Finally booked our trip, Europe here we come!

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by Reese1

Jungfrau is one of the mountains my brother climbed in Switzerland! He said the area is just gorgeous!
I think it's ideal to have the time like you did to just explore one area, that is really my hope for the future! What a great adventure for you!
Our trip stays in Lucerne. Did you go there?

Oh my gosh, Lucerne was beautiful and so full of history. The bridge was absolutely incredible. While we were walking across, we were delayed because they were filming scenes for a movie -- if memory serves me right I was told that it was a Korean film and they were shooting a love scene.

Don't miss the lion.

[Zeus08]

You are going to have a great time. We lived in Germany for 4 yrs and got to travel. While in Rhineland make sure you try the Eiswein. That is of course, if you are a wine drinker. Happy traveling!

[Janie616]

go and enjoy everything there is to see, eat and drink and just have fun. Even though we go a lot, we go different places and treat it as a "once in a lifetime" event. So much history to see.
I am excited for you. I just know you will have fun and if you come home exhausted, you KNOW you had fun.

[yorkieusa]

Enjoy it to the max!

[Wylie's Mom]

OMGOMGOMG -- SO happy for you ! And envious (in a good way)!

Amsterdam is absolutely incredible. The Dutch are, by far, one of the loveliest people I have ever come across. SQUEE! I just adore Amsterdam...would so love to live there someday. It is the most charming city and has so much history...the architecture is stunning.

If you like art, don't miss the Van Gogh museum - as you'll get to see several Van Goghs in person - and it's really a treat.

Also, the hotels in Amsterdam are my favorite, by a long shot. You can stay at a very reasonable hotel - and it will usually be just beautiful.

Can't wait to hear of your trip when you return!

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

OMGOMGOMG -- SO happy for you ! And envious (in a good way)!

Amsterdam is absolutely incredible. The Dutch are, by far, one of the loveliest people I have ever come across. SQUEE! I just adore Amsterdam...would so love to live there someday. It is the most charming city and has so much history...the architecture is stunning.

If you like art, don't miss the Van Gogh museum - as you'll get to see several Van Goghs in person - and it's really a treat.

Also, the hotels in Amsterdam are my favorite, by a long shot. You can stay at a very reasonable hotel - and it will usually be just beautiful.

Can't wait to hear of your trip when you return!

Is Amsterdam the city separated by a river? If so, that is the one place I want to see!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

Is Amsterdam the city separated by a river? If so, that is the one place I want to see!

It's a city of canals - they're everywhere and they're so gorgeous! And the Amstel River runs through it. It's so charming (to me) to have such old history/charm, modern/friendly/gracious people, a cosmopolitan feel, and then water everywhere....love it.

It's just stunning, as are the people.

Amsterdam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yahoo! Image Search Results for amsterdam

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

Oh my gosh, Lucerne was beautiful and so full of history. The bridge was absolutely incredible. While we were walking across, we were delayed because they were filming scenes for a movie -- if memory serves me right I was told that it was a Korean film and they were shooting a love scene.

Don't miss the lion.

We do visit the lion! How cool to see a movie being filmed! We also have an option to do a lake cruise & we will do that as well! That's what is drawing us the beauty & history!

Originally Posted by Zeus08

You are going to have a great time. We lived in Germany for 4 yrs and got to travel. While in Rhineland make sure you try the Eiswein. That is of course, if you are a wine drinker. Happy traveling!

I will make a note of that, we LOVE wine! Thanks!

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

OMGOMGOMG -- SO happy for you ! And envious (in a good way)!

Amsterdam is absolutely incredible. The Dutch are, by far, one of the loveliest people I have ever come across. SQUEE! I just adore Amsterdam...would so love to live there someday. It is the most charming city and has so much history...the architecture is stunning.

If you like art, don't miss the Van Gogh museum - as you'll get to see several Van Goghs in person - and it's really a treat.

Also, the hotels in Amsterdam are my favorite, by a long shot. You can stay at a very reasonable hotel - and it will usually be just beautiful.

Can't wait to hear of your trip when you return!

