Try something new or Paris or Rome again?
Oct 18th, 2010, 06:03 PM
#1
Try something new or Paris or Rome again?
Hi all,
I'm toying with the idea of taking the week after Christmas through New Year's off for a European city break. I'm not a London lover and have been to both Paris and Rome several times (including the holidays). Both these cities offer enough museums, architecture, restaurants, etc., for me to spend weeks and weeks if not lifetimes there. I love them both.
Last vacation was a short break in NYC. Before that Kenya and Rwanda plus a couple of days in Amsterdam. So I'm craving something different.
Should I try something new given the time of year and possible holiday closures? What could occupy an art lover for a week that's not ungodly cold? A place with a strong food and wine culture too. I lived in Spain for a year as a child, including five months Madrid and three months Barcelona, but haven't been back since. In those days I really hated the food but I am much more adventurous these days. Haven't been to much else of Europe outside of London, Paris, Rome, other parts of Italy and France, bits of Germany (not Berlin), and Amsterdam.
If you have a great winter break city please share! Totally random opinions welcome.
Many thanks.
I'm toying with the idea of taking the week after Christmas through New Year's off for a European city break. I'm not a London lover and have been to both Paris and Rome several times (including the holidays). Both these cities offer enough museums, architecture, restaurants, etc., for me to spend weeks and weeks if not lifetimes there. I love them both.
Last vacation was a short break in NYC. Before that Kenya and Rwanda plus a couple of days in Amsterdam. So I'm craving something different.
Should I try something new given the time of year and possible holiday closures? What could occupy an art lover for a week that's not ungodly cold? A place with a strong food and wine culture too. I lived in Spain for a year as a child, including five months Madrid and three months Barcelona, but haven't been back since. In those days I really hated the food but I am much more adventurous these days. Haven't been to much else of Europe outside of London, Paris, Rome, other parts of Italy and France, bits of Germany (not Berlin), and Amsterdam.
If you have a great winter break city please share! Totally random opinions welcome.
Many thanks.
Oct 18th, 2010, 10:16 PM
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I second Istanbul. Wine culture? Some. Fascinating city? Way. I thought the food was wonderful too. It is an unforgettable city. My trip was ten years ago (many ocean-crossings ago) and I still get teary eyed thinking about that trip! Like you my favorite cities are Paris and Rome. Istanbul is sometimes referred to as the "Paris of the east."
Oct 18th, 2010, 10:59 PM
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Vienna sound ungodly cold to me in December!
I'm planning to spend Christmas in riotous Napoli for the food, wine, art and history -- and lets hope some mild weather-- but you might want something more thoroughly upscale and elegant for a battery recharge.
Just about all the great art and museum cities land you in cold weather, with the exception of Rome. Berlin is an absolutely fascinating place for art lovers, with more than you can see in a week and great city transportation. You have to do your research about food in Berlin (wine is great, if you like white).
Another great town for museum-goers with far better food and wine than Berlin is Torino, but the Alpine winds do bite there.
Venice? I'm not a huge fan of the food and wine there, or the touristy overlay in so many corners, but you can make forays into Verona and Padova, plus a day trip to Torcello. If you are a museum and architecture hound, a week in Venice is barely enough.
Madrid is, as you probably know, the home of the some of the greatest museums of painting in Europe, with Toledo and Segovia close by. I also think it is a great food and wine destination. (Half the restaurants I went to were filled with French gourmands). The temps can dip, but public transportation is good (mind your wallet). I would be tempted to a week in Madrid, with maybe an overnight in Toledo or Segovia (since daylight hours are short). If you head to Madrid, I hope you'll pay a visit to Goya's ceiling in the Church of San Antonio de Florida.
I'm planning to spend Christmas in riotous Napoli for the food, wine, art and history -- and lets hope some mild weather-- but you might want something more thoroughly upscale and elegant for a battery recharge.
