If so, what places did you visit while you were there? Also, what was the flight like?

I have never really traveled anywhere significant, but I am going to Europe for the first time in the Fall, and was just wondering what to expect. I'll be visiting London, Paris and Rome. I'm really looking forward to it!

Yeah, I've been to Europe. The flight went well. I've been to London and Paris, and I hope one day to go to Rome.

I really have nothing to say other than it is great. Everyone should vacation in Europe, at least once.

You'll love it! It's amazing. The flight shouldn't be that bad, as it should be dark and you will be able to sleep. Try to get some sleep at least to ward off jet lag. I've traveled to most European countries, but hitting the The 3 Majors of London, Paris and Rome on your first trip over will be a great introduction to the continent. Fall is a wonderful time of the year to visit, as well. Once you return home, you will already start planning your next trip!

I've been to Europe twice. The first trip was my school's Senior Trip, the second trip was to attend the American Coaster Enthusiast's first International Convention. On both cases the Jet Lag hit me like a ton of bricks! :( The best way to deal with it is to "Tough it out" for the day and don't go to bed until it gets dark. In both cases somr people in my group didn't heed the warning, and their second day was just as bad as their first. In both there were others who didn't have problems with jet lag at all, but that's the way things went for me.

On the return trip home I had no problem with jet lag, so figure that! :lol:

I've also been to South America four times, no problem with jet lag there, but if only they made the seats in coach recline just two inches further! :confused:

Never been to Europe. I've always wanted to go to England. But I'm afraid to fly. So I'll just travel the US and Canada. I love Canada! We have camped there and I've been to Toronto many times. I would someday like to go to Montreal.

You'll love it! It's amazing. The flight shouldn't be that bad, as it should be dark and you will be able to sleep. Try to get some sleep at least to ward off jet lag. I've traveled to most European countries, but hitting the The 3 Majors of London, Paris and Rome on your first trip over will be a great introduction to the continent. Fall is a wonderful time of the year to visit, as well. Once you return home, you will already start planning your next trip!

Thanks so much for the tip! I will definitely try to sleep on the flight. Wow, lucky that you've been able to travel so much throughout Europe. I'm sure this vacation will just want to make me plan another!

I've been to Europe twice. The first trip was my school's Senior Trip, the second trip was to attend the American Coaster Enthusiast's first International Convention. On both cases the Jet Lag hit me like a ton of bricks! :( The best way to deal with it is to "Tough it out" for the day and don't go to bed until it gets dark. In both cases somr people in my group didn't heed the warning, and their second day was just as bad as their first. In both there were others who didn't have problems with jet lag at all, but that's the way things went for me.

On the return trip home I had no problem with jet lag, so figure that! :lol:

I've also been to South America four times, no problem with jet lag there, but if only they made the seats in coach recline just two inches further! :confused:

Thanks for the advice! I'll have to try to tough it out for the first day so that everything goes smoothly.

Never been to Europe. I've always wanted to go to England. But I'm afraid to fly. So I'll just travel the US and Canada. I love Canada! We have camped there and I've been to Toronto many times. I would someday like to go to Montreal.

Since I'm also from Michigan, the majority of my vacations have been to the UP. :lol: I was in Georgia and Alabama as a young child, and Florida as a teen, but not too much other than that.

Never. And, despite having wanted to go for 25 years, I'm not likely to do so. :(

I just wanted to share that I absolutely loved Europe. It was amazing, and an experience like that is really life changing. I did all of the main tourist things that you can do in the cities, and a lot of things in between.

Everything from seeing Lindsay Lohan in a play (was 15 feet away from the stage--she was great!) to seeing the Pope to aimlessly wandering Paris at all hours of the night and sitting on a bench in front of the Notre Dame with a full moon and not many people around.

It was a trip I'll never forget, and I completely recommend it to anyone who has the chance to go. You were completely correct 80sTrivia, I am so ready to start planning the next trip!

I'm glad you had an amazing time on your European adventure!

