3 Weeks in Europe

[3 Justin 3]

IMO Rome is way way way cooler than London. London was cool, but I get such a hard-on for history that Rome > almost any other city (leave out Berlin).

Cut out London and do 4 days in Rome. You'll have a way better time in Rome than London.

As for the language barrier, who cares. I spoke like 4 words of Italian when I was there, everywhere I went I'd either ask if they spoke English, or I'd point to what I want (ordering stuff off menu's, tickets, etc.).

The Vatican itself takes about a day, the Coliseum can be done in 2 hours, however there is a tonne of "Old City" stuff around that area, and I spent a day exploring all the ruins near by. I spent a day doing a tour of the city (I really recommend a free tour, you should see pamphlets in your hotel), which was awesome because you learn thousands of years of history in like 4 hours. They took me everywhere.

Just thinking about Rome now is getting me excited. DAMN my low income!

[shermanator]

My 2 cents.

I personally thought Paris was overrated. I didn't feel like spending hours in lines to see things like the Eiffel Tower / Louvre / Palace of Versailles etc. Could be because I stayed in an area of the city that I felt was dirty and stunk. not all Parisians I met were snooty, but some people were. Glad to say I've experienced it, but wouldn't go back.

Also I'll +1 sentiments on Dachau. Very eerie to be in a place where thousands of people were executed, but I thought it was an important place to see.

[FlamesAddiction]

I would pick up a travel book for the countries/cities you will be visiting... and I strongly recommend anything by Rick Steeves.

I spent month in Europe back in Sept/Oct and used Rick Steeves' books for Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and they were extremely useful. He recommends rooms to stay at and the people in the books have to agree with Rick Steeves that they will not change their prices. He also has good tips for eating out and saving money.

Probably the most useful part of the books were the self-guided tours. I found it a lot better than joining big-ass tour groups and being herded around like cattle.

There were also a couple of occasions where people helped me out because they saw I was using the Rick Steeves book.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

IMO Rome is way way way cooler than London. London was cool, but I get such a hard-on for history that Rome > almost any other city (leave out Berlin).

Cut out London and do 4 days in Rome. You'll have a way better time in Rome than London.

As for the language barrier, who cares. I spoke like 4 words of Italian when I was there, everywhere I went I'd either ask if they spoke English, or I'd point to what I want (ordering stuff off menu's, tickets, etc.).

The Vatican itself takes about a day, the Coliseum can be done in 2 hours, however there is a tonne of "Old City" stuff around that area, and I spent a day exploring all the ruins near by. I spent a day doing a tour of the city (I really recommend a free tour, you should see pamphlets in your hotel), which was awesome because you learn thousands of years of history in like 4 hours. They took me everywhere.

Just thinking about Rome now is getting me excited. DAMN my low income!

Just to add, the added benefit is that Rome is much, much cheaper than London, and the food is much, much, much, much, much better.

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by jjbouma

So I'm looking to spend a few weeks in Europe in September/October. Definitely want to hit Oktoberfest in Munich, but other than that not too sure where I should go, so I'm looking for suggestions. I was thinking of doing southern Germany, Italy, France and then Holland (I have family there). I've already been to Berlin and east Germany, Prague, Madrid and London, so not really looking to repeat. Would also love to go to the Spanish coast.

Any thoughts??

I won't comment on other things suggested to you, other than to reinforce them.

Dachau is a must, Fussen and the nearby King Ludwig castles. I believe this is the year for the once a decade passion play in Oberammergau. If you are heading south to Italy from Munich all of these are easily done. If you do decide to see Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein (the most famous castles in the area) try to see Linderhof also; well worth the small side trip.

Italy. Many have mentioned the big three in Florence, Rome and Venice. Also the Cinque Terre is great. If you are coming out of Germany you can see some of the great lakes in northern Italy, Garda, Como etc. depending on your route.
I will suggest 3 smaller cities that i find very interesting. Orvieto, Perugia and San Marino. Incredible places.
Depends what you like to see I guess though.

Have also been to France and Holland, but just thought I'd stick to a few things in germay Italy.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by shermanator

My 2 cents.

