Trip to Europe, experienced help requested

[canoncrazy]

Anyone have any dos or donts they want to share? I am headed to Great Britain, France, Spain, Italy and Switzerland in May, writing a semi-itinerary and need some help. Too many things to do. First thing other than the plane ticket, reserved a spot in the guided tour of Ducati manufacturing plant!  [moto]   I''m not reserving any hotels in case I really like a city and want to stay longer than anticipated. Dali and Gaudi in Spain, a couple not-to-miss museums in Paris (best of the best? anyone?), Venice wake-boarding from the motorized gondolas, tram to the top of the Swiss Alps, skip the changing of the guards, swing by Stonehenge, Bath, and Scotland for some kilted drinking and dancing and that's about it. My wife may have something to say about that list but it's open for revision. -i'll be bringing my 5D, be a nice trip for her, hasn't had a good shoot in a while

[ryandalling]

For Paris... seriously... schedule like 3 hours of just sitting at a cafe and people watching... well worth it. From the fashions and beautiful ladies to the simple majesty of sipping coffee in a city older than our country... well... worth it. 

[El Matador]

Once you are in mainland europe, just buy one of those train passes that let you travel all over the place. They're inexpensive and you get a lot of freedom.

In Spain:
Stay in posadas. They're little family run B&B's that are crazy cheap.

Don't miss out on going to Andalucia.

You have to check out la Alhambra in Grenada, After that, go to a local cafe in the old part of town and spend the rest of the night drinking the house wine and looking at the girls sing and dance flamenco. You will fall in love. Take things easy here, life moves at a different rhythm.

You will have the best party of your life in Barcelona. Be prepared to stay here 3 more days than planned. (If you're into that kinda thing, I can put you in contact with a company that will rent you a bike and take you to a track day in El Circuito de Catalunya). Go to Dali's house.

Depending on when you're going, go to a bullfight in Madrid. It is going to be either one of the best or one of the worst experiences of your life. No matter what, you have to do it.  Go to the Museo del Prado. Party your ass off here, Castillanas are crazy and beautiful.

Don't be stupid about your stuff. Don't go hanging the camera around your neck or wear things that blatantly scream American Tourist. It is like having a huge ROB ME sign on your forehead.

Don't eat at restaurants. Go to Panaderias and buy Pan Frances, Queso Manchego and Jamon Serrano. It is cheaper and tastier than eating out. Also try the spreads made out of figs or Tomates Secos.

Try the Cafe Con Leche. It will ruin american cofee for you.

I'm missing just about everything, But you get the point.

You need at least a couple of months to properly experience spain.

In France:

Eat. That is all.

Italy:

Don't stay in fancy hotels, it will ruin the experience and your bank account. Family run Hostels are the way to go.

Take A lot of money, it is Expensive! Specially with the missus.

Do the whole tuscany thing.

Unless you speak italian, there's not much more to do in Rome than see the colliseum and other architectural gems.

Switzerland:

Tram, Fondue, Chocolate, Hike, Leave.

Good luck!

[duc_fan]

My Dad knew a guy who would work as a contract engineer for a year to 18 months, then take off to Europe for 3-6 months, making his money last as long as possible.  Then he'd fly back here and work another year or so, go back there and do it all over again.

He'd go check out stuff in the wealthier countries... England, Germany, France, etc.  Then when he started to get into the bottom half of his bank account, he'd go stay in Spain.  Apparently it was the cheapest place to live, so he'd go there as his budget got slim, and he'd drag out his stay for as long as possible.

So... if you start running low on cash, head for Spain and take it easy.

Other than that, I know very little about Europe, having never been to that side of the pond.  Heck, I've never even been to the eastern seaboard of the US. 