You were completely correct 80sTrivia, I am so ready to start planning the next trip!

Ok, so I absolutely did not think it would be this soon! But I just booked a trip to Barcelona leaving Christmas night and returning New Year's Day. I'm so excited!

Never been there, but it's on my Bucket List!

Here's the cities I'd go to...

Liverpool, United Kingdom (I'm a die-hard Beatles fan)!
Paris, France (I'll be sure to have traveler's cheques with me).
Germany (Only where my cousin lives since he's German).
All of Italy (And I'd like to try a REAL pizza)!

Never been there, but it's on my Bucket List!

Here's the cities I'd go to...

Liverpool, United Kingdom (I'm a die-hard Beatles fan)!
Paris, France (I'll be sure to have traveler's cheques with me).
Germany (Only where my cousin lives since he's German).
All of Italy (And I'd like to try a REAL pizza)!

If you are traveling from Germany to Italy you'll want to spend AT LEAST one week in Switzerland, the Alps are absolutely BREATHTAKING!!! :thumbsup:

If you are traveling from Germany to Italy you'll want to spend AT LEAST one week in Switzerland, the Alps are absolutely BREATHTAKING!!! :thumbsup:

Okay...I also want to visit Vienna as well.

Paris, France (I'll be sure to have traveler's cheques with me).


I think those are becoming more of a thing of the past. I've read that they've become more difficult to cash. I had no issues using my credit cards in Paris. I was in love with the city and definitely want to return. I just thought that late December is probably not the best time.

This thread is funny to me, as I have never left Europe. :D

But I have been to Paris, Rome, London, Milan, Pisa, Florence, Naples, Venice and Amsterdam.

This thread is funny to me, as I have never left Europe. :D

But I have been to Paris, Rome, London, Milan, Pisa, Florence, Naples, Venice and Amsterdam.

Okay, for you...ever been to the United States of America?

Like I said, I still haven't been outside Europe.

Like I said, I still haven't been outside Europe.

Never mind...

Has anyone here that's from Europe (besides Furienna) ever been to the United States?

The one thing I'm not looking forward to...the Amsterdam airport! Ugh, I have layovers there on the way there and back. It was one of the only parts of my first trip that I did not enjoy.

Someone go to Greece, they need the tourist money.

Funny that this thread was bumped, because I'm actually returning to Europe in the Fall. This time it's going to be Paris, Berlin, Prague and Amsterdam. I'm looking forward to it.

Funny that this thread was bumped, because I'm actually returning to Europe in the Fall. This time it's going to be Paris, Berlin, Prague and Amsterdam. I'm looking forward to it.

Have a good time. :)

This thread is funny to me, as I have never left Europe. :D

But I have been to Paris, Rome, London, Milan, Pisa, Florence, Naples, Venice and Amsterdam.

Which place would you say you liked the best? :)

Have a good time. :)

Thank you!! :)

If so, what places did you visit while you were there? Also, what was the flight like?

Funny that this thread was bumped, because I'm actually returning to Europe in the Fall. This time it's going to be Paris, Berlin, Prague and Amsterdam. I'm looking forward to it.

So how was your last trip? As for the comment about traveler's checks, yes, that's a thing of the past. In most of Europe, you can use your ATM cards. And credit cards if needed. I've found that my best exchange rates are from the ATMs. Be careful about those money exchange houses. Many of them are a rip-off, especially at airports, train stations and touristy areas. Stick with the ATM machines, if possible.

I've been to Europe many times, both for business and pleasure. I've traveled in England and Scotland, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Turkey, the Netherlands, Poland, and just outside of Europe in Morocco. And I'm not done yet! I plan to return many more times. Hopefully, I'll get to live there for awhile one day.

