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Topic: Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions  (Read 1063 times)

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Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions
« on: July 12, 2011, 01:00:55 PM »
Hi everyone,

DH wants to take a trip to somewhere *different*. 5-7 days. We don't speak any foreign languages. We are in our 50s and like theatre, music, museums, history, art, exploring.

We've done Paris, but no other European cities.

He's adament that he doesn't want to do the 'usual' Brit tourist places like Tenerife, etc etc

He mentioned Bucharest - god only knows why.  ???

What are some of your favourite Euro holiday destinations? Places you've really loved.

We live in Greater London, and no set timeframe/time of year.

Thank you!
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Re: Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2011, 01:15:32 PM »
Bucharest isn’t the nicest place you could go in Eastern Europe.  It’s really kinda dingy and dull.  However, if you want to explore Romania for a few days there is always Suceava, Brasov and Sighsoaura.  They are all worth your time.

If you want to go to Eastern Europe, the Czech Republic is a really good first time place.  They are used to tourists and as long as you don’t go off the beaten path, most people speak English. You could do something like Prage – Olomouc - Cesky Krumlov.  However, I think you would be hard pressed to find 5 days worth of things to do in most Eastern European cities as they are quite small.

If you want a one stop only type of deal Berlin and Rome would probably be your best bet.  However you might be able to make Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen last for 5 days. I’d just make sure that there is enough that you’re interested in there. 

If you stick to the more touristed places then there won’t be much of a language barrier at all.  If there is a particular country or city that you’re interested in let me know.  I’ve been to every country in Europe besides San Marino, Andorra and Belarus and can most likely help you out!


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Re: Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2011, 01:44:03 PM »
I hear Prague is nice. We loved Switzerland -- stayed outside Luzern on 2 different holidays.
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Re: Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2011, 01:47:45 PM »
I loved Salzburg.  Loads of history, loads of classical music, gorgeous city.  Vienna as well.  :)
"It is really a matter of ending this silence and solitude, of breathing and stretching one's arms again."


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Re: Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2011, 01:51:55 PM »
Vienna is super close to Bratislava - a nice place for a day trip if you run out of things to do in Vienna. Plus Bratislava has some gorgeous chocolate cafes!
I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.' Kurt Vonnegut


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Re: Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions
« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2011, 06:24:26 PM »
One of my favorite cities ever is Berlin. The history is so interesting and the way that it integrates with the city today is fascinating. I really love it and I'd love to be able to live there, someday.

I also really liked Krakow. I'd skip Prague. I lived there for 4 months and while it's a gorgeous city, it's become so Disneyfied thanks to tons of tourism. Krakow wasn't nearly as touristy but also gorgeous with lots to see. I skipped Auschwitz because I felt I wasn't prepared to handle seeing it but it is nearby, which presents a to-see-or-not-to-see conundrum.



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Re: Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions
« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2011, 06:44:30 PM »
To second aimlesstraveler, Poland in general is very nice.  Krakov, Wroclaw, Torun, Warsaw and Lodz were my favorite places there. 


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Re: Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions
« Reply #7 on: July 13, 2011, 10:56:51 AM »
These are all excellent suggestions and I'll be doing some Googling soon. Thank you.

I'm a somewhat seasoned traveler, although never to Europe. Do you think it's easy enough to plan this myself or should I gowith a package deal and if so - which one?
04/03 – Met UKC online
07/04 - Married UKC/lived in UK 1 mo.
11/04 - Moved to US 
11/08 - UKC husband received USC
03/10 - Decided to return to UK
04/10 – Received UK Spouse Visa (KOL REQ)
08/10 – Returned to UK to live; took KOL
12/10 - Received ILR
11/13 - Received British Citizenship


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Re: Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions
« Reply #8 on: July 13, 2011, 01:53:14 PM »
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Prague!!!  We went on our own (did a bit of research, bought a book) and it was easy and fabulous.  A lot of people there speak English.  Great food, reasonable prices and so beautiful!


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Re: Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions
« Reply #9 on: July 13, 2011, 02:29:26 PM »
We did Bruges by Eurostar (able to get tickets for £69 w/ return) last autumn and totally loved it. Was there for about 5 days and wasnt bored at all. You can do a day trip or stay over night in Brussels.

Loads of museums and amazing places to eat.. (oh the food was so lovely there) English isnt their main language but its is spoken in most places and most menus are available in English as well.


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Re: Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions
« Reply #10 on: July 13, 2011, 04:46:44 PM »
These are all excellent suggestions and I'll be doing some Googling soon. Thank you.

I'm a somewhat seasoned traveler, although never to Europe. Do you think it's easy enough to plan this myself or should I gowith a package deal and if so - which one?

I wouldn't bother with a tour group. You'll have a better expiriance doing your own thing. 


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Re: Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions
« Reply #11 on: July 13, 2011, 08:07:59 PM »
I wouldn't bother with a tour group. You'll have a better expiriance doing your own thing. 


I meant using someone like Thomas Cook to provide a package deal but not with a tour group.
04/03 – Met UKC online
07/04 - Married UKC/lived in UK 1 mo.
11/04 - Moved to US 
11/08 - UKC husband received USC
03/10 - Decided to return to UK
04/10 – Received UK Spouse Visa (KOL REQ)
08/10 – Returned to UK to live; took KOL
12/10 - Received ILR
11/13 - Received British Citizenship


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  • Posts: 190

  • When in doubt, the answer's always tea!
    • Tea in England
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  • Joined: Mar 2010
  • Location: Greater London via Charleston, SC
SORTED! Thank you! re: Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions
« Reply #12 on: July 13, 2011, 08:40:43 PM »
Thank you everyone. Love all these suggestions. Want to visit every place mentioned (and hopefully, will).

We've decided on Salzburg. (NoseOverTail, you win the Kewpie doll! LOL) The combination of history and classical music too hard to resist - plus, my grandfather (no longer alive) was born in Austria (down on the Slovenian border) so will be a bit like 'going home'.

Now OFF to do some research (which I love almost as much as the trip itself).

Thanks again, friends!
04/03 – Met UKC online
07/04 - Married UKC/lived in UK 1 mo.
11/04 - Moved to US 
11/08 - UKC husband received USC
03/10 - Decided to return to UK
04/10 – Received UK Spouse Visa (KOL REQ)
08/10 – Returned to UK to live; took KOL
12/10 - Received ILR
11/13 - Received British Citizenship


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Re: Looking for Euro holiday destination suggestions
« Reply #13 on: July 14, 2011, 08:58:58 AM »
Yay! I win!!  ;D  I hope you have a great time!  :)
"It is really a matter of ending this silence and solitude, of breathing and stretching one's arms again."


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