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I'm planning on doing a solo back packing trip through Europe next summer, and I am wondering what are some of your need to see places?
I just came back from an 11 month exchange in Belgium as an exchange student with Rotary International, so I have been to a couple of places already, but for sure are planning on going back to Brussels, Ghent, Paris and London.
What are some must see sights/cities?
Thanks
Edited by: 4lackofabetterword
I used to, long long ago.
But then I met people who had never been to my favourite places and they showed no mental or physical impairment in spite of that fact!
This has subsequently been confirmed from personal experience. First, I myself have not been to many famous places and when I (humbly) compare myself to people who have visited these remarkable locations I cannot see how that experience has improved them in any noticable way over myself.
Second, I have also been to some famous places which I didn't find very interesting, in spite of their reputation.
Conclusion: I just do what I want and make the best of it. OK, it may be egocentric of me, I admit it, but the bottom line for me is what I personally enjoy.
If you are still interested in visiting a few of those musts, then go to a travel agent. That's the most practical thing to do. The tourist industry is built on selling the must see sights/cities.
I wonder who's the real loser here; I don't need others to tell me what places I "must see", I am old and wise enough to make my own decisions. And I don't post immature responses when someone offers constructive criticism - but perhaps you failed to see our point.
Have you tried google yet? "Europe + must sees" - off you go!
I am more experienced and I gave you the most practical advice I can give.
That you may have perceived my comment as not friendly implies to me that you don't fully understand the nature of the question you are asking. In other words, you lack the experience to understand good advice when you hear it.
My answer isn't smart-ass; it is hard-core reality.
That's OK, don't worry about it. As I said in my first post, I was also once an inexperienced traveller. But some things you just have to learn yourself.
I'm also more experienced on the forum, and here's something else to think about.
You're not alone regarding your FAQ.
Roughly speaking, of the people who ask FAQs like yours: (i) one in 5 respond with something like "haha, you're right. I better go away and think about it some more." (ii) 3 in 5 just disappear. (iii) 1 in 5 reply with "You guys are so mean!!"
The trick is to do enough research to develop your own list of places that sound like "must-sees" to you, and then maybe ask for feedback about them.
My answer to your question is: London, Paris, Rome, Istanbul, Venice, Florence, Ravenna.
I hope others will chime in so that we have enough diversity to show OP how futile their question is.
I wasn't inclined to reply to the OP given his/her reaction, but I'll do so exclusively to earn a mojito from clementis_fur_cap.
Some of the cities/towns I enjoy (some are more favourite than others): Barcelona, Berlin, Budapest, Cologne, Geneva, Glasgow, Istanbul, London, Milan, Florence, Genoa, Padua, Paris, Toledo, Turin. Some of these never appear on lists of favourite places, and I understand why. But the reason why they appear in my list is because of some great personal experiences, which - on the other hand - are of little interest to somebody who has to plan an itinerary and has no idea of where to go .
I would also like to mention some of my least favourite cities/towns (most of which are quite a few people's favourites), just to follow c_f_c's point on diversity of opinions: Brussels, Carcassonne, Eisenstadt, Ljubljana, Madrid, Munich, Perpignan and Venice.
Do you want:-
Post World War 2 history
2nd world war history
1st world war history
anywhere from medieval to 1st world war
pre-medieval history
Food regions
Wine regions
Beer regions
Spirits regions
Art
Music
Theatre
Sports
Gay friendly
Festivals - these range from sports, music (in some cases specific festivals for specific genres, for example Gylndebourne for opera), book festivals, the weird and the wonderful, art, cars, etc.
Hiking trips
Cycling trips
Guided tour trips
A road trip
An interrail trip
Would you like to go North, South, East or West Europe?
What time of the year are you going specifically - summer's a few months, for example maybe you want to do Glastonbury in June, or La Tomatina in late August?
Do you want cities, mountains, lakes, beaches, rivers or quiet rural villages?
How long do you want to go?
How much money have you got?
And lastly, importantly, do you have a EU passport?
:)
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Favorite Cities
Hi,I'm planning on doing a solo back packing trip through Europe next summer, and I am wondering what are some of your need to see places?
I just came back from an 11 month exchange in Belgium as an exchange student with Rotary International, so I have been to a couple of places already, but for sure are planning on going back to Brussels, Ghent, Paris and London.