The flights are long. The return flight is longer than the flight over because of the jet stream. I tend to prefer European airlines because they are more old style and care about customer service, whereas the U.S. airlines only care about squeezing every nickle and dime out of you to make the biggest profit. Food also tends to be better on the European carriers, and some of them still use actual silverware, not plastic crap. Traveling within Europe, I highly recommend the trains. They're very punctual, efficient, and are accessible from virtually every town and city, no matter how small. Public transportation in Europe is amazing. And most European towns and cities are very pedestrian friendly.

So how was your last trip? As for the comment about traveler's checks, yes, that's a thing of the past. In most of Europe, you can use your ATM cards. And credit cards if needed. I've found that my best exchange rates are from the ATMs. Be careful about those money exchange houses. Many of them are a rip-off, especially at airports, train stations and touristy areas. Stick with the ATM machines, if possible.

I've been to Europe many times, both for business and pleasure. I've traveled in England and Scotland, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Turkey, the Netherlands, Poland, and just outside of Europe in Morocco. And I'm not done yet! I plan to return many more times. Hopefully, I'll get to live there for awhile one day.

The flights are long. The return flight is longer than the flight over because of the jet stream. I tend to prefer European airlines because they are more old style and care about customer service, whereas the U.S. airlines only care about squeezing every nickle and dime out of you to make the biggest profit. Food also tends to be better on the European carriers, and some of them still use actual silverware, not plastic crap. Traveling within Europe, I highly recommend the trains. They're very punctual, efficient, and are accessible from virtually every town and city, no matter how small. Public transportation in Europe is amazing. And most European towns and cities are very pedestrian friendly.

Everything that's true about European living patterns is the opposite of the SUV-crazed, suburban-sprawl quality of America, and Amtrak is one of the least efficient passenger rail systems on the planet. All of this makes me embarrassed to be an American. :( Every time someone in America tries to do something about it, the greedy people profiting off America's current living arrangement put a quick stop to it. :mad:

So how was your last trip? As for the comment about traveler's checks, yes, that's a thing of the past. In most of Europe, you can use your ATM cards. And credit cards if needed. I've found that my best exchange rates are from the ATMs. Be careful about those money exchange houses. Many of them are a rip-off, especially at airports, train stations and touristy areas. Stick with the ATM machines, if possible.

I've been to Europe many times, both for business and pleasure. I've traveled in England and Scotland, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Turkey, the Netherlands, Poland, and just outside of Europe in Morocco. And I'm not done yet! I plan to return many more times. Hopefully, I'll get to live there for awhile one day.

The flights are long. The return flight is longer than the flight over because of the jet stream. I tend to prefer European airlines because they are more old style and care about customer service, whereas the U.S. airlines only care about squeezing every nickle and dime out of you to make the biggest profit. Food also tends to be better on the European carriers, and some of them still use actual silverware, not plastic crap. Traveling within Europe, I highly recommend the trains. They're very punctual, efficient, and are accessible from virtually every town and city, no matter how small. Public transportation in Europe is amazing. And most European towns and cities are very pedestrian friendly.

My trip to Barcelona was amazing! I loved it. I'll definitely have to go back someday. I usually bring some local currency with me, and then use my credit card for the rest. I did also use an ATM in Paris. I agree about the money exchange places. I always thought that they looked like scams, just walking past them.

It's awesome that you have been to so many countries. There's so many more I want to visit in the future, and more I'd like to visit again.

I hadn't flown much at all before flying internationally, and it turns out I don't mind it at all. The flights are long, but in between sleeping and watching the on-flight movies, it seems to go by quickly...the flights there at least. I am not a big fan of the flights back. Jet lag has also never bothered me when arriving, but coming back it hits me for at least a week. I absolutely love using the trains. They are so easy to navigate and very convenient. I only had one issue with that in Paris where one stop was so crowded at night, that people were pushing to get off and pushing to get on at the same time. The doors of the trains in Paris do NOT stop for motion, so it was a tad frightening.

I'm hoping to go to London before the Mini Ice Age hits in 2030 and freezes it over!

Someone go to Greece, they need the tourist money.

I haven't been there since 1992. But I send money to relatives twice per year (at Easter & Christmas).

