Vacation
 

My girlfriend and I are wanting to take a trip to Europe in early-mid December but can not decide where... We are from the United States both 20 years old and only speak English! So far we are considering Rome and Prague! I would like to know some opinions on the two places and if you have any suggestions of a different destination! Thanks!

In December, days will be very short and the weather cold in most of Europe. I'd suggest you consider Italy, especially southern Italy, or Spain or Portugal. Prague will be cold and dark. Rome might be ok.

You have almost a full year to research this, so go to the library or bookstore and get hold of as many books as you can and start reading them. Go online and investigate. Study maps and national railways and intra-Europe flights. If you just want opinions on Rome and Prague, there are thousands of threads/trip reports on here that you can search.

Having no idea why you picked those two places it's hard to reply. I suggest Paris and Amsterdam but those may be of no interest to you.

Go to Buenos Aires, easy to reach for North Americans, moderate prices, very much like Buenos Aires except the steaks are juicier, the wine cheaper, and the tango entrancing. And of course it will be the middle of summer so try for an air-conditioned residence.

We just spent the last week of November and the first week of December in Lisbon, Portugal. Perfect, mild, only a little rain twice, and hugely interesting for sightseeing and museums, great food and deep history, and day trips to nearby points of interest.

Suze.. Paris was a city that I highly considered but my aunt who had just visited the city told me it is very hard to get around in Paris with not knowing any French!

"it is very hard to get around in Paris with not knowing any French!"

I think there would be a lot of Fodorites to contest that statement.

Was your aunt particularly unlucky, asking the wrong people, or what was her problem?

Yes, the local language is French, but there are so many who speak serviceable English, and in recent year the formerly traditional reluctance to speak English seems to have gone away.

I am fluent in French and like the opportunity to speak it, but as soon as I turn to my (American) wife and say a word in English, the French people switch to English, to my annoyance...

Traveling in a country where you don't speak the language can be jarring the first time you do it. I don't know why your Aunt found Paris tricky to navigate, it really isn't, but I have to say that Rome and Prague aren't any easier. I think you should choose on the basis of your and your gf's interests and not worry about not speaking the language...

I speak hardly a word of French (other then the usual polte salutations and am able to read a lot of menu words) and I have absolutely no problem navigating Paris. Either your aunt is pulling your leg or she didn't try very hard.

They speak Italian in Rome and Czech in Prague...why would they be any different than Paris?

Anyway, we have been to Rome in December and it was lovely.

I can not speak to Rome in December, but we have been to Prague at that time and found it magical. Cold, typically. Gray, often. But, the Christmas markets with their twinkling lights, hot mulled wine (Glühwein, in German) and delicious foods make for a perfect respite in between sightseeing. As for not speaking Czech, you'll have almost no difficulty in the tourist areas speaking English.

Happy Planning!

You aunt is incorrect. Paris is a major, major tourist city, and I would wager that the bulk of tourists who arrive speak no French at all. I have yet to encounter a single shopkeeper, waiter, policeman, museum staffer, or anyone else who didn't speak English.

If language is your issue, then Rome and Prague will be far worse. But really, in any tourist mecca in Europe, the people who deal with tourists will speak English.

<I have yet to encounter a single shopkeeper, waiter, policeman, museum staffer, or anyone else who didn't speak English.>
Wow, you must not get out much. You live in France, right? :-D

I have certainly encountered shopkeepers--two, actually, as I recall--who did not speak any English. And one waiter. Both were somewhat off the beaten path, perhaps you stick to department stores and the like?

It's not a big deal either way, I have also met people who don't speak serviceable English in Tampa, and in NYC. I just find these stories very odd and suspect they are exaggerations for effect.

I certainly agree that an English speaking tourist is likely to always find someone who speaks some English.

<<Suze.. Paris was a city that I highly considered but my aunt who had just visited the city told me it is very hard to get around in Paris with not knowing any French!>>

Well I guess everyone's different. But I've been to Paris. I don't speak French. I had zero problems getting around and doing what I wanted to do there. I think the issue is with your Aunt :-)

In my observations, some people freak out when they don't speak the local language and make it worse. Just be calm, watch the other people around you (like if you don't know what to do in a grocery store or bakery), have a street map so you can find you own way around without having to attempt asking directions, have the business card of your hotel and local currency so you can get in a taxi if you are lost, and so on.

Google Translate works a treat these days, too. If something important needs to be conveyed, it's right there on your smartphone, free of charge.

And yes, before you say it, suze, we know you don't have a smartphone. I'm betting the OP does.

I didn't say a word.