About Europe

[Timsan]

I am going on a trip to europe in June this summer. I have previously been to England and Hungary. The initial plan was visit Oslo and then head on over to Stockholm. No offense to the Scandinavians but after doing some research I do not think Scandinavia (though very beautiful) would be as wonderful and rich in culture as I had thought. I have given Zurich and France (relatives through marriage live in France) some thought as well. I would appreciate any suggestions and welcome you to share any good or bad experiences you have had while in Europe. Thanks.

 

[kuntow]

When I did my whirlwind trip of western Europe back in 2000, I'd have to say my favourite place was Northern Italy. My family and I drove from the Swiss border down through Verona and then to Venice and then back north to Salzburg, Austria. Verona's a beautiful city with an old Roman coliseum (that at the time of my visit was being renovated but I would think they're finished with it by now). Venice, well, absolutely a lovely place to visit, though I hear they're having record lowtides right now and the gondolas aren't able to go anywhere but the main canal. I suspect that'd be cleared up by June though. Venice alone was worth the trip and, dependent on how big you are on wine, I'd visit the wine country in Northern Italy too. It's kind of cool to visit a local brewery, grab a couple of bottle of really inexpensive but excellent wine.
Just my 2 cents

 

[sgt. Pepper]

We have culture in Scandinavia, at least as much as Germany and France. But our culture is of course different and maybe not as fun.

 

[Duo]

ITALY, and southern france are awesome, and of course the mediterranean, maybye turkey also, if u want more english friendly should try the netherlands and belgium, well brussels, a couple of days in brussels coudl be fun but mainly italyy, is awesome, u'll love it

 

[Timsan]

We have culture in Scandinavia, at least as much as Germany and France. But our culture is of course different and maybe not as fun.

I did not mean to offend the Scandinavians, I know Scandinavia has beautiful culture. I should have used a different word.

 

[sgt. Pepper]

I did not mean to offend the Scandinavians, I know Scandinavia has beautiful culture. I should have used a different word.

Ok, i think i understand what you mean.

And btw, i went to Italy and i didn't like it at all. So my advice (if you are going there) is to really look up the place your going to before you decide, because we came to a place that was much different from the place we thought it would be (and there was A LOT of germans, so the only edible food in the resturants was schnitzel).

 

[Duo]

hahahaahah
funny, depends were u went i guess, if u went to typica tourist places, is always like that

 

[Flashjeff]

Funny thing. During my Navy days, I was first stationed on a ship over in Japan (1977-78) where I got to visit places like Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Austraila and had an absolutely great time.

Then in 1979, I was relocated to a ship on the east coast of the U.S. (Norfolk, Virginia) where I went on a six month cruise of the Mediterrean and visited Spain, France and Italy. Much to my surprise, I didn't enjoy myself a fraction as much as I did in the Far East. In fact, save for a day trip to Rome and a stopover off the coast of the French Riviera (hot DAMN, all those nude chicks who cruised the waters on boats and yachts! Yeah, baby, YEAH!), I found Europe rather boring.

Not to slight any Europeans here, but I just didn't enjoy myself there. Perhaps I was biased towards the Far East, or maybe I didn't get to visit all the really great places (I was limited to going where my ship went), but what I did see didn't excite me much. That's just my opinion. If I were to want to re-visit Europe, I'd want to go Great Britain which has interested me, maybe take in a soccer game at one of the game's cathedrals like Old Trafford. That would be fun!

 

[Flowerbird]

Europe

Hi Timsan,
When visiting Europe you should keep in mind that it is as big as the US, and has a tonne of nations, each different. Every country has its own culture and history, developed over hundreds, or thousands, of years. It is almost impossible to recommend one single place over another. It has already been pointed out that if you go to tourist attractions it will be crowded with people, including many Americans. You could also take time and explore, and visit less-known treasures, but that includes time and planning. Europe just cannot be seen in a few days; it's better to stay in one place, or concentrate on a few places to get to know them.
If you have family connections in France maybe you should use them to help you find your way around. That will help ensure you see the real Europe, not just the tourist traps, which I think are boring anyway.
Zurich is pretty, but expensive and there's really nothing much to do, in my opinion.
I would, after France, recommend the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland) and Ireland. You would not have any language problems, and there are a lot of things to see and do. The music life is unsurpassed, and the beer is good. It is easy to get around, and you can find information about the rest of Europe in any well-stocked bookshop. It is then easy to travel from the UK to any other part of Europe.
My last piece of advice is that you should, if possible, read and find as much information as you can before your trip, since it could otherwise be possible for you to miss the really good stuff.

 

[kirei_na_me]

Wow, lucky you, Timsan. I would so love to go to Europe again.

Although I haven't been to all the European countries, I have to say that Paris is hard to beat. To me, it could never be overrated!

 

[Timsan]

Thank you for the suggestions.

 

[Glenn]

When I was in high school, I was lucky enough to be able to go to Spain for 10 days or so. I loved it. Madrid was my favorite, and it was cool being able to use that Spanish that I had learned. However, since all of our activities were pretty well-controlled, I didn't really get to go crazy there. I did get to see a bullfight, though. That was interesting. And the nightlife is amazing; there were ten-year-olds walking the streets at 11 at night! Anyway, I had a blast, and I'm sure it would be hard not to.

