1 week in europe

[gei]

if you could spend a week in europe in any city (right now, in march), which would it be, and why?

[mc_guru]

I have spent 2 months backpacking europe and I would say that Berlin is a great place to spend a week. Such a massive city with a lot of history and lots of things to do. I was there in the summer, so not sure what it would be like in March, but you could also go to Munich for a couple days to experience the fantastic Beer Halls (if you like to drink). Another cool place is Bratislava or Prague. Definately worth checking out although you may not want to spend a full week there.

[toujours]

Paris AND London

[Talamasca]

Rome. There's just so much to see and do (and eat!) there. 2000+ years of history all around you. Even the sewer manhole covers have latin inscriptions ("SPQR") dating back to the days of the Republic. How cool is that?

[NorthYorker]

Weather-wise Madrid can be a little better then some other obvious choices (like Paris/London). Although Rome is probably even better.

Prague/Berlin/Munich are pretty miserable weather-wise this time of year. Half-decent weather starts in April.

[Pete_Coach]

Even considering the weather, London is the place to be for a week. Even if the weather is a bit wet (?), most of what you are going to do is inside anyway (museums, castles, Harrods, galleries). Doing more than one city wastes too much time traveling (considering checking out, to and from airport etc).
If this is your first time to Europe, there will also be no language issue and you get a real taste of the European flavour.

[heymikey]

For a March departure, I'd probably head out to Valencia, Spain for the Las Fallas festival, and then ride a ferry to Ibiza. Or, probably anywhere in Ireland for St. Patrick's.

[Audiogenic]

1 week in Europe is not enough from North America due to the jet lag and time difference. You need at least 2 weeks to enjoy it and best case scenario 3 weeks.

[Suresh]

one week...no way...
WHY?
You can't enjoy europe in one week...not when you're flying from NA.

[NorthYorker]

1 week in Europe is not enough from North America due to the jet lag and time difference. One week is better then nothing, isn't it? What I do to battle jet lag is to switch to something I call "Icelandic time", meaning I shift my internal clock to mid-Atlantic (something like 3 hours, instead of 6-hours diff between EST and continental time).

[CoffeeAddict]

Personally I'd go back to France in a second.
Paris is fantastic but the countryside is where it's really at.
Driving around the country and trying regional cuisine and checking out various sites.... it was amazing really.

[Pete_Coach]

One week is better then nothing, isn't it? What I do to battle jet lag is to switch to something I call "Icelandic time", meaning I shift my internal clock to mid-Atlantic (something like 3 hours, instead of 6-hours diff between EST and continental time).

Absolutely, 1 week is better than nothing. Air Canada and British Airways are even offering weekend getaways to London from Montreal and Toronto. More time is always better but, if you have certain parameters you stay within them.
The OP has 1 week only so you make the best of it. You arrive, don't sleep until you cannot stay awake anymore and then wake up the next morning ready to go.
Have a look at todays special at Air Canada, some real good deals but you got to book by the end of today

http://www.aircanada.com/en/offers/air/dailydeals/dailydeals.html

[Blunt]

Having too little time in Europe (1 week) is still better than going nowhere or staying home. I would do Paris and Amsterdam in one week.

[gordholio]

I'd like to visit England and Scotland if I had the resources.

[HighFlyer]

I've done weekender type trips to Paris and London. Yes, it can be hard on your internal clock.... but like others have mentioned, it can be done.

Of course, these type of trips usually raises eyebrows at customs.

[b166er1337]

If you only have one week, spend 4 days in Paris (even though they are inhibited by French!), and 3 days in London (or Rome)...

[MJB]

I've done Rome in a week (in Nov) a few years back. There is lots to do and great food can be had!


Rome. There's just so much to see and do (and eat!) there. 2000+ years of history all around you. Even the sewer manhole covers have latin inscriptions ("SPQR") dating back to the days of the Republic. How cool is that?

[go leafs]

I don't see why some people are saying you can't enjoy going to Europe for one week. I just came back from 10 days in Paris (4), London(4), and Budapest(2) for spring break.. had a great time and didn't feel rushed at all (I would have enjoyed it just as much for 7 days too).

The weather wasn't too bad (it was pretty nice in London actually). I wore either a winter coat (but got really hot sometimes), spring jacket, or sweater and never put on any mitts/hat. no snow in sight.

If you are worried about wasting time between places, just take an early morning or later night Eurostar (I took a 715am to 855am Paris to London), when many places aren't open anyways.

check out priceline/biddingfortravel for London hotels.. I saved so much money doing that. I would second others' recommendations and say go for both London and Paris.