European Travel Suggestions

[bakerhillpins]

Hey all,

So my wife's job is finally paying dividends and I will be able to accompany her on a business trip to London at the end of March!!   Kids will be at home with their grandparents so we will be on our own.   I have never been to Europe, in fact my worldly travel is limited to Canada. (Great place but at 2 hrs away its not really "foreign" to me) My wife has been to Europe/Asia several times and frequently goes for her job, this being the first time we have been able to take advantage of it. Her business is in the beginning of the week so we have a few days to ourselves, maybe up to 4. Being that I have never been there she suggested a few 2nd destinations (all we think we have time for) of Ireland, Paris France, and Belgium (Bruges maybe).

For those of you on the other side of the pond or have been do you have any alternate suggestions for a destination? Or reasons why one of her initial thoughts would be a good choice? We were thinking of keeping to a larger city so we could fly back to the US from there, but traveling back to London isn't out of the question as we could take a different transit method back to get a different view.

Any suggestions welcome. I am way excited. Thanks!

[moparjohn]

Not much of a modern help here as I never intend on needing a passport again, BUT the area around the Rhine river was cool in 1983, and then I was in the Black Forest, Swiss Alps and such.  The old old European towns were quite interesting. Good luck in your adventure for sure!

[Patronus]

Take the Eurostar to Paris. Two hours and you're there. Go to Rodin's home. Stroll the Champs Elysees and the Marais.

[wingcar]

I loved Germany with a side trip down through the Black Forest to the Swiss Alps.  Also, went to Berlin which of course met traveling through East Germany....That was both fun and interesting.  Did it all by rented car and had a blast on the autobahn (even if it was only a little Ford).  I will never forget seeing a full size crew cab Chevy Pickup with an overhead camper sitting in one of the smaller towns.  There was a long line of locals that were waiting to see the inside.  I still wonder how he navigated the small streets! 

I also did Finland....beautiful country and very nice people.  Of course the family was dressed in colorful California clothes that made us stand out as American's.....it was December and so we had to buy some real winder cloths...not California winder clothes.  Most everywhere we went the people were great. 

[Shakey]

Take the Eurostar to Paris. Two hours and you're there. Go to Rodin's home. Stroll the Champs Elysees and the Marais.

I'd agree with this!

There is so much to see and do all through Europe, if time is precious, this is the way to go!  Don't waste time traveling when you could be taking in the sights and culture.  The other destinations mentioned are also beautiful places to visit, maybe on the next trip.

In 2007 I traveled with the family to London, spent a few days touring the city and then hopped on the train to Paris for a few days there.

[stripedelete]

Why not just focus on London and check it off the list?  After that I would say Paris this trip and Paris the next trip.

Tons to see.  Have fun.

[TUFCAT]

I'll ask Mrs. Tufcat.  She knows a little bit about that area.   

[Mytur Binsdirti]

Any suggestions welcome. I am way excited. Thanks!

I can see it now..............


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RimYZqhQvU

[green69rt]

There's lots to do in London, London Tower, Tower Bridge, Cutty Sark, many castles, gardens.  The spring is wonderful, all the horse chestnuts are blooming.  A nice side trip is to Bath (sp?).  Back in london - the Que(sp) Gardens.  Double Decker bus tour.  Do not try to drive!!!  Subway and taxi's everywhere for sure, plus they drive on the left.  Only four days...never have time to see it all.  Don't even think about British food (maybe a little just so you can say you did), wonderful Indian, oriental, others just not British.

Next time plan an extra week and go to Scotland or Ireland.

[bakerhillpins]

This is great stuff folks! Thanks. 

I think my OP was a bit confusing. We are in London from Sunday through Wednesday morning: she is working for an hour or so Monday evening, all day Tuesday, and Wednesday morning. So ~2 days in London plus Tuesday Evening/Night. Then on to one other location of which we had 3 places in mind...  So far most of the feedback we are getting suggests Paris from Wednesday afternoon through Friday. Don't know if we want to fly home Saturday or Sunday yet.

This is all really "last minute" even though it's just a tad over a month out.  I know that there are endless things to do but one thing that I just can't stand is to plan out every minute of my life when I am on vacation. I prefer to set the big picture and then just let it flow from there. If something presents an opportunity then we go with it and so on. So all of this is good stuff so that we can map out that big picture and leave it at that.

[bakerhillpins]

I can see it now..............


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RimYZqhQvU

   "Look kids, Big Ben, Parliament"   

[bakerhillpins]

Next time plan an extra week and go to Scotland or Ireland.

Yea in a perfect world... The way the office travel schedule typically works these trips are in the 3rd quarter. We have been planning (saving vacation time and setting up the parents for kid duty) this for her normally scheduled travel at that time (this fall). This trip was a last minute business decision. Going by the old adage one in the hand better than 2 in the bush, we are taking this opportunity as it's here and nothing in the fall is guaranteed.  That also means that I have less vacation time ATM due to already planned family and Carlisle trips. I could take unpaid leave but there are scheduling difficulties with watching the kids. So I take what I can while I have it. We hope to have more opportunity later but ya never know.