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-   -   What Was Your 1st European City? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/what-was-your-1st-european-city-732890/)

mikeycora Aug 31st, 2007 11:49 AM

Wurzburg Germany Nov 67. US Army Spent 2 years there with my wife and had our first child there. We continue to travel to europe and make our way back most of the time.

vivi Aug 31st, 2007 12:03 PM

Lisbon- 1969. Incurably infected by wanderlust.

rncheryl Aug 31st, 2007 12:43 PM

Dublin 2003. Got to the airport before Dooley car rental opened. Pictures look like they should have called Fire Rescue. But after a nap, we took the bus into downtown and had a wonderful first look at Ireland.

lennyba Aug 31st, 2007 12:53 PM

London, 1991. I was 22 and had been in love with the idea of England since I was a little girl reading Mary Poppins. I was not disappointed. :)

bobbymckaye Aug 31st, 2007 04:20 PM

London, 1981. Landed in the AM early but sun was in the wrong place--wow! Got trapped in the round-a-bout. Joyful ecstacy in seeing our first thatched cottages. I get chills just looking back. BMK

Beatchick Aug 31st, 2007 04:25 PM

Wow, London seems to be a hoppin' place judging from the last few posts!

My first was London March 2001, then a quick jaunt to Paris the next day.

mari5 Aug 31st, 2007 04:45 PM

London, 1971 , enroute moving to West Africa (Dakar, Senegal) for 3 years. Husband had 4 days of business in London. Our children were ages 8,9,10 and we had our small dog with us. It was a magical time and seeing London for the first time was a thrill. We've traveled in Europe a lot since then, and it's always exciting...but not like that first time with the family.
Our dog stayed at the Royal SPCA at Heathrow , called "en transit" so she didn't have to have the quarantine.

hamlet Aug 31st, 2007 06:45 PM

Amsterdam, summer of 1977 - I was about 9 years old. My uncle's job in the US was transferred there and my family went to visit him. From there we went to Geneva, Lucerne, Zurich, Vienna and Munich. I don't remember a lot, but I'm glad that I do remember something about each place.

The next trip to Europe didn't happen until 1994 and that was a tour of cities on the western side of Ireland. I do remember this trip lots more than the first!

Grandma Sep 1st, 2007 02:30 PM

London. My husband had traveled to Europe many times but this was my first trip. As we approached Heathrow I looked out the window and saw Hampton Court. "Look.... I said...Hampton Court." "Pshaw.. " or something like that said Husband..." how do you know that?" Just then the captain came on the intercom and said: "Ladies and Gentlemen.. if you look to the right you will see Hampton Court.) -:) -:)

olesouthernbelle Sep 1st, 2007 02:41 PM

Paris. I went with a teacher & my children & MIL. An odd combo, but it worked, sort of. Then, on to London.

I'll never forget a pigeon pooping on the teacher & her reaction ( not good! lol! )

I'm still the novice - only been back to Paris the second time. This time sis & I stayed with French friends she'd made - a fantastic trip!

daveesl Sep 1st, 2007 02:52 PM

Holyloch Scotland, 1970. Well, I guess this counts. I was on missile subs and we were not actually allowed off the boat when we docked for some stupid security reason. So, we could "touch" Europe, but not actually visit.

I guess the first real city would be Barcelona in 1975.

dave

pat_woolford Sep 1st, 2007 06:01 PM

Valetta, Malta, in the sixties. Loved it.


travgina Sep 1st, 2007 06:47 PM

1997 - Ireland. A close friend is from Ennis, Co. Clare, and invited me to go with her and her DH to a niece's wedding. Our first stop from the Shannon Airport was Durty Nelly's for a pint. We stayed in her sister's B&B, the wedding was lovely, and the reception at the Clare Inn went on all night (we gave up and went home at 3 a.m.).

We visited Galway, Cliffs of Moher, had tea and scones at Dromoland Castle, enjoyed the craic at dinner at Bunratty Castle, kissed the Blarney Stone, spent a night in Lisdoonvarna during their matchmaking festival, wandered around charming little Adare, and spent a day in Kinsale.

This was the start of my love affair with crossing the pond. I've since been to France three times, Italy twice and Greece once. I'm now waiting for my renewed passport to arrive so I can share my love of Paris on a trip with my sister who has never been there.

thereyet Sep 1st, 2007 07:07 PM

Geneva, 1971.

thereyet

crckwc Sep 1st, 2007 08:17 PM

London 1979. Just getting on the plane was an accomplishment since I had a terrible phobia about flying, more so when our DC-10 was grounded after the Chicago crash and we were boarded onto an old 707, overloaded and overcrowded. I was terrified. When we at last arrived in London, I was thrilled beyond words to be in that wonderful city. I've since re-visited London a dozen or more times, never tiring of it.

buddd Sep 2nd, 2007 12:04 PM

London in 1999. Speaking only English, I think it was wise to go to GB first. The next year we went to Rome and had a great time- better than if we would have gone there first.

thesavvyoldlady Sep 2nd, 2007 12:06 PM

My first European city was Paris in the 1980's. The city of lights lived up to all my expectations and more. What stands out most in my mind was the kindness of the people. Haven't been back for many years wonder if I would be as well received now as an American.

Hugs,
The Savvy Old Lady
www.thesavvyoldlady.com

flags Sep 2nd, 2007 12:51 PM

My first European city was Belfast. My husband and I went with friends in 2002. I have been addicted to travelling to Europe ever since. We have been to many countries and loved every one of the!! We are due to treat ourselves again.

VeeBee Sep 2nd, 2007 01:04 PM

Stockholm - 1985 - the year I finished undergraduate degree in US..stayed in Stockholm for 3 months (friends) and then next 16 months travelling/working around all of Western Europe and some of Middle East...I was hooked..

skinurse Sep 2nd, 2007 04:30 PM

My first time was in Paris. It was everything I had hoped it would be. I went a 2nd time and experienced Paris as it should be. I am in love with Paris


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