Posted: 2/10/2005 9:52:58 AM EDT
I was told to post over here, and that you all would solve all my problems.  First of all, let me say that I didn't even know there WAS a European Hometown forum...I thought there was only Texas... Ok, down to it. Mr. Sp1 surprised me with a 10-day trip to Paris in April. The only thing he's adamant about seeing is Normandy, the rest is up to me. I'm thinking a few days in Paris (my french is rusty, and since I hear Parisians hate Americans, they'll be glad to see us go!), but then where? South France? Maybe on the way to Italky? I'm not so interested in Germany. Ireland is my #1, but we'll have to make a different trip out of that. I'd like to see Venice...don't think we have enough time to get to Rome. I was told Amsterdam was magnificent, but I don't know. I've never been, and the picture in my head of Amsterdam is a bunch of people smoking grass walking around the red light district.  I could be wrong. Anyway, I'm sure some of you have great ideas of what to see/do around there, so lay it on me! |
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I did Normandy last June for D-day celebrations...beautiful, quaint 400-year old Norman farms, 15-foot Hedgerows and 1-lane roads. Great if you have interest in WW2 as well. Lots of bunkers to crawll around in. Southern Germandy (Bavaria) - Munich's castles, Dachau, Marienplatz, Neuschwanstein castle, Rothenberg midaeval walled town. Berchtesgaden/Salzburg - Sound of Music tour (yes, filmed there), Salzburg fortress - huge fort overlooking town - Mozart's birthplace, great music town Vienna - Great classical music town, very cosmopolitan. Wien Staatsoper, old town, museums, Palace, boat trip on the Danube to Melk - 900 year old monastary Switzerland - Interlaken area, ALPS foothills, Murren - great town 5000ft in alps accessible only by cable car or hike - incredible views...just unbelieveably beautiful. That's my list. I did Amsterdam, but it's only good for a day or so. Quaint architecture, canals everywhere, Ann Frank's house. |
Normandy's a given. We have to see it. I was told Amsterdam is wonderful, but I'm not sure I want to spend much time there. I'd like to see Switzerland...I'll have to look up Murren--sounds great. |
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I've met a few Americans while in Germany/Austria and there's a general feeling I had when meeting them and spending time with them. Some were military and some civilian/holidaymakers. I've no knowledge of anti-Amercan feelings from these countries but my expierience was on how as an "American" you behave...sterotypical loud mouthed americans I met and spend tedious times with.....on the other hand I met some real nice Americans, mostly. How you are accepted there I think is the same here in the UK, the loud forceful opinionated characters are never plesant from any society/culture If you make the effort in Germany/Austria to learn a few key phrases. even if unconvincing this hows a willingness to learn and understand them. And they normaly reciprocate and if they speak English they'll always then help you. I had to do all the shopping for my family while in Germany for 3 years....my mother did'nt have a clue. I hope and know you'll enjoy Europe psssst.....Wales is nice....loads a castles and coastline Taffy |
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Thanks for the info, Taffy. I actually love Wales...Mr. Sp1 works for a company in Bridgend, and I went over there with him the last time he went. I have to say, Wales is one of the most beautiful places I've been. It didn't rain at all while I was there...and talk about castles! We went to a few, but Castle Coch and Margam Abbey were my favorites. Went shopping in Cardiff, and had dinner at a pub called the Sea Lawns down in Ogmore-By-Sea, among others. I can't wait to go back! |
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so Mrs Sp1 do you shoot Ar's too? I've not introduced Mrs Taffy to mine yet... but i'll have to eventually and reluctantly.....because when she used to come pistol shooting with me here when we were allowed to own handguns she was a pretty good shot....naturally good shot.....always frustrating for me.....lol Taffy |
+1. Paris is good for 2 or 3 days. I went there couple times, and my experience was great. I tried to speak French ( a little) and the willingness to try created a favorable reaction from Parisien. I found out that they don't hate American like I original heard. Venice is nice...but do not go during raining season because this city on the water will be flooded in some sections of the city. I can't remember what months are raining season. |
Yes, indeed! Love to shoot them, in fact! You should take your wife shooting with yours...she might like it! |
I've heard that about Venice. When exactly is the 'rainy season'? As for Paris, I'm brushing up on my french as we speak. I was pretty good at it in high school and college, but since we have absolutely no reason to speak it here, it's become rather rusty. Why didn't I learn spanish?? |
Then you'll be fine in Paris. I don't know what months are raining season. I remembered reading about it in one of the books that I checked out at a local library. Hope someone who lives in Venice can chime in.  The best way to know is either checking out books at local library or browsing through bookstores--looking for "Let's go to Italy", "Let's go to France", and other related info.....I checked out books at local library before I took the trip to Europe, and the info gave me almost everything I need to know before travelling over there. |
Parisians are not hating americans, they are hating everything that is not parisian including the other frenchs  france is a little country so you will have the time to visit the rest of the country if you want: Lyon should be perfect for 1 day (and from paris or normandy it's on the way to italy and switzerland), alsace is very beautiful too, Toulouse, the lot and dordogne... Anyway try to buy some of the michelin green guide it will greatly improve your trip. |
You beat me to it. Apart from Paris (nice sights though), the rest of France is worth a visit, esp. Brittany, Normandy and the west coast.
Yeah, but you forgot to mention it's all vertical. hard Matt |
that's what I'm worried about.... |
Now why would you be worried about that??
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Not to sound too stupid, but what is that? A guide book? Can I get it at a book store? Tell me a little more about Lyon, if you don't mind...
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Yup it's a guide book and a very good one Here you can find it absolutely everythere but dunno in the US. www.passportinfo.com/gbooks/michelin.htm (grmpfff the american version of amazon is really shitty) For telling you more about lyon, as i live there it should be possible It's a city of 1 million inhabitants, 2nd biggest site for roman's archeological remains behind rome. Communications inside the city are very good (tramway, bus, metro) For 4€ you can travel where you want for 1 complete day. The cinema is born here and anthoine de saint exupery too (author of the little prince). The city was designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1998. North of the town: Beaujolais South: Cotes du rhone  Pics: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=75&t=317052&page=3 More pics: www.dboc.net/lyon/index_en.php Official website (in english): www.lyon.fr/vdl/sections/en and here: www.en.lyon-france.com/ Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyon |
dewoitine, you're awesome, thanks! By the way, after I asked you about the michelin green tour guide, i went and looked at the books i just bought the other day and one of them is the michelin green tour guide. well there you go! i'm going to go look at all the information you've given me and see if that's something Mr. Sp1's interested in. |
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You will love Paris. And people over there don't hate Americans. That's an urban legend. As some people mentioned before you should definitely visit Brittany and Normandy. Southern France is very nice too. Luxembourg is a nice place to visit as well here Venice is very nice in Summer. As of May, June the weather should be ok. If you are there don't forget to visit Pisa, Florence, Lucca, Modena, Milano and some more, ..... Vienna is definitely a nice place to go to. There's a lot to see over there. Besides if you're in Vienna it's not far anymore to go to Prague. Actually there's so much to see that you might need a lot of time, ... :-))) let me know if you want more specific information. |