What do you think of Berlin?
Jun 13th, 2017, 11:37 AM
#42
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We all like places for different reasons and there is no right or wrong - subjective - I personally do not find Paris awfully pretty even in the center - too many cars and too loud also. But I love Paris for other reasons.
Loacker is totally right of course for his/her wishes.
Berlin is a no-go zone for him as are most German cities and all of central Europe except maybe Prague and a few other cities. Most of the U.K. is the pits in its cities pretty wise.
France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland would not be - these places also escaped the damages of war to a large extent. And Berlin itself is not that old as a major world capaital - from late 1800s really.
Discussion ended.
Loacker is totally right of course for his/her wishes.
Berlin is a no-go zone for him as are most German cities and all of central Europe except maybe Prague and a few other cities. Most of the U.K. is the pits in its cities pretty wise.
France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland would not be - these places also escaped the damages of war to a large extent. And Berlin itself is not that old as a major world capaital - from late 1800s really.
Discussion ended.
Jun 13th, 2017, 11:42 AM
#43
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Discussion ended, excuse me? Would you care to rephrase? Because otherwise, I think you presume much too much.
I disagree that Loacker is right. He has his desires, and is entitled to them, but I cannot agree that it is right in any sense to limit one's travels to places that fit a rigid and unimaginative idea of "pretty".
And on a travel board--this still is one, right?--I think this is a topic worthy of exploration.
There is a great deal in the world that is neither ossified Old World prettiness nor "socialist blocks", lol.
I disagree that Loacker is right. He has his desires, and is entitled to them, but I cannot agree that it is right in any sense to limit one's travels to places that fit a rigid and unimaginative idea of "pretty".
And on a travel board--this still is one, right?--I think this is a topic worthy of exploration.
There is a great deal in the world that is neither ossified Old World prettiness nor "socialist blocks", lol.
Jun 13th, 2017, 12:19 PM
#44
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NewBe, I think it's OK for one to set their travel priorities, whether it's scenery, architecture, history, food, or even partying. There's no right of wrong.
Just because you like to go to non-traditional cities doesn't make you more open-minded or "cultured".
It means you have other interests.
Just because you like to go to non-traditional cities doesn't make you more open-minded or "cultured".
It means you have other interests.
Jun 13th, 2017, 12:50 PM
#45
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I disagree that Loacker is right.>
You are both right - automatically. Yes a discussion of what turns you on or off is good - but for what Loacker wants he/she is of course right. And you are right to disagree -yes for others - I meant discussion ended was in terms of the OP's question and desires.
Yes let's all debate around in circles- I agree with NewBe for my own interests- let the discussion go on -my mistake to say it was over - for Loacker it is - he/she will not cotton Berlin for what he/she likes.
You are both right - automatically. Yes a discussion of what turns you on or off is good - but for what Loacker wants he/she is of course right. And you are right to disagree -yes for others - I meant discussion ended was in terms of the OP's question and desires.
Yes let's all debate around in circles- I agree with NewBe for my own interests- let the discussion go on -my mistake to say it was over - for Loacker it is - he/she will not cotton Berlin for what he/she likes.
Jun 13th, 2017, 12:57 PM
#46
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"Just because you like to go to non-traditional cities doesn't make you more open-minded or "cultured"."
Which are " traditional cities" and which ones are " non- traditional"?
Who is the arbiter ?
Which are " traditional cities" and which ones are " non- traditional"?
Who is the arbiter ?
Jun 13th, 2017, 01:28 PM
#47
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Hi Danon (I like Dannon yogurt by the way). I meant the cities that are usually praised for their beauty, like Paris, Venice, and Prague.
Don't argue over semantics much
Basically, what I meant to say is that it's OK to take the well-trodden path . It doesn't make you less cultured or "unimaginative".
Some so-called "travellers" try too hard to avoid the beaten path, only to find themselves in boring ugly backwaters. Their goal is not to enjoy themselves, but to vent to their friends that they've been to some edgy places. They are country collectors.