Which place would you say you liked the best? :)
I think I have to say Rome, just because of how that city is such a gold mine for a history and culture nerd like me. But I can also strongly recommend Florence, Venice and Amsterdam for similar reasons.

I think I have to say Rome, just because of how that city is such a gold mine for a history and culture nerd like me. But I can also strongly recommend Florence, Venice and Amsterdam for similar reasons.

Yes! I figured Italy would be nice. That is where I would really like to go if I traveled! ;) That would be first on my list, than I'm thinking Spain and Portugal. Maybe Germany for Oktoberfest and Ireland. I heard it was really pretty (very green) and fun there! :) But I probably won't go ever because of the money and also I'm afraid to fly and way over the ocean like that! :eek:

So Besides the United States, I've only been to Mexico! :)

While I didn't dislike any of the places I've visited so far, I'd have to say that Rome was my least favorite. I enjoyed the Vatican City very much, but in general, I was not incredibly impressed with Rome. The other places I've been were gorgeous, but Rome, not so much. It was more run down than I had imagined. I do have an interest in visiting other cities in Italy someday, though.

While I didn't dislike any of the places I've visited so far, I'd have to say that Rome was my least favorite. I enjoyed the Vatican City very much, but in general, I was not incredibly impressed with Rome. The other places I've been were gorgeous, but Rome, not so much. It was more run down than I had imagined. I do have an interest in visiting other cities in Italy someday, though.
I guess that depends on what part of Rome you're thinking of. Some parts will be run down, yes. That will be true for any big city. But I love the Vatican City, the Colesseum and the Pantheon. It has much more to offer than Milan and Naples, despite the fact that they also are very old cities. And after I read historical novels about people in Rome, I like how looking at its run down parts makes me come closer to all the people, who lived in this city hundreds of years ago. Most of them didn't live in big nice houses, but in small apartments in far less attractive parts of the city. Okay, I guess I will stop there. But I had to defend Rome as a place to discover both history and culture.

I guess that depends on what part of Rome you're thinking of. Some parts will be run down, yes. That will be true for any big city. But I love the Vatican City, the Colesseum and the Pantheon. It has much more to offer than Milan and Naples, despite the fact that they also are very old cities. And after I read historical novels about people in Rome, I like how looking at its run down parts makes me come closer to all the people, who lived in this city thousands of years ago. Most of them didn't live in big nice houses, but in small apartments in far less attractive parts of the city. Okay, I guess I will stop there. But I had to defend Rome as a place to discover history and culture.

Like I said, I loved everything about the Vatican City. It was worth the stop in Rome to me. But with Rome in general, I wasn't impressed. I realize every major city has areas that are run down, but not all of them to the extent that Rome was. It was just surprising to me. I did enjoy seeing the Colosseum, especially hanging out at night outside of it when not many people were around. But overall, I don't have a great desire to return.

I want to see the Vatican too! :)

A word of advice if you travel to France. If you travel to the Mediterranean Sea for a beach day and realize you forgot your bathing suit, don't let that bother you. From my observation it seemed like half the people there forgot their bathing suits too! :lol: :rofl::rotflmao::brent

A word of advice if you travel to France. If you travel to the Mediterranean Sea for a beach day and realize you forgot your bathing suit, don't let that bother you. From my observation it seemed like half the people there forgot their bathing suits too! :lol: :rofl::rotflmao::brent

HA HA! :lol:

Aw, I have so far missed out on Switzerland and Luxembourg. Well, maybe I can remedy that one day.

My niece spent a semester in Italy this year, taking her university classes. She traveled all over the country, and also visited France, Spain, & Ireland as well. She enjoyed everywhere.

She ran into a little trouble when she tried to take a photo inside the Sistine Chapel. Not permitted. When they say "no," they mean it!

She ran into a little trouble when she tried to take a photo inside the Sistine Chapel. Not permitted. When they say "no," they mean it!

