Going to Europe

[bubba716]

Hey everybody. I am going to Europe next week for six weeks and was wondering if anyone had some suggestions of places to visit? I will be taking class in Maastricht, which is in the Netherlands and will there for 6 weeks so will have lots of time to do some travelling. Also one weekend trip me and a buddy are definetly going to take is to Normandy, does anyone know of a decent place to stay? Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[Clux4]

Red light District.

 

[Minnie]

I have MANY suggestions for you, but I am hestitant to really delve into all of them without knowing your budget... whether you are planning on buying a Eurail pass or if you are OK with flying from destination to destination, etc. PM me and I will try and tailor my response

 

[jagges84]

Hey I am going to Europe for 8 weeks at the end of this month. Staying in Czech for 6 weeks for study abroad, but for the first week of June, me and my buddy will be in london and paris, and plan to travel to Normandy. WE are also going to Belleau wood, which is like just northeast of Paris. We wanted to go to Bastone, but I dont think we will have time.

 

[tnavybird]

Europe

First off, have a blast. If I had any place to go back to, it'd have to be Italy, especially southern Italy or the island of Sardinia (south of Corsica). The food there is unbelievable and the people are genuinely nice as long as you try to speak the language. Germany's a good time too, they know how to throw down up there, and the beer is excellent (try the original Budweiser, I think they call it Budvar or something along those lines). Good luck and enjoy, ohh, and apparently the Euro-rail deal is well worth it.

 

[Crowbar]

My favorite places in Europe were Barcelona and Magalluf. Spain might be a bit of a trip from the Netherlands, but here it is anyway...

Barcelona has everything you could want-casinos, sightseeing, museums, clubs, bars, good food, street entertainers, beaches, beautiful women, etc. I never got bored when I was there. If you know who Gaudi is, go to Barcelona.

Since you'll be there in the summer, if you want to make a beach trip, Magalluf (seen it spelled a few different ways) is on the island of Palma off the east coast of Spain. Anyone who's ever been there will tell you GO AT ALL COSTS. It has plenty of English-speakers, but still has the Mediterranean Beach feel to it. I could talk it up all day, but if you have the means available and are just looking for a good time, GO!

 

[st1977]

If you are going to Normandy, you should definitely stop by Mont St Michel (see http://www.monum.fr/m_stmichel/indexa.dml?lang=en) - a couple of hours away from the Normandy beaches. It is one of the most amazing places I've ever been to. I'm originally from France and my family just took my husband (Navy SNA) to Normandy last Christmas. Normandy is awesome, you'll like it - make sure you stop by the American cemetary. Let me know what your budget is - I know of different places, from very cheap to more pricey.

 

[michaels601]

ah, i´m jealous, you´re gonna have an awesome trip. if i can give any advice, don´t be afraid to eat new, weird stuff. especially if you get down anywhere near the mediterranean, the food´s unbelievable, and tons of it most people have never heard of.
depending on how squeemish you are, or how likely you are to order raw seafood, i will warn you that "raw calamari" means still writhing around on the plate. the octopus is always worth a shot. i´m starting to drool...

but yeah, open mind, open mouth, and carry condoms. have a great time

 

[Lawman]

Garmisch Germany has got to be about the most incredible place Ive ever seen. Its like walking around in a Snow Globe in the winter. Plus little side note, they absolutely love Americans in that part of Germany has alot to do with Patton putting an Army in that area to keep the Soviets out.

Couple other places that are great spots, the Isle of Capri of the coast of Italy. You will see more hot bikini clad Ass then anywhere else in Europe. And All and all I was very happy with Rome, but you need at least 2 days to see everything.

 

[PEPfromage]

I'll second the Capri call above. You have to take a ferry from Naples to the island itself, which translates into very few cars to get in your way should a red wine blackout occur. Look up Bussola de Hermes in anacapri for a cheap, clean, friendly hostel.

Also in Italy, Cinque Terre and Lake Como up north are well worth the trips, and both easily accesible with the aforementioned Eurorail card.

Anywhere in Croatia is amazing as well, and can be reached through taking a hydrofoil from Trieste or Venice.

And don't overlook Madrid if you're in Spain. At 8am when the bars/clubs start closing, they got guys waiting outside who'll sell you a whole rotisserie chicken or a pig leg for like $3. That's some country.

 

[Cate]

Croatia is fantastic. Also, while you're in the area, don't discount Slovakia; it has all the charm of the Czech Republic, the people are incredibly nice, the scenery is gorgeous, and everything is dirt cheap. And Slovaks know how to party.

 

[Swmtb]

If you are on a budget, I recommend eastern Europe: Czech r., Poland, and the Baltic republics (Estonia probably has the hottest girls in the world...). It's nice, food/beer/alcohol is cheap and good, people are friendly, and it's not as 'touristy' as western Europe.

 

[snizo]

Munich.

 

[HOORAH]

Couple other places that are great spots, the Isle of Capri of the coast of Italy... all I was very happy with Rome, but you need at least 2 days to see everything.

Believe me I lived in Rome for 6 months and I still didn't see everything! Capri is awesome. I swam in the ocean in February. I will say though it is a very long train ride all the way down to Italy from the Neterlands. It's about 21 hours to Rome with a stop in Paris first and another hour to Naples. Rome being in the middle of the country will be about as far as you want to go if you can't fly. You can take ferrys to Sicily from Naples too.

You have to go to Switzerland. Especially if you ride motorcyles. The Autobahn goes through the mountains and has the most unbelievable turns and views.

Go to Haufbrau House in Munich for me and drink a beer!

If you can, fly to Istanbul, Turkey and/or Athens, Greece. I had a blast in those two cities. And of course Salzburg, Innsbruck (where the olympics were held), and Vienna, Austria are beautiful, as is the French Riviera. Go to Paris to say you where there but don't judge France on Parisians, hahaha, they aren't the same "species."

I must say I had the same agenda as you did when I was in Europe, although I was there for a lot longer, see everything. Stay in hostels, they are so cheap and I'm sure you're used to not having the best accommodations all the time. Pack light while traveling, as I'm sure you've had practice doing, but pack for EVERYTHING. I never had any firm plans and always ended up in the most unpredictable places. Pack for anything from walking for hours, to going to the Discotecha, to cathedrals (remember no shorts or bare shoulders allowed), to the beach, to bungi jumping, sky diving, or rock climbing or the fanciest restaurant in Paris or Capri. Although I probably had one major thing on you, I'm a "cute, American girl" with blond hair and blue eyes (something they don't see often, especially in Italy), everyone was nice and wanted to take me everywhere. I met people everywhere I went and got into exclusive discotechas and had the fanciest dinners bought and paid for. Remember anything can and probably will happen so be prepared and have a blast!