Europe Favorites
Dec 9th 2004, 3:57 am
#46
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
joannington wrote:
> Hi
> Just wondering where everyones favorite place in Europe is... ive
never
> been so I dont have one, just thought it would be interesting to hear
> other peoples
[snip]
This is a tad difficult for me. Reading the responses, much of
them have to do with food and wine. On that basis, I'd probably
say Italy. Italy does pretty well on history as well. The walking
in Britain is better, and London itself is probably one of my more
favorite cities. Lots of theater, wide variety of food, great walking
town, excellent flight options from my home town. Only real downer
is that it is pretty expensive.
I usually suggest that folks go for their first time to Europe by
going to London. It's "all different" but you'll speak the language.
Rome is probably #2 because in many ways you'll "know" alot about it
before you ever get there (the Vatican, the coloseum, etc).
> Hi
> Just wondering where everyones favorite place in Europe is... ive
never
> been so I dont have one, just thought it would be interesting to hear
> other peoples
[snip]
This is a tad difficult for me. Reading the responses, much of
them have to do with food and wine. On that basis, I'd probably
say Italy. Italy does pretty well on history as well. The walking
in Britain is better, and London itself is probably one of my more
favorite cities. Lots of theater, wide variety of food, great walking
town, excellent flight options from my home town. Only real downer
is that it is pretty expensive.
I usually suggest that folks go for their first time to Europe by
going to London. It's "all different" but you'll speak the language.
Rome is probably #2 because in many ways you'll "know" alot about it
before you ever get there (the Vatican, the coloseum, etc).
Dec 9th 2004, 4:37 am
#47
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
<< Hang on, because I don't like venice due to the preponderance of
tourist focused people and establishments primarily, I'm a philistine?
The buildings are nothing special, the Duomo or ponte vecchio in
Firenze were much more interesting architecturally to me.>>
OK, I'm sorry I threw my toys out of my pram. I have a great deal of
affection for Venice. I first went there in 1954, not too long after the war
when it was in a dreadful state, and I have been going back, on and off,
ever since.
I get irritated, probably too easily, trying to squeeze through the
bunches of people suffering from Standhal's Syndrome who wander around San
Marco with their thumb up their bum and their mind in neutral because it is
all too overwhelming. They would probably have spent their money more wisely
going to Spain or Majorca or somewhere like that.
Anyway, that said, You might be interested in two programmes which were
recently shown on UK TV. They were both four-parters and the first one was
broadcast about a month or two ago called Francesco's Venice.
There is a book to go with the series, details at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/com...y/venice.shtml
The other one started two weeks ago on Channel 4 on Saturday and is still
running with two more parts to go.
It is about the Medici which is almost synonymous with the history of
Florence and the renaissance.
Details at:
http://www.channel4.com/history/micr...-m/medici.html
I don't know if they may be commercially available but you might find
someone like myself who has recorded them both.
Hope this helps.
tourist focused people and establishments primarily, I'm a philistine?
The buildings are nothing special, the Duomo or ponte vecchio in
Firenze were much more interesting architecturally to me.>>
OK, I'm sorry I threw my toys out of my pram. I have a great deal of
affection for Venice. I first went there in 1954, not too long after the war
when it was in a dreadful state, and I have been going back, on and off,
ever since.
I get irritated, probably too easily, trying to squeeze through the
bunches of people suffering from Standhal's Syndrome who wander around San
Marco with their thumb up their bum and their mind in neutral because it is
all too overwhelming. They would probably have spent their money more wisely
going to Spain or Majorca or somewhere like that.
Anyway, that said, You might be interested in two programmes which were
recently shown on UK TV. They were both four-parters and the first one was
broadcast about a month or two ago called Francesco's Venice.
There is a book to go with the series, details at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/com...y/venice.shtml
The other one started two weeks ago on Channel 4 on Saturday and is still
running with two more parts to go.
It is about the Medici which is almost synonymous with the history of
Florence and the renaissance.
Details at:
http://www.channel4.com/history/micr...-m/medici.html
I don't know if they may be commercially available but you might find
someone like myself who has recorded them both.
