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going to Europe! So, as some of you know, I'm leaving on a trp to Europe with my sister and some friends on the 17th of this month. We're starting out in the UK, and from there heading out to the continent. My sister and I have already been over twice, but neither of our friends has, though the one has gone backpacking for 3 months in Australia and New Zealand. It'll be our first time travelling overseas without someone (i.e. a parent) to plan and get things organized for us.
Anything you guys think we should know beforehand? Aside from the obvious, tourist-trap things, what do you guys recommend to do in cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, etc? In terms of restaurants, bars, clubs, parks, things like that. What're some smaller towns or cities worth taking a sidetrip for? We're going without an itinerary because we already know that we prefer not to have everything mapped out in advance. Any help is appreciated. "A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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Ohhh this reminds me of the European Tour!!!! 
Ohh purple joy oh purple bliss oh purple rapture! REAL MUSIC by REAL MUSICIANS - Prince "I kind of wish there was a reason for Prince to make the site crash more" ~~ Ben |
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moderatormeow85 said: So, as some of you know, I'm leaving on a trp to Europe with my sister and some friends on the 17th of this month. We're starting out in the UK, and from there heading out to the continent. My sister and I have already been over twice, but neither of our friends has, though the one has gone backpacking for 3 months in Australia and New Zealand. It'll be our first time travelling overseas without someone (i.e. a parent) to plan and get things organized for us.
Anything you guys think we should know beforehand? Aside from the obvious, tourist-trap things, what do you guys recommend to do in cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, etc? In terms of restaurants, bars, clubs, parks, things like that. What're some smaller towns or cities worth taking a sidetrip for? We're going without an itinerary because we already know that we prefer not to have everything mapped out in advance. Any help is appreciated. How long are ya going for, hon? | |
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Endorphin, CarrieMPLS, and a few others of us have gone to Europe a few times. In London, you should go to the Soho district- always stuff going on there. But also, ask the peeps who work in music stores, or other stores depending on what you're looking for. They're usually helpful-they know what's happening- we also just grabbed flyers and any other "city" mags and journals and just checked things out. Be careful, but also just be open-minded and follow your gut feeling about anything. If you're going to Italy or Spain, Germany, etc...Don't worry, most of the folks who work in the city speak English. Unless you Know those languages, in which case- you're even better off, obviously. Oh I'm jealous!  
God, I just realized- many orgers are FROM Europe-prolly much more help than me...I guess I just got excited for you  [Edited 5/8/06 21:07pm] If you have to ask, it's more than worth it. | |
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I'm biased, but if you have time Cornwall is amazing this time of year and you would beat the tourists. It's all beautiful, but Marazion, Penzance and Mousehole are exceptional. Mousehole ( say Mouzal) is one of the oldest villages in England, well worth seeing.Check this out:
http:// www.cornwallcam.com In case you don't know, Cornwall has one of the great artist colonies of the world.Also really good surfing. "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"-Dr Seuss
Pain is something to carry, like a radio...You should stand up for your right to feel your pain- Jim Morrison | |
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Ottensen said: meow85 said: So, as some of you know, I'm leaving on a trp to Europe with my sister and some friends on the 17th of this month. We're starting out in the UK, and from there heading out to the continent. My sister and I have already been over twice, but neither of our friends has, though the one has gone backpacking for 3 months in Australia and New Zealand. It'll be our first time travelling overseas without someone (i.e. a parent) to plan and get things organized for us.
Anything you guys think we should know beforehand? Aside from the obvious, tourist-trap things, what do you guys recommend to do in cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, etc? In terms of restaurants, bars, clubs, parks, things like that. What're some smaller towns or cities worth taking a sidetrip for? We're going without an itinerary because we already know that we prefer not to have everything mapped out in advance. Any help is appreciated. How long are ya going for, hon? My sister and one friend will be coming home after a month (June 17) and myself and the other are staying for almost 2 weeks after that. "A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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dancinggyrl said: Endorphin, CarrieMPLS, and a few others of us have gone to Europe a few times. In London, you should go to the Soho district- always stuff going on there. But also, ask the peeps who work in music stores, or other stores depending on what you're looking for. They're usually helpful-they know what's happening- we also just grabbed flyers and any other "city" mags and journals and just checked things out. Be careful, but also just be open-minded and follow your gut feeling about anything. If you're going to Italy or Spain, Germany, etc...Don't worry, most of the folks who work in the city speak English. Unless you Know those languages, in which case- you're even better off, obviously. Oh I'm jealous!
