Please help us maximize our time in each European city
Jul 22nd, 2014, 09:13 AM
#21
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Since you only want to do a 1/2 day sightseeing, here are my recommendations. You won't be able to see even a fraction of the main sights in these cities in half a day.
Berlin - one of the museums on museum island (depending on your interests), Berlin Wall, Memorial to Murdered Jews.
Prague - 5 synagogues and the Jewish cemetery.
Paris - Notre Dame, Ste-Chapelle, Seine boat ride.
London - Cabinet War Rooms, Westminster Abbey.
Since you want to mingle with locals you'll need to stay where the locals live. That is not in the main tourist area but on the outskirts of the city and suburbs. The main tourist areas will have tourists like yourselves.
In Prague, Prague 7 would be a good area to stay. I can't tell you about the other cities.
Unless it's a weekend, the locals will be working during the week so you'll need to hang out until they get out of work for the day.
<< touristy things actually worth visiting (non tourist traps) >>
I can't imagine that any of the main tourist sights are "tourist traps." You have some world-class museums, churches, historical sights and these could never be classified as tourist traps.
I do feel sad that you're going to Europe and will miss so much of the European experience by limiting yourselves to a half day of sightseeing per city.
Berlin - one of the museums on museum island (depending on your interests), Berlin Wall, Memorial to Murdered Jews.
Prague - 5 synagogues and the Jewish cemetery.
Paris - Notre Dame, Ste-Chapelle, Seine boat ride.
London - Cabinet War Rooms, Westminster Abbey.
Since you want to mingle with locals you'll need to stay where the locals live. That is not in the main tourist area but on the outskirts of the city and suburbs. The main tourist areas will have tourists like yourselves.
In Prague, Prague 7 would be a good area to stay. I can't tell you about the other cities.
Unless it's a weekend, the locals will be working during the week so you'll need to hang out until they get out of work for the day.
<< touristy things actually worth visiting (non tourist traps) >>
I can't imagine that any of the main tourist sights are "tourist traps." You have some world-class museums, churches, historical sights and these could never be classified as tourist traps.
I do feel sad that you're going to Europe and will miss so much of the European experience by limiting yourselves to a half day of sightseeing per city.
Jul 22nd, 2014, 09:16 AM
#22
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In 20 (TWENTY!) minutes you can rush to and see the outside of some sights (others will take longer). For some the line will take more than 20 minutes.
Don't plan on actually going into anyplace.
If you just want to wander around, people watch, sit in cafes and drink at night - that's fine. But you have to realize that you will NOT be seeing any of the major sights.
Don't plan on actually going into anyplace.
If you just want to wander around, people watch, sit in cafes and drink at night - that's fine. But you have to realize that you will NOT be seeing any of the major sights.
Jul 22nd, 2014, 09:22 AM
#23
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I don't agree, I certainly often see more than one site in a city in half a day. That's four hours, after all. I do spend more than half a day seeing ALL of them, for sure.
I think your itinerary makes fairly good sense in terms of the order of cities. I'll probably drop Amsterdam, it just seems like you are only there a day and it mucks things up. That is the part that seems a little nutty, if you will. Because you just spent 12 hours by train to get there and then you leave the next day to go to Amsterdam for one day? That doesn't make sense, and it's easier to get to London from Paris, also.
It looks like more hours, actually, that schedule is totally goofy on the trains, why are you doing that?? It looks like you are flying into Berlin, then taking the train to Prague then for some odd reason, taking the train all the way back to Berlin only to immeditely take the train to Paris. What is this all about.
Both Easyjet and Transavia fly from Prague to Paris in about 1.5 hours for pretty low fares. Both flights are around 9 pm and not every day, but still beats what you are planning.
I'd drop Amsterdam, but otherwise, it would make more sense (to me) to fly from Copenhagen to Prague, take the train to Berlin, then take the train to Amsterdam, then take the train to Paris for the end.
