Visit to one city in europe - which one??
 

Hi everyone,
I'm planning a trip as a surprise gift for someone. I'd like to go to Europe for 4-5 days, or a long weekend, and visit just stay at one city/town. It doesn't mean that we can't visit other cities, but I'm not looking to do more traveling than relaxing over that time. I'd like to visit a culturally rich area where we can maybe take some day trips. We love smaller towns, pubs, and places where we can soak in the culture. And I am really open to suggestions - the only one I don't want to go to is Ireland since we've been there, but other than that, I'm hoping that someone can suggest a few ideas. I'd love some place in Italy (not Rome) or Spain, or maybe near Amsterdam? I've never had an interest in France, and have always wanted to visit Greece. Honestly, this is just the beginning of my research - so the more suggestions, the better!

Also, we do plan on one day having some sort of European Tour - so I'm not so worried about seeing 'everything.' Again, I would love just a really nice spot where we can see a few things and enjoy our time together.

Thanks so much,
SP

Think about Vienna. It is a fabulous city to visit. History, art, music,
wine and wonderful pastries-enough to
keep you very busy for 4-5 days.

Austrian Air flies there direct from
New York and Washington, DC. I don't
know about other cities-maybe Chicago.

Pat

Paris/France (not Paris/Texas)

Depending on the time of year, Amsterdam could be great - plenty of culture to soak up, good restaurants, day trips to keukenhof gardens, delft, even take a train down to Bruges; the Lakes region of Italy is also fun - easy to get to via milan; plenty of culture in Milan if you choose to stay a day or so there enroute to Como. See the Last Supper, LaScala, Duomo, etc. Barcelona would also be an option - its a larger city but has the culture, night life, cafe's, etc.

Spain is a great idea, I love Spain. Either Madrid or Seville would suit your goal fine -- of spending 4-5 days there and maybe visiting another city. From Seville, you can visit Cordoba easily by train as a day trip. From Madrid, there are more options -- I particularly liked Segovia. Seville would be the smaller city, of course, if that's what you most want.

Any place would be fine with that broad a criteria, I think it's really up to you to just decide where you want to go. I don't know where you are flying from, but Greece might be a bit far to get to for a 4-5 day trip, if you are in North America. I love Greece, but I wouldn't choose it for a 4-5 day trip, I'd save it for when you had more time to spend there.

A lot of people really like Prague, also, including myself, but it's not a small town. It's certainly got plenty of places to get a beer and lots of culture.

PARIS! If you have not been there, a long weekend is perfect for your first visit to this fabulous city.

Paris. We were there for only three days once, and I felt like we saw a lot without being rushed.

Munich - a blue chip city. Some call it a "village of one million".

Paris or Venice. Both could be very romantic

London and Amsterdam might also be considered

Barcelona

Edinburgh or Brugge

Or you could do this trip...have your pubs in Italy.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/11/02...yt&emc=rss

What time of year (to take the weather into consideration)?

How about Venice or Amsterdam? both just right for a 4-5 day trip.

Another vote for Barcelona

Or maybe Cologne.

Your thoughts say Prague to me.

I second Vienna. I've never been to Prague - but I hear that is also fabulous from everyone. But - I LOVE Vienna.....

Edinburgh

Siena

Grenada

Chania

(I do NOT understand you about France, but I'm answering your question)

Is there a choice ? Paris. Firstly it is the most walkable city you can think of. even if you do not care much for France, Paris is unique. I would say that if you have to choose one, only one, Paris is the best choice.

( Unless you have been there many times? )

Language also is a consideration, Florence is a great destination, right size, very walkable and each corner has something to offer.

Paris, Paris, Paris!!!

for a short visit Barcelona .
Paris is wonderful but not "smaller town"

Edinburgh is my very favorite smaller city. Nice is second. Both have great day trips available.

Thank you for all of these wonderful responses!

I am on the East Coast, and I'd love to know more about Paris. So, is it true that for Paris I might not need to rent a car? Sorry to be so naive, but so many people have said Paris that it has intrigued me...