God, I just realized- many orgers are FROM Europe-prolly much more help than me...I guess I just got excited for you
[Edited 5/8/06 21:07pm] Thanks. Music stores are generally a good place to ask about what's going on in any city here, so I assumed it would be the same over there. Not to worry about us being open-minded. If we got any more open-minded, our brains might fall out. And since my sis and I've already been over a few times, we've got a good handle on what to expect in terms of cultural differences. We mostly speak just English, but between the 4 of us we've got enough cereal box french (that's a western Canadian french education for ya! Optional after 7th grade, and at that most of us can only manage food labels  ) to get by sufficiently, I think."A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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luv4u said: Ohhh this reminds me of the European Tour!!!!
European tour? How is it out there, btw? Everytime I see one of your posts I feel homesick. I haven't been back to Edmonton in 3 years. [Edited 5/8/06 21:23pm] "A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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shellyevon said: I'm biased, but if you have time Cornwall is amazing this time of year and you would beat the tourists. It's all beautiful, but Marazion, Penzance and Mousehole are exceptional. Mousehole ( say Mouzal) is one of the oldest villages in England, well worth seeing.Check this out:
http:// www.cornwallcam.com In case you don't know, Cornwall has one of the great artist colonies of the world.Also really good surfing. Wow. It looks beautiful. I'll have to remember to bring that one up with the others. "A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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meow85 said: shellyevon said: I'm biased, but if you have time Cornwall is amazing this time of year and you would beat the tourists. It's all beautiful, but Marazion, Penzance and Mousehole are exceptional. Mousehole ( say Mouzal) is one of the oldest villages in England, well worth seeing.Check this out:
http:// www.cornwallcam.com In case you don't know, Cornwall has one of the great artist colonies of the world.Also really good surfing. Wow. It looks beautiful. I'll have to remember to bring that one up with the others. The pictures don't do it justice, it is magical. "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"-Dr Seuss
Pain is something to carry, like a radio...You should stand up for your right to feel your pain- Jim Morrison | |
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shellyevon said: meow85 said: Wow. It looks beautiful. I'll have to remember to bring that one up with the others. The pictures don't do it justice, it is magical. I imagine. There are places that you can try to explain to a person, and you can show them pictures, but it's just not quite the same unless they can see it in person. One of my fave places like that is out on Vancouver Island. Tofino:  "A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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1. Be sure to leave a photocopy of your passport at home for your loved ones as it serves as your primary form of identification once you leave the States
2. Two things you can't live without will be a pain releiver (Advil/Tylenol), and a bottle of OFF! mosquito repellent. 3. In France, please be mindful that the French are very stringent regarding ettiquette and about people being able to speak their language as guests in their country. Be sure to have a general phrasebook with you and attempt to speak a few words if you don't know a few phrases from school already. This, in addition to always greeting a person before you attempt to ask them a question, or upon entering any type of business establishment, will make the difference whether or not you are shown hospitality or the cold shoulder, as it is a sign of good manners. If you like chocolate, you MUST NOT leave Paris until you have indulged in a hideously expensive chocolate bar from Mariage Frères (The Mariage Brothers House of Tea); the last one I brought home was so good I would willingly guard it with an elephant gun if I had to...I will send you the addresses 4. In Spain, take advantage of "tapadera" time (which is a time of day similar to happy hour in the US) to go to little bars, have some cocktails, and indulge in all the yummy (often complimentary) tapas (little nibbles) they set out for the bar patrons to undercut the vast amounts of wine or sherry consumed. It goes like this, at about 7, you head out to a tapas bar: Stand around drinking beer, wine or sherry. Select small tapas from huge bright platters heaped with shrimp, marinated veggies, olives, salads and more. Talk, argue, flirt. Don't stop eating, socializing, and drinking until satisfied...keep in mind that the locals start dinner in Spain at about 10 o'clock at night 