Hope this helps.
Dec 9th 2004, 6:47 am
#48
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
"[email protected]" wrote:
> This is a tad difficult for me. Reading the responses, much of
> them have to do with food and wine. On that basis, I'd probably
> say Italy. Italy does pretty well on history as well. The walking
> in Britain is better, and London itself is probably one of my more
> favorite cities. Lots of theater, wide variety of food, great walking
> town, excellent flight options from my home town.
I hear lots of good things about London. My personal favourite city to
visit is Paris, but I know a lot of people who like London much more. I
was never much interested in going there because I figure if I am going to
spend that much to go somewhere I want a completely different culture.
> Only real downer
> is that it is pretty expensive.
That's the downfall that most people run into. A few years ago my son was
returning from a job in Africa and had a 10 hour layover there with an
option for 4 days. I offered to cover his expenses for the 4 days figuring
it was a god way for him to get to see London without having to pay for
flight. He loved it, but it ended up costing me way more than I had
expected. He was not eating in fancy places, but he said the rule of thumb
was that whatever he had add 3 to the price and convert from dollars to
pounds, ie a hamburger that would cost $3 would be 6 pounds.... $15.
On my first trip to Paris I found meals pretty steep. It was worse on my
second trip when I went with my brothers and their wives and we ended up
eating in prime tourist locations and paid small fortunes for mediocre
meals. When I returned with just my wife two years after that we went a
little further afield. Restaurants a few blocks away offered much better
fare for about half the price.
> I usually suggest that folks go for their first time to Europe by
> going to London. It's "all different" but you'll speak the language.
> Rome is probably #2 because in many ways you'll "know" alot about it
> before you ever get there (the Vatican, the coloseum, etc).
Italy is the only place where language posed a problem for me. I do not
speak any Italian. I could figure out menus easily enough but spoken
Italian was beyond me. In France, Belgium and Germany I could get by with
my fractured high school French and German, and most of the time the people
spoke excellent English. In Holland and Denmark it was rare not to get
service in English.
> This is a tad difficult for me. Reading the responses, much of
> them have to do with food and wine. On that basis, I'd probably
> say Italy. Italy does pretty well on history as well. The walking
> in Britain is better, and London itself is probably one of my more
> favorite cities. Lots of theater, wide variety of food, great walking
> town, excellent flight options from my home town.
I hear lots of good things about London. My personal favourite city to
visit is Paris, but I know a lot of people who like London much more. I
was never much interested in going there because I figure if I am going to
spend that much to go somewhere I want a completely different culture.
> Only real downer
> is that it is pretty expensive.
That's the downfall that most people run into. A few years ago my son was
returning from a job in Africa and had a 10 hour layover there with an
option for 4 days. I offered to cover his expenses for the 4 days figuring
it was a god way for him to get to see London without having to pay for
flight. He loved it, but it ended up costing me way more than I had
expected. He was not eating in fancy places, but he said the rule of thumb
was that whatever he had add 3 to the price and convert from dollars to
pounds, ie a hamburger that would cost $3 would be 6 pounds.... $15.
On my first trip to Paris I found meals pretty steep. It was worse on my
second trip when I went with my brothers and their wives and we ended up
eating in prime tourist locations and paid small fortunes for mediocre
meals. When I returned with just my wife two years after that we went a
little further afield. Restaurants a few blocks away offered much better
fare for about half the price.
> I usually suggest that folks go for their first time to Europe by
> going to London. It's "all different" but you'll speak the language.
> Rome is probably #2 because in many ways you'll "know" alot about it
> before you ever get there (the Vatican, the coloseum, etc).
Italy is the only place where language posed a problem for me. I do not
speak any Italian. I could figure out menus easily enough but spoken
Italian was beyond me. In France, Belgium and Germany I could get by with
my fractured high school French and German, and most of the time the people
spoke excellent English. In Holland and Denmark it was rare not to get
service in English.
Dec 9th 2004, 7:52 am
#49
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
Berlin, (in summer) but that may be due to the fact I know it so
well..having been there 20 times or
more.
