Suggestions on Where to Go For the First Time in Europe
 

Hello Everyone,

I am planning a trip to either go to Italy, Germany, London, or Spain next month for my 32 birthday, I have never been overseas and I am not sure if those would be a great destinations. My budget is unlimited and I am wanting to stay from February 6 - 12 and get back on the 13th. I don't have to stay in one area but would like to be safe. I would like to eat , take many photos, shop and yes party on my birthday on the 12th. I will be traveling by myself. Please help me and Thank You for taking time to help.

You have a week. I'd say stay in one place and maybe do a few daytrips from there.

Italy, Germany and Spain are countries, not cities.

I think London and Germany would still be a bit cold in February. London has plenty of things to see, but I wouldn't want to stand in long lines outside in below zero degrees Celsius.

I think the southern parts of Spain and Italy would be warmer in February.

Unlimited budget? Really?

What sort of shopping? Clothes? Electronics? Souvenirs?

What exactly do you mean when you say "party"? A special dinner? Dancing? Getting drunk? Sex?

With less than a month left until the trip you need to book your tickets and hotel room very soon.

And no Paris. Six days in Paris would be about perfect.

WIth six days, I would choose Paris. But since it is not on your list and since you have never been to Europe, consider either London or Rome. Both are fabulous cities and offer so much to see and do that six days will fly by. Either will more than satisfy all of your requirements. If your budget is unlimited (WOW!), London would be a good choice.

Go to Amsterdam and party your as# off Happy Birthday

For a first time trip to Europe, it is hard to beat London, and it offers many possiblities for day trips. Paris is my personal favorite, but looking at the countries you prefer, two other fun cities to consider are Munich and Barcelona.

As for a mode of style consider strongly taking the superb rail system and perhaps flying open-jaw - fly into say London, take the Eurostar 'Chunnel' train to Paris - the train around and end up in say Rome and fly home from there.

European trains are fantastic - go up to nearly 200 mph many times and there are even a slew of overnight trains that let you cover huges swatvhes of ground at night and saves you the cost of a night in a hotel to boot.

For a single traveler you will meet many other folk from all over the world in your age IME of riding European trains for decades.

For lots of great info on European trains I always spotlight these IMO fantastic sites - www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com - download the latter's free and superb IMO European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of suggested rail itineraries in lots of countries (http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id2.html).
If traveling more than a few times on trains in multiple countries then investigate the plethora of railpasses that in many countries give you full flexibility to hop on any train anytime - in some countries you need to get a seat reservation before boarding (France, Spain, Italy) but most others just show up and hop aboard!

Hi, LeanGuy. For Americans taking their first trip abroad, I always urge a conservative approach. Less is more. Expect the culture-shock to be a little more than you think. And don't try to do it all... 6 days is not very long.

That's why I recommend flying into London, training down to Paris (as PalenQ suggests), and then fly back from there. London is the perfect transitional city for first-timers; it's foreign yet familiar, language is no problem at all, and there's a lot to see and do. Then, when you're ready to handle a few days of something even more foreign-feeling, you have the many splendors of Paris to explore.

Do you want depth or breath? Both are practical. A taste of Europe would allow you to hit London, Paris and Berlin, or London, Paris and Rome, assuming you want cities. You could do London, Paris and then dash into Switzerland or southern Germany to see iconic scenery along with the great cities.

Or, you could settle on 1-2 cities such as London and Paris or Paris and Berlin. You could fly into London, train to Paris and then Berlin, and then fly out of Berlin.

Depth or breath? A flavor of three countries will leave you begging for more. Six days in Paris is likely to leave you wanting to live there for the rest of your life. Both approaches work well.

Hi L,

I usually recommend London as a first visit.

Most people from North America can pick up the language quickly.

((I))

Spain. Fly to Madrid, take the train to Seville, rent a car, stay in the area and take day trips (Merida, Malaga, Cadiz, Cordoba, Gibraltar)

For your birthday pick a small town and come out after 10PM.. You will quickly find a park or a square with what will seem like the entire population enjoying live music, cafes, tapas bars etc.

Mark

>>>My budget is unlimited<<<

In that case book into Claridges hotel in London. Eurostar first class to Paris and check in the the Plaza Athenee.

Do come back and let us know how you enjoy your first trip to Europe.

Spain.

Food is better, weather is better, culture is more of a change of pace if you are coming from America, yet at the same time, most Americans can deciipher enough Spanish on signs, menus, etc to get by and have fun.

I would pick Madrid for its nightlife and Seville for some warm weather relaxation. Fly to Madrd, immediately hop a fast train to Sevilla, then come back to Madrid to fly home. Leave enough time in Madrid to take a day trip to Toledo.

I'm less comfortable with Barcelona for security issues and don't much like the destination anyway. Others disagree.

Rome is nice too if you'd rather be snapping photos there, but it is bit less adventure-more tourist driven.

You really don't need those "training" wheels of going to London first if you are 32.

Berlin is a fabulous destination but in February, mamma mia, it is cold.

I agree with <b>ParisAmsterdam</b>:

Unlimited budget?

<i>>>In that case book into Claridges hotel in London. Eurostar first class to Paris and check in the the Plaza Athenee. </i>

PS: If I had an unlimited budget, my trip would be a lot longer that 6 days!

Looks like he will be in Paris this Summer:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-of-people.cfm

Italy, Germany, London, or Spain >

Ok London for a week is a given - do day trips to maybe Oxford and or Cambridge

Spain - Barcelona or Madrid are great cities to while away the time and with trains taking only 2.5 hours or so now between them fly into Barcelona and out of Madrid, a v.v.

Germany - grim weather at that time IME - dark gray cool (not cold) wet weather to be expected but a city like Berlin can be good for a week anytime - lots going on for your age group there if you kind of like to party.

Italy - Rome and Florence or Venice can easily be combined into a lovely week - fly into one of them and out the other.

Party town of Europe is Amsterdam! And several nice days could be spend there though with trains linking it to Paris in just over 3 hours you could say spend a few days in Amsterdam on your birthday and the rest in Paris - again flying 'open jaw' into one airport and out of the other is nice in saving time and cost getting back to your landing city.

Well they're not even on your list but I suggest either Paris or Amsterdam for your solo birthday trip. Both are an easy introduction to European travel. Don't be shy/scared. It's fun. It's easy.

1) buy a plane ticket
2) make a hotel reservation
3) get on the plane and GO

ttt

I think he moved on to a tour group of his own.

No Im going next week.