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.

[Amnorix]

Oh, and I will mention one last thing -- we took a train out of Paris for a day trip out to the Normandy coast. LIke a 2+ hour train ride each day, ending in Bayeux, where we arranged for a bus tour which included visits to certain D-Day beaches, the American cemetery, as well as Pointe du Hoc and St. Mere Eglise (if you've seen the movie, you will remember the paratrooper stuck by his chute on teh church there). It was a very long, but GREAT day. Not sure you can squeeze it in, and you already have a long train ride, but worth considering.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman...y_and_Memorial

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointe_du_Hoc


You might also be able to squeeze in seeing the Bayeux tapestry, which to my great regret we could not.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_Tapestry


I don't remember if we booked through Viator or not, but here's one site. The bus tour typically picks you up at the train station. You can be in a group, or on your own, which is a bit pricier but given that they use smaller vans, not too outrageous. For my family of 4, the extra cost of a private van was insignificant compared to four spaces in a larger tour.

https://www.viator.com/Normandy/d183-ttd

[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.

[Steron]

Tell everyone you meet that you are 'The Machine'.

I'm jealous. I would LOVE to go to Europe.

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

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

The exact right response.

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Oh, and you're spending thousands on your honeymoon. Spend a few nickels more and buy this for God's sake:

https://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-P...teve%27s+paris


I also had this, which is not necessarily a must have, but I liked that it folded, and was laminated, so rain, etc. is irrelevant to the thing. And it has an overlay of the bus routes

https://www.amazon.com/Streetwise-Pa...wise+paris+map


WOW! Used only and $80+. JFC, I did NOT see that at first. Yeah, find yourself a good map, but maybe not THAT one. I definitely spent a fair bit -- but like $25 or something. Not freaking 80. Damn.

I also got this. Think we relied on the Rick Steeve's more, but it was nice. Probably only need to pick one though.

https://www.amazon.com/DK-Eyewitness...words=DK+paris

Ha. I have #1 and #3 sitting on my nightstand right now.

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Oh, and don't be afraid of the rapid transit systems. The Tube is the best way to get around London, unless you want to taxi it everywhere. A ride on one of those famed double-decker buses is fine too, and kind of a thing to do. But the Tube is pretty damn awesome and easy, and the city is stupid-big, so...

And short. The single thing that most surprised me about London was how SHORT the buildings were. Not a travel tip, of course, just a comment. Kinda like Washington DC, actually, where IIRC nothing can be taller than the Washington Monument or somesuch. Anyway, it sure isn't NYC.

Paris -- we primarily used buses. We took the train a few times also -- where teh aforementioned pickpocketing attempt took place.

By the way, I'm REALLY not kidding about the pickpockets. Tell your wife to pick a purse with a zipper and that she keeps tight to her side. No "one button" close jobs, and I'd avoid a backpack where you keep valuables. Water and snacks, sure, whatever.

My wife was raised in NY and I've lived there for a time so we're accustomed to using mass transit. In fact she's used The Tube before. Thanks for all the specifics, though. Would like to avoid spending tons of time learning how to get around once we get there.

[EPodolak]

If you have just two days in London, definitely would recommend a bus tour, try Viator.com or similar. You can see the main attractions in a day, float up the river too if you want. The other day, take the tube someplace and walk around. Everybody walks in London. There's also the National Gallery off of Trafalgar Square - one of the great art venues in the world.

Your trip will be a whirlwind, have fun.

[Jenson71]

I went to Paris in 2005, but it was a very unorthodox trip, and I have nothing to add that hasn't been said except to say that if you just walked around Paris and ate at cafes and sat and watched people, you'd probably have a rewarding time.

I was in London for 5 days in the summer of 2015. There was a lot we had to save for future trips, like Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Cathedral (not to be confused with Westminster Abbey), and Churchill Museum.

With 2 days in London, you'll want to limit yourself to the city center (first map), where all of the top sights are.

I would even narrow it down to a smaller segment, like in map 2. You could spend the first day at Westminster Abbey (long line to get in, and very crowded once you are in, but the place is such an iconic monument to England's great people that you leave with such appreciation at what the island has produced), and then walk across the street to Parliament -- you can sit in on either the House of Lords or the House of Commons and there are exhibits in the hallways. We saw both Houses debate in the evening, and there was no waiting at all. There is a pub across the street with a great view of Big Ben -- St. Stephen's Tavern, that we enjoyed. With time left, you can walk to the Churchill War Rooms and see 10 Downing St. where the prime minister lives. In the evening, walk north to Leicester Square and see a show.