As we all know each persons answer will be influenced by his lifestyle,
ours has been sidewalk cafes, lakeside beaches, great restaurants and
bars...and on and on.
well..having been there 20 times or
more.
As we all know each persons answer will be influenced by his lifestyle,
ours has been sidewalk cafes, lakeside beaches, great restaurants and
bars...and on and on.
Dec 9th 2004, 8:53 am
#50
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 14:47:21 -0500, Dave Smith
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Italy is the only place where language posed a problem for me. I do not
>speak any Italian. I could figure out menus easily enough but spoken
>Italian was beyond me.
It is true that decent level English is hardly spoken in Italy, and
even less so outside of the cities. It is a pretty easy language to
learn at phrase book level though, as pronounciation is a doddle, and
most people already know a few Italian words, even if they don't say
them correctly.
The real problem is trying not to get ripped off in the touristy
areas. The Italians can be very efficient at separating tourists from
their cash.
(actually, that's about the only efficient thing in Italy!)
---
DFM
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Italy is the only place where language posed a problem for me. I do not
>speak any Italian. I could figure out menus easily enough but spoken
>Italian was beyond me.
It is true that decent level English is hardly spoken in Italy, and
even less so outside of the cities. It is a pretty easy language to
learn at phrase book level though, as pronounciation is a doddle, and
most people already know a few Italian words, even if they don't say
them correctly.
The real problem is trying not to get ripped off in the touristy
areas. The Italians can be very efficient at separating tourists from
their cash.
(actually, that's about the only efficient thing in Italy!)
---
DFM
Dec 9th 2004, 9:18 am
#51
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
Deep Frayed Morgues wrote:
> On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 14:47:21 -0500, Dave Smith
> <[email protected]> wrote:
> >Italy is the only place where language posed a problem for me. I do
not
> >speak any Italian. I could figure out menus easily enough but spoken
> >Italian was beyond me.
> It is true that decent level English is hardly spoken in Italy, and
> even less so outside of the cities. It is a pretty easy language to
> learn at phrase book level though, as pronounciation is a doddle, and
> most people already know a few Italian words, even if they don't say
> them correctly.
I started thread a while back about just how little ones needs to
be able to speak the local language to get on in most places. Italy
is the place I have put such an approach to the test the most.
Neither I nor my wife speak a lick, as oppose to her french and
my minimal german. And we've had some doozy of a travel stumbles
in Italy. We worked them out, not always smoothly, but we did.
> The real problem is trying not to get ripped off in the touristy
> areas. The Italians can be very efficient at separating tourists from
> their cash.
We worked them out, occasionally by paying the piper. When
worse comes to worse, you pay more than you should to get you
to where you need to be.
I've gotten philsophical about it. Predominately, other than the
out right criminal activities, it is related greatly to their
mediterranian heritage. Everything is a negotiation, and as in
most negotiations, knowledge is power. It is not considered improper
to take advantage of someone else's ignorance of the situation
or options. I won't necessarily defend it, but just as in some
places one must accept that vegaminte is actually considered food,
you have to accept that this is how the system works, and you
either pay the cost, or you don't go.
> On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 14:47:21 -0500, Dave Smith
> <[email protected]> wrote:
> >Italy is the only place where language posed a problem for me. I do
not
> >speak any Italian. I could figure out menus easily enough but spoken
> >Italian was beyond me.
> It is true that decent level English is hardly spoken in Italy, and
> even less so outside of the cities. It is a pretty easy language to
> learn at phrase book level though, as pronounciation is a doddle, and
> most people already know a few Italian words, even if they don't say
> them correctly.
I started thread a while back about just how little ones needs to
be able to speak the local language to get on in most places. Italy
is the place I have put such an approach to the test the most.
Neither I nor my wife speak a lick, as oppose to her french and
my minimal german. And we've had some doozy of a travel stumbles
in Italy. We worked them out, not always smoothly, but we did.
> The real problem is trying not to get ripped off in the touristy
> areas. The Italians can be very efficient at separating tourists from
> their cash.
