## Europe Trip

Post by myself1931 » Mon Apr 02, 2012 5:19 pm

Hey guys, I'm going to be passing through London, Paris and Amserdam over the next 10 days. Any suggestions of what to do in the evenings. Keep in mind im 17, its a school trip, and I'll probably some others with me.
Finally got out of that small town, I now live in Toronto. Anyone nearby feel free to hit me up.

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by Jason Toddman » Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:48 am

If it were summer (as it was when I went there many years ago) I would say try to tour around London on your own (with some friends that is, not all by yourself) separately from any guided tours. I did so while everyone else was resting in their hotel rooms recovering from the overnight bus trip, and I got to see many of the sites I would have missed otherwise. I walked from my hotel, crossed Kesington Park (very nice BTW), and looked over Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, London Bridge, the House of Parliament, Albert Hall and even checked out some British pubs - all on my own (several hours of walking were involved however) and which the guided tours never took me to. I had no concerns about being lost, as despite being a foreigner I could speak the language fluently and could always ask directions!
Paris is okay too, but the people aren't so friendly there unless you speak fluent French yourself, and one person in mhy tour group had their purse snatched there.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by Chris12 » Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:54 am

Amsterdam huh? Cofee shooooooops!

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by myself1931 » Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:42 am

Cool, thanks for the ideas. Its too bad my teachers would kill me if I tried to do into the pubs
Finally got out of that small town, I now live in Toronto. Anyone nearby feel free to hit me up.

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by Jason Toddman » Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:52 am

Well, that was just a for'instance; they serve food too. I myself don't even drink!
There are plenty of interesting shops in London too; especially down in Piccadilly Circus.
I hope your tour takes in the Tower of London; I found it a fascinating place to be. Madame Toussard's Wax Museum too.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by xtc » Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:05 am

London: when viewing the inevitable Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, try not to miss the little church nestled in there, especially the sundials.
Paris: walk up the Champs-Élysées - shame it's not Christmas. Personal opinion: Quai D'Orsay is more worthwhile than the Louvre. The first room is simply gob-smacking!
I don't think your teachers would be quite so annoyed if you tried an English pub (although you would be under age, even here) as they would be if you tried certain "cafes" in Amsterdam!
Enjoy "Snapshot Europe"!
Xtc
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!
More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by Jason Toddman » Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:00 pm

> xtc wrote:London: when viewing the inevitable Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, try not to miss the little church nestled in there, especially the sundials.
> Xtc

I think I recall seeing sundials on that trip too (or at least a sundial), but I had long since forgotten where they were; that must've been where I saw them though. Thanx.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by truly_trussed » Tue Apr 03, 2012 1:06 pm

Hi Smitty, If this is your first trip across the pond head over to Coles, Chapters, Indigo or Toronto's World's Biggest Bookstore (I note you are Canadian) and head over to the Travel section. Look for Europe Through the Back Door 2012 Edition by Rick Steves. Rick hosts a popular TV travel show on European travel and his book is an excellent source of info. for first time visitors, especially from the U.S. and Canada. His website is ricksteves.com. Speaking of bookstores, try to visit one of the U.K. chains such as W.H. Smith if you have time. You'll see many popular titles not sold in North American bookstores. Have a safe trip. Bon Voyage.

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by Reidy » Wed Apr 04, 2012 12:21 pm

Amsterdam you say? Red Light district all the way.

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by xtc » Wed Apr 04, 2012 12:25 pm

Yes, a well regulated and safe one as far as I understand.
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!
More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by Chris12 » Wed Apr 04, 2012 12:44 pm

> Reidy wrote:Amsterdam you say? Red Light district all the way.

Hehe, yeah pretty much!

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by lonewolfandfriends » Thu Apr 05, 2012 1:09 pm

Sightseeing, but go with some friends, even if the rumor tells that Englanders are supposed to be nice!

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by Jason Toddman » Thu Apr 05, 2012 1:31 pm

In my experience "Englanders" as the previous poster called them are nice, especially if you're nice too, but there could always be exceptions.
Besides, sight seeing is more fun with company anyway when you can get it. I went off on my own simply because nobody else had the energy *I* had at the time (wish I had that kind of energy NOW) and because I knew no one else on the tour anyway; but if you have friends your own age with you this should not be a problem for you. By all means bring along any of your friends who'd like to go on a side trip and who know how to behave. There's safety in numbers, but only if you don't take along potential troublemakers.... including (judging by xtc's reaction below) people who use the word "Englanders", apparently!
Last edited by Jason Toddman on Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by xtc » Thu Apr 05, 2012 1:48 pm

We are not "Englanders", except to Nazis in bad films; we are English. We are probably no better or worse than any other nationality but I do agree with Jason.
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!
More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by Jason Toddman » Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:54 pm

Oops; I only used that term because the previous person had. I should have made this clearer by putting the word in quotes, since I've never used the word myself. I'll do so now.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by drawscore » Thu Apr 05, 2012 3:54 pm

"The English and the Americans are two peoples separated by a common language."
(Attributed to Winston Churchill)
Drawscore

### Re: Europe Trip

Post by xtc » Thu Apr 05, 2012 4:03 pm

Irrelevant but I like it:
Lady Astor: "Mr. Churchill, you're drunk!"
Winston Churchill: "Yes, and you, Madam, are ugly. But tomorrow, I shall be sober."
Allegedly!
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!
More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729