two, maybe three, countries that adjoin each other like Italy/France/Switzerland or Germany/Austria/Italy - and try to get a change in scenery and culture (i.e. mix mountains with dry flatland, seashore with woodlands; Germanic with Latin, city with countryside). If you really want to immerse yourself, you'll have to pick one area of one country; that's tougher, because you'll eliminate all of Europe except one small piece.

THANKS FOR THE TIPS AND ADVISE...YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!

I posted my reply on the "FRUSTRATED" site. My recommendations were Amsterdam, London and Italy. Good luck and have fun!

I suggest you get your feet wet in Europe by first visiting London, and other areas in England. The language should not be a big problem. After that, I have enjoyed Paris (not speaking French was not a problem after I had learned how to get around a big city) and Vienna. I do suggest that you prepare very carefully by reading guide books until you are tired of them. You cannot really prepare too much for a those cities. I think you will enjoy them all the more because you are ready for them.

I can't believe this!!! Will the real poster please stand up! Yuen-pitre: I hope you have a nice trip. Gerry

Topping for Elvira, Art, Rex et al.

I knew this all along. I'm not sure what it illustrates - - as likely as anything, it is typical of a newbie who couldnt (or wouldnt try to) find the original post/thread - - and posted with additional irritation in the messages with each trip back here - - nothing new about that.

Rex: Carefully read all three threads and the times of yuen-pitre's and asia's replys and postings. It all then becomes crystal clear. The only question not totally clear is whether yuen-pitre is the innocent victim or asia in disguise. I'll top the other 2. Gerry

Fodors will know - - you and I will not. Not sure if it matters or not.

Rex: Please look again. Can you tell me why yuen-pitre would thank everyone for their help on 6/22 at 06:57 and then post as asia at 07:10 and 07:18 complaining that no one but Richard has answered her question? Either asia stole yuen-pitre's post or didn't stir the pot that she wanted so tried again. Either way, we've all been made fools of. Gerry

Read the 6/22 0:57 post above by yuen-pitre and compare to the dates and times of the posts below. If you still don't get it I guess that's why your a doctor and I'm a lawyer. Author: ASIA ([email protected]) Date: 06/21/2001, 08:53 am ET Message: Any advise on where to go and what to see and where to stay (hotel) in europe. Plans: .2 weeks available on our schedule .we intend to go late this year (Sept, Oct, Nov) .don't really mind where we go .we are not backpackers, like to stay in medium rate to above average hotels .like to shop and explore our surroundings and blend in as much as possible eventhough staying in a hotel thanks everyone for your advise...we have travelled much to ASIA and now we are dedicated to the Europe side...we need to explore and educate ourselves of this part of the world! cheers everyone! -Date: 06/22/2001, 07:10 am ET Message: Thanks Richardab! This is exactly the type of response I am looking at....no time to go to the library - downloaded with work which is why I find this site helpful and quicker! I thought this site was for us to swap travel ideas, tips, and stories...didn't know I would have to visit a library first!!!! Please don't post any replies if you are not going to be helpful with my situation...I find it frustrating ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: asia ([email protected] ) Date: 06/22/2001, 07:18 am ET Message: I have been using the asian site for awhile and am currently venturing out to do some travelling/vacationing in Europe....not too sure where to go, so I posted this question yesterday: Any advise on where to go and what to see and where to stay (hotel) in europe. Plans: .2 weeks available on our schedule .we intend to go late this year (Sept, Oct, Nov) .don't really mind where we go .we are not backpackers, like to stay in medium rate to above average hotels .like to shop and explore our surroundings and blend in as much as possible eventhough staying in a hotel thanks everyone for your advise...we have travelled much to ASIA and now we are dedicated to the Europe side...we need to explore and educate ourselves of this part of the world! cheers everyone! I found that out of the 3 responses that I received that only RICHARDAB answered my question and helped me out as oppose to telling me to go to the library! I thought this site was for us to swap travel ideas, tips, and stories...didn't know I would have to visit a library first!!!! MY REQUEST FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR MY EUROPE TRAVEL/VACATION STILL REMAINS....please advise/suggest on this topic. Please don't post any replies if you are not going to be helpful with my situation...I find it frustrating!! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So this is why people don't like lawyers. You (we) think too much. I'm with the doctor on this one.

Rex, If you don't see that this is part of a three-part troll designed to annoy people . . . well, maybe doctors don't have the best analytical skills, I guess.

Rex has been nice and appropriately restrained lately. It's a pleasure when you're like that. But I hope it lasts. Ever the skeptic, Esq. I

Esqs. I and II, Why pick on Rex? More to the point, you make it seem that anyone who does not immediately reach the same conclusion you reach is lacking in analytical skills. In my experience, this is so typical of lawyers: conclude first, then develop support for your conclusion. Not your fault I suppose, as that mantra is the basis for our advocacy system. But I think it's a little harsh to chide Rex for perhaps thinking a different thought than yours.

Gerry, let go of the issue, you seem to be hounding the issue, GET A LIFE and STOP picking on REX. this asia thing...let it go...don't you have a job or a client who needs you for some legal advise...Rex, just to let you know that I think you have been a gentleman about this whole issue meanwhile Gerry has been nothing but the primary person who seems to be stirring the pot. Grow up Gerry!