Where to visit first?
Dec 2, 2015 | 3:21 pm
#16
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But for just a week? She'd lose more than a day to travel and would spend the first two or three days adjusting to jet lag.
If you like history and architecture, what about a trip to Montreal and Quebec City? You get foreign culture and another language to boot, some beautiful architecture, cities rooted in history, great food and will spend far less time on planes.
If you like history and architecture, what about a trip to Montreal and Quebec City? You get foreign culture and another language to boot, some beautiful architecture, cities rooted in history, great food and will spend far less time on planes.
Dec 2, 2015 | 5:37 pm
#18
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If WWII interests you, England, Germany, France are great bets. More modern history there are still parts of The Wall in Berlin. You go visit Checkpoint Charlie that you heard so much about.
Older history such as medieval I loved England. Rode a bicycle through England once and made the mistake of trying to stop at every ruined castle or ancient church I found. They are like 7-11s in the US. One on every corner.
Culture is an interesting topic. Are you interested in exploring your heritage? If your family is French, spend 2 weeks roaming around France. Swedish? Go to Sweden. Etc.
My thing about culture is that I found that everywhere I've been in Europe the cultural differences are just shades of the same culture I already know in the US. The US culture is a melting pot of European cultures so anywhere you go in Europe is going to be somewhat familiar. Interesting twists, of course, but still "shades of the same color".
Want new colors and history at the same time? Asia. Japan if you're not too adventurous. Thailand if you are. Remember the movie "Bridge on the River Kwai"? Go see it (not much of a bridge, actually) and then go on the railway through the death camps where prisoners of war were worked to death building the railway and the bridge.
Dec 2, 2015 | 5:53 pm
#19
Join Date: Feb 2011
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How about Iceland? If you're into hiking and history Iceland has both in spades, though it is not the kind of regal, storied history, that Europe has, it is fascinating, bloody, full of myth and legend, and very unique.
There is nearly endless hiking to some breathtaking locations. Friendly locals and everyone speaks English and Icelandic so you get exposure to a new language without going crazy trying to communicate. (though that may be half the fun to some people).
Tons of art in Iceland, but again not famous like the Louvre or Prado. Really quite an amazing place that isn't completely beat up by tourists and overrun by hordes, especially when compared to Rome, Paris, Barcelona, etc.
Cheap flights from the states. Not very long - 4, 5, 6 hours depending on where from.
There is nearly endless hiking to some breathtaking locations. Friendly locals and everyone speaks English and Icelandic so you get exposure to a new language without going crazy trying to communicate. (though that may be half the fun to some people).
Tons of art in Iceland, but again not famous like the Louvre or Prado. Really quite an amazing place that isn't completely beat up by tourists and overrun by hordes, especially when compared to Rome, Paris, Barcelona, etc.
Cheap flights from the states. Not very long - 4, 5, 6 hours depending on where from.
Dec 4, 2015 | 1:16 pm
#21
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Hi guys,
Thank you for all the replies! I currently live in the U.S and am in my twenties. History is really what interests and learning about new cultures. I'm a very curious person so I love to learn. In high school world war 2 was always what interested me the most. I know August is one of the worst times to travel but the only other time I have is January and this January I can't go. As far as climate, I can handle either cold or hot but I would probably go cold.
Home is the United States
Personal interests are hiking, art (mostly painting,) architecture from the earlier centuries, history (WW2, ancient Egypt, Rome,)
Small budget but not terrible
No mobility issues
New Zealand without a second thought but when I go I'm planning to make it a good, long trip!
Thank you for all the replies! I currently live in the U.S and am in my twenties. History is really what interests and learning about new cultures. I'm a very curious person so I love to learn. In high school world war 2 was always what interested me the most. I know August is one of the worst times to travel but the only other time I have is January and this January I can't go. As far as climate, I can handle either cold or hot but I would probably go cold.
Home is the United States
Personal interests are hiking, art (mostly painting,) architecture from the earlier centuries, history (WW2, ancient Egypt, Rome,)
Small budget but not terrible
No mobility issues
New Zealand without a second thought but when I go I'm planning to make it a good, long trip!
Next would be Santorini and Athens Greece, Istanbul and Ephesus Turkey, Kotor Montenegro. That's another trip.
New Zealand for the sheer beauty but it needs more than a week.
Last edited by Jeannietx; Dec 4, 2015 at 1:45 pm
Dec 4, 2015 | 3:33 pm
#22
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Another easy-to-navigate-in-one-week trip that actually isn't bad in August: Barcelona.
Art and architecture galore. It'll be hot and humid, but you're on the sea so you can mix in a beach day in the middle to take advantage of that. Easy to get around on public transport. Cabs are plentiful if you want one, but you can make do on the metro without any difficulty. *No* need for a rental car. Your dollar goes reasonably far there (compared to much of Europe, anyway): our Renaissance hotel was just over 100 euro per night and there were lots of other options up or down the budget scale. There are certainly crowds, but almost every major tourist site in Barcelona has to be booked online ahead of time anyway, so that just means you have to plan. You don't need to queue at the sites themselves.
Mountains are nearby as well. Daytrips on commuter rail are easy and inexpensive. Montserrat is very much worthwhile...you could do some hiking up there too.
Art and architecture galore. It'll be hot and humid, but you're on the sea so you can mix in a beach day in the middle to take advantage of that. Easy to get around on public transport. Cabs are plentiful if you want one, but you can make do on the metro without any difficulty. *No* need for a rental car. Your dollar goes reasonably far there (compared to much of Europe, anyway): our Renaissance hotel was just over 100 euro per night and there were lots of other options up or down the budget scale. There are certainly crowds, but almost every major tourist site in Barcelona has to be booked online ahead of time anyway, so that just means you have to plan. You don't need to queue at the sites themselves.
Mountains are nearby as well. Daytrips on commuter rail are easy and inexpensive. Montserrat is very much worthwhile...you could do some hiking up there too.
Dec 7, 2015 | 8:11 am
#23
Join Date: Oct 2013
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I think Berlin is a good choice - a historically interesting city.
And it's easy, fast, and cheap to visit other German cities/towns from there.
Potsdam is about 30 minutes from Berlin by train, Leipzig a couple of hours, Dresden also a couple of hours if I remember right and Hamburg is 3 -3 1/2 hours - all by train.
Hotels in Berlin are cheap for Europe and Germany is generally a cheapish destination.
The weather is not too hot in August and Berlin (and Gernany in general) is not too crowded by tourists.
And it's easy, fast, and cheap to visit other German cities/towns from there.
Potsdam is about 30 minutes from Berlin by train, Leipzig a couple of hours, Dresden also a couple of hours if I remember right and Hamburg is 3 -3 1/2 hours - all by train.
Hotels in Berlin are cheap for Europe and Germany is generally a cheapish destination.
The weather is not too hot in August and Berlin (and Gernany in general) is not too crowded by tourists.