'Must Visit' European Cities

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 08 Feb 2009, 21:17

I'm very much a European at heart and I love European cities. I have visited Brussels, Paris, Nice, Munich, Heidelberg, Venice, Geneva and Lausanne. Next on my 'to do' list are Milan, Rome, Florence, Vienna, Barcelona and Madrid.

From personal experience, can anyone recommend any additions to my list?

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 08 Feb 2009, 21:31

Berlin and Budapest come to mind. In fact, Mr Poppy and I visted Vienna AND Budapest on one holiday and went from V to B by boat down the Danube which added to the thrill!

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 08 Feb 2009, 21:34

Athens, Prague, Oslo and Dublin.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 08 Feb 2009, 21:40

It's just unfortunate that many of these destinations have now become stag night venues.

I'm sure I read somewhere that there are so many people who arrive in error at Bucharest intending to go to Budapest and vice versa that they have an 'idiot shuttle flight' between the two cities.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 08 Feb 2009, 21:48

Maybe the Euro being so strong will make a difference to credit-crunched revellers??

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 08 Feb 2009, 21:59

Bob Jefferson wrote:It's just unfortunate that many of these destinations have now become stag night venues.

True, though our own fair city (including, apparently, Portobello Golf Course!!) is fast becoming the hen/stag destination of many, so perhaps things are looking up in other European capitals?

Didn't see any pink cowboy hats or Borat thongs in Oslo and was lucky enough to see Prague before it was blighted. I know Dublin has tried to discourage hens and stags, but don't know how successful this has been.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 08 Feb 2009, 22:10

To be fair, there are times when a gaggle of giggling girls in nurse uniforms is just the ticket but perhaps less so on a family holiday. I blame Easyjet in a very hypocritical fashion and don't expect to have to pay a surcharge for my double standards.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 08 Feb 2009, 23:06

Amsterdam
Reykjavik

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 08 Feb 2009, 23:10

Palma

Want to go to Barcelona too

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 08 Feb 2009, 23:16

Been to Amsterdam on various occasions. Love the idea of Reykjavík but get the impression it's very expensive.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 08 Feb 2009, 23:17

How about a talkporty/dudchat weekend away in Barcelona?

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 08 Feb 2009, 23:20

I loved Budapest. By far the best place I've ever been . Was in Barcelona last year but it was so incredibly hot that I can't say it was a brilliant holiday. Great to see the sights but don't think I'd go back.

Post by **wangi** » 09 Feb 2009, 00:08

Visit the "B List", the path less trodden and with less pesky tourists... Utrecht, Lüneburg, Malmö, Stavanger, Bratislava, Toro, Salamanca, Napoli (if you don't mind the mess), Cork, and definitely Lisboa.

Franck · Post by **Franck** » 09 Feb 2009, 11:18

I'd avoid Milan, outwith the duomo and the galleria(?) there is nowt, reminds me of Birmingham.

In Italy my personal top three are Verona,Siena & Florence.

Copenhagen,Seville,Madrid,Lyon & Barca are all good shouts.

Amsterdam is a dump imo.Too many jaikies,junkies,gangsters,pimps,stags,hens,stoners & cyclers for my liking

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 09 Feb 2009, 12:02

Franck wrote:Amsterdam is a dump imo.

been there once and that was enough

For something different - why not try Belfast? The city is looking amazing these days - lots to do, fab bars and restaurants and, of course great craik.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 09 Feb 2009, 12:51

Add Krakow to my list.

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 09 Feb 2009, 14:55

Belgrade
Budva
Minsk
Odessa

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 Feb 2009, 20:06

Excellent. Lot's of good ideas there. Now I need you to plan out an itinerary for me. I want to spend 3 or 4 days in each city to do them justice, so I'm looking at 3 centre holidays over the space of a fortnight.

The only proviso is that they have to start and end at (or near) a cheap flight option, preferably to/from Edinburgh. I'm happy to use the train between cities or other forms of public transport. I'm not interested in driving.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 09 Feb 2009, 20:26

Bob Jefferson wrote:How about a talkporty/dudchat weekend away in Barcelona?