5. In Italy, skip Rome and Milan. Lived there. It's a pain, and the pickpockets are RUTHLESS  . If you have to get your tourist groove on, go to Venice. Buy a day ticket for the water buses while there. Don't eat from the "tourist menus" anywhere near the main station in St. Lucia because the food is crap. Have lunch instead at the Guggenheim museum (which offers student and youth discounts)...it's housed in the late Peggy Guggenheim's waterfront villa. Spend your time carousing in the University quarter with all the other young people in cafes...Other points of interest: the North; Bergamo, a medival villlage or Cinque Terre. The Lomabardy Lakes region (like Lake Como where George Clooney lives) is EXTRAORDINARILY beautiful, but more for quiet relaxing. In Genoa, you can go visit the grave of the real life Juliet Capulet and see the fabled wall Romeo Montague scaled to claim his eternal love; it's covered in grafitti because the tradition is for lovers the world over to come and write a wish for the one they love on it. Heading a bit south, if you can snag one of the many cheap shuttle flights into Pisa, spend a half day there, but the next day, get up and take a train to Florence; it's one hour away and the ticket only costs 7 euro, you're smack dab in the middle of Tuscany and there's nothing like it...Italy is full of treasures, but if you really want to be blown away by the beauty of the place (and get your fun on), you can take a train to the Almalfi coast. It's a little pricey but there are 2 hostels there that are efficient and affordable. Any other logistical questions, orgnote me...
For more Nordic pursuits, you do of course have Germany and the Netherlands, but Germany is about to host the World Cup and it's going to be overcrowded and overpriced, hosting vistors from 20 partcipating soccer cup countries over 6 weeks time. The larger cities are exactly what you would expect from any large international metroprolis (cross between trendy & edgy, great club scene), and the countryside villages are darling ( the Black Forest,medival buildings, alpine mountains, adorable sheep)...but from June-July 10th it's going to be a NIGHTMARE here. AVOID IT. Amsterdam could be kinda fun though. Just watch out when you're sitting in a cafe and you happen to order a "brownie"
That's all I can come up with continentally...there are scores of other places I could reccommend here, but they might not be that interesting for a young dynamic group in search of their first European adventure... ....hope that helps ! | |
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Ottensen said: 1. Be sure to leave a photocopy of your passport at home for your loved ones as it serves as your primary form of identification once you leave the States
2. Two things you can't live without will be a pain releiver (Advil/Tylenol), and a bottle of OFF! mosquito repellent. 3. In France, please be mindful that the French are very stringent regarding ettiquette and about people being able to speak their language as guests in their country. Be sure to have a general phrasebook with you and attempt to speak a few words if you don't know a few phrases from school already. This, in addition to always greeting a person before you attempt to ask them a question, or upon entering any type of business establishment, will make the difference whether or not you are shown hospitality or the cold shoulder, as it is a sign of good manners. If you like chocolate, you MUST NOT leave Paris until you have indulged in a hideously expensive chocolate bar from Mariage Frères (The Mariage Brothers House of Tea); the last one I brought home was so good I would willingly guard it with an elephant gun if I had to...I will send you the addresses 4. In Spain, take advantage of "tapadera" time (which is a time of day similar to happy hour in the US) to go to little bars, have some cocktails, and indulge in all the yummy (often complimentary) tapas (little nibbles) they set out for the bar patrons to undercut the vast amounts of wine or sherry consumed. It goes like this, at about 7, you head out to a tapas bar: Stand around drinking beer, wine or sherry. Select small tapas from huge bright platters heaped with shrimp, marinated veggies, olives, salads and more. Talk, argue, flirt. Don't stop eating, socializing, and drinking until satisfied...keep in mind that the locals start dinner in Spain at about 10 o'clock at night
5. In Italy, skip Rome and Milan. Lived there. It's a pain, and the pickpockets are RUTHLESS . If you have to get your tourist groove on, go to Venice. Buy a day ticket for the water buses while there. Don't eat from the "tourist menus" anywhere near the main station in St. Lucia because the food is crap. Have lunch instead at the Guggenheim museum (which offers student and youth discounts)...it's housed in the late Peggy Guggenheim's waterfront villa. Spend your time carousing in the University quarter with all the other young people in cafes...Other points of interest: the North; Bergamo, a medival villlage or Cinque Terre. The Lomabardy Lakes region (like Lake Como where George Clooney lives) is EXTRAORDINARILY beautiful, but more for quiet relaxing. In Genoa, you can go visit the grave of the real life Juliet Capulet and see the fabled wall Romeo Montague scaled to claim his eternal love; it's covered in grafitti because the tradition is for lovers the world over to come and write a wish for the one they love on it. Heading a bit south, if you can snag one of the many cheap shuttle flights into Pisa, spend a half day there, but the next day, get up and take a train to Florence; it's one hour away and the ticket only costs 7 euro, you're smack dab in the middle of Tuscany and there's nothing like it...Italy is full of treasures, but if you really want to be blown away by the beauty of the place (and get your fun on), you can take a train to the Almalfi coast. It's a little pricey but there are 2 hostels there that are efficient and affordable. Any other logistical questions, orgnote me...