Just about all the great art and museum cities land you in cold weather, with the exception of Rome. Berlin is an absolutely fascinating place for art lovers, with more than you can see in a week and great city transportation. You have to do your research about food in Berlin (wine is great, if you like white).
Another great town for museum-goers with far better food and wine than Berlin is Torino, but the Alpine winds do bite there.
Venice? I'm not a huge fan of the food and wine there, or the touristy overlay in so many corners, but you can make forays into Verona and Padova, plus a day trip to Torcello. If you are a museum and architecture hound, a week in Venice is barely enough.
Madrid is, as you probably know, the home of the some of the greatest museums of painting in Europe, with Toledo and Segovia close by. I also think it is a great food and wine destination. (Half the restaurants I went to were filled with French gourmands). The temps can dip, but public transportation is good (mind your wallet). I would be tempted to a week in Madrid, with maybe an overnight in Toledo or Segovia (since daylight hours are short). If you head to Madrid, I hope you'll pay a visit to Goya's ceiling in the Church of San Antonio de Florida.
Oct 18th, 2010, 11:31 PM
#9
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As for Europe/Asia-Istanbul
Although not European cities:
1) Buenos Aires- delicious food, and I don't even eat meat. I was there in December 2008. Tango schools, milongas, friendly people, low prices, and I paid for about everything in U.S. dollars. They like dollars and also cash. So, I could switch back and forth between dollars and pesos. There's also a really good choice of apartments to rent. www.buenosaireshabitat.com. I had an apartment in Palermo Hollywood and also stayed at a hotel in Recoleta to mix things up a bit. And taxis are cheap. I taxied everywhere.
2) Marrakesh- fabulous food and environment. Get used to being around cobra snakes, though. LOL!
3) Bangkok-my home away from home as I usually spend 3 weeks in December there and the weather is great in December. I have been going regularly since the 90s and live in a serviced apartment building as there are tons of them around town. The food choices and shopping are great, really nice people, lots to do and see, cheap taxis (meters start at 30 baht/ around 95 cents), a great skytrain transportation system and a subway system. Great Thai architecture.
4) Singapore - fantastic food. I eat myself into a tizzy every time I'm there. Great subway system. Inexpensive taxis. A real variety of food from the Southeast Asia region. The Asian Civilization Museum is wonderful and now my Paranakan kebaya maker, Benjamin, has a Peranakan cultural center/museum/gift shop, I think it is, near the Asian Civilization Museum. He also has his Paranakan restaurant, "True Blue" over in Katong. Delicious. It's good to combine Singapore and Bangkok , less than a 2.5 hour flight apart and flights every hour. Have been going to Singapore, regularly, since the 90s. Was last in Singapore/Bangkok in Nov 2009.
The above list is in no particular order of preference , although I'm most partial to Bangkok. Happy Travels!
Although not European cities:
1) Buenos Aires- delicious food, and I don't even eat meat. I was there in December 2008. Tango schools, milongas, friendly people, low prices, and I paid for about everything in U.S. dollars. They like dollars and also cash. So, I could switch back and forth between dollars and pesos. There's also a really good choice of apartments to rent. www.buenosaireshabitat.com. I had an apartment in Palermo Hollywood and also stayed at a hotel in Recoleta to mix things up a bit. And taxis are cheap. I taxied everywhere.
2) Marrakesh- fabulous food and environment. Get used to being around cobra snakes, though. LOL!
3) Bangkok-my home away from home as I usually spend 3 weeks in December there and the weather is great in December. I have been going regularly since the 90s and live in a serviced apartment building as there are tons of them around town. The food choices and shopping are great, really nice people, lots to do and see, cheap taxis (meters start at 30 baht/ around 95 cents), a great skytrain transportation system and a subway system. Great Thai architecture.
