Tiff paints Europe red today!!- Page 2

[Elphaba]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 5:22pm

arrgh.,......where to start.
In Brussels, must see 'Grand Place' (central square) Mannekin Pis, and eat chocolate for days.

Koeln (Cologne) a visit to the cathedral is a must, and in heidelberg a visit to the castle.....

Munich: Altes Pinothek (if you like museums, Frauenkirche, Glockenspiel at the Rathaus (goes off every day at 11 AM in the Marienplatz, stop by Dallmayrs (their version of a mix of Zabars and Dean and Delucca) Make sure to visit the tomb of Mad King Ludwig at Michaelskirche, if you are a Ludwig fan.
Stroll the Viktualien Markt for food and beer......Leberkas is wonderful.....(means livercheese, but it isn't, is a meatloaf sandwich...and they are divine!)
All of the above except the museum is in the Marianplatz area....close together. Don't bother climbing to the top of the Frauenkirche for a view of the city. Best view is from Peterskirche which is nearby. I love Munich.

Innsbruck---yawn, only thing to see there is the Golden Roof (Salzburg would hevr been better....oh well)

Rome.....do NOT miss the Pantheon. While standing in front of the Pantheon and facing away from the Pantheon, across the piazza is a McDonalds. To the left of the McDonalds is an outdoor cafe.......they have the BEST salad there, lettuce, carrots, pecorino cheese and pears....it was heaven. I had it four times!

Venice.......the view from the top of the Campanile in front of St Marks is worth the wait.
Also, in St. Marks, pay the extra fee to see the Pala d'Oro, a 14th century golden altarpiece inlaid with precious stones and enamel.......AMAZING.
Don't waste your time on the Doge's Palace tour....boring.
Galleria D'Accademia is THE museum to see....my favorite on the planet.

Chillon Castle, Montreux, Switzerland.....my FAVORITE castle of all time...what a castle should be.

MUST SEE IN PARIS.....the Kings chapel, San Chapelle, same island as Notre Dame, other end of island.......the best stained glass in Europe......like being in heaven...amazing, DO NOT MISS THIS

Mont St. Michel........amazing, very crowded, keep going up...crowds thin...worth the climb

sounds like a great trip. I did much of that last year

Have a blast

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 5:22pm

Looks like an amazing trip! I hope you have a wonderful time. I think the biggest adjustment you will need to make in Europe (except London, which is different from the rest of Europe in many ways) will be the meals. People generally eat later than they do in America. Lunch will be around 2 (usually the biggest meal) and a light dinner around 9. There is no free water in restaurants and no free beverage refills.

Most North American debit cards can be used most anywhere in Europe. Check the back for the Cirrus logo - that's the most popular. I used ATMs only when absolutely necessary because the fees can be outrageous as well as the exchange rate depending on the machine you use. Using a credit or debit card to pay for purchases usually gets you a good rate and no extra fees. Be careful about carrying cash because pickpockets are more common and more talented in Europe. So are gypsies in some countries. If a nice sweet lady offers you a little flower, DON'T TAKE IT! Don't talk to her, just WALK AWAY. If you give them a moment, they will try and stick the flower in your hand or shirt and then demand payment. Sometimes they will physically grab you and hold on for life. While delaying you, their partners will appear and try to participate. If you are not alone, then they usually back off pretty quickly, so try not to spend much time alone. They can spot a tourist in a crowded piazza faster than you can say "Where's Waldo?"

As for London fashion, I guess it depends on your tastes. I found that London had its own fashion that was quite different from the rest of Europe and really not to my liking. And British cuisine is....well....not famous for being the best. I do like the traditional fried breakfast, though. And for cheap eats in London, you can't beat the fish and chips. Very cheap and very tasty. If you're on a budget, be sure to save the bulk of your money for London. It is HORRIFICALLY expensive right now. Luckily, most of the shows offer cheap seats (more reasonably priced than Broadway) and there is a TKTS in Leicester Square. Also, the black cabs in London are really expensive. Gypsy cabs are everywhere (just regular cars privately driven) and are much cheaper. In the three months I spent in London, I never had a problem with them. They are especially handy at night as the Underground shuts down around 11pm and the night buses are an absolute nightmare. If you use a gypsy cab, just be sure to ask them how much it will be to get to your destination BEFORE you get into the cab.

When in Germany, expect lots of pork and potatoes. Chicken and beef is kind of hard to find, unless it's breaded veal (schnitzel). Try a Döner Kebab (similar to a gyro sandwich) from a small Czech vendor. Cheap and delicious!

And most important......TIPPING! In London and western Europe, you don't tip bartenders (unless you feel incredibly generous or are suffering from American guilt) and tipping in restaurants is minimal. Waiters make regular living wages and do not live off tips. This is abundantly clear when you notice how different the service is from American waiters. In Germany, I usually had to wait about 20-30 minutes and then finally search the restaurant in order to find my waitress to order food. They are simply not as attentive. I'm not saying it's better or worse, just different. And do not be surprised if a stranger joins you at your table to dine. I experienced this often in Germany and London. If they see one or two people dining at a table that seats four, they will simply fill the unoccupied chairs. Usually, they keep to themselves and don't intrude nor wish to be intruded upon unless they are exceedingly friendly (or drunk).

