What to See/do on Europe Trip?

Updated on January 10, 2010
T.N. asks from Gilbert, AZ
16 answers

My husband and I decided to spontaneously use all his travel points to go to Europe next month (particularly London, France, Germany, Italy). I am absolutely clueless about the place and have no idea where I want to go or what neat things I want to see or do. Do you have any advice for Europe? Are there any places I MUST go visit or a certain restaurant or food we MUST try or sights we must see (or places that are way over-hyped and we shouldn't waste our time)?

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So What Happened?

Thank you all so much for the wonderful ideas. I will definitely get the guidebook a by Steve a few of you suggested. We've decided to cut out Germany so we can have a little more time in the other three countries. I am so excited, but wish we weren't going when it will be so cold, but our hotel points expire so we need to use them soon (my husband travels a lot for work and has points to use). I'm so excited! My kids are staying with my mom, so it will just be the two of us.

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D.W.

answers from Phoenix on

Also, if you post the same question to "fodors.com" travel forums, you should get really good answers as well.
There are great people there that have been there, done it and are happy to share what they learned.

D.

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H.R.

answers from Phoenix on

I am from England-do you plan on travelling away from London?

stonehedge is cool, Bath is a must, the great country side. what time of year? hope not winter. How much time do you have. Let me know more info can give more advice

Italy must eat Pizza, great food

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E.M.

answers from Phoenix on

J'adore Paris!!! It's one of my favorite places in the world, so I could go on forever...I lived there for a summer when I was in college, plus numerous return trips. I second the vote to skip the Louvre- it is amazing, but so huge it is overwhelming. If you only have a couple of days in Paris, I would go to the Rodin museum or the Musee D'Orsay, both more manageable but still mind-blowing art. Also skip going up to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but do go check it out at night. The gardens there are incredible, my favorite is the Jardin de Luxembourg. Notre Dame is amazing, but my favorite cathedral is right next to the Pantheon- it is a blend of Gothic and Classic architecture and is stunning.
In each country, try to find a local farmer's market. I found them in France, Germany, and Italy and found amazing food (produce, bread, cheese, etc), clothes, jewelry, on and on, and for much better prices than the tourist-y shops.
OK, last tip and I'll shush, you will want to take pictures of EVERYTHING, which is great, but take lots of pics with you in them, those are the ones you'll look at most. Also, try to take a picture of something that says the country/city name first, so when you go through your pics you know exactly where you took each one.
Have an amazing time!!!!

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C.C.

answers from Fresno on

Definitely see Versailles. It will blow your mind. Skip the Louvre and instead walk down the street to the Orangerie (the original Monet Water Lily paintings are there, and they are not to be missed!). The Rodin museum is fantastic as well.

If you're a history buff (or even if you're not) and are going to be in Lyon, you absolutely need to take the tour of the tunnels and alleyways that run throughout the city. Lyon was the heart of the French Resistance in WWII and it is a fascinating tour.

If you'll have time, go to Barcelona and see the Segrada Familia. I promise you've never seen anything like it anywhere else in the world! It's designed by Gaudi along with many other buildings in the town, and it's absolutely wild.

Also, I would add that if you don't speak French, it's a good idea to pick up a phrase book before you go, and learn to say a few token phrases. They will know you don't speak French, but your experience will be far better when they see that you are making an effort to respect their culture (of which they're immensely proud) - and then they will speak English to you. Even so, tell them "Merci" afterward and not "Thank you." They'll love you for it.

Germans and Italians all speak English and are usually thrilled to do so. Just learn "hello," "please" and "thank you" in the local language and you're good to go.

Bon voyage!

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S.D.

answers from Phoenix on

I had the opportunity to travel there in 1993. But some famous attractions I remember in France is the Lourve, Notre Dame, Versailles. The Arch of Triamah (SP?) (amazing Arch that 12 streets filter into and no one seems to get in a car accident. You can go to the top and see it from up high and it is amazing how small the cars are. There was a second on they were building while I was there...have no idea what came of that...but it was taller.
London was Harrods...famous 7 story shopping mall. Winchester Abbey, Buckingham Palace where the changing of the Guards take place each day.
Don't remember any food that stood out too me cause I am so picky and had a hard time finding stuff I liked. But there is a lot of Americian food.
It is funny, I remember going to public restrooms and having to put money in a til to get toliet paper. I remember having to eat respectly french fries with a Pawn Frits fork in Paris....... little things I think of.
It will be much different as an adult I'm sure. You will have a blast.

