I've put a few posts out, but now need a little help deciding where are the 'must see' places in each city!

We will be in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Florence and Rome. I know most of the places in London and Paris, but am at a loss for what we should be seeing in the remaining cities! We would love to see both popular tourist spots as well as a few 'off the beaten path' type places as well!

Thanks again for all of your valuable feedback!

Kat

Amsterdam - canal boat tour, Vondelpark, Tropenmuseum

Thanks Suze!

Just as an FYI, I do know some of the obvious places in Rome, but really wanted to get some feedback on the favorites on this site!

Amsterdam, also Rijks Museum, Picasso Museum, Heineken brewery tour.

and forgot about Anne Frank house

I've only been to Amsterdam once. I rarely use a guidebook but since I knew absolutely NOTHING about that city and was going solo, I used "Let's Go Amsterdam". It was perfect.

How many days you have in each place will determine if - and how far - off the beaten rack you can get. As will your interests. History? Museums? Churches? Fine dining? Shopping? Music? Castles? Clog dancing? (I once met a couple who toured mostly churches - and that based no on architecture or historical events - but based on their organs - the man was a church organist at home and wanted to see famous ones in europe.)

Did you consider all the advice from your earlier thread -- lots of details about how little time you'll actually have in each of these cities?

21 days minus all the travel will essentially give you about 2-2.5 days in each city for actual sight seeing.

I have found the trip reports on this site to be an excellent resource for planning an itinerary. Read them for a wide range of ideas and decide which appeal to you personally.

I think Prague must be about the most overcrowded city in Europe in the summer now, since every guidebook touted it as a 'hidden jewel' or whatever. I would only return there out of season, because it really is not equipped for the summer hordes.

Kerouac re: Prague "I would only return there out of season, because it really is not equipped for the summer hordes."

How about next week? Does that qualify as summer and will there be hordes already? I'm sort of in the same quandary as Kat 79.

We suddenly freed-up for 7 days and were considering Prague since the we've never been, and we felt it was a city that would be enjoyable regardless of the weather (our poor garden in so soaked the rainwater stay pooled on the dirt hours later and a large bush's leaves are starting to yellow from too much water).

With such short notice and no prep/research time I've been trying to figure out where to begin looking for a hotel that is affordable (65-100 euros, whatever that equals locally) but centrally located. There seems to be so much to see and do it is almost overwhelming.

1) For people who love photography, culture, history, romantic walks and architecture, but not running around like crazy, where would you stay in Prague? (We will have a car to deal with.)

2) What would be your top five "must-sees" in Prague, and why?

Klondike,
Probably best to start another thread just for your needs

Next week should still be okay, klondike, but you know that "American month" in Europe starts on June 1st and "they" are everywhere, before magically disappearing later in the summer.

There is a series of books called City Secrets. It is a compilations of neat places -- sights, places to eat, little pauses in your day, etc. from people who know the city. I have the one for Rome. And it is small -- about 5"x8" so it's easy to carry. I suggest you look for these and use them.

Thank you Charnees! I will look into the books!

kat79,

I hope you will discover that travel in Europe is not about destinations and sights alone, but also about European TRAVEL -- meaning, in trains, on bicycle and foot, and underground, and even the scene in their rather amazing new and ever expanding airports (Schiphol is a statement!). It's also good to see how they enjoy their famous historic cities, moving around and away from the invading tourists.

Try having a drink in an area of Florence where tourists seldom go

http://www.letsgo.com/21056-tuscany-...ast_oltrarno-c

Enjoy traveling!

OR, have a dessert and coffee/drink in a touristy but fun place in Florence: Gilli's Cafe. (pronounced Jilly's). Broad outdoor seating area with tablecloths and dressed-up waiters, lots of Italians and other Europeans putting on "la bella figura" (the fine figure). Expensive, but oh so fun! The bar indoors is beautiful, and the pastries are, too.

I loved Prague. I was there in October, but it was still very crowded. Ultimately, it's a matter of how much you want to visit someplace and whether that desire outweighs the issues that come with crowds.

I stayed in the Josefov (the old Jewish Quarter) at the Intercontinental. It was easy walking to the sights there as well as the Stare Mesto (Old Town).

My top 5 sights/activities:

1) Castle (including St. Vitus Cathedral)
2) Walking around Old Town (including Old Town Square and
Charles Bridge)
3) Ascending Old Town Hall Clock Tower for views of Church of
Our Lady Before Tyn and Castle
4) Walking around Mala Strana (Little Quarter)
5) Walking around Josefov (seeing synagogues and old cemetery)