What Are the Best Recommendations for a European Itinerary?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around planning a European itinerary, focusing on cultural, historical, and natural attractions. Participants share recommendations for destinations in France, Belgium, and other European countries, while considering the interests of the original poster and their spouse.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest visiting various French locations such as Paris, Versailles, Mont St. Michel, and the Loire Valley.
  • Others propose destinations in Belgium, including Brussels, Bruges, and Leuven, highlighting cultural sites like La Grand-Place and the Atomium.
  • There are suggestions for exploring Normandy, with mentions of historical sites and the possibility of visiting the invasion beaches.
  • Some participants express preferences for culture and history, while others emphasize nature and entertainment.
  • Concerns about traffic in Paris and the recommendation to use the Metro instead of driving are raised.
  • Participants discuss the importance of visiting the Louvre, with differing opinions on its significance compared to Versailles.
  • There are humorous exchanges about travel security and the potential for unexpected encounters during the trip.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the value of various cultural and historical sites, but multiple competing views remain regarding specific destinations and the balance of interests between culture, nature, and entertainment. The discussion remains unresolved as participants continue to share ideas.

Contextual Notes

Some suggestions depend on travel logistics, such as the distance between locations and time constraints due to a pre-booked stay at Disneyland. There are also unresolved preferences regarding the types of experiences desired by the original poster and their spouse.

Who May Find This Useful

Travelers interested in planning a European itinerary that balances cultural, historical, and natural attractions, particularly those visiting France and Belgium.

Jimmy Snyder
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As I have said before, we will be landing on the beaches of France next month, an American obsession since at least 1944. Our residence will be at the gates of Disneyland but we won't be going there. I have Paris, Versailles, Fountainbleu, and Mont St. Michel on my list of places to see. My wife has less specific destinations: Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg. I am asking for recommendations to fill out this itinerary. Thanks in advance for your generosity in this matter.

Edit: My wife informs me that the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam is on the itinerary.
 
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You can visit Norway! :smile:
 
What would you like? culture, history, nature, entertainment, sun tan?
 
Jimmy, go to Mainau - Germany's flower island. Andre's photos of the place are stunning.
 
Visit Lyon, Provence, Annecy, the Loire valley, Toulouse, the Pyrenees, the Riviera, . . . . .

I like this place that Andre mentioned - http://web.mac.com/stoterr/Site_4/Welcome.html

Rent a fast car! or take the TGV. :biggrin:
 
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You may meet Sesinka over there.

But don't underestimate the traffic (jams) in Europe. Paris alone has more than a holiday to offer for sight seeing. But be sure to take the Metro, specially recommendent, the Louvre, it would take a week to see all the treasures over there. But don't take the main gate (the Pyramid) there are sneaky and fast ways to get in.

Also nice, the graveyard "Pere Lachaise"
 
Andre said:
What would you like? culture, history, nature, entertainment, sun tan?
Culture and history for me. I can get the other stuff at home. My wife wants nature in the mix.

We are paid up for two weeks at Disneyland, so other than a 4 day sweep of Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg, that's our base. That means Mainau is too far away. Same goes for Lyon, Provence, Annecy, Toulouse (how loose are the women in Toulouse?), the Pyrenees, the Riviera, and Norway.

Loire Valley looks good though. Perhaps we'll go to some castles there. I spent three days in Paris 40 years ago without ever going to the Louvre. I think it's something in the water.

My wife will not set foot in a cemetery.

Thanks for these ideas, please keep them coming.
 
How about Normandy, then?

Lots of Norwegian memorials there, for example in Rouen! :smile:
 
You can get from Paris to London in a couple of hours nowadays. Just a thought...
 
  • #10
cristo said:
You can get from Paris to London in a couple of hours nowadays. Just a thought...
On the way home. :biggrin:

I was in Paris for a week several years (~12) ago. The hotel was across the street/highway from the Lovre. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to visit inside the Louvre.
 