I personally thought Paris was overrated. I didn't feel like spending hours in lines to see things like the Eiffel Tower / Louvre / Palace of Versailles etc. Could be because I stayed in an area of the city that I felt was dirty and stunk. not all Parisians I met were snooty, but some people were. Glad to say I've experienced it, but wouldn't go back.

Also I'll +1 sentiments on Dachau. Very eerie to be in a place where thousands of people were executed, but I thought it was an important place to see.

I totally agree. I travelled for 83 days, visited 11 countries, over 20 cities, and I'd rank Paris maybe like 9th? The Eiffel Tower was damn cool, but the lines for it are fataing ridiculous, I got to pass them because my dad bought some tour pass, but if you just showed up at like 12pm, you would get to the very top at like 4pm. Not to mention Parisian's are mostly all buttholes.

Has anyone been to Dachau and Auschwitz? I have and thought Auschwitz was a much better experience. Dachau was neat, but they totally gutted a lot of it compared to Auschwitz (which has all its buildings in tact still).

When your in Poland, definitely check out Auschwitz and Birkenau (for the sheer scale of the place). As a avid WW2 history nut, I found those places remarkable.

[sa226]

I have only been to France, but for accomadations sometimes in smaller cities there is a third option: Bed and Breakfast or more accurately Guest Houses. Some families with long family histories in the same area will have huge houses from years that have stayed in the family.

In Normandy I stayed in a guesthouse with a continental breakfast for 40 euros a night. I had my own room and bathroom, it also had free wifi internet which helped with further planning, as anyone who has travelled knows the original itinerary is rarely followed, its more fun to tumbleweed it around.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

I won't comment on other things suggested to you, other than to reinforce them.

Dachau is a must, Fussen and the nearby King Ludwig castles. I believe this is the year for the once a decade passion play in Oberammergau. If you are heading south to Italy from Munich all of these are easily done. If you do decide to see Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein (the most famous castles in the area) try to see Linderhof also; well worth the small side trip.

Italy. Many have mentioned the big three in Florence, Rome and Venice. Also the Cinque Terre is great. If you are coming out of Germany you can see some of the great lakes in northern Italy, Garda, Como etc. depending on your route.
I will suggest 3 smaller cities that i find very interesting. Orvieto, Perugia and San Marino. Incredible places.
Depends what you like to see I guess though.

Have also been to France and Holland, but just thought I'd stick to a few things in germay Italy.

!!! That is what that place was called, Oberammergau! The tour I went on took us to all those castles + Oberammergau. That town is awesome, basically the most German town ever.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Just to add, the added benefit is that Rome is much, much cheaper than London, and the food is much, much, much, much, much better.

Yeah, the food in London sucks. It is just food, the food in Rome is terrific. I was just walking around, got hungry and decided to go eat and I stumbled into this small little place which had the best Cannelloni ever! That is one of the best things about travelling. By exploring you find the best places. Not to mention the countless pizza I ate, all of which was super thin, super tasty and super cheap.

[sa226]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

I totally agree. I travelled for 83 days, visited 11 countries, over 20 cities, and I'd rank Paris maybe like 9th? The Eiffel Tower was damn cool, but the lines for it are fataing ridiculous, I got to pass them because my dad bought some tour pass, but if you just showed up at like 12pm, you would get to the very top at like 4pm. Not to mention Parisian's are mostly all buttholes.

Has anyone been to Dachau and Auschwitz? I have and thought Auschwitz was a much better experience. Dachau was neat, but they totally gutted a lot of it compared to Auschwitz (which has all its buildings in tact still).

When your in Poland, definitely check out Auschwitz and Birkenau (for the sheer scale of the place). As a avid WW2 history nut, I found those places remarkable.

I definitely agree that wasting your time in lines can sour a trip but I think it all depends on when you go. I was in Paris in April and I didn't have to wait in line anywhere.

Being aware of busy seasons and local quirks can go a long way to making the experience a little better.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

I won't comment on other things suggested to you, other than to reinforce them.

Aeneas and I spent Friday night watching an HD slide show of European Castles on Frame!

