You have 4 extra days in Europe. Do you go to London, Amsterdamn or Both?

[BBdK]

I don't disagree if you feel it's your only chance. That's obviously not the case w/ Big Balla HUBER.

On my first trip, I wasn't aware if/when we'd be back, so we crammed quite a bit in. We actually did an overnight Ferry from London (Liverpool) to Rotterdam. It was like a small little cruise ship, with a few restaurants & a makeshift casino. Nice little cabins. Left late in the evening, had dinner/drinks on board, went to sleep, and woke up in Holland.

Gained an extra day in London & full 1st day in Amsterdam as a result - was pretty proud of myself for that idea at the time.

 

[WayneDougan_rivals170043]

On my first trip, I wasn't aware if/when we'd be back, so we crammed quite a bit in. We actually did an overnight Ferry from London (Liverpool) to Rotterdam. It was like a small little cruise ship, with a few restaurants & a makeshift casino. Nice little cabins. Left late in the evening, had dinner/drinks on board, went to sleep, and woke up in Holland.

That's awesome - I work in Rotterdam quite a bit - I may try to do that overnight trip to England next time I go.

 

[BBdK]

StenaLine: https://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland/ferry-from-london-to-Amsterdam

It was fun & practical. We did the "Rail & Sail" - includes all your train tickets as well.

 

[DSmith21]

Thanks. Have been over most of France - Paris, Nice, Monaco, Provence, Loire Valley, Cote de Or, Lascaux Cave & other caves with paintings, Mont St. Michel, Normandy, Caen, Bayeux (Tapestry), Honfleur, Reims, Chartres, Giverny, Versailles & more, but not Lyon - or Bordeaux.

Bordeaux is beautiful. Monaco is not in France; it's in.......Monaco.[winking]

 

[Ribsandwhitebread]

Also a big difference in traveling solo and having a +1 wife with you, Wayne. I'll assume we could all hit some hot spots and keep it moving by ourselves, but add in the inevitable slowing down that another traveler brings would make 4 days in two cities (at least one half day of it being travel) a difficult task.

 

[BBdK]

Yeah, I mean Wayne's wife layed down and took a nap on a dinner table in Paris so I can't imagine him being able to pull it off with much success either.

Wives change everything.

 

[WayneDougan_rivals170043]

I'll give Mrs. Dougan credit, despite her hillbilly mealtime ways which are a product of being born and raised in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, she could navigate Paris better than Rick Steves. In fact, she was pissed I wanted to spend half a day in Lourve. The electric bicycle tour she booked us on in Paris was the highlight of the trip.

 

[BBdK]

Rick Steeves is one creepy dbag.

 

[DSmith21]

Rick Steeves is one creepy dbag.

He is also a cheap bastard who stays in 4th rate accommodations. I would never take a hotel recommendation from Smarmy Steves.

 

[BBdK]

Back when I was a clueless traveler I used to somewhat enjoy his books & articles when researching hopeful/future Europe travels until one day I accidentally caught his show on PBS or something. He was ruined forever, nearly instantaneously.

 

[HUBER]

Damn guys. Tons of solid recs as I knew the Paddock would come up with. I so greatly appreciate all of the info and think we have decided to just do 4 days in London. West end for sure with no real place to be or go, just will wonder the city and see and do what feels good for the day. Then taking the train to Paris & France for a week. While I hate to miss Amsterdam this trip, maybe its a place we could all go for PTI (pti)'s bachelor party? Not sure its a place my wife would really enjoy anyways and his wedding deserves an epic over the top bachelor party anyways.

Again, I appreciate the hell out of the solid advice from everyone. SO greatly appreciated!

 

[awf]

London.......(we grow good reefer in KY.....) I had the good fortune of going there 13 different times.....I have been to Paris twice.......there is so much to see in London.......mail me some fish and chips.......I am going back for a couple of weeks in the fall......My daughter lived over there for 14 yrs.....plus we have access to Delta buddy passes...