For more Nordic pursuits, you do of course have Germany and the Netherlands, but Germany is about to host the World Cup and it's going to be overcrowded and overpriced, hosting vistors from 20 partcipating soccer cup countries over 6 weeks time. The larger cities are exactly what you would expect from any large international metroprolis (cross between trendy & edgy, great club scene), and the countryside villages are darling ( the Black Forest,medival buildings, alpine mountains, adorable sheep)...but from June-July 10th it's going to be a NIGHTMARE here. AVOID IT. Amsterdam could be kinda fun though. Just watch out when you're sitting in a cafe and you happen to order a "brownie"
That's all I can come up with continentally...there are scores of other places I could reccommend here, but they might not be that interesting for a young dynamic group in search of their first European adventure... ....hope that helps !Parts of that read like a travel guide. 
Thank you! right click, save Italy I think is where we're going to need the most help, none of us having ever been there. I know you say to avoid Rome, but my one friend's been jumping for weeks about going there, so I think we might chance it anyways, to please her.
As for Amsterdam's more notorious attractions, I think we're just not going to bother. Being from BC, we already have our fill of easy access weed at home. And from what I hear, ours is more potent anyways. 
Only a Canadian would go to Amsterdam and not be excited about the drug culture.
What are the dates World Cup is happening? Like I'd said, not being a soccer person I had no idea anything was going on then, nevermind anything that big. We'd like to steer clear of any huge events or soccer-related crowds. [Edited 5/8/06 22:47pm] "A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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Ottensen said: For more Nordic pursuits, you do of course have Germany and the Netherlands, but Germany is about to host the World Cup and it's going to be overcrowded and overpriced, hosting vistors from 20 partcipating soccer cup countries over 6 weeks time. The larger cities are exactly what you would expect from any large international metroprolis (cross between trendy & edgy, great club scene), and the countryside villages are darling ( the Black Forest,medival buildings, alpine mountains, adorable sheep)...but from June-July 10th it's going to be a NIGHTMARE here. AVOID IT. Amsterdam could be kinda fun though. Just watch out when you're sitting in a cafe and you happen to order a "brownie"
That's all I can come up with continentally...there are scores of other places I could reccommend here, but they might not be that interesting for a young dynamic group in search of their first European adventure... ....hope that helps !dude.....The Black Forest is NOT alpine.....  .....and I doubt if you've ever been to Amsterdam.....  | |
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meow85 said: Ottensen said: 1. Be sure to leave a photocopy of your passport at home for your loved ones as it serves as your primary form of identification once you leave the States
2. Two things you can't live without will be a pain releiver (Advil/Tylenol), and a bottle of OFF! mosquito repellent. 3. In France, please be mindful that the French are very stringent regarding ettiquette and about people being able to speak their language as guests in their country. Be sure to have a general phrasebook with you and attempt to speak a few words if you don't know a few phrases from school already. This, in addition to always greeting a person before you attempt to ask them a question, or upon entering any type of business establishment, will make the difference whether or not you are shown hospitality or the cold shoulder, as it is a sign of good manners. If you like chocolate, you MUST NOT leave Paris until you have indulged in a hideously expensive chocolate bar from Mariage Frères (The Mariage