Europe for newbies?
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Anonymous
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I wouldn't recommend Italy as the first place to go. It's not the easiest of the European countries--less organized and few people speak English well. I'd suggest Germany, Netherlands, or Scandinavia as a start--everything runs like clockwork, most people speak English, and there is a lot to do and see. You need to post what you like for better guidance.
The rail system in Germany, Austria, France is very very good and you can cover a lot that way. Or rent a car, driving there is easy. --born and raised in Europe |
Anonymous
| We have been everywhere. We thought Portugal and Greece were the most beautiful parts of Europe. Everyone goes to Italy,France, and Spain. Try something different. |
Anonymous
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I grew up in Europe and have been all over. As I see it, you can do it two ways. Be a tourist and spend your time in one or more big cities--Paris and London, Rome and Florence, Munich and Berlin, Madrid and Barcelona, etc. Or, you can spend a few days in a big city, then head to the country and rent a little house or apartment and just wander to relax and slow down. Spend a few days in Paris, then head to the Loire Valley, Normandy, or beyond. Or, Munich followed by the alps and beyond maybe even into Austria.
And yes, Portugal and Greece are amazing. Athens and Kalamata would be amazing. Lisbon is a great city to explore. |
Anonymous
| On one of our first trips we did something like 5 days in Rome, 2 in Florence, 2 in Venice and then 5 in Paris traveling by train between all of the cities. May is a good time to travel because the weather is warm and the tourist season has not fully kicked in. |
Anonymous
That has not been my experience. Rome, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, Venice, Florence - most people spoke English very well. Been to Italy, France, Spain, and Greece so far, and the only place I've really encountered any difficulties with English was the Basque region of Spain. To OP, I always enjoy mixing a city with somewhere coastal/more relaxing, regardless of which country. |
Anonymous
| Lots of good ideas. Would add Barcelona to the list -- a beautiful city with lots of architecture and art of interest, great day trips, etc ... you could combine with visiting southern France, perhaps. |
Anonymous
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If you do go to Paris which many seem to suggest and which would be a good intro to Europe, I'd recommend spending a day or two in champagne country. You can take a local train from Paris Gare du Est out to Epernay and/or Reims and tour champagne houses (Tattinger, Moët and Chandon, Veuve Clicquot). Epernay is larger with some nice B&Bs, Reims is much smaller and more quaint. Just check to see what is open while you visit (eg, many houses close during winter or at times during harvest).
You could also do a day trip to Giverney to visit Monet's home and gardens. Or take a day trip to Brussels or split time and take Eurostar to London for part of the trip. |
Anonymous
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Hi OP, what are you guys interested in? That would help.
Food? Beach? Dancing? Wine? More specifics. |
Anonymous
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You could do anywhere in May and it would likely be pleasant. We were in Stockholm in late May and it was lovely. With that much time, I'd try to hit up two places (maybe 3), which you should easily be able to connect to each other by cheapo airline or train. Contrary to other posters, I didn't find May to be overrun with tourists -- in fact, it's my favorite month to travel there.
IMO, this is hugely dependent on what you enjoy and what kind of travelers you are. Do you want to see "big" sights and eat good food? Do you want to do more local-focused activities and rough it a little? Do you want to be surrounded by nature? Castles or palaces or museums? Nightclubs and bars? Resorts and beaches? What kind of food do you like? How comfortable are you not speaking the language? How comfortable are you with variable weather? I think one of the big "first time" destinations would be Paris -- that is the 'big sights and good food' place. I wouldn't spend a week there, but maybe half a week then take a train (or drive) out to somewhere like Carcassone or Provence and spend a few days exploring that region. If Italy speaks to you, Rome is the big "museums and sights" destination, although I MUCH preferred Florence. Rick Steves devotees have basically overtaken the Cinque Terre, but there are other out-of-the way parts of Italy that you could get to (including, south of Naples, the popular Amalfi coast/Sorrento peninsula area which has some of the "nature and small town" atmosphere as well as Pompeii and such). No way would I spend 2 weeks in Italy as a first timer, there's too much else amazing stuff in Europe to see. If you like hot weather and beaches, southern Spain for the win -- Seville is easily accessed, and you could drive or bus or train around and see the coastal cities, drink sherry, and even spend a little time in Morocco. Another trip I'd do would be the Budapest/Vienna/Prague/Munich route, taking the train between all of them. Distances in Europe are short and the infrastructure is generally excellent. Each of those cities has lots to recommend it. Depending on your interest in returning to the UK, London is very accessible to cuter parts of England (I love it by itself though) like the Uni towns or Salisbury. Then, it's extremely accessible to Paris and Brussels (and therefore Amsterdam) and, by air, everywhere in Europe. Could do one week exploring London and environs and then fly somewhere totally different, or take the Eurostar to Paris or Brussels and explore those areas. Brussels gets a lot of hate, but if you stay there for a day or two it's quite nice (good food and beer) and then you could hop on one of their excellent trains or buses and go to Bruge or Amsterdam in under an hour and do those sites. I found driving in Europe to be manageable, but I'd try to park outside the cities. Basically, I love everywhere I've been in Europe. You really can't go wrong. Just be adventurous. Whomever said ATMs are easy is correct, but also in many cities they take credit cards about as frequently as places in the US. |
Anonymous
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If you are not familiar with Europe, I would NOT recommend driving. I am a confident driver and travel to Europe often and rarely drive because it is expensive, the road system is not as well developed and trains are superb (and more interesting)!
If you opt for doing far apart cities in Europe-- you can also fly fairly cheaply (Ryan Air, particularly) around the continent. My short list for people to get a good "feel" for Europe would be: Rome (lots of English, lots of history and art, plenty of nearby venues to also explore) Paris (it's Paris!!) Vienna (art, history, lots of English, music) (especially good teemed with Prague or other eastern Europe locales) Prague (magical, plenty of English, very reasonably priced) Switzerland (especially Geneva but also the lake region, Konstanz, Zurich.... and take a train across-- absolutely stunning) (but Switzerland is expensive!) Italy - Lake Como area Munich (especially combined with Vienna and Salzburg) Less desirable (in my opinion): Amsterdam, Berlin, Poland, Barcelona-- not as much to see, do, experience |
Anonymous
| I would either do Spain or Paris and Vienna. Vienna is just lovely and a really easy city to be a tourist in (easy to get around, etc). If the opera is in season, definitely go see an opera in Vienna - it is a once in a lifetime experience even if you aren't a big opera person. |
Anonymous
Some people love Vienna but not me. I find it not that interesting or charming and I would not recommend it ahead of every other city in europe. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
I have to warn you, Europe is full of Europeans, and they tend to be white like sugar. |
Anonymous
| Norway is gorgeous and not everyone has been there. You will be the talk of your group OP for trying something a little different. Avoid Ireland...it rains all day/night long |