Travel recommendations...

dank78 · 12-03-2007, 08:12 AM

For all you globe trotting jet setters, I'm looking for some recommendations on a big trip (most likely Europe). There are a million great places out there that I'd like to go to, but I'm interested in your opinions on great places to go across the pond. It'd be a first trip to Europe for me, so I'd like to see the sights, but also do non-touristy stuff too. So where's a good place to go??

stlblues · 12-03-2007, 06:53 PM

Amsterdam or Germany, expensive though with the devalued dollar.

tnbowhunter · 12-04-2007, 05:48 AM

Although it's not Europe. New Zealand is "the" place to go. And now is the time to travel as it is going into Summer over there.

New Zealand is such a diverse Country, it is possible to surf in the ocean and snow ski in the mountains all in the same day plus all kinds of sightseeing opportunities. If you like to fish there are many opportunities from deep sea fishing to some of the best trout fishing in the world.

The last time I was there the American dollar was strong, so there was a lot of value for the money.

**Blackbeauty** · 12-04-2007, 05:54 AM

I went to Düsseldorf, Germany two years ago on business/vacation. All I can say is.... I would leave all this crap behind and live there in a heartbeat!!!! NOT super "touristie", but there is plenty to do. The day to day lives of the locals just fascinated me, and by the end of the nine days there, the servers at all the local spots knew me as American and catered to my not-so-perfect German language skills. It was VERY clean, and quaint with just the right amount of "modern" in certain areas. It is really nice and all the people were so nice and very helpful. It didn't hurt that the little hotel I stayed in had some super hot little front desk attendants. The "touristie" places I visited while there (Köln, Dom Cathedral, Roman Ruins, etc.) were less pristine as the tourists themselves mucked it all up with litter and crap. I'll go back there soon.... and maybe to live!

IMADOGMAN · 12-04-2007, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnbowhunter

Although it's not Europe. New Zealand is "the" place to go. And now is the time to travel as it is going into Summer over there.

New Zealand is such a diverse Country, it is possible to surf in the ocean and snow ski in the mountains all in the same day plus all kinds of sightseeing opportunities.

The last time I was there the American dollar was strong, so there was a lot of value for the money.

I thought that you might recommend Southern Utah, or the fine ski resorts here, but no, you would rather have them spend it overseas....I know it's not Europe, but we have the Mormons, and that makes it seem foreign.
I see that your loyalties lie with the motherland...

dank78 · 12-04-2007, 06:26 AM

Thanks for the responses. So many great places, so little time and money!!

grnTitan04 · 12-04-2007, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty

I went to Düsseldorf, Germany two years ago on business/vacation. All I can say is.... I would leave all this crap behind and live there in a heartbeat!!!! NOT super "touristie", but there is plenty to do. The day to day lives of the locals just fascinated me, and by the end of the nine days there, the servers at all the local spots knew me as American and catered to my not-so-perfect German language skills. It was VERY clean, and quaint with just the right amount of "modern" in certain areas. It is really nice and all the people were so nice and very helpful. It didn't hurt that the little hotel I stayed in had some super hot little front desk attendants. The "touristie" places I visited while there (Köln, Dom Cathedral, Roman Ruins, etc.) were less pristine as the tourists themselves mucked it all up with litter and crap. I'll go back there soon.... and maybe to live!

I second the Germany rec.
I have also been to Dusseldorf, very nice area. Koln was also worthy, and I also toured some abandoned coal mine and steel plant in the area. Cool because you just can't do that in this country.

tnbowhunter · 12-04-2007, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMADOGMAN

I thought that you might recommend Southern Utah, or the fine ski resorts here, but no, you would rather have them spend it overseas....I know it's not Europe, but we have the Mormons, and that makes it seem foreign.
I see that your loyalties lie with the motherland...

LOL!!!!! Yes I forgot to mention Utah, a great place to see for sure. I could "almost" live there myself. But as you mentioned, I am loyal to the Motherland, she needs all the American dollars she can get.