Post by: trophyhunt on March 08, 2025, 11:04:17 AM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on March 08, 2025, 11:21:35 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on March 08, 2025, 11:29:39 AM
Post by: baldopepper on March 08, 2025, 11:33:38 AM
Post by: 3boys on March 08, 2025, 11:39:15 AM
Post by: Gentrys on March 08, 2025, 01:41:37 PM
Post by: MADMAX on March 08, 2025, 02:08:47 PM
Amazing to see Giza
Barcelona and Majorca
Dubrovnik
Post by: BD1 on March 08, 2025, 02:42:25 PM
Post by: Doublelunger on March 08, 2025, 03:04:22 PM
Post by: Fidelk on March 08, 2025, 04:46:22 PM
Post by: Skillet on March 08, 2025, 09:07:30 PM
Even with Paris out of the equation, if you have any interest in history the channel coast of France is worth a month on its own. I spent time in Normandy during a cold November, loved it. The D-Day beaches, towns surrounding, and the Normandy American Cemetery should be a mandatory stop for any Americans in Europe, imho. As impressive as that was, nothing else in Normandy disappointed.
Post by: HighCountryHunter88 on March 08, 2025, 10:46:35 PM
Post by: JJJ on March 08, 2025, 11:29:33 PM
if you are into history, PLEASE don't overlook Bayeux France . one of the only towns not bombed in WWII on the coast to nearby normandy....an absolute gem... TONS of history there....stay in a period original hotel and get up early to walk the cobblestone streets before the others get up... enjoy French fresh incredible pasties served as they set up their stands.; enjoy the sunrise over this beautiful little town....... priceless memories.... Normandy beach is nearby. Get a good tour guide and go.. you will NEVER regret it. Visit the US cemetery that overlooks Omaha Beach. Be there when they play taps at dusk and lower the flag. I assure you; unexpected tears flow freely without notice- not a dry eye there, and it's totally unexpected. Its a beyond powerful memory that I will NEVER forget. Unexpected, but is one of my most cherished moments of my life....God bless those brave souls on that hallowed ground.
Post by: trophyhunt on March 09, 2025, 11:02:34 AM
Post by: Fidelk on March 09, 2025, 02:50:37 PM
I think you would appreciate what Switzerland has to offer 👍
Beautiful country. Was in Zermatt in 1973.......rode a gondola up to a glacier and then walked up the glacier to the Italian border and a ski area......admiring the view of the Matterhorn as I climbed. Think I even had to go through Italian immigration. I really put on the raclette feed bag that night. You don't hear much about their food and wine scene but with a convergence of Swiss-French-German-Austrian-Italian cultures.......great chow and vino.
Post by: ganghis on March 09, 2025, 05:08:19 PM
Post by: kselkhunter on March 09, 2025, 06:05:52 PM
Cinque Terre in Italy was one of my favorite spots I've ever been, but that was over 20 years ago and I've heard it's pretty busy now. Was pretty tame when I was there. I would go down at dawn and chat with the local commercial fisherman. We got invited to dinner by a local fishing couple at their home, and they broke out some of their homebrew limoncello. Fun night.
Even with Paris out of the equation, if you have any interest in history the channel coast of France is worth a month on its own. I spent time in Normandy during a cold November, loved it. The D-Day beaches, towns surrounding, and the Normandy American Cemetery should be a mandatory stop for any Americans in Europe, imho. As impressive as that was, nothing else in Normandy disappointed.
Cinque Terre is pretty sleepy still. Not much different. I've been 4 times in the past 30 years, including last April. It's truly a special place.
Post by: kselkhunter on March 09, 2025, 06:09:45 PM
The Rick Steves guides are useful. I've been using them since the early 1990s. He's from Seattle, and you can see his videos on public broadcasting. I've been all over western Europe many times using his guides, frequently returning to my favorite areas so feel free to PM with questions. Eastern Europe is my next focus. With Croatia and Slovenia coming up next year.
Post by: Stein on March 09, 2025, 06:43:30 PM
I loved Istanbul, they subsidize flights so you can sometimes get amazing deals on Turkish airlines. We flew Paris, Istanbul, Seattle for about 40% less than any other return I could find.
Junfgrau region is probably my favorite place in the world. Murren would be my choice for sure. Switzerland is spendy, I didn't care for Zurich as much especially given the cost. If you like mountains, it really is like nowhere else I've been.
Germany is hard to beat, we visited Dachau, very tough mentally but highly recommended. Munich is a nearby place to stay and the Hoffbrau Haus is really fun and great food and beer. I love Cologne, the cathedral is beyond words and if you're into some exercise climbing to the top is amazing.
Amsterdam was one of my family's top choices, the tourist canal tours right outside the train station are affordable and a great introduction to the city.
I liked Paris, great food and the Eifle tower at night is very special and really fun to go up and walk down. My family wasn't as impressed as I was.
Pamplona is another top spot I love for the old town charm and unbeatable tapas but really out of the way for the rest of the continent.
Post by: Widgeondeke on March 09, 2025, 10:22:57 PM
Norway is another spot that English is spoken by most people. Bergen was great and of course the train to Flam
In Italy, I prefer Florence, Pisa and Forte de Marni.