Day 2: in the same small location, you be part of the crowd at Trafalgar Square, visit the National Portrait Gallery, and then take a taxi to either the British Museum or St. Paul's Cathedral, both of them were highlights of my trip. You can take the stairs all the way to the top of St. Paul's and look out across the metropolis.

Have a great time!

[Great Expectations]

My favorite three things in France where:

Mont Saint-Michel
Normandy
Eiffel Tower at night

The northern country side of France was a lot more enjoyable to me than Paris itself. Rouen is also a cool place to visit there. They have a cool joan of arc area and awesome cathedral that has Richard III buried there. It's also the one object that Monet painted more than any anything else. They have a fantastic light show at night on the cathedral where the paintings are lighted upon the building.

Also, try and buy water/snacks at a "locals" grocery store. They will be about 80% less than the tourist shops.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Paris -- we primarily used buses. We took the train a few times also -- where teh aforementioned pickpocketing attempt took place.

By the way, I'm REALLY not kidding about the pickpockets. Tell your wife to pick a purse with a zipper and that she keeps tight to her side. No "one button" close jobs, and I'd avoid a backpack where you keep valuables. Water and snacks, sure, whatever.

You need to just be aware of your surroundings. I've been to Europe several times and have had no issues - but I'm always on alert.

I also bought a pacsafe shoulder bag years ago and take it with me when I go overseas (it has a "Euro" look). Much more difficult for you to fall victim to non-violent crime (cut-resistant straps, secured-unexposed zippers). They've added many varieties and styles now, including regular style backpacks. I felt safer with my valuables (wallet, cell phone, etc.) in the bag than in my pockets.

www.pacsafe.com

[kysirsoze]

Back from trip. It was definitely a whirlwind, but it was an amazing trip. Saw a lot, ate/drank a lot, learned a TON. People were great in all three countries. Life changing experience.

Thanks for the advice, y'all.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

Back from trip. It was definitely a whirlwind, but it was an amazing trip. Saw a lot, ate/drank a lot, learned a TON. People were great in all three countries. Life changing experience.

Thanks for the advice, y'all.

You're welcome, but htere is no way you get off that easy. What did you like best? Like least? What did you choose to do in London? Did Westminster Abbey actually happen, and did you like it?

Inquiring minds want to know!

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

You're welcome, but htere is no way you get off that easy. What did you like best? Like least? What did you choose to do in London? Did Westminster Abbey actually happen, and did you like it?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Well, since you asked...

Liked best... Hard to say. The food was amazing. Primarily the bread and cheese. You can get just as good in the states if you go to an artisan bakery or cheese shop. The thing is, over there (at least Paris and Amsterdam) you practically can't find bad bread or cheese. The best you can get here is everywhere over there. It's amazing. Same thing for wine in Paris. 5-6 Euro bottles were incredible. Everyone I had. And I picked almost completely blindly.

As far as the sights, all three cities were beautiful. London was a very quick stay so I pretty much did the walk through. I walked all around central London. Saw (from the outside) Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, London Bridge, Parliament, and pretty much every other major landmark near there. I would have loved to explore Westminster Abbey, but since I only really had one full day of sightseeing in London and it cost like 28 Euros a person to go, I decided it would have to wait till the next trip. There was just so much to see. Seeing the outside of it was maybe my favorite spot in London, though.

Hit the pubs pretty hard in London that evening. I'm a huge craft beer fan and what was most striking to me is how common cask beer is. In the states only rare bars or breweries have cask beer available. In London, it wasn't if they had a beer on cask, it was how many.

In Paris, I would not have thought it, but I think my favorite landmark to see was the Arc De Triomphe. I'd seen pictures and new the size of it, but something about seeing it in person was so impressive. Better than that, though was just wandering the city. Around every corner was another beautiful and historic garden or building or street. So much of the city is relatively unchanged for hundreds of years.

Versailles was a highlight. It was impressive and educational. Also a little upsetting. Just an incredible amount of wealth and resources expended on the whim of some pretty disturbed people. No denying it's beauty, though.

Amsterdam was probably my favorite city. The place was so clean and well kept I could hardly believe people live there. People were super friendly. The Rijksmuseum itself was almost as beautiful as the art inside. The "coffee shops" were a novel and enjoyable experience. Great city to just get lost in. Also, FYI, for whatever reason, Amsterdammers are the most attractive group of people I've ever seen. My wife and I were both gawking.

As for least favorite part, probably a combination of the jet lag and how hard we pushed. My wife and I both are very active travellers. We don't really take days off and want to see as much as possible. Because of that we definitely ended the trip more exhausted than when we started, but I wouldn't have done it any other way. Might be recovering for a couple more days, though.

[EPodolak]

^ Makes me want to take some time off, and soon.

[sd4chiefs]

And don't eat pizza with your hands.