We have no idea where to go!
Sep 20th, 2014, 06:31 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have no idea where to go!
My husband and I are thinking of going to Europe next June for our 10th anniversary. Our only international travel was on a cruise...so we are clueless on where to go. We are more of a go to one spot and hang than a " tour 5 cities in 5 days" couple. I was kind of toying with the idea of Spain since I can speak enough Spanish to navigate around, don't want to be the dumb tourists that can't even ask for directions. We are in our early 30s and just want to go someplace to wander around, check out the sights, and relax. Wherever we go, it has to be budget friendly and it doesn't have to be big city...or even city at all. We will likely have about 5-7 days on the trip. I like museums, architecture, and am a foodie. DH loves fishing, beer, and music. Going to stop since it feels like I am starting to write a dating profile here...
Sep 20th, 2014, 07:03 PM
#2
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Madrid, Madrid, Madrid.
So laid back, but plenty to do without much hassle.
I'm not a world traveler, but I can tell you it's much cheaper than London and, IMO, much nicer than Lisbon. If you're so inclined, plenty to do on a day trip or overnight from there. And excellent museums, where you could spend a day or make a quick strike.
Not sure about fishing options, but it sounds to me like you're not pretentious people, which makes me think you would really enjoy Madrid.
We're about to go back for the third time. We know there are a lot of other places to see, but we feel so comfortable in Madrid, we keep going back!
So laid back, but plenty to do without much hassle.
I'm not a world traveler, but I can tell you it's much cheaper than London and, IMO, much nicer than Lisbon. If you're so inclined, plenty to do on a day trip or overnight from there. And excellent museums, where you could spend a day or make a quick strike.
Not sure about fishing options, but it sounds to me like you're not pretentious people, which makes me think you would really enjoy Madrid.
We're about to go back for the third time. We know there are a lot of other places to see, but we feel so comfortable in Madrid, we keep going back!
Sep 20th, 2014, 07:28 PM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,011
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Five days limits you to pretty much one place or small area. Seven days makes it easier to do two. It is good you do not want to race all over, a rare traveler on a first trip. Bravo!
You thought of Spain right off, you have a very short time considering the length of the flight, you are interested in museums and architecture, so for a first trip, Spain would be great.
Spain is a fantastic country, beautiful architecture (both traditional and modern), gorgeous cathedrals, fabulous museums, walled cities, beautiful beaches, lovely people. Evenings are fun with people walking everywhere, eating, music, etc.
Both cities, but either Barcelona or Madrid with a day trip or two would fit the bill.
You could also do both, book multi-city, into one out of the other, fast train in between.
Being a foodie, you might enjoy San Sebastian. Google images and look at reviews. Cooler too than S. Spain in Summer.
Your major cost will be flights, so if you could possibly get more time, it would be good, more bang for the buck.
Other options in Spain:
Madrid and Seville
Seville, Cordoba and Granada, but might not be able to get decent flights.
One of the coastal areas and just hang out.
Seville and Andalusia
France:
Paris would do everything you want.
If you want to avoid cities, but have beautiful, interesting landscape with walled cities, Roman ruins and fabulous food, five to seven days in Provence is heaven. Google images of Les Beaux, Pont du Gard, Provence. Crowded in June though.
Do not worry much about language in any major cities through out Europe. You will have no problem.
London makes a great first trip also. Squeeze out a couple more days and you could fly into London, train to Paris and home from Paris.
Lots of other options, but your first instinct is good.
You thought of Spain right off, you have a very short time considering the length of the flight, you are interested in museums and architecture, so for a first trip, Spain would be great.
Spain is a fantastic country, beautiful architecture (both traditional and modern), gorgeous cathedrals, fabulous museums, walled cities, beautiful beaches, lovely people. Evenings are fun with people walking everywhere, eating, music, etc.
Both cities, but either Barcelona or Madrid with a day trip or two would fit the bill.
You could also do both, book multi-city, into one out of the other, fast train in between.
Being a foodie, you might enjoy San Sebastian. Google images and look at reviews. Cooler too than S. Spain in Summer.
Your major cost will be flights, so if you could possibly get more time, it would be good, more bang for the buck.