I'm surprised she even tried. I've never seen a place so adamant about no photos being taken than the Sistine Chapel. Our tour guide went over the policy several times, stating that someone taking a photo could put the entire group at risk of being kicked out.

Normally she's very level-headed. As she tells it, she tried to discreetly snap one shot of the ceiling. At age 21, she should've known better than to disregard a firm rule. Anyway, she was booted singly (no group affected).

She found a wide disparity in travel prices - for example, a ride in Venice was almost prohibitively expensive, while most travel between Italy and Greece was cheap.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg was as close to Europe as I ever got.

I'd like to go to Poland where my ancestry is from. They all came here in the early 1900's . But I'd like to see if I could find any relatives of mine that are still there. I'm sure there are.

I would probably end up like the Griswold's , from European Vacation movie, where they are in Germany and they go to meet some long lost relatives. They end up going to the wrong house and the people aren't their relatives and Have NO idea who they are and why they are visiting, but they let them in and feed them and everything. And in subtitle it's saying " Who the hell are these people" ! Or something like that. I haven't seen that movie in awhile but it was funny! That is what would happen to me with my luck! LOL!!!

I'd like to go to Poland where my ancestry is from. They all came here in the early 1900's . But I'd like to see if I could find any relatives of mine that are still there. I'm sure there are.

I would probably end up like the Griswold's , from European Vacation movie, where they are in Germany and they go to meet some long lost relatives. They end up going to the wrong house and the people aren't their relatives and Have NO idea who they are and why they are visiting, but they let them in and feed them and everything. And in subtitle it's saying " Who the hell are these people" ! Or something like that. I haven't seen that movie in awhile but it was funny! That is what would happen to me with my luck! LOL!!!

It was 16, not 6! :lol:

I'd like to go to Poland where my ancestry is from. They all came here in the early 1900's . But I'd like to see if I could find any relatives of mine that are still there. I'm sure there are.

I would probably end up like the Griswold's , from European Vacation movie, where they are in Germany and they go to meet some long lost relatives. They end up going to the wrong house and the people aren't their relatives and Have NO idea who they are and why they are visiting, but they let them in and feed them and everything. And in subtitle it's saying " Who the hell are these people" ! Or something like that. I haven't seen that movie in awhile but it was funny! That is what would happen to me with my luck! LOL!!!
For me, it would be the other way around. One of my great grandmothers had four siblings, who ended up emigrating to America (just like many Swedish people did back then). And as far I know right now, they all went to the Seattle, Washington area. So I guess that my personal journey would be going to Seattle and start my search for my distant cousins from there.

I find it interesting that so many Americans have such a mixed baxkground. And I also have to marvel at all the people from Europe, who were so brave that they would cross an entire ocean to get to America (and they did this before travelling from one continent to another was as easy as it is today). One of my grandfathers was offered ot join some friends on their journey over to America, but he didn't have the courage to follow them. And if he had gone and never returned, my mother would not have been born, and neither would I. And such a thought can boggle your mind.

For me, it would be the other way around. One of my great grandmothers had four siblings, who ended up emigrating to America (just like many Swedish people did back then). And as far I know right now, they all went to the Seattle, Washington area. So I guess that my personal journey would be going to Seattle and start my search for my distant cousins from there.

I find it interesting that so many Americans have such a mixed baxkground. And I also have to marvel at all the people from Europe, who were so brave that they would cross an entire ocean to get to America (and they did this before travelling from one continent to another was as easy as it is today). One of my grandfathers was offered ot join some friends on their journey over to America, but he didn't have the courage to follow them. And if he had gone and never returned, my mother would not have been born, and neither would I. And such a thought can boggle your mind.

Furienna, it would be so cool if you were able to locate some of those relatives in the Washington State area and come visit here! !

You are so fluent in English, it would be very cool for you to meet long lost relatives that migrated over here! :) ;)

I am from Europe..

Which country?

Would anyone go to Europe now, given all of the Syrian migration problems?

Would anyone go to Europe now, given all of the Syrian migration problems?