Brothers House of Tea); the last one I brought home was so good I would willingly guard it with an elephant gun if I had to...I will send you the addresses 4. In Spain, take advantage of "tapadera" time (which is a time of day similar to happy hour in the US) to go to little bars, have some cocktails, and indulge in all the yummy (often complimentary) tapas (little nibbles) they set out for the bar patrons to undercut the vast amounts of wine or sherry consumed. It goes like this, at about 7, you head out to a tapas bar: Stand around drinking beer, wine or sherry. Select small tapas from huge bright platters heaped with shrimp, marinated veggies, olives, salads and more. Talk, argue, flirt. Don't stop eating, socializing, and drinking until satisfied...keep in mind that the locals start dinner in Spain at about 10 o'clock at night
5. In Italy, skip Rome and Milan. Lived there. It's a pain, and the pickpockets are RUTHLESS . If you have to get your tourist groove on, go to Venice. Buy a day ticket for the water buses while there. Don't eat from the "tourist menus" anywhere near the main station in St. Lucia because the food is crap. Have lunch instead at the Guggenheim museum (which offers student and youth discounts)...it's housed in the late Peggy Guggenheim's waterfront villa. Spend your time carousing in the University quarter with all the other young people in cafes...Other points of interest: the North; Bergamo, a medival villlage or Cinque Terre. The Lomabardy Lakes region (like Lake Como where George Clooney lives) is EXTRAORDINARILY beautiful, but more for quiet relaxing. In Genoa, you can go visit the grave of the real life Juliet Capulet and see the fabled wall Romeo Montague scaled to claim his eternal love; it's covered in grafitti because the tradition is for lovers the world over to come and write a wish for the one they love on it. Heading a bit south, if you can snag one of the many cheap shuttle flights into Pisa, spend a half day there, but the next day, get up and take a train to Florence; it's one hour away and the ticket only costs 7 euro, you're smack dab in the middle of Tuscany and there's nothing like it...Italy is full of treasures, but if you really want to be blown away by the beauty of the place (and get your fun on), you can take a train to the Almalfi coast. It's a little pricey but there are 2 hostels there that are efficient and affordable. Any other logistical questions, orgnote me...
For more Nordic pursuits, you do of course have Germany and the Netherlands, but Germany is about to host the World Cup and it's going to be overcrowded and overpriced, hosting vistors from 20 partcipating soccer cup countries over 6 weeks time. The larger cities are exactly what you would expect from any large international metroprolis (cross between trendy & edgy, great club scene), and the countryside villages are darling ( the Black Forest,medival buildings, alpine mountains, adorable sheep)...but from June-July 10th it's going to be a NIGHTMARE here. AVOID IT. Amsterdam could be kinda fun though. Just watch out when you're sitting in a cafe and you happen to order a "brownie"
That's all I can come up with continentally...there are scores of other places I could reccommend here, but they might not be that interesting for a young dynamic group in search of their first European adventure... ....hope that helps !Parts of that read like a travel guide.
Thank you! right click, save Italy I think is where we're going to need the most help, none of us having ever been there. I know you say to avoid Rome, but my one friend's been jumping for weeks about going there, so I think we might chance it anyways, to please her.
As for Amsterdam's more notorious attractions, I think we're just not going to bother. Being from BC, we already have our fill of easy access weed at home. And from what I hear, ours is more potent anyways.
Only a Canadian would go to Amsterdam and not be excited about the drug culture.