If I ever get over there, I have a few things on my "must do" list (in no particular order):
--Drive the Nürburgring Nordschleife
--Go to the 24 Hours of LeMans
--Visit the air museum at Duxford
--Air show at Duxford (one of the largest gatherings of flyable warbirds in the world)
--Attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed
--Tour Ducati factory
--Visit Ferrari factory/museum
--Enjoy a Guinness in an Irish Pub
--Find someplace to hang out with a good coffee overlooking the Mediterranean and just... chill.
(Obviously, these won't all happen on the same trip)

Other things I may get around to someday:
--Formula 1 Gran Prix of Monaco
--Farnborough Air Show
--Ducati tour in northern Italy (that ad they had at MotoCorsa really got the drool going)
--Tour BMW factory/museum in Germany
--Rent BMW moto and tour the Swiss Alps (one of those guided trips/tours)

[JohnnyDucati]

Canon,

Buy me A Coke, and I'll tell you everything I know/remember.  I spent a good chunk of my life living/working in UK & Europe.  A lot of time in France, Germany and Italy and various side trips (Switz., Spain, etc.).

I'm busy Thursday night, but free pretty much the rest of the week.  If you wish, I can meet up with you.  Name the spot and I'll buy the first round.

I could write you a 12 page email, but to do justice to the subject, it'll just be easier to tell you about it in person, if you're up for it.  I hope I don't bore you too badly.   

What Matador said about Spain is dead right - it's clear he knows what he's talking about there.  He's either a native or close to it.  Ryan's comments, too.

What you are doing right now is smart:  you're planning it out.  That will be key in making it a good trip.  Don't worry, there will be plenty of spontaneity that pops up, too.

Let me know.

Best regards,

John

[desmosome]

Canon,

Buy me a Coke,.....

i think it sounds like drug slang without the "a"

[JohnnyDucati]

i think it sounds like drug slang without the "a"

corrected.  Thanks, Jon.

Dang.  You guys are some kind of smart, detail-oriented, perceptive hooligans.

You're right, though, that was funny . . .  BY ME COKE!!!   . . .   

[canoncrazy]

so basically Spain is going to kickass!
reading through some books, prepping for Great Britain first, i see a butt-load of colleges in Oxford (like 21?) and Cambridge (17!) and a bunch of castles. Stonehenge is the only other thing Id like to see besides the castles.
definitely researching pointers from this forum, been very helpful. thanks john for offering your time.

[Nitewaif]

I love Europe and have been enough places to be a decent tour guide.  I have a suitcase big enough for me to fit inside.  If I pay the extra baggage fee, can I come?   

[Betty Rage]

When you go to France, stay out of the cities (But stay in Paris for one day, just one) and spend your time in the loire valley. There are some AMAZING chatoux out there that will leave you wishing you had more memory in your camera. Also, check out Le Mont San Michel, it's my favorite place in France and absolutely breathtaking.

[Betty Rage]

some pics of san michel

[duc_fan]

Was talking to a friend of mine today, she was just in Continental Europe on vacation last fall.  Apparently in Paris there is still quite a bit of anti-American sentiment.  Just something to be aware of...

In contrast, some college friends of mine stayed in France near Toulouse, and they didn't have any problems.  In fact, in many of the smaller coastal villages the locals were very friendly toward Americans.

[Nitewaif]

It's been over a year and a half since I last went to Paris, but the locals were very friendly, even after finding out I was American.  I didn't sense any animosity, though I did get asked a few times WTF Bush & co were thinking and what Americans thought of Bush.

[El Matador]

Was talking to a friend of mine today, she was just in Continental Europe on vacation last fall.  Apparently in Paris there is still quite a bit of anti-American sentiment.  Just something to be aware of...

In contrast, some college friends of mine stayed in France near Toulouse, and they didn't have any problems.  In fact, in many of the smaller coastal villages the locals were very friendly toward Americans.

Ahhhh, french people are hilarious. That's why when people ask where I'm from I say Venezuela.

Talk about a culture with a short memory.

[herm]

prolly to far out of the way...
but if you get the chance

go to greece. ignore athens, get out in the islands