Europe

G

Grand Armee

At the Start
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Apr 23, 2005
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Well I am planning my trip to Europe, for next May.

Could someone give me a rundown on the following countries, if they have visited them at all. I just want to know all the general tourist things, such as where to stay, attractions, etc.

As follows:

* Latvia (Riga)
* Finland (Helsinki)
* Estonia (Talinn)
* Lithuania (Vilinus, and surrounding areas)
* England (London and possibly Cornwall)
* Poland (Warsaw and Krakow)
* Germany (Munich)

Any response appreciated.

Thanks in due course/
 
Without wishing to sound facetious, you need a good guide book. Lonely Planet does one on central and eastern Europe that I have found useful.

The Rough Guide is good as well, especially for history, culture and politics and giving a general impression of a place, which is helpful when deciding where you want to go. I don't know, though, if they have editions covering several countries at once. It's true that it would cost a fortune to buy a separate guide for each country, not to mention the weight of carrying them around.

Neither Rough Guide nor Lonely Planet are particularly comprehensive for food and accommodation, although what they list is usually OK.

Rough Guide and Lonely Planet have websites which give a surprising amount of information free. Google will help you find them and others such as Frommer's, and Michelin for hotel and restaurant listings.

I have been to most of the places on your list and certainly wouldn't put you off going to any of them, especially in May/June when with any luck you should have nice weather and long days.
 
Top flight advice. What I would have posted would have echoed Grey's suggestions. If you have the opportunity I'd suggest that you add Paris to your list.
 
I'd add Prague in the Czech Republic, even if only for a couple of days stopover. A vibrant, fascinating city - it's absorbed its noble heritage into the modern era without sacrificing architecture, custom, or beauty. And the Czechs are great - friendly, warm, and helpful and, unlike the Italians promoting their famous sites like Venice and Capri, won't leave your pockets threadbare.

But buy the guides suggested - they're brilliant and will tell you EVERYTHING you need to decide and to plan. Berlitz also do pocket guides which are extremely helpful and give you the basic pleasantries in the country's language, with a pronouncing guide.
 
Riga - I didn't think it was much to write home about personally although I went in January when it was -20. Therefore you couldn't stay outside for longer than about 10 minutes. You must go to the pancake cafe in the old town!

Warsaw - Largely disappointing, the palace of science and culture is a magnificent building although some may call it an eyesore. The old town and botanical gardens area are lovely though.

Krakow - Adorable city with the most vibrant square I've ever visited. You could spend a day or two watching the world go by there. A visit to the former Jewish quarter is a must too. I'd also take a trip out to Auschwitz and Birkenau, whilst they are horriffic, I think everyone should see how expansive this place of horror is.

Agree with Kri about Prague, it's a magnificent city and it's incredibly cheap. Depending on your standards and budget I'd stay at Miss Sophies (The place isn't as sleezy as the name) and although it's basic, it's very clean and in a great location and comfortable.

I'll let you know about Tallinn in due course, I'm hoping to go next month.

Another city which I think is a must visit is Stockholm although as far as prices are concerned, it's a massive contrast compared to Prague.
 
Wales, too... and I'm sure that the Curnow brethren will be delighted to still be included in 'England' - all those little flags and a valiantly-doomed attempt at Cornish independence! :lol:
 
I actually already have all the Lonely Planet guides (I have over 20 of them in my wardrobe, which yes I have read) for those countries except Germany.

Another place that is also being considered is Norway, but this depends on if my Norwegian friend has in fact repatriated back home.

The Czech Republic is a huge possibility, but if I go there I will want to do Slovakia and Hungary, and when does one seriously draw the line?

Maybe I should get out a map, circle the countries and work on it from there.
 
Mrs Relkeel and I have just returned from a week in Stockholm and I have to say, I thought it was great.

All of the locals speak incredibly good English and everyone we dealt with in taxis/shops/bars/restaurants/etc was very helpful and polite.

For reasons I don't fully understand, they seem to love the English. Indeed it was a group of Swedish Spurs fans who started the chanting of England football songs as we watched England v Equador in a pub and created a great atmosphere for the small number of actual English people (and Mrs Relkeel, who is Welsh) that had congregated. I expect similar scenes were occuring in Dublin and Edinburgh too!

Stockholm is a great city - and we did all the usual tourist stuff (Nobel Museum, Royal Palaces, etc), but sadly there was no racing nearby while we were there.

The only downside is that it is very expensive there (and I'm used to London prices). For example, a large beer costs £4.50-£5.
 
I went to Riga last December and experienced daytime temperatures of -5 plus (or is it minus) windchill.

Loved it though. A city with an intense recent history, good eating & drinking, and - this is the best bit - thousands upon thousands of absolutely stunning women.

We stayed at the Hotel Riga. Located on the edge of the older part of town, the hotel's rooms overlook the National Opera House and a park with a small river running through it. In the December snow, it was very picturesque. There's also an outdoor icerink nearby. I fell over countless times, but it was still great fun.

The highlight of the trip for me though was a visit to the Salapils concentration camp. We took a train from Riga to a railway station that I can only think was used for the purpose of taking prisoners to the camp. We then had a mile long trek to the camp, which wasn't signposted, in freezing conditions. The atmosphere there was eerie to say the least. Oh, and the guy at the railway station looks like a deranged drug addict. And he's got a gun.

All in all though, an enjoyable, inexpensive weekend away.
 
Originally posted by cricketfan@Jul 5 2006, 05:59 PM
I went to Riga last December and experienced daytime temperatures of -5 plus (or is it minus) windchill.
Click to expand...
That's nothing, it was -25 when I went! :P
 
Bloody Hell!!! It's got 5 degree colder since your 11.50 post Gamla ;) Me thinkz you might indulging in a spot of one downmanship?.
 
Dont bother with Warsaw.

Krakow is a top spot - similarly Tallinn. Vilnius is nice but wouldn't stay there too long, Riga is a lot more vibrant.
 
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