I just got back from a two week trip to Europe. I went to Paris, Berlin, Prague and Amsterdam and did not encounter any problems. So yes, I would absolutely return.

Yeah, I really don't think that you will find much problems around the big tourist attractions. Most of the refugees will end up far away from them.

I just can't be on an airplane for that long of time it would take to get there. If Europe were closer, I'd go in a minute!!!

Then again, a journey to America these days only takes nine hours with airplane. But it could take nine weeks for your ancestors, when they went there on their ships.

Then again, a journey to America these days only takes nine hours with airplane. But it could take nine weeks for your ancestors, when they went there on their ships.

But at least there was no jet lag! :D

For me, it would be the other way around. One of my great grandmothers had four siblings, who ended up emigrating to America (just like many Swedish people did back then). And as far I know right now, they all went to the Seattle, Washington area. So I guess that my personal journey would be going to Seattle and start my search for my distant cousins from there.

I find it interesting that so many Americans have such a mixed baxkground. And I also have to marvel at all the people from Europe, who were so brave that they would cross an entire ocean to get to America (and they did this before travelling from one continent to another was as easy as it is today). One of my grandfathers was offered ot join some friends on their journey over to America, but he didn't have the courage to follow them. And if he had gone and never returned, my mother would not have been born, and neither would I. And such a thought can boggle your mind.

I have a mixed bag with European blood. I'm certain that I'm 12.5% Italian, 12.5% or more Dutch, 25% give or take German (The actual 25% might be Polish/Slavic since It's Eastern German), 12.5% British Isles (British, Irish, and Welsh...perhaps Scottish). I'm also Scandinavian...I may go and get a DNA test...I may have other types of ancestry.

I've been told that I share the same blood-line as Nelson A. Miles and Sherman Miles.

But at least there was no jet lag! :D
No, people back then only got sea sickness and maybe even scurvy. :p

No, people back then only got sea sickness and maybe even scurvy. :p


OMG!!! I could just imagine!!! I'm a very bad traveler!!!!!:eek: I would be so whiny and annoying :( !!!!! It's a good thing I came along/was born later down the line than my ancestors after they already got here!!! !!!! :lol:

No, people back then only got sea sickness and maybe even scurvy. :p

Now playing: Titanic (Or, Hollywood's Way of Promoting the Airline Industry) :lol:

I went to Spain last year. I spent three weeks in the grand Canary Islands. I had such a great time and I am going back later this year or early next year I am going to go to Madrid. Then I will also visit London and Paris. The flights are very cheap over there when you already in Europe.

Maybe I'll go in 2017 . . .

I've never been, but I'd love to go to England especially.

I've never been, but I'd love to go to England especially.

Ditto - on both counts! :)

If I could go anywhere in Europe my dream destinations would be England and London because I just LOVE the sights and British people are so polite and so kind and I just happen to know some British words and do a pretty nice British accent very well. I could just spend a whole day in London just to see how wonderful it is if I could
Bestie

I'd also like to go to Germany and see Volkswagen's Autostadt museum in Wolfsburg - and rent one of those cars Volkswagen doesn't sell in America! :lol:

I could just spend a whole day in London just to see how wonderful it is if I could
Bestie

Lol, you would need much more than a day. Unless you're familiar with the city, you would spend a day just figuring out how to properly navigate it.

Lol, you would need much more than a day. Unless you're familiar with the city, you would spend a day just figuring out how to properly navigate it.

You'd need a month.

I never been here my whole life

I never been here my whole life

Me neither. :(

And I never left Europe, so there you go. :lol:

It's funny. When I started this thread 80sTrivia pretty much advised me that I'd become addicted to traveling to Europe after going the first time. He couldn't have been more correct. So far I've been to London (twice), Paris (twice), Rome, Barcelona, Berlin, Prague, Amsterdam, Vienna and Budapest, and I have a lot more ground to cover!

If I don't ride on a bullet train - something I know I'll never be able to do in America - I will consider my life wasted. :(