Best of Europe 2010
Best and worst sights, experiences and destinations:
Best: Original Berlin Walks "Discover Berlin"
Why: This tour gave a tremendous overview of Berlin's major and some minor sites, and weaved everything together with Berlin's fascinating history. This is a must for anyone visiting Berlin.
Kristen in Gail, TX USA 08/22/2009
Best: Gardens at Versailles
Why: Beautiful setting and we were there during the weekend fountains show with classical music.
Worst: Overnight Train Venice to Paris
Why: We still can't believe this happened, but someone gained access to our sleeping compartment, while we were sleeping, and managed to take all of our cash and our camera. We locked the sliding metal door to our compartment before going to bed but noticed the door off its track the next morning. Got no help from Rail Europe train staff. We had read about all the pickpockets but never imagined that they could get through a locked door on the train.
Cary Jung in Sacramento, CA USA 05/18/2009
Best: Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore
Why: One of the most picturesque spots in the world!! Very accurately depicted in the Best of Europe (2008)book. Part of the walking trail had been closed due to landslides, so we took the boat from Riomaggiore back to Monterosso and we loved the views from the water!
Bart Brady Ciampa in Vancouver, WA USA 05/11/2009
Best: Barcelona
Why: The suggested tours of Gaudi's many architectural contributions were fantastic. His architecture seems to have affected the entire mood of the city; it is vibrant and lots of fun. We will visit again to see more.
Bob Kuning in Albuquerque, NM USA 04/08/2009
Best: Bruges
Why: So much to see, but very laid back. Gorgeous.
Michele Smith in Burlington, MA USA 04/06/2009
Best: Cinque Terra
Why: The views were amazing and we never would have known to go there had we not read the book!
Annie in Bel Air, MD USA 03/15/2009
Best: The live commentary hop-on-hop-off bus tours and city river cruise and the Tate Modern.
Why: This was our fourth visit to London and we avoided these tours every other time, so we decided to try them this time. The narration was interesting, informative, and entertaining. The live narration was better than the recording.
It was an excellent tip to visit the Tate Modern late in the evening on Saturday when it is open until 10:00 p.m.
CW in The Hague, Netherlands 02/02/2009
Best: CINQUE TERRE FROM EUROPE THROUGH THE BACK DOOR
Why: it was the best experience in Italy I had when we went on a backpacking trip last month. The recommended castello restaurant in vernazza (best of europe)is the best!!! we met nonno mario- the nicest italian in cinque terre who called me "strange" for ordering coffee before the meal...haha (i needed my caffeine fix right away). cinque terre is our "holiday from holiday" spot. we stayed in levanto which is not as tourist congested as the other towns.
janis p in sudbury, canada 11/23/2008
Best: Louvre Museum, Paris.
Why: Seeing the various works of art that I had only initially heard or read about was almost life-affirming.
Ferdie Pernia in San Francisco, CA USA 07/26/2008
Best: Loved Venice.
Why: Vibrant, alive, full of character even with all the tourists. Felt we did see a side to the Italians that was fun-loving. They love their children! And I loved all the squares with fountains that were such friendly gathering places.
Heather Cameron in Coldstream, BC Canada 06/13/2008
Best: No best one - they were all great
Why: We had so much fun exploring the cities with the help of your walking tour guides and maps....I would recommend the books to anyone travelling in Europe.....
Wendy Fox in Saanichton, BC Canada 02/28/2008
Best: Musee D'Orsay, Versailles
Why: Unsurpassable Impressionistic exhibit. Reasonable and tasty cafe on the top floor.
Gardens of Versailles lovely to walk around in.
Marie Lavendier in Unionville, Ct USA 12/14/2007
Best: PARIS
Why: There is so much to see and the food is amazing!
Karen Canada 10/29/2007
Best: advice to get to the Prague castle at 09:00
Why: we were there to see the change of the guard at 9, there was NO line to buy tickets or audio guide (you can buy your entrance ticket from the audio guide person too). Note the audio guide gets you into the exit of the cathedral with no line once one (a very long one) forms.
pam carlson in encinitas, CA USA 09/26/2007
Best: Paris, France
Why: There was so much to see and do. I loved the Champ de Mars neighborhood with all of the small shops. I proposed on the Eiffel Tower just as the lights started twinkling. The park at the Eiffel Tower with all of the kids pedaling the go-karts, and the pony rides were cute as well.
Worst: The Hop on Hop off Bus in Rome
Why: After loving the Hop on Hop off bus in Paris we found that it was difficult to get a seat on the top on Rome's bus. We found that Rome was a less pedestrian friendly place than London or Paris (The Metro). London and Paris also seemed to be much cleaner. The Terravision bus from Rome Termini to the airport was on a strange system where you couldn't reserve a seat on a specific bus but had to show your airline reservations and they decided which bus you would travel on. The morning we arrived it was mass arguing and chaos because 70 people all wanted a seat on a 50 seat bus (I don't know the exact numbers but that was the feeling).
Jess Williams in Honolulu, HI USA 09/17/2007
Best: Hotel Kranenturm - Bacharach
Why: We stayed at this hotel last summer and returned again this summer. The hotel is in the process of being upgraded with new shower facilities and new carpeting. We stayed in the tower room and had no difficulty with water pressure or hot water. Our room was clean , comfortable and quiet with the new double paned windows. Our host Fatima remembered us from last year and was delighted that we chose to return again. Some posts say that Fatima is intense but we would use the word "concerned" for the comfort of her guests. Her breakfast is one of the best and she is willing to accomodate any reasonable requests. Fatima is indeed queen of her castle and we appreciated her efforts.