L.W.

answers from Phoenix on

Oh I'm so jealous! You all will have a great time there! We lived in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2005 and got to see a lot... we were also there with our oldest who at the time was 2.

I agree with PP about the tunnels of Lyon... very interesting! And while in Lyon, a short drive east there is Pérouges. It's a medieval walled town... no cars. You park outside of the wall and walk around and visit little shops. Very quaint.
I loved Rome! We walked around everywhere and it was wonderful! Of course all of the regular tourist sites are a must... and the cab drivers do drive like maniacs! LOL It was an adventure!
If you go to Germany, I loved the Bavaria region. We went to Munich and looked at the architecture. Depending on if either you or DH love history, you can drive a bit and see Hitler's Eagles Nest (also called Kehlsteinhaus, near Berchtesgaden close to the Austrian border.) Also in Bavaria is Neuschwanstein Castle... the most photographed castle in Germany. The nearby village is absolutely wonderful and the whole area is very picturesque. (Heck, all of Bavaria is absolutely gorgeous!)
In Switzerland there is a town called Zermatt that is a must see... it's a town that is only accessible by train... no cars allowed. You leave your car at the town before and take the train from there... or just ride the train everywhere! Zermatt is the town that is (1) a ski mecca! and (2) is the town closest to the Matterhorn. From Zermatt there are places where you can get a closer look at the Matterhorn. We went to the Gornergratt Platform. It was awesome! A great view of the Matterhorn and also of some nearby glaciers.
Also in Switzerland is the Chateau de Montreux... a medieval castle just outside of Montreux on the east banks of Lake Geneva... in Lausanne (north bank of the lake) is the Lausanne cathedral (oldest in Switzerland) and on the west bank of the lake is Geneva where the famous fountain sits. One of the points of interest on the south bank of the lake is Evian, France. Of course Evian water comes from there, but they have wonderful, wonderful spas! Oh, and the town of Gruyères is a few kilometers inland from Montreux. Like Pérouges it is a medieval walled town... no cars. Gruyères lends its name to the cheese of the same name...
Oh... also in France is the Normandy region... a lot of WWII history there of course, as well as the Bayeux Tapestry which is very impressive. The Loire Valley contains many, many impressive castles. The 2 that we were able to go to were Chambord (the largest castle in the Loire Valley) and Chenonceau (the castle that spans a river... and at one point during WWII one entrance opened into Nazi occupied France and the other entrance opened to Allied France!) The Loire Valley has so many castles it's incredible!

Food wise, of course it was always the little places that had the best food! (Isn't that true anywhere we go?!?! LOL)

OK... sorry this is so long! We really enjoyed our time in Europe! I know you won't be there as long as we were... but there are some really great places to see depending on how long you will be there and what your interests are!

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K.M.

answers from Phoenix on

I've never travelled in Europe with children, so I'm not sure what would really be cool for you as well as keep your pre-schooler engaged. In Paris, I believe they still do puppet shows in the Jardin de Luxembourg...and you can have the kids run around in the park. Also, one of the miniatures of the Statue of Liberty is there. I especially loved the Saint Chapelle...it's very small, and lots of stained glass. The Rodin Museum is also small (built in a house) and has a great garden with sculpture all around. If you want a great view of the city, go to the Eiffel Tower. All the other places don't have elevators and carrying children up 200+ stairs isn't fun. If you're able to take day trips out, I suggest going to Versailles. I don't know if they have it running year round, but there was a fun little train ride that the kids would enjoy. Also, a trip out to one of the chateaux would be on my list. If you have more time to spend, I loved Beaune and Dijon. The colored roof tiles are remarkable.

