first-time tourists to Europe

The first thing that popped in my mind is Paris. Paris is famous for being a romantic city!

That would be Weimar, home of Goethe and Schiller... oh sorry, you wanted "romantic" not "Romantic"...

Are you limiting to just a "city"? If not, my most romantic spot would be a region - Tuscany. Of course I think Rome is pretty romantic too and Venice as well - yes, I'd go to somewhere in Italy.

Venice or Paris, no question here. How wonderful for you. Enjoy your special trip.

Paris, Venice second.

Paris

Elaine,

For your first trip to Europe, it seems a shame that you can't spend more than four days! That's a long way to go for such a short time. Is there any way you could extend that to perhaps one or two weeks?

With only four days to spend, I'd suggest basing in one city and perhaps taking a day trip. As the others have suggested, Paris would be a good choice as there's a LOT to see, and you might enjoy a day trip to Versailles. You indicated that you're an "educated" couple, but you didn't indicate whether you like art, museums or other attractions? Visits to the Louvre and also the Musee d'Orsay (a fantastic collection of impressionist art in an elegant old building, formerly a train station) would be good choices.

Rome would be good also, but it's more distant and so not as good for such a short time. I'm a bit curious on why London isn't on the list? What time of year will you be taking this trip?

One point to consider though, is that you'll pretty much "lose" your first day due to flight times and time zone changes. Is that included in your four days? If you can find a direct flight (Philadelphia?) to Paris, the flight time will be 7-8 hours (still about a whole day). If your flight includes changes in Frankfurt or elsewhere, the time will range from about 12-15 hours. Those times don't include the check-in times, security, etc.

Good luck and happy travels!

I am going to be blunt,, FOUR days and its your first trip.

Paris. No question in my mind. The museums, the food, the history, the romance.. but, as I said, four days is so short..

All good advice so far.

But....four days?! Four?! Come on, don't be silly. Remember it takes a full day to get there. It takes a day to get home. Your first day there you will probably be a complete jet-lagged zombie (don't underestimate how wiped out you will be...if you've never crossed 10 times zones before, it's going to kick your butt for the first day, and maybe part of the second). Your first couple of days in Europe (especially if you've never been before) you are going to be fairly disoriented (as well as groggy). How many days does that leave you to enjoy your destination?

My fervent advice is to find a way to stretch it to a week or 10 days at an absolute minimum. Two weeks is really better. Personally, I think it's completely crazy to fly half-way around the world if you only spend less than 2 weeks at your destination.

That all said, I think the answer is pretty clear for your destination: for a short trip, first time to Europe, you're looking for one place that's romantic. Easy answer: Paris. Venice would be a good second choice, but Paris is the obvious choice.

Good luck!

There is a six hour time difference between the East Coast and France. Jetlag should be more manageable from PA than it is for us travelling from the West Coast (a nine hour time difference). The daytime travel idea sounds good. You may adjust to the time difference quickly and have four great days. I agree with the others that longer would be better, but four days in Paris would be better than zero days in Paris. Plan what you want to do there, and while there prepare for your second, longer, trip.

Elaine, I would also recommend Paris. If four days is all you have I wouldn't let that stop you. I have gone to both Paris & London (separate trips) for only 4 days, plus a travel day. While more time of course would have been ideal, I wouldn't trade either of those trips for anything. I also find I'm so excited to be there, that I quickly get over any jet lag by going to bed early the first night and sleeping right through until about 8:00 the next morning. Work with the time you have, prioritize your sightseeing (because you won't get it all in) and have the time of your life!

If people only have 4 days of vacation and want to spend it in Europe, that is perfectly fine. Telling them if that is all they have, then they should just not go is pretty harsh. I cannot imagine telling someone that. People here in Germany fly to NY for a weekend of shopping. It is perfectly acceptable. Maybe that is all they can afford, with hotels and meals. Telling them not to go is just plain, oh I don't know, just not correct.

Sure folks will have jet lag, but so what? It is not the end of the world. When you are running around a fascinating city, you get over it. Lots of people sleep on the plane and land refreshed. They jump in the shower at their hotel and then hit the streets running. I have landed back here in Europe and gone straight to work. Was I tired? Heck yeah, but it wasn't THAT bad.

I have to add, working as a hotel manager for over 3 years, I never once saw someone arrive from the states in the evening. The majority of my guests were from the States and were flying in from DC, NYC, etc. If there are flights that depart in the early morning, that is a new one on me.

Oh, and I vote for Paris too.

I have to offer an alternative opinion... Condsider Vienna or Salzburg. They are both very romantic!!! My first trip to Europe was to Austria and we absolutely loved it. We returned last year for my 50th and our 30th wedding anniversary combined. Enjoy.

I'm going to join the chorus and agree that Paris is the best destination. I think too, that you'll get a lot out of four days. I used to think that if I didn't have a month it wasn't worth a trip. Then, I had to go to the UK for business and I learned that I could do a lot in a very few days. You won't even have the business meetings to plan around so you'll have lots of time! I know of lots of people from the east coast who go to Paris, London and Ireland for a long weekend. Just remember that it's your first trip not your last trip to Europe. ; )

Pam

4 days for Europe and travelling across different time zones is not easy but doable. Just remember that being tired doesn't really add to any romantic feelings. I'd suggest choosing a destination that would limit the amount of travel related stress and fatigue in this case. A place that you can get to from your home airport as directly as possible. Paris is probably easier to reach than Venice or Vienna.

