Where In The World (Or At Least In Europe) Do I Want To Go?
Feb 8th, 2009, 12:31 PM
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks so much for the very helpful input, everyone!
As far as time of year, we don't travel in the summer...things are just too crowded. It will either be late spring or early fall.
As far as time of year, we don't travel in the summer...things are just too crowded. It will either be late spring or early fall.
Feb 8th, 2009, 12:46 PM
#22
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
sweet poly,
Bologna, or neighboring Ferrara, can make a fantastic base for a foodie-Italy stay because the train connections are so good, you can spend your days outside the city -- in Parma, Ravenna, Faenza, Verona, Modena, Cremona and even back to Firenze, 45 minutes away -- the list goes on -- and then return to Bologna at night, all your sightseeing done, and eat like royalty.
You will give up something in beautiful scenery, although a 2 or 3-day car rental can expand your options. It is quite easy to drive in that area of Italy, although you need to be mindful of fog in spring and fall.
I also adore Amsterdam, and it fits all your criteria -- except I don't like the food, and it rains a lot.
If you don't mind wet weather, London can be a rewarding place to walk -- but I really do think its reputation as a gastronomic destination was a quirk of the "bubble" that has now popped. There is no depth to London's recent food obsession, and no deep food culture, so if food is really important to your enjoyment of a vacation, you might bear that in mind, although you can find edible food in London, and it gets cheaper by the minute.
Bologna, or neighboring Ferrara, can make a fantastic base for a foodie-Italy stay because the train connections are so good, you can spend your days outside the city -- in Parma, Ravenna, Faenza, Verona, Modena, Cremona and even back to Firenze, 45 minutes away -- the list goes on -- and then return to Bologna at night, all your sightseeing done, and eat like royalty.
You will give up something in beautiful scenery, although a 2 or 3-day car rental can expand your options. It is quite easy to drive in that area of Italy, although you need to be mindful of fog in spring and fall.
I also adore Amsterdam, and it fits all your criteria -- except I don't like the food, and it rains a lot.
If you don't mind wet weather, London can be a rewarding place to walk -- but I really do think its reputation as a gastronomic destination was a quirk of the "bubble" that has now popped. There is no depth to London's recent food obsession, and no deep food culture, so if food is really important to your enjoyment of a vacation, you might bear that in mind, although you can find edible food in London, and it gets cheaper by the minute.
Feb 8th, 2009, 12:52 PM
#23
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PS: Regarding walkable cities:
Apart from the centro storico, and pedestrianized areas, I seldom find it a real pleasure to walk on Rome's crowded non-existent sidewalks, eating diesel fumes, dodging no end of speeding traffic, sharing what little space there is with slow-moving nonni e nonne and mothers with strollers, the heat, or the rain and the broken pavement, uneven surfances and no end of odd things sticking up to trip you -- etc etc.
If you stick to the tourist areas, it is fine, because they are blocked off from traffic. Most every place else, you might end up wondering why you spent this much money and expended that much energy and sleep deprivatiion to be walking around watching your feet all the time.
I lived in London for quite some time and simply tired of being soaked, wet and chilled. Often in London, like Amsterdam, the wind blows the rain every whichway. And it rains a hell of a lot.
Apart from the centro storico, and pedestrianized areas, I seldom find it a real pleasure to walk on Rome's crowded non-existent sidewalks, eating diesel fumes, dodging no end of speeding traffic, sharing what little space there is with slow-moving nonni e nonne and mothers with strollers, the heat, or the rain and the broken pavement, uneven surfances and no end of odd things sticking up to trip you -- etc etc.
If you stick to the tourist areas, it is fine, because they are blocked off from traffic. Most every place else, you might end up wondering why you spent this much money and expended that much energy and sleep deprivatiion to be walking around watching your feet all the time.
I lived in London for quite some time and simply tired of being soaked, wet and chilled. Often in London, like Amsterdam, the wind blows the rain every whichway. And it rains a hell of a lot.