What are the dates World Cup is happening? Like I'd said, not being a soccer person I had no idea anything was going on then, nevermind anything that big. We'd like to steer clear of any huge events or soccer-related crowds. [Edited 5/8/06 22:47pm] For the World Cup, the actual games are from June 8th-July 9th, but with the squeeze in air tickets and international visitor traffic, I would avoid traveling or flying through here at all from June 2nd til about July 12th. The funny thing is, before I moved to Europe I was never a soccer fan either, but since I've been here, and I don't have the US tradition of the American Superbowl anymore, I've adapted to the whole soccer fever thing now. On one hand I'm exicted about the games being here, but from what I remember about my Superbowl experiences in the States, I'm also feeling a little weirded out that ALL THOSE DAMN PEOPLE are suddenly going to appear out of nowhere just pouring from planes. You're right to stay FAR FAR away from here during that time. As quiet as it's kept, although it's very smooth and sedate here, young Germans are very fun-loving and like to party, but with the added influence of the vistors and game related events it might be a tad too much
For Italy, we're going to have to orgnote back & forth a few times on that one!I love Italy SOOO much...I really want to retire there in my old age... Rome is definitely do-able, and reccomended if you're feeling all passionate and feisty, but you have to approach that city with a bit of edge and eyes in the back of your head... To begin with though, you'll need a good pair of walking shoes to comfortably tour any Italian city, like sneakers..but a word about Italians...they're kinda funny about shoes. Remember what I mentioned about the French being sticklers for verbal ettiquette?...well in Italy.... after your done with the tourist type monuments, it's about your shoes. They don't have to be designer stilletos a lá Sex In The City, but they should be LEATHER. AND CLEAN. EVEN IF YOU BUY THEM FROM PAYLESS. They can be flats, loafers, mules, or sandals, but when you go to a bar, restaurant, or shop in Italy as a visitor you need to wear proper footwear. Italians do not look kindly to foreign feet overflowing rubber thongs and teva sandals in their basilicas and tratorias. Sneakers are totally acceptable for daytime roaming around, but once you begin your evening excursions, any synthetic foot attire resembling something suitable for the "beach" is totally frowned upon, hehehehe...! A question though; is this trip going to be a more "relaxed, backpack and casually chill while reading a coupla books kind of trip", or is it going to be more of a "young hot mama-party up-girls just wanna have FUN- live out our Sex in the City dreams" kinda trip? Or a combination? that kind of makes a difference as to what cities or towns you might want to put on your intenerary . Also, how many are traveling in your group? I think I have some ideas on accomadations for ya | |
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Ottensen said: meow85 said: Parts of that read like a travel guide.
Thank you! right click, save Italy I think is where we're going to need the most help, none of us having ever been there. I know you say to avoid Rome, but my one friend's been jumping for weeks about going there, so I think we might chance it anyways, to please her.
As for Amsterdam's more notorious attractions, I think we're just not going to bother. Being from BC, we already have our fill of easy access weed at home. And from what I hear, ours is more potent anyways.
Only a Canadian would go to Amsterdam and not be excited about the drug culture.
What are the dates World Cup is happening? Like I'd said, not being a soccer person I had no idea anything was going on then, nevermind anything that big. We'd like to steer clear of any huge events or soccer-related crowds. [Edited 5/8/06 22:47pm] For the World Cup, the actual games are from June 8th-July 9th, but with the squeeze in air tickets and international visitor traffic, I would avoid traveling or flying through here at all from June 2nd til about July 12th. The funny thing is, before I moved to Europe I was never a soccer fan either, but since I've been here, and I don't have the US tradition of the American Superbowl anymore, I've adapted to the whole soccer fever thing now. On one hand I'm exicted about the games being here, but from what I remember about my Superbowl experiences in the States, I'm also feeling a little weirded out that ALL THOSE DAMN PEOPLE are suddenly going to appear out of nowhere just pouring from planes. You're right to stay FAR FAR away from here during that time. As quiet as it's kept, although it's very smooth and sedate here, young Germans are very fun-loving and like to party, but with the added influence of the vistors and game related events it might be a tad too much
