Europe Trip Recommendation

[billybob123]

And for a few chuckles, ask an Estonian how to say 12 months in Estonian.

Unless they can understand English, they won't know why you're laughing your arse off. If they can, you might get slapped.

I loved Estonia. Great place to visit. Tallinn has everything you could ask for -- cheap food, cheap booze, beautiful women, beautiful architecture.

[rubecube]

Interesting to read the thoughts on Venice in here. Was going to spend a few days there but maybe not now.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Interesting to read the thoughts on Venice in here. Was going to spend a few days there but maybe not now.

Been there, would never go back.

More brits than Italians, and it smells.

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Interesting to read the thoughts on Venice in here. Was going to spend a few days there but maybe not now.

I would not be detered if I were you. I think Venice is outstanding. I would not spend "a few days" there, but if you are nearby ... go for it.

Theroux wrote something about Venice I liked, I will look it up and post it.

[Flabbibulin]

Ya, theres a reason why Venice is one of the most visited cities in europe- it is a great place to visit, but will obviously have some critics because of the crowds, smell, prices, and heat.

What I will say is that you probably dont need much time in Venice- one night, possibly two is more than enough. It is insanely busy in July and August and very hot as well. Going in June or September makes a big difference in both these areas. Have been there in both June and August, and the former was much more pleasant.

Dubrovnik is a nice alternative to venice if you have a change of heart, although I still would recommend Venice first to someone that hasn't been to either.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

Ya, theres a reason why Venice is one of the most visited cities in europe- it is a great place to visit, but will obviously have some critics because of the crowds, smell, prices, and heat.

What I will say is that you probably dont need much time in Venice- one night, possibly two is more than enough. It is insanely busy in July and August and very hot as well. Going in June or September makes a big difference in both these areas. Have been there in both June and August, and the former was much more pleasant.

Dubrovnik is a nice alternative to venice if you have a change of heart, although I still would recommend Venice first to someone that hasn't been to either.

I think Venice is worth seeing once in a lifetime for sure. It's just not like Venice from the movies. It's a massive tourist attraction and less of a cultural experience. I actually went in mid-September... I would hate to see peak season.

But again, I heard that at night after all the day trippers are gone, it is a much better experience.

[Aeneas]

"Venice is magic, the loveliest city in the world, because it has entirely displaced its islands with palaces and villas and churches. It is man-made, but a work of genius, sparkling in its own lagoon, floating on its dreamy reflection, with the shapliest bridges and the last perfect skyline on earth: just domes and spires and tiled roofs. It is one colour, the mellowest stone. There is no sign of land, no earth at all, only water traffic and canals. Everyone knows this, and yet no one is prepared for it, and so the enchantment is overwhelming. The fear you feel is the fear of being bewitched and helpless. Its visitors gape at it, speechless with admiration, hardly believing such splendour can shine forth from such slimy stones.

Language cannot do justice to Venice and nothing can detract from its beauty. It floods regularly; its marble is damaged and decayed, its paintings rot, it has stinking corners...

...Even the fact that Venice is sinking, and might one day be destroyed if not disappear altogether, gives it an air of fragility and drama, a passionate mortality."

Paul Theroux, The Pillars Of Hercules

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I heard that it at least settles down there at night and it is a lot more relaxing, but I didn't get to see that part.

It was boring as crap. Only one place to find a $18 drink and one local cougar on the prowl who looked bored with her own game.

[FurnaceFace]

No Venice isn't going to be Ibiza.

What I recall from the Venice evenings, is similar to what happens at most towns that are a day trip destination. The tourist populate decreases, the work stops, and the locals come out to enjoy their town. People are out with their kids, sitting in the Piazzas talking, and just generally enjoying life before they head off to dinner at 8 or 9. The streets are quieter, the light at the end of the day warms the colour of the buildings, and everything seems to just...breathe. It's a great time of the day in any city though I think in the smaller centres it's even more amplified.

I guess I connect with the Theroux "romanticism" of Venice and other places and I've never focused on the nightlife in any city. One of my favourite places is to sit in or wander through the Jardin de Luxenbourg in the evening until they lock the gates. Most tourists are off to their hotels and the place is left to Parisians: families play by the toy boats, the sporty French are running laps or playing tennis, the older men are finishing up their last games of Pétanque, and people sit in the awesome green chairs reading or people watching. Can't wait to be back there in a few short days.

[polak]

How come I just discovered airbnb?

That site is fantastic for vacation rentals. Finally was able to reserve a rental in Split and I've officially booked my flights!

Should be an epic two weeks. Can't believe I'm heading across the pond again! Mild brag but thats 4 out of the last 5 years

[Flabbibulin]

I've mentioned it before as being one of my favorite places in Europe, and it looks like my wife and I will be spending 3 days again in Devon on our upcoming trip. Our family always stays in the same place- a 13th century inn near the towns of Lynton and Lynmouth. The inn is about 100 meters away from the coast. Some amazing views, hikes, and golf. Here is the inn- pretty rustic, but lots of charm and close to a lot of great towns.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by polak

How come I just discovered airbnb?