We worked them out, occasionally by paying the piper. When
worse comes to worse, you pay more than you should to get you
to where you need to be.
I've gotten philsophical about it. Predominately, other than the
out right criminal activities, it is related greatly to their
mediterranian heritage. Everything is a negotiation, and as in
most negotiations, knowledge is power. It is not considered improper
to take advantage of someone else's ignorance of the situation
or options. I won't necessarily defend it, but just as in some
places one must accept that vegaminte is actually considered food,
you have to accept that this is how the system works, and you
either pay the cost, or you don't go.
Dec 9th 2004, 9:20 am
#52
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
On Wed, 8 Dec 2004 20:31:48 -0600, "Douglas W. Hoyt"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I can understand why you don't like it--and why many people won't. There
>are things I truly dislike about Venice--and you've captured most of it!
>The overpriced mediocre restaurants, the strangeness of its essential
>touristic nature. That said, it's MY favorite place in Europe too--but I
>love physical geography, love being in places that are overwhelmingly
>detailed for the eye to try to capture, and I have always loved European
>public transportation (these aspects of place and space are more
>tantalizing to me than pure archictecture or museums). Venice, in its
>ramshackle glory, it's otherworldly setting, its never-ending lanes, and
>dreamy expansiveness across lagoon and sea--it's an absolute feast. Nothng
>else is like it, and if you enjoy this aspect to its city-ness, nothing else
>comes close. I go there pretty much every year--and I live in the U.S.!
By and large I am completely repulsed by tourism, and I certainly
didn't find too much remarkable architecture in Venice, but I always
go for places with a unique atmosphere too it, and Venice has that.
There are plenty of places you can go where there are no tourists, and
San Marco is only interesting for about 20 mins anyway. Just another
beautiful church, there are 200 more like it in Europe.
But yeah, sitting there, surrounded by water, with no bloody cars
around, is very relaxing, and does feel like a place pleasantly
disconnected from earth. It earnt a place in my heart, and believe me
the expectations couldn't have been much higher.
But then, I was there for the first and only time yesterday, when it
was cold. I can't bare to think of what it's like mid-August.
---
DFM
<[email protected]> wrote:
>I can understand why you don't like it--and why many people won't. There
>are things I truly dislike about Venice--and you've captured most of it!
>The overpriced mediocre restaurants, the strangeness of its essential
>touristic nature. That said, it's MY favorite place in Europe too--but I
>love physical geography, love being in places that are overwhelmingly
>detailed for the eye to try to capture, and I have always loved European
>public transportation (these aspects of place and space are more
>tantalizing to me than pure archictecture or museums). Venice, in its
>ramshackle glory, it's otherworldly setting, its never-ending lanes, and
>dreamy expansiveness across lagoon and sea--it's an absolute feast. Nothng
>else is like it, and if you enjoy this aspect to its city-ness, nothing else
>comes close. I go there pretty much every year--and I live in the U.S.!
By and large I am completely repulsed by tourism, and I certainly
didn't find too much remarkable architecture in Venice, but I always
go for places with a unique atmosphere too it, and Venice has that.
There are plenty of places you can go where there are no tourists, and
San Marco is only interesting for about 20 mins anyway. Just another
beautiful church, there are 200 more like it in Europe.
But yeah, sitting there, surrounded by water, with no bloody cars
around, is very relaxing, and does feel like a place pleasantly
disconnected from earth. It earnt a place in my heart, and believe me
the expectations couldn't have been much higher.
But then, I was there for the first and only time yesterday, when it
was cold. I can't bare to think of what it's like mid-August.
---
DFM
Dec 9th 2004, 12:03 pm
#53
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
"Matteo B" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:be%[email protected]...
> "The Reids" <[email protected]>
> > I noted the tourist menu ragu was a rather non italian type spag
> > bol main course with masses of meaty sauce.
> it may sound like heresy but the best meat sauce described more
> or less as 'ragù alla bolognese' that I've ever had was not in Bologna
> but in a rather unpretentious restaurant in Edinborough (sp?). it tasted
> so nice that I almost failed to notice it was served on overcooked
> spaghetti.:)
The best spaghetti bolognese I ever had was in a small, low cost restaurant
in Palma, Majorca.
news:be%[email protected]...