 

[awf]

Damn guys. Tons of solid recs as I knew the Paddock would come up with. I so greatly appreciate all of the info and think we have decided to just do 4 days in London. West end for sure with no real place to be or go, just will wonder the city and see and do what feels good for the day. Then taking the train to Paris & France for a week. While I hate to miss Amsterdam this trip, maybe its a place we could all go for PTI (pti)'s bachelor party? Not sure its a place my wife would really enjoy anyways and his wedding deserves an epic over the top bachelor party anyways.

Again, I appreciate the hell out of the solid advice from everyone. SO greatly appreciated!

If you are going to be in the West End check out Brown's Court House.......(it is right next door to the Neil Coward Theater)..........fantastic food and not bad prices......unless the conversion rate is 2.07 like it was on one of our visits......Windsor Castle is good for a day........

 

[Wildcats1st]

Reason Europeans are so fit.

This and cigarettes

 

[Pygmy Sasquatch]

Amsterdam of the two proffered choices. But If I were picking, it would be Barcelona followed by Lisbon. Just for smoking good weed.

 

[anthonys735]

In the process of booking Tuscany for a week. Whaty'all got?

 

[AlbanyWildCat]

Bike ride visiting wineries. 20-30 mile ride in the hills and most stops have food and wine served to ya.

 

[bcw1029]

Amsterdam of the two proffered choices. But If I were picking, it would be Barcelona followed by Lisbon. Just for smoking good weed.

If you like rude standoffish people, Barcelona is your place. Never been to a more inhospitable place in my life. Southern Spain (Marbella) >>>>>> Barcelona.

Can't believe Eastern Europe isn't getting more love in this thread, but like I said, most Americans don't know about it (which is a good thing, imo).

 

[vhcat70]

In the process of booking Tuscany for a week. Whaty'all got?

Well, the art & architecture of Flo is hard to beat anywhere. But assume you knew that. Give it 3 nights. Get tickets to Uffizi & Accademia ahead of time or you'll spend your life in lines. Even a tour would be good. Pisa is worth an afternoon, but the nearby wall city of Lucca is worth 1-2 nights. Siena is so cool to me - square/plaza where they have the famed horse races, cathedral/churches. Walled city on top of a hill. Very relaxing place. Two nights. Driving the countryside & stopping at vineyards is beautiful.

 

[HUBER]

In the process of booking Tuscany for a week. Whaty'all got?

Tuscany was one of the spots Im looking at for our Italian 10 Year Anniversary Trip im booking later this year. Was going to wait on Italy recommendations, but go ahead and let them rock Paddock Travelers. Very impressed by how well traveled UK fans are.

 

[DSmith21]

Well, the art & architecture of Flo is hard to beat anywhere. But assume you knew that. Give it 3 nights. Get tickets to Uffizi & Accademia ahead of time or you'll spend your life in lines. Even a tour would be good. Pisa is worth an afternoon, but the nearby wall city of Lucca is worth 1-2 nights. Siena is so cool to me - square/plaza where they have the famed horse races, cathedral/churches. Walled city on top of a hill. Very relaxing place. Two nights. Driving the countryside & stopping at vineyards is beautiful.

My wife and I hired an excellent local guide for a private tour of Florence. At all the major museums including the Acccademia, he was able to get us in with no waiting even though there were lines around the block. The guards just let us through like VIPs. He said that it the way it works in Italy, hire a local guide and you won't wait. Same thing worked in Rome too.

 

[HUBER]

One other quick question. Normandy. I'm thinking that would be a very cool trip to see Normandy and the beaches there. What about you other France visitors? Worth the 600 Euros for the guided tour for 2?

 

[BBdK]

Best sandwiches on the Planet:

Really, every Food/Drink we had in Florence was just incredible. The market is badass, too.

 

[HUBER]

Also Dr. Boat's "Black Tie Optional" Wedding has me second guessing every attire choice I have to make in regards to parties.

What the hell does this mean?

Farewell Evening Masquerade Ball
Be inspired by Marie Antoinette and dress up as you wish for an evening sure to be magical.
A mask will be provided to each guest the evening before the big ball.

Does that mean Jeans and a UK Sweatshirt aren't accepted at the Masquerade Ball? Do I need to pack a suit or should I pick up a Dom Leather outfit?