[valo403]

Originally Posted by dj_patm

Alright, the gf really wants to go to Italy so I need to know. If I can manage two full days is it even worth it? I'm starting to think more and more that it isn't and I really don't want to cut into France time so I think I should cut either London or Rome.

Now, I need your guys' advice... My options:
- Add an extra day in Rome (2 Full days)
- Cut Rome out completely (Extra day in either Nice or London)
- Cut London completely (4 days in Rome)

Somethings to consider:
- I don't know Italian
- It is just me and my girlfriend. Clubbing and partying is not really an option
- I'm not that big of an Arts guy.
- I also have a short attention span... Individual monuments (So not a major thing like the Vatican, but say something like The Coliseum) can only keep me interested for a few minutes before I want to move on.
- I like to learn stuff when I visit places, Things of scientific, political or religious significance interest me.
- Mostly I'm going to want to walk around, shop, eat and just enjoy the vibe. Not really much of a tourist.

2 things:

1. Stop worrying about the language. I don't speak a lick of Italian and managed just fine. Same goes for my lack of native language skills while travelling in any other location. You'll be able to figure it out with a mix of broken english and odd gestures.

2. Your short attention span and interest in learning things may be a problem. Have you tried Adderall?

[4X4]

Eh, dj. There are lots of McDonalds in Rome.

[enthused]

Originally Posted by dj_patm

Somethings to consider:
- I don't know Italian
- It is just me and my girlfriend. Clubbing and partying is not really an option
- I'm not that big of an Arts guy.
- I also have a short attention span... Individual monuments (So not a major thing like the Vatican, but say something like The Coliseum) can only keep me interested for a few minutes before I want to move on.
- I like to learn stuff when I visit places, Things of scientific, political or religious significance interest me.
- Mostly I'm going to want to walk around, shop, eat and just enjoy the vibe. Not really much of a tourist.

...so wait, why do you want to go anywhere at all?

Sounds like your tastes would be more suited to staying at home making more terrible posts here.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by dj_patm

- Mostly I'm going to want to walk around, shop, eat and just enjoy the vibe. Not really much of a tourist.

tourist - One who travels for pleasure

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

I totally agree. I travelled for 83 days, visited 11 countries, over 20 cities, and I'd rank Paris maybe like 9th? The Eiffel Tower was damn cool, but the lines for it are fataing ridiculous, I got to pass them because my dad bought some tour pass, but if you just showed up at like 12pm, you would get to the very top at like 4pm. Not to mention Parisian's are mostly all buttholes.

I also hated all the touristy things about Paris BUT the best things about Paris aren't those things. I spent about two weeks exclusively in Paris (my sister lived there for about 6 months) and I would say the best way to do Paris is to pick a district for the day and just wander. I spent a lot of time in the Latin quarter and it was super relaxed compared to the rest of the tourist areas. Just go wandering and stop at cafes, walk through the jardins, go see a play or movie etc. The French absolutely love their cinema and there is a theatre on every corner.

[gargamel]

If you can only manage a day or two in an Italian city, I'd go to Florence and save Rome for a longer trip. If you ride a motorcycle or a scooter, rent one, head for the countryside, and stop at any restaurant you see.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by gargamel

If you can only manage a day or two in an Italian city, I'd go to Florence and save Rome for a longer trip. If you ride a motorcycle or a scooter, rent one, head for the countryside, and stop at any restaurant you see.

Dj, any restaurant you see does not include Sbarro

[dj_patm]

Originally Posted by enthused

...so wait, why do you want to go anywhere at all?

Sounds like your tastes would be more suited to staying at home making more terrible posts here.

I want to see the different places?
I'm just not big into standing around staring at the samething for ages.

I'm not big into Paintings or sculptures. Architecture intrigues me but I'm not going to marvel at a cathedral for 3 hours. History is fine as long as it has world significance and anything I can see that will teach me something is awesome.

Whats wrong with that?

I'd love to go clubbing and party but thats not going to be very fun with just my gf...

[Berger_4_]

So you're paying thousands of dollars to go on this vacation, and because your girlfriend is coming along you feel like you can't go and do the stuff you actually want to do? Good logic there.