Backpacking Trip to Europe, Need help!!!

[Alex4412]

Anyways forget the German cities because that will be covered by my girlfriends family over across the pond (She is from Germany originaly so her family will be taking us around Germany, yay free food and free housing). I was wondering what would be the top five cities to see. I dont mind coughing extra cash for London and Paris hostels, doesn't matter to me, I've been bartending a local restaurant for the past year for this damn trip.

Anyways I have three months (June, July, August) to have fun and travel with my girlfriend. What would be your top five choices and if you can give an explanation that would also be great.

::side note:: My girlfriend can speak German, Spanish, and English. I can speak French at least. So I guess the two of us can piece together Italian easy?

The deal I have for my tickets are 700 with USAirways (With taxes and all that jazz) Boston-Frankfurt roundtrip. (Could I get them cheaper?)

I have a camera, boasting a Canon 350d Rebel XT (EF-S 17-85mm Lens)

 

[Ketteringo]

Amsterdam!

 

[dugweb]

Originally posted by: Ketteringo
Amsterdam!

That seems to be a very popular choice... care to explain why? (I've never been to Europe, but would love to go sometime soon)

 

[Alex4412]

Oh Amsterdam is going to be a must just to say I've gone and to see if it really lives to the hype every teenager puts on it.

 

[Leper Messiah]

just don't get locked out of your hostel late at night and listen to eastern european d00ds!

 

[ElDonAntonio]

It really depends on what you like...here are my choices: Paris is awesome but even better with a girlfriend, Rome is like a huge incredible museum, Barcelona is beautiful AND a lot of fun, I heard Prague was great and cheap from many people, and finally, maybe Amsterdam (never went though).

 

[Alex4412]

Well I'm going with my girlfriend who is originaly from Germany. She can speak German, Spanish, and English. I can speak French at least. So I guess the two of us can piece together Italian easy?

 

[Colt45]

go east

 

[Alex4412]

Yeah it is cheaper... was looking at Krakow in Poland for one of the destinations, and Prague of course.

 

[Agnostos Insania]

Originally posted by: dugweb

Originally posted by: Ketteringo
Amsterdam!

That seems to be a very popular choice... care to explain why? (I've never been to Europe, but would love to go sometime soon)

As far as I know it's because of legalized marijuana and prostitution. OMG WEED AND SLUTS DUDE!

 

[Frodolives]

I love the Dutch, and Amsterdam is an interesting city, but I personally wouldn't put it in a top five. If you're the type of person who'd choose a Carnival party ship instead of maybe a Costa/Royal Caribbean/Holland America then maybe you'd enjoy the cheap thrills that most often characterize Amsterdam for Americans.

I'm not saying that's all that's there. Certainly there are some major museums and great dining and all of that, but I so wish I could've visited Scandanavia. I'd choose Copenhagen or Oslo I suppose, over visiting Holland if I couldn't do them all.

 

[Excelsior]

madrid.

 

[LS20]

poland and czech republic.. unless you wanna pay 5x the time of money to stand in line and see other american tourists in western european countries

 

[oboeguy]

Three months? Wow, you can see a lot in that time. When will you be over there?

 

[Wapp]

It never gets a lot of mention but check out Bern. It's a really clean city and extremely fun.

 

[BriGy86]

stay at a hostel, perferably a run down one :evil:

 

[Doctorweir]

3 months? Nice vacation...
Speaking from the center of Europe I would say:

London: Crowded, but well...you gotta see London...
Paris: Must-have for vacation with GF
Barcelona: Beware of pickpockets
Amsterdam: The city of fun...don't miss it
Venice: see Paris
Rome: Must see for cultural / historical reasons
Munich: self-explaining => :beer: but besides the nicest of the bigger cities in Germany
Cologne: If you are into big churches...
Berlin: If your make your way east anyway...
Vienna: Very nice.
Prague: Also a fun place with much to see and do...but becomes more and more expensive...

Enjoy your stay...

 

[Patt]

The best piece of advice I could give regarding cities ... don't go just to cities!! Check out the backwoods too ... more interesting and friendly people, and gorgeous scenery.

If you must have a list of cities ... can't recommend Luxembourg City highly enough, and Prague is beautiful too.

Have fun

 

[oboeguy]

Don't forget that if you go to Barcelona (which you should), there's a beach there.

 

[biostud]

Copenhagen

 

[walkur]

If you are going to Amsterdam try to be there on april 30th.
I'ts Queen's day then (Royalty not Gender pref.) it's a hoot.

 

[Alex4412]

Going June July August =/

 

[GTaudiophile]

See my sig?

 

[Alex4412]

It is helpful but I'm looking for cities mainly, most of the other stuff all of my friends and parents have told me, and even a few of my professors.

::Edit:: A little more helpful after reading the entire thread over a few times, thank you!

 

[GasX]

My top 5 non-German cities (not in order)

London
Paris
Prague
Rome
Budapest

You should go spend some time on a greek isle too