Last fall we did China & Japan and it was DH's first time overseas. The culture shock was too much for him and he HATED the language barrier and the food. So we're trying to come up with a European vacation next fall keeping those items in mind. Ideally we'd like to do 2 countries in 10 days. But everywhere looks so awesome to me, I'm having a hard time chosing! These are the contenders, if you had to chose or recommend 2, which ones would you pick?
1) London, 2) Paris, 3) Prague, 4) Geneva/ Montreux, 5) Rome
Please stick with the choices as I've already been to Greece, Spain, all of Scandanavia and we have no real interest in Germany, Poland, Turkey, etc. Thanks!!
Re: Vaca help from all ye world travelers
Obviously, those are the farthest apart from each other (Or at least close to it), so you'll want to take travel time into consideration when looking into it.
I was only in Rome for barely 36 hours (long story). The language barrier was frustrating, but the food is closer to American food than I imagine China & Japan are.
I did some work from London and stayed there for 2 weeks at a time twice. So, I'm a bit more knowledgeable on that city. No language barrier, except for some phrases / words or heavy accents. The food is good (especially if you like fried fish). There is PLENTY to do and the public transportation is easy to get around. Depending on your duration, a day trip to Bath / Stonehenge is also easy and fun.
Good luck!
Also, if the language barrier was such a big deal to him last time, London is the best way to go this time to convince him traveling can be fun.
We just did our HM in Munich and around Bavaria with a brief step into Austria so I'd totally recommend that area except you say you have no interest
It really was amazing! My only complaint was the coffee in Munich was terrible since apparently they are all obsessed with instant coffee..bleh!
I'd definitely do the UK (not just London). Then you can hit up Scotland, Ireland and Wales. 2 weeks should be plenty of time to get yourself immersed and hopefully spend some quality time in each country.
My second choice would be Prague. One of our really good family friends lived there for a time and absolutely loves the city!
FYI I have heard horror stories about the Paris airport from H's coworkers...I've never been myself so I can't speak from personal experience. While Paris is probably absolutely incredible, there are other places I'd rather go first. When my boss went earlier this summer they weren't even able to go up in the Eiffel Tower because of a union demonstration going on below it.
Paris has great food, great Museums/sites. I don't speak French but we survived just fine. We stayed outside the main tourist areas and we were treated better. Paris has a bigger problem with petty theft, as well as being harassed by Roma. I've been there twice, the first time I hated it, I loved it the second time.
Prague I just love. The architecture is amazing. It's less Americanized than the other cities. It does feel more foreign, there is less English spoken there. The food isn't great. But I just love feeling like you are in a whole other world. It's best for about 3 or 4 days though, so it's easy to combine with another place.
It's a shame you aren't interested in Germany, I think it's the most approachable for Americans. Everyone speaks English, all the signage/instructions are also in English. It's incredibly clean.
Interesting- I never knew Germany was such a nice, English-speaking place.
London probably does tip the scales, even though I have been there before. DH has not been and I know he'd love the sights and the food (and the English). I know two separate people living there would love to show us around a little. Also we live in New England so he thinks it would be really neat to visit some places we have towns named after like Brighton, Leicester, Oxford, ect.
@cafarrie I was kinda thinking the same thing...that Italy would be better to come back when we have the time to just stay there and hit up all the different Italian cities.
Doesn't Icelandic Air do like 2 day stopovers in Reykjavik on the way to London? Maybe that would be cool because the northern lights are in Sept.....hmmmm
PRAGUE!! It's SOO beautiful!!! Everything is so old and beautiful, and walking along the bridges is just breathtaking.
My 2nd choice would be Paris. It really is just SO romantic. Having said that, it is a rather expensive place to visit. Rome is nice, but it isn't very relaxing.
I personally don't like London. It's always rainy and cold, and I just wasn't a fan.
I've never been to Geneva, so I really can't speak about it in any light.
Have fun!!!!
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