 

[Elizabeth]

Ok, i think i understand what you mean.

And btw, i went to Italy and i didn't like it at all. So my advice (if you are going there) is to really look up the place your going to before you decide, because we came to a place that was much different from the place we thought it would be (and there was A LOT of germans, so the only edible food in the resturants was schnitzel).

So the Germans aren't truly the loudest and most arrogant European group....it only seems that way because of their propensity to cover the largest swath of territory in the biggest numbers ? Although of course flocks of Japanese tourists can be just as omnipresent....they're just quite a lot more polite and discreet about it.

 

[Maciamo]

It depends if you are looking more for cities, small towns, castles, nature, beach, museums, activities (hiking, sports...) or even food, but in all cases Italy and France are certainly the most interesting countries to visit.

In Italy, don't miss Rome, Florence & Pisa, Venice and Naples & Pompei. In France, Paris is obvious, otherwise, if you go north, Lille, Mount St Michael, west, the Loire Valley (best Renaissance castles in Europe), or south, Nice, the French Riviera, Marseilles, Avignon, Nime, Carcassone...

For landscape and architecture, Spain is very nice as well. Don't miss Salamanca, Madrid, Sevilla, Granada, Cordoba and maybe also Merida and Caceres (all center to south-west). Just beware that both Italy and Spain can get very hot in summer (usually 30 to 40 degree Celsius, i.e. 85 to 105 degree Fahrenheit).

If you don't like the heat so much and want to see a lot of history without spending too much money and time in public transports (or car), I recommend Belgium. I have just written a new guide to Belgium and revisited a dozens places this last 2 weeks. Belgium has probably more gothic cities and medieval castles per square meter than any other country in the world. And food is as good as in France, although probably easier to adapt to for Americans.

 

[Maciamo]

And btw, i went to Italy and i didn't like it at all. So my advice (if you are going there) is to really look up the place your going to before you decide, because we came to a place that was much different from the place we thought it would be (and there was A LOT of germans, so the only edible food in the resturants was schnitzel).

Sounds like you went to an Italian beach. The only things I recommend to absolutely avoid are the Italian and Spanish beaches in summer.

 

[Lina Inverse]

So the Germans aren't truly the loudest and most arrogant European group...

Geez, what a "nice" prejudice you have there...
You shouldn't do any sweeping generalizations just because of a few misbevaving tourists - every country has those, at least as much

@Timsan, if you're going to Italy, I'd also advise to visit Pompei, it's very interesting :haihai:
You'll probably find more German tourists than other Europeans in Italy, as it's very popular here, but don't let that keep you away. We're generally a civilized bunch and nowhere as bad as certain others want to make you believe

 

[kirei_na_me]

Well, true.

For years, I heard that the French(Parisians, in particular) were arrogant, smelly, and rude. The first time I went to Paris, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that none of those stereotypes were true. At least, not true for anyone I came into contact with while I was there.

 

[Flashjeff]

Well, true.

For years, I heard that the French(Parisians, in particular) were arrogant, smelly, and rude. The first time I went to Paris, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that none of those stereotypes were true. At least, not true for anyone I came into contact with while I was there.

Well, I guess you lucked out and came in contact with a nicer batch of people that I did, kira. When I visited France in 1979 during my days in the Navy, I was treated like a vagrant, even though I was better dressed and damn sure smelled better. From the evil looks I got from passersby, you'd think I was a just released child molester. And all because I carried the stain of being an American. Don't even get me started on my loathing for the French because of l'affaire Ira Einhorn!

 

[Maciamo]

Well, I guess you lucked out and came in contact with a nicer batch of people that I did, kira. When I visited France in 1979 during my days in the Navy, I was treated like a vagrant, even though I was better dressed and damn sure smelled better. From the evil looks I got from passersby, you'd think I was a just released child molester. And all because I carried the stain of being an American. Don't even get me started on my loathing for the French because of l'affaire Ira Einhorn!

Things evolve in 26 years. You should go there again and see if you'll be treated the same way. Anyway, Parisians are now for being arrogant and disdainful, even among French people themselves.

 

[Flashjeff]

Things evolve in 26 years. You should go there again and see if you'll be treated the same way. Anyway, Parisians are now for being arrogant and disdainful, even among French people themselves.

Perhaps. Still, I don't know if I'd have as much fun in Europe as I did in Japan. Still, it might be worth a try sometime in the future.

 

[Duo]

HA, Europe can't be summarized by any adjective, its so diverse, things change drastically from like one country to another. Whereas i find northern/western europe to be more orderly and cold in terms of people, eastern/southern eruope are way way different much more chaotic and people are more warm to tourists and foreingners, so u can't let ur bad parisian experience throw u off

 

[Elizabeth]

Things evolve in 26 years. You should go there again and see if you'll be treated the same way. Anyway, Parisians are now for being arrogant and disdainful, even among French people themselves.

That's also where I encountered the stereotype about German tourists -- as the perception of other Europeans themselves, albeit without an appreciation of any underlying motives....