I agree with almost everyone that has posted...Paris is it! It should be easy to reach and if you plan ahead you can do alot with four days. Hopefully you aren't counting your travel days in there.

Elaine,
Go where your heart tells you to go. Being there for four days I think would make Paris a good choice. But I love Italy and would vote for Venice. What a wonderful birthday present.

My only experience with a whirlwind trip to a city in Europe is Paris. But I have been to Paris twice for a long weekend, 4 nights, and it is a wonderful trip. My first trip to Paris was for ten days, but my sister went with me on my first four night trip there and a friend and I went earlier this year for four nights. It was a first trip to Paris for both of them and they had a great time.

I say first choice, 2nd choice and third choice.... Paris, Paris, and Paris. However that said, if
you can't go for at least 1 week I would choose some
romantic, educational place in the US.... maybe New York?
Happy Travels

No doubt about it!

PARIS

I agree with the majority -- Paris. I've had a number of 4 day trips to Paris (anywhere from 3 to 5 nights). It's enough to give you a real feeling for the city. Plan carefully tho. Do you want to see the city itself which to me is worth the trip, or are you interested in the sights, museums etc. You won't see much in 4 days, but it is enough time to walk around & enjoy the city itself with the wonderfully relaxing cafe life, good neighborhood restaurants, & interesting shops. Also, if you get museum passes, you can pop in & get a look around at a lot of them without feeling as tho you have to stay for a full visit. The major museums take a lot of time & enery. A friend of mine spent her 50th birthday in Paris last Nov - her first visit & she & her husband had a wonderful time.

My first trip to Europe was a 4-day trip to -- Paris. Loved every minute of it! A friend of mine traveled frequently and in an off-hand moment I told her that if she had another trip coming up and wanted company, let me know. Well, she did, and I went.

The advice I'd add that hasn't been given before is to ask your doctor to prescribe some sleeping pills. Jet-lag bothers some people more than others; I was one who it hit so I was often tired during the day and had a lot of trouble falling asleep at nite. Also for someone on a time budget, the museum pass is well worth it; you get to bypass the lines and get right in.

I've since been on much longer trips but I still remember the magic of that first trip, of walking around the corner and there was the real Louvre across the river, the sights along every boulevard, riding the Metro, etc.

One other option I'd throw out for a slightly longer stay is the RS Paris tour. It's listed as 7 days but is really 5 1/2 since the 1st day starts by meeting around 3pm and the last "day" is just meeting for breakfast, so it might come close to your timeframe. Advantages of a tour (esp. for a 1st-time visitor) is the legwork they do for you; they arrange for the hotel, admission to museums, explain how to use transportation in Paris including a group excursion out to Versailles, guided walks, etc. They also make very efficient use of your time; the guide knows how to get from A to B without getting lost, and they have spent the time figuring out which sights are clustered together so you aren't spending a lot of time backtracking. RS tours do a nice mix between planned activities (which you can skip if you're not interested) and free time; about 1/2 the dinners are with the group, the others are on your own.

Again, since you're 1st-time visitors, let me pass on a few more tips. First is to prepare; Rick has a good guide book and there are others, you might want to also watch some travel shows (Samantha Brown, Rick's, etc) about Paris or other areas you might consider visiting.

Second is to use guides if you don't go the organized RS tour route; even a comprehensive book can only devote a few pages to any street or sight. On a walking tour for 2-3 hours think how much more a live guide can tell you, and you can ask questions. I also like to take the bus tour at the start around a new city (here or abroad) to get a sense for the lay of the land, so to speak.

Lastly, its well worth learning a few phrases if you don't speak French. Greetings, where is the bathroom, etc. In tourist areas they'll usually speak English but it sets things off on the right foot if you can start with a phrase or two in the local language. France, being a formal society, the 1st thing you'll always say to a new person no matter what the circumstance is "bonjour".

Mike gave some great tips. I also think taking a walking tour is money well spent. There are a lot of different ones to suit every taste, interest and wallet, and you will gain an appreciation for the city from someone who is usually passionate about it and wants to share it with you. At least that has been my experience so far.

Paris, Venice or Rome!!!!!

Paris!!!

And I know I'll be crucified on this board for this but:

If there's anyway you can make it a week-long trip, I strongly advise it. Spend 3 days in Paris and then spend some time in the countryside. I can tell you from experience that Normandy, the Loire Valley and the Bordeaux regions are all gorgeous and quaint and romantic. And I'm sure there are others, I've just been to these.

If you can't stretch it, go to Paris for 4 days. Not going because it's not long enough seems silly to me. Sure, you won't see everything. But I have friends that lived there for a year and didn't see everything. Just be warned that you might catch the travel bug!

Happy birthday and happy travels.