> "The Reids" <[email protected]>
> > I noted the tourist menu ragu was a rather non italian type spag
> > bol main course with masses of meaty sauce.
> it may sound like heresy but the best meat sauce described more
> or less as 'ragù alla bolognese' that I've ever had was not in Bologna
> but in a rather unpretentious restaurant in Edinborough (sp?). it tasted
> so nice that I almost failed to notice it was served on overcooked
> spaghetti.:)
The best spaghetti bolognese I ever had was in a small, low cost restaurant
in Palma, Majorca.
Dec 9th 2004, 12:19 pm
#54
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] oups.com...
> joannington wrote:
> > Hi
> >
> > Just wondering where everyones favorite place in Europe is... ive
> never
> > been so I dont have one, just thought it would be interesting to hear
> > other peoples
> [snip]
> This is a tad difficult for me. Reading the responses, much of
> them have to do with food and wine. On that basis, I'd probably
> say Italy. Italy does pretty well on history as well. The walking
> in Britain is better, and London itself is probably one of my more
> favorite cities. Lots of theater, wide variety of food, great walking
> town, excellent flight options from my home town. Only real downer
> is that it is pretty expensive.
> I usually suggest that folks go for their first time to Europe by
> going to London. It's "all different" but you'll speak the language.
> Rome is probably #2 because in many ways you'll "know" alot about it
> before you ever get there (the Vatican, the coloseum, etc).
London is somewhat a downer because of the overall cost. Theater is one of
the reasonable items, but overall, very expensive. Used to go on business
and even on expense account, you noticed that the place was over priced.
For a major city, Paris is one of the most reasonable and easy access to
Normandy as well as lots to see and do while in Paris. I enjoy water areas
the most, and Majorca is very high on my most loved in Europe places, but is
a lot more laid back than most areas. As to Italy, Rome and Pompeii are
nice, but after a few days, the massiveness of the area and ruins start
running together. I loved Ischia, and is also a less active place. Being I
am a San Francisco area native, I try to go to smaller towns, Amalfi,
Sorrento, etc are very relaxing, as well as nice to sight see. South of
France and Avignon during the music festival is very enjoyable. Overall,
you have to have an idea of what you like and plan to see those places that
have more of that and less of other items. Since the wife and I are not art
museum lovers, we like the areas with nice small eateries and natural
beauty. As well as fun places to picnic. A couple of great highlights
from our last trip were the coming back from a trip outside Sienna to walk
in to a community (Contrada) dinner for one of neighborhoods. They had the
last 4 winning horses from the Palio there. Another great highlight was a
Marrone (Chestnut) festival in a little village in the Cinque Terre. Years
ago (1985) we ended up in a hotel on Piazza Erbe in Verona. Come out to the
balcony to see the market. Walk over and have a great time wandering
through the market. Take enough time to enjoy the area you are in and then
leave to another area. If you find it is not to your liking, move. One of
the reasons we travel with only reservations for the arrival and departure
days.
news:[email protected] oups.com...
> joannington wrote:
> > Hi
> >
> > Just wondering where everyones favorite place in Europe is... ive
> never
> > been so I dont have one, just thought it would be interesting to hear
> > other peoples
> [snip]
> This is a tad difficult for me. Reading the responses, much of
> them have to do with food and wine. On that basis, I'd probably
> say Italy. Italy does pretty well on history as well. The walking
> in Britain is better, and London itself is probably one of my more
> favorite cities. Lots of theater, wide variety of food, great walking
> town, excellent flight options from my home town. Only real downer
> is that it is pretty expensive.
> I usually suggest that folks go for their first time to Europe by
> going to London. It's "all different" but you'll speak the language.
> Rome is probably #2 because in many ways you'll "know" alot about it
> before you ever get there (the Vatican, the coloseum, etc).
London is somewhat a downer because of the overall cost. Theater is one of
the reasonable items, but overall, very expensive. Used to go on business
and even on expense account, you noticed that the place was over priced.
