If you're a young American, and have a chance to travel Europe for 2 weeks,

[Aperipan]

...where would be the first place you stop and why? My GF wants to go with me but I don't see anything here in Portland that is lacking compared to the Old World.

 

[m_wave]

You don't see anything lacking in Portland compared to the Old World? Talk about perpetuating stereotypes... 1000's of years of history should be reason enough. Just walking around cities like London or Paris you get a great sense of age and history which you just can't get in a new city in Australia or the US.

I would suggest London for a starter, but then perhaps Paris, Prague, Amsterdam...

 

[Fatto_in_Italia]

and don't forget about Rome, Barcelona, Madrid...

 

[ratboycom]

I would go to Italy, Malta (much more interesting than it might seem), Spain, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, and probably a few other places.

 

[CDFS]

Originally Posted by ratboycom

I would go to Italy, Malta (much more interesting than it might seem), Spain, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, and probably a few other places.

In two weeks?

I say do some research and choose 2 or three countries (or 1) and visit that thoroughly.

 

[Fatto_in_Italia]

Originally Posted by CDFS

In two weeks?

I say do some research and choose 2 or three countries (or 1) and visit that thoroughly.
+1 Visiting Rome and (Naples+surroundings / Tuscany) for example is a good way of spending 2 weeks in Europe. Or Barcelona / Valencia / Madrid.. If you wanna visit more countries, just come back another time..

 

[CDFS]

^Biased much?

 

[Fatto_in_Italia]

Originally Posted by CDFS

^Biased much?

just a little bit

But of course, I would never recommend going there if it wasn't worth it

 

[CDFS]

Yes, I totally agree, by the way.

 

[MLIW]

London Paris amsterdam

 

[TowleY]

Originally Posted by Fatto_in_Italia

+1

Visiting Rome and (Naples+surroundings / Tuscany) for example is a good way of spending 2 weeks in Europe.
Or Barcelona / Valencia / Madrid..

If you wanna visit more countries, just come back another time..

vouch for this. Italy alone takes 2 weeks to cover. Rome, venic, milan, torino, genoa, almafi coast, sicily, sardegna, etc.

 

[Flambeur]

don't bring sand to the beach...

 

[Mr. Argyle]

I'm interested in this too, as I'll be a first-time traveller to Europe. My girlfriend and I want to go for a week this summer. If we had to choose one or two cities to see, which would you recommend? I keep hearing Italy from people around me.

 

[rdawson808]

You go to meet people and see sights; this cannot be accomplished in Portland.

My suggestion:

Fly to Barcelona
Train to Paris
Train to Amsterdam
Fly home.

I chose Barcelona and Amsterdam because these seem like ideal spots for younger people. Paris is the finest city and is in between them. Also, I don't like being rushed and I don't worry myself about seeing every tourist sight there is. I like to relax. Barcelona: buy some food at La Boqueria then go Montjuic and sit and have a relaxing lunch. In Paris, grab the #69 bus by the Eiffel Tower and ride it out to Pere Lachaise cemetry. Talking with people in the market and on the bus is half the trip.

I think this schedule is not overwhelming. Easy in 2 weeks. Choose how much for each city on your own. And I have no idea how hard or easy it is to make the train trip between Barcelona and Paris. (Though Paris-Amsterdam should be quite easy and short.)

If you want to get off the beaten path, fly to Turkey, then on to the Adriatic (Slovenia or Croatia), then to Italy (I believe it's a fairly easy ferry ride), then home.

b

 

[MetroStyles]

Originally Posted by MLIW

London Paris amsterdam

+1. This covers two basics and throws in Amsterdam for a different feel / party.

Italy is one of the nicest countries in Europe, but it really deserves it's own vacation or you will feel rushed and not enjoy it as much as you should. Either just do Italy or a three-city tour like the one above.