London...The 2 things I loved were the Tower of London and the tour of the Tower Bridge. At the Tower of London, you can pay for a tour with a Beefeater or go it on your own. The crown jewels are there, and the history of the place is staggering. The Tower Bridge has that high pedestrian crosswalk that gives you great views of the city, and if you take the tour, they take you to a room that simulates the actual weight room...the large concrete counterweight that's used to raise and lower the bridge. If you can do day trips, one I would suggest is Oxford. The whole town is spotted with colleges and great architecture. They even have this exhibit called The Oxford Story, that's like a Disneyland ride that takes you through the history of Oxford. The other day trip I enjoyed was Blenheim. It's the residence of the Duke of Malborough. The Spencers and Churchills come from that line, and they have some of Winston Churchill's papers on display there.

Italy has a lot to offer. If you choose to go to Rome, just know that the drivers see the roads and signs more like guidelines. I loved visiting Vatican City. You get the St. Peter's Cathedral and the Vatican Museum all in one shot. I actually preferred Florence over Rome. It's smaller and there are a lot more pedestrian streets. They had great little restaurants, and cafes all over. I really liked the shops in Florence too...Pinocchio puppets, jewelry, paper....And despite the cliche, I actually found going to see the leaning Tower of Pisa enjoyable. It's a nice little day trip from Florence, and visually awesome.

Sorry, never made to it Germany, so I don't have any suggestions.

Travelling suggestions...choose your cathedrals and museums wisely because after a while, they all look the same no matter what great work of art is housed there. If you aren't really into a certain type of art or just want to see certain works of art in a large museum, get a guide book that will show you the quickest path to what you want to see. So you have some background, I did all my travelling using public transportation or walking. The Eurorail Pass was my best friend, and in Paris, you could get a city pass that let you have a few days of unlimited metro/bus as well as discounted museum entrance.

Enjoy your trip!

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M.V.

answers from Phoenix on

I loved italy...venice, florence, rome, lake como.....I was only in Italy for 5 days but could have spent a month there. Remember you are going in the winter to if you want to be warmer, head south!!! I have hit all those countries but Italy was the best. Maybe you can fly in and out of london, take the train to Paris for a few days, and then go down to Italy. I did a bus tour on my own when I was 23, and I hit 9 countries in 3 weeks....way overload! What a great time you will have.

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M.K.

answers from Houston on

i am from wales - lived there for 32 years, and travelled europe extensively.
if you can get to wales it is really beautiful, but february in the uk is cold and wet and usually horrid lol, in london you should def go to westminster abbey, tower bridge, buckingham palace and the museum of natural history, have lunch at the savoy - or at least a cream tea - very british.

in germany the rhine is really special, there are many many castles in the area. fantasialand is pretty crappy, wouldnt bother with that

in italy you really should do rome and the coloseum, maybe florence.
italians dont usually speak any english, so take a phrase book

france, of course paris, and if you want to have some heat then go down to biarritz. if you are going dover to calais on the ferry then you will be right by normandy, very historic for the war aspects.
i actually dont like paris that much (shock horror!) i think it is over priced and most people there speak english, and there are mcdonalds everywhere - not really getting the proper flavour of the country imo.

most of the countries you are going to will be cold, except for southern italy and southern france, i dont know how much time you have but if you are going to southern france you may as well also do spain lol, madrid and barcelona, and if you are going to do germany and france you may as well do switzerland!

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R.C.

answers from Phoenix on

When my husband and I were first married we traveled in Europe at least once a year for 2 weeks at a time. We created fantastic memories on our visits to Ireland, England/Scotland (our honeymoon), Austria, Germany, Switzerland, etc. I highly recommend you check out Rick Steves' guidebooks for any country of interest. We found them extremely accurate, helpful, and helped us see the important and meaningful stuff without wasting time and money on lesser attractions. Happy travels! R., Midwife mom of soon to be 3.

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K.F.

answers from Phoenix on

Bavaria in Germany is amazing. I highly recommend Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Linderhoff, Neuschwanstein etc. If you make it to Rothenburg I highly recommend the Night Watchmans Tour. If you are in Bavaria, Salzburg Austria is my most favorite city in all of Europe. If you have the chance to visit I would highly recommend. There is so much to do in Salzburg you cannot go wrong, plus it is incredibly beautiful and fun to shop. I don't know how long you are going but I recommend not rushing through cities to go to more countries. Take your time and try to visit areas that are relatively close together (within a few hours of travel) otherwise you will spend your trip packing and driving, going to airports or sitting on a train. Instead of enjoying the culture, food, sites and of course the beer! I also agree that Rick Steve's guidebooks are really helpful.