Jim & Anna in New York , NY USA 08/12/2007
Best:
Why: Best city: Amsterdam Best destination: Berner Oberland Best museum/sight: Alphonse Mucha museum in Prague and Rheinfels Castle in St. Goar and the Anne Frank House
Worst:
Why: Worst city: Prague -- people only interested in making money while being extremely unhelpful (except the people at Guest House Lida) Worst museum/sight: the Jewish Museum in Berlin has beatufiul architecture and it's probably worth it to visit just for that. There is so much inside that I found myself skipping entire hallways that focus on one person just to get to something more interesting.
Katie Ramp in Monterey, CA USA 06/23/2007
Best: The recommendations and tips for popular sights
Why: It helped to save time by giving us insight into specific things (times to go to museums, events etc)
Shizuka Suzuki in Los Angeles, CA USA 06/02/2007
Best: The Self-Guided Walking Tours in Salzburg
Why: Rick is absolutely correct in stating that Salzburg is a city to be walked (including the numerous churches) rather than a city with a lot of sites to visit. Getting off the beaten path from the tourists and strolling along Steingasse, including a long climb of many steps to the religous site, was a real treat!
Archie Malcom in McDonough, GA USA 05/23/2007
Worst: Grayline Tour: Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castles
Why: We toured last March 31, 2007, Saturday. Tour guide was an older German woman. The ride was monotonous. She was acting rattled and gave rude replies when you ask her questions. We paid her on the bus but she didn't give our tickets in the bus but handed them out as we entered the line to go to the castle. Problem was, in her confused state, she gave 3 adult tickets to minors and 3 of us adults ended up with those tickets. Then, she instructed us to enter using said tickets, but of course we were stopped and got questioned at the gate. When we complained, she was so rude and didn't even apologize! I would never take Grayline Tours ever again!
Maricel USA 05/21/2007
Best: Bacharach & the Rhine
Why: I would have flown directly to Amsterdam and missed out on Germany which would have been sad. We loved the Rhine, the Mosel and Cologne
Cindy Van in Beaumont Alberta, USA 05/09/2007
Best: Original Berlin Walks (Germany)
Why: We attempted to sightsee for a day before taking the tour, and we became frustrated by our inability to understand the history surrounding many of the sights. The Original Berlin Walks' "Discover Berlin" tour solved this problem. We saw all the important sights, and our guide did an excellent job of explaining their significance and placing everything in its historical context. History came alive. The group was big (over 20) but manageable, and the price (12 Euros each) was well-worth it. We only wish we were there longer to try some of their other tours.
Worst: Checkpoint Charlie (Berlin)
Why: This pricey and disorganized museum (9.5 Euros each) was a big disappointment. The walls are covered with paragraphs and paragraphs of decontextualized info, and the English translations are very confusing. There were some interesting displays showing the homemade devices some Easterners used to escape to the West, but I would not recommend trying to make sense of this place on your own. It might be helpful to invest in the audio tour, but the price of admission is already expensive enough. I'd spend the money on Berlin walking tours instead.
Melissa in Honolulu, HI USA 04/24/2007
Best:
Why: Vernazza, Cinque Terre: One of nature's beauty, peaceful, friendly people, food: local grown vegetables, seafood caught fresh everyday, restaurants and rooms inexpensive.
Love my castle experience: Versailles in Paris, Neuschwanstein and Linderhof in Bavaria, Rheinfels and Burg Eltz in the Rhine.
Rome: Met lots of good people, so many things to see, shopper's paradise in Via de Condotti.
Best train system: Germany hands-down. Most trains early or on time. Good information even in the smallest train stations. Conductors very helpful, they make sure people are in and out of trains before they blow their whistle indicating it is a go.
Worst:
Why: Worst place: Venice - the most expensive place visited. Some restaurants impose cover charge not posted with menu. Another restaurant charged us 8E for a big bottle of water. One charged us 5E for a cup of tea.
Worst train system: Italy - changed platforms so many times, announcing in Italian without showing in screen. Trains mostly late. You better be fast in and out of it, will not wait for you.
Worst people encountered: Dutch - Rick is right, Amsterdam TI staff the most unfriendly I've encountered. Visited so many countries and met lots of different nationalities, but Dutch I find too direct to the point of coming out rude. I would rather talk to a Parisian or Italian anytime. Germans I find very friendly.
Worst to ask for information or direction: Florence, Rome, Venice - people in stores mostly. You want detailed, go ask a policeman.
Maricel Lustre in San Diego, CA USA 04/19/2007
Best: Palace of Versailles
Why: The artistans of all the buildings have got to be appreciated. The murals and faux paintings were quite facinating to myself- as I am a fine artist.
Worst: Poverty along the Siene River, Paris
Why: As with all countries there are some people in dire need of housing and mental health help. There are numerous tents and shacks down along the river Siene.
Deborah Marlene Kearney in Arnold, CA USA 03/09/2007
Best: The Borghese Museum, Rome
Why: The museum is a manageable size. Each room is packed with art...the rooms themselves are art. Of special note was the excellent audioguide! It gave great information in short explanations. Easy to follow and easy to appreciate!!
Worst: Toledo, Spain
Why: Toledo may be worth seeing it, if you can see it through the tourists! We loved El Greco's work, but we went in February and it was still crowded with tourists!
Vanover in Chicago, IL USA 02/23/2007
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