For Italy, we're going to have to orgnote back & forth a few times on that one!I love Italy SOOO much...I really want to retire there in my old age... Rome is definitely do-able, and reccomended if you're feeling all passionate and feisty, but you have to approach that city with a bit of edge and eyes in the back of your head... To begin with though, you'll need a good pair of walking shoes to comfortably tour any Italian city, like sneakers..but a word about Italians...they're kinda funny about shoes. Remember what I mentioned about the French being sticklers for verbal ettiquette?...well in Italy.... after your done with the tourist type monuments, it's about your shoes. They don't have to be designer stilletos a lá Sex In The City, but they should be LEATHER. AND CLEAN. EVEN IF YOU BUY THEM FROM PAYLESS. They can be flats, loafers, mules, or sandals, but when you go to a bar, restaurant, or shop in Italy as a visitor you need to wear proper footwear. Italians do not look kindly to foreign feet overflowing rubber thongs and teva sandals in their basilicas and tratorias. Sneakers are totally acceptable for daytime roaming around, but once you begin your evening excursions, any synthetic foot attire resembling something suitable for the "beach" is totally frowned upon, hehehehe...! A question though; is this trip going to be a more "relaxed, backpack and casually chill while reading a coupla books kind of trip", or is it going to be more of a "young hot mama-party up-girls just wanna have FUN- live out our Sex in the City dreams" kinda trip? Or a combination? that kind of makes a difference as to what cities or towns you might want to put on your intenerary . Also, how many are traveling in your group? I think I have some ideas on accomadations for ya It's going to be a combination of the two, but leaning more towards the backpacker style. There's 4 of us going, 3 girls, and a gay boy. That combination by itself should prove to be mighty interesting. There was going to be a straight guy coming with us too, but that fell through. We're planning on doing hostels for the most part, with hotels or B&B's every now and then just for a change."A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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meow85 said: Ottensen said: For the World Cup, the actual games are from June 8th-July 9th, but with the squeeze in air tickets and international visitor traffic, I would avoid traveling or flying through here at all from June 2nd til about July 12th. The funny thing is, before I moved to Europe I was never a soccer fan either, but since I've been here, and I don't have the US tradition of the American Superbowl anymore, I've adapted to the whole soccer fever thing now. On one hand I'm exicted about the games being here, but from what I remember about my Superbowl experiences in the States, I'm also feeling a little weirded out that ALL THOSE DAMN PEOPLE are suddenly going to appear out of nowhere just pouring from planes. You're right to stay FAR FAR away from here during that time. As quiet as it's kept, although it's very smooth and sedate here, young Germans are very fun-loving and like to party, but with the added influence of the vistors and game related events it might be a tad too much
For Italy, we're going to have to orgnote back & forth a few times on that one!I love Italy SOOO much...I really want to retire there in my old age... Rome is definitely do-able, and reccomended if you're feeling all passionate and feisty, but you have to approach that city with a bit of edge and eyes in the back of your head... To begin with though, you'll need a good pair of walking shoes to comfortably tour any Italian city, like sneakers..but a word about Italians...they're kinda funny about shoes. Remember what I mentioned about the French being sticklers for verbal ettiquette?...well in Italy.... after your done with the tourist type monuments, it's about your shoes. They don't have to be designer stilletos a lá Sex In The City, but they should be LEATHER. AND CLEAN. EVEN IF YOU BUY THEM FROM PAYLESS. They can be flats, loafers, mules, or sandals, but when you go to a bar, restaurant, or shop in Italy as a visitor you need to wear proper footwear. Italians do not look kindly to foreign feet overflowing rubber thongs and teva sandals in their basilicas and tratorias. Sneakers are totally acceptable for daytime roaming around, but once you begin your evening excursions, any synthetic foot attire resembling something suitable for the "beach" is totally frowned upon, hehehehe...! A question though; is this trip going to be a more "relaxed, backpack and casually chill while reading a coupla books kind of trip", or is it going to be more of a "young hot mama-party up-girls just wanna have FUN- live out our Sex in the City dreams" kinda trip? Or a combination? that kind of makes a difference as to what cities or towns you might want to put on your intenerary . Also, how many are traveling in your group? I think I have some ideas on accomadations for ya It's going to be a combination of the two, but leaning more towards the backpacker style. There's 4 of us going, 3 girls, and a gay boy. That combination by itself should prove to be mighty interesting. There was going to be a straight guy coming with us too, but that fell through. We're planning on doing hostels for the most part, with hotels or B&B's every now and then just for a change.OOOOH this is going to be fun! Orgnote coming! | |
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meow85 said: As for Amsterdam's more notorious attractions, I think we're just not going to bother. Being from BC, we already have our fill of easy access weed at home. And from what I hear, ours is more potent anyways.