I think your itinerary makes fairly good sense in terms of the order of cities. I'll probably drop Amsterdam, it just seems like you are only there a day and it mucks things up. That is the part that seems a little nutty, if you will. Because you just spent 12 hours by train to get there and then you leave the next day to go to Amsterdam for one day? That doesn't make sense, and it's easier to get to London from Paris, also.
It looks like more hours, actually, that schedule is totally goofy on the trains, why are you doing that?? It looks like you are flying into Berlin, then taking the train to Prague then for some odd reason, taking the train all the way back to Berlin only to immeditely take the train to Paris. What is this all about.
Both Easyjet and Transavia fly from Prague to Paris in about 1.5 hours for pretty low fares. Both flights are around 9 pm and not every day, but still beats what you are planning.
I'd drop Amsterdam, but otherwise, it would make more sense (to me) to fly from Copenhagen to Prague, take the train to Berlin, then take the train to Amsterdam, then take the train to Paris for the end.
Jul 22nd, 2014, 09:25 AM
#25
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Prague: the Old Square and the Prague astrological clock, Charles Bridge, Church of Our Lady before Týn, the Cathedral, and a walk around the city to take in the architecture (there is a building next to the opera house (or was it the symphony) that looks like it is made of bubble wrap). Maybe catch a showing of Don Giovanni at the National Marionette Theater in the evening: http://www.mozart.cz/don-giovanni.php
Jul 22nd, 2014, 09:26 AM
#26
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<i>oh geeze -- I just noticed you only have one day in Paris (and that possibly after a sleepless overnight train ride). Why bother??</i>
A day is sufficient to see the catacombs, the Eiffel Tower, a few dozen homeless people, and get accosted by gypsies.
A day is sufficient to see the catacombs, the Eiffel Tower, a few dozen homeless people, and get accosted by gypsies.
Jul 22nd, 2014, 09:58 AM
#27
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"Since you want to mingle with locals you'll need to stay where the locals live. That is not in the main tourist area but on the outskirts of the city and suburbs. The main tourist areas will have tourists like yourselves.
"In Prague, Prague 7 would be a good area to stay. I can't tell you about the other cities."
Now adrienne is just taking the p---.
To the OP: anywhere other than Prague 1 will suck for actually touring.
"In Prague, Prague 7 would be a good area to stay. I can't tell you about the other cities."
Now adrienne is just taking the p---.
To the OP: anywhere other than Prague 1 will suck for actually touring.
Jul 22nd, 2014, 10:01 AM
#28
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If you are interested in a vacation - this isn't it. You will be exhausted most of the time from all opt the moving around and will spend more time in transit than in seeing/doing/experiencing. How much of this is et in stone? Flights in and out only or have you reserved and paid for accommodations everywhere, etc.
If it isn't all paid for, then you can still make revisions to make this a happier, more satisfying trip. Remember that it takes half a day to a whole day to get from one place to another. Think of the time from checking out of one hotel to checking into the next. So, if you want three days somewhere, you need to stay there four nights. Of course, you don't have three days anywhere. For a major city, I would consider three full days as the minimum to get a taste of the city.
Pause and consider what are the most important things you want to do/see/experience on this trip? Then cut destinations (this will also cut costs) and choose three places to go and enjoy.
If it isn't all paid for, then you can still make revisions to make this a happier, more satisfying trip. Remember that it takes half a day to a whole day to get from one place to another. Think of the time from checking out of one hotel to checking into the next. So, if you want three days somewhere, you need to stay there four nights. Of course, you don't have three days anywhere. For a major city, I would consider three full days as the minimum to get a taste of the city.
Pause and consider what are the most important things you want to do/see/experience on this trip? Then cut destinations (this will also cut costs) and choose three places to go and enjoy.
Jul 22nd, 2014, 10:13 AM
#30
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<<Since you want to mingle with locals you'll need to stay where the locals live. That is not in the main tourist area but on the outskirts of the city and suburbs. The main tourist areas will have tourists like yourselves.>> This comment does not apply to Copenhagen. Locals live in central Copenhagen as well as the suburbs. Mingling with Danes that you don't know is not easy.
