Planning Europe trip...advice/suggestions wanted

Brussels?

Yes. You can find Belgian beer all over Europe without having to be in Brussels. I would definitely use your time better than that. Maybe Rome? Or a couple more days in one of the really interesting places

I agree with gdl that there is absolutely no reason to go to Brussels. I also think that Amsterdam is overrated. For a two-week first trip to Europe, I would visit the following (or some subset thereof): Paris, French countryside, Nice, Rome, Florence, Venice, Vienna.

London may not be too expensive by the time you go - the pound may take a huge hit if we have a hung parliament. So keep that in mind. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/elec...gs-future.html

Amersterdam is a fun place to visit, and can be done in a couple of days if you want to hit it but don't want to spend too much time there. Paris is, in my opinion, an absolute must. I also loved Tuscany - the whole region and nearby areas, not just Florence - but much of what you can see there would benefit from you renting a car and wandering from area to area. One thing to think about is how much time you are willing to lose travelling. Paris and Amsterdam aren't super far from each other, so maybe do that part in the first week, then head down to Italy to hit Tuscany. Can't speak for Rome, but others have raved about it.

Personally I think visiting Ireland (both the Republic and the North) is worth it, but if you only have two weeks, France and Italy are great choices. Have fun!

Argh. There are plenty of reasons to visit Brussels. I would move there in a heartbeat. It's a lovely city.

For the OP, however, there aren't any good ones. Spend a few more days in Barcelona or Amsterdam.

For one week I'd stick with one city. It'll give you more time to really explore.

For two weeks, I'd go with Barcelona and Paris. If you like staying out late more, then spend more time in Barca; if you like sights more, then spend more time in Paris.

IMO.

b

You would want to live in Brussels?

2 weeks would be great and Id do it all except Brussels.

Seriously man, its not that exciting. I was there for a weekend when I was 21 - beer was good but not worth it. Bruges I heard is cool though, i heard.

If I had to go back and had your itenarary Id do this...

fly to Madrid for 3 days (see the sites and a bullfight!)
5 days in Barcelona (3 days seeing the sites and at least one or two days at the beach)
1 or 2 nights driving through the French Country side ( and gettin! wino drunk)
Paris (Never been but Im sure 4 days could be had)


I think everyone will agree not to cram too much into a short time. 5 citiies, 14 days? yea, thats rough.

Definitely go to Barcelona, it's one of the nicest cities in Europe. Stay at Hotel U232 in Eixample... 4 star hotel for €75 a night when I was there with my gf last summer. While in Spain you should also go to Madrid. Take the overnight train there (Renfe). It's as cheap as an airline ticket, plus that's one night you don't need to pay for a hotel.

Spain is also very affordable to visit, and you should easily be able to get a 2nd week if you visit those 2 cities first. If you're trying to stretch your budget, you're wise to avoid Paris as well as London. I lived in London for two years recently, and it's very expensive, especially for tourists (even with a weakened pound). Paris is no different. Save those two for when you're a little older and wealthier. I love Amsterdam, but logistically, it makes sense to combine it with a trip to these other two. I agree with others that Brussels is not an 'essential' city, as your beer choices will be abundant all over the continent. However it's still a very nice city, so Amsterdam/Brussels would be a good combination too.

For your second week, I'd stick to one region. Italy is reasonably priced, so maybe Rome, Florence, and Siena. Alternatively, I think you could do two or three out of Vienna/Prague/Bratislava/Budapest. These cities are pretty close to one another, they're underrated (the last 2 for sure), and also very affordable (except Vienna). This would also allow you to see a wide variety of countries/cultures.

So that's my take. Spain for sure, and then either Italy or Eastern Europe. I'd strive for a balance between variety and the time-cost of travel. At the very least, hit a few cities that not many Americans usually visit.

Hope this helps... let us know what you decide!

Yeah, everyone thinks I'm nuts. But I really liked it. Actually, it reminded me of DC (don't say a word!). Plus it has the added advantage of beautiful architecture, some nice museums, and is an easy train ride anywhere. And, yeah, I was only there on holiday; I realize day-to-day life would be different.


Salmon, what do you like to do? I like museums and architecture. I also do not like rushing around. I'd prefer to sit and enjoy things slowly. I couldn't give you first piece of advice about clubbing or anything like that because that's not what I like.

I think Barca is great for what I like. In one week you can easily see the touristy stuff (Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, etc.). And that leaves you (or me) tons of time to sit around at a cafe, stroll down Las Ramblas and watch the world go by, hit the beach, etc.

A week in Paris will never be enough time to see everything. A month wouldn't be. But you can see a few things and, again, have some time to relax and take in the atmosphere. I'd avoid the biggest touristy things. Rick Steves recommends taking the #69 bus from the Eiffel Tower to Pere Lachaise cemetery. It apparently passes many famous sites on its route. You can walk through the cemetery and hit the Metro back to the center of town.

Oh, and I would not drive between cities. Personally, I'd find it a stressful waste of time. The trains run well; use them. Fly into one city, train between them, fly home out of the other.

Enjoy the trip; I'm totally jealous.

I think I'd go Madrid -> Barca -> Italy. Barcelona is a wonderful city, one of my favorites. Brussels is okay but I wouldn't have ever spent the time to go if i wasn't living a couple of hours by train away, much as I too love belgian beer. I would also say go to italy. You need to see Rome, and in May the tourists are getting there but its nowhere near as bad as in June/July. Florence is great as well.

Anyone who's suggesting not going to Paris is noisettes

I'm revising my suggestion. I think a reasonable trip for two weeks would be the following:

Paris or Barcelona --> Nice/Monaco --> Florence/Pisa --> Rome

Between Paris and Barcelona, I would chose Paris.

When? I'll be studying in Salamanca (2 and a half hours west of Madrid) july 3rd to august 14th, if you're in Europe that time maybe we could meet up?