Hello,<BR><BR>I am headed off on my first trip to Europe on April 21. I plan to hit many of the places listed here and in the guidebooks. My plans include Paris, London and Amsterdam (will be there for Queen's Day). <BR><BR>I would like to add a few "off the beaten track" activities to my itinerary. I love to walk, am a sweet eater and would like to find a few quaint pubs or cafes. I am not big into museums or art (but do plan to hit the top spots), love musicals, beautiful scenary and interesting stories.<BR><BR>Also, since I am a woman travelng alone, tips of things to stay away from would be helpful.<BR><BR>Thanks in advance!! <BR>

There are many places in all the cities you mentioned so I thought I'd tell you about a day I really enjoyed in London while alone. I started at the Tower of London,(been there before so I didn't tour), walked across the Tower bridge and began walking toward the "Eye",along the Thames. I had recently read the novel London and so I was facinated to come across many of the sites mentioned around the Globe theatre. I'm a wine lover, so I stopped at Vinopolis. Vinopolis is a sort of wine museum, really informative and the entry includes tastings. Spent about 2-3 hours there. Came out, continued walking down, various street markets, fairs etc. Crossed at Parliment and ended at Westminster Abbey. One of my favorite days in London and one that just sort of happened and wasn't planned.

Linda,<BR><BR>My suggestions are for London too...<BR><BR>--Hampstead, just north of central London (but reachable by Tube) is a great place to explore. You can walk the massive park (Hampstead Heath) and visit Kenwood House. Numerous pubs and cafes in Hampstead.<BR><BR>--Richmond, a little further afield, is a pleasant place to walk and explore<BR><BR>--If you take a day trip to Windsor--which is certainly not off the beaten path in terms of tourists--you could walk across the pedestrian bridge over the Thames and explore the riverside town of Eton. Antique shops, pubs, and the famous boys school are here, but not much else to put Eton "on the beaten path". <BR><BR>Enjoy your trip!<BR><BR>David White<BR>http://www.KidsToLondon.com

A couple of suggestions, In London;<BR>Sherlock Holmes Pub near Traf. square is nice traditional pub with good food. Jack the Ripper tours near the Tower every night. There are alot of different tours we went on Rippin Yarns tour that was done by a Beefeater working part time at night. Covent Gardens is a nice area, not off the Beaten Track but worth seeing. Near Amstertdam were several villages like Edam, Horne that are nice changes from Amsterdam. We really did like that city too much. There are some neat things to see but the pot cafes and red light district turned me off, but to each his own. Have a great trip.

In the Netherlands make a day trip to a smaller town, like Utrecht or Delft. In Utrecht you can visit the 'Dom' (cathedral) and climb the tower - it is quite high and offers a great view. The town is small, charming, and makes for interesting walks. There was a thread quite some time ago about small towns or off the beaten path in the Netherlands - if I can find it I'll top it for you.

A'dam is great for walking; the canal areas and the floating flower market are nice, and there's a pedestrian street off of Dam Square. Beguine Court, with the Pilgrim's Church, is one of my favorite spots there. <BR>Be sure to eat at a pancake place; one of my favorites has ham, cheese, and tomato grilled on the top, but you can get sweet ones too.<BR>If you're going to be there for a bit, go out (very early) to the Aalsmeer flower market.<BR><BR>The City Museum is unique, and Rembrandt's house is interesting without being at all overwhelmingly "museumish". It's near the flea market, too, which makes for some interesting wandering.<BR><BR>Have a great trip!<BR>

Topping for Linda

In London - try Postman's Park (walk north from St Pauls towards the museum of London, on the left in the churchyard next to the Nomura Building, which used to be the Post Office headquarters). It's only a small churchyard, but has lots of odd Victorian memorials to acts of bravery. <BR><BR>You could walk parts of the Thames Path:<BR>http://www.nationaltrails.gov.uk/thamespathframeset.htm<BR><BR>I second the idea of Richmond - you can walk in Richmond Park (a long time ago, a royal hunting reserve, and still housing a herd of not-so-tame deer), and there's plenty of pubs and cafes in Richmond itself. Or you can go to Putney and get a bus up to Putney Heath/Wimbledon Common, which are kept as open countryside - there's a windmill you can visit (sadly not now working).<BR><BR>In the Netherlands, a trip to Utrecht to see the museum of mechanical musical instruments - they take groups round to see them working, and leave you with huge dance-hall organs that were used recently enough to play boogie-woogie - and there's a dance-floor as well if you're in the mood.<BR>http://www.museumspeelklok.nl/<BR><BR>in Amsterdam, just stroll - try the Western Islands area or if the weather's nice go out to the Amsterdamse Bos.

