What European City Should I Travel To?
Oct 1st, 2004, 02:04 PM
#22
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London - obvious choice if you have never been there. lots of people from all over so it's easy to meet people. cons - short days in dec.
copenhagen - beautiful city but maybe not a suitable destination if you are travelling a long way (quite a small city, explored in a short time, and not the most interesting city). I have lived there for about a year and love the city but would hesitate to recommend it for your purpose. Perhaps not the best place to travel alone (few visitors in winter and the natives can be rather cold - especially during the winter). Also, the days are very, very short in dec.
Prague - bad weather in december. The positive is that i think it probably best suits your stated likes. Also, it is good for a solo traveller because there are a lot of visitors and the people who live there (czechs and many others) are very friendly.
You mention language but i don't think there are any problems (for english speakers) in any large city in europe. i wouldn't make this a factor.
copenhagen - beautiful city but maybe not a suitable destination if you are travelling a long way (quite a small city, explored in a short time, and not the most interesting city). I have lived there for about a year and love the city but would hesitate to recommend it for your purpose. Perhaps not the best place to travel alone (few visitors in winter and the natives can be rather cold - especially during the winter). Also, the days are very, very short in dec.
Prague - bad weather in december. The positive is that i think it probably best suits your stated likes. Also, it is good for a solo traveller because there are a lot of visitors and the people who live there (czechs and many others) are very friendly.
You mention language but i don't think there are any problems (for english speakers) in any large city in europe. i wouldn't make this a factor.
Oct 1st, 2004, 02:13 PM
#23
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walkin- "bad whether in prague in dec." What is bad whether to u? Is it just cold or is it constantly rainy/snowy? I dont really mind the cold (unless we are talking siberia cold lol)... thanks for your input.. I might cross out copenhagen and go when i have time during spring/summer... i kinda glossed over the fact of the shorter days and the lack of other tourists..
Oct 1st, 2004, 04:47 PM
#24
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Airo2x,
As mentioned we were in Prague last Dec and the weather wasn't bad...one or two clear days and overcast with partial drizzle for the rest. I suppose you'd need to be prepared for snow.
It certainly is FAR cheaper than London and because the Czech Rep isn't yet on the Euro it's also far cheaper than Vienna, Venice and much of the rest of western Europe.
The Opera, ballet and classical music generally are wonderful and readily available...also very reasonable priced by US standards. The architecture is interesting, far more intact historically than Vienna which was damaged during the war.
We were interested in the Jewish quarter and went on a walking tour. The Municipal house is the most fascinating Art Deco building I have ever seen...of course there's the Cathedral, the castle etc.
If you had time you could continue on to Cesky Krumlov which we would have liked to have seen and is meant to be lovely.
Hope that helps.
As mentioned we were in Prague last Dec and the weather wasn't bad...one or two clear days and overcast with partial drizzle for the rest. I suppose you'd need to be prepared for snow.
It certainly is FAR cheaper than London and because the Czech Rep isn't yet on the Euro it's also far cheaper than Vienna, Venice and much of the rest of western Europe.
The Opera, ballet and classical music generally are wonderful and readily available...also very reasonable priced by US standards. The architecture is interesting, far more intact historically than Vienna which was damaged during the war.
We were interested in the Jewish quarter and went on a walking tour. The Municipal house is the most fascinating Art Deco building I have ever seen...of course there's the Cathedral, the castle etc.
If you had time you could continue on to Cesky Krumlov which we would have liked to have seen and is meant to be lovely.
Hope that helps.
Oct 1st, 2004, 05:21 PM
#25
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Another vote for Amsterdam, since it seems to meet your canals/somewhat smaller size ala Florence/great cafes/plenty of culture requirement better than most.
But definitely don't discount Barcelona. It's a lot bigger than A'dam, but its got lots of culture (no canals!) and you might even be able to still enjoy cafes al fresco in December.
But definitely don't discount Barcelona. It's a lot bigger than A'dam, but its got lots of culture (no canals!) and you might even be able to still enjoy cafes al fresco in December.
Oct 1st, 2004, 09:48 PM
#26
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Prague is less expensive, has wonderful architecture, Charles Bridge at night is beautiful, good food and beer/wine.
Vienna is a beautiful city with lots of good food and wine and plenty of culture.
My favorite place is one not mentioned yet--Berlin. It is the history of the 20th century with culture, good food and beer/wine, shopping, night life, etc.
Vienna is a beautiful city with lots of good food and wine and plenty of culture.
My favorite place is one not mentioned yet--Berlin. It is the history of the 20th century with culture, good food and beer/wine, shopping, night life, etc.
Oct 1st, 2004, 09:50 PM
#27
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I hit the post button too soon. Another interesting city is Krakow. It is small like Florence, a side trip to Zakopane will give you the scenery and, if you want a sobering experience Auschwitz/Birkenau is close.
All of the cities I mentioned have great Christmas markets.
All of the cities I mentioned have great Christmas markets.
Oct 2nd, 2004, 10:11 AM
#28
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Prague is not usually bitter cold in the winter. You seem to have realistic expectations so i'm sure you'll be fine with it.
I reread my other post and perhaps "very friendly" is a little misleading and exaggerated. I find the czechs (and the many other eastern european countries represented among Prague's residents) to be generally friendly but somewhat reserved. That said, it is not difficult to meet people and there are people from all over the world living in and visiting Prague. i spend a lot of time there for work...and i enjoy it.
I also agree with the amsterdam suggestion.
I reread my other post and perhaps "very friendly" is a little misleading and exaggerated. I find the czechs (and the many other eastern european countries represented among Prague's residents) to be generally friendly but somewhat reserved. That said, it is not difficult to meet people and there are people from all over the world living in and visiting Prague. i spend a lot of time there for work...and i enjoy it.
I also agree with the amsterdam suggestion.
Oct 2nd, 2004, 07:14 PM
#30
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Prague.
But, why do you have to go to Europe? Buenos Aires is fantastic in December, as it is the summer season. When you are in BA, you feel like you are in a European city. And it is probably one of the CHEAPEST places you can visit.
But, why do you have to go to Europe? Buenos Aires is fantastic in December, as it is the summer season. When you are in BA, you feel like you are in a European city. And it is probably one of the CHEAPEST places you can visit.
Oct 2nd, 2004, 07:49 PM
#32
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Yes, but you can stay at a nice hotel in BA for about $35 a night. A meal costs about $5-7. A cappuccino at a chic cafe is about $1.50.
Food in Prague is very cheap, however. You can have a nice meal for $10, including wine.
Food in Prague is very cheap, however. You can have a nice meal for $10, including wine.
Oct 3rd, 2004, 01:46 AM
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Go to Barcelona! One of my favourite cities! You can check out my Barcelonapage with plenty of tips and pictures at www.virtualtourist.com/m/18b41/430de.
Oct 3rd, 2004, 12:02 PM
#37
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You guys are all so helpful. im currently looking into many of the suggestions i am getting. It seems that the top three places to visit are prague, vienna, amstedam. i would love to visit all of these places but unfortunately there isnt enough time or money..
Im sure i will have more questions once i make some decisions. I am going to go look into a book on these places and get some more information. Again, thanks for everyone's input!
Im sure i will have more questions once i make some decisions. I am going to go look into a book on these places and get some more information. Again, thanks for everyone's input!