That site is fantastic for vacation rentals. Finally was able to reserve a rental in Split and I've officially booked my flights!

Should be an epic two weeks. Can't believe I'm heading across the pond again! Mild brag but thats 4 out of the last 5 years

Airbnb is great. I used it last year when I was in Greece and never had an issue with any bookings.

Have fun on your trip.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Interesting to read the thoughts on Venice in here. Was going to spend a few days there but maybe not now.

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Been there, would never go back.

More brits than Italians, and it smells.

Go to Venice. I have been there twice.


It really is like very few other cities in the world, and that reason alone should take you there.

[East Coast Flame]

Originally Posted by polak

How come I just discovered airbnb?

That site is fantastic for vacation rentals. Finally was able to reserve a rental in Split and I've officially booked my flights!

Should be an epic two weeks. Can't believe I'm heading across the pond again! Mild brag but thats 4 out of the last 5 years

Yup, we used Airbnb last summer travelling all across Europe. It was great.

[rd_aaron]

Doing about 3.5 weeks this summer in Greece & Italy. Few questions:

1) We land in Frankfurt, then train to Milan, Italy with a 1 day stopover in Switzerland. Bern or Zurich? And what to check out there if we're only there 1 day?

2) How many days should we stay in Florence? How many days in Cinque Terre?

3) What are your favorite Greek islands and why? We'll probably check out Santorini but would like at least one other island as well.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by rd_aaron

Doing about 3.5 weeks this summer in Greece & Italy. Few questions:

1) We land in Frankfurt, then train to Milan, Italy with a 1 day stopover in Switzerland. Bern or Zurich? And what to check out there if we're only there 1 day?

2) How many days should we stay in Florence? How many days in Cinque Terre?

3) What are your favorite Greek islands and why? We'll probably check out Santorini but would like at least one other island as well.

The Greek islands are tricky because the travel between them can take a really long time. There are a few that you can fly to instead of catching a ferry, so look into that. I liked Rhodes for its old town. Symi was nice and peaceful after spending time on hectic Rhodes. You can also visit some of the coastal towns in Turkey from Rhodes, so that was fun. A lot of the other islands were forgettable.

Santorini is pretty cool as a romantic get away. It is truly beautiful. A lot of the buildings and development has taken place since the 1970s (stuff that looks old, often really isn't), so it felt like it lacked culture to me. The sunsets are as advertised... stunning.

I found Greece to be a little chaotic at times. A lot of pushing and line cutting. Lot's of aggressive tourist chasers that have a hard time taking no for an answer. But still, there are things in Greece that you can only see in Greece.

I have heard great things about Crete.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by rd_aaron

Bern or Zurich?

Bern. Bern is just awesome. Maybe I have a slanted view because I had a friend that lived there so it was a different experience when I visited Zurich on my own, but I love Bern. Beautiful town, and you have to go float down the river:

[Calgary14]

Originally Posted by rd_aaron

Doing about 3.5 weeks this summer in Greece & Italy. Few questions:

1) We land in Frankfurt, then train to Milan, Italy with a 1 day stopover in Switzerland. Bern or Zurich? And what to check out there if we're only there 1 day?

2) How many days should we stay in Florence? How many days in Cinque Terre?

3) What are your favorite Greek islands and why? We'll probably check out Santorini but would like at least one other island as well.

1) I've only been to Zurich and had a great time. Very scenic and people are friendly. If you like the outdoors you'll love it. Everything's a bit pricey but it's Switzerland

2) I stayed in Florence for 4 days and thought it was enough. Great wine and great sunsets overlooking the city. There's a small sandwich shop there that's absolutely awesome, can't recall the name but it's on trip advisor. It's a hole in the wall spot, you walk in and they make you a sandwich based on the toppings you like. Similar to subway but without all the chemicals

I did the Cinque Terre for a day and it was enough. Maybe another day would be good. You have to rent space on the beach there and when we went it was 23 euros for the whole day. That gives you a couple beach chairs and the right to be on the beach that day. If that's your plan just be sure to show up early as it sells out fast. Also, there are quite a few pizza places that use wood burning ovens and real ingredients. Best pizza ever

[FurnaceFace]

I would look at day trips or better yet staying out of Florence for a night or two. Lucca, San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena are all great. Lucca is fantastic. Thanks again Aeneas for suggesting it.

For the Cinque Terre it depends on what you want to do. If you like to hike there is a bunch of options. The area could also use all the tourists they could get after the landslides and floods of a couple years ago.

[Aeneas]

I will be spending some time just outside of Lucca in July.
Found a pretty great rustic Tuscan farmhouse kind of place on airbnb.

I think Cinque Terre is pretty spectacular. But you can do well with just a day and a night if you stick to the main hike. All the villages are worth a visit, but not necessarily a long one. Some of those views on the hike are truly awesome.

If I had to choose I would take Siena over San Gimignano or Volterra. But of course I enjoyed all of them.