4) Singapore - fantastic food. I eat myself into a tizzy every time I'm there. Great subway system. Inexpensive taxis. A real variety of food from the Southeast Asia region. The Asian Civilization Museum is wonderful and now my Paranakan kebaya maker, Benjamin, has a Peranakan cultural center/museum/gift shop, I think it is, near the Asian Civilization Museum. He also has his Paranakan restaurant, "True Blue" over in Katong. Delicious. It's good to combine Singapore and Bangkok , less than a 2.5 hour flight apart and flights every hour. Have been going to Singapore, regularly, since the 90s. Was last in Singapore/Bangkok in Nov 2009.
The above list is in no particular order of preference , although I'm most partial to Bangkok. Happy Travels!
Oct 18th, 2010, 11:49 PM
#10
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If "cold" matters to you enough to rule Vienna out, I really wouldn't include Istanbul in my candidate list.
In many ways, it's actually worse than mainstream central Europe if you've got this bizarre phobia. Berlin and Vienna are mostly about things you do indoors - and those indoors are mostly overheated. Most of Istanbul's mosques and churches aren't heated, and getting about requires substantial exposure to a climate that in midwinter can be as least as cold and damp as London or Paris.
In many ways, it's actually worse than mainstream central Europe if you've got this bizarre phobia. Berlin and Vienna are mostly about things you do indoors - and those indoors are mostly overheated. Most of Istanbul's mosques and churches aren't heated, and getting about requires substantial exposure to a climate that in midwinter can be as least as cold and damp as London or Paris.
Oct 19th, 2010, 12:30 AM
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I so loved visiting Vienna and Salzburg in late November 2008, and I even had snow a day or two. Anyway, I prefer Vienna to Paris, and the art, culture, museums, music, and ambiance should keep most anyone occupied. Berlin would also be great. Of course, so would other cities. It's hard not to go back to old favorites, I know, though.
.
Oct 19th, 2010, 03:29 AM
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There are places I love so much, that I often have to force myself to go someplace new, so if you are considering something new - do it. Personally I'm a weather person and try to wait out deep winter in Florida. For a new place to try, I agree with Istanbul (great people) or Morocco (fantastic food) or maybe even Cairo. If you decide on Cairo, arrange for a few days with a great private guide (Lady Egypt is very good,) and stay at the Mena House Pyramid room.
Oct 19th, 2010, 09:21 AM
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Buenos Aires sounds like a good suggestion. I've never been, but I have friends who just came back from there and they haven't stopped raving about how great the food was and how much they enjoyed it.
Oct 19th, 2010, 11:48 AM
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I have been to Buenos Aires in years, but my recollection is that it is extremely muggy in December (that''s high summer down there) and that when it comes to thrilling art and museums, it is sorely lacking. Also, if there is a limit to the amount of beef you care to eat every day, Buenos Aries doesn't have a great cuisine.
Personaly, even for wine, I'd rather go to Chile and enjoy its seacoast, but I wouldn't expect museums to keep me occupied.
Coming from San Francisco, I'd be tempted to the museums of Amsterdam and Antwerp (and some in Brussels) and even more for the fantastic food of Beligum. But I'd dress up warm and waterproof, and plan an entirely indoor vacation.
Personaly, even for wine, I'd rather go to Chile and enjoy its seacoast, but I wouldn't expect museums to keep me occupied.
Coming from San Francisco, I'd be tempted to the museums of Amsterdam and Antwerp (and some in Brussels) and even more for the fantastic food of Beligum. But I'd dress up warm and waterproof, and plan an entirely indoor vacation.
Oct 19th, 2010, 12:12 PM
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I understand. I've been doing other things than Paris, since the opportunities came up. So it was Ghana (at XMAS), Turkey, Lyon, and last year London.
I had not been to London in a long time, and felt is was time to re-acquaint myself with it. I also had a play I wanted to see, so it clicked. I booked on a Sunday to leave the next thursday (!) and used Expedia for a flight/hotel package.
Paris is drawing me back, with a goal of renting for first time. But yet, there is a chance that Kenya/Tanzania/Zanzibar may happen before that. It will always be my special treat, but I know I need to diversify.
If weather is not a worry, Vienna was a place I have enjoyed.