That's all I can think of for now. Eat some Bubble and Squeak in London and some Marzipan in Germany. Enjoy the bidets. Have a great time!

Updated On: 4/27/05 at 05:22 PM

[sabrelady]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 5:37pm

Use zip lok bags to hold socks underwear etc & label as such. U hardly have to unpack yr luggage to find stuff. Roll clothing were ever poss to pack in least space. Bring an extra collapsable bag of some kind for any extra purchases. Email yrself a copy of all yr emerg numbers, credit card #s etc. OH & PACK YR CDs & Player. for entertainment- other wise u turn into a BBC world/ CNN junkie!! esp in NON Eng areas.

[Plum]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 6:32pm

There's also Eurosport. You wouldn't believe how much sumo wrestling and synchronized swimming I watched while I was in Italy.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 8:40pm

Wow, thanks for the detailed responses! I'll be printing out this thread and taking it along with me tomorrow as a reference. (And as a reminder of my BWW life...because, you know, it's easy to forget.)

Doxy, I hear teal really flatters me. So I shall be painting the continent teal instead. Happy now?

Kissy, I'm likely going to the Tate and/or the National Gallery tomorrow afternoon (assuming I've checked in by noon time). Is the National Gallery the same as the National Museum? And is changing of the guards worth seeing? And don't worry, no way in hell will I be on Atkins this trip. (I like my scones, spuds and puddings far too much to pass that up in the UK!) I've lost 2 pounds over the last two months so I can anticipate a judgmental bitching-at from my gracious aunt.

Mabel, re: the adapter...uhhhh......F*CK. Looks like I'm going out tonight. Do you know what type of voltage is used in Europe? I'll Google it in a moment. My camera charger adapts to AC100-250. I don't know what Europe uses.

Sabrelady, I think a gondola trip is included in my tour. (I'm with Trafalgar.)

These PIN numbers you guys are refering to...is this for a bank debit card, as opposed to a credit card? I only have a PIN for my debit.

Lael, I'll for sure be checking out TKTS. I've still got my fingers crossed for Chicago with Brooke, but if it's sold out on TM.co.uk, I think my chances are slim.

Plum, I'll for sure be checking out the Louvre, and I hope I have a good portion of the day to do it too. When I was at the Met last year, I had one hour to cover everything. I imagine I'll deal violently if I'm rushed for the Louvre. Is the Mona Lisa really underwhelming? I'd like to see Orsay as well. Did you check out L'Arc? I wonder if it's worth the hike up.

Thanks for the advice, Gothampc. Have you been to Marks and Spencers? I've heard it's a "must-see". Good idea on the grocery store for gifts. I think I'll be in Brussels on Sunday. I hope I'm not missing out on too much. And I've just finished scanning and e-mailing the passport to myself.

ElTico et Lael, ou est le Sacre Coeur? Dans Paris? Est-ce que La Moulin Rouge, er, worth it? And will the folks in northern/central France speak English well? Mon francais est tres mal maintenant. If the French people are anything like Quebecois here, they get kind of huffy if foreigners don't make the effort to try to speak French.

Elphaba, you had me at "meatloaf sandwich". I'm on the prowl. Speaking of which, I'd like to check out Joe Allen in London too. I enjoyed my meatloaf sandwich at Joe Allen in NYC. I hear Michel Roux has a few restaurants in France and England. He was the head chef when I went to Alaska on the Celebrity Mercury. I didn't realize how popular he is.

Thanks for the tips, Mister Matt. Germany is the place I've heard the least about. I hear there are street vendors that sell fantastic fries slathered in mayo, and I was won over. I'm still concerned about the ATM thing (I just checked the back of my debit, and it says it's valid at any worldwide ATM with the following symbols on the back: GreenMachine; Interac; and a quartered square with PLUS in the middle.). I think I'd be more comfortable using my credit card for my purchases. I just wonder whether the smaller cities will accept them.



Is the pickpocketing the epidemic that the media makes it seem to be? My aunt was pickpocketed in London a few years ago, a friend was pickpocketed in Paris, and a few people from a travel group my friends were on were almost pickpocketed in Greece. I don't know if it's that ubiquitous or if the people I surround myself with just tend to get themselves into trouble.

How much am I looking at spending for a good meal in London? I've heard horror stories of US$45 pasta platters. My travel companion is picking up our meal tab; I just don't want to push her limits.


Thanks for everyone's input!

[ElTico68]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 8:50pm

Sacre Couer is on a hill in Paris. Not too long a walk from the Opera House (a walk, but not a long one). Montmartre is to the left of it. There's a square with lots of artists and surrounded by wonderful restaurants. We didn't go to the Moulin Rouge, though we have some pix of Barbie doing the can-can with it on the background. I'm so jealous... have lots of fun!

[AbbaRabbit]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 8:54pm

I've never been to Europe before, so I don't know of any cool places to go, but have fun!!! We'll miss you Tiffy!