Other options in Spain:
Madrid and Seville
Seville, Cordoba and Granada, but might not be able to get decent flights.
One of the coastal areas and just hang out.
Seville and Andalusia
France:
Paris would do everything you want.
If you want to avoid cities, but have beautiful, interesting landscape with walled cities, Roman ruins and fabulous food, five to seven days in Provence is heaven. Google images of Les Beaux, Pont du Gard, Provence. Crowded in June though.
Do not worry much about language in any major cities through out Europe. You will have no problem.
London makes a great first trip also. Squeeze out a couple more days and you could fly into London, train to Paris and home from Paris.
Lots of other options, but your first instinct is good.
Sep 20th, 2014, 07:28 PM
#5
How about the UK? The Cotswolds? Lake District? Go a bit north to Scotland - Edinburgh and the surrounding area meets your criteria. We found the UK to be surprisingly affordable staying at B&Bs (a fine way to go) and eating most meals at pubs. Yes, even a foodie can be happy with pub grub - we had two or our best meals at pubs.
Or, how about Prague. The architecture is pure eye candy, also affordable, IMO the best beer anywhere, good food for every budget and lots of museums and places to tour. We spent seven packed days there. From Prague there are also some fine available day trips. English is spoken everywhere, so no problem on that front. In Prague we loved staying on Kampa Island.
Or, how about Prague. The architecture is pure eye candy, also affordable, IMO the best beer anywhere, good food for every budget and lots of museums and places to tour. We spent seven packed days there. From Prague there are also some fine available day trips. English is spoken everywhere, so no problem on that front. In Prague we loved staying on Kampa Island.
Sep 20th, 2014, 07:30 PM
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Go to a library and look through travel guides with lots of high quality pictures, like the National Geographic Traveler, Eyewitness, or Insight Guide series. I'm sure something will capture your hearts.
With only 5-7 days, you might want to look for at most one major city with a day trip or two, or at most two cities -- nothing more than that.
Happy anniversary!
With only 5-7 days, you might want to look for at most one major city with a day trip or two, or at most two cities -- nothing more than that.
Happy anniversary!
Sep 20th, 2014, 09:04 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<< just want to go someplace to wander around, check out the sights, and relax. Wherever we go, it has to be budget friendly and it doesn't have to be big city >>
Krakow, Prague, and Lisbon are the only places I can think of that fits this criteria. There is plenty to do in each of those cities for 5 days.
Portugal is very, very inexpensive.
Barcelona would also be a great choice but the sightseeing and food are expensive.
<< don't want to be the dumb tourists that can't even ask for directions >>
Then don't be...just ask.
Krakow, Prague, and Lisbon are the only places I can think of that fits this criteria. There is plenty to do in each of those cities for 5 days.
Portugal is very, very inexpensive.
Barcelona would also be a great choice but the sightseeing and food are expensive.
<< don't want to be the dumb tourists that can't even ask for directions >>
Then don't be...just ask.
Sep 22nd, 2014, 01:37 AM
#11
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,956
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would suggest staying in Toledo or Segovia, and make a day trip to Madrid to visit a few museums. Both are more relaxed than Madrid, and both are cities that can be appreciated better with a stay of multiple days. There are lots of very nice walks just outside the walls of Segovia. In June, Madrid can be very hot. Segovia was one of the places people used to go to escape the heat.
Sep 22nd, 2014, 02:38 AM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, London ticks all the boxes apart from fishing but I'm willing to bet that somewhere does it.
If you consider that most art galleries and museums are free and that you can get two for one offers, London is less expensive than many people think. You can ask about that if you decide to go.
If you consider that most art galleries and museums are free and that you can get two for one offers, London is less expensive than many people think. You can ask about that if you decide to go.
Sep 22nd, 2014, 02:42 AM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was right! http://www.fishinglondon.co.uk
Sep 22nd, 2014, 07:08 AM
#15
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And for chrissakes, why do you care if you're viewed as a clueless tourist? You'll never see those folks again. So don't limit yourself to Spain just because you have some high school or college Spanish. English is the second language in every country in Western and Central Europe other than the countries that claim to speak it natively (UK, Ireland).