Post by: trophyhunt on March 10, 2025, 06:44:27 AM
Post by: IDWAHunt on March 10, 2025, 09:44:01 AM
Haven’t been to southern Europe but Tallin, Estonia was cool. Long history of conflict there with a less touristy old town nestled in the heart of a small modern city.
Post by: farmin4u_98948 on March 10, 2025, 07:46:48 PM
I would echo some previous posts, Bayeux is an absolute can't miss spot. I would spend 3 days there to see it all, we only spent two and were rushed. Overlord Tours is the one to go with, our guide was a Brit living in France with a Ph.D. in French history.
I loved Istanbul, they subsidize flights so you can sometimes get amazing deals on Turkish airlines. We flew Paris, Istanbul, Seattle for about 40% less than any other return I could find.
Junfgrau region is probably my favorite place in the world. Murren would be my choice for sure. Switzerland is spendy, I didn't care for Zurich as much especially given the cost. If you like mountains, it really is like nowhere else I've been.
Germany is hard to beat, we visited Dachau, very tough mentally but highly recommended. Munich is a nearby place to stay and the Hoffbrau Haus is really fun and great food and beer. I love Cologne, the cathedral is beyond words and if you're into some exercise climbing to the top is amazing.
Amsterdam was one of my family's top choices, the tourist canal tours right outside the train station are affordable and a great introduction to the city.
I liked Paris, great food and the Eifle tower at night is very special and really fun to go up and walk down. My family wasn't as impressed as I was.
Pamplona is another top spot I love for the old town charm and unbeatable tapas but really out of the way for the rest of the continent.
We did Turkey last year. Istanbul. Ephesus. Cappadocia. 5 weeks. If you love old world history it’s incredible. Fly Turkish air. We really felt like our dollar went a long way. From Istanbul you can hop to most anywhere in Europe easily and not costly. We did it in April. Great time of year to beat the crowds and the weather was still ok
Post by: trophyhunt on March 11, 2025, 06:17:27 AM
Post by: OutHouse on March 11, 2025, 09:36:54 AM
Go to Ireland. Stay in Dublin and take a bus up to Belfast. Do the taxi cab tour to learn about why northern Ireland is technically owned by the UK and all the history of that. Very informative and very cool. It's surreal to cross into the british section of belfast with a huge razor wired wall. You can sign the wall too!
Post by: pianoman9701 on March 11, 2025, 11:05:34 AM
I think you would appreciate what Switzerland has to offer 👍
What a beautiful country. I've stayed in the Jungfrau region in Lauterbrunnen and Wengen. The 4K' waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen are not to be missed. Mt. Eiger in Wengen has some restaurants and hotels where you can sit and watch the climbers in the infamous north face. Bruge Belgium is home to many 400-600 year old cathedrals. The Belgian people are very nice. Holland, Amsterdam specifically, has lots of history, music, and art. The Rijksmuseum contains the world's largest collection of Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh works. Even if you think you're not into art, the displays are incredibly moving. Vaya con dios!
Post by: scotsman on March 11, 2025, 12:33:08 PM
Post by: wadu1 on March 11, 2025, 04:23:38 PM
Post by: jstone on March 11, 2025, 07:37:22 PM
Post by: addicted1 on March 11, 2025, 10:43:12 PM
Post by: spin05 on March 12, 2025, 02:14:47 AM
Post by: skipjack on March 25, 2025, 01:43:36 PM
Itinerary is...
2 day layover in iceland
4 days Barcelona
10 day cruise France, 3 stops in Italy, 3 stops in Greece, 2 stops in Turkey.
5 days istanbul
2 day layover in london.
Input and advice appreciated.. also questions about experience shipping stuff home.. got a bad feeling about the wife and shopping habits.......
Post by: pianoman9701 on March 25, 2025, 02:39:06 PM
Post by: Stein on March 25, 2025, 02:48:19 PM
We have T-mobile and got every country we needed for free. Some plans allow you to add a bunch of countries for a few bucks, much easier than juggling sim cards every time you cross a border.
Post by: 3boys on March 26, 2025, 11:03:41 AM
Post by: JBG on March 26, 2025, 04:16:38 PM
Do you recommend getting a e sim for the phones? Trying to plan details for a trip we are taking in a few months. I have been looking into it and I find you can buy an e Sims for multiple areas but can't figure out how you switch each time..Turkey is cool but just be aware that every "tour" will have a stop where they try to sell you a rug or pottery.
Itinerary is...
2 day layover in iceland
4 days Barcelona
10 day cruise France, 3 stops in Italy, 3 stops in Greece, 2 stops in Turkey.
5 days istanbul
2 day layover in london.
Input and advice appreciated.. also questions about experience shipping stuff home.. got a bad feeling about the wife and shopping habits.......
If you do make it to Bayeux I recommend eating at "La Rapiere" https://www.larapiere.net/
Post by: skipjack on March 26, 2025, 07:03:35 PM
Post by: 3boys on March 27, 2025, 01:50:57 AM
As for France we are going to Nice and will be doing a day trip to monaco... kind of want to throw down a bet at the monte carlo casino and the race stuff will be cool to see... that's good news about verizon I will give them a call.. thanks for the input..if you have time stop in Eze. It’s between Nice and Monaco. Cool little city in the hills.
Post by: Stein on March 27, 2025, 07:12:52 AM
The grand bazar is pretty lame, I only went to walk through the same entrances that Marco Polo did. There are tons of better places if you want to buy anything or just stroll the streets.