If weather is a worry, Istanbul. Though I would not rate it as a wine mecca. We were looking and tried several but...
I had not been to London in a long time, and felt is was time to re-acquaint myself with it. I also had a play I wanted to see, so it clicked. I booked on a Sunday to leave the next thursday (!) and used Expedia for a flight/hotel package.
Paris is drawing me back, with a goal of renting for first time. But yet, there is a chance that Kenya/Tanzania/Zanzibar may happen before that. It will always be my special treat, but I know I need to diversify.
If weather is not a worry, Vienna was a place I have enjoyed.
If weather is a worry, Istanbul. Though I would not rate it as a wine mecca. We were looking and tried several but...
Oct 19th, 2010, 10:21 PM
#18
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I forgot to add Ghana. I went Dec/Jan 2003/2004 and Dec/Jan 2004/2005. I loved it which is why I went back the second year. I'm female and easily did it solo. I just bought a plane ticket and reserved some hotels and took off from L.A.-Europe-Nigeria-Ghana. I'd been to Africa twice before the Ghana trips; Tunisia one summer and Morocco another. Smiles. Happy Travels!
Oct 19th, 2010, 10:37 PM
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As far as food goes in Buenos Aires, I don't eat meat, so I can't comment on the beef or other meats. I gave up meat in 1976.
But, I had delicious food every meal. I ate regularly at Morelia on the corner of Humbolt and Nicaragua in Palermo Hollywood. I ordered their fish and fresh vegetable dishes along with their delicious mashed potatoes. Nice, hearty food. Then a few steps down the street, on Humbolt, was Bio vegetarian restaurant. It was also quite good. And I ate at some other places.
Morelia was directly across the street from the apartment building that I was renting an apartment in. So, I'd go over to Morelia and have them wrap my food to go and then I'd eat on my large terrace which actually overlooked the restaurant. I didn't once go to a supermarket while in Buenos Aires. I just reheated my to-go orders in my kitchen.
As for the weather, it was perfect when I was there in December, before and through Christmas. There were even some cool, in the mid 70s days, and then the rest were in around the 80s-mid 80s. I was fine with the weather. But, then again, three weeks ago, here in L.A. it was 106-115F. So, mid 70s-80, is cool to me. Happy Travels!
But, I had delicious food every meal. I ate regularly at Morelia on the corner of Humbolt and Nicaragua in Palermo Hollywood. I ordered their fish and fresh vegetable dishes along with their delicious mashed potatoes. Nice, hearty food. Then a few steps down the street, on Humbolt, was Bio vegetarian restaurant. It was also quite good. And I ate at some other places.
Morelia was directly across the street from the apartment building that I was renting an apartment in. So, I'd go over to Morelia and have them wrap my food to go and then I'd eat on my large terrace which actually overlooked the restaurant. I didn't once go to a supermarket while in Buenos Aires. I just reheated my to-go orders in my kitchen.
As for the weather, it was perfect when I was there in December, before and through Christmas. There were even some cool, in the mid 70s days, and then the rest were in around the 80s-mid 80s. I was fine with the weather. But, then again, three weeks ago, here in L.A. it was 106-115F. So, mid 70s-80, is cool to me. Happy Travels!
Oct 19th, 2010, 10:49 PM
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Buenos Aires trip report; O.K.Don't Bite My Head Off-Guenmai's Trip Report
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...rip-report.cfm
It's in the Asia forum as my fodor friends over there wanted me to do a trip report since some are/were planning a trip to Buenos Aires. And some had already been. I also did a separate trip report in the Argentina forum, but the extensive one I posted as a Christmas gift to those in the Asia forum. Happy Travels!
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...rip-report.cfm
It's in the Asia forum as my fodor friends over there wanted me to do a trip report since some are/were planning a trip to Buenos Aires. And some had already been. I also did a separate trip report in the Argentina forum, but the extensive one I posted as a Christmas gift to those in the Asia forum. Happy Travels!
