European Trip Tips

[kysirsoze]

Hey CP,

So my wife and I are going on a (long delayed) honeymoon at the end of the month. 10 days in Europe split up like this:

2 nights in London
3 nights in Paris
2 nights in Amsterdam
3 nights in Paris

The double Paris visit is because we fly in and out of there and it's my wife's dream city to visit so it's pretty much the main event. We're taking a train right to London when we arrive because it is the lowest priority of the three and we will be adjusting to the time change and whatnot. Flights, hotels, and trains are already booked.

So... Who's been to these cities? Wife's been to London but I haven't. In fact this will be my first international trip unless you count an afternoon in Tijuana when I was 9. Any tips for first timers? Must see areas? Must visit restaurants or bars? General advice?

I can tell you we are already planning a day trip to Versailles and have booked tickets. Otherwise we're up for whatever. Museums, historic landmarks, scenic vistas, whatever.


TIA for all the honeymoon sex tips, too. You guys are the best.

[BlackHelicopters]

Shoot any Muslims you see on sight. TIA

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by theelusiveeightrop

Shoot any Muslims you see on sight. TIA

Serves me right for opening an ignored post. Please **** off.

[BlackHelicopters]

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

Serves me right for opening an ignored post. Please **** off.

Adjust your sarcasm meter. Then **** off.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by theelusiveeightrop

Adjust your sarcasm meter. Then **** off.

hey man, CP is SERIOUS business

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by loochy

hey man, CP is SERIOUS business

Alright. I ignored this dude for his very not sarcastic, shitty, hateful comments. I'm ignoring four people on this site. Two for spamming Royals threads and the other one for pure insanity. That tells you how low my bar for tolerance is. To be honest, I was more annoyed at how boring and unfunny his post was than anything else.

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

Serves me right for opening an ignored post. Please **** off.

The exact right response.

[Rain Man]

Oh, I know Paris.

Versailles is really cool. Definitely do that. Musee D'Orsee is more interesting than the Louvre in my opinion, but I prefer impressionists over pictures of dead Jesus. The catacombs are cool, but your wife may not view them as honeymoon material.

Notre Dame is worth doing as well as that big white church Sacre Couer, though it's a bit out of the way.

You can go up inside the Arc De Triomphe, which is worth doing. Obviously the Eiffel Tower. I thought the river tour was a bit unnecessary, as I'd rather just walk around.

If I was ranking, I'd go:

1. Versailles
2. Eiffel Tower, just because.
3. Notre Dame
4. Musee D'Orsee
5. Louvre
6. Just walk around
7. Sacre Couer
8. Catacombs
9. Arc De Triomphe, just because. I'd probably rate it lower.
10. Napoleon's Tomb and the Military Museum, if you're into that stuff.

I'm probably missing some cool things.

[stumppy]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Oh, I know Paris.

Versailles is really cool. Definitely do that. Musee D'Orsee is more interesting than the Louvre in my opinion, but I prefer impressionists over pictures of dead Jesus. The catacombs are cool, but your wife may not view them as honeymoon material.

Notre Dame is worth doing as well as that big white church Sacre Couer, though it's a bit out of the way.

You can go up inside the Arc De Triomphe, which is worth doing. Obviously the Eiffel Tower. I thought the river tour was a bit unnecessary, as I'd rather just walk around.

If I was ranking, I'd go:

1. Versailles
2. Eiffel Tower, just because.
3. Notre Dame
4. Musee D'Orsee
5. Louvre
6. Just walk around
7. Sacre Couer
8. Catacombs
9. Arc De Triomphe, just because. I'd probably rate it lower.
10. Napoleon's Tomb and the Military Museum, if you're into that stuff.

I'm probably missing some cool things.

I've always wanted to see the birthplace of Pepe Le pew.

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Oh, I know Paris.

Versailles is really cool. Definitely do that. Musee D'Orsee is more interesting than the Louvre in my opinion, but I prefer impressionists over pictures of dead Jesus. The catacombs are cool, but your wife may not view them as honeymoon material.

Notre Dame is worth doing as well as that big white church Sacre Couer, though it's a bit out of the way.

You can go up inside the Arc De Triomphe, which is worth doing. Obviously the Eiffel Tower. I thought the river tour was a bit unnecessary, as I'd rather just walk around.

If I was ranking, I'd go:

1. Versailles
2. Eiffel Tower, just because.
3. Notre Dame
4. Musee D'Orsee
5. Louvre
6. Just walk around
7. Sacre Couer
8. Catacombs
9. Arc De Triomphe, just because. I'd probably rate it lower.
10. Napoleon's Tomb and the Military Museum, if you're into that stuff.

I'm probably missing some cool things.

Nice. Thanks! I actually think she'd be pretty interested in the catacombs. Also I think one of our hotels is pretty close to Sacre Couer.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Oh, I know Paris.

Versailles is really cool. Definitely do that. Musee D'Orsee is more interesting than the Louvre in my opinion, but I prefer impressionists over pictures of dead Jesus. The catacombs are cool, but your wife may not view them as honeymoon material.