For a major city, Paris is one of the most reasonable and easy access to
Normandy as well as lots to see and do while in Paris. I enjoy water areas
the most, and Majorca is very high on my most loved in Europe places, but is
a lot more laid back than most areas. As to Italy, Rome and Pompeii are
nice, but after a few days, the massiveness of the area and ruins start
running together. I loved Ischia, and is also a less active place. Being I
am a San Francisco area native, I try to go to smaller towns, Amalfi,
Sorrento, etc are very relaxing, as well as nice to sight see. South of
France and Avignon during the music festival is very enjoyable. Overall,
you have to have an idea of what you like and plan to see those places that
have more of that and less of other items. Since the wife and I are not art
museum lovers, we like the areas with nice small eateries and natural
beauty. As well as fun places to picnic. A couple of great highlights
from our last trip were the coming back from a trip outside Sienna to walk
in to a community (Contrada) dinner for one of neighborhoods. They had the
last 4 winning horses from the Palio there. Another great highlight was a
Marrone (Chestnut) festival in a little village in the Cinque Terre. Years
ago (1985) we ended up in a hotel on Piazza Erbe in Verona. Come out to the
balcony to see the market. Walk over and have a great time wandering
through the market. Take enough time to enjoy the area you are in and then
leave to another area. If you find it is not to your liking, move. One of
the reasons we travel with only reservations for the arrival and departure
days.
Dec 9th 2004, 5:37 pm
#55
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
On 9 Dec 2004 14:18:40 -0800, "[email protected]"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Deep Frayed Morgues wrote:
>> On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 14:47:21 -0500, Dave Smith
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >Italy is the only place where language posed a problem for me. I do
>not
>> >speak any Italian. I could figure out menus easily enough but spoken
>> >Italian was beyond me.
>> It is true that decent level English is hardly spoken in Italy, and
>> even less so outside of the cities. It is a pretty easy language to
>> learn at phrase book level though, as pronounciation is a doddle, and
>> most people already know a few Italian words, even if they don't say
>> them correctly.
>I started thread a while back about just how little ones needs to
>be able to speak the local language to get on in most places. Italy
>is the place I have put such an approach to the test the most.
>Neither I nor my wife speak a lick, as oppose to her french and
>my minimal german. And we've had some doozy of a travel stumbles
>in Italy.
Did you ask for a 'latte' at the bar?
---
DFM
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Deep Frayed Morgues wrote:
>> On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 14:47:21 -0500, Dave Smith
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >Italy is the only place where language posed a problem for me. I do
>not
>> >speak any Italian. I could figure out menus easily enough but spoken
>> >Italian was beyond me.
>> It is true that decent level English is hardly spoken in Italy, and
>> even less so outside of the cities. It is a pretty easy language to
>> learn at phrase book level though, as pronounciation is a doddle, and
>> most people already know a few Italian words, even if they don't say
>> them correctly.
>I started thread a while back about just how little ones needs to
>be able to speak the local language to get on in most places. Italy
>is the place I have put such an approach to the test the most.
>Neither I nor my wife speak a lick, as oppose to her french and
>my minimal german. And we've had some doozy of a travel stumbles
>in Italy.
Did you ask for a 'latte' at the bar?
---
DFM
Dec 9th 2004, 9:01 pm
#56
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
Following up to Susan Wachob
>I would definitely pick Ireland. Green, rural, mostly small villages
>instead of big cities, wonderful people, rolling hills, lots of history,
>delicious beer (I don't like beer, but those who do rave about it!).
That depends how you feel about beer. Some of us beer drinkers
regard Guinless as a remarkable triumph of publicity (and the eye
fooling the mouth), over content, others think the opposite. But
I suppose that most Irish tourists are used to US Budweiser, so
are not in a position to judge :-)
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
>I would definitely pick Ireland. Green, rural, mostly small villages
>instead of big cities, wonderful people, rolling hills, lots of history,
>delicious beer (I don't like beer, but those who do rave about it!).