<<In Denmark, anyone who is in their age range plus a couple of decades will speak English.>> Very true, my in-laws spoke perfect English as does everyone from the checkout person at the supermarket to the bus drivers. Taxi drivers sometimes don't speak English but they are not usually Danish.
<<The odds of getting a favorable reaction are better if you speak their language.>> Don't bother with trying to learn Danish, there really isn't any point. People have problems just pronouncing Nyhavn or Strøget let alone anything else.
<<In Denmark, anyone who is in their age range plus a couple of decades will speak English.>> Very true, my in-laws spoke perfect English as does everyone from the checkout person at the supermarket to the bus drivers. Taxi drivers sometimes don't speak English but they are not usually Danish.
<<The odds of getting a favorable reaction are better if you speak their language.>> Don't bother with trying to learn Danish, there really isn't any point. People have problems just pronouncing Nyhavn or Strøget let alone anything else.
Jul 22nd, 2014, 10:26 AM
#31
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I am going to repeat and stress what NYTraveler said: Check the closing days of the sights.
On a 16-day trip you will have two Mondays -- when large numbers of sights are closed -- and two Tuesdays -- when many others are closed. If your single day in a particular city falls on one of those days, be prepared to be disappointed.
BTW...no one can tell you which are the best sights to see in a given city during a really short visit...you have to do the research yourself.
For me, the Tower of London is the "must see" there...but I can see why others would list Westminster Abbey or the Globe, the British Museum, National Gallery, the Theatre, or even the Cabinet War Rooms (which are awesome).
You may not give damn about history and be more into something else. Read a few guide books.
If you are determined to do the speed-trip, top-notch planning is essential...and DO learn the transport systems, which should be an amazing asset but without planning can be a time-killer (wrong train/bus, wrong stop, waiting for a bus that does not run that day, etc.).
SS
On a 16-day trip you will have two Mondays -- when large numbers of sights are closed -- and two Tuesdays -- when many others are closed. If your single day in a particular city falls on one of those days, be prepared to be disappointed.
BTW...no one can tell you which are the best sights to see in a given city during a really short visit...you have to do the research yourself.
For me, the Tower of London is the "must see" there...but I can see why others would list Westminster Abbey or the Globe, the British Museum, National Gallery, the Theatre, or even the Cabinet War Rooms (which are awesome).
You may not give damn about history and be more into something else. Read a few guide books.
If you are determined to do the speed-trip, top-notch planning is essential...and DO learn the transport systems, which should be an amazing asset but without planning can be a time-killer (wrong train/bus, wrong stop, waiting for a bus that does not run that day, etc.).
SS
Jul 22nd, 2014, 10:39 AM
#32
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Do you actually want to go into any of the tourist attractions? Or do you only want a quick look from the outside?
A lot of people here on Fodors prefer slower travel. So do I, actually, but I realize different people can have different preferences.
If you aren't planning to go into any sites, the itinerary seems reasonable. You could easily do a Hop On Hop Off bus tour in each city and see all the important sites in a few hours. Maybe jump off a few times to take some photos.
But actually going into a big tourist site will take more time. It's possible to get tickets in advance for some places, to avoid the lines. But what if you buy a timed ticket for something like the Eiffel Tower or London Eye and the weather turns really bad?
What do you want to see in each of these cities, anyway? There must be some reason for you to chose these specific cities. Or is it only that "everyone you know" says they are the must see places in Europe?
A lot of people here on Fodors prefer slower travel. So do I, actually, but I realize different people can have different preferences.
If you aren't planning to go into any sites, the itinerary seems reasonable. You could easily do a Hop On Hop Off bus tour in each city and see all the important sites in a few hours. Maybe jump off a few times to take some photos.
But actually going into a big tourist site will take more time. It's possible to get tickets in advance for some places, to avoid the lines. But what if you buy a timed ticket for something like the Eiffel Tower or London Eye and the weather turns really bad?