Feb 8th, 2009, 12:54 PM
#24
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh -- and regarding Madrid: I think it can make a great base for people interested in day trips, the best of all possible worlds: Great transportation access to stunning, nearby sights and towns, returning home to one of the great restaurant and night life cities of Europe, and museums and art venues that merit more than one visit.
But it's not for everybody!
But it's not for everybody!
Feb 8th, 2009, 01:13 PM
#25
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi
I say Rome wonderful city with many sites
From Rome you have
1. Naples
2.Capri and the tram to Ana Capri (A must)
2. Cinque Terre ( closer to Genoa)great little villages
3. Genoa great city
4. Pisa
5. Milan
5. Amalfi Drive spectacular scenery
6. Abruzzo
7. Venice-- wonderful
8.Sardinia ( this is a most I have heard) if you like sunny islands
I hope that you pick ROME
Have fun wherever you pick.
I say Rome wonderful city with many sites
From Rome you have
1. Naples
2.Capri and the tram to Ana Capri (A must)
2. Cinque Terre ( closer to Genoa)great little villages
3. Genoa great city
4. Pisa
5. Milan
5. Amalfi Drive spectacular scenery
6. Abruzzo
7. Venice-- wonderful
8.Sardinia ( this is a most I have heard) if you like sunny islands
I hope that you pick ROME
Have fun wherever you pick.
Feb 8th, 2009, 02:24 PM
#27
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 26,778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
London. The value there is just great right now. With a free flight and free hotel, you won't be able to do it so cheaply for some time.
And, I have to say, if you are worried about food in London, steer clear of Amsterdam. Great city, but the dining scene is light years behind London.
And, I have to say, if you are worried about food in London, steer clear of Amsterdam. Great city, but the dining scene is light years behind London.
Feb 8th, 2009, 02:34 PM
#28
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 817
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I might add that you might want to consider a re-visit to Paris. If you read what your criteria are, Paris fits it to a tee. Maybe you didn't give it a chance? Maybe the weather was horrible? I've been to Florence, Rome (twice), London (second trip coming in two weeks), Barcelona, Lisbon (would like to spend more time here), and still Paris remains my very favorite city.
I agree that London has much to offer in the way of history and the arts, but maybe you should consider combining a trip to London with a chunnel trip to Paris for a few days for the architecture , ambience, food and wine. Now THAT sounds like a fabulous trip to me.
I agree that London has much to offer in the way of history and the arts, but maybe you should consider combining a trip to London with a chunnel trip to Paris for a few days for the architecture , ambience, food and wine. Now THAT sounds like a fabulous trip to me.
Feb 8th, 2009, 02:59 PM
#30
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Regarding Kappy's suggestions, the original poster wrote:
"We want to stay in one city for an entire week, so a city with interesting day trip options would be a plus."
Almost none of the places on Kappy's list are doable day trips from Rome.
"We want to stay in one city for an entire week, so a city with interesting day trip options would be a plus."
Almost none of the places on Kappy's list are doable day trips from Rome.
Feb 8th, 2009, 03:02 PM
#31
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Madrid is interesting and has interesting towns surrounding it sort of like Paris has the Ile de France and all the cute little towns and chateaux surrounding it. There's even the Rioja wine country.
Seville is exciting in its own right but also affords day trips to Cordoba and Granada
Venice is so beautiful. The architecture is fantastic. Every church is a museum (admittedly the art is old) but from there you can take in the Palladian villas of the Brenta, Padua, Vicenza, Verona, even Trieste or Lake Garda.
Nice would open up the whole French Riviera to exploration.
And then, and then, and then. .... There are many options.
Seville is exciting in its own right but also affords day trips to Cordoba and Granada
Venice is so beautiful. The architecture is fantastic. Every church is a museum (admittedly the art is old) but from there you can take in the Palladian villas of the Brenta, Padua, Vicenza, Verona, even Trieste or Lake Garda.
Nice would open up the whole French Riviera to exploration.
And then, and then, and then. .... There are many options.