What are some must see sights/cities?
Thanks
Edited by: 4lackofabetterword
1
what are some of your need to see places?
I don't have any.I used to, long long ago.
But then I met people who had never been to my favourite places and they showed no mental or physical impairment in spite of that fact!
This has subsequently been confirmed from personal experience. First, I myself have not been to many famous places and when I (humbly) compare myself to people who have visited these remarkable locations I cannot see how that experience has improved them in any noticable way over myself.
Second, I have also been to some famous places which I didn't find very interesting, in spite of their reputation.
Conclusion: I just do what I want and make the best of it. OK, it may be egocentric of me, I admit it, but the bottom line for me is what I personally enjoy.
If you are still interested in visiting a few of those musts, then go to a travel agent. That's the most practical thing to do. The tourist industry is built on selling the must see sights/cities.
4
#3 perhaps you'll get friendlier advice if you ask more intelligent questions. Give it a try.I wonder who's the real loser here; I don't need others to tell me what places I "must see", I am old and wise enough to make my own decisions. And I don't post immature responses when someone offers constructive criticism - but perhaps you failed to see our point.
Have you tried google yet? "Europe + must sees" - off you go!
6
I wonder if our well-mannered friend would follow my advice to see Chelyabinsk and Patras if I'd say those are my favourite towns.8
re #3some friendly, helpful advice from more experienced then myself travellers
I am more experienced and I gave you the most practical advice I can give.
That you may have perceived my comment as not friendly implies to me that you don't fully understand the nature of the question you are asking. In other words, you lack the experience to understand good advice when you hear it.
My answer isn't smart-ass; it is hard-core reality.
That's OK, don't worry about it. As I said in my first post, I was also once an inexperienced traveller. But some things you just have to learn yourself.
I'm also more experienced on the forum, and here's something else to think about.
You're not alone regarding your FAQ.
Roughly speaking, of the people who ask FAQs like yours: (i) one in 5 respond with something like "haha, you're right. I better go away and think about it some more." (ii) 3 in 5 just disappear. (iii) 1 in 5 reply with "You guys are so mean!!"
9
I fail to see how a list of must-see sights and cities would help you at all, as these are terribly subjective judgments.The trick is to do enough research to develop your own list of places that sound like "must-sees" to you, and then maybe ask for feedback about them.
My answer to your question is: London, Paris, Rome, Istanbul, Venice, Florence, Ravenna.
I hope others will chime in so that we have enough diversity to show OP how futile their question is.
10
'Favourite cities' and 'need to see places' are a contradiction in terms.I wasn't inclined to reply to the OP given his/her reaction, but I'll do so exclusively to earn a mojito from clementis_fur_cap.
Some of the cities/towns I enjoy (some are more favourite than others): Barcelona, Berlin, Budapest, Cologne, Geneva, Glasgow, Istanbul, London, Milan, Florence, Genoa, Padua, Paris, Toledo, Turin. Some of these never appear on lists of favourite places, and I understand why. But the reason why they appear in my list is because of some great personal experiences, which - on the other hand - are of little interest to somebody who has to plan an itinerary and has no idea of where to go .
I would also like to mention some of my least favourite cities/towns (most of which are quite a few people's favourites), just to follow c_f_c's point on diversity of opinions: Brussels, Carcassonne, Eisenstadt, Ljubljana, Madrid, Munich, Perpignan and Venice.
12
OP - you're gonna have to be more explicit to be honest, before we can help.Do you want:-
Post World War 2 history
2nd world war history
1st world war history
anywhere from medieval to 1st world war
pre-medieval history
Food regions
Wine regions
Beer regions
Spirits regions
Art
Music
Theatre
Sports
Gay friendly
Festivals - these range from sports, music (in some cases specific festivals for specific genres, for example Gylndebourne for opera), book festivals, the weird and the wonderful, art, cars, etc.
Hiking trips
Cycling trips
Guided tour trips
A road trip
An interrail trip
Would you like to go North, South, East or West Europe?
What time of the year are you going specifically - summer's a few months, for example maybe you want to do Glastonbury in June, or La Tomatina in late August?
Do you want cities, mountains, lakes, beaches, rivers or quiet rural villages?
How long do you want to go?
How much money have you got?
And lastly, importantly, do you have a EU passport?
:)