[ElTico68]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 8:57pm

Found this for you, tif...
Sacre-Coeur

[Ellie3]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 8:59pm

The view from the Sacre Couer is fantastic. Be sure to take the cable-car thingy to the top, though. Steps are for losers.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 9:00pm

Tiff, my darling, have an amazing time!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 9:05pm

Thank you Shub and Abba!

ElTico, that's pretty! Have you read The Da Vinci Code before? Wasn't the Sacre-Coeur mentioned there? I'll be taking the novel with me.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 9:37pm

I just want to wish my fellow Canadian Tiff the very best time in Europe. Have a safe and memorable trip!

[mabel]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 10:36pm

Tiff, I have no idea about adaptors, but I know you'd need one to plug into a European socket. I specifially remember my friend who was just in London picking an extra up for her digital camera battery charger. I guess if you can't get one, just keep that in mind while you're there and try not to keep it on while walking around. It'd suck to have them die half-way through and have no way to recharge them!

[Delphine]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 10:38pm

Oh Tiff, I don't even get to give you a proper goodbye! *tear* May you meet many beautiful European boys! Au revoir!

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 10:41pm

Tiffy: Make the effort to speak French. When they hear how you're mangling the language (like I did), they'll be glad you made the effort, but will switch over to English to stop the mangling... oh, and while the scones and the clotted cream and jam are all good, make sure you eat WELL while in France, Belgium and Italy... Pastries galore. And happiness in the form of baguettes and focaccia...

[Plum]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 10:47pm

Tiff, if you don't go to Sacre Coeur on foot I'll be forced to smack you. And I was horribly rushed when I went to the Louvre, but I think they've put the Mona Lisa (which is a bit underwhelming) in a better display area since I was there. Don't worry; just follow the sound of the crowds and you'll find it. :) The Orsay was amazing because I got more time there and there wasn't ONE PAINTING THAT EVERYONE HAD TO SEE. You know? And while you're there you can see a copy of Seurat's "Sunday on the Island of La Grande Jatte" and imagine that the woman with the parasol on the right is Bernadette Peters.

When in Paris, buy chocolate crepe on the street. Man, that's fun. I walked from Arc to Arc (you'll see what I mean) my first day there, which was tiring, but the chocolate made it all better.
Updated On: 4/27/05 at 10:47 PM

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 11:03pm

And going up to Sacre Coeur from behind (that sounded dirty) by foot is a really good workout... wear comfortable shoes...

Orsay is just such an awesome concept. A train station converted to a museum. The rooms that the Impressionists are kept in are less than ideal to get to, but they are awesome. One reallly long room with amazing works...

If you've got other free days or just long blocks of time, spend time walking around. The neighborhoods of the Ile St. Louis, St. Germain des Pres, and the Marais, are great neighborhoods. And you'll find things yourself that you're going to have to let us know about!

Bon voyage!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 11:07pm

Start at the top floor of the Orsay.

One of my favorite restaurants in Paris is 404. I'll PM you the info.

Do you want lists of shops? I know plenty...let me know what kind of shopping you want to do!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 11:12pm

Quick question - I'm bolting back and forth between here and finishing my list. (Yes, my packing list. Aside from copious amounts of underwear, I haven't packed a thing.)

If I wear boots with a 3 inch heel, will I be crying while touring? It's not so much the length of being in the shoes; there isn't much grip on the bottom so I'm mostly concerned about cobblestone lanes and sliding down it on my ass.

NYadgal, do I want a list of shops??? But of course! Mostly in London, Paris and where ever else you see fit. I'm looking for flea markets, trendy but relatively inexpensive clothing (not really accessories). Oh, and chocolate!

Kissy, I'll tackle your sacred heart from behind if that's what it takes, babe. Is it in the city centre?

How accessible is Paris, London and Rome on foot?

[mabel]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 11:14pm

Tiff, I'd say go for comfort and traction all the way for lengthy bouts of trekking around! I'd imagine you'll be doing TONS of walking, so comfy/walkable shoes are of the utmost importance!!!

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 11:17pm

Tiff... That doesn't sound comfy to me... You CAN be fashionable and comfortable... Trust me. If you save the heels for nights, that's totally doable... Paris is immensely accessible by foot. But Sacre Coeur (and Monmarte) is best gotten to via the Metro, as it is in the Northeast part of the city. London is deceptive. Things look closer than they really are, on the map.

[Plum]

Posted: 4/27/05 at 11:49pm

I'd wear sneakers, but that's pretty much what I wear all the time.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/28/05 at 12:02am

Argh, fiiiiine. I'll back the Vans.



Is it bad to have extreme anxiety over this? My stomach is in knots.

[BEKA531]

Posted: 4/28/05 at 12:05am

TIFFYYY!!! you're LEAVING?? i'm gonna *sniffle* MISS YOUUU!!!

[ElTico68]

Posted: 4/28/05 at 12:08am

Totally normal girl...

I actually walked to Sacre Coeur from our hotel... it was about halfway up the hill, but still. It was a beautiful walk. I love walking the streets of old cities.