Never Been to Europe. WHERE SHOULD I GO?? (live, shops)

[Dark Khan]

I'm 21, male, white, and American. My parents and I are planning to go to Europe for ~2 weeks in a few months and I was wondering what people thought the ideal spots to hit would be. Looking to spend around 10k fwiw. I haven't done much research on where the best tourist type places are so I was hoping people with some experience could enlighten me.

We're interested in seeing whatever typical tourists go to Europe to see. Since I'm with my parents I'm not looking for hot nightlife or things like that, looking more for a family type atmosphere. Probably looking to stay in 3-4 different cities and 2-3 different countries. Right now we're leaning towards 1 of 3 possible trips:

A.) Italy/Switzerland/Austria (maybe)

B.) some combo of Scandinavia/Finland

C.) Belgium/Holland/Germany

By no means are these the only ones we're considering. We're open to go just about anywhere. All comments appreciated. Thx.

[European17]

berlin and scandanavia is boring, real boring.

[allenk893]

Originally Posted by Dark Khan

I'm 21, male, white, and American. My parents and I are planning to go to Europe for ~2 weeks in a few months and I was wondering what people thought the ideal spots to hit would be. Looking to spend around 10k fwiw. I haven't done much research on where the best tourist type places are so I was hoping people with some experience could enlighten me.

We're interested in seeing whatever typical tourists go to Europe to see. Since I'm with my parents I'm not looking for hot nightlife or things like that, looking more for a family type atmosphere. Probably looking to stay in 3-4 different cities and 2-3 different countries. Right now we're leaning towards 1 of 3 possible trips:

A.) Italy/Switzerland/Austria (maybe)

B.) some combo of Scandinavia/Finland

C.) Belgium/Holland/Germany

By no means are these the only ones we're considering. We're open to go just about anywhere. All comments appreciated. Thx.

I would definititely consider going to Greece! It's NICE. I would visit a city like Santorini. It's extremely beautiful. Do some research on it and you'll know what I'm talking about. Also I would visit Switzerland. Switzerland is a MUST SEE. My aunt visited a said if she could, she would live there. It's extremely beautiful.

[BigSwede]

Scandinavia during summer.

[Jezer]

Originally Posted by BigSwede

Scandinavia during summer.

Lovely I'm sure BigSwede- I've been only to Finland, but is it fairly expensive compared to other parts of Europe?

The choices in Europe are vast, though I would have thought the UK and possibly France would be on many people's list for a first visit.

You do your own thing though!

[Viralmd]

Frankly, if you have a week in London and a week in Paris (and you can take the train between the two!) that would be PERFECT as a starter. Scandinavia is boring (sorry, but it is). In London you'll see so many things about which you've heard all your life and there is NOWHERE like Paris.

The only other essential in the EU would be Rome/Florence. There is nothing special about Belgium, except that they dislike the French. Greece is nice, but if you have two weeks, you should visit two places. Also, in summer Greece is boiling hot (as is Italy).

As a medical student, many years ago, I worked in London for six weeks and couldn't see everything worth seeing. I've also been to Paris innumerable times and still haven't seen absolutely everything (I want to take the tour of the sewers!).

[azoria]

Young people tend to like the party places.

Ibiza and Barcelona Spain, Berlin, Prague, the Greek islands, Croatia, Amsterdam.

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by allenk893

I would definititely consider going to Greece! It's NICE. I would visit a city like Santorini. It's extremely beautiful. Do some research on it and you'll know what I'm talking about. Also I would visit Switzerland. Switzerland is a MUST SEE. My aunt visited a said if she could, she would live there. It's extremely beautiful.

Santorini is such a giant tourist trap, though. Giant. Thira and Oia are certainly pretty, which is why so many of the postcards of the Aegean are shot there, but Santorini was the place where it was most obvious we were being shuttled so as to make us walk past the maximum number of junk shops.

[azoria]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

Santorini is such a giant tourist trap, though. Giant. Thira and Oia are certainly pretty, which is why so many of the postcards of the Aegean are shot there, but Santorini was the place where it was most obvious we were being shuttled so as to make us walk past the maximum number of junk shops.

I didn't think Santorini was any more tourist trap than any other place I've been. Frankly, The top of my Tourist Trap List is Prague. I enjoyed both Prague and Santorini. I wander at will, so get to see the Traps and then the back alleys behind them as well.

Tourist Traps are only a pit when you're being herded around in a tour group and have no ability to detour.

[jacq63]

I dont think Berlin is the least bit boring, but I personally think London is overrated. If you're thinking of visiting Switzerland/Austria/Italy, I'd consider Germany instead of Switzerland for that reason. Vienna is gorgeous, if a tad expensive, and the countryside is picture-postcard spectacular. I thought Venice was the best Euro city I'd ever been to, but I don't know about summer. I hear it gets a little "on the nose" when it's hot. It does shut down somewhat at night, so is probably suitable for a family in that respect. Really, you'll probably get a kick out of wherever you end up, enjoy!