I would go for that. We are going again soon and I feel I know the place like the back of my hand! Do you think we could swing it?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 Feb 2009, 20:45

Not sure I could afford it to be honest. I'm just back from an expensive week in Venice and already committed to another couple of holidays this year and a long weekend. Have you managed to catch a game at the Nou Camp on any of your previous trips?

Btw, I think another great weekend away would be Oktoberfest in Munich. Direct flights from Edinburgh with Easyjet and I know a very nice and inexpensive hotel bang in the centre.

Post by **wangi** » 09 Feb 2009, 20:51

Bob Jefferson wrote:The only proviso is that they have to start and end at (or near) a cheap flight option, preferably to/from Edinburgh. I'm happy to use the train between cities or other forms of public transport. I'm not interested in driving.

With direct flights from Edinburgh these possibilities come to mind:

Wrocław->Dresden->Berlin
Copenhagen->Malmö->Oslo (the budget buster!)
Pula->Ljubljana->Venice
Bratislava->Vienna->Linz->Munich
Zurich->Bern->Torino->Milan

Thinking about Wrocław->Görlitz->Berlin later in the year...

This page is useful: http://www.edinburghairport.com/portal/ ... +airlines/ (see also the map link on the left menu)

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 09 Feb 2009, 21:14

The only thing I've seen at the Nou camp is springsteen on 2 unforgettable evenings last July. Affordability is an issue and I imagine squaring it with partners may be another. Having said that we could plan ahead for say late 2010 - save up £20 a month and enjoy the online preamble. I think it would be good to go on a trip with a group of adults and it wouldn't have to be Bcn.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 Feb 2009, 21:49

Late 2010 sounds good. September maybe? I would be in a position to confirm dates from end November 2009.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 09 Feb 2009, 22:07

Can you imagine what sort of trouble we'd get in in a foreign city

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 Feb 2009, 22:18

I've only just convinced my wife it's a good idea.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 09 Feb 2009, 23:26

Bob Jefferson wrote:I've only just convinced my wife it's a good idea.

Could you PM me some top tips Bob!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 09 Feb 2009, 23:49

We would have to take school hols into account for price and availability for any education people who wish to come. Should we open s saving account and then decide where and when at the end of the year?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 10 Feb 2009, 00:24

I'm in. PoP, you need to be there - you're my minder!

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 10 Feb 2009, 09:38

I believe Reykjavik has a reputation as being expensive. We went there in the early 80s when Iceland was still a "dry " country ".
We got passes to do the round Iceland tour on the buses
Saw thw original Geysir, Gulfoss, Myvatn ( lake of the midgies ) Thingvellir, glaciers, waterfalls, volcanos the lot!

Clanger 1 did a backpack around bits of Europe a couple of years ago.
Mostly staying in hostels but also some hotels.
Travelling mostly by train
They flew Newcastle to Krackow ( think you can now fly there from Edinburgh ), then Warsaw and visited Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Zagreb, Rijeka, Luton, Paris, flying home to Edinburgh

my order may be a bit muddled in the middle

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 10 Feb 2009, 22:16

Bob Jefferson wrote:I'm in. PoP, you need to be there - you're my minder!

I am unable to do September due to work commitments.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 Jun 2009, 23:13

The current plan is:

Edinburgh - Prague with Jet2.com
Prague - Vienna by train
Vienna - Berlin with AirBerlin
Berlin - Edinburgh with Ryanair

Four nights in each city. Just need to find some award-winning, reasonably-priced accommodation.

Franck · Post by **Franck** » 12 Jun 2009, 08:59

Bob Jefferson wrote: Have you managed to catch a game at the Nou Camp on any of your previous trips?

I've seen a few games at Camp Nou, it's a terrific night.Amazingly cheap too, it costs less than any SPHell match, your up in the gods, but it's braw.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 12 Jun 2009, 10:44

Franck wrote:
Bob Jefferson wrote: Have you managed to catch a game at the Nou Camp on any of your previous trips?

I've seen a few games at Camp Nou, it's a terrific night.Amazingly cheap too, it costs less than any SPHell match, your up in the gods, but it's braw.

Not seen a game but seen Bruce Springsteen there twice. Best ever - the Spanish crowd are really brilliant.