Only a Canadian would go to Amsterdam and not be excited about the drug culture. Good, so you can experience Amsterdam in a way most foreigners are not able to because they are too strung out on everything. If you like Rembrandt alot you're in for a treat! It's Rembrandt year with loads of nice exhibitions... Let me know if you are going to include Amsterdam, I can tell you about all the fun places to go see. |
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Lemme know if you pass through Belgium. Most tourists tend to think there is nothing to see in this country though. But believe me, there is. So just let me know and I'll be there to be your guide. | |
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If you like beer -REAL beer  - you should come to Belgium for a couple of days and try Duvel, Trappist (abbey beer) or some of our fruit beers, like Kriek (cherry beer, SO good) or Pecheresse (Peach beer)... just a hint! | |
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isadora said: If you like beer -REAL beer
- you should come to Belgium for a couple of days and try Duvel, Trappist (abbey beer) or some of our fruit beers, like Kriek (cherry beer, SO good) or Pecheresse (Peach beer)... just a hint!wrong, for real beer you have to go to Munich: 
 | |
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abierman said: isadora said: If you like beer -REAL beer
- you should come to Belgium for a couple of days and try Duvel, Trappist (abbey beer) or some of our fruit beers, like Kriek (cherry beer, SO good) or Pecheresse (Peach beer)... just a hint!wrong, for real beer you have to go to Munich:
Did you ever try a Kriek or Pecheresse? I have to admit it is kinda sweet, so it are mostly women who drink fruit beers. | |
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abierman said: isadora said: If you like beer -REAL beer
- you should come to Belgium for a couple of days and try Duvel, Trappist (abbey beer) or some of our fruit beers, like Kriek (cherry beer, SO good) or Pecheresse (Peach beer)... just a hint!wrong, for real beer you have to go to Munich:
my Brother and I plan to come to Oktoberfest this year  | |
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Have a great time!!! I'm soooo jealous!!!!
M MyeternalgrattitudetoPhil&Val.Herman said "We want sweaty truckers at the truck stop! We want cigar puffing men that look like they wanna beat the living daylights out of us" Val"sporking is spooning with benefits" | |
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isadora said: Did you ever try a Kriek or Pecheresse? I have to admit it is kinda sweet, so it are mostly women who drink fruit beers. yeah, I did.....I used to live in Belgium.....those sweet beers are not for me, they make me sick..... | |
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fragile said: my Brother and I plan to come to Oktoberfest this year Be prepared for mayhem.....I'm sure as fuck going, I go every year:  | |
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abierman said: fragile said: my Brother and I plan to come to Oktoberfest this year Be prepared for mayhem.....I'm sure as fuck going, I go every year: | |
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HamsterHuey said: meow85 said: As for Amsterdam's more notorious attractions, I think we're just not going to bother. Being from BC, we already have our fill of easy access weed at home. And from what I hear, ours is more potent anyways.
Only a Canadian would go to Amsterdam and not be excited about the drug culture. Good, so you can experience Amsterdam in a way most foreigners are not able to because they are too strung out on everything. If you like Rembrandt alot you're in for a treat! It's Rembrandt year with loads of nice exhibitions... Let me know if you are going to include Amsterdam, I can tell you about all the fun places to go see. We're definitely going to be heading that way. I'm big on Rembrandt, but the other three aren't exactly art fans. They can shop or something while I go to a museum, I figure.
Do you live there/near there? What's fun that's not overly touristy? "A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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HamsterHuey said: Good, so you can experience Amsterdam in a way most foreigners are not able to because they are too strung out on everything.
 I mean, like, where is the sun? | |
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MarieLouise said: Lemme know if you pass through Belgium. Most tourists tend to think there is nothing to see in this country though. But believe me, there is. So just let me know and I'll be there to be your guide.
I was going to go to Belgium on the last trip, but I ran out of time for that. So I think I might try to convince the others this time it's a must see. "A Watcher scoffs at gravity!" | |
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