What do you want to see in each of these cities, anyway? There must be some reason for you to chose these specific cities. Or is it only that "everyone you know" says they are the must see places in Europe?
Jul 22nd, 2014, 10:41 AM
#33
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<< Now adrienne is just taking the p---. >>
I am not. This must be pick on Adrienne day.
I've rethought Prague and think that you should stay in Prague 6 which is also residential but prettier than Prague 7.
Those packs of young people hanging in Old Town Square are tourists, not locals.
I am not. This must be pick on Adrienne day.
I've rethought Prague and think that you should stay in Prague 6 which is also residential but prettier than Prague 7.
Those packs of young people hanging in Old Town Square are tourists, not locals.
Jul 22nd, 2014, 10:53 AM
#36
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Thanks all for your thoughtful advice. We're going to switch our itinerary so that its CPH > PRA > BER > PAR > AMS, thereby gaining a whole extra day in Berlin.
We don't want to go to any attractions requiring a wait - so mostly we'll be doing Hop On Hop Off tours to get us all of the great photo opportunities.
Thanks again!
We don't want to go to any attractions requiring a wait - so mostly we'll be doing Hop On Hop Off tours to get us all of the great photo opportunities.
Thanks again!
Jul 22nd, 2014, 10:57 AM
#37
>>If you aren't planning to go into any sites, the itinerary seems reasonable. You could easily do a Hop On Hop Off bus tour in each city and see all the important sites in a few hours. Maybe jump off a few times to take some photos. <<
That is actually all you will have time for in most cities. And you can't see anything from outside at places like the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. They require actually paying ££, going through security, and exploring - at least 90 minutes in the Abbey and 2.5 hours MINIMUM at the Tower. Have you looked at a map of London? It is <u> enormous</u> the largest city in western Europe - by a long shot. You can't just visit some major site for 20 mins, walk 20 mins and see the next site for 20 mins. Like mentioned above -- just the queue to get inside some of the good sites will eat up 10 or 20+ minutes.
That is actually all you will have time for in most cities. And you can't see anything from outside at places like the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. They require actually paying ££, going through security, and exploring - at least 90 minutes in the Abbey and 2.5 hours MINIMUM at the Tower. Have you looked at a map of London? It is <u> enormous</u> the largest city in western Europe - by a long shot. You can't just visit some major site for 20 mins, walk 20 mins and see the next site for 20 mins. Like mentioned above -- just the queue to get inside some of the good sites will eat up 10 or 20+ minutes.
Jul 22nd, 2014, 11:01 AM
#38
oops - didn't see your last post (got interrupted while composing it)
>>We don't want to go to any attractions requiring a wait << >>to get us all of the great photo opportunities<<
Buy a coffee table book and save several thousand $$$$/€€€€
>>We don't want to go to any attractions requiring a wait << >>to get us all of the great photo opportunities<<
Buy a coffee table book and save several thousand $$$$/€€€€
Jul 22nd, 2014, 11:05 AM
#39
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<<We don't want to go to any attractions requiring a wait - so mostly we'll be doing Hop On Hop Off tours to get us all of the great photo opportunities.>>
Wow, this is the real-life version of the stereotype millenial trip. Good gosh.
Wow, this is the real-life version of the stereotype millenial trip. Good gosh.
Jul 22nd, 2014, 11:26 AM
#40
I'm not sure how you will "meet locals" when you're only in a place for a few hours and don't speak the language.
<I'm slightly nervous that we'll be spending too much time traveling> + <"That's too many cities in too few days" but we both have short attention spans>
That's the contradiction in your plans. YES you will be spending a LOT of time traveling place to place and not have much time in any one of them. The way you've laid this trip out, that's pretty much a given.
<I'm slightly nervous that we'll be spending too much time traveling> + <"That's too many cities in too few days" but we both have short attention spans>
That's the contradiction in your plans. YES you will be spending a LOT of time traveling place to place and not have much time in any one of them. The way you've laid this trip out, that's pretty much a given.