  • #11
The Louvre is absolutely mandatory for culture and history seekers, much more important than Versailles
 
  • #12
arildno said:
How about Normandy, then?
We intend to go to Mont St. Michel which I'm told is only a mile from Normandy. That's as close as we're getting to Norway ok? Get over it.

cristo said:
You can get from Paris to London in a couple of hours nowadays.
The original plan was for a week in London and a week in Paris. However, we could not find suitable lodgings there (we trade timeshare weeks) so we took the two weeks in Paris. It is possible, but not likely, that we will go there on a day trip via the Chunnel. The problem is the value to expense ratio. We'll make that decision once we have a better idea of the local attractions.
 
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  • #13
Maybe the City of Caen would be of interest?

One of the largest European medieval fortresses lie there, built by William the Conqueror in 1060 or thereabouts.

In addition, Parc FestyLand is a family theme park in the area (sort of 1066 and all-that theme), that might be of interest?
 
  • #14
arildno said:
Maybe the City of Caen would be of interest?
Could be. We intend the trip to Mont St. Michel to be a day trip, but it is a bit far. If we can't get back to Paris comfortably, perhaps we'll stay in Caen.
 
  • #15
The Normandy coast is good, along with Caen, Rouen, Bayeux.
Chartres is only an hours drive from Paris.

Under no circumstances attempt to drive in Paris, take the metro.
 
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  • #16
Enroute to or from Mt st Michel, it may be an idea to see the invasion beaches, in that case put also on the list the little village Honfleur on the south bank of the Seine, south of "Le Havre". A very cosy little mediteranian like artist village. Close to that are the Louis Quinze type of Villages Deauville and Trouville sur mer.
 
  • #17
Oh and when looking for hotels to stay overnight, better skip the "Hotel de ville". It doesn't have guest rooms, it's the town hall.
 
  • #18
The round-robin Paris - Honfleur - Mont St Michel, may be extended by visiting Fougères, slightly to the south of Michel. It has a typical fairy tale castle
 
  • #19
Andre said:
The Louvre is absolutely mandatory for culture and history seekers, much more important than Versailles
Yeah - it was painful being there and not having the time to enjoy it.

I did meet a very nice girl there. We were standing on a bridge over the Seine, and she asked me in French which way to sea. Unfortunately, she didn't speak English and I didn't speak French, but my colleague did so he translated. That kind of situation has happened often with me.
 
  • #21
Ah - the Palais Royal (just north of the Louvre) is where I stayed. Very reasonable and quite comfortable.
 
  • #22
Okay, for Belgium :

In Brussels, three places come to my mind :
- La Grand-Place de Bruxelles (Brussel's Great Place). Truly one of the best you'll ever see ! (but I'm belgian so my opinion is biased ;-))
- The Atomium. That's an obligatory stop. A vestige from the "Exposition Universelle" in 1958, just like the Eiffel Tower a few decades before in Paris.
- the Magritte Museum. I still haven't been there because the museum just opened, but that's Magritte.

Other great cities :
- Bruges. Some people call it "the little Venice".
- Leuven. A very old city with a very old university (15th century).
 
  • #23
There's so much good stuff here it will take me and my wife a while to digest. We will consider each suggestion.
 
  • #24
Don't you dare go to Europe unless your travel plan has been made public here at PF, js!
 
  • #25
arildno said:
Don't you dare go to Europe unless your travel plan has been made public here at PF, js!
I sense a security risk, here!
 
  • #26
turbo-1 said:
I sense a security risk, here!
Of course!

Sneaking off to Europe, without even telling us what suggestions they have made, depriving us the opportunity of getting egos inflated by our altruistic, helpful activity??

Such ego inflation deprivation is a definite motive for retaliation. :mad:
 
  • #27
OMGZ! Euro PF hit squad is in motion! Run, jimmy, run!
 
  • #28
PS, I hope you have watched the Bourne movies and taken notes. The Euro PF'ers are not to be taken lightly.
 
  • #29
turbo-1 said:
The Euro PF'ers are not to be taken lightly.

Correct. I am rather..portly.
 
  • #30
Jimmy, is Christie Brinkley going to be shadowing you in a convertible? If so, I'd like to be your bodyguard. Just sayin'.