Author: Linda ([email protected])<BR>Date: 04/14/2002, 10:09 am<BR>Message: Thank you very much for the great responses. This board is terrific (I have become an addict in only 2 short days).<BR><BR>I realized a little too late that I could do one post and select multiple countries (vs posting in each country).<BR><BR>Thanks much for all the tips and ideas all over this board!!!!<BR><BR>-Linda<BR><BR>

ttt

Linda--In alphabetical order, I'll add a couple of items:<BR>-Amsterdam: See Ann Frank's house.<BR>-Paris: Wander around the Sorbonne.<BR>-London: Get lost in the National Gallery.<BR>And for goodness' sake, as a woman alone, don't wander around the streets of Amsterdam at night !!!<BR>Have a good trip.

ttt

Amsterdam:<BR>SWEETS: Jordino chocolatier and dessertier on Haarlemmerdijk...THE best chocolates I've ever tasted (try the melon cream) and pretty good ice cream too.<BR>Puccini chocolatier: one on Staalstraat, the other on the Singel canal...great chocolates and chocolate cake. The one on Staalstraat has a fine cafe attached.<BR>Australian Homemade: several outlets, including one on Leidsestraat and one on the Singel at the junction with Heiligeweg...again, wonderful chocolates, ice cream and milkshakes<BR>Metz & Co. department store cafe: on Leidsestraat...fantastic cakes, especially the champagne cake. Great views.<BR>BARS: Het Elfde Gebod near the top of Zeedijk...the best bar in the world.<BR>'t Smalle: on Egelantiersgracht...the second best bar in the world!<BR>Lokaal 't Loosje on Nieuwmarkt.<BR>In t'Aepjen: very close to Het Elfde Gebod.<BR><BR>I know you're not into museums, but if you want a great "off the beaten track", sunny museum experience, go to the Tropenmuseum (Museum of the Tropics)...it is fantastic.<BR><BR>As far as cities go, and I've been to many, I have never felt safer than when in Amsterdam. Just remember the usual city precautions, though, eg cross your bag-strap over your chest, etc.<BR><BR>Have a great time, Linda. I'm very envious of you. I enjoy all the cities you're visiting, but Amsterdam's my favourite. I returned from there just last Wednesday; my heart is still there.<BR><BR>

Thanks you all very much!!!!! I can hardly wait, I can already tell from the excitment on this board that I will have a great time and will head back to Europe many more times in my life...<BR><BR>-Linda

Good for you and what a great trip you have.<BR>In A'dam: if you love spring bulb flowers, do not miss the Kukenhof Gardens, an easy train ride and they are simply spectacular; go in the morning before the crowds show up en masse. It's a fabulously beautiful place. The 100 bulbs (tulips) I bought there last May are just today beginning to open and they are a sweet memory.<BR>If you are staying along the ring of canals, Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prisengracht (or if you're not) do walk them; they are exquisite as are the small canals off them. Puccini chocolates, YES. The pancake house down the street from Anne Frank house is delicious and reasonable and I ate an early dinner there alone and it felt fine.<BR><BR>Paris: go to the Palais Royale and into the central court and gardens, an oasis of peace and beauty. Go to the Ile de la Cite and have ice cream or sorbet at Berthillon. Stroll it; it's charming. The gardens of the Rodin museum are also beautiful. Parc Citroen is a bit further afield, but an easy metro and a fascinating, new city park and different and fun. The Marais, and it's Place de Vosges is also a gem.<BR><BR>We are going to London in early May so I enjoyed reading others' tips for you.<BR><BR>Enjoy!!!

forgot to mention, in Paris:<BR>Angelina for hot chocolate. It's like nothing you've had before.<BR>au revoir!

For a very gracious lunch and excellent dessert in Paris try Laduree ( 2 locations, one on Champs d'elyssee ). And Angelina's (near Louvre) is a must for the hot chocolate. I am also a single woman and felt completely at ease in Paris. If time allows, go to Versaille for a day trip. St Germain is a great place to walk. Quaint cafe's are every where in paris. Find one near your hotel on the first day of your trip and start the day there each day. You will be treated with courtesy and it helps to feel grounded when you see the same face each day. even if you don't know them. In only a week you will become a regular.

Tina & Belle - thanks for the additions!!!!<BR><BR>-Linda