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A.C.

answers from Phoenix on

Wow, so exciting....I have been to Europe a couple of times now and my first trip went to mainly the big cities, second trip to the smaller, more quaint town...my favorites were the later but it really depends on what you want from it...I have not seen anyone mention it so I will, we loved Siena....spend a day/night in florence and then drive through the tuscan countryside on your way to siena...awesome wine country, we stayed at a 300 year old home with an owner who also taught italian cooking classes. It was in rick steves book.....we also loved the lake region, Lago di garda, Lake Como,etc....also try the Cinque Terre....5 small towns in a row that are beautiful, quint, and connected by a LONG, beautiful walk...also in Rick Steves book....but, I agree be careful how much you try to squeeze in..it can get very overwhelming...remember you are there for a vacation.

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H.M.

answers from Phoenix on

I don't know how long you are going for but I would suggest you pick one country or a maximum of two if you are not going for longer than 2 weeks. Europe is not a country - it's an entire continent and each of the specific places you mentioned have enough to entertain you and enthrall you for weeks at a time. You don't want to spend all your time traveling through places - it's better to really get to enjoy one. It would be similar to a European coming on a week's vacation to the U.S. and trying to see NYC, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco ,Phoenix and Orlando. You might find it more fulfilling to experience life as a local, really settle in to a specific town or area. If you pick France, Mont-St-Michel is amazing. In England, there is Hampton Court, Bleinheim Palace, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, Leeds Castle and Cumbria as a few of the many, many things and places to see. (As you've probably guessed I am originally from England). Anyway, I hope I've changed your mind on the whirlwind tour idea - it really doesn't do Europe justice and I really think you won't get as much out of it. (Also, after the craziness of daily life with 2 little kids, you'd think you would want to slow it down a little and enjoy some restful time together).

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S.D.

answers from Phoenix on

We went to all of those countries (and more) on our Europe trip. I highly recommend getting Rick Steve's travel books. They are like the Bible for traveling and we found that he never steered us wrong. I don't know what I would've done without those books. Plus, he'll tell you what you absolutely must see based on the time you'll be there. Which was great so that we didn't waste the time we had. Not sure where you're going in Italy, but if it's Rome be very careful of pick pockets. My husband got his wallet and passport stolen. Thankfully, we had what we needed (thanks to the Rick Steve's book) to get him a new one without too much problems. Make sure you have good money belts for both of you and always split up the cash you have in case something like that happens. I could go on and on (we spent a month over there) but I would really urge you to get those books. They are worth every penny!

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D.L.

answers from Phoenix on

Dear T.; The last time we were in Paris we stayed at a three star hotel in the Marais district. We could walk to Notre Dame and there were tons of little shops to look at. Also some great restaurants, not famous ones but very French and great food. The Picasso Museum is also within walking distance and we loved that. The hotel is Hotel St. Paul le Marais at 8 Rue de Sevigne. Quaint and very adequate. You don't want to spend your vacation dollars on a fancy hotel, but you need a good bed! D.

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C.C.

answers from Flagstaff on

I have just a few things to add. I lived in France on the German border while in college. We traveled extensively. While in France, wherever you go, try pan chocolat, which is like a croissant with chocolate baked inside. They sell it at any patisserie/boulangerie. There are many other good things to try from the boulangerie, so just do as the french do and get some bread & cheese for breakfast (and be sure to try some different kinds of cheeses as well). Steak-frite sandwiches are great for on the go, and you should also try crepes from a creperie (they are different than in the U.S.).

You should ask what the regional specialty is wherever you go. Each region has it's own food. The same in Italy. Italy's ice creams are amazing (especially the gelato). You should also try Orangina and Genie sodas. You can't buy them here in the states. Also, if you are visiting Paris they get so many visitors that they get tired of them. If you go somewhere outside of Paris in France, you will get a much warmer reception.

My favorite thing in Europe was visiting the castles. There is one in Carcassone that is amazing...an entire city built inside the castle! Make sure you ride the train within/between countries if you can. It's quite an experience. There's no need to rent a car, as their public transportation is quite sufficient. Lastly, walk around downtown in the small towns. You will be amazed by what you see. They all have a cathedral and a museum, which can be interesting. Have a great time!

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