Thread: European Trip

Hello all!
I am new to the forum and have been lurking for a few days. I figured I would just jump right in (hopefully the correct way) and ask everyone for some recommendations!

My family and I are taking a 10 day vacation to Europe this May and I am curious if anyone has some recommendations for hotels, restaurants, places to see etc. etc!

We intend to go to Paris, Normandy, Florence, Venice and Bologna ( Lamborghini Museum!).

Any suggestions in, or near, these cities would be very appreciative!

no stuttgart, munich, berlin, nürburg?!

yeah all germany and all great

how are you gonna travel in europe? rental, train?

Germany is not on the list sadly. That will be on the next trip! My sister is studying abroad in Luxembourg next semester and we are going to visit her at the end of it. I believe we are going to rent a car while we are over there.

I didn't really specify our criteria too much in my first post. Looking for a nice, clean, safe hotel in each city most likely. Doesn't have to be 5 star, just nice.

Restaurants, a few high end places and just some nice "hidden gems" to go to as well.

Other than that any other ideas for the trip would be appreciated!

When I went on a tour earlier this year I booked my hotels through Splendia.com. They cater to mostly boutique hotels at reasonable prices. One of the hotels that I stayed at was 4 floors with only 2 apartments per floor. It was comfortable and cean and the staff was amazing.

My advice for you is to spend more time in enjoying European nature, smaller towns and villages... Explore, be an adventurer, be spontaneous... Plan only your first and last destination. There are so many beautiful places if you only turn from the highway. Try to avoid luxury restaurants (they all look like each other no matter the country u r visiting), and focus more on small, hidden bars and tavernas (kind of a restaurant) which have their own stories to tell. That's where you will meet and understand the nation's culture and its people lifestyle. Plus, it is more likely that you will make new friendships in places like that. Don't get me wrong, I like luxury but after I visited most of the European countries and cities, I found out that the things I mentioned above are those that provide me with the greatest satisfaction.

Thank you for your suggestions. Nenadm87, I completely understand what you are saying! Those little unique places are what I am looking for. Of course we intend to go to a few luxurious places, but those are a dime a dozen. If anyone knows of some "hidden gems" let me know. Of course, half the fun is finding it on your own! We will be in northern Italy for most of the trip.

I'll contact some of my friends in Florence and let you know!

That's a lot of places for 10 days. I'd say limit yourself to 3, maybe 4 places max and it would make for a much more enjoyable trip. Otherwise, you'll be traveling for a good chunk of that 10 days. I also agree with Nenad regarding the small towns and villages. My favorite trips to the EU were to Provence and Tuscany/Umbria.

BTW: Florence is a must see.

Thank you for your suggestions. I will let the family know about the thought of fewer locations. We are flying into Paris and then meeting up with my sister in Luxembourg. From there I am thinking we should work our way to northern Italy and just do Florence, Venice and Bologna. Bologna is a must since we are going to the Lamborghini Museum. Then the last 2 full days spend in Paris for some shopping for my sister.

More suggestions the better!!

Nenadm87, please let me know what your friends in Florence say! I would really appreciate it!

I went to Paris to visit some friends a couple years back. If you're into art check out Musee Picasso and the Louvre obviously. Versailles was a neat day trip as well. For eats, I enjoyed this place called the Crémerie-Restaurant Polidor. Very good, traditional french food that wasn't that expensive. Have a good trip man.