I'm so glad to hear this! I haven't talked with anyone that has been there and it wasn't a big reason for the tour we picked. Have you been to Volendam?
There is an option to go there and have a dinner. We also get to do a canal cruise, which I am excited about.
I like art, I'm not sure if we will get to see the museum, but I will note it. Thanks!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Reese1

I'm so glad to hear this! I haven't talked with anyone that has been there and it wasn't a big reason for the tour we picked. Have you been to Volendam?
There is an option to go there and have a dinner. We also get to do a canal cruise, which I am excited about.
I like art, I'm not sure if we will get to see the museum, but I will note it. Thanks!

I have not been to Volendam, but that sounds so fun! Is Volendum known for anything in particular? I bet they are if they have trips just to see it, specifically.

Also, there is the Red Light District in Amsterdam - which is (sadly) what most people know Amsterdam for...and it's really such a small part of Amsterdam's identity. Anyway, many tourists like to walk through that area to check it out - but it may not be your thing. Just so you know, it's really not a big deal at all (in my opinion) in terms of what you see there. It's a bigger deal in people's minds, more than anything else, it seems.

And btw, I always feel incredibly safe in Amsterdam (I've been there 3x) - whereas in other countries (like the US, lol, or other EU countries), I'm more aware.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan. If you have time, a side trip to Sicily. So much to see, so little time. For the best food, stay away from the Tourist places. Eat out of the way...small restaurants. Get used to the OLD WORLD SMELL of Rome, and especially Naples (Pompeii) if you go there. Florence is our favorite. Mola De Bari is also nice, and it is in Southern Italy.

I have to agree - I loved Sicily - I loved Palermo and the little town nearby called Cefalu where my relatives are from. Also agree on Naples, except trying to cross the street, they are crazy. Those are also my relatives. LOL. If you go to Pompeii, you have to go to Naples to see the artifacts.

I liked Florence and Rome but nothing was as intense as Sicily and the food was amazing.

[107barney]

I have been to London and parts of England many times and love it. London is so easy to get around on the Tube.

I'm a traveler, not a tourist, so I like to putter around places I visit as opposed to having an agenda on things to see. Things I love - watching the Tower bridge open and close and walking across it a few times each way taking in the views, The Rock and Sole Plaice in Covent Garden (for fish and chips!), the Picadilly Circus area, Tea everywhere, Cadbury flake chocolate in my pockets, the Tube and all the stations, and best of all we loved the scary and spooky Jack-the-ripper walking tour.

My least favorite thing about England: the coffee...I could not find a good cup anywhere - and believe me I tried! I was happy when we made a day trip to Lille France!

Have a great trip.

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I have not been to Volendam, but that sounds so fun! Is Volendum known for anything in particular? I bet they are if they have trips just to see it, specifically.

Also, there is the Red Light District in Amsterdam - which is (sadly) what most people know Amsterdam for...and it's really such a small part of Amsterdam's identity. Anyway, many tourists like to walk through that area to check it out - but it may not be your thing. Just so you know, it's really not a big deal at all (in my opinion) in terms of what you see there. It's a bigger deal in people's minds, more than anything else, it seems.

And btw, I always feel incredibly safe in Amsterdam (I've been there 3x) - whereas in other countries (like the US, lol, or other EU countries), I'm more aware.

Voldendam is supposed to be this quaint, little fishing village and they go there for a traditional dinner night.
I'm sure my Mom and I won't visit the red light district.
We saw Samantha Brown go there on the travel channel!
I think you just have to be careful anywhere you go!

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by 107barney

I have been to London and parts of England many times and love it. London is so easy to get around on the Tube.

I'm a traveler, not a tourist, so I like to putter around places I visit as opposed to having an agenda on things to see. Things I love - watching the Tower bridge open and close and walking across it a few times each way taking in the views, The Rock and Sole Plaice in Covent Garden (for fish and chips!), the Picadilly Circus area, Tea everywhere, Cadbury flake chocolate in my pockets, the Tube and all the stations, and best of all we loved the scary and spooky Jack-the-ripper walking tour.

My least favorite thing about England: the coffee...I could not find a good cup anywhere - and believe me I tried! I was happy when we made a day trip to Lille France!

Have a great trip.

Normally we like to be travelers too, but we are going to be TOTAL tourists in Europe! I want to see all the sights I've always dreamed of!
My SIL said the coffee in England is HORRIBLE! They went to Starbucks every day!
I would love a Jack the ripper tour, how fun!

[Sharly4]

Oooooooooo, have FUN I'm getting excited for you just reading! I would love to go! Please post pictures and do tell all! I can't wait to get the scoop!