So many questions. Never been to a Marie Antoinette Masquerade Ball before.

 

[awf]

Also if you get fish and chips while in England make sure you go to a joint that 1) only sells fish and chips 2) that the outside is painted light blue....Get the Haddock, it is as good as the cod....they keep cod under the lights.....they fresh fry the haddock because it really isn't popular enough to keep it fried up.......I like to see mine breaded and fried fresh......

 

[trueblujr]

Amsterdam. Fun town.

As stated, weather in London suxs.

Not sure I'd go to Amsterdam with the wife, too much eye candy and fun to be had there.

 

[AlbanyWildCat]

Also Dr. Boat's "Black Tie Optional" Wedding has me second guessing every attire choice I have to make in regards to parties.

What the hell does this mean?

Farewell Evening Masquerade Ball
Be inspired by Marie Antoinette and dress up as you wish for an evening sure to be magical.
A mask will be provided to each guest the evening before the big ball.

Does that mean Jeans and a UK Sweatshirt aren't accepted at the Masquerade Ball? Do I need to pack a suit or should I pick up a Dom Leather outfit?

So many questions. Never been to a Marie Antoinette Masquerade Ball before.

If you decide to go the jeans and sweatshirt route, don't forget the MAGA hat. It will enhance the magical evening....

 

[awf]

-tate modern is really cool if youre into art. Ride in the eye...views are cool. St Pauls cathedral is a must for me. Eat at the Ivy if you can. Kew gardens...my buddys parents took us there, very nice they were pretty proud. Weather may not be right for that.

-not kidding about the tie.

Don't go to the top of St. Paul's....we walked those steps one day.......it took a while.....my hamstrings were burning before we got to the top.....some of the passage ways are short for me (6'4"). Plus you got to walk back down.... The catacombs under St. Paul's is interesting also....

 

[rudd1]

-assuming you dont want to wear a tuxedo. Velvet jacket w/ black dress trousers...
this is a good option. While not as formal as some other Paul Stuart options...its alot less expensive and versatile(could wear with a dark denim jean) Add a crisp white shirt...tie(solid black silk knit
like this) would be sweet. Black slippers/loafers or cowboy boots(if you wanna keep ot real).

 

[vhcat70]

One other quick question. Normandy. I'm thinking that would be a very cool trip to see Normandy and the beaches there. What about you other France visitors? Worth the 600 Euros for the guided tour for 2?

Don't feel a tour guide is needed. $700 way too much by me. Rent a car & drive to Honfleur - beautiful little old port town - & the landing sites & the USA cemetery (Where opening & close of Saving Pvt. Ryan was set.). It's all pretty rural. No idea of how much time you have, but any & all of Rouen Cathedral, Monet's Giverny Gardens, Caen WWII Museum & Bayeaux Tapestry are worthwhile/great. So much to see, so little time.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

The Dalmatian Coast of Croatia- Dubrovnik to Split. Beautiful. Colorful. Interesting Roman ruins and fascinating modern history. The people are much more tolerable than the French and the women are more attractive than the Brits.

 

[awf]

Four days sounds like a good bit of time to sight see.....it isn't. The first thing you need to do is to purchase a metro pass......it is good for the tube, train and bus........it is cheaper than paying every time you get on public transportation.....especially if you are rough with your foreign languages.....just show them the pass....

 

[P19978]

One other quick question. Normandy. I'm thinking that would be a very cool trip to see Normandy and the beaches there. What about you other France visitors? Worth the 600 Euros for the guided tour for 2?

Been to Arromanches and the WW2 Memorial in Normandy: it will stop you in your tracks. Prepare to cry.

When you you stand there and see all those white crosses... there are no words.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandy_American_Cemetery_and_Memorial

 

[Kooky Kats]

In the process of booking Tuscany for a week. Whaty'all got?

San Gimignano, Siena, Florence.

Florence : La Giostra, Gobbi13

If two weeks. Sicily.

 

[vhcat70]

He is also a cheap bastard who stays in 4th rate accommodations. I would never take a hotel recommendation from Smarmy Steves.

I've stayed in many of his reco'd places. I like their simplicity & low prices. Not into grand pricey hotels.