3 Months in Europe - Suggestions? - Page 3

Grumpy · #41 Posted **Mar 1, 2009, 9:02 PM**

All I can say is : have a great time

muppet · #42 Posted **Mar 2, 2009, 2:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayreonaut

Here's the new list, averaging around 4.5 days/city.

London *
Manchester
Edinburgh
Dublin
Paris *
Marseilles
Brussels
Cologne
Amsterdam
Hamburg
Copenhagen/Malmo
Berlin
Prague
Budapest *
Vienna
Venice *
Rome
Milan
Zurich/Bern/Geneva (which Swiss city should we go to?)
Munich
Luxembourg

Things might change a bit, but this is generally the plan.

I'm so unbelievably stoked for this, only a month left!

Its weird youre doing gritty, hip 20th Century Marseilles then going all the way back up north for Brussels. Maybe Lyon, France's second city (best food too, and a UNESCO Urban Heritage Site for the historic centre+ loads of new progressive development), or Strasbourg, possibly the most European looking centre in Europe, like in the fairy stories (its actually a border city swapping between French and Germanic styles as it once straddled both countries, with its population still working in Germany and living in France, and vice versa etc.), a mix of architecture in styles and ages, and threaded through with canals:

Also I strongly, strongly recommend Munich (perhaps over 20th Century Cologne) - its historic yet very very progressive, with a stunning Old Town, palaces galore, and amazing new architecture too, gorgeous parkland, and alot of bier. It recently usurped Copenhagen to take top spot for the world's most liveable city - and is very much a pulse of city planning zeitgeist at the mo'.

muppet · #43 Posted **Mar 2, 2009, 2:42 AM**

Not to put a spanner in the works but there are a great many natural or small town sights you could intersperse between the city breaks. For example, on my journey through Europe there was one scene I sought out after a picture in a book I once saw as a kid.

It was Staubbach Falls in the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. What I didint know was that it was in Lauterbrunnen Valley, which was just spectacular:

Lauterbrunnen lies in a valley in Switzerland, surrounded by 3000 ft cliffs with no less than 72 waterfalls cascading down it:

I visited this place by train in 2004, I have to say it's one of Europe's best kept secrets:

Staubbach Falls

muppet · #44 Posted **Mar 2, 2009, 2:44 AM**

I also strongly suggest you look through this 6 page thread for any ideas, with a map of Europe handy to see if any of these places are near your routes:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=160158

Ayreonaut · #45 Posted **Mar 2, 2009, 4:02 AM**

I've looked at that thread often.

There may be a few changes in the works, as if I work with the timing I can meet up with some relatives who will be in Southern France in early June I think. I'll play around with a new map tonight, maybe adding Strasbourg if it's worth it, and going to Marseilles later on after Milan (I hear Monaco is ridiculously expensive). Then I'll have to confirm the new schedule with my friend. When we know for sure I'll post a map, but things are still somewhat up in the air.

muppet · #46 Posted **Mar 2, 2009, 11:11 AM**

all the best of luck, enjoy the experience (all that is good n bad). And while youre on the trip, forget the past and the future, live in the NOW

Ayreonaut · #47 Posted **Mar 5, 2009, 11:00 PM**

Rotterdam or Antwerp, which one should we go to for a day or two?

R@ptor · #48 Posted **Mar 5, 2009, 11:19 PM**

How about both for a day each

They are not that big and can be seen in a single day. Plus they would make for nice contrasts, one day all the modern architecture in Rotterdam and the next all the historic buildings in Antwerp. And its just a 1-hour train ride between the two of them.

Bergenser · #49 Posted **Mar 5, 2009, 11:38 PM**

Enjoy Europe!

CHapp · #50 Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 1:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by urbanlife

Cologne is a definite must for you, there is a museum there that is designed by Peter Zumthor, who is one of the greatest architects from Switzerland. It would be a shame to pass up seeing any of his work.

Hey, the man just won the Pritzker prize!

Ayreonaut · #51 Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 8:45 AM**

What museum was that? It's too late now, since I've already been through Cologne, but I may have seen it.

mthq · #52 Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 9:24 AM**

so where you at now? and how is it?

btw it may be too late, but I'd throw in Frankfurt Main (about 1 hour east of Cologne) as a place to visit for 1 day. The skyscrapers located there have to be seen in person, most especially the Messeturm.

SHiRO · #53 Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 12:29 PM**

Messeturm remains one of my favorites for sure.

Frankfurt only one hour east of Cologne makes it sound so close. I guess it is for someone living in Alaska!

Ayreonaut · #54 Posted **Apr 13, 2009, 10:46 PM**

I suppose that would be different than the Messeturm in Cologne.

I went through a Frankfurt Train station, but didn't stop there. I will get there some day though. I'm in Antwerp right now, but am going to Rotterdam tomorrow for 2 nights. So far we've hit London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Paris, Strasbourg, Cologne, Brussels, and Antwerp. I must say that London and Brussels are my favourites so far. Dublin was the most disappointing, but we were staying with friends, so it was still nice.

SHiRO · #55 Posted **Apr 14, 2009, 4:38 AM**

How did you went up in Frankfurt when you just visited those cities you listed? It's not really en route between any of them.

Have fun in Rotterdam! At least the weather should be nice. Are you going to stay in the city for the whole two days or are you going to take side trips? (to The Hague or Delft for instance). Maybe you will like a tour of the port area. The boats who do that are based close to the Erasmus bridge. Also check out Europe's first skyscraper (the White House) in the Old Harbour. The famous Cube houses are also near there.

R@ptor · #56 Posted **Apr 14, 2009, 9:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHiRO

How did you went up in Frankfurt when you just visited those cities you listed? It's not really en route between any of them.

It is actually en route between Strasbourg and Cologne. Strasbourg-Karlsruhe (switch from the TGV to the ICE)-Mannheim-Frankfurt-Bonn-Cologne.

@Ayreonaut: What are your next stops after Rotterdam? The Hague? Amsterdam?

SHiRO · #57 Posted **Apr 14, 2009, 11:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by R@ptor

It is actually en route between Strasbourg and Cologne. Strasbourg-Karlsruhe (switch from the TGV to the ICE)-Mannheim-Frankfurt-Bonn-Cologne.

OK, I see. I'm more used to thinking in car travel instead of trains.

staff · #58 Posted **Apr 14, 2009, 5:37 PM**

So soon you'll hit up Copenhagen I assume? You should pray for nice weather - it has been really nice the past 2 weeks or so with temps between 15-20 degrees, but right now is the most unstable time of the year climate wise. It could be 8 degrees and rainy in a week!