It's a small world, and there are no secrets to be discovered anymore.
There's Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence, London, Prague, and then there are second-tier cities.
You'd have to pay me to go to Bucharest or Sofia.
Don't argue over semantics much
Basically, what I meant to say is that it's OK to take the well-trodden path . It doesn't make you less cultured or "unimaginative".
Some so-called "travellers" try too hard to avoid the beaten path, only to find themselves in boring ugly backwaters. Their goal is not to enjoy themselves, but to vent to their friends that they've been to some edgy places. They are country collectors.
It's a small world, and there are no secrets to be discovered anymore.
There's Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence, London, Prague, and then there are second-tier cities.
You'd have to pay me to go to Bucharest or Sofia.
Jun 13th, 2017, 01:43 PM
#49
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Loacker: <i>It's a small world, and there are no secrets to be discovered anymore.
There's Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence, London, Prague, and then there are second-tier cities. </i>
I'll bet I have photographed some amazingly beautiful places in Europe that you have never even heard of.
There's Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence, London, Prague, and then there are second-tier cities. </i>
I'll bet I have photographed some amazingly beautiful places in Europe that you have never even heard of.
Jun 13th, 2017, 01:59 PM
#50
Britain is still geographically in Europe and will stay there as far as I am aware. It is actually still in the EU and will be until our 2 year time limit ends (March 2019) with no deal or when a new treaty is put in place.>>
jamikins - I swear that some of my fellow Brits would like us to be towed out into the middle of the Atlantic and build a wall round our shores to stop people going in and out [except when THEY want to go on holiday of course].
<<Yes Dresden is or was the Coventry of Germany. Nice city but little old-world romance and lots of socialist tower blocks.>>
Apart from the fact that they were both bombed into submission, they had little in common. To judge by what is left and the beautiful paintings by Canaletto that we saw in the Zwinger when we were there a few years ago it was an elegant city full of beautiful C18 buildings as exemplified by the Frauenkirche. By contrast, Coventry was a medieval city with ancient timber framed buildings, and its ancient cathedral of which only the ruins still remain.
Certainly both have their share of concrete blocks now, but then so does Paris.
jamikins - I swear that some of my fellow Brits would like us to be towed out into the middle of the Atlantic and build a wall round our shores to stop people going in and out [except when THEY want to go on holiday of course].
<<Yes Dresden is or was the Coventry of Germany. Nice city but little old-world romance and lots of socialist tower blocks.>>
Apart from the fact that they were both bombed into submission, they had little in common. To judge by what is left and the beautiful paintings by Canaletto that we saw in the Zwinger when we were there a few years ago it was an elegant city full of beautiful C18 buildings as exemplified by the Frauenkirche. By contrast, Coventry was a medieval city with ancient timber framed buildings, and its ancient cathedral of which only the ruins still remain.
Certainly both have their share of concrete blocks now, but then so does Paris.
Jun 13th, 2017, 02:18 PM
#52
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Certainly both have their share of concrete blocks now, but then so does Paris.>
London has a lot on its periphery too!
The Coventry comparison was only that both cities were leveled to a great degree in WW2- Dresden allegedly in retribution for Coventry- there apparently being little strategic reason to bomb to bits a city full of refugees and by that time little importance militarily. Annhig in a former lifetime lived in Coventry so I defer to her on that. Coventry was and is much smaller and never so grandiose as Dresden - the one-time Florence on the Elbe.
London has a lot on its periphery too!
The Coventry comparison was only that both cities were leveled to a great degree in WW2- Dresden allegedly in retribution for Coventry- there apparently being little strategic reason to bomb to bits a city full of refugees and by that time little importance militarily. Annhig in a former lifetime lived in Coventry so I defer to her on that. Coventry was and is much smaller and never so grandiose as Dresden - the one-time Florence on the Elbe.
Jun 13th, 2017, 02:22 PM
#53
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Judging by pictures of Dresden, it looks like Prague's less pretty sister.
