Europe at a glance series: North
Dec 14 '99
A review about Europe? Well, as a born European I would think it would just be as if someone writes one single review about Chicago, the desert South West, NYC, Arizona, Disney World Florida and Mexico City. The differences are so unimaginable huge, the places so packed with impressions, very own ways of life, tradition and mentalities that you can hardly scratch a place in one single review.
Still, I am going to do it. There was the father of our neighbor visiting, who asked me: “I am going to have vacation in Europe, what would you recommend, I got 6 weeks time.” So we got maps and books and my experience from my leisure and business traveling and put a package together. Oh boy, that was great fun! Going back to the places (at least in your mind) you have enjoyed always makes you feel like doing the trip again. I was smiling all evening long after this experience!
So, for all folks that have not the foggiest clue about what to expect when flying over there and want to have some basic instructions and ideas on some places to go, here is my BASIC review on Europe. If you need some more detailed information, check out the Internet links at the end of every section or some other fine reviews at epinions.com or some of my detailed travel features such as Alsace, France / Black Forest, Germany or Basel, Switzerland.
But I will break down these reviews in regional parts. That gives a better access and focus.
Since I have not seen every place and plan to do so, I will add-on this review
Northern Europe
England/Scotland:
One of the most beautiful countries I have seen on this planet! Try to get out of the cities and enjoy the countryside and the very unique way of living in the towns and villages. Nature and landscape are breathtaking. Extremely green everywhere, at the seaside nice beaches (not the southern type with lots of sun and sand and samba fun, but perfect for endless, relaxing walks at the shoreline). Wonderful castles (especially Scotland), actually hundreds of them, try to plan a route where you can see as many as you want to.
Climate compared to US regions: slightly milder than Boston
People: Open and relaxed, a bit more traditional in the English countryside. Scott’s are always very friendly and extremely funny too. Have a training in drinking beer before you go or every evening will be over for you before it has started for the others. Folks in London are different! This is the most cosmopolitan place I have seen in my life, even more than NYC!
Must-sees: London! Discover the difference of the two cities within the one. Have a pub tour; don’t forget Chinatown and Soho! Most amazing: the London Museums! If you haven’t seen at least two, you have missed 50% of that city! Nightlife, concerts, theaters – plan at least 1 week London!
Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Edinburgh, Scottish Highlands!!!, Wales.
Most recommended activities: Discovery, history, hiking, night life in the big cities, soccer!, meeting people and get used to dark, thick, rich beer
Specialties: the only food you can probably eat without killing your taste nerves for ever in the UK is there puddings. Excellent! Other than that, just try the big, yellow M! Good, rich beer, some wines (not recommended, they shouldn’t do that). See a cricket game and go to a major soccer event! Unique and wonderfully intense!
Budget Info: Plan about $200 a day/person
Web sites: General: http://www.great-britain.co.uk/index.htm (Perfect, gives everything); History: http://www.great-britain.co.uk/history/history.htm (huge, extremely interesting and most complete)
Belgium:
Pretty unique place where you meet two different cultures: the Germanic Flemings (55%) and the Celtic-Latin Walloons (33%). You will be surprised how difficult it is to them to get along with each other. Although Brussels is the new unofficial capital of Europe. Beaches and flat land in the North, mountains in the South. Germany, France, Luxembourg, Holland are neighbors, makes it fun to cross borders and compare!
Climate compared to US regions: NYC
People: Very open minded, flexible and tolerant (although the Flemish have an issue with the Walloons and the other way around). They like to celebrate and talk. Intelligent folks, really.
Must-sees: Brussels, very old and bourgeois city setup, mixed with high tech of the new world and an amazing infrastructure. Very interesting! World famous Manneken Pis at Grand Place, Brussels. Great food and wines in the better restaurants! Ardennes, beautiful mountains, lots of tiny citadels in the mountain villages. Antverpes, Ghent (very old and pretty big).
Most recommended activities: Discovery, history, hiking, eating chocolate all the time!, ski, water sports on countless rivers and at the sea, prehistoric caves.
Specialties: Chocolate!!! Try Neuhaus (dark green package)!!! I did never know what chocolate could do to my soul until I tried it. You will NEVER, EVER forget tat again!!!!!!!! (consider this: this is written by a German who worked in Switzerland for 8 years!)
Budget Info: Plan about $200 a day/person
Web sites: General: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/dest/eur/bel.htm (Perfect, gives everything)
No info about Ireland, Holland, Scandinavia yet. Will write separate reviews as I have a chance to get there.
Please see my other reviews about this series (marked in the review title).
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