That and the Beer tour of Italy...:)

You can't go wrong with any of the below.
Kusadasi, Turkey
Paris, France
Rome, Italy
Lucern, Switzerland
Venice, Italy

No WAY do you need a car in Paris. It's the obvious answer to your question. It's a wonderful city to chill and walk in.

My 3 - Paris, Barcelona, Edinburgh. It kinda depends on what you want to do when you get there.

Hi shepardspie--
Maybe I missed it but... when would you be taking this trip?

The OP prefers smaller cities/towns. Since you're planning such a short trip, you need to have easy access to an airport. And maybe not a too long flight. So where are you coming from? And what time of year? Also I would assume you don't want to rent a car; it's probably not necessary.

How about Venice? Lots to do there plus trips to the other islands in the lagoon, daytrips to Padua, Vicenza, Verona.

I like Nice too. It's less French than it is Nicoise, having its own language and cuisine. And a laid-back, sensual vibe. Plus beautiful Belle Epoque buildings.

I personally am not a huge fan of Paris; it feels kind of coldly grand to me.

Probably taking the trip in June...

Again, all of your reponses are incredibly enthusiastic and helpful!!!!

I am not a fan of Paris, either. My top picks would be (for what you are seeking):

Venice - one of the most incredibly different and unique cities on the planet
York - so lovely and perfect for a long weekend wander on the city walls
Edinburgh - packed witih culture, castles, etc.
Dubrovnik - astonishing views, interesting culture, arts, wall walk, climate
Prague - stunning architecture

Perhaps this is obvious, but London offers so much culture with many places within easy reach. The Eurostar train takes a little more than 2 hours to get to Paris or Brussels. I recently returned from Amsterdam which was a lovely walkable city which I would recommend visiting. Starting from London gives you many options with many transportations choices. Right now the weather isn't the best, but by June, the parks are glorious with the most beautiful flowers. Good luck!

I too like London, but I did not list it because of the high prices.

Maybe I am over-interpreting the OP's wish list, but I cannot suggest Paris or Barcelona to someone looking for "smaller cities". Both cities are very nice, but also very big cities.

In June, you can experience the White Nights in Northern Europe, with nights being short from a few minutes to few hours.
Copenhagen or Stockholm are not exactly villages, but have a more relaxed pace than Paris or Barcelona, IMO. Both countries also have the benefit of being almost bi-lingual, i.e. English will be understood by a huge number of people.

Also the (more affordable) Baltic states have very nice capital cities with a rich history -- and not so beaten-to-death tourist trails than their better known Central European counterparts like Prague or Vienna.

Yet, I would also agree that accessibility of your destination is also an issue. With only 4 or 5 days, I doubt that you want to waste a lot of time at airports, waiting for connecting flights.

Hi shepardspie: My first vote would be Paris as many have already offered, followed by Prague. I know you weren't interested in cities by both have so much to offer and they are walkable and easy to get around, transportation is no problem and you certainly don't want a car. On the plus side for Paris, if you wanted to do another city during your stay it would be easy to travel to Brugge, the environs outside of Paris or even take the Eurostar to London, however there is so much to see, so many cafes to sit, sip, dine and people watch I can't imagine you'd be at a loss in either Prague or Paris. Enjoy your trip.
Susan

Paris, of course.

What about Ljubljana, Slovenia? It's a charming, small city at the base of the Julien Alps. One could easily daytrip to Bled, various other locals in the Alps, northern Croatia, Graz... The people were friendly and the city is extremely walkable.

I would also second the Dubrovnik suggestion. Beauty beyond words!

Tracy

Why all these suggestions of Paris, just to be perverse? The OP specifically said France was not one of the countries of interest.

Cowboy has a point with Copenhagen and Stockholm, though I did not suggest due to their relatively higher costs. Disagree on Barcelona, it isn't huge, will one see everything, no, but one probably wouldn't wherever one chooses to go.

Paris...time and time again.

Paris, enough of this debate. Great to walk around, sit at sidewalk cafes, take a boat ride on the Seine, great restaurants, visit the Louvre or d'Orsay, ride the Metro, walk down the Champs de Ellyse, go to the top of the Eifel Tower, and ......

See you there!