And the fact it was rebuilt from scratch, makes it a big no-no for me. No wonder Germans flock to Italy and Spain. They have really dull cities. Even their castle, the Neuschwanstein, is kitschy.
And the fact it was rebuilt from scratch, makes it a big no-no for me. No wonder Germans flock to Italy and Spain. They have really dull cities. Even their castle, the Neuschwanstein, is kitschy.
Jun 13th, 2017, 02:32 PM
#54
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"Hi Danon (I like Dannon yogurt by the way). I meant the cities that are usually praised for their beauty, like Paris, Venice, and Prague."
by the way...the yogurt is Danone...
" a small world, and there are no secrets to be discovered anymore.
There's Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence, London, Prague, and then there are second-tier cities. "
Since many of us have visited all of the above ( more than once ) should we just find another interest and stop traveling to Europe?
Or we might explore " second-tire" ( ugly ?) cities like St. Petersburg, Salamanca,
Stocholm, Istanbul, Moscow, Sevilla, Amsterdam....
by the way...the yogurt is Danone...
" a small world, and there are no secrets to be discovered anymore.
There's Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence, London, Prague, and then there are second-tier cities. "
Since many of us have visited all of the above ( more than once ) should we just find another interest and stop traveling to Europe?
Or we might explore " second-tire" ( ugly ?) cities like St. Petersburg, Salamanca,
Stocholm, Istanbul, Moscow, Sevilla, Amsterdam....
Jun 13th, 2017, 07:31 PM
#57
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No kidding.
Loacker, once again, well done on the straw men, but Berlin is hardly a "non-traditional" city, whatever the heck that means. I am trying to say that by limiting yourself to a rigid definition of Old World elegance, you are robbing yourself of good experiences. It doesn't matter what I do or don't do, *you* asked about Berlin, so you are clearly at least beginning to suspect that your world view could use some expanding.
But I stand by my first point, especially now that you have taken to slagging Germany in its entirety. Trying to shore up your confidence on your own opinions? I'd say so. Arguing with you is a waste of time.
Loacker, once again, well done on the straw men, but Berlin is hardly a "non-traditional" city, whatever the heck that means. I am trying to say that by limiting yourself to a rigid definition of Old World elegance, you are robbing yourself of good experiences. It doesn't matter what I do or don't do, *you* asked about Berlin, so you are clearly at least beginning to suspect that your world view could use some expanding.
But I stand by my first point, especially now that you have taken to slagging Germany in its entirety. Trying to shore up your confidence on your own opinions? I'd say so. Arguing with you is a waste of time.
Jun 13th, 2017, 07:46 PM
#58
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It's rather nice that Loacker is "slagging Germany"
In fact, I agree wholeheartedly with this person.
Some folks should just go run through the major sites and get it over with as soon as possible. I applaud this because it clears the way for those who just love to travel.
Thank you Loacker, please spread the word.
In fact, I agree wholeheartedly with this person.
Some folks should just go run through the major sites and get it over with as soon as possible. I applaud this because it clears the way for those who just love to travel.
Thank you Loacker, please spread the word.
Jun 14th, 2017, 07:23 AM
#59
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Honestly Loacker, with your last post you crossed the line into trolling. It's perfectly fine to have certain preferences though a broader view arguably gives you more pleasure in the places you visit. But this thread is filled with silly bombastic arguments, it would be best to just close it.
Jun 14th, 2017, 07:27 AM
#60
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No wonder Germans flock to Italy and Spain.>
Well it is also because they have oft dismal weather in summer - many go to beach areas but even Italians go to France and French to Italy -and my French in-laws - two of them are going to Germany for a visit - they say they like Germany -especially Berlin!
But again whatever turns you on.
Well it is also because they have oft dismal weather in summer - many go to beach areas but even Italians go to France and French to Italy -and my French in-laws - two of them are going to Germany for a visit - they say they like Germany -especially Berlin!
But again whatever turns you on.
