Saturday, December 28, 2013
Europe Trip - London? Belgium? Scotland?
Europe Trip - London? Belgium? Scotland?
My friend and I are thinking of taking a trip to Europe between semesters since we're both busy graduate school students. Since we're on an extremely tight budget, we were wondering what our options were destinations-wise. So far, it seems like London is the cheapest place to fly into but I've already been there twice - once during New Year's. I've been to London Bridge, the Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Queen's Gallery, etc. Belgium or the Netherlands was another semi-affordable option but it seems that there isn't much to do there other than pub crawls. Does anyone have any thoughts for an affordable relaxing but memorable vacation in late May? Thanks! I forgot to mention that I've also already been to Scotland twice but have a few friends there. So I wouldn't mind spending the $ to go see them again but it wouldn't be my first preference.
Other - Europe - 3 Answers
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1 :
OHHHHHHHH Conpehagen, the land of free bikes
2 :
If you want a GREAT spot in Scotland, go first to Edinburgh if you haven't been there (one of the most beautiful cities in Europe), and then head up to the Orkney Islands- it's astounding. The incredible amount of prehistoric ruins and viking sites are awesome, and the North Atlantic scenery is as well. It's a magical place- I spent a year backpacking through 18 countries in 2007, and Orkney was one of my very top places... For Belgium, head to Brugges and then take a tour of the World War One sights- very moving. Ghent is nice as well. London is expensive... but there is a lot to see, and the museums are free! Holland has a LOT to offer- partying if you want it, but incredible museums and beautiful small towns like Leiden or Utrecht. Why not look into Croatia or the Italian Riviera? (Cinque Terra). Italy and Croatia are still pretty good value, as is Portugal. Great weather also. EDIT*- I agree with the answerer below me- I love the East, and it's cheap. In particular, I like Slovenia; Ljubljana (GORGEOUS city), Lake Bled, Piran, Ptuj, etc- I spent four months there in 07-08. Czech is also great- Ceske Krumlov! I agree about smaller places- the soul of Europe is outside her big cities.
3 :
In any country in Europe you can sight see, hike, and many more things. In the Netherlands you can easily rent bikes and do a several day journey that way. And the country has more than 1250 museums, for a country that is 3 hours drive by 1,5 hours, that is a lot. Belgium is a very good country to explore the countryside too, and the pubs there are certainly worth visiting, but not just to get drunk. 100s of kinds of beer in many of them. But if you want to spend little while in Europe, head farther east. Travel to one of the former communist countries and go to one of the smaller towns there. Prague is almost as expensive as towns in the west, but the smaller towns are so much cheaper that it will more than even out the more expensive ticket. Buy or borrow a guidebook and read about the place you want to go. There is tons more to do in any of the places you mentioned as having been there, there are people who go to London each year and still find new things to do after 20 or more years. And when you fly to London you do not have to spend time in town if you do not want, I have been to England many times and the whole of the country is accessable, and mostly friendly for tourists, with lots to do and see.
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