European city break

bowenjones

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We're planning a 3 night city break at the end of September. We've done Paris, Barcalona, Prague and Budapest and are now thinking of going to either Lisbon or Rome. I'd really appreciate your views on the two cities mentioned and any other recommendations would be welcome. I won't be able to reply untill Saturday as my wife's sister is getting married today but please post your comments as they will be of great help. Cheers :smashin:
 
i haven't been to Lisbon - but Rome is one of my fav places on this misarable rock.

I ate the best meal i've ever had there, its was like sex with added vitamins :D some of the greatest history you will ever see. the vatican is simply stunning - the Cestine Chapel made me go cold its so fantastic.

spent a whole day on Palentine hill - christ the history takes your breath away. I have a policy that i never go to the same place twice but i'd go back to Rome in a shot - loved it!

fantastic thing was that i set the holiday video too the Gladiator soundtrack :smashin: my sister wanted a copy to watch :eek:


Gary
 
I can't comment on either of the two you mention, but on the basis of the places you've visited already, I'd definitely give Gothenburg consideration.

Some real nice stuff to see and do during the day, and a city full of drunken would-be pornstars after dark.. :D
 
Lisbon was great last year when I was there for the Euro Championships, so much so that I really want to go back there. The people are very friendly...... even towards England football fans :eek:
If you do get the chance, it's worth a trip to Sintra where we stayed. There's a Moorish castle and a couple of Palaces there and is about 30 minutes on the frequent and cheap trains.
 
Easy - it has to be Geneva!!

The wife and i went there a couple of years ago for a long weekend and are intending to go back again for longer. When we went, we had been to Paris only a few weeks previously and the contrast between the two cities couldn't have been greater - it was clean and the people were friendly and welcoming.

The shopping's good, the old city is very picturesque, and the lake (and fountain) are fabulous. :smashin:
 
Beobloke said:
Easy - it has to be Geneva!!

The wife and i went there a couple of years ago for a long weekend and are intending to go back again for longer. When we went, we had been to Paris only a few weeks previously and the contrast between the two cities couldn't have been greater - it was clean and the people were friendly and welcoming.

The shopping's good, the old city is very picturesque, and the lake (and fountain) are fabulous. :smashin:

i've been to france loads of times and i've never met an unwelcoming french person - i really dont know where that stereotype comes from.

Gary
 
Gary D said:
i've been to france loads of times and i've never met an unwelcoming french person - i really dont know where that stereotype comes from.

Gary

Next you'll be telling me that you've walked into a pub in North Wales and nobody stopped talking, turned round and stared at you!! :D

Seriously, though, we just found that in Paris the occupants, most of whom speak perfectly good English, will make no attempt to do so - now this isn't a problem for those of us who can speak French but is a bit unwelcoming for those who can't.
Whereas in Geneva, we found that nearly all the shopkeepers attempted to converse with us in English even though alot of them didn't speak it too well.

Now, i know that in both cases French is their language and why the hell should they bother to speak English, but it just seemed that those Genovians who were having a go were making an attempt to be friendly, which was much nicer.
 
Parisians are renowned for their unfriendliness - and the rest of France enjoys reminding them of the fact.


If you fancy somewhere a bit different you could try Reykjavik - me and the missus had a long weekend there not too long back. Plenty to do and see, nice people, great food, but bloody expensive. And cold.
 
Munich is good. Lots of places to drink beer, and lots of shops for the Mrs. Weather is usually good this time of year too.
 
Beobloke said:
Next you'll be telling me that you've walked into a pub in North Wales and nobody stopped talking, turned round and stared at you!! :D

Seriously, though, we just found that in Paris the occupants, most of whom speak perfectly good English, will make no attempt to do so - now this isn't a problem for those of us who can speak French but is a bit unwelcoming for those who can't.
Whereas in Geneva, we found that nearly all the shopkeepers attempted to converse with us in English even though alot of them didn't speak it too well.

Now, i know that in both cases French is their language and why the hell should they bother to speak English, but it just seemed that those Genovians who were having a go were making an attempt to be friendly, which was much nicer.

I'm about as popular in Wales as Ann Robinson :) i quite admire the french to be honest

1. they didn't just accept the americanisation of their culture (like we did)
and

2. because they celebrate War all over the place and cant accept that they are crap at it :D (whole country over run by the nazi's in THREE days!!)

Gary
 
It's been a while since I was in Lisbon (12 or 13 years). It's a nice place just to hang out. We also went to Evora (east of Lisbon), which is worth a visit if only to see the chapel made out of monk's bones. We stayed briefly in Sintra as well. I can't remember much of that except for the worst driving I've ever seen on the motorway back to Lisbon.

I'm a big fan of Scandinavia. Stockholm and Copenhagen are a couple of favourites. I'm off to Gothenburg next week, but I'm not sure if I dare go out after dark.
 
Paris is no different from London or any other major city. People tend to be unfriendly in most large cities.
 
I've never met an unfriendly Roman! Went to Rome in February and am going back in September and can't wait. It's an amazing place, full of history but very modern with great shopping and transport.
 
Thanks for all the comments. After talking to some people at my sister-in-law's wedding yesterday and reading some of your views, we have decided to try Rome this time.
 
bowenjones said:
Thanks for all the comments. After talking to some people at my sister-in-law's wedding yesterday and reading some of your views, we have decided to try Rome this time.

You wont be disapponted :smashin:

Gary
 

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