Thanks for the suggestions! I also thought about a wine tour, but I don't want to plan too much the first time (yes, I plan to catch the travel bug). I was just talking to friends today who traveled through Europe last year and had a hard time in France because of the ugly American thing. They said they were treated rudely in France compared to other countries. I am hoping things will get better for American tourists, especially with the administration change. I'm willing to go with a positive attitude and some ability to try to speak the language. We'll see how it goes!

People say that about the French but in my (albeit somewhat limited) experience it hasn't happened to me.
In fact the rude experiences I've had have been mainly on trips to the US East coast (Boston and Maine). Apparently there are cultural differences between the East and West coasts that govern talking to strangers :-)

What doesn't work in France is a "consumer is king" attitude. You have to accept that things are different. Not wrong, just different. For example when the French go out to dine the table is theirs for the nite; nobody is going to slap a bill on their table without it being requested, and the locals would be incensed if it was. The flip side is the American attitude of in-and-out, snappy service, waiter at your elbow -- not going to get that, and demanding "better" service isn't going to win any friends. As it said in one book I read about France, "slow service is good service". I've also found that a mastering a few phrases will go a long way; start in French and they'll switch to English, and even if they don't with "hello" & "Please, I'd like to buy this" you can do most transactions anyway.

"How the French treat US tourists" is always a popular topic; if you start a new thread in the "To the West" forum I'm sure you'll get plenty of replies :-)

Elaine, check your PM from a neighbor! Have a great trip.

Don't worry, they can be rude to Canadians too, and not just in France. It's mostly the 'well, that's not the way it should be done' attitude that puts them off. But trying a little French and smiling a lot goes a long way. Have a great trip!

How about Florence? You can see a lot in four days because it's so compact and you can walk to all the (amazing!) sights.

I just returned from France, and found the people lovely and fun to talk to. That was my 4th time in France, and I am baffled by the stereotype of French people being rude.

I agree with what Mike had to say about being treated as "ugly Americans". I was fortunate that my first trip to Europe was to visit a friend who had been living in Paris for 8 months. She explained about things like restaurant service and salespeople in stores. Service workers in other countries are not going to drop everything to help you like they do in the US. When she explained to me that store salespeople are going to finish whatever conversation they are having with a coworker before they help me, it made much more sense.

So, Elaine, I'm hoping since you guys are educated, you'll understand these differences! It's part of what makes foreign travel an adventure.

Prague!!!!! It is smaller than Paris, so not quite as intimidating on a first trip...and, I think more romantic than Paris. It is also cheaper than Paris. That being said, you can never go wrong with Paris and it is a shorter flight.

Paris and Vienna have a lot to offer, romantically and historically. When in France, I was not treated poorly (maybe because I always began conversations/questions in French??) and would return for a third trip. I will not be returning to Vienna any time soon. Although the city itself was incredible, I was quite ill from all the smoke. :-( Hopefully, someday I can return....

http://www.excellent-romantic-vacations.com/europe-vacation.html

This website might help.

sincerly,

DS:)

p.s. happy Birthday( have fun)

I vote Paris or Rome. For a first time tourists Rome could be more than a little overwhelming so probably stick with Paris. Four days is a little tight but it can be done. Last Fall we did a five day London trip for a birthday party. Departed Wednesday evening and home by Monday afternoon. However, a direct flight is critical.

What is rude is often a matter of perspective.

American tourist walks into bakery, waits for server to finish with person in front of them,, then as that customer leaves they say step up to counter and say " deux croissants si vous plait".. server turns back on them and grunts,, grabs croissants, does not smile, takes money and puts change on a small plate on counter, turns away from tourist.

Who was rude?

The tourist.

They did not greet the server, they were very rude. It is considered bad form to not greet with a "bonjour madame" EVERY time you enter a store or cafe etc. BEFORE you make any demands. Tourist did not think they were being rude, they tried and succeeded in speaking french AND they said please!!
Server thinks tourist is rude, tourist thinks server is rude,, really is all a misunderstanding.

Its all perception and customs.

This was our third trip to France. I swear with each visit I love France and the French people more and more. I love how they greet everyone with a cheerful "bonjour", and once I forgot to answer and caught myself, hurriedly saying "bonjour" in return. The store clerk smiled brightly and was so eager to help, even though she didn't speak English and we couldn't speak French. They really are quite pleasant.

First, Paris! As other posters have suggested, jet lag can cause you to lose the first day of your trip. Here are a few suggestions: You can fly direct Phila to Paris (and probably from Baltimore to Paris). Your flight will almost certainly be overnight. One idea that might help is to use a short-acting sleeping pill from your doctor. Try a pill at home first, just to see how it works for you. During your trip you could take it as soon as the plane takes off, or you could wait until after dinner on the plane. Either way, you'll get some rest so that when you arrive in Paris you won't be so groggy. Pack light and carry everything into the cabin with you so you don't lose time collecting luggage. Research how to travel between the airport and your hotel. You'll probably arrive long before you can check in, but ask the hotel to store your luggage so you're free to explore until check-in time. Good luck! (By the way, I grew up just down the road in York.)