What cities should I definatly visit?

[[e-mail]]

Hi. My name is Emma.  I'm 18 and I'm gonna be backpacking round Europe (Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland) with my boyfriend for 4 months starting in March.  Has anyone got any recommendations for any must see cities?  Theres too many to choose from.  <br>
Thanks.

['Guest']

although it has a bad rep for vice, Amsterdam goes on that list

Amsterdam isn't too big, the people are friendly, and the museums are some of the best in the world.  

Vienna is also a beautiful place, for many of the same reasons.

[[e-mail]]

I've looked at Amsterdam and was probably gonna go but I've not thought about Vienna. Thanks.

Emma

['Guest']

Oh yes, Barcelona is a must see!  Actually, lots of this material has been covered in other threads at this site.  take a look at those!

[Kim]

I love Barcelona as well.

I would definately hit Brugges, Belgium as well.

I'm also a fan of Amsterdam, it was much more beautiful than I expected.

In Greece, although most say it's one of the more expensive islands, I thought Mykonos was amazing. (Just so you know, Mykonos is a hot spot for gay travellers. My boyfriend and I were the only straight couple at our hotel!)

Hmmm...where else. Oh, Rome. Fabulous Rome! I've actually thought about opening a hostel there one day.

K

[Emma]

Thanks for the ideas everyone.  It's so hard to decide where to go by just reading travel books,  it makes you feel better if you here someone who has been there's opinion.

[Cat]

Rome, Barcelona, I liked Florence and Siena (an hour busride from Florence). Pompei is great and the YHA hostel there isn't bad as well. Skip Napoli! To crowded and dirty.
In the Netherlands: The Hague and Maastricht. Lots of good bard and sights to see.

[Cat]

whoops!

bard = bars

['Guest']

Gee, Cat.  <br>
I was all impressed that you are such a Shakespeare fan!!  

[Cat]

To be or not to be was never a question for me!  

[wanderworthy]

Try to spend at least 2 nights in each hostel. Then take day trips. It'll stop that pressure of trying to see too much too quick. That feeding frenzy could have you and your old man at each other's throats eventually. And take a day off every now and then to rest. Travelling is hard work with all the changes and different lingos.Dig www.ricksteves.com

the slower ya travel - the more ya learn

[Elana1]

hi there, i agree you can not miss Amsterdam! many people go to Greece just for the islands and miss out on Athens. do yourself a favour and stop there even for a night, it is great!

Enjoy your trip!!

ps make sure youget into a good hostel in Paris- some can be pretty bad.

[me]

Elana1,

can you suggest good hostels (and warn us of the bad ones) in Paris?

- d

[Elana1]

hi there.....

when i was in paris we stayed in a really bad hotel, it was small, and the food was horrid! unfortunitly this is what most hotel/hostels in paris are like unless you have LOTS of cash. I have heard that The Three Ducks Hostel is good. lots of Americans.

To tell you the truth, it does not matter where you stay, the city is so awesome that it makes up for any bad accomadation! - my bed broke when i put my suitcase on it, minutes after arriving!!!!!

hope you find somewhere good!

elana

[me]

Have heard some bad stories about 3 Ducks in Paris. Kim said it was not good, as i recall. Any other good ones?