Notre Dame is worth doing as well as that big white church Sacre Couer, though it's a bit out of the way.

You can go up inside the Arc De Triomphe, which is worth doing. Obviously the Eiffel Tower. I thought the river tour was a bit unnecessary, as I'd rather just walk around.

If I was ranking, I'd go:

1. Versailles
2. Eiffel Tower, just because.
3. Notre Dame
4. Musee D'Orsee
5. Louvre
6. Just walk around
7. Sacre Couer
8. Catacombs
9. Arc De Triomphe, just because. I'd probably rate it lower.
10. Napoleon's Tomb and the Military Museum, if you're into that stuff.

I'm probably missing some cool things.

So first, the practical shit -- there are scam artists ****ing EVERYWHERE. You WILL have gypsies hit you up in different ways. The mute that wants you to sign something. Whatever. My wife had an expert pickpocket nearly unzip her purse and get her wallet. THEY ARE BRAZEN AS HELL.

Second, in Paris it is considered RUDE to not greet the shopkeeper. This is why Americans sometimes get a frosty reception there. You will buy yourself alot of cheap points if you just say "bonjour" to someone when you walk into their shop, or go up to buy the bread.

BUY THE BREAD. Or croissant. I learned to LOVE their chocolate croissants. Their bread shops are everywhere. Buy that stuff.

Versailles is seriously out of town, so be warned. Otherwise, Rain Man's list is pretty good. Napoleon's Tomb and Military Museum is #1 if you're into that stuff. It's huge and endless and pretty damn good. You could spend multiple days there.

I'll post re: London next.

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

So first, the practical shit -- there are scam artists ****ing EVERYWHERE. You WILL have gypsies hit you up in different ways. The mute that wants you to sign something. Whatever. My wife had an expert pickpocket nearly unzip her purse and get her wallet. THEY ARE BRAZEN AS HELL.

Second, in Paris it is considered RUDE to not greet the shopkeeper. This is why Americans sometimes get a frosty reception there. You will buy yourself alot of cheap points if you just say "bonjour" to someone when you walk into their shop, or go up to buy the bread.

BUY THE BREAD. Or croissant. I learned to LOVE their chocolate croissants. Their bread shops are everywhere. Buy that stuff.

Versailles is seriously out of town, so be warned. Otherwise, Rain Man's list is pretty good. Napoleon's Tomb and Military Museum is #1 if you're into that stuff. It's huge and endless and pretty damn good. You could spend multiple days there.

I'll post re: London next.

Done some train research. Looks a little tricky, but my wife and I are pretty savvy as far as public transit. We've set aside most of a day for the trip since we've heard such great things about it.

Hadn't heard much about Napoleon's tomb. I'll have to do some research. Thanks!

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

Done some train research. Looks a little tricky, but my wife and I are pretty savvy as far as public transit. We've set aside most of a day for the trip since we've heard such great things about it.

Hadn't heard much about Napoleon's tomb. I'll have to do some research. Thanks!

All I could think when I was there was "oh, THIS is why the peasants chopped everyone's heads off. Well, duh, of COURSE they ****ing did. This place is completely RIDICULOUS!"

The palace itself is stupid huge. I mean, COMPLETELY humongous on a scale that is insane, and THEN you must realize that the gardens dwarf the building. Here's an image. The building, which is at the top, is absurdly huge in scale. And it's nothing on the gardens.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

All I could think when I was there was "oh, THIS is why the peasants chopped everyone's heads off. Well, duh, of COURSE they ****ing did. This place is completely RIDICULOUS!"

The palace itself is stupid huge. I mean, COMPLETELY humongous on a scale that is insane, and THEN you must realize that the gardens dwarf the building. Here's an image. The building, which is at the top, is absurdly huge in scale. And it's nothing on the gardens.

And somewhere down on the left is the little place where Marie Antoinette hung out when she needed to get away from the palace. I can't place it on that view, but I remember touring it, and it was pretty nice on its own accord: http://en.chateauversailles.fr/disco...estate-trianon

Hmm, it may be off the map to the left on your picture.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

Done some train research. Looks a little tricky, but my wife and I are pretty savvy as far as public transit. We've set aside most of a day for the trip since we've heard such great things about it.

It's not, I stayed in Versailles for work and there was a train that took me right to the Eiffel Tower. I spent a few days starting there and walking along the river towards the Louvre. Take a bus or cab through the Arc De Triomphe roundabout, and/or go to the top and watch traffic.

Didn't do much touristy stuff in London besides going to Bath, which wouldn't be worth it during a 2 night stay. Enjoy the great variety of international food.

And what Amnorix said... I didn't notice it in London, but was approached a couple times in Paris by scammers. Mostly just be aware of your surroundings... keep money in your front pockets, and be aware when someone is intentionally or "unintentionally" makes contact with you, as it could be a distraction while they or someone else takes your shit.