That depends how you feel about beer. Some of us beer drinkers
regard Guinless as a remarkable triumph of publicity (and the eye
fooling the mouth), over content, others think the opposite. But
I suppose that most Irish tourists are used to US Budweiser, so
are not in a position to judge :-)
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
Dec 9th 2004, 9:01 pm
#57
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
Following up to Jim Ley
>Hang on, because I don't like venice due to the preponderance of
>tourist focused people and establishments primarily, I'm a philistine?
IIRC you approached from landwards and spent much time in St
Marks Square, I did neither and enjoyed the experience.
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
>Hang on, because I don't like venice due to the preponderance of
>tourist focused people and establishments primarily, I'm a philistine?
IIRC you approached from landwards and spent much time in St
Marks Square, I did neither and enjoyed the experience.
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
Dec 9th 2004, 9:01 pm
#58
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
Following up to BB
>Belgium, actually. We stayed in a little town called Brugges (spelled
>various ways), and really loved it. Great food and fantastic beer!
Having just slagged off Irish beer, heres a place with truly
great beer.
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
>Belgium, actually. We stayed in a little town called Brugges (spelled
>various ways), and really loved it. Great food and fantastic beer!
Having just slagged off Irish beer, heres a place with truly
great beer.
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
Dec 9th 2004, 9:01 pm
#59
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
Following up to [email protected]
>This is a tad difficult for me. Reading the responses, much of
>them have to do with food and wine. On that basis, I'd probably
>say Italy. Italy does pretty well on history as well. The walking
>in Britain is better, and London itself is probably one of my more
>favorite cities. Lots of theater, wide variety of food, great walking
>town, excellent flight options from my home town. Only real downer
>is that it is pretty expensive.
Yes, UK has its extensive footpath network, while in Italy, away
from obvious walking areas I think you just have to hope for the
best?
Italy is certainly up there for food, along with France and
Spain. Not so sure about wine though, places I would have
expected to have good wine elsewhere could only produce a poor
house red, sometimes fizzy and chilled, which surprised me. I
noted with surprise, that over lunch in Napoli, we were the only
table with wine and all they had was a mediocre carafe. Don't
know if it was chicken-egg or egg-chicken?
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
>This is a tad difficult for me. Reading the responses, much of
>them have to do with food and wine. On that basis, I'd probably
>say Italy. Italy does pretty well on history as well. The walking
>in Britain is better, and London itself is probably one of my more
>favorite cities. Lots of theater, wide variety of food, great walking
>town, excellent flight options from my home town. Only real downer
>is that it is pretty expensive.
Yes, UK has its extensive footpath network, while in Italy, away
from obvious walking areas I think you just have to hope for the
best?
Italy is certainly up there for food, along with France and
Spain. Not so sure about wine though, places I would have
expected to have good wine elsewhere could only produce a poor
house red, sometimes fizzy and chilled, which surprised me. I
noted with surprise, that over lunch in Napoli, we were the only
table with wine and all they had was a mediocre carafe. Don't
know if it was chicken-egg or egg-chicken?
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
Dec 9th 2004, 9:01 pm
#60
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Europe Favorites
Following up to Dave Smith
>I hear lots of good things about London. My personal favourite city to
>visit is Paris, but I know a lot of people who like London much more. I
>was never much interested in going there because I figure if I am going to
>spend that much to go somewhere I want a completely different culture.
Because you speak the lingo you would probably find you spotted
more differences than you might expect just strolling along the
pavement, stopping for a pint of bitter and a packet of crisps or
queuing in the chippie for a take away. :-)
--
Mike Reid
London & London walks inc. Thames path
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/london.htm"
(see website for email address)
>I hear lots of good things about London. My personal favourite city to
>visit is Paris, but I know a lot of people who like London much more. I
>was never much interested in going there because I figure if I am going to
>spend that much to go somewhere I want a completely different culture.
Because you speak the lingo you would probably find you spotted
more differences than you might expect just strolling along the
pavement, stopping for a pint of bitter and a packet of crisps or
queuing in the chippie for a take away. :-)
--
Mike Reid
London & London walks inc. Thames path
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/london.htm"
(see website for email address)
